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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond amiibo bonuses for Samus, Vi-O-La and Sylux explained

28 November 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
12 min.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond amiibo bonuses for Samus, Vi-O-La and Sylux explained

Summary:

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond brings amiibo back in a way that feels playful, focused and surprisingly respectful of your time. Instead of turning figures into shortcuts for massive upgrades, Nintendo uses the new Samus, Samus & Vi-O-La and Sylux amiibo to add smart little perks that lean into the game’s themes. You get cosmetic tweaks for Vi-O-La, daily quality of life boosts like faster boost regeneration and a chunky shield, and a neat route to enjoy full cinematic scenes once you finish the story. None of it replaces skill or exploration, but it does reward players who love the physical figures and enjoy tapping them as part of a daily routine.

We walk through how each amiibo works in simple terms, why the Samus & Vi-O-La figure is a quiet MVP for players who adore vehicle customisation, and how the Sylux amiibo turns into a bit of a trophy for fans who see the credits. You also see how to unlock the same movies without any amiibo at all, how older Metroid figures still earn a small role, and why the setup dodges the usual arguments about unfair advantages. By the end, you know exactly what you gain from every tap, which amiibo makes the most sense for your playstyle, and how to fold these bonuses into your everyday Metroid Prime 4 sessions without feeling pressured.

How amiibo fit into Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Amiibo have always been a bit of a wildcard in Nintendo games, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond treats them like fun side features instead of golden keys. Here they sit on top of the usual exploration and scanning loop, giving you tiny helpers that do not replace good aim or clever pathfinding but do add flavor. The new trio of figures revolves around where Samus is in this adventure: racing across Viewros on her Vi-O-La bike, battling hulking enemies and facing off against Sylux. Each tap feels like a small nod to that world, whether you are swapping Vi-O-La’s colors or hearing Sylux growl a new line of dialogue.

If you are worried about pay to win, you can relax quite a bit. The bonuses are useful, sure, yet they are nowhere near mandatory. A temporary shield or a faster boost recharge will save you from a stray mistake or help with risky shortcuts, but they will not magically beat a boss or reveal hidden paths. That balance is important because it means amiibo stay optional toys rather than tickets to the full experience. You can play through everything, see every major moment and build strong loadouts without ever touching a figure, then treat amiibo as a playful extra that spices up familiar routes once you feel comfortable.

The Samus & Vi-O-La amiibo and your bike upgrades

The Samus & Vi-O-La amiibo is the one that speaks directly to your inner tinkerer. Vi-O-La is more than just a bike, it is Samus’s companion across wide stretches of Viewros, and being able to change its color makes it feel personal in a way basic loadouts never quite manage. With this figure, every tap turns into a mini makeover session, letting you tweak Vi-O-La to match your favorite suit colors, echo alien landscapes or simply stand out in crowded combat scenarios filled with particles and energy trails. It is cosmetic, yes, but it taps into that urge to make Samus’s gear feel like yours.

Beyond the paint job, there is a more practical side. Each scan of the Samus & Vi-O-La amiibo lets you check Vi-O-La’s total distance traveled, a playful little stat that suddenly turns your bike into a running diary of your time on Viewros. For players who love numbers, that becomes a quiet motivator to push longer drives, uncover hidden routes and see just how far they can ride before the credits roll. Combine that with a once per day boost to Vi-O-La’s Boost Energy regeneration and you have a figure that touches both style and function. It helps you recover that precious boost meter more quickly, so risky maneuvers and rapid dodges feel less punishing during daily sessions.

Checking Vi-O-La distance and boost energy with amiibo

The distance tracker on Vi-O-La might sound like a novelty at first, but it becomes oddly addictive once you start paying attention. Every time you tap the Samus & Vi-O-La amiibo, you are not just seeing a number go up, you are getting a snapshot of how attached you have become to this machine. It encourages you to take the long way around, ride through areas you might otherwise sprint past on foot and treat the bike as a real partner instead of a temporary gadget. In a series that has always cared about atmosphere, that subtle reinforcement adds charm without shouting for attention.

The daily boost regeneration effect is where things slip into useful territory. Once per day, you can increase how quickly Vi-O-La’s Boost Energy comes back, which matters a lot in regions where sudden hazards or enemy fire force you to weave around attacks. Faster regeneration means you can chain dodges, jumps and speed bursts more freely without that sinking feeling of sitting on an empty meter. It will not carry you through impossible gauntlets by itself, but it smooths out rough edges in long exploration sessions. For players who enjoy pushing time trial style runs or perfecting trick routes, that extra responsiveness becomes a welcome habit, something you remember to activate at the start of each play session like a morning coffee.

