Early reviews for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond show a wide mix of reactions as critics weigh its technical achievements, atmospheric world, and new gameplay ideas. The game officially launches on December 4, marking the first new main Metroid Prime entry in nearly two decades.

Early Review Highlights

Several reviewers praised the game’s visuals, sound design, and overall performance, especially on the Nintendo Switch 2, where enhanced graphics and higher frame rates are available.

Keza MacDonald of The Guardian described many scenes as “classic Metroid,” noting the strong atmosphere and solitary exploration that long-time fans expect. She also commented on Samus Aran’s new psychic abilities and the slower, methodical pace that echoes earlier games in the series. However, MacDonald pointed out that certain side characters disrupt the exploration flow, and she found the desert overworld less engaging than other areas.

Vincent Acovino of NPR called the game a “technical marvel,” praising its graphical modes and detailed environments. Still, he considered the early sections too linear and found some companion characters distracting. He said the opening hours may make the game difficult to recommend for newcomers.

TechRadar’s Harry Padoan offered a more positive first impression. He felt the game captured the spirit of the original trilogy, especially in its puzzles, exploration, and pacing. Although he agreed that a talkative companion breaks the usual sense of isolation, he praised the technical advancements and control options available on both Switch systems.

Review Roundup and Scores

Across major publications, the game has received mostly positive but varied ratings. As of now, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond holds a Metacritic score of 81, based on 75 critic reviews. About 82% of those reviews are positive, while 18% are mixed.

PCMag rated the game a perfect score, calling it one of the best single-player shooters in years. Giant Bomb also awarded it a 10/10, celebrating its faithful tone and polished gameplay.

Nintendo Life gave it a 9/10, praising the art direction, new bosses, open-world structure, and improved traversal.

GameSpot rated it 8/10, noting that while some design elements feel outdated due to the long development cycle, the strongest parts of the game shine.

More critical outlets like VGC and Eurogamer gave scores of 6/10, saying the game can feel uneven, with moments of brilliance mixed with awkward storytelling and features that interrupt exploration.

Release Date and Launch Details

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases worldwide on December 4.

Digital copies purchased through the Nintendo eShop are expected to unlock at midnight local time for most regions. In the United States, the game unlocks at midnight Eastern Time, meaning West Coast players can start at 9 p.m. Pacific.

Platforms and File Size

The game launches on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

While the core content is identical, the Switch 2 version features enhanced visuals, smoother performance, and a mouse control option for aiming.

File sizes:

Switch edition: 28.9 GB
Switch 2 edition: 31.6 GB

Players can preload the game immediately after preordering through the eShop.

Physical Edition

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is also available as a physical cartridge for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Unlike some recent Switch 2 releases, the entire game is included on the cartridge, with no additional downloads required.

Expectations for Players

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond takes advantage of Switch 2’s hardware capabilities, including optional 120fps modes and improved visuals. Critics generally agree that fans of the original trilogy will find plenty to enjoy, although those hoping for a dramatic reinvention of the formula may find some aspects familiar or inconsistent.

Despite mixed reactions to new characters and features, the game’s strong atmosphere, world design, and technical execution have made it one of the most anticipated Nintendo releases of the year.