Games

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Version 1.1.0 Day One Update And Switch 2 Upgrade Explained

6 December 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
9 min.
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Version 1.1.0 Day One Update And Switch 2 Upgrade Explained

Summary:

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arrives on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 with a day one update that quietly reshapes how your first adventure plays out. Version 1.1.0 does not tear up the rulebook, but it polishes the edges in ways you start to feel as soon as Samus steps onto Viewros. The patch adds amiibo support through a dedicated page in the pause menu, so small figures on your shelf suddenly gain new value beside your dock. Controller vibration now kicks in during cinematics, which makes dramatic moments and incoming threats feel more immediate.

The update also prepares the path for players planning to move from the original Switch release to the enhanced Switch 2 Edition, linking directly into the Nintendo eShop so you can upgrade without hunting for menus. On top of that, it tweaks rating information for Brazil’s ClassInd board, relaxes how you unlock movies in the Gallery, and rebalances some enemies in Hard Mode to keep challenge high without feeling unfair. All of this sits on a foundation of stability tweaks and small fixes, so the version you play at launch is smoother, more responsive and better aligned with how people actually experience a modern Metroid adventure.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Version 1.1.0

Version 1.1.0 is the launch day patch that greets you almost as soon as you are ready to jump into Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and it plays a bigger role than a tiny download bar might suggest. Nintendo has positioned this update as a bundle of quality of life tweaks, small balance changes and platform specific options rather than a huge feature drop, which fits a game that is just arriving on store shelves. You still get the same tense exploration on Viewros, the same eerie sound design and the same mix of scanning, puzzle solving and combat that reviewers have highlighted, but now wrapped in a more responsive shell. The update also arrives alongside a dedicated Switch 2 Edition, which means it has to handle everything from base Switch compatibility to clearer communication around upgrades and performance modes. If you are wondering whether it is worth installing the patch before you start playing, the short answer is yes, because this version gives you the most polished take on Samus’s new mission.

How the Switch and Switch 2 upgrade path works

One of the most practical parts of version 1.1.0 sits on the main menu, where players using a Nintendo Switch 2 will now see a “Switch 2 Edition” option appear after the title screen once the update is applied. Selecting this option does not suddenly replace your game on the spot, but instead opens the Upgrade Path page on the Nintendo eShop, where you can move from the standard Switch edition to the enhanced Switch 2 Edition. This is particularly handy if you picked up the original version first or are sharing cartridges within a household and later decide to enjoy the better frame rate, resolution and mouse style aiming that the new hardware supports. Crucially, this path respects your existing progress, since the two versions are designed to share save data within the same ecosystem, so your time exploring Viewros is not wasted. It turns a potentially confusing mix of versions and editions into a straightforward prompt baked right into the main interface.

Amiibo support through the pause menu

The update finally activates amiibo functionality in a way that feels natural for a game built around scanning and discovery. Once you have patched to version 1.1.0, an “amiibo” page appears inside the pause menu, letting you use compatible figures without heading back to the title screen or digging through system options. From there you can tap in your chosen amiibo to trigger whatever in game bonuses Nintendo has tied to them, whether that is cosmetic rewards, resource drops or other small perks. Tucking this feature into the pause menu keeps the flow of exploration intact, because you can quickly scan a figure during a quiet moment, cash in the benefit and then go straight back to hunting for secrets in the ruins. For people who have collected Metroid themed amiibo over the years, it also helps those figures feel more like part of the adventure rather than decorations on a shelf.

New controller vibration during cinematics

Another subtle but surprisingly impactful tweak in version 1.1.0 is the decision to enable controller vibration during cinematics. Before the patch, there was a chance that cutscenes could feel slightly detached from what your hands were doing, with all the rumble feedback stopping the moment control was taken away. Now, when a boss erupts from the ground, a structure collapses or Samus brings a huge weapon online during a scripted moment, you feel a matching kick through the Joy Con or Pro Controller. That small physical nudge helps bridge the gap between watching and playing, which matters a lot in a series that leans so heavily on mood and tension. It is not just about spectacle either, because the vibration can act like a tiny signal that something important is happening, drawing you back in if your attention drifts during a longer scene.

ClassInd rating update for Brazilian players

Outside of pure gameplay, the update also adjusts how the game is presented to players in Brazil by changing the ClassInd rating from 12 to 14. On paper that looks like a tiny change, but rating boards exist to help families make informed choices, and keeping that data accurate is part of a platform holder’s job. Raising the age recommendation by two years is a small acknowledgement that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s blend of atmospheric tension, combat and story elements edges closer to older teens than younger players in that market. It does not alter how the game plays, nor does it gate features behind regional walls, but it makes sure that packaging and digital store listings line up with the most recent guidance from local regulators. For players on the ground, it is mostly a reminder that they are holding a dark, intense adventure rather than a casual platformer.

Version 1.1.0 gives the Gallery a friendlier personality by relaxing how you unlock some of the in game movies. Previously, certain clips were tied to achieving a 100 percent item recovery rate, which meant you had to track down every last pickup before you could enjoy those cinematic rewards. The patch changes that requirement to simply clearing the game, which instantly makes the Gallery feel less like a checklist and more like a celebration of your journey. Completionists can still chase every upgrade and secret at their own pace, but players who do not want to comb every corner of Viewros now get to see more of the visual extras without hours of extra hunting. It is a small nod to people with busy schedules who still want their playthrough to feel complete when the credits roll.

