It finally happened. After nearly a decade of silence, logo-only teasers, and a development cycle that felt more like a galactic odyssey than a software project, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is actually in our hands.
Honestly, it feels weird to even say that. For years, "Metroid Prime 4 news" was basically the gaming equivalent of a Bigfoot sighting—mostly rumors, blurry "leaks," and a whole lot of coping from fans who just wanted to see Samus Aran in first-person again. But since the game dropped on December 4, 2025, the conversation has shifted from "Will it ever come out?" to "Is it actually what we wanted?"
The answer is... complicated.
The Reality of the "Beyond" Launch
A lot of people expected a disaster. When Nintendo announced they were scrapping years of work from Bandai Namco back in 2019 to restart with Retro Studios, the red flags were everywhere. Projects that get rebooted halfway through usually end up as a mess of stitched-together ideas.
But Retro pulled it off, mostly.
The game launched as a cross-gen title for both the original Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re playing on the older hardware, you’re looking at a respectable 30 FPS experience that somehow manages to look better than Metroid Prime Remastered. But the real story is on the Switch 2.
Performance Reality Check
Digital Foundry’s recent breakdown confirms that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the first true 3D showcase for the Switch 2's 120Hz mode. If you’ve got a compatible display, it runs at a nearly locked 120 FPS at 1080p. If you prefer eye candy, the "4K" mode (which uses some clever upscaling) locks at 60 FPS.
It’s buttery smooth.
What’s Actually New (and What’s Polarizing)
Samus isn't just running through hallways anymore. The biggest "news" that caught people off guard during the lead-up was the introduction of the Vi-O-La, a high-tech motorcycle that Samus uses to traverse the wider, more open areas of the planet Viewros.
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Some fans hate it. They say it feels too much like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild encroaching on Metroid’s claustrophobic DNA.
I sort of get that. When you're zooming across the Sol Valley on a bike, the "isolation" feeling that defines the series takes a backseat. However, once you get into the actual "dungeons"—the Volt Forge or the Ice Belt—that classic, tense atmosphere comes roaring back.
Those Psychic Powers
Then there are the Psychic Abilities. This was the "big twist" in the gameplay loop. Early trailers hinted at it, but seeing it in action is different. Samus can basically manipulate time and gravity in small bursts to solve puzzles. It’s a far cry from just "find the red door, shoot the red door."
- Chrono-Scanning: Allows you to see the "echoes" of past events to find hidden paths.
- Kinetic Grip: Lifting massive debris to create platforms (basically Magnesis, but for Metroid).
- Neural Pulse: A combat ability that temporarily stuns biological enemies, essential for the Sylux boss fights.
The Sylux Factor
We have to talk about Sylux. For years, we only saw his ship in the 100% endings of Prime 3 and Federation Force. In Beyond, he’s not just a cameo; he’s the primary antagonist.
The dynamic is different than Ridley. Sylux feels personal. He’s hunting Samus, and there are sequences where you aren't the predator—you're the prey. It’s a cat-and-mouse game that spans multiple planets, including the aforementioned Viewros and the research centers on Tanamaar.
Why the Reviews are All Over the Place
If you check Metacritic right now, the score is hovering around an 81. For a Metroid Prime game, that’s actually a bit low. Prime 1 is sitting in the 90s.
Why the "low" score?
Critics like Logan Plant from IGN and the team at Nintendo Life have pointed out that while the peaks are incredible, the "open-world" segments feel a bit empty. It’s that classic development hell scar. You can tell where Retro had to focus their energy—the bosses and the atmosphere—and where they had to "pad" things out to meet the 2025 release window.
The desert area, in particular, has been criticized for being a bit of a slog. It’s large, sure, but there isn’t much to do other than ride your bike from Point A to Point B.
The Technical Specs You Need to Know
If you're still deciding which version to play, here’s the breakdown of how the game actually handles across the two systems.
On the Original Nintendo Switch:
- Resolution: 720p (Handheld) / 900p (Docked)
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS (mostly stable, some dips in Sol Valley)
- File Size: Roughly 29 GB
On the Nintendo Switch 2:
- Performance Mode: 1080p at 120 FPS
- Visual Mode: "4K" (Upscaled) at 60 FPS
- Extras: Enhanced lighting, HDR support, and significantly faster load times (3 seconds vs 20 seconds)
There is an "Upgrade Pack" available on the eShop if you bought the Switch 1 version and later get the new console. It’s not a free patch—Nintendo is charging $10 for the "Switch 2 Edition" enhancements, which has rubbed some people the wrong way.
Is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond the End?
Kensuke Tanabe has been somewhat vague about the future, but the "Secret Ending" (which requires 100% item completion) definitely suggests that the "Beyond" title refers to more than just a new planet. It hints at a much larger conflict involving the Galactic Federation that hasn't been resolved.
We waited 18 years for a sequel to Prime 3. Let’s hope we don’t wait another 18 for Prime 5.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
- Check your version: If you're on Switch 2, go into the settings immediately and toggle "Performance Mode." The 120Hz refresh rate makes the platforming significantly easier.
- Don't skip the scans: Like previous games, a huge chunk of the lore is hidden in scan entries. If you want to understand why Sylux is so angry at the Federation, you need to read the logs in the UTO Research Center.
- Amiibo usage: If you managed to snag the new Samus or Sylux Amiibo, they unlock a "Radio" for the Vi-O-La bike and a "Fusion Suit" cosmetic, respectively.
- Focus on Energy Tanks: The difficulty spike in the Great Mines is real. If you don't have at least six Energy Tanks by the time you reach the Omega Griever boss, you're going to have a bad time.