We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
WiiU

Retro Studios Might Work on Metroid Again, but Wants to Focus on One Project at a Time 

by Tom Malina - June 13, 2013, 3:20 pm EDT
Total comments: 24 Source: IGN, -, http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/06/13/e3-2013-nint...

The Metroid series could be revisited, but the studio does not feel it can make two big games at once.

Retro Studios has stated that it may return to the Metroid franchise after completing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, but claims that the team does not currently have the development bandwidth to work on two major titles at the same time.

Speaking to IGN, Retro president and CEO Michael Kelbaugh said: "We love Metroid Prime and we always will. It was a big part of our studio, the culture of the studio. The majority of that team is still at Retro." Kelbaugh went on to say "we might do another one someday. But we really enjoyed working with DK as well."

Kelbaugh revealed earlier this week that Retro chose to create a Donkey Kong Country game over a Metroid title because they felt that they had "unfinished business" with the big ape after developing Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii.

"We’re pretty much on one major project at a time. We do a game every two years or three years," Kelbaugh added. "Sometimes we’ll have a little bit of extra bandwidth to help out other entities at Nintendo. Do we have the bandwidth to do two major projects at once? I don’t think so. A big project and a little project at the same time, we can do that." 

As an aside, when quizzed on what direction the Metroid series might go in next, Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe hinted that Metroid Prime Hunters could be a source of influence.

"Basically I’m thinking of, not just Samus, but how we can expand the whole Samus universe," Tanabe said. "You remember Metroid Prime Hunters. I’m thinking about things like how we could make that go out further, with all these different bounty hunters as well."

Talkback

TheXenocideJune 13, 2013

Please please please please, retro!!! I want a new Metroid!

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterJune 13, 2013

Only if it's 3rd person. I say let 1st person Metroid take a generation break. Or integrate both seamlessly, using which ever style you want when you want. 

Ian SaneJune 13, 2013

I want to see what these guys can do with their own IP and they say "Don't worry.  We might go back to Metroid some day."  It's like we're not even speaking the same language.  This comment suggests that Retro and Nintendo don't get why there was some gnashing of teeth on the DKC reveal.

Frankly it doesn't matter to me if Retro works on Metroid or Donkey Kong.  My only beef with the new DK is that it's predictable and conservative.  I'm sure it will be good.  I'm just not interested in a Retro, or any dev of Nintendo's, that wants to stick to the same old thing the whole time.

KhushrenadaJune 13, 2013

Quote from: Ian

I want to see what these guys can do with their own IP and they say "Don't worry.  We might go back to Metroid some day."  It's like we're not even speaking the same language.  This comment suggests that Retro and Nintendo don't get why there was some gnashing of teeth on the DKC reveal.

The problem is too many people keep asking or hoping Retro will do a Metroid and don't seem to share your wish that they do something brand new. I've been surprised at how many comments there seem to be about people having hoped that Retro was going to announce a Metroid game.

And frankly, I'm starting to feel bad for Retro. I mean, look at all the headlines we've seen about them this week. DKC:TF IS the Retro game. They did have a choice between doing DK and Metroid. And now they have to assuage people that they may go back to Metroid while plainly telling them to stop hoping they have a second secret game in development with another team.

I mean, there has been a lot of good news so far about this game but they are just getting asked questions on everything but DKC:TF. It's probably one of the reasons that drive developers away from making exclusive games for Nintendo.

Mop it upJune 13, 2013

I think Retro's taken Metroid as far as they can go. Even although I was also one who wanted to see them work on something they're never done before, I'm still happy to see Donkey Kong over Metroid as it sounds like they had a lot of leftover ideas to try with it. Looking forward to seeing what those are.

MagicCow64June 13, 2013

The more I'm seeing of Tropical Freeze the more awesome it looks.

I think a lot of the disbelief that this is their only project (which I shared), was the notion that it would take the full studio to make a 2D platformer.

But DKCR was probably as good as it was because it had their full focus, and the sequel could be even better than that. Certainly the throwing mechanic would seem to open up a new level of secret complexity more akin to the original series.

