Alright, let’s dive into the latest intel on *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*!

*Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is scheduled for release on December 4, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Retro Studios, the team behind the original *Metroid Prime* trilogy, the game has been a long time coming since its initial announcement at E3 2017. Development was famously restarted in January 2019 to ensure it met Nintendo’s high standards.

**Recent Previews and Gameplay Details:**

In November 2025, media outlets were given the opportunity to play a 90-minute demo, which included the opening sequence and a section within the “Fury Green” area of the planet Viewros. Previews have largely praised the game’s presentation, puzzles, and combat.

Here’s what bounty hunters can expect:

* **New Psychic Powers:** Samus Aran gains a suite of new psychic and telekinetic abilities, visually represented by a glowing purple gem in her helmet and purple light channeled through her suit. These powers are integral to both puzzle-solving, allowing Samus to move objects and open doors, and combat, with abilities like Psychic Morph Ball bombs that can be piloted and a controllable Control Beam. Reviewers found these new abilities to blend well with the established gameplay and offer a “refreshingly different” experience.
* **Enhanced Controls (Switch 2):** For players on the Nintendo Switch 2, the game offers optional mouse controls using the Joy-Con 2 controllers. This feature has been lauded for providing quick and precise targeting, making it a “genuinely viable alternative control scheme.”
* **Classic *Prime* Feel with Modern Touches:** Despite the new additions, the game is described as retaining the core DNA of the *Metroid Prime* series, featuring classic exploration and combat, an intriguing setup, and gorgeous art direction. The soundtrack also maintains the mysterious, lonely atmosphere quintessential to the series.
* **New Environments and Vehicles:** Samus will explore the diverse planet Viewros, including lush forest areas like Fury Green and expansive desert environments. A new technologically advanced motorcycle called the “Vi-O-La” will also aid Samus in traversing these larger areas.
* **Story and Characters:** The narrative loosely continues from *Metroid Prime 3: Corruption*, with the enigmatic bounty hunter Sylux pursuing Samus. Samus will also encounter new enemies and the Lamorn race.
* **The Companion Conundrum:** A new non-player character, Myles MacKenzie, has been introduced to provide comedic relief and assist with area progression by interacting with alien technology. However, his inclusion has generated mixed reactions, with some journalists feeling he detracts from the series’ signature sense of isolation and offers “sub-Marvel humor.” Others found him to provide enjoyable comedic relief, hoping companions are used sparingly throughout the game.
* **Visuals and Performance:** On the Nintendo Switch 2, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is visually impressive, offering options for 4K resolution at 60 frames per second or 1080p at 120 frames per second. The art direction has been particularly praised.

Overall, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is shaping up to be a