Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which probably needs no introduction given its long-awaited announcement and subsequent release, will introduce a playable build at PAX Aus 2025.
The 15-minute demo was packed with several elements that would set the overall tone and gameplay of the upcoming game, including mouse controls for the Switch 2. It’s definitely shaping up to be a great game, and the Switch 2 has another killer app. Sure, we had Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, but it feels like this new Metroid entry is about to shake things up again.
We didn’t get much background on this mission or exactly where this takes place in the game, but there’s a good chance this is the first mission in the game unless Build provides some kind of special tutorial. In the first half of the demo, Samus returns, takes on waves of alien enemies on a strange new planet, and learns general gunplay and morph ball mechanics.
What struck me most about this demo was the implementation of mouse controls. I’ve definitely played around with them, but I’m honestly surprised Nintendo would let us play them this way. This certainly shows that they are confident in their mechanics. Honestly, it’s great. The mouse controls are incredibly responsive, and although I found it difficult to bend my thumb to press the Joy-Con’s right face button (which is now located near the side of the controller), I did understand that certain controls, such as the jump button, had been moved to the shoulder buttons.
Controls are always snappy and mouse controls are intuitive, as you can lock on to enemies and aim within your target. It’s very different, but it still reminds you of moving your weapon in line with the Wiimote and field of view, rather than moving the entire camera itself. Samus was only able to transform into her morphball form in certain sections, primarily to enter and exit vents. However, the second half of the demo was able to put everything together nicely.
Near the end of the level, Samus encounters a giant alien creature known as Avelax, which serves as the demo’s main boss fight. This fight felt relatively easy in that the enemy had four weak spots on their chests that needed to be blown up once exposed. Blasting each of these four points leaves the boss defenseless and exposed to a barrage of attacks. The Arm Cannon will be very familiar to anyone who’s played previous Metroid Prime games, allowing you to charge up your weapon and draw in tons of consumables and upgrades as you do so.
After all, there are no Vi-O-La bikes here, which is a shame, but I guess there’s more to be excited about. Either way, at an incredibly fast pace, it wasted no time in showing not only how clean this looks and how well it works, but how satisfying it is to be in Samus’ boots again. I can’t wait.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2025.
