Samus Aran is finally back. Honestly, for a while there, it felt like Metroid Prime 4 Beyond was nothing more than a shared fever dream or a logo we all hallucinated back in 2017.
But it’s real. It’s here. And it’s weirdly different from what anyone expected.
If you’ve been following this saga, you know the drama. Nintendo basically pulled the "emergency brake" on development in 2019, scrapped years of work from Bandai Namco, and handed the keys back to Retro Studios. That kind of move is almost unheard of in the industry. Usually, a project with that much baggage just quietly dies or comes out as a rushed, buggy mess.
Instead, we got a game that feels like a time capsule from an era when "adventure" meant more than just clearing icons off a map.
The Sylux Problem and Why Viewros Changes Everything
For years, fans obsessed over a ten-second clip of a ship following Samus at the end of Metroid Prime 3. That ship belonged to Sylux, a bounty hunter who hates the Galactic Federation with the heat of a thousand suns. In Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Sylux isn't just a rival; he’s a mirror.
Most of the game takes place on Viewros, a planet that feels... lonely. That’s the magic of Metroid, right? But Viewros isn't just another Tallon IV. It’s a world defined by "Psychic Abilities" and ancient Lamorn technology.
Basically, Sylux accidentally triggers a massive teleportation event during a raid on a Federation research station. You, a handful of Federation Marines, and Sylux all get sucked across the galaxy to this uncharted rock.
It creates this bizarre dynamic where you aren't just exploring ruins. You're trying to keep these Marines—like Myles MacKenzie and Nora Armstrong—alive while Sylux hunts you from the shadows.
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It’s personal this time.
How It Plays on Switch vs. Switch 2
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the hardware. Since the game launched on December 4, 2025, everyone has been comparing the two versions.
Retro Studios did something kind of miraculous here. On the original Nintendo Switch, the game holds a steady 60fps. It’s dynamic 1080p, but it looks sharp. However, if you're playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, the difference is night and day.
- Resolution: 1440p (upsealed via DLSS-style tech) makes the visor reflections look terrifyingly real.
- Loading: The "elevator rides" that masked loading in the old games? They’re practically gone on the new hardware.
- Visuals: The "Green Rain" on Viewros looks like actual liquid on the Switch 2, whereas it’s a bit more of a flat texture on the base model.
One of the coolest new additions is the Vi-O-La bike. It’s a high-tech traversal tool Samus finds early on. It makes crossing the massive Sol Valley areas feel less like a chore and more like Tron meets Mad Max.
Purists might hate the idea of a vehicle in Metroid, but given the scale of these new environments, walking everywhere would’ve been a nightmare.
The Design Philosophy That Ignored "Trends"
In a recent interview with Famitsu, the team at Retro Studios admitted they purposely ignored modern shooter trends. They didn't want a "live service" Metroid. They didn't want a "looter shooter."
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They wanted a 3D Zelda-style adventure where you get lost.
The game is about 26-32 GB, which is massive for a Nintendo title. That space is packed with lore. If you’re the type of player who scans every single computer terminal and rock formation, you’re going to be in heaven. The story of the Lamorns and how they used psychic energy to "weave" space-time is legitimately fascinating.
It’s dense. It’s difficult.
And, surprisingly, it’s one of the first Nintendo games to actually let you remap your controls fully. It sounds like a small thing, but for a company as rigid as Nintendo, letting players choose how they want to shoot and jump is a huge win for accessibility.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a lot of chatter about the "100% completion" ending. Without spoiling too much, it recontextualizes why Sylux hates Samus so much. It’s not just "he’s a bad guy." It’s about a failed mission from his days in the Federation Marine Corps where Samus arrived to save the day, and his ego couldn't handle being the one who needed saving.
It makes the final showdown at the Chrono Tower feel much heavier.
Is it the best Metroid game ever? That’s a tough bar to clear with Prime 1 and Dread sitting there. But it’s certainly the most ambitious.
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Your Next Steps in the Galaxy
If you're just starting your journey on Viewros, here is how to handle the first few hours:
- Don't skip the scans. The lore entries for the "Psy-bots" give you actual combat tips that make the boss fights way easier.
- Upgrade your bike early. The Vi-O-La's speed boost is essential for reaching the hidden missile expansions in the desert.
- Check your visor. The new "Psychic Vision" toggle reveals hidden platforms that aren't visible in the physical spectrum—if you're stuck, flick that switch.
- Prioritize the Marines. In certain sections, if your Federation allies die, it’s game over. Keep them covered.
The wait was long. Eight years of silence, reboots, and rumors. But standing at the top of the Chrono Tower, looking out over the alien horizon of Viewros, it’s hard to argue with the results. Retro Studios proved they still have the "Prime" magic.
Samus is back, and she’s never felt more powerful.