Digital Foundry published their Metroid Prime 4: Beyond technical review on December 1, 2025, declaring it an exceptional Switch 2 release that brilliantly delivers both 60fps and 120fps modes with near-perfect frame rate consistency. The analysis reveals quality mode renders at 1440p (not true 4K despite claims) while performance mode hits 1080p/120fps with only imperceptible frame-time spikes in the massive Sol Valley open area. Most impressively, DF calls the HDR implementation “up there with some of the best we’ve ever seen on modern game consoles,” properly scaling luminance information and emphasizing laser blasts, environmental highlights, and Samus’s new psychic abilities. Beyond technical prowess, DF recommends Metroid Prime 4 as a contender for second-best game in the series, praising its complex multi-tiered architecture, sweeping expansive environments, and clever artistic direction that makes it one of the best-looking Switch 2 titles despite likely being designed primarily for Switch 1.
The Resolution Revelation
Nintendo advertised Metroid Prime 4’s quality mode as 4K/60fps, but Digital Foundry’s pixel counting reveals the reality is more nuanced. The game renders Samus’s visor frame at native 2160p (true 4K), but the actual 3D content you see through that visor runs at 1440p. This clever technique creates the perception of 4K sharpness because the omnipresent visor details frame your view at full resolution, while the slightly lower-resolution gameplay visuals benefit from tasteful SMAA anti-aliasing.
The result? According to DF, the image “looks and runs crisply enough to resemble 4K in action” despite technically being 1440p for gameplay elements. In handheld mode, quality mode drops to 1080p, which remains sharp on the Switch 2’s screen but loses some of the crispness visible on 4K TVs.
Performance mode simplifies things – it’s straight 1080p output when docked, targeting 120fps instead of 60fps. Handheld performance mode likely drops further, though DF’s review focused primarily on docked analysis. The resolution trade-off for doubled frame rate is standard practice, and based on their testing, the fluidity gain justifies the visual compromise.
Frame Rate Consistency – Near Perfect
This is where Metroid Prime 4 truly impresses. Digital Foundry reports that both 60fps and 120fps modes are “almost 100 percent locked,” with only “a few imperceptible frame-time spikes in the massive Sol Valley region.” When they say imperceptible, they mean it – these are single-frame variations that require frame-time analysis tools to detect. During actual gameplay, the experience feels completely smooth in either mode.
The 120fps achievement is particularly noteworthy. This represents Switch 2’s first true 120Hz mode in a fully 3D game. Other titles have offered 120Hz menus or 2D modes, but Metroid Prime 4 delivers the high refresh rate during actual 3D gameplay with complex environments, particle effects, and AI-driven enemies. For competitive shooters or twitch-based action games, 120fps provides tangible advantages – controller inputs reflect immediately on screen, and motion clarity during fast movements dramatically improves.
Nintendo Life’s coverage emphasized that the 120fps promise “is delivered on, locking to 120, and holding it with complete consistency” bar the occasional tiny dip when riding the Vi-O-La vehicle in open world sections. This level of optimization is rare even on more powerful consoles – many PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X games struggle to maintain locked frame rates despite significantly more processing power than Switch 2.
What This Means for Gameplay
The practical impact of locked 120fps in a Metroid game can’t be overstated. Prime has always emphasized precise aiming, quick reactions to enemies spawning from vents or dropping from ceilings, and smooth camera panning while scanning environments. At 120fps, all these actions feel more responsive and fluid. The latency reduction between controller input and on-screen response creates a tighter connection between player intent and character action.
For players coming from Metroid Prime Remastered on Switch 1 (which ran at 60fps), the jump to 120fps in Prime 4 will be immediately noticeable. Motion looks smoother, combat feels snappier, and exploring dense environments with quick camera movements becomes less disorienting. Whether this matters more than the visual fidelity of quality mode depends on personal preference and display capabilities – not everyone has 120Hz TVs to take advantage of performance mode.
The HDR Implementation – Best in Class
Digital Foundry reserves their highest praise for Metroid Prime 4’s HDR (High Dynamic Range) implementation, stating it’s “up there with some of the best HDR we’ve ever seen on modern game consoles.” This isn’t just “good for Switch 2” – DF is comparing it favorably to HDR in games on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and high-end PC setups.
