Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review – Samus Returns in Style on Nintendo Switch 2
After nearly two decades of anticipation, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally arrived for Nintendo Switch 2, thrilling fans long-awaiting Samus Aran’s return to the first-person adventure genre.
Developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond officially launched worldwide on December 4, 2025, ending an eighteen-year gap since the release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in 2007.
The journey from the game’s original announcement in 2017 to its much-celebrated debut marks one of the most highly anticipated launches in the modern gaming era. The series’ enduring appeal lies in its blend of atmospheric exploration, precise combat, and ingenious puzzles.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond upholds this legacy, showcasing the full potential of the Switch 2 hardware through spectacular visuals and innovative gameplay features.
From the opening moments, the game impresses with its breathtaking environments, rendering icy caverns, lush forests, and volatile volcanic landscapes in intricate detail.
These backdrops highlight the graphical advancements of Nintendo Switch 2, ensuring that both digital and physical edition owners experience a visually captivating adventure. Gameplay veterans will find the control of Samus Aran immediately familiar, maintaining the hallmark first-person perspective.
As Nintendo frequently emphasizes, the series is distinguished as a “first-person adventure,” rather than just a shooter.
While action and combat are prominent—challenging players with adversaries of all varieties—it is the spirit of exploration and a sense of isolation that defines the Metroid Prime experience.
The game’s expansive 3D map offers complex and interconnected pathways, delivering opportunities for both linear progression and freeform discovery.
This design ensures that every area brims with secrets waiting to be unearthed. Puzzle-solving remains central, offering elaborate challenges reminiscent of classic Legend of Zelda gameplay—but with a distinctly sci-fi, Metroid twist.
Such interwoven elements are presented in a way that pays homage to both franchises without losing Prime’s unique identity.
This careful balance allows fans of both series to find enjoyment in the adventure. New to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the Vi-O-La, a futuristic bike introduced in trailers and seamlessly integrated into the gameplay.
With smooth, intuitive controls, Vi-O-La empowers players to traverse challenging terrain efficiently while retaining Samus’ signature combat and scanning abilities.
Summoning and dismissing the bike is as simple as pressing the '+' button, and the thoughtfully designed tutorial ensures players of all experience levels can quickly adapt.
This vehicle proves especially valuable when exploring diverse zones like the sun-scorched Sol Valley, adding an open-world feel to what might otherwise be a straightforward journey. Retro Studios also introduces new characters, most notably Myles MacKenzie, an NPC companion encountered early in Samus’ adventure.
Myles offers moments of levity and aids in combat without overstaying his welcome, soon transitioning to a supporting role primarily focused on augmenting Samus’ suit.
The addition enhances the narrative without departing from the solitary tone that Metroid is renowned for. Collectibles return in abundance, rewarding thorough exploration with weapon upgrades and hidden lore.
The game streamlines completion by marking all unscanned items in green, a small but impactful quality-of-life improvement for dedicated players aiming for 100% completion.
On the hardware front, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond leverages the Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced features, including precise mouse controls for first-person purists.
This system bolsters aiming while accommodating a wide range of playstyles. No discussion would be complete without mentioning the stellar soundtrack.
The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond score stands among the strongest of 2026, delivering haunting melodies that elevate each locale’s atmosphere, from frenetic action to quiet exploration.
The title screen alone features a poignant arrangement that sets the tone for an epic return. On release, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was met with widespread acclaim for its artistic direction, bold innovations, and faithfulness to the franchise roots.
Retro Studios has succeeded in crafting a title that both satisfies veteran fans and welcomes newcomers.
The game’s combination of awe-inspiring visuals, deft gameplay evolution, and evocative music ensures it stands as a defining release for the Nintendo Switch 2.
For anyone considering an entry into Samus Aran’s latest mission, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a journey well worth undertaking.
Developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond officially launched worldwide on December 4, 2025, ending an eighteen-year gap since the release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in 2007.
The journey from the game’s original announcement in 2017 to its much-celebrated debut marks one of the most highly anticipated launches in the modern gaming era. The series’ enduring appeal lies in its blend of atmospheric exploration, precise combat, and ingenious puzzles.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond upholds this legacy, showcasing the full potential of the Switch 2 hardware through spectacular visuals and innovative gameplay features.
From the opening moments, the game impresses with its breathtaking environments, rendering icy caverns, lush forests, and volatile volcanic landscapes in intricate detail.
These backdrops highlight the graphical advancements of Nintendo Switch 2, ensuring that both digital and physical edition owners experience a visually captivating adventure. Gameplay veterans will find the control of Samus Aran immediately familiar, maintaining the hallmark first-person perspective.
As Nintendo frequently emphasizes, the series is distinguished as a “first-person adventure,” rather than just a shooter.
While action and combat are prominent—challenging players with adversaries of all varieties—it is the spirit of exploration and a sense of isolation that defines the Metroid Prime experience.
The game’s expansive 3D map offers complex and interconnected pathways, delivering opportunities for both linear progression and freeform discovery.
This design ensures that every area brims with secrets waiting to be unearthed. Puzzle-solving remains central, offering elaborate challenges reminiscent of classic Legend of Zelda gameplay—but with a distinctly sci-fi, Metroid twist.
Such interwoven elements are presented in a way that pays homage to both franchises without losing Prime’s unique identity.
This careful balance allows fans of both series to find enjoyment in the adventure. New to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the Vi-O-La, a futuristic bike introduced in trailers and seamlessly integrated into the gameplay.
With smooth, intuitive controls, Vi-O-La empowers players to traverse challenging terrain efficiently while retaining Samus’ signature combat and scanning abilities.
Summoning and dismissing the bike is as simple as pressing the '+' button, and the thoughtfully designed tutorial ensures players of all experience levels can quickly adapt.
This vehicle proves especially valuable when exploring diverse zones like the sun-scorched Sol Valley, adding an open-world feel to what might otherwise be a straightforward journey. Retro Studios also introduces new characters, most notably Myles MacKenzie, an NPC companion encountered early in Samus’ adventure.
Myles offers moments of levity and aids in combat without overstaying his welcome, soon transitioning to a supporting role primarily focused on augmenting Samus’ suit.
The addition enhances the narrative without departing from the solitary tone that Metroid is renowned for. Collectibles return in abundance, rewarding thorough exploration with weapon upgrades and hidden lore.
The game streamlines completion by marking all unscanned items in green, a small but impactful quality-of-life improvement for dedicated players aiming for 100% completion.
On the hardware front, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond leverages the Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced features, including precise mouse controls for first-person purists.
This system bolsters aiming while accommodating a wide range of playstyles. No discussion would be complete without mentioning the stellar soundtrack.
The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond score stands among the strongest of 2026, delivering haunting melodies that elevate each locale’s atmosphere, from frenetic action to quiet exploration.
The title screen alone features a poignant arrangement that sets the tone for an epic return. On release, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was met with widespread acclaim for its artistic direction, bold innovations, and faithfulness to the franchise roots.
Retro Studios has succeeded in crafting a title that both satisfies veteran fans and welcomes newcomers.
The game’s combination of awe-inspiring visuals, deft gameplay evolution, and evocative music ensures it stands as a defining release for the Nintendo Switch 2.
For anyone considering an entry into Samus Aran’s latest mission, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a journey well worth undertaking.
