Metroid Prime: How does the Remastered Edition Stack Up?

Metroid Prime is one of the most beloved games in the Metroid series, and for good reason. The game is a masterpiece of game design, with its seamless blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and shooting mechanics. Over the years, Metroid Prime has been released on various platforms, including the Nintendo Gamecube, Wii, and Wii U. However, with the recent release of Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch, many fans are wondering how it compares to the other versions of the game, including the original version on Gamecube and playing it on emulators such as Dolphin.

First, let’s take a look at the original Gamecube version of Metroid Prime. This version was released in 2002, and at the time, it was a technical marvel. The game’s graphics were stunning for their time, and the gameplay was smooth and responsive. However, compared to today’s standards, the graphics are quite dated. The game’s resolution is limited to 480p, and the textures are quite low-resolution. This can make the game feel a bit blurry and pixelated when played on a modern display.

Original GameCube

Next, let’s take a look at playing Metroid Prime on emulators such as Dolphin. Dolphin is a popular emulator that allows players to play Gamecube and Wii games on their PC. One of the advantages of playing Metroid Prime on Dolphin is the ability to use HD textures. There are many custom HD texture packs available for Metroid Prime, which can make the game look stunning on a modern display. Additionally, Dolphin allows players to increase the resolution of the game, which can make it look even better. However, playing Metroid Prime on Dolphin does have some downsides. For one, the game can be quite demanding on older hardware, so players may need a relatively powerful PC to run the game smoothly. Additionally, playing the game with a keyboard and mouse can feel quite different from playing it with a controller.

Now, let’s take a look at Dolphin on Xbox Series S and X. Recently, Dolphin has been ported to the Xbox Series S and X consoles, which allows players to play Gamecube and Wii games on their consoles. This means that players can now play Metroid Prime on their Xbox Series S and X consoles using Dolphin. This has several advantages, including the ability to use HD textures, increase the resolution of the game, and play the game with a controller. Additionally, the Xbox Series S and X consoles are quite powerful, so players should be able to run the game smoothly even with the increased resolution and HD textures. However, there are some downsides to using Dolphin on Xbox Series S and X. For one, the port is still quite new, so there may be some bugs or compatibility issues. Additionally, setting up Dolphin on Xbox Series S and X can be quite complicated, and may require some technical expertise.

Finally, let’s take a look at Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime Remastered is an updated version of the game, with improved graphics, new control options, and other enhancements. One of the biggest improvements in the game is the graphics. The game now runs at 1080p, and the textures have been improved significantly. The game looks much sharper and more detailed than the original Gamecube version. Additionally, the game now supports gyro controls, which can make aiming and shooting feel more precise. However, there are some downsides to playing Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch. For one, the game is only available on the Nintendo Switch, so players will need to purchase a Switch to play the game. Additionally, the game is quite expensive, especially compared to the original Gamecube version.

Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch

In conclusion, there are many ways to play Metroid Prime, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch offers the smoothest experience both graphically and regarding framerate. However, it is disappointing that Nintendo has failed to keep the physical edition in stock. Although there is currently a worldwide chip shortage, Nintendo is able to keep other games in stock. This is a scenario that adds fuel to the idea that Nintendo periodically keeps its supply down artificially to generate hysteria. That being stated, Metroid Prime Remastered can be purchased and downloaded from the online Nintendo store.