When Nintendo pulled back the curtain on the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, it brought with it an array of fresh and exciting new gaming experiences. Yet, amidst this lineup, what truly caught my attention was not something entirely new, but rather a familiar fan-favorite – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
As a devoted follower of the Metroid series, stepping into the demo for Metroid Prime 4 felt like revisiting a classic, albeit with a hint of what’s to come. The setting seemed like an early stage of the game, likely before Samus Aran’s iconic power suit receives its telekinetic upgrade. This stripped-down version highlighted her staple abilities: the arm cannon, missiles, scanner, morph ball, and bombs. It’s this simplicity that made the demo feel like a direct extension of its predecessors rather than a leap forward – though other glimpses of the game suggest there’s much more under the hood that just wasn’t showcased in this particular hands-on.
To me, this minimalist segment seemed like a strategic choice by Nintendo and Retro Studios. By focusing on the foundational elements of Metroid Prime, they emphasized not just the mechanics but also how these beloved features translate onto the Switch 2. And, let’s be honest, the glimpse into how it all looks and feels on the new hardware was a spectacle all its own.
The moment I took my seat for the demo, the Nintendo representative was quick to highlight, “This is running at 120 frames per second.” It’s a noteworthy focus for Nintendo, a company not usually known for emphasizing performance specs. But witnessing the game in action, it was clear why this was a point of pride. Metroid Prime 4 on the Switch 2 is effectively an upgrade from its original blueprint designed for less powerful hardware — nearly ten times weaker if Nvidia’s numbers are to be believed. Here, the game shines in full HD at an incredibly smooth 120fps, or in 4K at 60fps, surpassing the limitations of the Nintendo Switch’s earlier model, which wasn’t available for direct comparison at the event.
Once you set the controller down, there’s a whole different element to explore: the new mouse control capability of the Switch 2’s Joy-Con. This feature, allowing the Joy-Con to function like a PC mouse, seems particularly at home in Metroid Prime’s first-person shooter framework. It’s a striking addition that adapts seamlessly into gameplay without the need for cumbersome menu navigation, as the Joy-Con effortlessly switches from a traditional controller mode to a precise mouselook when repositioned.
At the Switch 2 reveal, other games like Civilization 7 showcased similar mouse control integration. But for a game like Metroid, where precision is key, this feature truly elevates the experience. I found myself fluidly transitioning between traditional controls for exploration and seamlessly switching to mouse precision during combat. It transformed my play style, especially during intense combat sequences that demanded swift targeting and agility. This interplay felt more organic than any toggle or setting adjustment could achieve.
In terms of gameplay, the level I experienced was more action-packed than puzzle-rich, which is typically a hallmark of Metroid games. Still, as I grew accustomed to the controls, I developed a rhythm. Exploring, scanning, and traversing felt comfortably executed with the Joy-Con in hand. In heated battles, I effortlessly transitioned into using the mouse-capable controls, providing a satisfying blend of both intuitive interaction and strategic precision.
By the time I encountered a boss fight, I fully embraced the advanced control setup. Targeting the boss’s vulnerable points with uncanny precision gave me a significant edge. This comprehensive control scheme, combined with the game’s 120fps fluidity, felt almost indulgent, as if I was experiencing a realm of gaming previously untouched by console constraints.
This high-performance presentation of Metroid Prime 4 feels like a tease of what the future may hold for Nintendo’s games, promising even the possibility of enhanced packages of existing titles. It addresses the criticisms I’ve had about performance on the first Switch model while continuing to deliver the beloved first-party game quality that Nintendo fans cherish. If Metroid Prime 4 truly represents the path forward, I anticipate a promising blend of robust performance and graphical excellence in future Nintendo titles.
As Metroid Prime 4: Beyond prepares for launch later this year, there might still be an option to play it on the original Switch. However, given the substantial improvements and innovations offered by the Switch 2, it seems the ultimate experience will only be available on the new console. That’s precisely what next-gen gaming promises—bringing familiar favorites to new heights.
