Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review — Samus Returns After 18 Years

It has been 18 years since Samus Aran last donned her Power Suit for a first-person adventure. Since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption graced the Wii in 2007, fans have waited with a patience that would put any bounty hunter to shame. With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, developer Retro Studios and publisher Nintendo have delivered something truly special—a game that honors the legacy of the Prime trilogy while pushing the series boldly into a new era. After selling over 1 million copies since its December 4, 2025 launch, it is clear the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter has lost none of her appeal.

The Long Road to Beyond

Metroid Prime 4's development journey is almost as legendary as Samus herself. First announced at E3 2017 with nothing more than a logo, the game was originally in development at an unspecified studio. Then, in January 2019, Nintendo made the rare and bold decision to scrap all existing work and restart development from scratch under Retro Studios—the original creators of the Prime trilogy.

The move paid off. What could have been a compromised vision instead became a labor of love crafted by the team that understood the series best. Six years of development at Retro Studios, combined with the power of modern hardware, has resulted in a game that feels both faithful to the original trilogy and refreshingly modern.

Planet Viewros Awaits

Beyond transports Samus to Planet Viewros, an uncharted alien world teeming with hostile fauna, ancient ruins, and environmental hazards that will test even veteran explorers. True to the Metroid formula, Viewros is a masterclass in interconnected world design. Every cavern, corridor, and cliffside feels purposeful, rewarding players who pay attention to their surroundings with hidden upgrades and shortcuts.

The scan visor returns, and it has never been more essential. Viewros is rich with lore—scanning alien flora, decaying civilizations, and cryptic log entries paints a picture of a world with deep history. Environmental storytelling is at its finest here, with each biome telling its own silent tale of what came before Samus arrived.

New Powers, Classic Feel

While the core first-person exploration and combat remain unmistakably Metroid Prime, Beyond introduces a suite of new psychic abilities that add fresh depth to both traversal and combat. Samus can now manipulate objects with telekinetic force, sense hidden pathways through walls, and unleash devastating psychic blasts that complement her iconic arm cannon.

These abilities are not mere gimmicks—they are woven into the fabric of puzzle design and exploration. A room that seems like a dead end reveals its secrets when you switch to psychic vision. A boss that shrugs off missiles crumbles when you turn its own projectiles back with telekinesis. The motorcycle-like vehicle Vi-O-La also adds a new dimension to traversal, allowing Samus to cross vast open areas of Viewros at speed and access regions that would otherwise be unreachable on foot.

• Psychic Blast: A devastating area-of-effect attack that staggers enemies
• Telekinesis: Manipulate objects and redirect enemy projectiles
• Psychic Vision: Reveal hidden pathways, weak points, and lore
• Vi-O-La Motorcycle: High-speed traversal across open terrain
• Scan Visor: Returning classic for lore scanning and environmental analysis

Sylux: A Worthy Rival

Every great hero needs a worthy adversary, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers one in Sylux—a rival bounty hunter who has been teased in the Metroid universe since Metroid Prime Hunters on the Nintendo DS. Sylux is not a mindless villain. Driven by a deep-seated hatred of the Galactic Federation and, by extension, Samus herself, Sylux is calculating, relentless, and equipped with technology that matches Samus blow for blow.

The encounters with Sylux are among the game's highlights. These are not scripted boss battles so much as dynamic confrontations where Sylux adapts to your tactics, retreats when outmatched, and returns stronger. The rivalry gives Beyond a personal stake that elevates it above a simple "explore and upgrade" loop.

Switch 2 Enhanced

While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond runs admirably on the original Nintendo Switch, playing on the Nintendo Switch 2 is the definitive experience. The new hardware unlocks 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, transforming Viewros into one of the most visually stunning worlds in Nintendo's history. Lighting effects shimmer through alien crystals, particle effects swirl during psychic attacks, and the draw distance stretches to the horizon without a hint of pop-in.

The performance boost is not just cosmetic. The buttery-smooth 120fps makes combat feel more responsive and precise, which is critical during the game's more demanding boss encounters. It is a compelling showcase for the Switch 2's capabilities and a strong argument for early adoption of the new hardware.

The Verdict

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is everything fans hoped it would be and more. Retro Studios has proven that the 18-year wait was worth it, delivering a first-person adventure that stands shoulder to shoulder with the original Prime trilogy. Planet Viewros is a joy to explore, the new psychic abilities add meaningful depth without diluting the classic formula, and Sylux provides a personal antagonist that the series has long needed.

With over 1 million copies sold and critical acclaim pouring in, Samus Aran's return is not just a success—it is a triumph. Whether you are a lifelong Metroid fan or a newcomer drawn in by the Switch 2's visual splendor, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond earns its place among the greatest first-person adventures ever made. Score: 9/10.