Kinda Funny Gamescast: We Played Metroid Prime 4 Beyond on Nintendo Switch 2!

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Tim Gettys and Blessing Adeoye Jr. delve deep into their hands-on experience with Metroid Prime 4 Beyond on the newly released Nintendo Switch 2. Released on April 3, 2025, this episode offers an insightful exploration of one of the most anticipated titles in the gaming community, covering everything from gameplay mechanics to narrative elements.

Initial Excitement and Anticipation

The episode kicks off with Tim and Blessing expressing their long-awaited excitement for Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Tim reminisces about the initial announcement of the game nearly a decade ago, highlighting the emotional impact it had on fans.

Tim Gettys [00:15]: "After almost a decade, I'll never forget sitting at the old studio space in the Nintendo Direct... we're about to play Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch."

Blessing echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the extended period of anticipation and the challenges faced during the game's development restart.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [00:40]: "We had a restart development. Yeah, yeah. Long wait."

Gameplay Mechanics and Control Schemes

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the innovative mouse mode introduced in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. This feature allows players to use the Joy Con as a mouse, offering a seamless transition between traditional controller inputs and mouse functionality.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [02:48]: "We got to play with the Joy Con as a mouse... it's extremely smooth. And that part of that is the 120 FPS."

Tim shares his impressions of the game's performance, noting the impressive 120 frames per second at 1080p, even when played on a television. He also touches upon the limitations, such as the inability to play in handheld mode or utilize 4K resolution.

Tim Gettys [03:03]: "I felt the 120 frames. What about you?"

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [03:06]: "Yeah, no, for sure. This thing felt smooth as hell, especially playing with the mouse mode."

The hosts discuss the ergonomic challenges of using Joy Cons as a mouse, with Tim pointing out the awkward placement of analog sticks and buttons.

Tim Gettys [06:28]: "I don't love how the Joy Con feels as a mouse. Just where the buttons are placed... it's very hard to not hit that when you're just playing the game."

Despite these challenges, both hosts acknowledge the potential of mouse mode to enhance gameplay precision, especially in action-packed sequences.

Visual Fidelity and Artistic Direction

Tim and Blessing are thoroughly impressed by the game's visual quality, comparing it favorably to other high-fidelity titles like Halo 4. They commend the art style, which maintains the classic Metroid Prime aesthetic while leveraging the upgraded hardware capabilities of the Switch 2.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [03:23]: "Just in terms of the visual fidelity... this is next Nintendo gen right here."

Tim Gettys [03:52]: "They kind of just really nailed what they had to with this, visually."

The hosts appreciate that Metroid Prime 4 Beyond stays true to its roots, delivering a visually stunning experience without unnecessary deviations.

Story Elements and Character Development

The conversation shifts to the narrative aspects of the game. While Blessing notes that the demo feels "1000% Metroid Prime", there is an acknowledgment of enhanced story elements compared to previous installments.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [03:56]: "This felt like getting back to form. Right. You know, it was the... It's tough to talk about, like, the level experience that we had..."

Tim adds that the inclusion of more cutscenes and character interactions indicates a deeper storytelling approach, potentially attracting both longtime fans and newcomers.

Tim Gettys [12:10]: "I'm really excited about... it's still atmospheric as hell. It's still, it's still Metroid, right?"

Despite the extended narrative, Blessing mentions feeling less invested in the story due to not having played all previous Metroid Prime titles, suggesting a need for accessibility to new players.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [13:42]: "And the appearance of that. Did that get you hyped... I'm hoping that it hits for me, but I didn't necessarily get from this that I'm like, I'm not invested in the story yet is what I'm saying."

Boss Fight Analysis

One of the standout segments of the demo was the boss fight, which Tim and Blessing dissect in detail. They describe the boss as a formidable adversary with energy shields and multiple attack phases, reminiscent of classic video game boss battles.

Tim Gettys [15:05]: "They fucking cooked. That was a fun one."

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [15:56]: "And go underneath. And I'm like, oh, that's what I'm talking about."

The duo praises the multi-phase design, requiring players to adapt strategies such as morphing into the Morph Ball to dodge attacks and exploit weak points.

Tim Gettys [15:07]: "He had the energy shields that he has on his arm will, like, block certain orbs and stuff. And I'm like, this is classic right here."

Final Impressions and Expectations

Wrapping up the episode, Tim and Blessing share their optimism for the full release of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. They highlight the game's ability to blend classic Metroid elements with modern gameplay innovations, positioning it as a potential best-seller and a worthy addition to the beloved franchise.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [18:13]: "It gave me faith. I already had faith before, but I guess this reassured that faith."

Tim Gettys [18:34]: "And I mean, you know, after almost 10 years since they announced this, it's so nice that we know when it's coming."

They also touch upon the importance of Nintendo allowing the game to shine amidst a crowded launch window, ensuring it receives the attention it deserves.

Tim Gettys [18:44]: "Why don't we know? And I get we can't have all the answers at once. But like, I will also say on that I'm very happy it's not at launch..."

Conclusion

Kinda Funny Gamescast provides a comprehensive and enthusiastic preview of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, balancing technical analysis with passionate fan insights. Tim and Blessing's detailed exploration of gameplay mechanics, visual design, and narrative elements offers listeners a thorough understanding of what to expect from this highly anticipated title. Their balanced critique, highlighting both strengths and minor drawbacks, makes this episode a valuable resource for both seasoned Metroid fans and newcomers eager to experience the next chapter in Samus Aran's saga.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Gettys [00:15]: "After almost a decade... we're about to play Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [02:48]: "We got to play with the Joy Con as a mouse... it's extremely smooth."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [03:56]: "This felt like getting back to form."
• Tim Gettys [15:05]: "They fucking cooked. That was a fun one."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [18:13]: "It gave me faith... that faith."