Rumour: Another 2D Metroid Has Begun Development

While I'm a diehard Metroid fan and seriously hope this is the case, I also really doubt it. Even if it was true, "the early stages of development" means we probably won't see anything about it for another, what, three years? Four years?

Yes please! 60fps (30fps 3DS Returns was very playable but I'll always prefer smoother 60fps) and on the Switch is all that I ask for.

@2CATteam 2d doesn't take nearly as long as Prime 4 will take. If they start development now we could see this as early as Feburary or March of next year.

I needs a 2d Metroid on my Switch please!

@2CATteam A 2D game shouldn't take that long to develop.

Yes please.

Considering the source is just a NeoGAF member, I don't know the chances of this being fully accurate, but I have few doubts that Nintendo isn't making a new 2D Metroid. It would be amazing if we could get a brand new, original 2D Metroid on Switch with HD graphics. Hoping we see something released in a few years down the road and that this rumored project comes to fruition as an original new game rather than another remake.

Samus Returns for Switch first please.

Metroid Dread, perhaps??

@2CATteam I'd imagine they could have this released in under two years. HD assets would slow production somewhat, but it's still a smaller project than another Prime game.

I'm not a fan of the graphical style of the recent DMG Metroid remake, so if there is a new 2D game, make it pixely; like it's running on something like the CPS3 arcade board, Nintendo.

I thought we were getting Legend of Zelda: Link Returns, next...

Fingers crossed that this is true.

Despite how much I enjoyed Samus Returns, it showed me just how hard it really is to surpass Super Metroid, if possible at all. Nothing in the series so far has come close to the level of eerie isolation and atmosphere of that game.

Feels like old times again, a 2d Metroid and a prime on the way just like Metroid Prime and Fusion on the GBA!

Added bonus of Samus returns ported to switch would be perfect as I misses out ☹

Hazaaah! More rumors!

Seriously though, I'll take this with a grain of salt. Samus Returns was fantastic and I think sales were hampered since it released so late on the 3DS when the Switch was the new big thing. Hopefully true, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

The last time we were given a Metroid rumor it turned out to be true. I’m not saying we should believe this one but maybe hold out for the possibility. It’s not unreasonable...

I'm always open to another 2D entry in my favorite franchise.

it would be amazing!! another classic 2D Metroid game (completely new, no remake) for Switch! ...just give me FF6 remake (in Octopus Traveler style), Golden Sun 4 and Chrono Break and i can happily die ...

@Averagewriter Metroid II had no atmosphere since everything you saw on the screen was just a couple of one-color pixels ...in case you were saying about the GB remaster, there only was a couple of few-color pixels, nothing outstanding ....no atmosphere at all in those old games

@Spectra Other M wasn't that bad. The story and Samus' characterization was mostly rubbish and the controls weren't perfect. I especially hated switching to the missiles during boss battles. But overall the gameplay was a lot of fun.

The graphics were very good for a Wii game as well. Also I have never played a game that transitions so smoothly between pre rendered cutscenes and in game graphics.

Hopefully it's one of these:

Metroid 5
Metroid Dread
Metroid: Federation Force 2 (in 2D that is ala The Mummy Demastered)
Super Metroid Remake
Metroid Prime Demake
Metroid: Other M2 (Yes I like Other M, screw the haters)
Metroid vs. Mega Man (Mega Man on a mission to exterminate all bosses in Metroid history including Ridley, Kraid, Diggernaut, Torizo, Phantoon, Samus Aran, Draygon, Mother Brain, Alpha Metroid, Spore Spawn, Gamma Metroid, Zeta Metroid, Serris, Metroid Prime, Zazabi, Dark Samus, Pikachu, Amorbis, Steamlord, Arachnus, Botwoon, Thardus, Crocomire, Yakuza, Omega Metroid, Ryu Hayabusa, Queen Metroid, the SA-X, and more)
Metroid RPG

Boom

Definitely have to applaud Nintendo’s effort on a franchise that has yet to make it big fiscally. It would be nice to have it be as big as Zelda and Mario.

No doubt this one is for Switch or at the very least for both 3DS and Switch.

Hope it's true I actually prefer the 2D metroid games.

Bet it’s just a Samus Returns port...

I would be very surprised if Samus Returns wasn't being worked on for the Switch. It just makes too much sense.

New games are always best but I also wouldn't mind a Samus Returns port. Probably the only way I'd get around to playing it because my 3DS is basically in retirement.

