More than eight years after its original announcement, **Metroid Prime 4: Beyond** is finally set to launch on Switch and Switch 2 this December. Ahead of its global release, 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 nothing short of glorious.
In Samus’ latest adventure, she finds herself stranded on the mysterious planet of Viewros. In search of a way back home, she battles dangerous alien creatures while uncovering the planet’s hidden history. Right from the start, I was reminded why Samus remains such an iconic character. She embodies power and confidence, a fact highlighted in the game’s striking aspect ratio-shifting opening cinematic.
The story also introduces a companion character, and Samus’ stoic demeanor led to some genuinely hilarious moments during their conversations. Beyond the captivating narrative glimpse, I was treated to Metroid Prime 4’s stunning visuals, which truly stood out in both handheld and TV modes.
### Visuals and Performance
Playing in handheld mode, the game ran smoothly with vibrant colors that really popped on the Switch 2’s display. Load times were impressively quick, although I can’t comment much on battery life since my handheld session lasted only about 15 minutes.
The praise extends to TV mode as well, which dazzled on the massive screens Nintendo provided at the event. Whether you choose Performance or Quality mode, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is easily one of the best-looking games I’ve seen on the Nintendo Switch 2. I found myself wondering why Nintendo didn’t lean harder on this game as a technical showcase during its reveal period.
### Classic Gameplay with New Twists
From a gameplay perspective, *Metroid Prime 4* maintains the classic first-person adventure vibe that fans of the series love. This time around, Samus gains psychic powers that enhance both combat and puzzle-solving. Among her new abilities are a manually controlled slow-motion blast—somewhat like a homing missile—and telekinesis, which lets her grab, pull, and throw specific objects in the environment.
A notable addition exclusive to the Switch 2 is **Mouse Mode**, where the Joy-Con 2 functions as a mouse for precise aiming and shooting. Out of all the Switch 2 titles I’ve played, *Metroid Prime 4* makes the best use of this feature. Using the Joy-Con as a mouse felt completely natural, though the button layout does take some getting used to.
As someone who usually plays shooters on PC, mouse mode was a game-changer—much better than relying on analog sticks for aiming. Of course, how comfortable you feel using mouse mode will depend on your personal gaming setup. Alternatively, gyro controls remain available through both the Pro Controller and Joy-Cons.
### Engaging Combat
The combat in *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is deeply satisfying, especially as you unlock new abilities. I frequently found myself jumping and strafing, combining gunfire with missiles to take down groups of enemies. When I needed to create some distance, I’d morph into a ball and zoom away.
Enemies move continuously around the environment, creating tense moments where you can easily become overwhelmed if you don’t stay sharp. The combat truly shined during two boss battles I experienced.
The first boss was an alien creature covered with large, bulbous eye-like protrusions. I had to shoot these spots as they opened, eventually leaving the creature vulnerable to attacks.
The second boss had three tentacles that swung aggressively. Each tentacle featured a weak spot that could be destroyed by shooting it. However, the tentacles regrew quickly, so I had to slow down time using my telekinetic blast and hit all three weak points with a single shot—a very satisfying feat.
### Puzzle Design and Exploration
True to Metroid form, *Metroid Prime 4* is filled with environmental puzzles that often require revisiting previous locations. Frequently, I encountered locked doors or mysterious objects that I couldn’t interact with until I found the necessary item or ability—prompting me to explore, backtrack, and solve.
Samus’ new psychic powers play a significant role in puzzles this time around. For example, I opened several doors by dragging a knob along a path using the Joy-Con in mouse mode to carefully trace on-screen patterns. Other puzzles involved grabbing psychic nodes from statues using telekinesis and applying them to activate mechanisms.
The morph ball is also essential for navigating tight corridors and reaching otherwise inaccessible areas, adding to the layered exploration typical of the series.
### A Killer App for Switch 2
*Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* showcases the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities beautifully. From gorgeous visuals and smooth performance to intuitive, PC-like controls, it’s shaping up to be a must-have title for the platform.
Samus’ next adventure can’t come soon enough.
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*This preview is based on an early build of* Metroid Prime 4: Beyond *played at a private press event.*
**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
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