Is Nintendo Losing Interest in Metroid?

A: Metroid is not anywhere as big as Mario or Zelda; so of course a 25th Anniversary isn't going to be in order. Ya don't see Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, or Star Fox getting one. B. Just because they've kept quiet doesn't mean they've lost interest. It hasn't even been a year yet, so learn some patience. Hell, they even had Samus' ship cameo in one of the Wii U's tech demos. C. Nintendo does not throw things to devs carelessly. Even giving it to TN was something done with consideration and caution. You might see them give it to Next Level (who did Punch Out and is doing Luigi's Mansion), but I wouldn't get my hopes up for Nintendo throwing the franchise to, say, Irrational or Gearbox.

When I think of my best moments in gaming then I think of Metroid: Prime. I bought a Wii for Prime 3, and I'll get a Wii U if Retro is allowed to make another Metroid. All of this makes me wonder what would've happened if Nintendo spent the last 5 years acquiring an army of devs like Sony is doing now. Sure, they are ace at making killer software already, but their rate of output is just way to slow for their console to be a must-have. I really hope Nintendo can make me feel as happy to have their console again as before.

If Ninty is losing interest in Metroid, then they totally forgot about FZero then....

The thing is, you have this franchise that's basically homeless, like too many of Nintendo's old franchises (StarFox and F-Zero are in the same boat). Retro isn't bound to it, and Sakamoto's SPD group isn't really up to the task of developing a full-fledged console title on their own (hence Team Ninja collaboration with Other M). If we assume that the franchise has a maximum appeal of roughly 3 million potential sales, it's hard to justify giving Metroid as much focus anymore, especially when we see the teams that have made Metroid games end up making much more successful games in other franchises (Donkey Kong Country Returns for Retro, and Rhythm Heaven and Tomodachi Collection for Sakamoto and SPD1) Other M was an attempt to retool the franchise's appeal, which i'd argue had some good steps (namely the control and combat scheme they set up), and some poor ones (the bad-anime-tastic story, which i'd bet was an effort to appeal to the Japanese), and when their effort to retool ended up selling less even than the forgettable Metroid Prime 2, you're going to see the franchise go back to the back burner again, though we can only pray that it doesn't go into limbo as long as the Super Metroid -> Prime/Fusion gap...

Shouldn''t Donkey Kong have gotten a 30 year anniversary this year too? I don't remember them doin anything big for the 25th anniversary in 2006, and DK is a WAAAAY bigger and more popular franchise than Metroid!

Metroid Prime is still one of my best game of all time on the cube. I just hope Nintendo is gonna do something for that franchise. There's no doubt in my mind that Metroid deserve to be recognize as a top franchise. What about a 25th collection on the WiiU ?

I either want a new 2D Metroid or a new Prime. Everything else... nah.

you know who I wouldn't mind having a go at Metroid? Arika, no kidding. The whole Zoom-In mechanic in endless ocean 2 seems perfectly fitted to a more "organic" form of scanning, not to mention allowing for some beautiful set-pieces. The visor itself would merely point out that there is a point of interest (like the bright yellow orbs in EO2). Furthermore, I think they proved with that title that they definitely know how to execute exploration and discovery properly, not to mention mastering the art of building tension and immersion. They were even able to integrate a long and interesting story into the game without intruding on the gameplay and atmosphere. The game had upgradeable equipment, nonlinear gameplay, huge complex levels full of nooks and crannies to explore, tons and tons of side-quests, living environments and eco-systems with hundreds of different creatures, and much more. Perfect Metroid stuff, there. Incidentally, Wii owners who haven't played the game are really missing out!

Now that I think about it the chances that a new Metroid comes out soon are slightly low... Here's to hoping the Wii U gets a Metroid game.

It's not surprising that this would be true. The sales aren't there. MOM failed to bring in new customers. Perhaps N could try a real 2D Metroid on WII U - maybe even a reboot.

if u have NintendoAmerica on twitter they mentioned Metroids 25th:)

What about Donkey Kong!! Mario's first appearance was on the original Donkey Kong! No anniversary for him either??

A HD Metroid Prime continuation on WiiU has a lot of potential. If Nintendo is really going after the hardcore gamers then Metroid is perfect for that. It might be risky but their going to have to be willing to do those kind of risks with their franchises on WiiU.

You'll see Prime 4 announced as a U launch title at next years E3.

The whole problem with Metroid in recent times it is Other M's poor sales performance. It seems MOM was made to appeal to the Japanese audience. It was a failure, but an expected one, as no Metroid sold better in Japan, except for Super Metroid. As such, I cannot understand the reason behind it. Perhaps it was to please Sakamoto, who wanted to be relevant to his creation again. The biggest problem is that, after Metroid Prime (BTW, a poor seller in Japan), the western audience wasn't ready to have the franchise change back from the first person view. Nintendo clearly didn't understood that at time -- I recall Reggie stating he was surprised by the poor sales of MOM -- but hopefully, they got the message.

I am not sure I would consider Metroid to be really be worthy of a 25th anniversary series. When I think of Nintendo's primary franchises, I think of Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pokemon, and Mario Kart. When I think of secondary Nintendo franchises, that is Smash, Kirby, Animal Crossing, Wii Sports, and Wii Fit. Metroid is more of a tertiary franchise with F-Zero, Fire Emblem, Lylat Wars/Starfox, 1080/Waverace, etc... It should be fairly obvious that Nintendo isn't forgetting losing interest in Metroid; Metroid is where it always is. There have been A LOT of Metroid games released lately, so I don't think Nintendo is losing interest at all. All I would really expect is 1 game released a generation, but there were three released this generation on Wii and DS, along with a remake compilation. I kind of feel like an anniversary collection would be major overkill; particularly considering the sales seem to indicate that only one Metroid title per generation is the optimal route.

