After years of anticipation, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is officially arriving in 2025 for both the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. It’s been a long wait—since its initial announcement way back in 2017—but with Nintendo finally lifting the curtain, excitement around Samus Aran’s next mission is soaring.
Nintendo unveiled fresh gameplay and story details during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, and it’s clear that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn’t just a continuation — it’s a bold evolution of the Prime series.
A Dual-Generation Launch: Switch and Switch 2
Players won’t have to worry about missing out whether they’re sticking with their current Switch or upgrading to the Switch 2. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be optimized for both platforms, with impressive technical upgrades available on the newer console:
- Quality Mode: 4K resolution at 60 frames per second
- Performance Mode: 1080p at a blistering 120 frames per second
- New Controls: Optional mouse-like aiming thanks to the redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers
Nintendo has also confirmed a free upgrade path for those who buy the game on Switch and later move to Switch 2, much like what we’ve seen with Xbox’s Smart Delivery system. It’s a smart move, ensuring no fan gets left behind during the hardware transition.
Gameplay: A New Frontier for Samus
In Beyond, players once again step into the boots of legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran, this time exploring the lush and dangerous alien world of Viewros. While classic mechanics like the Morph Ball and Scan Visor return, Nintendo and Retro Studios are pushing the series forward with new gameplay features:
- Psychic Abilities: Samus now taps into latent psychic powers for environmental puzzle-solving and advanced combat techniques. These abilities allow for mind-based interactions with the world, opening up new pathways and tactics in battle.
- Expanded Exploration: Viewros offers vast, interconnected biomes filled with dynamic wildlife, emergent weather patterns, and environmental hazards that can change gameplay on the fly.
- Adaptive Enemy AI: Enemies will learn from player behavior, forcing more strategic approaches to combat.
The gameplay teaser highlighted stealth mechanics and a greater emphasis on vertical exploration, suggesting a deeper and more varied experience compared to previous Prime titles.
Story: A Rivalry Reignited
Set after the events of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Beyond sees Samus face off against Sylux, a rogue bounty hunter with a bitter grudge against the Galactic Federation — and by extension, Samus herself. Sylux, first introduced in Metroid Prime Hunters, has long been teased as a key antagonist, and Beyond finally puts their rivalry at the center of the story.
Hints from the trailer suggest that Sylux isn’t acting alone — mysterious new forces and possibly even ancient Chozo technologies seem poised to play major roles in the narrative. Expect a deeper dive into the darker corners of the Metroid lore, with emotional stakes higher than ever.
Development Journey: A Road Full of Twists
Few games have had a development history as public — or as turbulent — as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Initially announced in 2017, the game faced major setbacks that led Nintendo to restart development from scratch in 2019, handing the project to Retro Studios, the team behind the beloved original Prime trilogy.
Since taking over, Retro Studios has reportedly expanded significantly, recruiting top talent from across the gaming industry, including developers with experience on games like Halo, Call of Duty, and God of War. The result, based on early footage, is a project that looks both faithful to the series’ roots and ambitiously modern.
Trailer Highlights and What’s Next
The latest Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer gave fans a glimpse at:
- Gorgeous bioluminescent environments and dynamic lighting
- New suits and weapon upgrades for Samus
- Epic battles against towering alien beasts
- Tense stealth sequences as Samus infiltrates hostile territories
- Mysterious Chozo ruins that hint at deeper ancient mysteries
Nintendo hasn’t pinned down an exact release date yet, but sources close to the company hint at a Fall 2025 launch window, likely positioning it as one of the key titles for the Switch 2’s first holiday season.
Until then, Metroid fans have plenty to dissect — and plenty of reasons to believe that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could be one of the standout titles of the generation.
Key Takeaways
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set for 2025 on Switch and Switch 2.
- Both consoles are getting visual and gameplay upgrades.
- Upgrading from Switch to Switch 2 is as easy as it should be.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Overview
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is aiming to shake up the classic action series with new features and a fresh world to explore. It’ll be available on both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, so you’ve got options.
Gameplay Innovations
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond sticks to its first-person shooter roots but is clearly trying to push things forward—think tighter controls, slicker graphics, and all that. Retro Studios is still at the helm, and they’re making sure the Switch 2’s extra horsepower isn’t going to waste. That means better frame rates, sharper visuals, and a smoother feel all around.