EasyCureJune 13, 2013

Quote from: MagicCow64

The more I'm seeing of Tropical Freeze the more awesome it looks.

I think a lot of the disbelief that this is their only project (which I shared), was the notion that it would take the full studio to make a 2D platformer.

But DKCR was probably as good as it was because it had their full focus, and the sequel could be even better than that. Certainly the throwing mechanic would seem to open up a new level of secret complexity more akin to the original series.

If Tropical Freeze is to the Return series as Diddy's Kong Quest was to the original series, count me in. DKC2 was a beast of a game.

lukas85June 13, 2013

ok retro, i'll forgive you this time for breaking my heart, but, if the next game is not METROID i swear im done with you!


also making a metroid game in the 3rd generation of games for wiiU would make it even better, because retro will already have the experience of developing for wiiU and they can make a better game and squeeze all the power form the machine. wow, i'm actually a little less dissapointed now. ;D

Quote from: Caterkiller

I say let Metroid take a Star Fox break.

Fixed.

EasyCureJune 13, 2013

Quote from: lukas85

ok retro, i'll forgive you this time for breaking my heart, but, if the next game is not METROID i swear im done with you!


also making a metroid game in the 3rd generation of games for wiiU would make it even better, because retro will already have the experience of developing for wiiU and they can make a better game and squeeze all the power form the machine. wow, i'm actually a little less dissapointed now. ;D

I never really understood that mentality. What if they release a new IP and it's so stunning that it changes video games forever. It defines what a Wii U exclusive SHOULD be and not a single person after the games release will doubt that the Gamepad brings a unique experience to the table that couldn't be done with out it.

You'll still be done with them if that happens?

Capturinggod200June 14, 2013

Thanks alot other m whiners because you can't stand a Samus with emotions now we have to go back to manly looking and sounding emotionless robot Samus way to go ruin it for us who like to play Super Metroid type game in today's graphics.

nickmitchJune 14, 2013

Having given more time to think about it, I appreciate the direction they went in with Other M, but I still think they went a little far. Now that I'm replaying Super Metroid, I remember how terrifyingly alone I felt playing. It's glad to know that the heroine isn't some stoical, badass lone-wolf, but someone who can run along the gambit of emotions that the game itself invokes.

broodwarsJune 14, 2013

Well, I hope that Retro's happy making incredibly safe, no-way-this-should-take-3-years-to-develop 2D platformers any division of Nintendo could make.  Whatever the employees at Retro may think, I just don't see Nintendo giving them the time and budget to make a new IP or a big Metroid game several years into the Wii U's questionable life cycle, which (given Retro's ridiculous development cycles) means the game would probably be out by the last year of the Wii U.  Nintendo will want something "cheap" and "easy" (Nintendo's 2 favorite words) from Retro with a ridiculously high return on investment, which means another Donkey Kong Country game.

So settle in, folks: it looks like 4-5 more years of Retro being saddled with 2D Platformers. Set your expectations accordingly.*

*Yeah, I like 2D platformers, too, but just about any division of Nintendo can (and have) churn one of those out. Retro is arguably Nintendo's best studio, and one of the few with actual ambition to put more into a game than absolutely necessary. They can do better than simply making sequels to old Rare SNES platformers.

AnGerJune 14, 2013

As much as I love both Metroid and Donkey Kong (heck, these might even be the two Nintendo franchises I adore the most), I think Retro should stop working on them and create something new. They have the power and the will to do that.

As for Metroid, I'd really like to see another 2D-sidescrolling-game come out of it – on the 3DS. Epic Mickey, Mighty Switch Force and probably the new Shantae prove that 2D sprites and backgrounds work extremely well with the 3D effect and I'd go for that game day fucking one.

ThePermJune 14, 2013

I laugh when I hear people say we've taken "metroid" or "f-zero" as far as they can go.  Especially given they are sci-fi and there are no limits. I think Metroid needs a total reboot though. No carry over from previous plotlines.  An alternate universe where they can do whatever they want. Plot doesn't even have to be the driving factor of the game.

AdrockJune 14, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

*Yeah, I like 2D platformers, too, but just about any division of Nintendo can (and have) churn one of those out.

