Metroid Prime 4: Beyond performance review finds it's one of the best-looking Switch 2 games

Surprisingly to some fans, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond reviews have produced one of the lowest Metacritic ratings in the series. However, according to a Digital Foundry technical analysis, there are few drawbacks with its performance. John Linneman finds that the title raises expectations of visual fidelity for future Switch 2 games.

Performance as advertised

Linneman reveals that, unlike other titles on the Nintendo handheld, Metroid Prime 4 meets its targets. When docked, players can choose between a 4K/60 fps quality mode and a 1080p/120 fps performance option. In either case, frame rate deviations are minimal, with only slight hiccups when riding the Vi-O-La in open-world areas.

In reality, only some graphical elements render at 4K at the more demanding setting. Digital Foundry determines that Samus’s visor itself has a higher pixel count than what gamers see through the device. Nevertheless, even when the resolution falls to 1440p, anti-aliasing ensures that textures remain well-defined.

If players opt for 1080p, the advantages of the higher refresh rate are obvious. At 120Hz, the action has the fluidity that competitive gamers demand. As a Switch 2 game that relies on shooter mechanics, the slightest controller inputs reflect immediately on the screens. Also, most gamers may find performance mode forces only a minor trade-off in detail levels.

HDR on the Switch 2 finally shines

Some gamers have been disappointed with the HDR implementation in Nintendo’s latest console. Fortunately, the Metroid Prime 4 review concludes that it’s one of the best Switch 2 games to showcase the wider color palette. Each biome has a distinct look, and HDR highlights the contrasts between darker and lighter imagery. Sadly, due to brightness limitations, the technology isn’t as impressive in handheld mode.

Digital Foundry did see some evidence that the Retro Studios project began on the first Switch console. Pre-calculated lighting doesn’t match the real-time effects evident in other modern releases. Even so, the developers show a deep understanding of Switch 2 specs and how to maximize its potential.

Whether or not the technical prowess of Metroid Prime 4 will overshadow other concerns is debatable. The long development cycle may have benefited map design and smooth visuals. Still, some fans worry that talkative NPCs undermine the franchise's trademark sense of isolation.