Yes please! And this could be sooner as the game engine is already built. Majoras Mask that Mother(brain)!

As this is listed under rumours then the headline should be a question rather than a statement.

I wouldn’t think it’s a port if it’s in ‘early development’. If it’s a port, then it’s quite late on in development.

I can completely believe it. Nintendo is commissioning games left; right and centre to maintain a decent cadence of releases.

Nintendo paid a load of work-for-hire developers a chunk of money to do Game jams recently, with Nintendo given the option to commission anything that came from them.

New Mega Metroid Gals confirmed.

Metroid Other M port to Switch

It’s kind of strange that MercurySteam aren’t mentioned. I would have assumed based on the cliffhanger in Metroid Returns that they would be going straight onto a Fusion remake/sequel.

I haven’t read the original NeoGAF post but I would have thought NintendoLife would have mentioned if it was the same developers. I seem to recall there was friction between Konami and MercurySteam so maybe Nintendo had similar issues and want a sequel but from someone else?

Still, I’m definitely excited for a new 2D Metroid!

This should be easy. Take what worked with Samus Returns, and make walljumping the same as it was in Zero Mission. Give it the openness of Super Metroid, and don't stress over potential sequence breaks.

If it’s anything, I’d put money on it being an HD version of Samus Returns for Switch. They could put the work in and still have it out relatively quickly, compared to developing a title from the ground up.

Hopefully a totally new one! By the way, I am not that hot on Samus Returns so far. I find it boring!

@invictus4000 I don't know what you're saying, Prime 1 and 2 surpassed that feeling. Even Fusion did.

I thought the sales of samus returns were pretty disappointing so a new 2D metroid game would be rather unlikely

I wasn't thrilled about how Samus Returns turned out, so I kinda hope it's a different team. At this point I'm starting to feel like nobody at Nintendo has a vision for the future of 2D Metroid.

I really liked Samus Returns but not sure how much I am dying for a follow up straight away. Just please don't remake Super Metroid!

so in two years we'll have a new... 3ds game? maybe it's the port of samus returns for switch.

Giving credit to a "rumor" just because some guy made a guess that something would happen and it did?

Here is another guess, Pokemon Switch wont be the last Pokemon game. Can you write an article about me in the near future? lol

Super Metroid Remaster Switch

It may have been a decade between the last two true 2D Metroid games, but in the middle of that period they did release Other M, which had a number of similarities to the older 2D titles, and could be considered an attempt to update the 2D style of game, making it only around 5 years between releases for this style of game... so it wouldn't be too out of place for another 2D Metroid to be in development so soon after the last one.

I would love to see some kind of collection with the first three entries redone. ON SWITCH, not on 3DS.

Samus Returns is a very close second to A Link Between Worlds for my favorite 3DS game of all-time. I love 2D Metroid, I'll take any they give us, just hope this one is on the Switch. Wouldn't mind Samus Returns getting the 'Deluxe' treatment for Switch as well. I still think Prime 4 is quite a ways off.

If it is true and they're indeed developing a new Metroid game (and I hope it is actually a NEW game, as opposed to a remake), I really hope it is for the Switch.

Metroid Prime 4 IS 2D. Who’d have thought it

All the excitement and it’s probably just a switch port of Samus Returns. Which I would love to have. But j don’t think it’s a new game quite yet.

@Hordak Sorry to say that but in fact Metroid Dread has already been released in the name of Metroid Prime Federation Force
No joke

I just hope that it's Metroid 5, please we need a sequel after all this time and after the teasing in Samus Returns

Hope they make a high res port of Metroid Returns. What an absolute waste to bring that game out on the obsolete 3DS. Unless they make a port, I'll never have the chance to play it.

I'm really wondering if it's a brand new one for Switch or another one for 3DS. Also wondering if Mercurysteam is involved

@Prizm Well, there IS a growing base for the 3DS thanks to Pokémon, so there has to be SOME games before making a full transition. I'm kind of disappointed too but at the same time, the 3DS is cheap and has great library, that feeling went away. If Nintendo can stall for that long while delivering some great games, I can live with that

Other M - Remastered.......😉

@TheMudHutDweller Eww. How about they not and say they did? I never want to go back to sprites after Samus Returns. NEVER.

Plot twist: Metroid Prime 4 is 2D...

@PlayedNSlayed I’d take a completely new game with Other M-like gameplay but more exploratory level design and a story that doesn’t suck.

Samus Returns wasn't a particulary good game so I don't really mind, unless they are working on something currently worth it.