The Samus amiibo shield and survival advantages

The Samus amiibo leans more toward survival, giving you a daily safety net in the form of a shield that blocks up to 99 points of damage. The nice part is that this does not exist as a permanent buff, it is something you choose to trigger by scanning the amiibo once per day. That choice instantly makes it more interesting. You are encouraged to think about when you might need it most, maybe before attempting a tough boss rematch, heading into an area you know is packed with heavy hitters or experimenting with riskier loadouts that drop some defensive options in favor of higher damage.

When the shield is activated, Samus’s energy is also restored to full, which doubles down on the idea of a once per day do over button. It is not a revive, you can still be overwhelmed if you lose focus, but it is fantastic insurance against early mistakes. Picture running into a fight you thought you were ready for, taking a few stray hits, then calming down because you know you still have that daily shield in your pocket. Tap the amiibo, fill your tanks, trigger the protection and go back in with a clearer head. It is a powerful perk, yet limited enough by the daily cap and damage ceiling that it feels like a smart tool rather than a cheat code.

Changing background music in Solvalei while riding Vi-O-La

The Samus amiibo also feeds into one of the most charming little touches in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: reactive music while you ride. When you use this figure, you can change the background music while speeding through Solvalei on Vi-O-La, turning your trips across the desert into something that feels more like a personal playlist. It is not about raw power at all, it is about mood. Maybe you want something more intense before a big encounter, or a calmer track when you are just enjoying the scenery and hunting for secrets. Having that control turns repeated journeys through familiar space into something that feels a bit fresher each time.

This kind of musical control might sound minor next to shields and boost regeneration, but it says a lot about where Nintendo wants amiibo to sit in this adventure. They are there to help you tune the vibe of your sessions, not just manipulate stats. Players who are sensitive to audio cues or simply adore Metroid soundtracks will probably find themselves tapping the Samus figure just to hear how different tracks change the feel of a long ride. It is a laid back bonus that pairs nicely with the more practical defensive perk, giving this amiibo a good mix of personality and utility.

What the Sylux amiibo unlocks after you finish the story

The Sylux amiibo is aimed squarely at fans who are already invested enough to see credits and still want more. Instead of offering a direct combat buff, it opens up access to full versions of the movies that are shown in fragments throughout the game once you have cleared the story. These scenes help flesh out the rivalry between Samus and Sylux, tying together hints you might have picked up from scattered logs and environmental storytelling. Being able to sit back and watch them in order, without breaks, turns them into a reward for paying attention and sticking with the adventure to the end.

Every tap of the Sylux figure also plays a random line from the character, which might sound like a small thing but adds real flavor if you are already obsessed with this mysterious antagonist. Hearing different lines over time makes the amiibo feel like a little window into Sylux’s personality, and for lore fans that is half the fun. It is the kind of reward that does not make you stronger at all, yet still feels valuable because it deepens your connection to the world. In other words, this amiibo turns into a collectible for storytellers, a way to keep living in that rivalry even when you are between runs.

Unlocking full cutscenes without using amiibo at all

One of the most important details around the Sylux amiibo is that you can unlock the same full versions of those movies without touching a figure. If you achieve a 100 percent scan rate and item collection rate, you gain access to the same scenes by sheer effort. That design choice quietly answers a lot of concerns about lore being locked behind plastic. Amiibo give you a shortcut once you have beaten the story, but truly dedicated players who love combing through every corner of Viewros can earn the same reward through traditional completion play.

This dual path keeps things fair across the board. Players who collect amiibo and like displaying them on a shelf get an easy way to revisit the story highlights as a treat for finishing the game. Players who do not care about figures, or simply cannot get hold of them, can still unlock everything through skill and patience. It shows a nice respect for the audience, acknowledging that not everyone wants or can afford physical extras. Instead of closing a door, the Sylux amiibo simply adds one more key, while the usual Metroid habits of scanning, exploring and optimizing routes remain a valid route to the same prize.

Older Metroid series amiibo and their smaller rewards

New figures are not the only ones that work with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. If you have older Metroid series amiibo lying around, like Samus or Zero Suit Samus from the Super Smash Bros. line, Ridley or Dark Samus, they also trigger effects when scanned. Here the rewards are intentionally small. Tapping these figures plays random game sounds, which is more of a fun soundboard than a proper feature. It is a light nod to long time fans who have been collecting Metroid figures for years and like to bring them along for the ride.

Because these older amiibo do not tie into big gameplay buffs, you can safely treat them as a playful extra. That approach helps keep the overall balance intact. Players who only buy the new trio are not missing a hidden stash of exclusive perks from legacy figures, and those with large collections can still enjoy hearing a familiar roar or blaster sound now and then. It is a nice finishing touch, almost like a small thank you for sticking with the series and keeping those characters on your shelf while Prime 4 was still in development.