If Retro Studios is behind the next Metroid, and they make the game based on a whole new engine. 3 million is possible again. That said, I think Nintendo wants to expand Retro Studios, I mean Donkey Kong Country Returns is approaching 5 million correct? It's not the quality of Metroid that's the issue, it's where are Nintendo's core shooter fans? Do they even exist? Are Metroid fans just adventure game fans who don't mind shooting? That said, Metroid Prime 1 is my favorite FPS (I know they say FPA). I hope Nintendo matures the theme of this game, as the franchise has literally the craziest boss fights in a FPS. Challenging too, and long (20 hours for a shooter?)

I can't blame them, the sales have been disappointing to me too. I'm pretty sure they've not given up on Metroid yet. And I actually like Other M. Maybe because I'm an anime fan, but I have only a few complaints with the game compared to the way others diss it. I don't know what they plan for the WiiU, a Prime 4 or some sort of franchise reboot, but I think if they were to do a Super Metroid Remake, it should be on the 3DS. The cost of remaking it on the WiiU is too risky.

I would like a side scrolling return to form for the 3DS.

It's funny how, after 6 hours to the release of this, Nintendo announces that they are working on a Metroid on WiiU.

Metroid really isn't that big in Japan along with a couple of Nintendo's other franchises. In my personal opinion, I really don't want another Metroid Prime game. I already have four great Prime games (5 if you count Pinball) from the great Retro Studios. What I love about the series is that every game and series is different in major ways. Like how Metroid started from a 2D Platformer, to an FPS, to a pinball game, straight to a 3D Platformer with FPS features. Metroid: Other M imo is an amazing game yet it was so misunderstood. Sure it has its flaws but Nintendo should give the 3D platforming Metroid another chance. If they work out the kinks, it can turn into one hell of a game. Hopefully, Retro Studios does make another Metroid game, but not as an FPS. Don't get me wrong, I love Prime, but I like the 2D-3D Platformers more.

Metroid really isn't that big in Japan along with a couple of Nintendo's other franchises. In my personal opinion, I really don't want another Metroid Prime game. I already have four great Prime games (5 if you count Pinball) from the great Retro Studios. What I love about the series is that every game and series is different in major ways. Like how Metroid started from a 2D Platformer, to an FPS, to a pinball game, straight to a 3D Platformer with FPS features. Metroid: Other M imo is an amazing game yet it was so misunderstood. Sure it has its flaws but Nintendo should give the 3D platforming Metroid another chance. If they work out the kinks, it can turn into one hell of a game. Hopefully, Retro Studios does make another Metroid game, but not as an FPS. Don't get me wrong, I love Prime, but I like the 2D-3D Platformers more.

Here's your meal ticket Nintendo. Get Shinji Mikami to make a Metroid Wii U version. Make it a survival horror game in the vein of RE4 but with an emphasis on exploration and discovery.

Metroid suffers from being a story driven game. Once you killed off the Metroids the reason for the game. Your stuck doing side stories, prequels, or reboots. The only hope for the franchise is re branding it completely. Start calling it Samus Aran Bounty Hunter or something like that. This will allow them to go in any direction they want. Make it a 3rd person action game or take it back to FPS or it's roots.

well i myself wanna see a 2D metroid once again but give it the edgy 3d type graphics that people wants. you can make the game the true 2D sequal that people wants easily. i know i would loveto have that game. forget 3d for it because not many stuck with it.

Metroid is awesome, but there are too many shooters to compete, not to say that shooters may be one of the only genres Nintendo hasn't dominated

What a terrible conclusion. Also, Metroid: Other M doesn't feature 2D gameplay. Getting the series back to its roots would be the most sensible solution. Fans wanted a true sequel to Super Metroid and MOM was hyped as such by its developer, but then it turned out to be pretty much an anti-Metroid. Give the fans what they want, especially because building 2D content is much cheaper than creating 3D content. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

I have to admit, Metroid it's not a great deal in the hands of Nintendo and,despite this, they have continued to create games for this series. I think, personally, that the last has a great story and the Director of the game was good enough to make me think thing like: "That's a visual, that's a camera!"

I wouldn't mind if they did. I don't want Metroid to be canceled because of the fans but I couldn't care less. Also, you make Metroid seem like its 1 of Nintendo's top franchises LOL. It may be big to most "Core" gamer's but sales wise its not even close to Nintendo's big guns. I honestly think sales wise that Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Starfox and others are all bigger than Metroid.

I don't understand people's confusion over Metroid. Its not as big of a franchise as Mario/Zelda. Its never been a 10m seller. They won't do big anniversary's for every IP they've created. It makes sense they focus on their largest. Mario, Zelda, and eventually probably Pokemon.

wow i already hurt 6 peoples feelings? again, no one bought the WII for shooters, the wii-u might have a metroid game with high sales. i think nintendo should sell the rights to metroid to sony or microsoft or focus their console more on hardcore games. in before the nintendo fanboys downvote me again though, but oh well.

If Nintendo doesn't do anything by years end, then it's official that they don't care.