You’ll be back in Samus Aran’s boots, using both new and old abilities. Exploration and combat are still front and center. Expect to upgrade her suit, hunt down new weapons, and scan everything in sight for secrets—classic Metroid.
They’re also tweaking enemy AI, which, honestly, is overdue. Enemies are supposed to react smarter and keep you on your toes, so battles should feel less predictable. There’s no word on multiplayer—at least for now—so it’s all about the single-player journey.
Storyline and Setting
This time, the story sends Samus to the planet Viewros. She’s on another bounty, naturally, facing off against alien threats and some mysterious new forces. Nintendo’s playing it close to the vest on plot details, but the promise is a mix of action and suspense, with fresh faces and baddies along the way.
You’ll guide Samus through alien jungles, old ruins, and high-tech labs—each spot designed to look cool and matter for gameplay. There’ll be backtracking and hidden paths, because, well, it wouldn’t be Metroid without that.
Cutscenes and dialogue are here, but if you want the deeper lore, you’ll need to scan objects and read logs like always. The world’s supposed to feel isolating and full of discovery, which, honestly, is what makes Metroid what it is.
Trailer and First Impressions
Nintendo dropped the official trailer during a March 2025 Direct, showing off gameplay and some cinematic moments. The trailer really leans into the new setting, the graphics, and those smoother frame rates on Switch 2. Early buzz is mostly about the visual leap and how fluid Samus looks in action.
Folks spotted the usual suspects—arm cannon, morph ball—but also some new abilities. These should mix up both the puzzles and the combat. People seem pretty excited to see how Retro Studios balances the old-school Metroid feel with all the new bells and whistles.
If you’re curious, check out the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer or hit the official Nintendo page for more on the game’s features.
Compatibility With Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is launching for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. There’s backward compatibility, plus some specific upgrades that make the most of the new system.
Backward Compatibility
If you’ve still got your OG Switch, you’re not left out. Buy Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and you’re good to go. It’s a cross-gen release, so your copy works on both consoles. Nintendo’s confirmed Switch 2 supports original Switch games, so you won’t have to buy everything again—thank goodness.
You can also bring your save data and progress over between systems using Nintendo’s cloud saves. So, no worries about starting over if you upgrade.
And if you pick up the game for Switch, there’s an upgrade pack for Switch 2 to unlock the new features. No need to repurchase the whole thing. That’s a relief.
Enhanced Performance on Switch 2
On Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond gets a noticeable boost. We’re talking faster load times, higher frame rates, and much-improved graphics compared to the regular Switch version. The new hardware really helps, thanks to its beefier processor and GPU.
A few features are exclusive to Switch 2, like Mouse Mode support and possibly magnetic Joy-Con compatibility. The new Joy-Con 2 controllers are supposed to make aiming and movement feel a lot more precise.
Other perks? Higher resolutions in both handheld and docked modes, using the stuff Nintendo showed off in their Switch 2 Direct. It’s shaping up to be a proper next-gen experience, but Switch owners aren’t left out.
Dock and Display Features
The dock’s still a big part of the experience on both systems. On the regular Switch, you’re looking at the usual resolution and frame rate. But with Switch 2, the upgraded dock kicks out higher-res output—probably up to 4K if your TV can handle it.
Switching between handheld and docked play is supposed to be quicker on Switch 2, with sharper images. Magnetic Joy-Cons are also easier to connect and more comfortable for longer sessions.
You can still use your old Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers, but if you have the new hardware, the Joy-Con 2 or improved dock should give you the smoothest, best-looking version.
Visuals and Performance Modes
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is taking full advantage of Nintendo’s latest hardware. Players get more choices for visuals, smoother gameplay, and barely-there load times—depending on your setup and what you care about most.
HDR, 4K, and 60 FPS Capabilities
HDR is in across all platforms, which means richer colors and brighter highlights—alien planets should really pop. On Switch 2, docked, you can hit 4K at a steady 60 FPS, so things look sharp and buttery-smooth. Handheld mode gets up to 1080p at 60 FPS with quality settings.
Older Switches show the game at lower resolutions, but even those versions look better than past Metroid titles. You’ll still see nicer lighting and effects, regardless of which Switch you’re on.
Quality Mode vs Performance Mode
There are two main visual settings: Quality Mode and Performance Mode.
- Quality Mode: Maxes out texture detail and sharpness. Docked, it’s 4K at 60 FPS with HDR. Handheld is 1080p at 60 FPS and HDR.
