Rumor: Metroid Prime remaster/remake planned for 2022

[carlosfilho]

AFAIK, the Prime games have aged quite well and they still look great, so i'm still a little confused and disappointed with Nintendo's decision to just remake Prime 1 separately and maybe the other two games afterwards. But at the same time, Emily and Nate's indications that this project is much more ambitious than the previous one are very exciting.

 

[Kano]

Unless it's somehow a very ambitious remake that adds significant amount of content/is particularly impressive graphically, I can't get hype for a remake of Metroid Prime 1 only. It's still a good looking game and it feels like a downgrade to go from an entire trilogy on the Wii to individual releases.

I would rather have had a less good looking remaster of the trilogy than a full scale remake of individual games.

 

[TheDok]

Sounds great. I just hope Nintendo goes all the way and remasters Prime 2 and 3 as well. Prime 2 especially is better than Prime 1 in the eyes of a lot of hardcore fans, so would be great to see it remastered. Prime 3 would be interesting to see redone too with its cutscenes and Halo-style presentation.

 

[SlightlyMadGames]

I would really like a Metroid Prime Remake for the Nintendo Switch.

 

[GamerJM]

Timeline based on information I know.

2018
- Retro initially intended to remaster/remake the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy.
- But Nintendo hands Metroid Prime 4 to Retro Studios.
- Retro now has less time to work on trilogy, so they focus energy on finishing Prime 1.

2019
- Nintendo begins looking for external studios to provide additional help + assistance to Retro Studios.
- Original plan: Core work (engine, art assets) on Prime 1 could "potentially" lead into sequels: Prime 2 and 3. (Don't get your hopes up for this)
- Original plan: Prime Trilogy games would be developed and released sequentially. (Prime 1 would be developed and released first)

2020
- Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the entire game industry.
- Many game developers are now working from home.
- Everything has become more complicated.

2021
- Metroid Prime 1 finally wraps up development.
- Prime 1 remaster is a bit more ambitious than anticipated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- It's currently unknown whether Nintendo scrapped/cancelled future plans for remasters/remakes of Prime sequels.
- No journalist/insider seems able to get a clear, straight answer on Nintendo's plans for Prime 2 and Prime 3.
- An insider named Belmont (on Resetera) seems convinced plans for Prime 2 and 3 were scrapped. (Source)

2022
- It's Metroid Prime's 20th anniversary.
- Switch also turns five years old.

2023
- Metroid Prime 4 aims for a release this year.

I thought the report were that Retro was assisting with MP4 in 2018, and then development restarted in 2019 once it was decided that it would make more sense to just give the game fully over to them?

 

[SMD]

I'm legit surprised there's so much talk about a remake for Metroid Prime, not because I don't love it or think it's a classic but because of all the games you could bring to modern systems, it probably needs the least work to make it playable by modern standards.

I'd honestly take a straight up port with some enhancements if it guaranteed the whole trilogy but I'm fascinated to see what sort of changes and effort Nintendo/Retro have put into this. Really hope it comes next year too, it's been too long.

 

[HockeyBird]

I'm legit surprised there's so much talk about a remake for Metroid Prime, not because I don't love it or think it's a classic but because of all the games you could bring to modern systems, it probably needs the least work to make it playable by modern standards.

I'd honestly take a straight up port with some enhancements if it guaranteed the whole trilogy but I'm fascinated to see what sort of changes and effort Nintendo/Retro have put into this. Really hope it comes next year too, it's been too long.

I think because it has held up so well is a reason why they are doing a remaster/remake. There's a lot of less work you need to do get it modern standards. Just give it a fresh coat of paint and you're pretty much good to go.

 

[Sacul64]

No clue. I wish I had a good answer to give you.

At the end of the day, Retro Studios put a lot of work into it. In my opinion, the branding of "remake" or "remaster" doesn't matter.

Example: On Activision's website, they talk about Crash Bandicoot N'sane Trilogy being "fully-remastered". When obviously the game's assets and engine were re-made from top to bottom.

Honestly would have been happy with the Minimum for Prime so anything else extra is just icing. Welcome back!

 

[Gartooth]

Timeline based on information I know.

2018
- Retro initially intended to remaster/remake the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy.
- But Nintendo hands Metroid Prime 4 to Retro Studios.
- Retro now has less time to work on trilogy, so they focus energy on finishing Prime 1.

2019
- Nintendo begins looking for external studios to provide additional help + assistance to Retro Studios.
- Original plan: Core work (engine, art assets) on Prime 1 could "potentially" lead into sequels: Prime 2 and 3. (Don't get your hopes up for this)
- Original plan: Prime Trilogy games would be developed and released sequentially. (Prime 1 would be developed and released first)

2020
- Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the entire game industry.
- Many game developers are now working from home.
- Everything has become more complicated.

