Metroid Prime 3 delayed until later this year?

by Blake Snow { Feb 16th 2007 at 12:48PM }

MTV News spoke with Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime last week at DICE to discuss Wii shortages, production increases, and specific game releases. Having all but said, "Read my lips, no more Nintendo droughts," in the past stating an "early 2007" release of Metroid Prime 3 on Wii, the gaming exec was less committal this time around.

Regarding first-party heavyweights, Fils-Aime said, "They're coming. But we're being very strategic when we're going to launch them. And we're making sure our licensees enjoy success on their titles and that the spacing makes sense." Okay. Let's keep hope alive. He continued, "[Gamers] need to recognize that when we release [Metroid Prime 3], it will be perfect. And if that's a little later than folks would have liked, I'm hoping they're going to be happy." Uh oh. That's sounds like code for "this bad boy ain't coming out for a while."

Tags: metroidprime3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Erik Novak @ Feb 16th 2007 4:02PM

I'm sure Reggies words will ring just as true as "Ready my lips, no new taxes!"

Skippy @ Feb 16th 2007 12:59PM

Nintendo....please.....you're killing me

McWeen @ Feb 16th 2007 3:53PM

delay it for 2 years for all i care, just dont release a half-hearted broken product

tmmoore_nc @ Feb 16th 2007 1:07PM

Let's get a time order of these games:
- Metroid Prime 3
- Pokemon Battle Revolution
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl

pete @ Feb 16th 2007 1:09PM

but keep in mind that they WILL deliver. when he says they are waiting to make it perfect, i think thats what they are doing. but sucks wii have to wait some more but hey get used to it!

MysticX @ Feb 16th 2007 1:10PM

Common, how much longer do I have to wait?!? I want my friggin Metroid Prime 3.

comtar @ Feb 18th 2007 4:51PM

I hope you can play it with the classic controller... in either classic Metroid Prime format, or dual analog play like other console FPS.

deaftly @ Feb 16th 2007 1:11PM

a nintendo game getting delayed? unheard of

Crono @ Feb 16th 2007 1:11PM

Reggie, you're killing me.

You really are...

AJ @ Feb 16th 2007 1:12PM

Halo 3 vs. Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Metroid Prime 3...

Nick @ Feb 16th 2007 1:16PM

Nintendo needs to learn to keep their mouths shut. If Nintendo hadn't said anything about TP people would have found it normal to play it in 2006. Likewise, if there hadn't been any premature announcements we'd think it normal to play MP3 in late 2007.

is @ Feb 16th 2007 1:16PM

Hey, how come you didnt report the bit just after that?

The bit where Reggie, in similar code, suggests that metroid will be online?

He Said:
"...And if that's a little later than folks would have liked, I'm hoping they're going to be happy. They certainly seem to be happy that we took our time with '[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.' " With that kind of talk, the obvious follow-up question was: "If it's perfect, does that mean it's going to be online?" In response, Fils-Aime said: "That's perfect for you."

They can take as long as they like if I get a nintendo quality wiimote controlled fps with online play.

They can take their sweet time.

Sloar @ Feb 16th 2007 1:18PM

Nintendo has never, I repeat NEVER, been able to keep a decent release stream with their first-party titles. Seriously, it probably takes more time to think of a sport that Mario hasn't played than to code for it. It's only a matter of time until we receive "Mario and Luigi's Cockfighting Championships". Oh, and I do mean the fighting roosters--perverts.

AJ @ Feb 16th 2007 1:18PM

...and Animal Crossing Wii and Battalion Wars 2 and Disaster Day of Crisis and Project H.A.M.M.E.R

Crono @ Feb 16th 2007 1:19PM

I dunno "is", that sounds like industry double talk for "Well, MP3 will be perfect for us, multiplayer is perfect for you"

But for how freakin popular MP:hunters is MP, I don't know why they WOULDN"T do MP3 multiplayer.

Farseer @ Feb 16th 2007 1:20PM

I suppose we could cryogenically freeze ourselves until later this year so that the wait won't seem so bad. :)

Vidikron @ Feb 16th 2007 1:20PM

@9

That comment doesn't say MP3 is online. In fact, it's very ambiguous. It could easily be interpreted as, "Well, online is perfect for you, but does not fit our definition of perfect." Or maybe it is a hint at online play. It's not clear.

Nick @ Feb 16th 2007 1:34PM

@9

Reggie is saying the game probably WON'T be online. "That's perfect for you" as in that's what YOU think is perfect, not what we think is.

Antonio @ Feb 16th 2007 1:22PM

Why does he look so sick in that picture?

And how about Mario Party? Is it coming out in a few weeks or what? Nintendo's being awfully quiet about a game whose release is supposedly imminent.

jay @ Feb 16th 2007 1:25PM

This could be the most interesting holiday season yet if nintendo releases MP3, Mario, SSB, and Microsoft releases Halo 3, and Sony gets Metal Gear and the rumored Killzone

Leshrac @ Feb 16th 2007 1:25PM

If the multiplayer is going to suck again (a la MP2), they should just leave it out. I'd much rather the single player game be perfected/extended than have another crappy multiplayer game.

