8 /10 26

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond represents a monumental return for the beloved science-fiction exploration franchise, arriving after an 18-year gap since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, this Switch and Switch 2 title introduces a hybrid open-world structure connecting biome-based exploration with a vast hub environment. The game masterfully preserves the atmospheric scanning and puzzle-solving that defined the original GameCube masterpiece while introducing new mobility mechanics through Vi-O-La and a federated trooper squad dynamic. Critical consensus places it as a solid, well-realized entry that occasionally struggles between honoring tradition and pursuing ambition, earning an 81 Metacritic score based on 71 professional reviews.

How to Play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond maintains the series’ core first-person exploration loop while introducing new wrinkles to traversal and combat. Players navigate alien environments, solve environmental puzzles, scan creatures and technology, and engage in boss encounters that combine pattern recognition with adaptive strategy. The learning curve eases players in gradually, with early areas teaching the fundamentals before introducing advanced techniques.

1. Controls – Standard FPS controls with lock-on targeting for combat; motion aiming available on both Switch and Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers
2. Progression – Advance through interconnected biomes by acquiring new beam weapons, visors, and movement tools; unlock shortcuts to hub areas through exploration
3. Combat/Mechanics – Real-time first-person shooting with emphasis on environmental awareness; beam-switching puzzles and boss patterns require observation and tactical thinking
4. Tips – Thoroughly scan enemies and environments for logbook entries and ability upgrades; Vi-O-La’s traversal tool is essential for reaching high areas and time-sensitive sections

Who Should Play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

This game appeals to players who crave solitary, contemplative exploration wrapped in science-fiction atmosphere. Veterans of the Prime series will recognize the formula, while newcomers can jump in thanks to its welcoming difficulty curve. The 10-15 hour main campaign and optional completionist content targeting ensures varied playtime expectations are met.

• Prime Series Veterans – The core loop you love returns intact; expect familiar scanning mechanics, environmental puzzle-solving, and isolated exploration moments that define the series identity
• Exploration Enthusiasts – If you crave discovery-driven gameplay with minimal hand-holding, dense atmosphere, and interconnected world design, Beyond delivers consistent rewards
• Switch 2 Early Adopters – The Switch 2 Edition features enhanced visuals (up to 4K docked), 120 fps performance options, and mouse-like Joy-Con 2 aiming for a refined experience
• Skip if – You prefer narrative-driven experiences with strong character arcs; Beyond’s story, while present, takes a backseat to environmental storytelling and quiet exploration

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Platform Performance

Performance varies significantly between Switch and Switch 2 versions. The original Switch maintains solid 30 fps in handheld and docked modes, while Switch 2 unlocks two sophisticated display options balancing visual fidelity and frame rate. Both versions deliver flawless technical execution without stuttering or loading hiccups during exploration transitions.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond System Requirements

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions require minimal setup. The game demands 17 GB of internal or microSD card storage, Nintendo Switch Online membership for online features, and internet connectivity for day-one stability patches. No PC version exists; the title is exclusive to Nintendo hardware platforms.

Similar Games to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The exploration-focused first-person adventure space contains few direct peers, but several titles share DNA with Beyond’s contemplative approach to environmental puzzle-solving and atmospheric discovery-based gameplay. These alternatives offer comparable experiences across different technological expressions and narrative emphasis.

• Metroid Prime Remastered – The definitive original experience on modern Switch hardware; if you haven’t played Prime, start here to understand what makes Beyond’s return significant
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Shares Beyond’s emphasis on player agency in exploration and environmental interaction; different perspective but similar discovery-driven structure
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Third-person equivalent combining exploration, puzzle-solving, and challenging boss encounters with sci-fi atmosphere
• Cyberpunk 2077 – First-person open-world exploration; emphasizes character story over environmental discovery, but shares the environmental interaction philosophy

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond vs Competitors

Beyond occupies a unique niche—there are no true direct competitors in the first-person exploration space. However, when compared to similar-era exploration-focused titles, Beyond’s focused 10-15 hour campaign, atmospheric depth, and solid technical performance distinguish it from bloated open-world alternatives that often prioritize content volume over crafted experience quality.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Story and World

The narrative unfolds across Viewros, a mysterious alien world where environmental storytelling takes precedence over dialogue-driven exposition. Samus arrives with a federation trooper squad to investigate a distress signal, but the bulk of the narrative emerges through environmental discovery, logbook scans revealing creature behavior and technological functions, and the slow revelation of Viewros’ history through exploration.

The tone shifts between awe-inspiring moments discovering breathtaking alien vistas and melancholic atmosphere when navigating abandoned research stations. Character development emerges subtly through companion interactions rather than cutscenes; the federated troopers provide occasional comic relief and emotional moments, though some reviewers felt their presence occasionally disrupts the solitude that makes Prime exploration special. Without spoiling specific revelations, the story respects player agency—you control your pacing of discovery.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Multiplayer and Online

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a single-player experience with no competitive or cooperative multiplayer modes. Online functionality remains limited to optional online features such as leaderboards for completion times and potentially community-driven content updates through Nintendo Switch Online, though the core campaign is designed exclusively for solo exploration.

• Campaign Mode – Entirely single-player focused; difficulty adjusts to your preferences via optional settings rather than multiplayer balance
• Leaderboards – Potentially available through Nintendo Switch Online; allows tracking completion times against global player statistics
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions share the same online infrastructure and leaderboards
• Online Requirements – Nintendo Switch Online membership required only for leaderboard participation and potential online content drops

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond DLC and Expansions

Nintendo has not announced formal post-launch content plans for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as of December 2025. However, industry analysis suggests potential DLC remains likely given the title’s high development investment and Nintendo’s pattern with premium franchises like Breath of the Wild. The Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack (approximately $10 for Switch 1 owners) represents the only paid content currently confirmed, offering enhanced visuals and performance rather than new gameplay.

• Switch 2 Edition Upgrade – $9.99 upgrade for Switch 1 owners; unlocks 4K/60fps Quality Mode and 120fps Performance Mode exclusive to Switch 2 hardware
• Free Updates – Stability patches and potential bug fixes likely available post-launch through automatic Switch downloads
• Potential Paid Expansion – Unconfirmed; Nintendo may announce story-focused or content-heavy expansions in early 2026 to extend the game’s lifecycle
• Season Pass – No official season pass announced; pricing and structure speculative based on historical Nintendo DLC patterns

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Community and Support

The Metroid community remains deeply engaged despite the 18-year gap, with active Reddit communities, Discord servers, and fan sites documenting every logbook entry and collectible location. Nintendo provides official support through the Nintendo Switch online infrastructure, while Retro Studios maintains development oversight without extensive post-launch communication typical of live-service games.

• Official Channels – Nintendo Switch Online integration for potential community events; official news distributed through @NintendoOfAmerica Twitter and Nintendo Direct presentations
• Community Forums – Reddit’s r/Metroid remains the primary gathering point for discussions, strategies, and fan art; Discord servers coordinate competitive completion challenges
• Mod Support – Not applicable; Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions lack native modding infrastructure unlike PC-based alternatives
• Developer Updates – Retro Studios maintains a low public profile post-launch; updates delivered primarily through official Nintendo channels rather than developer blogs