The unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 held a wealth of intriguing surprises, but what truly captivated my interest was a familiar face: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Despite the excitement surrounding brand-new titles, this particular demo caught my attention, offering a comforting return to the beloved series.
For someone steeped in Metroid lore, the segment on display during the event might have felt comfortably familiar, echoing elements that long-time fans would recognize. It seemed like an early part of the game, probably before Samus’ power suit gains those impressive telekinetic abilities. In this demo, we saw Samus wielding her classic arsenal—arm cannon, missiles, scanner, morph ball, and bombs. While these are essentials in her toolkit, they did make the experience feel like a natural continuation of its predecessors. However, footage hints at new mechanics waiting in the full version, not available in this initial playthrough.
The choice of demo seemed intentional by Nintendo and Retro Studios. The straightforward setup allowed players to genuinely appreciate how Metroid Prime looks and plays on the Switch 2. As I settled in for some hands-on time, my Nintendo representative quickly pointed out, “This is running at 120 frames per second.” It’s unusual for Nintendo to emphasize such technical details, but witnessing the smooth performance made it clear why.
Running on the Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4 appears to stretch the capabilities of its predecessor to the max. It plays in full HD, with a 4K option capped at 60fps. While I couldn’t compare it side-by-side with its earlier Switch version, the improvement was unmistakable. The silky-smooth 120fps is what really stood out. Frankly, this level of performance feels surprisingly uncharacteristic of Nintendo, who traditionally focuses less on such specs.
And then, there’s this new control mechanic. Intriguingly, with the Switch 2’s Joy-Con feature, you can use a Joy-Con like a mouse by simply placing it on a flat surface. This is perfect for games like Civilization 7, which benefits from PC-style mouse controls. Metroid Prime smartly integrates this feature. In Metroid, you can casually shift from traditional controller use to mouse-like precision by positioning your Joy-Con just right. It’s seamless—no menus, just an intuitive switch to mouselook.
This method enhances the gameplay significantly. Anyone familiar with mouselook will find it satisfyingly responsive. That alternating control style, though, that’s the real game-changer.
Though my playthrough was light on the series’ hallmark puzzle elements, focusing instead on combat, my confidence grew as I adapted. Using the Joy-Cons in a traditional manner for scanning and navigating, I’d smoothly transition to mouselook for combat. During a boss fight, this switch became vital. Faced with a creature whose vulnerable points were exposed only briefly, the precision of mouse controls allowed me to tackle it with efficiency unmatched by others sticking to traditional methods.
Experiencing this at a buttery-smooth 120fps was almost surreal. This level of polish in performance from a Nintendo game almost felt illicit. The usual flaws seen on the first Switch—like choppy framerates—seemed addressed. If Metroid Prime 4 reflects the future of Switch 2 offerings, we can expect games that might not revolutionize graphics but will revolutionize performance.
As Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gears up for release later this year, an original Switch version might be available. But amidst today’s challenges, if you have the means, the definitive experience will undeniably be on the Switch 2. This sets the standard for what a next-gen step-up should be.
