Metroid Prime Remastered retains details that surprise even after 20 years

Metroid Prime on Nintendo Switch has become a reality with the release of Metroid Prime Remastered. This title, a remaster of the 2002 GameCube version, still surprises two decades later with details that were already present in the original.

The detail that Metroid Prime Remastered retains from the original is still amazing

Without prior notice, and as usual with Nintendo Direct, the digital version of Metroid Prime Remastered, a remastered version of Metroid Prime, a title developed by Retro Studios and originally released for Nintendo GameCube in 2002, went on sale on the Nintendo Switch eShop as soon as the February 8th Direct was over.

Based on what we read on social media such as Twitter, the first impressions could not have been more positive, and no wonder. In addition to offering several control schemes, including a new one that uses the two sticks of the Switch's Joy-Con, the facelift was impressive. And here's the beauty of it: most of these details were already present in the 2002 original, 21 years ago. For example, raindrops fall and hit Samus' visor and arms in different ways depending on the angle from which we look at them.

The technical section has also surprised for the better considering the Switch hardware, especially the improved lighting and a slightly more obvious ambient occlusion. "It looks like a PS4″ game and "the best looking game on the Switch," commented some Twitter users, praising the visual aspect of Metroid Prime Remastered:

Even without the HUD, the game looks great:

To be fair, some aspects that were present in the GameCube version seem to have been lost, such as certain reflective surfaces, as we can see below. Nevertheless, as we said, the public seems to be very enthusiastic about Metroid Prime Remastered.

Metroid Prime Remastered is available digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop for $39.99. It will also have a physical release on March 3, 2023.

Metroid Prime's future on Nintendo Switch

It's not the long-rumored Metroid Prime HD trilogy, but this remaster of the first Metroid Prime has us on the edge of our seats. We understand that Nintendo has decided to release this title individually as a trial balloon to see if there's interest in reviving these games... and whetting our appetite for Metroid Prime 4 in the process.