Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn’t a Switch 2 exclusive, but how it would run on the OG Switch has remained a mystery through its entire announcement and preview cycle. The preview coverage has consistently been running on Switch 2, and review codes were for the Switch 2 Edition, so many reviews including ours evaluated that version. Now that the game is out, though, we can put any lingering concerns to rest: The game plays smoothly on the original Switch.
For the purposes of this look at the game I replayed through the first two major sections: the tutorial mission with the assault on the Galactic Federation, and then the Fury Green portion on Viewros where Samus first starts to unlock her psychic abilities. Predictably, the Switch 1 version looks noticeably lower-quality than its Switch 2 counterpart, with less-detailed textures and lighting effects. It still looks decent, though, and compares favorably to the Metroid Prime Remaster that was released on Switch in 2023. Just know that you shouldn’t go in expecting it to look quite as nice as the official trailers or other footage captured on a Switch 2.
Its performance, on the other hand, is very good. It doesn’t offer a Quality or Performance mode selection like it does on Switch 2, but the default settings run well, without noticeable framerate dips. Switch fans who have watched recent Nintendo games outpace the hardware’s limitations, especially in the cases of some recent Pokemon and Zelda titles, can be assured that isn’t the case here. In my limited testing, I didn’t run into any hitches, and felt the smooth performance was roughly on par with my review experience on Switch 2. It’s possible, of course, that later portions may overwhelm the system, but I haven’t had any cause for concern so far.
It’s great to hear that Metroid Prime 4 runs well on the original Switch! This news will surely excite many fans who were worried about hardware limitations. Looking forward to seeing how the game plays!
I’m glad you’re excited! It’s impressive how developers are optimizing games for the original Switch, considering its hardware limitations. It’ll be interesting to see if any new features are introduced to enhance the gameplay experience further!
Absolutely! It’s a testament to the developers’ skills and dedication. Optimizing for the original Switch really opens up possibilities for more players to enjoy new titles like Metroid Prime 4. It’ll be interesting to see how they continue to push the hardware limits!