One of Switch’s Best Games Seems to be Disappearing from Stores

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One of Switch's Best Games Seems to be Disappearing from Stores

Key Takeaways

  • Metroid Dread vanished from major retailers like GameStop for reasons unknown.
  • Digital copies of the game remain available, but physical copies are scarce.
  • Fans speculate Nintendo may have printed fewer copies due to lack of demand compared to other franchises.

As a dedicated fan who has been following the Metroid series since the days of the NES, this recent turn of events with Metroid Dread leaves me scratching my head. I remember queuing for hours to get my hands on the original games back then, and now it seems that the latest addition to the franchise might be disappearing from store shelves just months after its release!

It appears that copies of the game “Metroid Dread” have been mysteriously vanishing from various stores. This is quite unusual for Nintendo Switch games since many of them are over seven years old and yet still being sold at their original price in several retail outlets. The fact that “Metroid Dread” was just released in October 2021 makes this news even more surprising.

Previously, Nintendo announced that “Metroid Dread” stands as the highest-selling game in the entire series. Given its availability on the Switch and its development that builds upon the formula that made the franchise famous, fans have been lavishing it with acclaim and enthusiasm. This latest entry has proven to be a valuable addition to the collection, but recent revelations have sparked unease about its current standing within the series.

On Twitter, Nintendeal mentioned that it appears Metroid Dread has been taken off the shelves at GameStop, Best Buy, and Target. However, it can still be found at Walmart, albeit for a higher price of $49.95. Many theories have circulated regarding this, with some suggesting that the game might not have met Nintendo’s anticipated sales goals. Despite breaking franchise sales records, it could be lagging behind other intellectual properties in terms of sales.

The Probable Reason for Metroid Dread’s Disappearance From Various Storefronts

Previous studies have highlighted the top 10 bestselling Nintendo Switch games, and these predominantly feature titles like Mario, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Smash Bros. Given that other franchises often dominate these charts, some fans have speculated that Nintendo might have produced fewer copies of Metroid Dread and prioritized the more popular Switch games instead. It seems that many of the available copies on the market are second-hand. However, an important point to consider is that only the physical version of the game is hard to find; digital versions are still readily available online for those who prefer to buy digitally.

Even with this new development, dedicated Metroid enthusiasts are pondering how it might influence the upcoming side-scrolling Metroid adventure. Although Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to release at some point down the line, many fans remain hopeful for a fresh installment following the traditional Metroidvania gameplay. Metroid Prime, distinctly, offers first-person shooter mechanics. The only recent games adhering to the classic Metroidvania structure are Metroid Dread and Metroid: Samus Returns, which is a remake of Metroid 2. Here’s hoping Nintendo continues its support for the franchise by creating additional games in this style.

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2024-10-10 04:53