Metroid Prime producer hints at future Prime titles

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 23rd 2009 at 11:02AM }

With the recent release of Metroid Prime Trilogy, it was easy to presume that the Prime series of Metroid games had received a final nail hammered into its coffin. According to a recent interview with Kotaku though, it appears the series' producer isn't quite done. In response to a question regarding multiplayer in the series, Kensuke Tanabe said:

"As all I take part in is the Prime series, I am not capable of commenting on the whole Metroid series. But we will keep considering multiplayer for the Prime series. For instance, I think I can come up with some unique ideas using the Morph Ball, which is a specific skill of Samus'."

Though the series got a spinoff for the DS in Metroid Prime Hunters, and it's possible Tanabe is speaking about future Prime titles for Nintendo's handheld system, hearing about more Prime games in any capacity is intriguing news. While Team Ninja is busy working on Metroid: Other M, it's possible that Prime series dev Retro Studios could be working on the future of its brand of Metroid. Don''t just take it from us, take it from Retro Studios prez and CEO Michael Kelbaugh who said so himself!

Tags: kensuke-tanabe, kotaku, metroid, metroid-other-m, metroid-prime, metroid-prime-hunters, metroid-prime-trilogy, retro, retro-studios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:05AM

I always thought Retro Studios were too good for Nintendo...
It seems as though no matter how much Nintendo drops the ball these guys find a way around the flaws and are able to make really kickass titles.

If only we could see them work with the PC/PS3/360. If only...
*dream sequence*

WREturns(There was once a dream called Rome) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:12AM

How did Nintendo drop the ball on Metroid? They had to send in Shiggy to make sure that shit got done right.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:15AM

I didn't say Nintendo dropped the ball on Metroid...

I'm just going to walk away before this turns into a flame war.

Cody @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:16AM

Right, Nintendo dropped the ball.

Like when they released a Prime 3 Wii Preview Channel for download on the Wii Menu to hype Corruption.

Or like when they put together the Metroid Prime: Trilogy for the US at $50 instead of releasing the previous two games separate like they did in Japan.

James @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:31AM

They dropped the ball on advertising and hyping.

That corruption channel was stupid, it's like it hyped an entirely different game with it.

Then the commercials they advertised MP3 in the same fashion as they did all the other lame Wii ads.. watching it in an airport monitor.. really?

Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:06AM

Duh, who didn't expect another Metroid Game?

Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:07AM

How about a Metroid: Convention

WREturns(There was once a dream called Rome) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:11AM

What that guy said about the Morph Ball sounds vaguely awful. So help me God if Retro comes out with a Metroid party game called Morph Ball Mania, or some shit. I will blow a cow.

Kevin949 @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:13AM

binding verbal contract.

Ignatius @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:51AM

"Does anyone out there like me yet? Can I stop doing this!?"

WREturns(There was once a dream called Rome) @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:05PM

What are you quoting, Ignatius? Is it from AD?

Platy @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:47PM

Metroid Pinball was kinda fun ...

Ignatius @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:59PM

@WRE

Family Guy.

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:14AM

BREAKING NEWS

Another case of the "obvious virus" was reported in Japan today. Tune in at 6PM for the full report.

WREturns(There was once a dream called Rome) @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:23AM

What channel?!

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:25AM

:waits for Dark Wayne's inevitable "same Bat Time, same Bat Channel" reply:

Wardo @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:26AM

Man this thing seems to be spreading awfully fast Cap. I fear for the future.

CJLopez @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:44AM

Metroid Prime: Dread? is that you?

Ds please, or wiiware , or bouth!!!!

threefour @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:59AM

BOUTH!!!!

Nook @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:58AM

Man, there are so many possibilities for Prime to continue on, and I hope that it does - I'm at the end of Prime getting ready to start the best game eva - Echoes (IMO) and I'm totally loving it.

So many possibilities story wise, it's a big universe. With Retro behind the wheel - I'll buy it.

Zetro @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:59AM

they should drop that sad OtherM project and continue the side-scroller Metroids. I could see that happening on the NintenWares.

Levi @ Sep 23rd 2009 7:13PM

hey man, at least Other M looks a whole hell of a lot more like a faithful 3D translation of the earlier games than the Prime series.

derickw69 @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:47PM

@Zetro "they should drop that sad OtherM project and continue the side-scroller Metroids. I could see that happening on the NintenWares."

do you even read or do you make up crap as you go.

"Due in 2010, the game looks to be a blend of first and third-person gameplay (clip showed much more third than first-person), with shooting sequences mixed with old-fashioned Metroid platforming."

do some research next time before posting fan-boy flame bait.

Jono @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:53PM

God Metroid Prime is terrible, and now they're making more.

We need some sexy Metroid ala Super Metroid. Not this stupid FPS shit

IGLAW @ Sep 23rd 2009 6:15PM

you's trollin

Levi @ Sep 23rd 2009 7:14PM

I understand your pain, Jono... Super Metroid destroys the Prime series so badly...

bm @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:54PM

Please, please, please, please, please, please don't be like MP3 or MPH, and be more like MP1 and MP2. Please please pretty please.

MRLN the Amazing @ Sep 23rd 2009 5:08PM

-1'd, I hope it's MORE like Prime 3 and Hunters in that it's a bit more epic than its predecessors and has a quality multiplayer mode.

bm @ Sep 24th 2009 5:23AM

More epic? LOL!!! More epic as in more shallow, more linear, more FPS? Fuck you. And everyone like you.

