Nintendo: Metroid Prime 4 Will Probably Be On NX

Make it a launch title, and we're talking, Nintendo.

Posted By | On 18th, Jun. 2015

metroid_other m

We’ve long waited for a new Metroid or Metroid Prime game. What we got yesterday at Nintendo’s E3 event was not it. It was a bastardization of the Metroid IP, an arena shooter that would have been better off as its own thing, a game that completely goes antithetical to everything that Metroid, and especially Metroid Prime, was.

However, for fans of the series, Nintendo just hinted at something that may be music to their ears- there is a new Metroid Prime game, and it is probably for the NX. Speaking to Eurogamer, Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe said that a new Metroid Prime game would probably take years to develop- by which point the Wii U would long be dead.

“If we started for Wii U now, it would likely take three years or so. So it would likely now be on Nintendo’s NX console,” he said. “It’s a long time but it would need to include a lot of content, which would take a lot of work on the development side. Instead of broadening it to more planets I would have one and would focus on the timeline, and being able to change that. That’s one interesting idea I have in mind… but I understand many people thought that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes was too difficult.”

So much for the mechanics and the structure of the game- but Metroid Prime is unusual for a Nintendo game in that it is heavily story focused. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption completely wrapped up the Prime saga. Where, then, is the necessity of a Prime 4?

“The stories of Dark Samus and Phazon are done now,” he confirmed, before moving on to something else- the tantalizing cliffhanger at the end of Metroid Prime 3 that sees Samus being pursued by a mysterious bounty hunter (now confirmed as Sylux).

“So it was Sylux, another hunter from Metroid Prime Hunters at the end of Metroid Prime 3. Personally I’d like to create a story centring around Sylux and Samus,” he said.

“We’ve done a story based on the Hunters, and this time around [with the 3DS game] we’re doing a story on the Galactic Federation. I would like to cross the two over in the future. And of course see a little more of Samus.”

Another way that Metroid Prime 4 might differ from other Nintendo franchises might be in how it handles numbering. Whereas most Nintendo franchises start out with numbered sequels, they eventually give them up for subtitles, after two or three entries. Tanabe says he has no problems continuing using numbers. “Three ends the trilogy, but if I can I would like to continue with numbered games,” he said.

Finally, he confirmed that the Wii U would very likely not be seeing a Metroid Prime game- and clarified why that would be the case.

“Truth be told, making HD games takes a lot of time and resources… I haven’t been able to collect a team or the resources to do it.”

It makes sense, too. Metroid costs a lot of money to develop, and isn’t exactly a sales monster to begin with- why would Nintendo waste time and money to develop a new Metroid game for a console where it would probably struggle to crack a million copies sold?

It is pretty clear they are biding time until the NX now. In which case, they better hit it out of the park with that console. Something tells me it will be the last legitimate shot at the console market that they get.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Minecraft Might be Coming to PS5 – Rumour

Minecraft Might be Coming to PS5 – Rumour

It looks like Minecraft might be getting a native release on current-gen consoles in the near future.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Gets New Trailer Teasing Future Saga Chapter 1 DLC

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Gets New Trailer Teasing Future Saga Chapter 1 DLC

The Future Saga DLC for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will feature a new antagonist in the form of Fu, who seems to ...

The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077 Developer is Considering Licensing IP Out for Mobile Games

The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077 Developer is Considering Licensing IP Out for Mobile Games

CD Projekt has revealed that it is in the process of looking into potentially licensing out its IP to smaller ...

Dead Cells, Risk of Rain, and Slay the Spire Devs Will Host Triple-i Initiative Indie Games Showcase on April 10

Dead Cells, Risk of Rain, and Slay the Spire Devs Will Host Triple-i Initiative Indie Games Showcase on April 10

The showcase has been described as having "back-to-back trailers" with no hosts or sponsorships.

Wuthering Waves Launches on May 22nd for PC, iOS and Android

Wuthering Waves Launches on May 22nd for PC, iOS and Android

The free-to-play open-world action RPG takes place in a post-apocalyptic world and features fast-paced combat ...

Cyberpunk 2077 Free Trial is Out Now on Xbox Series X/S, PS5

Cyberpunk 2077 Free Trial is Out Now on Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The trial offers five hours of game time and won't be on PC players for "technical reasons." It also only incl...