Shinya Takahashi, Nintendo’s development head, just announced that Retro Studios, maker of the original Metroid Prime series, is now developing the fourth instalment. Or, more accurately, restarting development from the beginning.
Metroid Prime 4 was announced back in June 2017. At that time, details were scant and only the logo was shown. Nintendo revealed that development was being led by Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe with a “talented new development team”.
However, according to Takahashi, the current development status of the game is “very challenged”. This is why Nintendo decided to have Tanabe work with Retro Studios on the game, rebooting development.
“It will be a long road until the next time we will be able to update you on the development progress and development time will be extensive,” said Takahashi.
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16 responses to “Retro Studios Is Now Developing Metroid Prime 4 For Nintendo Switch”
I won’t lie, I’m super disappointed. Just started replaying the trilogy in preparation for MP4, looks like the wait will be a bit longer. At the same time, Retro did the series perfectly and i’m excited to know it’s back in their hands, just means it’ll take some time. A million people have already said that Miyamoto quote about delayed games but it’s still true.
Would love to know what kind of issues went on with the game behind the scenes though, for a game to be scrapped entirely and moved to another development team… it must’ve been interesting times at Nintendo. A pity they didn’t give the property to Retro from the start like most people expected.
Yes it is disappointing, I am really looking forward to this too.
I would love to know the circumstances about this, I think it would make a great documentary.
Maybe Nintendo bit off more than they could chew with a first person game?
Maybe the Japanese Metroid team can pivot to making a new 2D game? That would be good.
On the plus side we likely now won’t get any unnecessary motion controls thrown in…
I like to think that the first dev cycle made a game that was too good, and melted people’s faces off like the Ark of the Covenant. That original build is probably locked away in a government warehouse now, waiting for power-hungry Nazi sympathisers to unleash it’s dark and terrible anathema to that which dwells in the light…
The other big question is, if Retro has the time and resources to make Metroid NOW, why couldn’t they commit a couple of years ago? What the hell has Retro been making since Tropical Freeze? And what’s happening to it now that they’re going ahead with Metroid?
So many questions.
Keep in mind Retro had very little to do with the Switch port of Tropical Freeze too, that was mostly handled by Monster Games.
I think he meant since the Wii U release, iirc they haven’t done anything since then?
They were supposedly working on a new project (that was not Metroid or DKC) but we haven’t heard anything about it really, so we don’t know what the status of it currently is.
So much this. Has their other project been sidelined? Scrapped? Is it finally finished?
And more importantly, WHAT ABOUT PIKMIN 4?
While this is mixed news (good that it’s with Retro, bad that it’s been significantly delayed) I’m wondering now what will happen to the project Retro was actually working on.
The most likely scenario is that it’s very close to completion.
Unannounced titled by major first party Nintendo studio, been in development for years, nearing completion so team pivots to Metroid Prime 4? No, the most likely scenario is it’s been cancelled or put on indefinite hold.
I’m leaning this way too. Surely they’d have shown it off by now.
You should be disappointed kritter5x in fact all you should be disappointed because when Metroid Prime 4 was revealed at E3 two years ago we were hoping that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be developed by BANDAI NAMCO.
But not this time Retro Studios the developer behind the Metroid Prime Trilogy series Donkey Kong Country Returns Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze and Mario Kart 7 will be starting from scratch.
As Shinya Takahashi said: It will be a long road until the next time we will be able to update you on the development progress and development time will be extensive.
While it’s disappointing to hear it has been delayed, I’m pretty pumped that Retro will be developing it again.
Pretty damning indictment on Namco Singapore (that was who was developing it right?). I can’t remember ever hearing an announcement like this from Nintendo before.
Sad to hear its delayed but I would rather a better full version of the game series I love, than some lousy unfinished beta version as everyone seems to do these days.
I respect them for coming out and saying this at least. Not something super common in this industry.