Early copies of Nintendo and Rare Studios’ upcoming action-adventure game, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, have leaked ahead of release.
Content creator DaddyHands has shared a video claiming that he received a physical copy of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond ahead of release. This aligns with reports that retailers have begun stocking copies early, supported by an image shared by BehindTGames on Twitter/X showing retail copies already present in a store. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is still five days away from its official launch, and these early retail copies have led to a surge of impressions and full-blown spoilers across social media. Those who’d like to head into the game blind are advised to stop reading here.
In his video, DaddyHands unboxed the game and also shared a review. According to him, “from the moment you land on Viewros, the game pulls you in with its atmosphere, its scale, and the sense of danger that could be hiding behind any corner.” He said that he has been playing Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the Nintendo Switch 2, and described it as a “true return” for the franchise.
He highlighted the richly detailed planet Viewros, praising “dense layers of foliage, glowing plants, [and] swarms of insects” alongside dynamic lighting that shifts dramatically between areas. As per him, the game’s performance remains “solid throughout,” even during large-scale battles and traversal across open zones.
The content creator further mentioned that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s gameplay is faithful to the classic Prime formula, while introducing a major new mechanic i.e. Samus’ psychic abilities. These allow players to manipulate objects, trigger switches at a distance, and solve more intricate environmental puzzles. Combat has also received praise for its precision and variety, blending action-heavy encounters with puzzle-like enemy interactions.
He described the sound design as one of the game’s strongest aspects, noting how subtle ambient cues contribute to a heightened sense of isolation. “You can hear small creatures moving in the distance, water dripping up ahead, footsteps behind you,” he explained.
Not everything impressed the YouTuber, however. A companion character appears at points throughout the campaign, and while their dialogue is limited, he believes “even the small amount of chatter can break up the isolation” fans have come to expect from the series. He also mentioned pacing issues and open areas that felt visually grand but underutilized to him, with hardly any meaningful exploration.
Still, he concluded that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is “a strong return for the series” and scored it 4 out of 5, praising its world, mechanics, and atmosphere despite a handful of design missteps.
