As a lifelong Metroid enthusiast who’s navigated through countless Zebes and Chozo ruins, I can confidently say that the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the beacon of hope that’s been guiding us fans through the long, arduous wait. And if rumors are true about it potentially being a Switch 2 launch title, well, let’s just say my thumbs might need a break from all that pre-order button mashing!
Metroid Prime will come back with a bang next year, bringing us Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a long-anticipated game that faced a significant delay in the past, making the wait especially tough for fans of this series. What makes it even more thrilling is the possibility that Metroid Prime 4 could be a launch title for the rumored Switch 2 console, although this is just speculation as there’s no official confirmation yet.
Nevertheless, it’s apparent that the Metroid series is set to make its mark on Nintendo’s future console lineup, as its impact expands beyond fans of the original games. The recent resurgence of interest in Metroid is evident not just from the excitement surrounding Metroid Prime 4, but also the success of Metroid Dread, a side-scroller launched in 2021 by MercurySteam, a studio recognized for Metroid: Samus Returns on the 3DS. Metroid Dread skillfully blends classic elements with contemporary polish, and its captivating portrayal of the franchise warrants continued development alongside Metroid Prime.
The Switch 2 Needs Metroid Dread 2
Metroid Prime Is Great, but 2D Metroid Has Room to Shine Too
Despite the significant appeal, ingenuity, and affection that Metroid Prime holds, the defining characteristic of the Metroid series has always been its connection to two-dimensional gaming. Often categorized as “Metroidvania,” the core aspects of exploration, puzzle-solving, and maneuvering are arguably more straightforward in two dimensions, as there’s less room for confusion when navigating the game world. While 3D may offer advantages in terms of atmosphere, immersion, and visual appeal, it significantly alters the overall gaming experience.
The coexistence of Metroid Prime with its 2D counterparts, like the original 2D Metroid games, demonstrates that it hasn’t replaced them entirely. Given the popularity of first-person, 3D games compared to side-scrolling Metroidvanias, there might be a temptation for Nintendo to focus primarily on Metroid Prime 4. However, disregarding the potential for further innovation and enhancement in 2D Metroid, as shown by Metroid Dread, could be a misstep.
Metroid Dread Is a Triumph, and MercurySteam Has Earned an Encore
Spectacularly visually stunning and intricately mechanical, Metroid Dread added depth to the series’ blueprint while polishing established aspects, such as the parry mechanic from Samus Returns. The seamless combination of Samus’ graceful movement and integrated combat skills is worthy of great acclaim, as MercurySteam skillfully combined controls, physics, and animation to produce one of the finest Metroidvania experiences in contemporary gaming—an achievement that stands out even in a post-Ori era.
While Metroid Dread is smaller in scope and variety compared to the visually rich and expansive Metroid Prime series, there’s a strong likelihood that Metroid Prime 4 could be a cross-generation game, leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the Switch’s upcoming hardware to showcase its stunning visuals. If Nintendo indeed chooses to release Metroid Prime 4 as a cross-gen title, it seems logical for them to follow it up with a sequel to Metroid Dread.
It’s logical that Metroid Dread could also debut alongside the hypothetical Switch 2, given its simultaneous release with the Nintendo Switch OLED. However, it might be pushing things a bit to expect such a timeline for the new console’s launch.
While it’s true that Metroid Dread isn’t overly taxing due to its side-scrolling format, which limits the amount of visual information it has to handle at any given time, this doesn’t mean that a future upgrade in hardware wouldn’t benefit a potential sequel. Enhanced processing power could enable larger environments and advanced visual effects like ray-tracing, which would perfectly complement Metroid‘s ominous ambiance. It’s undeniable that Metroid Dread was a major success, and it’s crucial to ensure its continuation on Nintendo’s next platform, alongside the more expansive Metroid Prime.
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2024-09-02 00:34