Are Metroid Prime 4 amiibo bonuses fair for players

Any time figures like this show up, the big question is whether they feel fair. In Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the answer leans strongly toward yes. The daily shield from the Samus amiibo can absolutely save you from a bad run, but it is capped, limited to once per real world day and does not come close to replacing thoughtful energy tank upgrades and careful movement. The Vi-O-La regeneration boost is great for smoothing travel and combat, yet the bike remains fully usable without it. The Sylux amiibo delivers story flavor and convenience, not exclusive plot points, since the same scenes can be unlocked by completing scans and item collection.

Because of that, amiibo bonuses end up feeling like gentle nudges instead of mandatory boosts. You can clear the whole adventure, unlock key scenes and learn every mechanic without any figure. When you do decide to add them, they mostly brighten the experience around the edges: prettier vehicles, more flexible travel, a daily safety cushion and a bit of extra story fanservice. The game respects that people have different budgets and interests, letting you participate in the amiibo side only if you genuinely enjoy the toys. That kind of balance goes a long way to keeping the community on the same page.

Tips for choosing and using Metroid Prime 4 amiibo every day

Picking the right amiibo for you starts with asking what you enjoy most. If you love traversal, tinkering with looks and shaving seconds off routes, the Samus & Vi-O-La figure is probably the best first pick. It gives you immediate visual customization for your bike, a running record of how far you have traveled and a daily bump to boost recovery that feels great during marathon sessions. Players who often push into tricky areas or like experimenting with glass cannon style builds will get huge value out of the Samus amiibo, using its daily shield and full heal as a backstage pass to extra risk.

If your heart belongs to story and character, the Sylux amiibo is the natural choice, especially once you have cleared the campaign. It turns plot fragments into a clean playlist of full scenes and sprinkles in new voice lines over repeat taps. In terms of daily habits, it is worth forming a small ritual: scan Samus & Vi-O-La at the start of a session for your boost buff, tap the Samus figure before big challenges for the shield, and bring Sylux in when you are in a lore mood. None of this is required, yet it adds rhythm to repeated play. Think of the amiibo as physical bookmarks for how you like to explore Viewros, not as tickets to victory, and you will get the most enjoyment out of every sculpt.

Conclusion

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond uses amiibo in a way that feels thoughtful, playful and respectful of how different people approach games. The trio of new figures touches all kinds of players, from those who love pure style and vehicle customisation to people who crave a little extra safety in tough fights or want more time with Sylux after the credits. The important thing is that none of these bonuses feel required. You can still explore Viewros, master Vi-O-La, piece together the story and reach every ending without tapping a single figure. Amiibo simply layer on extra personality, giving you new reasons to return to familiar areas and small rituals to attach to your daily sessions.

For collectors, these figures are easy to justify because they work as both display pieces and tiny keys to in game flourishes. For everyone else, they are optional extras that never shut doors or hide essential mechanics. That balance is exactly what many players hoped for after years of debate about how figures should interact with games. In Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, amiibo end up feeling like friendly companions rather than gatekeepers, which suits Samus and her lonely journeys across alien planets very well.

FAQs
  • Do I need any amiibo to unlock core features in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
    • No, you can play through the entire adventure, learn every mechanic and see the main story without using a single amiibo. The figures only add optional bonuses such as cosmetic tweaks, daily buffs and easier access to certain postgame movies, so you never miss essential gameplay if you skip them.
  • What makes the Samus amiibo useful during regular play
    • The Samus amiibo gives you a strong once per day shield that blocks up to 99 damage and fully restores Samus’s energy when activated. It also lets you change the background music while riding Vi-O-La in Solvalei. That combination makes it ideal for tough boss attempts or challenging areas, while still offering a fun audio tweak for long rides.
  • Why is the Samus & Vi-O-La amiibo popular with exploration focused players
    • This figure is perfect if you enjoy traveling and customising your gear. It lets you change Vi-O-La’s color, track the total distance you have ridden and once per day speed up Vi-O-La’s Boost Energy regeneration. Together, those perks encourage longer drives, more experimental routes and smoother movement during hectic chases or platforming stretches.
  • Can I see the full Sylux related movies without buying the Sylux amiibo
    • Yes, the Sylux amiibo offers one route to those full cinematic scenes after you finish the story, but you can unlock them without it. Achieving a 100 percent scan rate and item collection rate also grants access, so completion focused players who do not use amiibo can still enjoy the same material by fully exploring Viewros and its secrets.
  • Do older Metroid amiibo like Smash Bros Samus give big gameplay bonuses
    • Older Metroid themed amiibo are supported, but their rewards are intentionally small. When you scan figures like the Smash Bros Samus, Zero Suit Samus, Ridley or Dark Samus, the game plays random sounds instead of granting major bonuses. They act as fun nods to series history rather than sources of exclusive upgrades or powerful abilities.
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