Some game series are great at constantly changing and still keeping fans interested. The Super Mario Bros. series is a prime example, with over a dozen different versions and more on the way. However, other series usually need to stay very close to what made the original popular to avoid disappointing players – and the more passionate the fans, the truer this tends to be. Metroid isn’t Nintendo’s biggest franchise, but its fans are incredibly dedicated. That’s why the recent previews of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond before its December release have left many people puzzled and concerned.
Why? Well, it appears Samus Aran has an annoying comedy sidekick who looks like Rick Moranis.
Nintendo recently released a seven-minute trailer for the new Metroid Prime game – the first in nearly two decades. While the gameplay looks familiar to fans of the series, with its exploration, combat, and power-ups, one part of the trailer caused some discussion online. Traditionally, Metroid games are played as a solitary experience, with the bounty hunter Samus Aran working alone. Seeing Samus interacting and assisting other characters feels different and hasn’t resonated with everyone.
Perhaps even those who express longing for family, even if it seems like a way to elicit sympathy, deserve some understanding. But a comedic side character? That’s a different story. As many, including Video Games Chronicle, have pointed out, especially after experiencing more of the game, the character Miles MacKenzie doesn’t quite fit what fans expect from the series.
Andy Robinson from VGC was surprised and a little disappointed by the introduction of Miles MacKenzie in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. MacKenzie, Samus’s new companion, is clumsy and constantly makes jokes, which Robinson felt ruined the game’s atmosphere and tension. He even pointed out when Robinson missed collectibles.
He wasn’t alone either.
Learning that Metroid Prime 4 includes a clumsy, humorous companion character with this design is incredibly disappointing. I’ve completely lost interest.
— F♯A♯∞, fka ☕️ (@coopercooperco) November 14, 2025
A key feature of the Metroid series is its challenging and intricate level design, encouraging players to explore, get turned around, and discover the path forward on their own. Many fans believe that having a character explicitly point out missed items or secrets undermines this core appeal. Even those who were positive about the recent demo, like Eurogamer, worried that characters like Miles might take away from the immersive experience.
Players will be able to choose which system they prefer – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is launching on both the new Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch on December 4th.
Kyle Anderson is a Senior Editor at TopMob and the host of the weekly podcast, Laser Focus, where he explores pop culture in depth. He also writes film and TV reviews, and you can find him on Letterboxd.
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2025-11-14 23:03