- Performance Mode: Drops the resolution a bit to crank the frame rate. Docked, it’s 1080p at 120 FPS with HDR. Handheld is 720p at 120 FPS and HDR.
Here’s a quick chart:
| Mode | Docked | Handheld | FPS | HDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 4K | 1080p | 60 | Yes |
| Performance | 1080p | 720p | 120 | Yes |
You can dig into more at The Verge’s writeup on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s graphics modes.
Processor and Storage Upgrades
Switch 2’s got a faster processor and more storage, which helps with all these visual upgrades. The new chip keeps frame rates high, lighting effects fancy, and loading times almost nonexistent.
More storage means bigger games and fewer loading hiccups. You’ll get into the action quicker and spend less time staring at loading screens. The hardware probably supports DLSS upscaling too, so visuals stay sharp without bogging down performance.
Both docked and handheld modes benefit, so you don’t have to compromise. For more on what’s new, check out the official Nintendo overview for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Online Services, Data Privacy, and Advertising
If you’re playing Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the new consoles, you’ll be using a bunch of online services that handle your data and privacy. These features affect how you connect, how your info’s handled, and even what ads you might see.
User Authentication and Security
Nintendo’s got some solid user authentication on both Switch and Switch 2. You’ll need a Nintendo Account to log in, which helps keep out spam and randoms. Two-factor authentication and passwords are there if you want extra security.
Your account stores things like usernames, emails, sometimes your location. You can tweak security settings in your profile. If something weird happens, Nintendo will ping you and suggest a password change. They’re pretty on top of keeping your info and payments safe.
Cookies and Consent
Online features in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond rely on cookies—mostly to remember your preferences and keep you logged in, so you’re not typing passwords every five minutes.
You’ll be asked for consent before cookies are stored. The policy spells out what’s collected (IP address, gameplay stats, the usual suspects). You can adjust these settings in the system menu. If you say no to cookies, some features might not work, but you can still play the game.
Personalized Advertising and Data Processing
Nintendo and some partners use your info for ads—stuff like what you search, your IP, and play history, to show you more relevant ads.
You’re allowed to check or change your ad preferences in privacy settings, and you can opt out of some data processing. Nintendo’s got rules for data protection, and sometimes third-party cookies are used to measure ad performance. The idea is to keep ads on target and follow privacy laws.
Audience Research and Services Development
Nintendo tracks gameplay trends to see what features get the most love. That includes how long you’re in multiplayer, or which modes people keep coming back to.
Sometimes they collect geolocation and trend data, but it’s for research, not targeting you personally. Developers use this to improve services, roll out new features, or fix bugs that hit lots of players. You can always review or limit data sharing in your account settings if you’re more privacy-minded. Feedback and anonymous data help Nintendo keep both Switch and Switch 2 games moving forward.
For more on these policies, check the official Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is expected to launch in 2025 for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. People have questions about when it’s coming, pre-orders, trailers, price, and what the new hardware actually does for the game.
What is the release date for Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated for release sometime in 2025. No exact date or month yet—Nintendo’s being mysterious—but it’s locked in for next year, according to the latest announcements and trailer drops.
Will Metroid Prime 4 be available on the original Nintendo Switch?
Yep, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is coming to both the original Switch and Switch 2. If you’ve got the first Switch, you’re covered. It’s a cross-gen title, so both systems are supported.
Can I pre-order Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and are there any special editions?
Pre-orders aren’t live yet. Nintendo hasn’t mentioned any collector’s or special editions, either. Usually, that stuff drops closer to launch, so keep an eye out in the coming months.
When was the Metroid Prime 4 official trailer released?
The official trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond landed in 2025. It confirmed development for both Switch and Switch 2, and gave a first look at the new graphics and gameplay. The reveal came through Nintendo’s usual channels.
What is the pricing for Metroid Prime 4 on both Switch and Switch 2?
Nintendo hasn’t shared pricing yet for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Typically, new first-party Switch games stick to a standard price, but it’s not clear if the Switch 2 version will be more or have extra content. Expect more info when pre-orders open.
How does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond utilize the hardware capabilities of the Switch 2?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is taking full advantage of Switch 2’s extra power. Expect better graphics, faster loading, and maybe some visual tricks that just aren’t possible on the old Switch. Early hands-on previews say it looks and runs great on the new system.
