Nintendo Switch’s last big exclusives are exclusives no more. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are coming to Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch was all set to have a banger final year with two major games from beloved Nintendo IP serving as the system’s final swan songs. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A are out this year on Nintendo Switch. However, that’s not the only platform these games will launch on. As many likely suspected, both titles are getting Nintendo Switch 2 versions that feature substantial visual and performance upgrades over their Switch iterations.
Nintendo Switch 2 Fully Revealed with a $449 Launch Price, Grab Bag of Features, Games from Other Platforms
Nintendo today fully revealed the details for their next console, Nintendo Switch 2, including a look at the new hardware features and games.
To infinity and beyond
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks the return of the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter, Samus Aran. The first-person shooter/adventure game lands day-and-date on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with the latter taking advantage of the new system’s advanced hardware and capabilities. The game on Switch 2 features both standard and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, giving players the ability to shoot with increase precision.
Perhaps more tantalizing are the upgrades to the game’s visuals and performance. Like with many current-gen games, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2 will feature Quality and Performance Modes. In Quality, you’ll get a 4K resolution at 60fps. Meanwhile, Performance nets you a 1080p resolution at 120fps. Both modes support HDR, but you’ll need a compatible display to access all these features.
When in Lumiose
Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes players to Lumiose City during its urban redevelopment where both humans and Pokémon live together. Much like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Z-A shakes up the traditional Pokémon formula in numerous ways. The game is set in a large city, battles are real-time, and the focus of the game is to participate in the Z-A Royale.
Unlike Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Nintendo and Game Freak are staying silent on what exactly players can expect from Z-A on Switch 2. The duo is promising enhanced resolution and improved frame rates. Footage released during the Direct already showcases a marked improvement over what we’ve seen of the Switch version. Given how critical the reception has been to Z-A’s presentation on the Nintendo Switch, any improvement on the Switch 2 is massively welcomed.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches sometime in 2025 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Meanwhile, Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches in late 2025 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Both games are set to offer upgrade packs should you buy them on Switch first and later purchase a Switch 2.
