Hands On: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond On Switch 2 Is Staggering
We have experienced it twice since then, and each time it leaves us more impressed. Yet during the most recent presentation at the Switch 2 Direct, all constraints were lifted despite limited gameplay. A Switch 2 Edition, featuring 4K visuals, running at 120fps in performance mode, and a smooth 60fps in handheld mode? Then we got the chance to play it ourselves.
More than any other game we sampled on the Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4 clearly illustrates why Nintendo’s latest hardware is a powerful upgrade. All of our fifteen minutes of demo time were devoted to relishing every light particle, raindrop, laser beam, and alien substance. It is safe to say that this is a visually stunning game on Switch 2, and it was already looking quite impressive on the original hardware.
The demo guided us through the opening moments of Samus’ journey, where she and a team of Galactic Federation soldiers are summoned to the planet Tenmaar after a distress signal from one of the Federation’s bases. Watching Samus’ spacecraft soar through the cosmos and land on this new world sets the stage for an exciting and perilous beginning.
Everything is so vivid; the ship, Samus’ visor, and the glow of her cannon as she blasts down Space Pirates. It’s hard not to admire the level of detail as you navigate the rocky paths and observe flames dancing around the wreckage of Federation ships. If this is the quality standard for the Switch 2 editions, then goodness gracious, Nintendo has set a high benchmark. This could be the most visually impressive title Nintendo has ever released.
Even though we wanted to soak in the sights and sounds of this vibrant planet, the game doesn’t waste time throwing you into the action. Nearly every room in the demos was filled with Space Pirates, and we had to collaborate with the Federation Force to eliminate them all. This is essentially a tutorial stage at least, allowing players to reacquaint themselves with the orange suit once again. Fortunately, if you’ve played any of the previous titles in the series, you’ll find that this feels just right in a pleasingly familiar way.
Samus has access to her arm cannon, missiles, and charge shot, and can deploy bombs in Morph Ball mode. It’s a seamless experience if you’ve played Metroid Prime Remastered, with controls feeling exactly the same. The gyro aiming is incredibly precise as well and felt exceptionally good as we easily switched between that, the control stick, and Mouse Mode.
This last feature is another area where Metroid Prime 4 excels — at least for those who enjoy Mouse controls. By placing the right Joy-Con down, we could control Samus’ movement seamlessly with our left hand while directing her right arm and “vision” with our right hand. Just like with gyro aiming, Mouse Mode is exceedingly accurate and responsive, without any delays when turning and facing enemies quickly. You can still engage lock-on by holding down the ZR here, allowing for even swifter maneuvering between foes.
It’s an adjustment if you’ve never played an FPS with a mouse before, but it makes so much sense in Prime 4. Plus, the fact that you can easily reposition your aim simply by lifting the right Joy-Con off the surface (or your lap) is quite mind-blowing. This is likely to become the preferred gameplay style for many, and it’s a fantastic showcase for this new feature.
Capture 2
As a demonstration of mouse capability,