What makes it special? Proper luminance scaling. Many games implement HDR poorly, simply brightening highlights without properly utilizing the extended color range and contrast. Metroid Prime 4 uses HDR to emphasize specific visual effects in ways that enhance atmosphere and gameplay clarity. Laser weapon fire bursts with luminance that draws your eye. Environmental highlights like sunlight filtering through alien flora create dramatic contrast with shadowed areas. Samus’s new psychic abilities glow with intensity that feels genuinely supernatural.
The implementation supports HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) calibration, meaning if your TV has this feature enabled, the game will scale brightness according to your TV’s actual peak luminance capabilities rather than guessing. This ensures consistent visual experience across different displays instead of looking washed out on some TVs and crushed on others.
Each biome has distinct visual identity enhanced by HDR. Darker underground sections contrast sharply with bright surface areas. The color palette shifts between zones feel more dramatic, and the contrast between natural environments and artificial Chozo technology stands out more prominently. Nintendo Life noted that HDR “highlights the contrasts between darker and lighter imagery” effectively, making exploration visually rewarding beyond just discovering new areas.
Handheld HDR Limitations
Unfortunately, the impressive HDR doesn’t translate well to handheld mode. The Switch 2’s built-in screen cannot reach true HDR luminance levels – it simply doesn’t get bright enough to produce the peak highlights that make HDR impactful. Additionally, known issues with pixel lag and ghosting on the Switch 2 screen feel “particularly detrimental to this game’s sharply rendered aesthetics” according to Digital Foundry.
Their recommendation is clear: dock Metroid Prime 4 if possible. The handheld experience isn’t bad – the game still looks good and runs smoothly – but you’re missing the visual showcase that defines the Switch 2 version’s appeal. This positions Prime 4 as primarily a home console experience, which might disappoint players who bought Switch 2 expecting excellent portable play.
Artistic Direction Over Raw Tech
A recurring theme in Digital Foundry’s analysis is that Metroid Prime 4 succeeds through clever artistic direction rather than brute-force technical power. The game appears to run on an enhanced version of Metroid Prime Remastered’s engine, not some cutting-edge proprietary tech. Its most impressive feats are often subtle – screen-space god rays slicing through dusty air, rain droplets and breath vapor on Samus’s visor, convincing specular highlights on metal surfaces.
One Reddit commenter captured this philosophy perfectly: “This review effectively captures the essence of what makes Metroid Prime 4 stand out: it embraces a lower-tech approach that allows the artistry to shine, contrasting sharply with contemporary UE5 games that rely heavily on ray tracing for their visuals. While those titles offer stunning realism, they often come off as somewhat formulaic and lacking in individuality.”
Metroid Prime 4 doesn’t use ray tracing. It doesn’t have path-traced global illumination or photorealistic materials. Instead, it uses pre-calculated lighting, carefully placed light sources, and artistic composition to create atmosphere. DF noted evidence that the project began on Switch 1, with pre-calculated lighting that “doesn’t match the real-time effects evident in other modern releases.” But this limitation becomes a strength – baked lighting is cheaper to render, allowing the game to maintain those locked frame rates while still looking gorgeous.
The Switch 1 Question
Digital Foundry’s review is based solely on the Switch 2 version because Nintendo didn’t provide Switch 1 review code before publication. This is significant – we don’t know how the original Switch version performs, what visual compromises it makes, or whether it maintains stable frame rates. DF explicitly states their “impressions of MP4’s frame-rates, resolutions and possible detail compromises on Switch 1 will have to wait until the game officially launches.”
Based on comparisons from other sources, the Switch 1 version runs at 60fps maximum (no 120fps option), outputs at 900p docked and averages 540p handheld, and likely reduces texture resolution, shadow quality, and level-of-detail distance. Load times are reportedly five times slower on Switch 1 compared to Switch 2’s nearly instantaneous loading. Whether these compromises make the Switch 1 version feel dated or merely competent remains to be seen.
The cross-generation strategy suggests Retro Studios designed Prime 4 primarily for Switch 1’s limitations, then “supercharged” it for Switch 2 by adding resolution, frame rate options, and HDR support. This approach ensures both versions are complete experiences rather than the Switch 1 version being a compromised port.
Gameplay Impressions – Second Best in Series
Beyond technical analysis, Digital Foundry offered rare gameplay impressions, recommending Metroid Prime 4 as “a contender for the second-best game in the series yet.” High praise considering the original Metroid Prime is considered one of gaming’s masterpieces and Prime 2 has its dedicated fans.