Derek B @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:09PM

I think it would be cool if there was a metroid game that caused Samus to jump back to the hight of the Chozo civilization, instead of all the ruins, where she is given the chance to prevent their destruction. You could experience more of the Chozo mythologies and technologies. She could start off at a ruin site where she enters a chamber which transports her to the past. She could be a prophesied "Savior" or "Destroyer". This is where Ridley makes his first appearance. He could be a Chozo who was corrupted by power, phazon, etc, and she has to try to stop him...

Dv8thwonder @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:29PM

Nintendo needs to hire this guy above me A.S.A.P!

esposch @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:50PM

NO!
That would sorta kill the mood. In every Metroid game Samus has been the only one left alive. And before you say "Prime 3, Prime 3," every single level after the first couple were ex-cities where everyone was dead.

Mr Khan @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:30PM

Despite my constant worship for that series, i do think it's time for that IP to move on from Prime, and for Retro Studios to apply their clearly superior skills to some other IP (or something brand-new)

Other M looks to be the future of Metroid, for now.

WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:51PM

Metroid Prime and Prime 3 were amazing games. 2, not so much.

I'm glad to see this is on the table, though!

MRLN the Amazing @ Sep 23rd 2009 5:10PM

Prime as in first-person Metroid games, or story-wise? Because they finished that arc up with a pretty big bang (alleged Sylux's ship aside).

Levi @ Sep 23rd 2009 7:19PM

Super Metroid was the best Metroid hands down. I'm hoping Other M does a better job of feeling like a new Metroid game, though I'm not holding my breath. Prime might have been good, but it just didn't feel like a Metroid game to me at all, and that was my #1 beef with it.

To me, the series died along with Gunpei and the Virtual Boy.

Anyway, nice knowing you.

CaramelZappa @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:35PM

I loved super metroid, and Prime was good, but I agree that it didn't feel like metroid. I'm hoping Other M does better since it looks like it takes more of a shadow complex approach to 3d, mixing 2d and 3d gameplay instead of trying to make Metroid a straight up FPS like the Prime series.

On the other hand I really liked hunters, not as a metroid game, but just as a really good FPS on the DS, with good online (and voice chat!) But as a metroid game it felt even less like one than the rest of the prime series.

Levi @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:44PM

I sorta dug Hunters too. It certainly wasn't perfect, but it was a good game, definitely. And it was an impressive feat, being the easiest portable FPS to control. It's easier to control than many console FPS's.

derickw69 @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:49PM

Levi @ Sep 23rd 2009 11:47PM

The apparent focus on third person gameplay is what has me excited for Other M, though I have to admit, my short experience with Ninja Gaiden Sigma could be described as "frustrating." I do hope it turns out good though.

Derek B @ Sep 24th 2009 12:34AM

We know by the other games that she didn't succeed but that wouldn't stop her from trying. Maybe they could have Ridley follow her back to the past and in destroying Ridely she is the destroyer of the Chozo. I would just like to see more than chozo ruins and chozo ghosts. It could open a whole new area of tech for Samus to use and interact with. Isn't Samus' suit tech Chozo? Perhaps because of her travel back through time the Chozo knew she would need it in the future. There are so many other ways in which the story lines could follow besides 'space pirates'.

Zetro @ Sep 24th 2009 1:26AM

"make up crap"? lol, what in my post was exactly made up? Like if i haven't seen the damn game. I'm referring to the original metroids > super metroid, non of this new blend stuff. All you did was post a bit of info, wow.

MRLN the Amazing @ Sep 24th 2009 11:49PM

@bm: Why do I always attract the idiots? Seriously, Prime 3 has bigger 'splosions and more real-time story (the scans were great ambiance and told a very good story, but didn't have the same epic degree as blowing up Phaaze), and then you go "FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEW." And backtracking != deep and non-linear.

In other news, it is late and I am bored, and nobody will ever read this. :D wheeeeeeEeEeEeEe...

Also, if you say the Prime games aren't Metroid-ey, then you're just full of hate and need to blow it off somewhere. Doesn't everyone complain about how series DON'T change? Then Metroid gets an amazing FPA game and everyone loves it and then looking back (best read in a whiny, nasally voice): "Hey, this sure isn't like Super Metroid! That game had super running and the super missiles were green! oh yeah its flat and the space pirates are just monsters."

Ok, that was so much fun I'm going to do homework.

bm @ Oct 2nd 2009 1:47PM

Oh god you're a fucking retard. Nice strawman there, idiot.

MP1 and 2 were great. MP3 and MPH ruined the series. Don't give me the "backtracking" bullshit, if you really play those games and can only think like that, then your inbred ass should stay away from this series in the first place, and go back to "Simplistic Linear Explosion Bullshit IX".

No in fact, just wait until someone invents a device that plays movies and has a button where each time you press it something explodes on screen, and you can go "YAAAY 'SPLOSIONS HURRR HURRR" with your drooling retard face.

MRLN @ Oct 2nd 2009 6:11PM

-_- why the hell did you even read this far back...?

I'd argue with you, but you seem more intent on throwing insults rather than giving an argument, so I won't. And they already have a game like that, it's called the Fart Button.

Nah, I will anyway. Metroid Prime 3 is not linear. They just inserted a new system that dramatically cuts back on it. Tell me you never got pissed at running through the Magmoor Caverns many many times to get to the Phendrana Drifts from the Tallon Overworld and back. I also wasn't talking about how it was better, I was saying it was more epic. Dumbass piece of shit, why don't you GTFO my interwebz and fuck a pig. (more slander! Whee!)