Metroid Prime Remastered isn’t just a celebration of a legendary title—it’s a showcase of how modern technology can breathe fresh life into a classic without losing its soul. At the heart of this revival lies a subject that hasn’t received quite the spotlight it deserves: control customization. While many players appreciate the visual overhaul and refined presentation, the game’s multitude of control options is a feature rich enough to warrant its own deep dive. This guide explores those options, walking you through the quirks and strengths of each scheme to help you find your perfect way to experience the game.

The Standard Experience: Twin Stick Controls

When you first launch the game, you’re dropped into the default twin-stick setup. It’s what most modern players expect: movement with the left stick, aiming with the right. It’s intuitive, responsive, and well-suited for a seamless journey from start to finish. As someone who has played the game countless times, it’s easy to say that you could enjoy the entirety of Metroid Prime Remastered this way and never feel like you’re missing out.

But that’s only the beginning. The controls can be enhanced—tuned to match your preference or even replicate the feel of older iterations.

Motion Controls: Gyro + Stick, a Modern Marvel

Accessing the full range of options is simple: press the minus button to open the inventory menu, then press L to enter the options. From here, motion control magic begins.

Enabling “Gyro and Stick” gives players a hybrid control scheme that allows sweeping movements with the analog stick and precise aiming with gyro input. It brings a fresh, modern tightness to the gameplay, delivering responsiveness that makes every encounter feel more immersive. For players used to FPS or action games on the Switch, this option offers the best of both worlds.

The motion sensitivity is adjustable, and while default settings already feel refined, a bit of fine-tuning can go a long way. Once accustomed to gyro aiming, it becomes difficult to return to a purely stick-based system—it’s that good. It adds a layer of finesse and fluidity that elevates combat and exploration.

Lock-On and Free Aim: Finding Balance

The game’s traditional lock-on system—originally born out of hardware limitations—still plays a central role. It allows for greater movement flexibility without sacrificing accuracy. In its default state, lock-on automates aiming, which is convenient, but can feel restrictive if you want more control.

Switching to free aim with gyro adds a nice balance. You still benefit from the lock-on system’s movement benefits, but the responsibility of aiming is now yours. It’s a trade-off that grants precision, particularly useful against enemies requiring more tactical responses. The result is a more engaged and satisfying experience where you’re not merely along for the ride.

Optimizing Beam and Visor Swapping

By default, swapping beams requires holding X and selecting a direction on the D-pad. While functional, it feels cumbersome during intense combat. A smart tweak is to reassign beam swapping to the D-pad directly, freeing up the process and making it far more intuitive.

This change especially benefits mid-combat adaptability. Whether you’re dealing with specific beam-locked doors or enemies with elemental weaknesses, being able to shift quickly between beam types without halting the action makes a tangible difference. The scan visor, though still important, doesn’t need the same immediacy—meaning it’s okay to deprioritize it in your layout.

Also, a fun aside: if you’ve never noticed, using the X-ray visor reveals Samus’ skeleton—just one of the many delicious little details in this game.

Experimental Modes: From Wii Pointer to GameCube Nostalgia

Let’s dive into some of the less conventional schemes.

Pointer Mode emulates the Wii-era control setup. While potentially more immersive with Joy-Con in hand, using it with a Pro Controller can feel awkward. Actions like firing default to the A button instead of a trigger, and aiming often resets unexpectedly. For those nostalgic for the Wii’s Metroid Prime 3 experience, it’s a nice option—but it’s not for everyone.

Hybrid Mode mixes elements of pointer and twin-stick controls. You shoot with the trigger and aim with gyro, but the result feels half-baked. If you’re already enjoying gyro with twin-stick, Hybrid feels like a downgrade. Still, it’s there for players who might appreciate its odd charm.

Classic Controls replicate the GameCube’s layout. You move and aim with the same stick, rely on lock-on heavily, and find the experience oddly comforting if you grew up with it. However, by modern standards, it’s clunky. Things like visor selection on the D-pad and inverted aiming options help recreate the old-school feel, but it’s mostly a novelty.

The GameCube Controller Experience: A Curious Journey

Using an actual GameCube controller—via an adapter—offers perhaps the most faithful throwback experience. Unfortunately, it comes with complications. Button mappings don’t always line up. For example, ZR doesn’t behave as expected, and accessing the options menu becomes a headache.

Yet, there’s a nostalgic magic in gripping a GameCube controller while navigating the environments of Tallon IV. It won’t be your most efficient setup, but for those seeking authenticity and memory-lane vibes, it scratches an itch.

Final Thoughts: The Perfect Setup Is Yours to Create

The ideal control scheme in Metroid Prime Remastered is subjective, but if you’re after the author’s personal favorite—it’s the dual stick with gyro, free aim, and beam swapping on the D-pad. This setup delivers both the control finesse modern players crave and the flexibility needed to take on the game’s tougher encounters with style.

The beauty of this remaster lies in the freedom it gives players. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, precision, or pure comfort, there’s a control setup that suits your journey. So, dive into the settings, experiment a little, and embrace the power of customization. After all, Metroid Prime Remastered isn’t just about how it plays—it’s about how you choose to play it.