Decoy Octopus @ Feb 16th 2007 6:14PM

There are greater tragedies in the world than having to wait for a video game to be released.

Joop @ Feb 16th 2007 1:28PM

@12 Yeah, you really need to hear that bit to determine what he meant.

While it could be "That's perfect for you" as in "That might be what you think is perfect, but not us." or it could mean "Well obviously that's what perfect means." kinda like "that's showbiz for yah."

Needs audio.

Zertoss @ Feb 16th 2007 1:29PM

MP3 delayed? I'm shocked. What next? Is Nintendo going to tell me that when it rains, things are going to get wet?

REUYL @ Feb 16th 2007 1:33PM

Good luck getting MP3 to compete with Halo 3, Nintendo.

Steve @ Feb 16th 2007 1:38PM

I'd rather wait until 2009 than get a substandard Metroid today.

A delay this big must be caused by adding online play because I can't see how the game could be complete enough for an expected 11/2006 release and then get delayed until late 2007. The only way that could happen is if they add something new and big to the game, and online would fit that description.

Though it would be nice for SOMETHING to fill this 2 month drought we've been going through!

Jay @ Feb 16th 2007 3:20PM

"And how about Mario Party? Is it coming out in a few weeks or what? Nintendo's being awfully quiet about a game whose release is supposedly imminent."

Mario Party 8 got bumped back to second quarter, with no reason offered for the delay. It's been confirmed by a Nintendo rep.

http://www.skepticalgaming.com/2007/02/12/nintendo-confirms-mario-party-8-delay/

So much for that constant stream of first party games that was supposed to avoid a drought. :/

Finn @ Feb 16th 2007 1:49PM

... wheres the part about how he said it would definatly come out before galaxy... and when I read the internview I got that online would be included on it as well (but we'll never know until we actually HEAR the way he said it)

Miniboss @ Feb 16th 2007 1:52PM

You know, everyone keeps talking about a drought, but as far as I can tell, except for December (which is offset by releasing many games for launch in late November), Nintendo has released at least one first party game every month.

We just got Zelda as a launch title. Super Paper Mario is coming out in April. You're not going to have Zelda, Metroid, and Mario Galaxy all in a row. It just wouldn't make sense from a business or development perspective.

religiousjedi @ Feb 16th 2007 3:16PM

Well, guess I continue waiting with Hunters in the DS. If they really are putting in online, I better be able to put in my Hunters License somehow. Wi-Fi connection ID, please?

...Oh and REUYL...I hope Halo 3 pleases the Halo fans, for the sake of the franchise. Prime was the first Metroid game I played, and I'm hooked. And no, I won't trash on Halo, because I have limited playing time with that. On the other hand, it didn't impress me... :)

Strangler @ Feb 16th 2007 4:10PM

the dsis the only system that doesnt have a drought that nintendo made.

Earl @ Feb 16th 2007 1:56PM

I will happily wait for MP3. Nintendo doesn't delay game releases, then release a piece of junk. MP3 will be well polished when it comes out and if it is online that will be even better. Although I loved the last 2 MP even though they weren't online.
As far as Halo 3 is concerned, if you own both a Wii and 360, then chances are you will buy both games. I know I will. MP has always been a better game in my eyes, but that's probably because it isn't your typical FPS. I love the adventure side to MP.

Jake @ Feb 16th 2007 2:03PM

I don't know how anyone can compare Halo and Metroid. Halo is a Multiplayer game. Metroid is a single player game. Halo2 sold 8 million copies. Metroid Prime 2 sold under 1 million. wtf?

Nintendo fanboys need to stop trying to make it look like there is a Nintendo franchise that "covers" every franchise available on every other console. If you only own one console, you are going to miss out on other games, plain and simple.

Anyways, the sooner Nintendo releases SMSB and Metroid, the sooner I can pick up a Wii. Got Zelda on GC and can't justify buying the system just for Wii Sports. Mario Party, WarioWare, and Red Steel don't do anything for me either.

Brandon Johnson @ Feb 16th 2007 2:04PM

I don't see why people think we are in a drought. So far Nintendo has released a first party game every month this year. Yes they may not release many or what we want but they are atleast releaseing games monthly.

Jake @ Feb 16th 2007 2:07PM

Metroid Prime 3 will not be online. This has been known for a long time. The delay probably has as much to do with marketing strategy as anything, as Reggie basically said. They want their big hitters to be spread out a little bit. That way you don't do something silly like get Mario when it and Metroid are available and then play it until a used copy of Metroid is out.

Avinash_Tyagi @ Feb 16th 2007 2:41PM

Relax there is no drought, why do you think they shifted Super Paper Mario into the mix?

theLoneYoshi @ Feb 16th 2007 2:30PM

Am I the only one who expected Metroid Prime 3 to come out late 2007? For me, I would be surprised if they DID release Metroid Prime 3 within the next 4-5 months.

