The recent Nintendo Direct presentation was a surprisingly packed one, especially given the fact that the Switch is supposedly on its last legs, and among several major titles to be shown off, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was one in particular that grabbed headlines. Showing gameplay after years of anticipation, the upcoming long-awaited sequel is boasting gorgeous visuals and technical flair, based on the recent showcase.
In fact, the gameplay footage that was showcased was so visually impressive that many have wondered if what was shown in the trailer was actually footage of the game running on Nintendo’s next-gen console, which the company has confirmed it will be unveiling sometime before April 2025. However, as per an IGN report, the footage that was recently shown wasn’t running on Switch 2 after all.
Speaking to IGN, Digital Foundry’s technology editor Richard Leadbetter said that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s reveal trailer shows the game running at 900p, most likely on the Nintendo Switch. That, incidentally, is the resolution that 2023’s Metroid Prime Remastered runs at as well. As per Leadbetter, the trailer, though visually impressive, also had some minor technical hiccups, including slight frame rate drops and aliasing issues. Of course, the game is still a ways off from launch, so things can always be polished.
It is, of course, worth wondering whether Nintendo does still intend to release Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as a cross-gen game for both the Nintendo Switch and its upcoming successor, similar to how the company handled The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which launched simultaneously in 2017 for Wii U and the Switch.
Either way, we should hopefully find out in the coming months. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled to release in 2025.