Not a big fan with what MercurySteam did in Samus Returns.
30fps gameplay, cheap looking backdrops and garish, eye-shoring colours. Completely out of touch with the series.

I hope for real 2D art and a return to the darker form of Super Metroid.

A thousand times yes. Metroid 5 for Switch, please and thank you.

@Averagewriter That's true. But on the other hand most people seem to love Metriod Fusion and that was a lot more linear than Super Metroid as well.

I think the hate for Other M mostly comes from the awful writing.

The more metroid games the better

I just hope it's a new Metroid game. Nintendo seems to be on a 2D remake kick leaving the series to not be able to grow that much, Zelda got ALBW which was mostly a remake and we might be seeing Link's Awakening, Metroid has Samus Returns, I'm honestly surprised Nintendo isn't remaking all the old 2D marios.

Oh yes please Nintendo, give us a Samus Returns port on Switch as well while you're at it.

Only if it came to the Switch.

Port returns to switch!

I mean lets be honest it's probably Samus Returns HD for Switch.

@TurboTEF me no like 60fps much why not 45 ? Lol

@GraveLordXD I agree that Other M was very different from the other Metroid games and I can understand why a lot of fans didn't like it but it was still fun to play.

My main issue with Samus Returns was that some of the symbols that tell you which weapon to use were hard to tell apart. I also found it weird that several reviewers called it the best looking 3DS game of all time. I thought the graphics were kind of messy.

@invictus4000

Metroid Prime hasn't come even close? Really?

Biased, much?

I take all rumors from January to April with a grain of salt as this is the time when April Fools day jokes run rampant, getting the world hyped beyond reality. I'll just say that considering the reception of Samus Returns, my money would be on an HD remastering of Super Metroid. And as badass as I KNOW that would be for everyone, I'm more interested when (or if) Nintendo will ever do an original 2D story... That's ALL I ask for is a new 2D story AND game, but I guess that's too much for Nintendo to offer, so I'll continue to pine.

@Joeynator3000

Zelda: Link Returns?

If that's so then color me interested. I don't like 3D because they're either FPS, which I personally can't stand genre-wise. Or Other M, which is pure garbage and which I sadly can't get rid of.

I'd be intrigued in a non first person 3D Metroid too. Provided it has nothing to do with M.

Also, please give us another Kid Icarus Nintendo. And try to fix any obnoxious flaws.

And yes to whoever said Camelot needs to give us Golden Sun 4. Its my favorite rpg series.

@invictus4000 I Agree. Nintendo has lost the DARKNESS and the scare that Metroid 1 and Super Metroid offered.

Although Metroid Primes were good games, the lacked the sence of Fear and Darkness.

The Only games that succeeded bringing this kind of fear of isolation was Dead Space 1 and 2

Looking forward to more info, I love 2D metroid!

I certainly hope so. I am mesmerized by Samus returns, I have been playing at each night for about 20 to 30 minutes.

@zebes,

I totally agree! Ugly backdrops, and those colors...YUCK!!

@Tarvaax

"Eww. How about they not and say they did?"

What do you mean? I think most peeps are going to be able to differentiate between polygonal and pixelated graphics - especially if the game looks like it's running on pretty primitive (by today's standards) hardware like Capcom's CPS3 arcade board.

"I never want to go back to sprites after Samus Returns. NEVER."

So you've never played the subsequent games that were released on the Super Nintendo and GBA? You really should, as they poo on the DMG game in every department.

If you're referring to the remake, then I think you're being a tad silly; don't know if you've noticed, but gaming is going through something of a retro revival at the moment. There are plenty of modern games drawn in the retro style that look the bee's knees. It's fine if you prefer polygons over pixels, but some 2D games just look better in the pixelated style. Rockman and Metroid are just a few good examples, IMHO.

I hope it's for Switch this time!

An HD remake of Fusion would be good for me. I wish they could make a sequel to Fusion and push the story forward. The Prime games aren't even canon and don't add anything to main storyline.

Ask Mercury Steam and if they say “that’s bu******” we will know they are lying again.

Regardless of rumors, 2D Metroid will certainly return. I just hope they surprise us with an original game that takes the concepts of Super Metroid and expands upon them in a true sequel (as oppose to a Super Metroid remake, which is honestly the more likely option).

