You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe latest Nintendo Direct was focused entirely on games that are coming to the original Nintendo Switch handheld with Metroid Prime 4 gameplay being the star of the show. Showing off Samus long-awaited return with new psychic powers, the game already looks stunning, but was that gameplay running on the original console or its upcoming successor?According to the video game technology buffs over at Digital Foundry, the technical makeup of the Metroid Prime 4 gameplay reveal was evident of the original Switch hardware. While the game looks absolutely stunning in its 60fps showing, theres nothing technically that cant be done on the 2017 handheld.Metroid Prime 4 definitely wasnt Switch 2In the latest two-hour DF Direct Weekly podcast, Digital Foundrys Oliver McKenzie explained why the Metroid Prime 4 gameplay reveal was undoutedly running on the original handheld. Essentially, the games technical makeup is extraordinarily similar to that of 2023s Metroid Prime Remastered, albeit with stunning new art direction.I actually think that theres some interesting evidence in this trailer, just in terms of how the game is constructed, the way it appears, that can kind of give you some hints as to whether its Switch 2 or not, the graphics analyst said.Essentially, the technology seen in Metroid Prime 4 is a straight comparison to Retro Studios remaster of the original game. The game makes heavy use of baked lighting and shadows and seemingly takes place in exclusively smaller areas to limit rendering load.Ultimately, what were seeing here looks very similar to a 2023 game that we know runs on Switch 1, because it shipped on Switch 1, which is Metroid Prime Remastered, McKenzie said. When you go back to that Metroid Prime Remastered a lot of the compromises that were present in that first game are still kind of present here there are some positives, its a 60FPS trailer, but thats the same as Metroid Prime Remastered.Metroid Prime 4 runs at 900p, 60FPS when docked, but theres no news on the games handheld resolution.As for the visuals, while the game does look great, pixel counts show the game running at 900P in its docked form at 60fps with little-to-no anti-aliasing. It still looks great, but with Nintendo Switch 2 being leagues more powerful than the 2017 original and rumoured to support some form of DLSS, a 900p image does seem weird for the new handheld.Its a pretty jagged, raw-looking game, not that thats a bad thing necessarily, but I did some pixel counts here and resolutions hold at around 900p or so which, again, is is reminiscent of Metroid Prime Remastered, they continued. Theres no sign of Nintendo Switch 2 features such as DLSS or TAA or higher-res rendering.I think overall, the visual appearance of this trailer is firmly in Switch 1 territory, they said. If it was Switch 2, Id be pretty shocked.At the end of the day, Metroid Prime 4 is still an absolutely standout release for the Nintendo Switch, pushing the console to its absolute limits. The game is reminiscent of late-gen Xbox 360 games like Halo 4 which look leagues better than other games on the console. Its a truly gorgeous game that we cant wait to play. And hey, maybe the game will receive a Switch 2 enhancement that makes it look even better.Metroid Prime 4Platform(s):Nintendo SwitchGenre(s):Action, ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share