Check Out These Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Graphics & Performance Comparisons

Given how stunning Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks, it’s no surprise that the well-known tech and media analysis group Digital Foundry decided to put the specs to the test in a robust Nintendo Switch 2 graphics & performance review. While they did not have the Nintendo Switch 1 version to compare it to at the time of the video’s release, their analysis still highlights the impressive work done by Retro Studios to bring this game to life.

 

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond features two different modes to play in: Quality Mode, running at 60 fps with up to 4k resolution, and Performance Mode, running at 120fps with up to 1080p resolution. Digital Foundry let us know immediately that both modes feature stunning visuals and crisp, consistent gameplay. Retro Studios seems to work magic with Nintendo hardware, as the game is essentially locked at 60 or 120fps depending on the mode, no matter what.

Digital Foundry were only ever able to detect the smallest frame rate drops occasionally in Sol Valley, and that was only noticeable due to measuring it against a set benchmark. You might also notice that the edges of Samus’s visor are slightly lower resolution, but as the visor is omnipresent, it blends in very well with the action on the screen throughout the game.

Digital Foundry were also effusive in their praise of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s use of HDR, claiming it to be by far the best utilized example in the Nintendo Switch 2’s library. With blazing intense highlights and deep, rich shadows, they claim the game’s HDR “stands toe-to-toe with some of the best,” regardless of console — high praise from the well-informed folks at Digital Foundry!

However, they do mention that in handheld mode the smaller screen simply isn’t powerful enough to adequately translate HDR. Resolution drops to 720p in Performance Mode and 1080p in Quality Mode. Motion blur also suffers a bit from this reduced power, but they do note that image quality remains high.

Additionally, no doors will keep you waiting while the next room loads as in previous Prime titles, and the game loads much faster than its Nintendo Switch counterpart (more on that later). Digital Foundry also mention that Performance Mode is the way to go if you want to try out the new mouse controls, as it feels more responsive and snappier. They close out their review praising the multichannel surround sound system as well, saying it brings to life the sound design in ways not previously possible.

 

Nintendo Switch Edition

YouTube user ElAnalistaDeBits is another account that in their words is “focused on technical, visual and performance comparisons on the different platforms of the video game industry.” They show overlays and side-by-side comparisons of the three versions of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Nintendo Switch 1, and Quality/Performance Modes on Nintendo Switch 2). This video does an excellent job showing you direct comparisons of the version differences for draw distance, resolution, load times, frame rate, and level of detail.

The biggest takeaway to me is that the Nintendo Switch 1 version still manages to maintain 60fps 99% of the time, just like its more powerful successor. When viewed next to footage from Quality Mode, one can definitely see the differences — but you can make your own judgements based on the footage!

ElAnalistaDeBits sums up the comparison with the quote, “The most substantial differences between Switch and Switch 2 are in the rendering resolution, the resolution of some textures and shadows, and slightly in the level of detail at times.”

Metroid Prime 4 is apparently running on Retro’s in-house engine RUDE engine codenamed “rs15”, with Metroid Prime Remastered having ran on the “rs14” version.

Personally, I only have the Nintendo Switch version of the game, but I think it looks absolutely gorgeous. I don’t feel this is a case of the older version significantly holding back the visuals or performance, as Retro Studios seems to have found the perfect formula to bring their vision to life regardless of what console you are experiencing it on.

So what do you think about the technical feats Retro Studios was able to accomplish with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond? Did the side-by-side comparison video give you a solid sense of the differences found between the versions? Let us know in the comments or over on our discord server!

Source: DigitalFoundry, ElAnalistaDeBits, OatmealDome

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