DF praises the “complex, multi-tiered architecture” that rewards exploration through discovery rather than explicit objectives. The environments are described as the series’ “most sweeping and expansive yet,” with pleasant mixes of familiar and new collectibles. A new guided-missile weapon that resembles Zelda: Skyward Sword’s mechanical beetle adds fresh puzzle-solving opportunities.
The Sol Valley region gets specific mention as a massive open area that pushes the game’s scale beyond previous entries’ corridor-and-arena structure. This openness comes with the minor frame-time spikes mentioned earlier, suggesting it’s the most technically demanding section Retro built.
Community Reactions
Reddit discussions show relief and excitement. Many fans worried that Prime 4’s troubled development – the 2019 restart when Retro Studios took over from Bandai Namco – would result in a compromised product. Digital Foundry’s endorsement as technically excellent and gameplay worthy of the series calms those fears.
Some debate whether 1440p counts as “4K” given Nintendo’s marketing. Technically it’s not native 4K, but DF’s assessment that it “looks and runs crisply enough to resemble 4K in action” suggests the distinction matters more to pixel counters than actual players. The SMAA anti-aliasing and sharp visor frame create perceived sharpness that compensates for the lower internal resolution.
The 120fps mode generates particular enthusiasm among players with compatible displays. One commenter noted “both the 60 FPS and 120 FPS modes deliver impressive consistency, with the 120 FPS mode potentially experiencing only minor frame drops in desert regions.” For a first-party Nintendo title to deliver this level of performance represents a significant step up from Switch 1’s 60fps ceiling.
FAQs
What resolution does Metroid Prime 4 run at?
Quality mode is 1440p (with visor at 4K) docked, 1080p handheld. Performance mode is 1080p docked at 120fps. Digital Foundry notes it looks like 4K in action due to sharp visor details and excellent anti-aliasing.
Does it actually hit 120fps?
Yes. Digital Foundry confirms the game locks to 120fps with “complete consistency” except for imperceptible single-frame spikes in the Sol Valley region. It’s Switch 2’s first true 120Hz 3D game.
How is the HDR?
Digital Foundry calls it “up there with some of the best HDR we’ve ever seen on modern game consoles.” It properly scales luminance, supports HGiG calibration, and dramatically enhances visual atmosphere. Not impressive in handheld mode due to screen brightness limitations.
Should I play in 60fps or 120fps mode?
Personal preference. Quality mode (60fps) offers higher resolution and better textures. Performance mode (120fps) provides superior motion clarity and reduced input latency. Both modes maintain locked frame rates.
Does it look good in handheld?
It looks good but not great. Digital Foundry recommends docking if possible due to handheld screen’s HDR limitations and known issues with pixel lag and ghosting that detract from the sharp visuals.
How does Switch 1 version compare?
Unknown – Nintendo didn’t provide Switch 1 review code. Expect 900p docked/540p handheld at 60fps maximum with reduced textures, shadows, and 5x slower loading compared to Switch 2.
Is it the best Metroid Prime?
Digital Foundry calls it a contender for second-best in the series behind the original. Gameplay features complex architecture, expansive environments, and satisfying exploration that rewards discovery.
When does it release?
December 4, 2025, on both Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 as a cross-generation title. Available physically and digitally.
Does it use ray tracing?
No. It uses pre-calculated lighting and artistic direction rather than real-time ray tracing, which helps maintain locked frame rates while still looking gorgeous.
Conclusion
Digital Foundry’s technical review confirms Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as one of Switch 2’s defining launch window titles, delivering the rare combination of visual excellence and rock-solid performance. The locked 120fps mode represents a technical achievement unmatched by other Switch 2 games, while the HDR implementation rivals what’s seen on significantly more powerful consoles. Yes, quality mode is 1440p not true 4K, but the visual presentation is so polished that the distinction feels academic rather than meaningful. The fact that Retro Studios achieved this while apparently designing primarily for Switch 1’s limitations speaks to exceptional optimization and artistic direction. Beyond raw technical metrics, DF’s gameplay endorsement as second-best in the series suggests Prime 4 delivers where it matters most – as a worthy sequel to one of gaming’s most beloved franchises. Whether you prioritize the sharp 4K-like visuals of quality mode or the buttery-smooth 120fps fluidity of performance mode, Metroid Prime 4 delivers both with near-perfect execution. December 4 can’t come fast enough for Metroid fans who’ve waited years for this return to form.