Today, December 4, 2025, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was finally released. Designed only for the Nintendo Switch 2, with cool graphics. Well, there is also a version on an old Japanese laptop, but there is a simpler graphon. Nintendo itself promoted Prime 4 Beyond as the main game for the new console, and the ratings came out so–so – worse than any other part of Metroid. Now let’s see what’s wrong with it and why the critics are unhappy.
Table of Contents
Metroid Prime 4 Features
Planet Viervos (Viewros): a new world to explore
In the new game, we are waiting for an unexplored planet full of secrets, strange plants and animals of various stripes. You will have to visit various territories – from the jungle, where you can’t get your eyes through, to deserts and snowy expanses. Each zone has its own jokes and secrets.
Scanning the environment and fragments of history
The built-in visor of the main character Samus Aran allows you to study the environment in detail. By finding clues and fragments of the lore, you will gradually learn the history of the planet and the vanished civilization of Lamorn, which left behind only ruins.
Expanded arsenal and new mechanics
The Samus arsenal has grown significantly compared to the previous installments. Some elements use the built—in features of the Nintendo Switch – gyroscopes, gestures, and other aspects of console control. Added psychic abilities that the heroine gains during her adventure on Viervos. Skills open the way to previously inaccessible areas and help in battles.
Vi-O-La Motorcycle
Metroid 4 offers an unprecedented opportunity for the franchise — traveling across vast territories on its own bike. This transport includes elements of combat and participates in unique scenarios, making movement between biomes fast and dynamic.
Galactic Federation Allies
Usually Samus stands up to alien threats alone, but not this time. As an additional activity, you can help the soldiers of the Galactic Federation, enlist their support and receive special upgrades from them. Joint battles with bosses and monsters add variety to the gameplay.
Technical features of the Nintendo Switch 2
Unique controls and graphical modes
The development of Retro Studios has placed special emphasis on the capabilities of the second version of the console:
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Using the Joy-Con gamepad in computer mouse mode, providing console gamers with unprecedented accuracy in the shooter
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Quick impact on switching near the control “like a mouse” and a standard joystick
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Two graphics modes: “productive” with 120 frames per second at 1080p resolution or “high-quality” in 4K with 60 FPS and the ability to display images on a large screen.
Expectations and reality: a contradictory reception
Departure from the metroidvania formula
Despite technical innovations, the main complaint of gamers and journalists was the distance from the classic formula of metroidization, a subgenre that was defined by the first Metroid. Instead of a single large world that gradually unfolds as you gain abilities, Prime Beyond includes many linear segments interspersed with simple puzzles.
At first glance, it may seem that this was done for the sake of a more elaborate plot. However, the “flatness” of the characters has become a disadvantage that even loyal press reviews have noted.
Critics ratings
For the gaming industry, the performance of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is far from a disaster. The project received a score of 80-81 on Metacritic, which corresponds to the level of recently released successful titles. In general, gamers have entered the fourth part. They appreciated that the developers tried to change something and add a new one. Some people think that with such ideas, it would be better to make a separate game so that fans don’t expect too much.
The visual component
As for the visual, on the Nintendo Switch 2, the shooter demonstrates excellent graphics and design, ensuring stable performance. The improved graphics are especially noticeable in performance mode, where the game almost always delivers 120 FPS. The design of enemies, environments, and level design received high marks for atmosphere and detail.
Price and availability
The release date of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is December 4, 2025 on both generations of the Nintendo Switch. The 2017 console version will cost $60, while the improved version for the Switch 2 will have to pay 70 bucks. An upgrade is also available for an additional $10 for owners of the first Switch version.
The history of the Metroid Prime series: from the Origins to Beyond
The birth of an iconic franchise
The Metroid series began in 1986 on the Famicom Disk System and marked the beginning of metroidization, which is when you wander around the world without following the plot strictly, jump on platforms and gradually upgrade your skills. In 2002, Metroid Prime was released on GameCube, and then everything became three-dimensional. This game was made by Retro Studios from Texas. The developers have dramatically changed the game: there used to be a side view, and here there is a first—person shooter, but the spirit of Metroid has remained.
Metroid Prime has sold more than 2.8 million copies worldwide, and it is considered almost the best game of all time. Samus Aran was shown in full 3D for the first time, and she studied the planet Tallon IV through a scanner.This scanner allowed us to learn more about the history of the world. But, to be honest, it wasn’t necessary to scan everything in a row — you could just run and shoot, just like in the good old days.
The evolution of the trilogy
In 2004, Retro Studios released Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Sames found herself on a planet with a dark side and constantly jumped between two dimensions in each zone. The second part was a bit gloomy, but the puzzles were cool.
The third installment, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007), was released on Wii and made cool use of the remote control — targeting turned out to be much easier. Then all three games were collected in Metroid Prime: Trilogy and the controls for the first two parts were updated.
The Path to Beyond
After 2007, Metroid had difficulties. Offshoots like Metroid: Other M (2010) did not meet expectations, and Metroid Prime 4 began to be made only in 2017. Development was restarted several times until Nintendo returned Retro Studios. The result is Prime 4 Beyond, a cool sequel that tries to combine the old game with modern pieces and features of the new Nintendo Switch 2.
System Requirements — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Result
By the way, Metroid Prime 4 is a cool attempt to make the series newer, but at the same time preserve everything we love about it. There are controversial issues, such as open locations and AI assistants. But otherwise, it’s a good game with cool battles, interesting locations, and good graphics. For fans, this is a good sequel, although not without its drawbacks.
