The signal is clear: after what feels like an 18-year orbit, Samus Aran is finally landing on the mysterious planet Viewros, as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set for release this week. And if the early hands-on impressions are anything to go by, this is shaping up to be the flagship launch title the Nintendo Switch 2 needed. Nintendo hasn’t just delivered; they’ve delivered a good game that masterfully blends the classic, isolating Metroid atmosphere with seriously impressive next-gen flair.
Next-Gen Refinements: The Switch 2 Difference
The core experience of exploration, puzzle-solving, and first-person combat is intact, but the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition elevates it to new heights, fully justifying the new hardware.
The two selectable display modes are already winning us over:
- Quality Mode: Running at a glorious 4K resolution at 60 fps when docked (with HDR support!), this mode allows players to soak in the incredible art direction of Viewros. Even in handheld mode, it holds strong at 1080p 60 fps. Reviewers have praised how stunning the game looks, noting that the increased visual fidelity transforms the eerie, beautiful environments into something truly special.
- Performance Mode: For those who crave speed, this mode delivers up to a lightning-fast 120 fps while docked at 1080p, or 720p 120 fps in handheld. The consensus is that once you play a fast-paced action game like Metroid Prime at 120 fps, it’s tough to go back. This smooth, responsive gameplay is a huge win for the action-adventure genre on a Nintendo console.
Precision Aiming: The Mouse Control Advantage
One of the most talked-about features is the innovative Joy-Con 2 mouse control support. This optional feature allows the right Joy-Con 2 to be used like a PC mouse for aiming, and hands-on previews have largely sung its praises for offering “shockingly responsive” and “precise targeting“.
This seamless transition between traditional stick controls and the new mouse mode, which requires no menu-juggling, is reportedly a game-changer for high-stakes boss battles. While traditional controls still feel great, the mouse mode offers a clear advantage for hitting the tiny, fleeting weak points that the series is famous for. This is classic Nintendo innovation: finding a unique way to deliver a new level of precision.
We’ve seen this used in other Nintendo Switch 2 titles and the reation time on these special joy cons can not be understated.
Old School, New Tricks: The Gameplay Verdict
Beyond the technical upgrades, the heart of the game, the core Metroid experience, is said to be thriving. The new psychic abilities, which allow Samus to manipulate the environment, grab ‘Psychic Motes’ to open doors, and even guide her charged shots by slowing down time, blend effortlessly into the classic formula. It’s been noted with early hands on that while the game doesn’t redefine the series, it perfects the classic blend of investigative flow, Metroidvania backtracking, and tense combat.
The mission on Viewros is shaping up to be a compelling one, pitting Samus against returning foe Sylux and introducing the mysterious Lamorn species. The only note of caution raised across multiple previews is the presence of a new, talkative NPC companion named Myles MacKenzie, whose constant quips and unwelcome hints have been flagged by purists as potentially breaking the signature feeling of isolation.
It’s going to be a huge launch week for this title and we expect Switch 2’s to be flying off the shelves as some people held off joining the next generation until this release. On thing is for sure, there will be a lot of Metroids under trees this Christmas.
