Opinion: Metroid Prime 4 Does This One Thing Better Than Any Other Nintendo Game

Image: Jim Norman / Nintendo Life

The long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally released in December, and well, not everyone is happy with it.

The game’s focus on NPCs and a literal desert of an open world did not resonate with gamers as well as Retro Studios had hoped. I hate to admit it, but I agree with the loud people on the internet. None of the people complaining about the dialogue better be Xenoblade fans, though. I’d rather listen to Myles MacKenzie’s unprompted advice than the childish blathering of the Nopon or inane technobabble that makes Star Trek’s sound like Shakespeare.

That’s not what I’m writing about today, however. I’m going to explain what Prime 4 does better than any other Nintendo-developed game. This isn’t about the game’s gorgeous visuals or silky smooth frame rate; it’s about its accessibility features.

If any of you can remember my piece about Tears of the Kingdom, I’m paralysed from about the chest down with no finger movement. It’s obviously not ideal for gaming, but I’ve played thousands and thousands of hours worth of games across multiple genres without any adaptive equipment. Except for one genre, first-person shooters.