@TheMudHutDweller I disagree that they look better like that. Polygons, in the modern era, surpass pixels in visual representation. Retro revival is about selling nostalgia, not whether pixels look better than polygons. Nostalgia can sell some really subpar and ugly things, simply because childhood fun blinds critical visual analysis. I'll be the first to say SM64 looks and plays like trash in the modern era despite my love for that game. Thing is, TLoZ and SMB suffer similar lacklustre visuals and gameplay due to hardware limitations. Even Super Metroid looks pretty meh as of late. I suppose ALttP aged well visually though.

I hate to admit my lack of gamer cred, but I have never played a Metroid game. Ever. Oh the shame...

@2CATteam "Three years? Four years?"
Jesus christ, are you hoping for the Breath of the Wild of 2D Metroids or something? Not even most 3D games take that long.

@Tarvaax "Even Super Metroid looks pretty meh as of late. I suppose ALttP aged well visually though."
Did you seriously just say this looks meh
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/sciencetogod/media/bWVkaWFJZDo1NTc5NzQ3OQ==/?ref=
but this "aged well visually"?
https://gamefaqs.akamaized.net/screens/9/7/d/gfs_23204_2_1.jpg

Then again this is coming from the guy who thinks polygons look better than pixels.

@Tarvaax
"Polygons, in the modern era, surpass pixels in visual representation."

This is not a rule of thumb. It depends on the developer, the type of game and what they want to do with the visuals.

For Side Scrolling games, today's 2D animated vector graphics can look amazing:

-Rayman Legends
-Hollow Knight
-Sundered
-Cuphead
-Steamworld Dig 2
and the jaw dropping Ori and The Blind Forest (which in my opinion, features the best visuals of any 2D game to date and trumps a lot of "polygonal" games).

To ice the cake, they come with a performance advantage over polygons as well.

If indeed there is a new 2D Metroid in the works, I truly hope it features 2D vectors like the games above and not Samus Returns hideous 3D backdrops.

If they do, I hope it's true 2D, like the ones for the Game Boy Advanced, with better graphics, higher resolution, 1080p. I'm just a little burnt out, after 2 decades of having polygon games, they're just style to me. One not being better than the other. As opposed to one requiring more power and the other less.

Personally, only the first 2 games felt held back by the respective hardware limitations of their time and they’ve both been remade now.

Still, I would enjoy another Metroid game.

@Oblique

It's not about lack of tools and workers or being hard to do. Small indies are developing 2D platform games using Unity and various other engines. Hollow Knight has been done by a 2-3 person team and looks very, very good.

For big studios, it's about target audience and profitability. A 2D game is less likely to do sales in the order of millions to be considered profitable.
There are exceptions like Ubisoft and Rayman which is a kind of mascot for the company.

Nintendo on the other hand, has a long history of appealing 2D platform games. But these are already established IP's with their own audience, hence there is less risk.

I’d love a Metroid 5. Switch or 3DS, I don’t care. Just give me Metroid

i like a metriod X mega man crossover for switch and N3DS please

Please of all rumors let this one be true.

I hope it is a new game for Switch. I would certainly be happy with a port or remake, but I would prefer something new.

@countzero
And the idiotic authorization system

@Tempestryke The authorization system was sooo stupid. And totally unnecessary. No explanation at all would have been better than that. In Metroid Prime her suit was "damaged in an explosion" and in Super Metroid they didn't explain at all why you had to unlock all the skills again. And nobody cared.

I put that in the "horrible writing" category and mostly just ignored it. Although I have to admit that I rolled my eyes every time it came up in a cutscene.

Nice! - Still need to play Samus Returns - on my list. Hopefully this one is on Switch

@countzero

Which is why our girl Samus works best alone. Those other people just get in her way. I'm just going to pretend that Senior Officer, Sir Psycopath Adam planted a brain control chip on her or something.

@Oblique

OK.First of all, Nintendo don't have to hire or train any workers. They can completely outsource the development to an external independent team like they did with Samus Returns and the whole Metroid series long time ago.

The games I mentioned previously didn't take 10 years to make like Owlboy (dev was suffering from depression since childhood) and no, Child of Light didn't feature a 3D model to cut down costs (let's not be silly, 99% of the game is 2D) but to simply animate the hair of the main character. In fact if you did a bit of research, you'll find out that they developed technology especially for the character's hair movement so, there goes the "cut down costs" argument...

Of course a 3D side-scroller is still easier and cheaper to be made and some devs will choose this path down the road like with Bloodstained RotN (which is NOT a Castlevania game by the way). I didn't argue with this. But proper 2D art is still perfectly viable because small studios still do it brilliantly.

I'd rather have another 3D (non Prime) Metroid game on the Switch.