What's Next For Metroid?
by Jake Weston, posted on 24 August 2011 / 2,950 Views
It's been about a year since the fan-dividing Metroid: Other M launched for Wii. Praised for its fluid controls and boss fights, but derided for its storytelling and design, Other M has been met with less success than Nintendo hoped for. While it's only been a year since the game's release, its poor sales performance, as well as disappointing sales of as the previous Wii entry, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, has left fans worried that Nintendo may take away focus from the series next generation.
With Metroid finding itself in the realm of uncertainty, we examine the possible development routes that a new Metroid title could take, starting with the most likely scenario and going down to the least.
Scenario 1: New 3DS Title or Enhanced Remake
There's a good chance Nintendo may be weary of releasing Metroid on a home console any time soon, but their struggling 3DS platform needs a good kick in the first party department. With the success of Ocarina of Time 3D, and the upcoming Super Mario 3D Land and Star Fox 64 3D sure to be hits, Nintendo may want to think about bringing its other classic franchise to the platform. Metroid continued its sidescrolling tenure on the GBA, and after a conspicuous absence on the DS (Prime Hunters not withstanding), Nintendo may see a currently untapped market here.
What we can expect: A completely new title (Metroid Dread!!!) would be great, but I could also see Nintendo giving the "Ocarina of Time" remake treatment to one of its other critically acclaimed titles: Super Metroid. Much like Ocarina, Nintendo could reintroduce an unmitigated classic to a generation that may have missed out on it.
Scenario 2: Developed In-House for Wii U
Despite Metroid's recent console setbacks, Nintendo knows that Metroid arguably helped put it on the map as much as Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda. Other M could be considered the only true mixed bag in the series, and I doubt Nintendo would want to jump ship so hastily. Plus, a true-HD Metroid game has the potential to be absolutely breathtaking.
What we can expect: If New Super Mario Bros. Mii, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Kirby Returns to Dream Land are any indication, I bet Nintendo will develop a new sidescrolling Metroid game for the Wii U. All their other classic franchises have returned to sidescrolling on home consoles, it just feels wrong to not have Metroid join them (though Other M had many sidescrolling elements in it).
Scenario 3: Bringing Back Retro
After failing to make a showing for the Nintendo 64, fans wondered when Metroid would arrive to the third dimension. When it was announced that newcomer Retro Studios was reimaging the series as a first-person shooter, there was outrage. Now, after a trilogy of critically acclaimed games, fans are practically begging Retro to make another Metroid Prime game. Nintendo must understand this, but I find it a little less likely now that Retro has been working on Donkey Kong Country Returns; I bet Nintendo either has them working on a DKC sequel as we speak or even perhaps handing another of their classic franchises to them.
What we can expect: Should Retro come back to Metroid, we can probably expect another first-person Prime title. This would be very interesting, given the possibilities introduced by the Wii U's touchscreen, as well as controller suited more towards traditional FPS gaming.
Scenario 4: Team Ninja Develops Other M Sequel
This one is doubtful, but hey, maybe Nintendo sees the potential Other M had? I know I did. Everything Other M did right with its tight controls, fluid animations and great boss fights were undone with incredibly poor story-telling and too linear level design. If Nintendo were to help Team Ninja refocus the better parts of Other M, a sequel could very well be one of the better Metroid games.
What we can expect: Hopefully Nintendo helps Team Ninja get their act together, because their lack of storytelling skills and (possibly unintentional) misogynistic handling of Samus' character almost killed the franchise in the minds of many fans. Having Team Ninja develop could be a risky move, but I think it could pay off.
Scenario 5: New Third Party Developer Takes the Reigns
Nintendo has been known to let third parties develop their titles, but it rarely pays off (Star Fox: Assault, anyone?). However, if Nintendo truly doesn't know what to do with the franchise, they could certainly hand Metroid off to a third party, and simply disown it if the product doesn't turn out great.
What we can expect: There are actually plenty of developers who could do great things with Metroid. Platinum Studios penchant for over-the-top action could mesh well with Metroid, and Ninja Theory's refined storytelling and detail to female characterization could help undo the damage dealt by Team Ninja. If all else fails, Nintendo could team up with Capcom again (they made The Legend of Zelda Game Boy Oracle games), and they could certainly produce a great home console or portable entry.
Nintendo may take away focus from Metroid from now, but not for long. Metroid is too ingrained into Nintendo's legacy for them to simply abandon it, setbacks aside. With the 3DS in stores and the Wii U on the horizon, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Metroid.
