During the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, one of the standout presentations featured Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a game very familiar to fans yet promising fresh experiences.
As a long-time follower of the Metroid series, I approached the demo of Metroid Prime 4 with an eye for what was new. Interestingly, the segment I played seemed to start at the very beginning of the game, with Samus navigating an area before any power suit upgrades came into play. She wielded her usual arm cannon, missiles, scanner, morph ball, and bombs. While these are all familiar tools, the demo felt simple and straightforward. Yet, it hinted at deeper, more complex gameplay closer to the full release.
Nintendo and Retro Studios likely selected this particular demo to highlight the core Metroid Prime experience on the new hardware. It was all about showcasing the game’s look and feel on the Switch 2, without overwhelming changes.
The first thing the Nintendo representative pointed out was, surprisingly, not the graphics but the fact that the game runs at 120 frames per second. This focus on smooth performance is atypical for Nintendo, making it a notable shift. The game runs natively in full HD, with an option for 4K at 60fps, offering a visually superior experience compared to what previous hardware could manage. The frame rate upgrade, in particular, feels a bit surreal and something Nintendo rarely emphasizes.
Then there’s the innovative use of the Joy-Con as a mouse. By placing a Joy-Con on a flat surface, it transforms gameplay, particularly benefiting first-person shooters like Metroid Prime. This new control option is intuitive, allowing players to switch between traditional and mouse controls seamlessly. The latter offers a responsive, PC-like precision, especially useful in the heat of battle.
Metroid Prime 4’s demo was combat-heavy, likely leaving the puzzle elements for the full game experience. Yet, the action played out incredibly smooth and engaging. I found myself instinctively switching control modes depending on the gameplay situation, such as using the mouselook for intense combat moments, which gave a distinct edge in accuracy.
Facing a boss battle, the capability to use mouse aiming proved invaluable. I managed to exploit the glowing weak points effortlessly, making short work of formidable foes. The combination of fluid gameplay at 120fps and precise control felt like a dream, almost like I was cheating with this newfound precision and visual fidelity.
The Switch 2’s performance enhancements address a long-standing issue with the original Switch’s often lackluster capabilities. Metroid Prime 4 demonstrates the potential of this new hardware, promising a future of more powerful and visually impressive Nintendo games. If Metroid Prime 4 is any indication, the upgraded graphics and performance will make the Switch 2 the ideal platform for this and other promising titles. As the game launches later this year, it’s clear that the best experience awaits on the Switch 2, making a compelling case for this next-gen upgrade.
