It appears that Nintendo is pulling out all the stops for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, set to launch on December 4th for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. With brand-new features including psychic powers, a futuristic motorbike named Viola, and multiple difficulty options, the next entry in the Metroid Prime series is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious first-person adventures on the platform. In this article we will go over a small bite of what you can expect in the new title.
Whats even better about this new game? This is the first all-new mainline Prime title in over 18 years. Lets start off with a quick dive into what you can expect in the new game with a 7 minute video highlighting new features and gameplay.
A Brand-New Adventure, Which Means No Series Knowledge Required To Play
Set on the mysterious planet Byrus, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond follows series protagonist Samus Aran after a fateful encounter with her nemesis Cyrax. An accident at a Galactic Federation research base leaves her stranded with five soldiers on this unfamiliar world, featuring lush jungles, storm-covered factories, molten facilities, and massive deserts.
As stated before, despite being the fourth entry in the Prime series, players new to the franchise can jump in easily. Beyond kicks off a completely new story arc, separate from the Phazon-centric narrative of previous games.
Major Gameplay Upgrades: Psychic Powers & The Viola Motorbike
Samus now possesses psychic powers that allow her to manipulate objects and environments. She can remotely activate mechanisms and control beam trajectories using willpower alone an innovative expansion of the classic scanning and exploration gameplay.
The game also introduces the Viola, a high-tech motorbike that enables high-speed traversal across the planet’s sprawling deserts. Players can even fight enemies while riding, adding a dynamic new element to combat and traversal.
Choose Your Difficulty: Casual, Normal, and Unlockable Hard Mode
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond supports Casual and Normal modes from the start, with a Hard mode unlocked after clearing the game once on Normal. Casual mode is designed for newcomers and offers reduced enemy HP and damage taken, while Normal offers a balanced challenge for returning fans.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: 4K, 120fps, HDR, and Mouse Controls
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers serious technical upgrades, including:
- 4K resolution for stunning visuals.
- 120fps mode for ultra-smooth gameplay.
- HDR support for vivid color contrast.
- Mouse controls via Joy-Con 2 transformation.
- Players can fluidly switch between joystick and mouse depending on the gameplay situation which is a big first for the franchise.
If you're using a Nintendo Switch Online Catalog Ticket, you can redeem the standard Switch version and upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition via an Upgrade Pass.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases globally on December 4th, 2025. Whether you’re a longtime Metroid fan or brand new to Samus Aran’s world, this new chapter offers something fresh, accessible, and technically impressive. Just be sure to have enough space on your Switch a microSD card is recommended for downloads.
Will you be playing it on release? Which new feature do you like the most? Let us know what game is your favorite in the comments down below! As always, stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more video game news!