Any team at Nintendo can make a 2D platformer, but most likely not as good as Retro Studios can. I barely consider their Donkey Kong games to be sequels to Rare's games because Returns shits all over the old DKC games.

I don't think it's fair to call the game safe and not ambitious based on E3 demos. I've already seen things that weren't in Returns.

Ian SaneJune 14, 2013

I think part of the problem is that Metroid, despite lukewarm Japanese sales, is a BIG deal.  Like it may not have widespread commercial appeal but it is widely regarded as one of the best game series of all time.  It's pretty much as well regarded as Zelda.

Donkey Kong, meanwhile, is not even NINTENDO'S best platform series.  A world without Donkey Kong doesn't really mean squat because he's basically the B-game to Mario.  DK does not have the dedicated and vocal fanbase that Metroid has.

And then the timing isn't so hot.  The Wii U has an abundance of platformers.  Tropical Freeze is coming out a year after NSMB U and in the same year as the Luigi DLC and a mere month before Super Mario 3D World.  Wii U owners are not starving for the type of gameplay that DKC provides.  Meanwhile Metroid's most recent title was potentially series-ruining and the franchise needs to bounce back in a big way with its next game.  There is fear the Team Ninja and Sakamoto will work on the next one and continue to run the series into the ground or that Nintendo will just abandon Metroid outright.  If Retro was working on Metroid then fans could relax and know that Metroid will bounce back.  Tropical Freeze is redundant.  DK didn't need a new game yet and the Wii U sure as hell didn't need a 2D platformer.

I'm more interested in a new IP but now that I think about it I can really see the perspective of those that wanted a new Metroid.

CericJune 14, 2013

I put Metroid in the same place as the Dodge Viper.  You don't sell very many of them but, man do you get some advertising from it.

gamewizard65June 15, 2013

Sorry, but the last game I want to see Retro, Nintendo or any other developer make is another Metroid game. In a 7 year period we had 4 Metroid games developed for Nintendo's consoles. Waay too many.

DKC:TF is only the 2nd DKC game in the last 3 years. Also, DKCR sold more games than the 3 Prime games added together. So, it just makes sense that Retro developed another DKC game.

Even though there are many Metroid fans, there is really not enough of them to justify developing another Metroid game right away.

I'm waay more happy we are getting another DKC game. Now, as far as what Retro develops next, I would rather have them work on anything but another Metroid game. Actually, I would love to see them develop a Mario game that graphically knocks our socks off. So far on the Wii U I have not been overly happy with Nintendo's own offerings,esp from a graphical viewpoint. It just seems like Nintendo is not taking advantage of the Wii U's power.

TJ SpykeJune 15, 2013

4 games? Only if you count Metroid Prime Trilogy as one. And the other 3 games are all different enough. We also haven't had a entry since 2010.

And yes DKCR sold well, but all 3 Prime games sold over 1 million each.

KhushrenadaJune 15, 2013

Quote from: TJ

4 games? Only if you count Metroid Prime Trilogy as one. And the other 3 games are all different enough. We also haven't had a entry since 2010.

And yes DKCR sold well, but all 3 Prime games sold over 1 million each.

Well, his math may be off by a few months. If you go from the release date of Metroid Prime to release date of Metroid: Other M, it is around 7 years and nine months. Still there are 4 Metroid games released. Even more if you look at all offerings in that 8 year timespan. There has been Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Metroid Prime Pinball, Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, Metroid Prime Trilogy, and Metroid: Other M.

The point still stands that there has been a greater number of Metroid games released than Donkey Kong Country games in that same amount of time.

I don't blame Nintendo for wanting to take a break from Metroid after really oversaturating them over the course of the last decade. You've just gotta hope they do come back to it and it doesn't turn into another Star Fox or F-Zero.

ThePermJune 16, 2013

If I were Nintendo I would find a well renound team that has made FPS games(yes FPS games) and put them on it, with obvious quality control oversite. I'd put id on it if I could, which I'm sure some would hate.

StogiJune 17, 2013

Has anyone actually seen the levels? They look fantastic.

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement