More than eight years after its original announcement, **Metroid Prime 4: Beyond** is finally set to hit the Nintendo 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, experiencing it 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 unraveling the planet’s enigmatic history. From the moment I started playing, I was immediately reminded just how cool of a character Samus is. She exudes power and confidence, a trait exemplified brilliantly in the game’s opening cinematic, which features an aspect ratio shift that adds cinematic flair.

The story also introduces a companion character, and Samus’ stoicism leads to some genuinely hilarious moments during their conversations, adding charm and depth to the narrative.

## Stunning Visuals and Smooth Performance

Metroid Prime 4’s visuals truly stand out, whether you’re playing in handheld or TV mode. On the Switch 2’s display, the colors pop vibrantly, and the game runs smoothly without a hitch. Load times were impressively quick, though my handheld session lasted only about 15 minutes, so I can’t comment on battery life.

Playing on the large screens Nintendo provided at the event, the TV mode experience was simply dazzling. Regardless of whether you use Performance or Quality mode, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is among the best-looking games I’ve ever seen on the Switch 2. It even made me wonder why Nintendo didn’t highlight the game more as a technical showcase during the reveal period.

## Classic Gameplay Enhanced With New Psychic Powers

From a gameplay perspective, Metroid Prime 4 stays true to the classic first-person adventure formula that fans love. This time, Samus gains exciting new **psychic powers** that you can use in both combat and puzzle-solving.

Some standout psychic abilities include a slow-motion blast you can manually control—similar to a homing missile—and the power to telekinetically grab, pull, and throw specific objects. These abilities add a new strategic layer to the combat and exploration.

## Innovative Control Options: Mouse Mode Exclusive to Switch 2

A notable new control feature is **Mouse Mode**, exclusive to the Switch 2. This lets the Joy-Con 2 function like a mouse for aiming and shooting enemies. Among the Switch 2 games I’ve played so far, Metroid Prime 4 makes the best use of this feature.

Using the Joy-Con as a mouse felt completely natural, though the button layout may take a little getting used to. As someone who primarily plays shooters on PC, I found Mouse Mode to be a significant improvement over traditional analog stick aiming. That said, your comfort with this mode will heavily depend on your specific gaming setup.

Of course, you can also use gyro controls via the Pro Controller or Joy-Cons for aiming.

## Engaging and Challenging Combat

Combat in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is deeply satisfying, especially as you unlock Samus’ new abilities. I often found myself jumping and strafing, combining shooting with missile attacks to take down groups of enemies. When I needed to make a quick escape, transforming into the morph ball and zooming away provided just the right mobility.

Enemies are fast-moving and versatile, making encounters challenging and rewarding. The two boss battles I experienced truly showcased the combat’s intensity and strategy.

– The first boss was an alien creature covered in large, bulbous, eye-like protrusions. I had to shoot these eyes as they opened, which left the creature vulnerable to further attacks.
– The second boss had three aggressive tentacles that relentlessly swung at me. Each tentacle featured a weak spot that could be destroyed with precise shooting. However, they regrew quickly, so I had to use my telekinetic slow-motion blast to freeze time and hit all three weak points in one satisfying strike.

## Classic Metroid Exploration and Puzzles

True to Metroid’s roots, Metroid Prime 4 is packed with environmental puzzles that encourage exploration and backtracking. You’ll often encounter locked doors or mysterious objects that require certain items or abilities to activate, pushing you to revisit previous areas with new powers.

Samus’ psychic abilities also play heavily into puzzle design. For example, I opened several doors by dragging a knob along a specific on-screen path using the Joy-Con in Mouse Mode. Other puzzles had me grabbing and applying psychic nodes snatched from statues via telekinesis.

Additionally, the morph ball remains essential for navigating narrow corridors and reaching otherwise inaccessible areas.

## A Switch 2 Killer App

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is undoubtedly one of the killer apps for the Switch 2. From its stunning visuals and smooth performance to its intuitive, PC-like control options, Samus’ next adventure is shaping up to be a must-play title.

I can’t wait for its release.

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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 the upcoming Switch 2.
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