Hard Mode enemy balance adjustments

For players eyeing Hard Mode, version 1.1.0 tweaks the difficulty of some enemies to land in a sweeter spot between punishing and playable. Nintendo has not turned the mode into a casual stroll, so you still need sharp reflexes and smart use of psy abilities, but certain foes that may have felt like damage sponges or unfair roadblocks in earlier balancing passes should now feel more readable. That can mean slightly adjusted attack patterns, more manageable health values or clearer windows to counter, depending on the enemy type. The goal is to make Hard Mode feel like a test of mastery rather than a slog, especially for people who have already cleared the standard difficulty and just want to push their skills further. If you love that feeling of barely surviving a tight encounter with one energy tank left, these changes aim to keep those moments thrilling instead of frustrating.

Quality of life improvements across both systems

Beneath the headline tweaks, the patch also bundles together a set of adjustments and fixes that quietly raise the overall feel of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on both Switch and Switch 2. These changes cover small rough edges that testers and early players encountered, from stability touches that reduce the odds of crashes to subtle tuning of menus and interface prompts. On Switch 2 in particular, the update complements the enhanced visuals, higher frame rates and mouse style aiming options that the dedicated edition already offers, lining up the software with what the hardware can deliver. Load transitions, camera behavior and input response all benefit in small ways that add up over dozens of hours. You may not pinpoint every single change, but you notice the absence of little annoyances that might otherwise pull you out of the experience.

Why this day one update matters for your first playthrough

It can be tempting to skip a launch patch when you just want to jump straight into a new Metroid adventure, but version 1.1.0 makes a strong case for taking a short pause at the start. The combination of amiibo support, rumbling cinematics, refined Hard Mode balance and Gallery tweaks means your first impressions are more in line with how Nintendo wants the game to be perceived. For anyone playing on Switch 2 or planning a future upgrade, the built in path to the enhanced edition also removes some uncertainty that might otherwise hang over your purchase decision. You are not getting a totally different adventure with the patch installed, yet the rhythm of play, the clarity of options and the sense of reward after finishing the story all benefit from these adjustments. Think of it as starting your time on Viewros with freshly calibrated visor settings instead of a dusty helmet.

Tips for getting the most out of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond after the patch

If you are heading into Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with version 1.1.0 already installed, there are a few simple habits that help you squeeze the most from these adjustments. First, visit the amiibo page in the pause menu early on and see which figures you own that might interact with the game, because those small bonuses can smooth out your resource curve during tougher stretches. Second, let yourself enjoy the newly active controller vibration in cinematics instead of skipping every scene, since that feedback was tuned with the update in mind. Third, plan your upgrade route if you have access to a Switch 2 now or in the near future, so the “Switch 2 Edition” menu option does not catch you off guard. Finally, if you are curious about Hard Mode, consider a standard run first so you can appreciate how the rebalanced enemies change the feel when you return for a second journey.

Conclusion

Version 1.1.0 does not try to steal the spotlight from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond itself, but it shapes the edges of the adventure in ways that add up with every hour you spend on Viewros. Amiibo support, rumble in cinematics, a clearer upgrade route to the Switch 2 Edition, rating tweaks and softer Gallery requirements all show Nintendo paying attention to how people actually play and share games now. The Hard Mode balance changes and background fixes then tighten the experience for players who want either a smoother first run or a fiercer second one. If you plan to join Samus on launch day, installing this patch is the easiest way to make sure your visor, suit and expectations are all tuned to the version of the game Nintendo intends you to enjoy.

FAQs
  • Do I need to install version 1.1.0 before starting Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
    • Installing version 1.1.0 is strongly recommended, because it adds amiibo support, enables controller vibration during cinematics, improves Hard Mode balance and adjusts Gallery unlock conditions. Skipping the update will not prevent you from playing, but you miss out on a smoother, more rewarding first experience that has been tuned around these changes.
  • How does the Switch 2 Edition upgrade path work after the update
    • On Nintendo Switch 2, version 1.1.0 adds a “Switch 2 Edition” option to the menu after the title screen. Selecting it takes you straight to the Upgrade Path page on the Nintendo eShop, where you can move from the standard Switch edition to the enhanced Switch 2 Edition. Your progress is designed to carry over within the same ecosystem, so you can keep exploring Viewros without starting from scratch.
  • What exactly does amiibo support add in version 1.1.0
    • The update adds an “amiibo” page to the pause menu, letting you scan compatible figures while you are in the middle of your adventure. Depending on how Nintendo has set up rewards, amiibo can give you in game bonuses such as resources or cosmetic extras. The key advantage is convenience, since you no longer have to leave your current session or hunt for hidden system menus to use them.
  • Did Hard Mode get easier or harder with the 1.1.0 patch
    • Hard Mode remains challenging after the update, but some enemies have been adjusted to feel more fair and less like walls that stop your progress cold. You can expect better tuned health values, clearer attack patterns and more readable openings rather than a drastic drop in difficulty. The result is a difficulty setting that rewards skillful play instead of sheer patience.
  • What other small improvements are included in version 1.1.0
    • Beyond the headline features, version 1.1.0 includes a range of stability improvements and minor fixes that help both Switch and Switch 2 players. These improvements can touch areas like performance consistency, menu behavior and edge case bugs that might interrupt your run. You might not notice each adjustment on its own, but together they make the game feel more polished and dependable across long play sessions.
Sources
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS