Metroid Prime 4: Beyond File Size Revealed for Switch and Switch 2, Highlighting Next-Gen Optimization

The Technical Specifications of Samus’s Next Mission

As the highly anticipated release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond draws near in late 2025, new technical details are emerging, offering a crucial glimpse into how the game will leverage both current and next-generation Nintendo hardware. Reports circulating from retail databases and early previews have pinpointed the estimated file sizes for the title across both the existing Nintendo Switch console and the expected successor, often referred to as the Switch 2.

This information is particularly significant because it confirms the game’s status as a key cross-generational launch title, similar to how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild bridged the Wii U and Switch eras. The data reveals a notable difference in storage requirements between the two versions, suggesting specific optimizations tailored for the more powerful new console.

Estimated File Size Comparison: Switch vs. Switch 2

The confirmed file size estimates, while subject to minor changes before the final launch, provide a clear indication of the resource demands for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

The Data Revealed

This 4 GB differential is the core takeaway, offering tangible evidence that the version designed for the next-generation hardware will contain substantially more data, likely in the form of enhanced graphical assets.

Analyzing the 4 GB Differential: Why the Next-Gen Version is Larger

In the world of modern game development, file size is often a direct proxy for the quality and complexity of graphical assets. When a game is developed for two consoles with differing capabilities, the larger file size on the more powerful machine almost always points to the inclusion of higher-fidelity elements that the older console simply cannot process or display efficiently.

Asset Quality and Resolution

The most logical explanation for the 4.0 GB increase lies in the game’s visual resources. The Switch 2 is widely expected to feature significantly enhanced processing power, particularly in GPU performance, enabling higher native resolutions (potentially 1080p or higher in handheld mode, and 4K resolution when docked, possibly utilizing upscaling technologies like DLSS or similar proprietary solutions).

To support these higher resolutions, developers must use higher-quality assets:

• High-Resolution Textures: Textures used on environments, characters, and objects must be four to sixteen times larger than those used for 720p or 1080p displays to maintain sharpness at 4K. These textures consume the majority of the extra storage space.
• Enhanced Geometry and Models: While less impactful than textures, the Switch 2 version may include more detailed 3D models with higher polygon counts, particularly for close-up shots and major enemies.
• Uncompressed Audio/Video: The next-gen version might utilize less compressed audio files or higher bitrate video cutscenes to take advantage of the console’s improved memory bandwidth and storage speed.

For the current Nintendo Switch, the 16.0 GB size suggests a highly optimized package, likely utilizing lower-resolution textures and assets tailored to the console’s maximum output resolution (720p handheld, 1080p docked).

The Significance of a Cross-Generational Launch

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is poised to be a pivotal title in Nintendo’s hardware transition strategy. Cross-generation releases serve several critical purposes for platform holders:

1. Ensuring a Strong Launch Library

By launching a highly anticipated title like Metroid Prime 4 on the Switch 2 from day one, Nintendo guarantees a strong, must-have game for early adopters. This mitigates the common issue of new consoles suffering from a lack of compelling software during their initial months.

2. Rewarding the Existing Install Base

Simultaneously releasing the game on the existing Nintendo Switch (which boasts an install base exceeding 140 million units) ensures that the massive player community is not left behind. This strategy maximizes sales potential while gently guiding consumers toward the new hardware by demonstrating the visual and technical advantages of the Switch 2 version.

3. Demonstrating Technical Scalability

The difference in file size, and subsequently the visual fidelity, acts as a clear demonstration of the Switch 2’s capabilities. Consumers can directly compare the 16.0 GB Switch version with the 20.0 GB Switch 2 version, making the technical leap tangible and justifying the upgrade.

Storage Considerations for Players

While 16 GB and 20 GB are not massive by PlayStation or Xbox standards, they represent substantial downloads for Nintendo players, especially those relying on the current Switch’s internal storage.

Current Switch Storage Constraints

The original Nintendo Switch models came with only 32 GB of internal storage, while the OLED model offers 64 GB. A 16.0 GB download consumes a significant portion of this space, often necessitating the use of external microSD cards for digital purchasers. Players planning to buy the game digitally on the current Switch should ensure they have sufficient external storage available.

Switch 2 Storage Expectations

While official specifications for the Switch 2 are not yet public in 2025, the larger file size of 20.0 GB suggests that the next-gen console will likely feature a larger internal storage capacity—potentially 128 GB or 256 GB—to accommodate the growing size of modern titles. The inclusion of faster storage technology (like NVMe SSDs) is also highly anticipated, which would improve load times, regardless of the file size.

This file size estimate reinforces the industry trend: games are getting larger, and the next generation of Nintendo hardware must adapt to these demands while maintaining the console’s signature portability.

Historical Context: Nintendo’s Cross-Gen Strategy

Nintendo has a history of using major franchise titles to manage console transitions smoothly. The launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond mirrors several key precedents:

1. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006): Launched simultaneously on the aging GameCube and the brand-new Wii, demonstrating the Wii’s motion controls while providing a traditional experience for existing fans.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017): Released on both the Wii U and the Switch. The Switch version became the definitive experience, driving adoption of the new console.

In the case of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the technical difference—the 4 GB asset package—will likely be the primary driver encouraging the shift to the Switch 2, much like the portability and enhanced performance drove the shift to the Switch for Breath of the Wild.

Key Takeaways for Players and Enthusiasts

This file size revelation provides concrete data points for fans preparing for the launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond:

• File Size Confirmation: The game is estimated at 16.0 GB for the current Switch and 20.0 GB for the Switch 2.
• Next-Gen Advantage: The 4 GB difference strongly indicates that the Switch 2 version will feature significantly higher-resolution graphical assets, leading to superior visual quality and potentially higher frame rates.
• Storage Preparation: Current Switch owners planning a digital purchase should ensure they have at least 20 GB of free space on their microSD cards to accommodate the download and potential patches.
• Transition Indicator: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is confirmed to be a major cross-gen title, serving as a powerful incentive for players to upgrade to the Switch 2 to experience the definitive version of Samus Aran’s return.

Conclusion: Defining the Next-Gen Experience

The estimated file sizes for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are more than just technical trivia; they are the first hard numbers confirming Nintendo’s strategy for its next hardware cycle. By providing a version that is optimized and constrained for the current Switch, and a visually enhanced version that demands an extra 4 GB of high-fidelity data for the Switch 2, Nintendo is setting a clear benchmark for its next-generation titles. Players can anticipate a technically impressive experience on the current Switch, but the Switch 2 version is clearly being positioned as the definitive way to play, offering the visual leap fans have been waiting for.