Metroid Prime Remastered has been understandably making waves on the net since its was shadow dropped during the Feb 2023 Nintendo Direct. Considering Metroid Prime is one of the best games in one of the most influential gaming franchises of all time, players have been looking forward to Prime coming to the Switch for quite some time. Thankfully, with this first proper release, fans were not disappointed.
Not only is it a huge step up from the original, but Metroid Prime Remastered may even be one of the best-looking games on the Switch. Still, the most noticeable changes were almost entirely cosmetic — meaning that pretty much every aspect of Prime’s beloved gameplay remains completely intact. Metroid Prime Remastered preserves the core of one of Nintendo’s most beloved titles while bringing its visuals into the Next Gen of gaming.
10 Improved Physics
In Metroid Prime Remastered, water droplets, condensation and flames look much more realistic than they did in the original. Even holograms have a certain air of realism that wasn’t as distinct in the original.
A good example of the improved physics in Remastered can be seen in large bodies of water which are noticeably less artificial-looking. Not only that, but when Samus fires her arm cannon into bodies of water, the water reacts less uniformly, whereas in the past it merely appeared as though an animation was playing.
9 Updated Animations & Cutscenes
While it should be obvious considering the massive visual upgrade Metroid Prime Remastered brings, all the games cutscenes and a few of its animations received updates. Unfortunately for fans who have played the game already 10 times over, skippable cutscenes are still confined to the second play-through.
While obvious for modern players, back when Metroid Prime was first released, skippable cutscenes weren’t as prominent in games. Considering that Prime was one of the best looking-games on GameCube, that fact wasn’t seen as a big deal at the time. However, it could still get obnoxious to watch the same cut-scenes over and over, so fans hope this aspect gets updated in the future.
8 Samus Looks Different
One distinction that fans have noticed between Metroid Prime and Remastered is how Samus' real face now looks. Not only does she look far more realistic in Remastered — in-line with the game’s much improved graphics — but Samus also looks like a nearly different person entirely.
Samus still has her signature blonde hair and blue eyes, but her features have been revamped. For the most part, fans have taken well to her new look as it gives her a bit more personality along with the updated graphics which really bring her to life.
7 Higher Resolution And Graphical Detail
Metroid Prime Remastered's biggest draw by far is the game's graphics which have seemingly been entirely remade down to the minutest of textures. Environments look that much more realistic and objects more detailed.
In terms of resolution, Remastered increased the specs from 480p on the GameCube to 900p on the Switch, and that difference definitely shows. The game also runs at a solid 60 fps without even the smallest drop in frame rate, making for a very smooth performance despite the graphical makeover.
6 Customizable Controls
One of the best new aspects of Metroid Prime Remastered is actually its controls. The original, while easy to control, was notably created before the use of dual analogue sticks was the standard in FPS games. As such, moving and aiming were handled differently than modern gamers would be used to.
Luckily, this was accounted for in the remaster, and players now have access to fully customizable control schemes. Besides dual stick and the classic controls, there is also a motion control option that lets player use the Joy-Con to aim Samus' arm cannon.
5 Samus’ Arm Cannon
Samus' arm cannon is her main all-purpose weapon in the Metroid series. As such, it deserved special care from developers in Prime's remaster, and they definitely succeeded in making it look even cooler than ever.
In Remastered, Samus’ arm cannon has a unique glow and has a new, more intense charging animation. While some fans have complained that the Ice Cannon doesn't look quite as cool as in the original, overall, the new look to Samus' signature weapon has been well-received.
4 The Possibility For Future Updates
A subject of mild controversy upon the release of the Switch remaster of Metroid Prime was the game's doors. One of the game’s original developers, Zoid Kirsch, commented on Twitter that the alpha was off on the doors in the remaster — he should know considering he personally spent hours on the doors in the first game.
While doors are a minor detail in a remaster, the very fact that developers can change issues with updates is another great change for Prime Remastered. Given the nature of DLC content, new extras could even be added. The GameCube version never had that liberty.
3 Updated Sound
While the overall look of Metroid Prime was heavily updated in Remastered, the game's great original musical score is still largely intact. However, there were still some changes to the overall sound design that were welcome.
Even though Metroid Prime's classic score returns in full, there are added ambient noises and surround sound, which immerses the player in the Metroid experience more than ever before. The game's soundtrack is full of the synth heavy sci-fi gloss expected of an intergalactic Bounty Hunter mission, feeling as mysterious and foreboding as it is majestic and inspiring.
2 The New Extras Menu
A new bonus addition to Metroid Prime Remastered is the Extras menu located under the title screen. The Extra's menu includes unlockable content includes concept art, level design images, and enemy models.
In order to unlock all the game's extras, players will have to get 100% of the scans on Normal and beat the game on Hard mode. For longtime Metroid fans, much of the added content will be interesting to see, and their inclusion adds additional replay-value to an already very re-playable game.
1 Better Lighting Effects
Lighting may not seem like a big deal for many people, but a game like Metroid Prime’s remaster highlights how much impact lighting has on a game's overall feel. Realistic lighting can completely alter the atmosphere of a game and make the entire experience feel more immersive — especially in a moody, first person game like Metroid Prime.
Owing to the graphical and hardware improvements made since Metroid Prime's initial release, light has a more natural appearance. This is especially noticeable when looking at how flames glow and light up an area, or how dimly lit objects give off just the right amount of luster.