More than eight years after it was originally announced, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is finally set to hit Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 this December. Ahead of its global launch, I had the opportunity to play over an hour of the game’s Switch 2 Edition in both handheld and TV modes—and it was glorious.
In Samus’ latest adventure, she finds herself stranded on the planet of Viewros. In search of a way home, she battles dangerous alien creatures and unravels the planet’s mysterious history. I was immediately reminded how cool of a character Samus truly is. She exudes power and confidence, which was exemplified in the game’s aspect ratio-shifting opening cinematic.
We also get to see Samus interact with a companion character in the story. Her stoicism led to some hilarious moments during conversations, adding a refreshing touch of personality to the narrative.
### Stunning Visuals and Smooth Performance
Beyond the glimpse at the story, I was treated to *Metroid Prime 4*’s gorgeous visuals, which stood out impressively in both handheld and TV modes. While playing handheld, the game ran smoothly, and the colors really popped on the Switch 2’s display. Load times were quick, though my handheld playtime was brief—around 15 minutes—so I can’t comment on battery life.
All of the above praise also holds true for the TV mode, which really dazzled on the massive screens Nintendo provided during the event. Whether you choose Performance or Quality mode, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is one of the best-looking games I’ve seen on the Nintendo Switch 2. So much so, I questioned why this game wasn’t pushed harder as a technical showcase during its reveal period.
### Classic Gameplay with Exciting New Twists
From a gameplay perspective, *Metroid Prime 4* delivers the classic first-person adventure experience that fans of the series love. This time, Samus gains psychic powers that she can use in both combat and puzzle-solving.
Some of her new psychic-powered abilities include a slow-motion blast that players can manually control—somewhat like a homing missile—as well as the ability to telekinetically grab, pull, and throw specific objects.
### Innovative Controls: Mouse Mode and More
*Metroid Prime 4* also introduces a new control option exclusive to the Switch 2: Mouse Mode. This feature lets the Joy-Con 2 double as a mouse for aiming and shooting at enemies. I would argue that *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* makes the best use of this feature compared to any other Switch 2 game I’ve played so far.
Aiming and firing using the Joy-Con as a mouse felt completely natural, even if the button layout might take some getting used to. As someone who exclusively plays shooters on PC, mouse mode was much better than turning and aiming with an analog stick. Of course, your comfort with mouse mode will heavily depend on your gaming setup.
Alternatively, gyro controls remain available through both the Pro Controller and Joy-Cons.
### Engaging Combat and Challenging Boss Battles
Speaking of combat, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is a deeply satisfying shooter, especially once you start unlocking Samus’ abilities. I found myself frequently jumping and strafing around, combining shooting and missiles to dispatch groups of enemies. When I needed some distance, I dropped into morph ball mode and zoomed away.
Enemies constantly move around the environment, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t bring your A-game.
The combat shined brightest during the two boss battles I experienced. The first boss was an alien creature covered with large bulbous eye-like appendages. I had to shoot these as they opened, eventually leaving the creature vulnerable to attacks.
The second boss featured three tentacles, which it swung at me mercilessly. Each tentacle had a weak spot that could be destroyed with careful shooting. However, the catch was that the tentacles grew back within seconds. To counter this, I used a telekinetic blast to slow down time and hit all three simultaneously—a deeply satisfying moment to pull off.
### Classic Metroid Exploration and Puzzle-Solving
In proper Metroid fashion, *Metroid Prime 4* is filled with environmental puzzles, many involving revisiting previous locations. Often, you’ll scan locked doors or mysterious (yet obviously important) objects, only to realize you lack the needed item or ability to proceed. Once you find the required gear, you return to unlock them and advance.
Samus’ new psychic powers play a major role in puzzle-solving this time around. I opened a couple of doors by dragging a knob along a path, carefully tracing on-screen patterns using the Joy-Con in mouse mode. Several areas required me to grab and place psychic nodes, which I telekinetically snatched from statues.
Of course, the morph ball remains essential. I navigated tiny corridors and accessed areas otherwise unreachable, maintaining the series’ signature movement mechanics.
### A Killer App for Switch 2
*Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is bolstered by the Switch 2’s capabilities in a way that will undoubtedly make it one of the platform’s killer apps. From stunning visuals and slick performance to intuitive, PC-like controls, Samus’ next adventure can’t get here soon enough.
*Note:* This preview is based on an early build of *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* played at a private press event.
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*Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* launches on December 4, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146828/metroid-prime-4-beyond-impressions