EihBeir @ Feb 19th 2007 12:27PM

Wow...creepy picture.

kelekod @ Feb 16th 2007 2:49PM

Anyone looking to regard the comment of "no games for March" from the mix, Amazon changed the release data for Mario Party 8... (online maybe?)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LSJKAM/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_3/103-6542553-2357409

samfish @ Feb 16th 2007 2:49PM

This wouldn't be so bad if Nintendo would just come right out and say WHY it's taking so long. Why the Hell companies ALWAYS do this is friggin' beyond me.
Is it REALLY going to hurt game sales if you say, "We're trying to iron out these bugs or we're adding feature X in"?

Anyway, this is bad news over all, methinks. Nintendo 18-24 month lineup now probably looks like this:
Fall 07= Metroid Prime 3
Winter/Holiday 07= Mario Galaxy
First quarter-spring 08= Smash Bros.

Which probably means that, if it's true that MP3 won't have multiplayer, we aren't going to see online for the Wii until at LEAST SSMB arrives.

Striderhayasa @ Feb 16th 2007 3:01PM

yeah yeah yeah, we heard it all before..." it has to be perfect" "delays are better than substandard software"

Smells like Gamecube fare to me and looking at the wii line-up for the rest of the year tells the tale. Drought. So Metroid gets delayed (cmon..it's inevitable) and Wii owners have nothing to really look forward to until Fall/Winter 07. Thanks alot Nintendo...the least you could do is give gamers something to look forward to in the meantime.

I swear if Metroid Prime 3 isn't online, it's going to be the biggest, bone-headed, mistake of the year for the Wii right next to "no online at launch" and heads should roll.

This is Nintendo's last chance as far as I'm concerned. If they blow it with online and the Wii in general I'm done...through...owaru...I'll enjoy the greener pastures of Ps3 and 360.

Jake @ Feb 16th 2007 3:02PM

The Wii is in a game drought. It is having games released at a good pace, but it really lacks critically acclaimed 8-and-up games. Give it some time.

Mr Khan @ Feb 16th 2007 3:04PM

I never knew that Metroid Prime 2 didn't sell a million, wild

Still had better single player than Halo 2 (IMO)

well, i kind of knew this was going to happen, as January faded away with no talk from Nintendo, i knew that Metroid Prime 3 would fade to join the vague ranks of Q4 2007

And Wii Online will launch in Spring with Pokemon Battle Revolution, most likely (maybe the 22nd, same day as Diamond and Pearl release)

I could definitely see Smash Bros being pushed back to 08 now

Striderhayasa @ Feb 16th 2007 3:12PM

@ crono

That's what I;m thinking. MPH on DS is awesome online. MP3 onine is a no brainer with superior control minus the hand cramps. Just bring back the Hunters from MPH and add in some of the cool ass pirates from MP.Hell, bring back the best stages too. Why can't Nintendo or Retro see how hot it would be to use the Stealth Pirates or the Omega Pirates in multiplayer?

C'mon Nintendo...if you bone this.....

It's a good thing the Wii isn't my only console. otherwise I'd be totally screwed.

AoE @ Feb 16th 2007 3:23PM

If the delays mean more polish, then I'm all for it. The Wii's a secondary console for me anyway, so the drought doesn't scare me. Plenty to rock on the 360 while waiting for more Wii greatness :)

On a separate note... am I the only person who thinks that Reggie is perhaps the ugliest person working in video games? Normally I don't care what ceos look like, but every time a picture of Reggie's posted, it really hurts my eyes.

Pete C @ Feb 16th 2007 3:32PM

Striderhayasa has it right...this is typical post-SNES Nintendo fare. Wii is shaping up to be just like the GameCube from a software release perspective. 3rd party offerings are second-rate ports or niche games just to exploit the new controller. I don't see any 3rd parties going gung-ho with a major new exclusive IP for the Wii. The thing is, all the top developers WANT to develop with cutting edge technologies and next-gen graphics...the Wii simply doesn't offer that. It's going to be mostly twitch games and gimmicks outside of first party content...perfect for casual gamers. The Wii will succeed, but ultimately not win this console war.

Geo @ Feb 16th 2007 3:33PM

Strider, Do you only want to play the first party games? How many games do you buy a month? I don't know what constitutes a game drought, but I am really looking forward to playing SSX Blur, Paper Mario, Sonic, Tiger, Godfather, Blazing Angels, etc. Im not seeing a drought.

boot @ Feb 17th 2007 4:24PM

I really don't see why everyone is getting so hyped about one little line thats about as random as any other line in the interview. I read the who interview it doesn't seem like there was too much enphasis on that one question. Or maybe I just won't accept the truth. MP3 I think will without a doubt will have online functionallity although that one line can be twisted both ways and if you haven't noticed Reggie loves messing with us by not giving any info on any games. He said MP3 will be launched before Mario Galaxy which if it is delayed we would recive news on Mario Galaxy also if Reggie wants to stick true to his "stratagie." And why else would MP3 have been delayed unless to add in online, why wouldn't they considering MP hunters owned the portable online realm.