Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Everything you need to know about the new Switch game

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot showing Samus Aran in a hero pose after disembarking her ship — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally arrived! That's right, after years of waiting, Nintendo has released Samus's next big outing, and already reviews and buzz are flying. This game has been a long time coming, having first been announced all the way back in 2017, with a very brief teaser. And after rebooting partway through development, a 2025 release date was revealed during the April Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

If you are like us, chances are you love replaying all the best Metroid games, and this was also one of your top new Switch 2 games of 2025. However, with such a long development time and a relatively mixed reception (just read our own Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review for more on that), you may be unsure whether the game is worth your hard-earned golden coins. Well, we are here to help!

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date

A screenshot of Samus looking at a fire ahead of her during gameplay clips of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — (Image credit: Nintendo)

The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date came our way on December 4, 2025!

So far, the majority of critics who have had their hands on the game are fans, with the game's Metacritic score being at a respectable 81 at the time of writing. However, there have been some middling opinions on the game from the likes of Eurogamer, Inverse, and our own Oscar Taylor-Kent, who penned our Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review.

While we were fans of the game's visuals on the Switch 2 and general atmosphere, we did point out how the overworld adds bloat and is mostly empty, and that the back and forth that players need to do is more annoying than in past games. So, keep that in mind if you are considering buying the game for yourself.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond platforms and price

Samus firing a beam in a screenshot from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Metroid Prime 4 is now available on the Switch and the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 version of the game runs on the new-gen console with two different available modes: Quality mode runs at 4K 60FPS, while Performance mode runs at 1080p at 120FPS. If you have a Switch 2, the game does look stunning, and we personally recommend picking up that edition if you have the hardware.

In terms of price, the Switch version of the game costs $59.99/£49.99, while the Switch 2 versions will set you back $69.99/£58.99. If you don't have a Switch 2 at the moment, you can opt to get the upgrade pack later on, which is priced at $9.99/£7.99. And finally, if you are UK-based, Nintendo is also offering a deal with the "Power Bundle".

The Power Bundle includes a copy of the game, a desk mat, and a holographic sticker set. If you have the original Switch, this bundle will cost £55.99, and £64.99 if you have a Switch 2.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer

The best Metroid Prime 4 trailer debuted during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct. In this teaser, we see Samus navigating the jungle planet of Viewros, where she must explore and scan mysterious statues to escape.

However, Samus isn't alone, and the trailer shows us plenty of exciting new enemies for us to blast. But, one of the most curious bits of information shared during this teaser is Samus' new psychic powers. The clip shows off abilities that will fling players towards enemies and assist in navigating the map as you can unlock doors.

While that may sound like a big departure from the series, worry not! The trailer also has us occupying a first-person perspective as Samus navigates hostile environments, bringing back the FPS stylings of Metroid Prime 3 as she guns down enemies and scans the corpses.

We did get another trailer on November 14, 2025, which showed more gameplay details as well, which you can watch for yourself below.

In this clip, we see more of Samus' abilities and how players can get around from different areas (spoilers: a very fancy bike is involved). We also see glimpses of Samus' companions and hear some voice-overs as well.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay

The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay experience is a delicate blend of quiet exploration, puzzle solving, and frantic shootouts, something the best Metroid games always capture with ease.

You see these sides of play represented in the reveal trailer: Samus using her Scan Visor to assess the environment and gather information, shifting into her Morph Ball to explore new areas of the environment, and blasting away Space Pirates with her Power Beam and Missile Launcher.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot of the Switch 2 Edition version of the game using the new console's mouse controller function — (Image credit: Nintendo)

During a Nintendo Direct in 2025, we also saw that psychic abilities have a new feature in the gameplay. You can use these powers to solve puzzles around the map and control beams as you face off against enemies. From the most recent trailer for Metroid Prime 4, these new abilities will play a large part in the story, too.

The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Switch 2 Edition also makes use of the Switch 2's new Joy-Con controller mouse-function, for more "intuitive gameplay". We saw during the Direct Showcase how this can be effectively used to direct and aim Samus' arm canon, and after checking it in the game, it proves to work very well.

Metroid Prime 4 powers and abilities

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond showing Samus Aran using her Morph Ball ability to navigate a tight corridor and exit through a gap in the wall — (Image credit: Nintendo)

There's still plenty more to dig into the game, but here are the greatest details that can be gleaned from the gameplay and trailers we've experienced so far to pick out all the returning powers and abilities in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond:

Power Suit
Power Beam
Missile Launcher
Morph Ball
Scan Visor
Psychic Abilities

Metroid Prime 4 story

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond cinematic showing Sylux flanked by Space Pirates and tamed Metroids — (Image credit: Nintendo)

The story of the new Metroid kicks off after the Galactic Federation UTO research center is attacked. The game opens with Samus being tasked by the Galactic Federation to protect and defend an artifact from the Space Pirates. While trying to complete that objective, she sees that Metroids have seemingly teamed up with the game's main antagonist, Sylux, with the bounty hunter reappearing after their showing in Metroid Prime Hunters.

While we don't want to give away too many spoilers here, we can tell you that the artifact will end up sending Samus to a new world. Samus also ends up trapped on an alien Jungle planet called Viewros. And after interacting with some statues, we can also tell you that she'll be granted some ancient powers that give her psychic abilities. While we won't get into details about big reveals, just know that Metroid Prime 4's story focuses on Samus trying to escape her current situation and get off this strange planet.

Metroid Prime 4's Sylux explained

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot showing the new design of antagonist Sylux in detail — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Retro Studios has confirmed that Sylux plays a massive role in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but who is this mysterious character you ask? Well, here's what I can tell you: Sylux carries a strong distrust of the Galactic Federation and views Samus Aran as an enemy for her association with the organization.

Sylux made their debut in 2004's Metroid Prime Hunters, attacking Samus as she explores the depths of the Vesper Defense Outpost. It's also believed that Sylux is piloting the ship that tracks Samus in the 'special ending' of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. There's a history here, so expect Sylux to be a formidable threat in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Why Metroid Prime 4 restarted development

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot showing two Space Pirates getting ready for battle in an alien world — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Metroid Prime 4 has been in some form of active development for nearly a decade – first teased in 2015, and later revealed at E3 2017.

The game was originally in development at Bandai Namco Studios, although it wasn't to be. Citing concerns over the quality of the production, Nintendo opted to restart development of Metroid Prime 4 in 2019 – handing the project over to Metroid Prime creator Retro Studios.

Check out the best Switch 2 games to play after you get on with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.