Honestly, it’s still weird to think about. For years, the collective internet scream for Metroid Prime on Switch was constant, borderline deafening. We all knew it was coming, right? Rumors from industry insiders like Jeff Grubb and Emily Rogers circulated for what felt like a lifetime. Then, in early 2023, Nintendo just... dropped it. No six-month hype cycle. No cinematic trailers at three different gaming expos. Just a "buy it now" during a Direct that left most of us scrambling for our eShop passwords.
It was a bold move.
But here’s the thing: Metroid Prime Remastered isn't just a quick port to fill a gap in the release calendar. It’s a masterclass in how to handle a legacy. If you played the original on GameCube back in 2002, you remember that feeling of stepping out of the gunship onto Tallon IV for the first time. The rain hitting Samus’s visor. The muffled thud of her boots. On the Switch, that atmosphere isn't just preserved; it’s weaponized. Retro Studios (with help from Iron Galaxy and others) rebuilt the geometry and lighting to a degree that makes most "remasters" look lazy.
The Dual Analog Revolution (Finally)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the controls.
The original GameCube version used a tank-control scheme that felt revolutionary at the time but, frankly, feels like driving a forklift today. You had to hold a trigger just to look around. When the Metroid Prime: Trilogy hit the Wii, we got pointer controls, which were precise but tiring for long sessions.
With Metroid Prime on Switch, we finally have standard dual-stick FPS controls.
It changes the game's DNA. Suddenly, Samus Aran feels as agile as she looks in the cinematics. Strafing around a Hive Mecha or tracking a fast-moving Flickerbat becomes intuitive rather than a wrestling match with the controller. For the purists, Nintendo kept the "classic" controls and the Wii-style gyro movement. You can even mix and match. It’s rare to see a developer offer this much flexibility, but it’s necessary because everyone’s muscle memory for this specific game is tied to different decades of hardware.
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The fluidity of the 60 frames per second performance is the unsung hero here. Whether you’re playing on a launch-day Switch or a pristine OLED model, that frame rate rarely dips. In an era where even some high-budget "next-gen" titles struggle to maintain 30 FPS, seeing a 20-year-old game engine—albeit a heavily modified one—run this smoothly is a testament to the original's technical brilliance.
Atmospheric Storytelling Without the Bloat
Most modern games are obsessed with talking to you. They have waypoints, quest logs, and companions who shout the solution to a puzzle before you've even seen it. Metroid Prime on Switch treats you like an adult.
It trusts you.
You’re a bounty hunter alone on a dead world. The story isn't told through twenty-minute cutscenes; it’s buried in the walls. The Scan Visor is your primary narrative tool. If you want to know why the Chozo disappeared or what the Space Pirates were doing with Phazon, you have to work for it. You scan computer terminals, ancient carvings, and the corpses of fallen enemies.
This creates a specific kind of immersion that’s hard to find elsewhere. You aren't just playing a level; you're conducting an archaeological dig. The Phendrana Drifts section is the perfect example. The shift from the humid, overgrown Chozo Ruins to the silent, haunting snowdrifts of Phendrana is one of the greatest environmental transitions in gaming history. The music—a chilling, synth-heavy track—settles into your bones.
Why the Graphics Actually Matter
People often say "graphics don't matter if the gameplay is good."
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That’s a lie when it comes to Metroid.
In Metroid Prime on Switch, the updated textures and lighting are functional. When you fire a Power Beam in a dark corridor, the bloom illuminates the environment dynamically. When you move between temperatures, the condensation on the visor looks real enough to wipe away. These details aren't just eye candy; they reinforce the feeling of being inside the Power Suit. Retro Studios added new models for basically everything—Samus herself looks incredible, with her suit reflecting the environment in a way the GameCube could only dream of.
The Frustration of the Map (and Why It’s Good)
You will get lost.
That is the Metroid guarantee. The 3D map system in Prime was a marvel in 2002, and it’s still one of the most functional 3D maps ever designed. But it won't hold your hand. You’ll find a door you can't open, realize you need the Wave Beam, and then have to backtrack through three different biomes to find it.
Some people hate backtracking. They think it's padding. In Metroid Prime, backtracking is the reward. You return to an old area with a new power-up and suddenly you’re a god. Those enemies that gave you trouble an hour ago? You can vaporize them in seconds. That ledge that was just out of reach? It’s your new vantage point. It’s a loop of curiosity and empowerment that modern "open world" games often miss by making travel too easy or fast-travel too ubiquitous.
Looking Toward the Future: Beyond the Remaster
We can’t talk about Metroid Prime on Switch without mentioning the giant, glowing blue Metroid in the room: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
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For years, Prime 4 was a myth. A logo in 2017, a total reboot in 2019, and then silence. The release of the first game's remaster served two purposes. First, it was a "sorry for the wait" gift to the fans. Second, it was a technical test. It proved that the Prime formula—first-person exploration, heavy atmosphere, and "lock-on" combat—still works in the 2020s.
It also set a very high bar.
If Metroid Prime 4 doesn't look and play at least as well as this remaster, there’s going to be a riot. But seeing what was achieved with the aging Switch hardware gives me hope. They managed to make a game from 2002 look like a modern indie darling, if not better.
Things to Watch Out For
If you’re diving in for the first time, keep a few things in mind. The boss fights can be grueling. They are patterns-based, old-school challenges. The fight against Meta Ridley is a test of patience as much as skill. Also, the "Hint System" in the settings is turned on by default. It’ll give you a ping on the map if you’ve been wandering for too long. If you want the true, "I am lost and alone" experience, turn that off immediately.
Also, pay attention to the sound design. Play with headphones. The spatial audio, even on the Switch’s limited hardware, is vital for hearing where a Shriekbat is diving from or identifying the hum of a Power Bomb expansion hidden behind a wall.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
To get the most out of your time on Tallon IV, don't just rush the main path.
- Scan Everything: Seriously. Your completion percentage is tied to your scans, and it unlocks gallery art that shows the incredible work that went into the redesign.
- Sequence Breaking: If you’re a veteran, try some of the old tricks. While some glitches were patched, many "intended" skips are still there for those who know how to space-jump correctly.
- Check Your HUD: You can toggle the opacity of Samus’s helmet. Turning it up slightly increases the "claustrophobic" feel of the game, which actually adds to the tension in areas like the Phazon Mines.
- Master the Dash: In combat, use the lock-on and the "B" button to strafe-dash. It’s the difference between taking zero damage and getting shredded by a Space Pirate Elite.
Metroid Prime on Switch is a rare example of a game that justifies its own existence twice over. It’s a piece of history and a cutting-edge modern adventure all at once. Whether you're a newcomer wondering what the fuss is about or a veteran looking to see your favorite world in HD, it’s arguably the best thing in the Switch library right now.
Stop reading and go find the Morph Ball. It’s waiting for you.