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It’s been a long road getting to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but it’s almost here—and here’s what you should know

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched December 4, 2025, on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Compare the editions and upgrade path, and get Nintendo’s published details on Viewros, gameplay features, and update information.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is already out: Nintendo released it on December 4, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The main buying decision is whether to get the standard Switch version or the Switch 2 Edition, which adds enhanced display and performance options and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.

The game sends Samus Aran to the mysterious planet Viewros, where Nintendo highlights scanning, exploration, psychic abilities, and a rideable vehicle called the Vi-O-La. Here’s what’s confirmed about the game, its editions, and the Switch 2 upgrade path.

When did Metroid Prime 4: Beyond come out?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched on December 4, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced the date on September 19, 2025, and lists the game as available on its store pages. (Sources: Nintendo announcement; Nintendo UK game page.)

What is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond about?

Nintendo’s published setup has Samus transported to Viewros after an unexpected accident. As she explores, players can scan surroundings, statues, and ruins for clues, use weapons and equipment, and gain psychic abilities. Nintendo identifies the Lamorn as an ancient alien race connected to Viewros and Sylux as an enigmatic bounty hunter with a grudge against the Galactic Federation and Samus. (Sources: Nintendo announcement; Nintendo UK game page.)

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#1 Best Overall
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Nintendo Switch 2 features Aim with a Joy-Con 2 controller as a mouse Experience enhanced resolution, framerate, and load times in the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of the game
  • Explore a mysterious planet to find your way home Deadly sharpshooter Sylux has finally caught up with renowned bounty hunter Samus Aran! After an unexpected accident in the wake of their clash, Samus finds herself transported to Viewros—a mysterious planet once inhabited by an ancient race. Now she must explore this planet, all while battling the strange creatures that inhabit it, to find her way home.
  • Scan your surroundings for clues, make the most of your equipment and weapons, and use Samus’s newfound psychic abilities—and her technologically advanced bike, the Vi-O-La—to traverse and explore the environment. Operate mechanisms, control your charge beam, and more—you’ll need every tool at your disposal to survive and escape Viewros!
  • Play with mouse controls, enhanced visuals, and two different display modes—only on the Nintendo Switch 2 system Aim with a Joy-Con 2 controller as a mouse! The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game also features enhanced resolution, framerate, and load times.
  • Two display modes let you choose how to experience the adventure. Enjoy more detail in Quality Mode, which runs at 60 frames per second in 4k while docked and in 1080p while in handheld, or prioritize super-smooth action with a higher frame rate in Performance Mode, which runs at 120 frames per second in 1080p while docked and 720p in while in handheld. Both choices are HDR compatible.

Nintendo also describes the Vi-O-La as a technologically advanced rideable bike used to traverse the environment and battle in the open. These are Nintendo’s published premise and feature descriptions, not independent gameplay observations.

Is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo offers a Nintendo Switch version and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The Switch 2 Edition adds enhanced visuals and performance and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Switch 2 owners should check the product listing carefully: Nintendo distinguishes the Switch version, the native Switch 2 Edition, and a digital Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack. (Sources: Nintendo UK game page; Nintendo Support, Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack.)

Which edition should you choose?

Option For whom What to know
Nintendo Switch version Players using a Nintendo Switch-family system The standard Switch version. Nintendo’s Canada listing gives its digital file size as 26.3 GB.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Players buying for Nintendo Switch 2 Adds enhanced visuals and performance plus Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Nintendo’s Canada listing gives its digital file size as 27.7 GB.
Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack Switch-version owners who want the Switch 2 enhancements A digital upgrade available through Nintendo eShop on Switch 2 and Nintendo Store. Check Nintendo’s listing for the purchase details that apply to your account and region.

The file sizes above are from Nintendo of Canada’s regional store listing and may not describe every regional listing. Nintendo notes that play experience may differ on Switch Lite and that additional accessories may be required. (Source: Nintendo Canada store listing.)

Rank #2
Metriod Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch
  • Explore a mysterious planet to find your way home
  • Deadly sharpshooter Sylux has finally caught up with renowned bounty hunter Samus Aran! After an unexpected accident in the wake of their clash, Samus finds herself transported to Viewros—a mysterious planet once inhabited by an ancient race. Now she must explore this planet, all while battling the strange creatures that inhabit it, to find her way home.
  • Scan your surroundings for clues, make the most of your equipment and weapons, and use Samus’s newfound psychic abilities—and her technologically advanced bike, the Vi-O-La—to traverse and explore the environment. Operate mechanisms, control your charge beam, and more—you’ll need every tool at your disposal to survive and escape Viewros!

What display modes does the Switch 2 Edition offer?

Nintendo Support lists two modes for the Switch 2 Edition. Quality Mode is listed at 60 fps in 4K when docked and 1080p in handheld mode. Performance Mode is listed at 120 fps in 1080p when docked and 720p in handheld mode. Both modes are HDR compatible. These are Nintendo’s specifications, not independent performance measurements. (Source: Nintendo Support, Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack.)

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What else should players know?

Nintendo lists the game as a single-player experience for one player on one system, with TV, tabletop, and handheld play modes on its Canada store page. That listing also identifies amiibo and surround sound as supported features. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond amiibo—including Samus in Varia Suit, Samus atop the Vi-O-La, and Sylux—are sold separately; Nintendo does not describe them as required to play the core game. (Sources: Nintendo Canada store listing; Nintendo UK game page.)

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond update information

Nintendo Support lists software version 1.1.0, released December 3, 2025. The listed changes include amiibo use from the pause-menu amiibo page, rumble effects in cinematics, adjustments to some Hard-mode enemy difficulty, changes to some Gallery cinematic unlock conditions, and other gameplay fixes. This is the version described on the support page examined for this article; check Nintendo’s update history for any later release. (Source: Nintendo Support, software update history.)

Rank #3
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • 1. Explore the mysterious planet Viewros as the renowned bounty hunter Samus Aran
  • 2. Scan your surroundings for clues and make the most of your equipment and weapons to survive
  • 3. Use Samus’s newfound psychic abilities—and her technologically advanced bike, the Vi-O-La—to traverse and explore the environment.
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FAQ

When does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond come out?

It came out on December 4, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo offers a Switch 2 Edition with enhanced visuals and performance and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Switch owners can also purchase the digital Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack.

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What is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond about?

Nintendo’s premise sends Samus to Viewros, where she explores, scans for clues, uses psychic abilities, and encounters the Lamorn and the bounty hunter Sylux.

Rank #4
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
  • Two display modes let you choose how to experience the adventure.
  • Enjoy more detail in Quality Mode, which runs at 60 frames per second in 4k while docked and in 1080p while in handheld, or prioritize super-smooth action with a higher frame rate in Performance Mode, which runs at 120 frames per second in 1080p while docked and 720p in while in handheld. Both choices are HDR compatible.

Can you play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond solo?

Yes. Nintendo lists it as a one-player game on one system.

Are the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond amiibo required?

No. Nintendo describes the related amiibo as sold separately and supports amiibo features, but does not state that a figure is required to play the game.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Metriod Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch
Metriod Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch
Explore a mysterious planet to find your way home
$39.99
Bestseller No. 3
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
1. Explore the mysterious planet Viewros as the renowned bounty hunter Samus Aran
$59.99
Bestseller No. 4
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
Two display modes let you choose how to experience the adventure.
$9.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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