Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may stumble critically, but it’s a technical triumph
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn’t getting the glowing praise fans once expected. But while critics pick at narrative choices and design changes, one thing is certain: Retro Studios has delivered one of the best-performing games on the Switch 2 to date.
Switch 2 games now have a new benchmark
A recent performance review by Digital Foundry confirms it, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond sets the technical bar high for upcoming Switch 2 games. Whether docked or handheld, the game delivers smooth, reliable performance that most Nintendo titles still struggle to hit.
Two display modes offer a welcome choice:
- Quality Mode runs at up to 4K resolution with 60 frames per second
- Performance Mode drops to 1080p but pushes a blistering 120 fps
Even under pressure, frame dips are rare. Most hiccups happen when speeding through open-world zones on the Vi-O-La, and even then, they’re minor.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is one of the smoothest Switch 2 games
Linneman’s analysis highlights how responsive the controls feel, especially in 120Hz mode. With shooter mechanics at the core, every flick of the analog stick translates with near-instant feedback. It’s a win for both competitive players and longtime Metroid fans.
Textures stay sharp thanks to smart anti-aliasing even when dynamic resolution scales down to 1440p. The visor display, ironically, is sometimes sharper than what Samus sees on-screen.
HDR finally finds its moment on Switch 2
Nintendo has struggled to get HDR right. But here, it works. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond uses high dynamic range to separate dark corners from bright highlights across biomes. Caverns glow, skyboxes pulse, and enemy designs pop like never before.
The only catch? HDR falls a bit flat in handheld mode, where brightness and contrast just can’t hit the same peaks.
Not every part of the game Metroid Prime 4: Beyond hits as hard
While its visuals shine, the review doesn’t ignore the flaws. Environmental lighting sometimes leans on older techniques likely leftovers from early Switch development. Pre-baked light sources break immersion now that real-time lighting has become standard.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: dialogue. Longtime fans used to atmospheric silence are uneasy with talkative NPCs breaking the isolation. Critics argue it pulls players out of the mood that defined earlier entries.
Performance might outlast controversy
Still, if Metroid Prime 4: Beyond doesn’t deliver the perfect story, it delivers something else proof that Switch 2 games can hit new technical highs. From fast refresh rates to meaningful HDR, Retro Studios made sure the engine roars.
Even if fans debate the tone or pacing, the performance speaks loudest.
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