It is a rather special event when a beloved classic game returns to the forefront and recently Nintendo shocked us all by dropping Metroid Prime Remastered out of nowhere.

Originally released in 2002 – yes it really has been that long – on the Nintendo GameCube. Now more than two decades later Metroid Prime has returned as a remaster for everyone to enjoy on the Nintendo Switch.

This isn’t a simple port but a remaster that has been rebuilt from the ground up to become a new HD experience for the Switch. Enjoy the enhanced visuals in both handheld and docked mode with your Switch as you explore the lush alien world of Tallon IV.

The new, sharp visuals make exploration of Tallon IV’s winding paths more enjoyable than ever before. Returning players will love seeing how the details of Metroid Prime have changed, while newcomers can have their first, best experience with the most visually appealing version of this game ever.

Nintendo hasn’t just revamped how Metroid Prime looks, but also how it plays. You can choose between four different control options to suit exactly how you like to play.

• Dual Stick: Standard control scheme, using control sticks for movement and aiming.
• Pointer: Enables motion controls for camera movement and aiming, similar to Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii.
• Hybrid: Combines the classic control scheme with motion controls for aiming.
• Classic: Play with controls based on the original Nintendo GameCube version.

So often when older games are ported, remastered or remade the controls are not given the proper attention leading to a title that looks great but still plays like a decades-old title. That isn’t the case with Metroid Prime Remastered as time and effort has been put into how best to play as Samus in 2023.

This breadth of controls also gives you added flexibility if you often go between handheld and docked modes on the Nintendo Switch. If you, for example, prefer some motion controls when docked but not when in handheld, then it’s a simple trip to the menu for you.

Also in the menu is a new unlockable art section that contains a whopping 185 items split between three galleries: Concept, Character and Soundtrack. Metroid Prime veterans will get a real kick out of this new feature, allowing proper appreciation of the amazing art and sound design that went into this game.

Sound design is another reason you should consider playing Metroid Prime Remastered on the enhanced speakers of the Nintendo Switch OLED, or your home speaker system in docked mode. The music and sound effects of Metroid Prime have been beloved for years and, just like everything else in this remaster, this portion of the game is better than ever.

So no matter if you’re new or returning to Metroid Prime for another playthrough, pick up the remaster today as either a digital copy or as a boxed physical copy.

The digital copy can be found, as always, on the eShop.

Physical copies will be available from 3rd March and can be bought from the official Nintendo Online Store South Africa. This store ships to all of South Africa and, for those in Gauteng, come past and visit the Nintendo Switch Pop-Up Zone in the famous Sandton City Shopping Centre.