Nintendo Reveals "Metroid Prime 4" and "Metroid: Samus Returns"

It seems like it's been an eternity since Samus Aran got her due at E3, but that moment finally arrived during Nintendo's E3 video today. While Nintendo only showed off a logo at the end of a brief teaser, the reveal of Metroid Prime 4 for Nintendo Switch was enough to woo fans. 

 

 

Here's more info from Nintendo: 

“Metroid Prime 4 (Working Title) returns to the first-person adventure roots of the original Metroid Prime game and introduces a new storyline that ties together the events of the Metroid Prime universe and takes the storyline in new directions,” according to series producer Kensuke Tanaba. Tanabe is leading the project together with a talented new development team, and they are hard at work bringing the action, isolation, and exploration of the Metroid Prime universe to life on Nintendo Switch.

 

That's not all for the nearly-31-year-old franchise, though. It didn't make the cut for the presentation, but Nintendo also revealed Metroid: Samus Returns—a remake of 1991 Game Boy entry Metroid II: Return of Samus—for Nintendo 3DS. Rebuilt from the ground up, this MercurySteam-developed game is coming to the portable on September 15. 

 

 

Official description: 

Brave the hostile terrain of an alien planet teeming with vicious life forms as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran. Her mission? Terminate the Metroid menace in this masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure. Samus Aran’s arsenal has been enhanced with new moves and abilities that are sure to help her face the deadly surprises that await. This intense, side-scrolling action platformer is a great entry point into the Metroid franchise and perfect for returning fans as well, and it’s available only on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Features

• • This intense, side-scrolling action platformer has been completely remade with engaging and immersive 3D visuals and a rich, atmospheric color palette.
  • Classic Metroid II: Return of Samus gameplay is joined by a wealth of new content, including a set of brand new abilities that utilizes a mysterious energy resource called “Aeion,” a powerful melee counterattack, and 360-degree Free Aim Mode.
  • There are plenty of secrets to find—and if you uncover enough of them, you may even star to unravel the mystery of Planet SR388’s past.
  • Two new amiibo figures—Samus Aran and Metroid—will be released a set alongside the game. This game is also compatible with the Zero Suit Samus and Samus amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. series. Functionality details will be revealed at a later date.
  • While supplies last, fans will be able to purchase a special edition of the game, which includes a physical copy of the game, a sound-selection CD featuring 25 tracks from across the Metroid franchise, and a reversible title-sheet insert for the game case.

 

The related amiibo are pretty sweet, too: 

 

 

-------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his webcomic, BIG DUMB FIGHTING IDIOTS, every week at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.