2021
- Metroid Prime 1 finally wraps up development.
- Prime 1 remaster is a bit more ambitious than anticipated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- It's currently unknown whether Nintendo scrapped/cancelled future plans for remasters/remakes of Prime sequels.
- No journalist/insider seems able to get a clear, straight answer on Nintendo's plans for Prime 2 and Prime 3.
- An insider named Belmont (on Resetera) seems convinced plans for Prime 2 and 3 were scrapped. (Source)

2022
- It's Metroid Prime's 20th anniversary.
- Switch also turns five years old.

2023
- Metroid Prime 4 aims for a release this year.

This is seriously awesome and helps set the story straight, thank you!!

One thing I still think about is why Nintendo didn't give Prime 4 to Retro from the start. Maybe their schedule was just busy if they were still working on that post-TF game at the time?

 

[Phendrift]

Timeline based on information I know.

2018
- Retro initially intended to remaster/remake the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy.
- But Nintendo hands Metroid Prime 4 to Retro Studios.
- Retro now has less time to work on trilogy, so they focus energy on finishing Prime 1.

2019
- Nintendo begins looking for external studios to provide additional help + assistance to Retro Studios.
- Original plan: Core work (engine, art assets) on Prime 1 could "potentially" lead into sequels: Prime 2 and 3. (Don't get your hopes up for this)
- Original plan: Prime Trilogy games would be developed and released sequentially. (Prime 1 would be developed and released first)

2020
- Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the entire game industry.
- Many game developers are now working from home.
- Everything has become more complicated.

2021
- Metroid Prime 1 finally wraps up development.
- Prime 1 remaster is a bit more ambitious than anticipated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- It's currently unknown whether Nintendo scrapped/cancelled future plans for remasters/remakes of Prime sequels.
- No journalist/insider seems able to get a clear, straight answer on Nintendo's plans for Prime 2 and Prime 3.
- An insider named Belmont (on Resetera) seems convinced plans for Prime 2 and 3 were scrapped. (Source)

2022
- It's Metroid Prime's 20th anniversary.
- Switch also turns five years old.

2023
- Metroid Prime 4 aims for a release this year.

Hmmm so the Prime project started in 2018…. That means still 3-4 years of Retro unaccounted for

 

[nenned]

I typically don't get very excited for remakes or remasters, but Metroid Prime is one of my favorite games of all time and would be all over a ground up remake by Retro Studios.

 

[Dark Cloud]

So nice having Emily here.

 

[Sander RX]

Metroid Prime is the only MP game I have finished, so the level of my interest is directly dependent on how much of a visual overhaul there is.

 

[frog]

Timeline based on information I know.

2018
- Retro initially intended to remaster/remake the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy.
- But Nintendo hands Metroid Prime 4 to Retro Studios.
- Retro now has less time to work on trilogy, so they focus energy on finishing Prime 1.

2019
- Nintendo begins looking for external studios to provide additional help + assistance to Retro Studios.
- Original plan: Core work (engine, art assets) on Prime 1 could "potentially" lead into sequels: Prime 2 and 3. (Don't get your hopes up for this)
- Original plan: Prime Trilogy games would be developed and released sequentially. (Prime 1 would be developed and released first)

2020
- Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the entire game industry.
- Many game developers are now working from home.
- Everything has become more complicated.

2021
- Metroid Prime 1 finally wraps up development.
- Prime 1 remaster is a bit more ambitious than anticipated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- It's currently unknown whether Nintendo scrapped/cancelled future plans for remasters/remakes of Prime sequels.
- No journalist/insider seems able to get a clear, straight answer on Nintendo's plans for Prime 2 and Prime 3.
- An insider named Belmont (on Resetera) seems convinced plans for Prime 2 and 3 were scrapped. (Source)

2022
- It's Metroid Prime's 20th anniversary.
- Switch also turns five years old.

2023
- Metroid Prime 4 aims for a release this year.

This illuminates the timing things for me quite a bit. Thanks for the breakdown! I'd like to know more about that alleged singing RPG Retro was working on after Tropical Freeze and before Metroid Prime remaster but sadly that story will probably never be told.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Hmmm so the Prime project started in 2018…. That means still 3-4 years of Retro unaccounted for

We’ll probably never know what the new game they worked on.

 

[Emily]

One thing I still think about is why Nintendo didn't give Prime 4 to Retro from the start. Maybe their schedule was just busy if they were still working on that post-TF game at the time?

Hmmm so the Prime project started in 2018…. That means still 3-4 years of Retro unaccounted for

Retro's new IP (post-DKC:TF) was aiming for release in 2017-2018. It was an ambitious project and David Wise was one of the music composers.

After five years of development, if a project isn't coming together, it's probably best to cut your losses and move on.

 

[Phendrift]

Retro's new IP (post-DKC:TF) was aiming for release in 2017-2018. It was an ambitious project and David Wise was one of the music composers.

After five years of development, if a project isn't coming together, it's probably best to cut your losses.

That’s a shame, would’ve loved to see them have a game ready for Switch launch. I wonder why it couldn’t come together

 

[Dark Cloud]

Some big people left Retro during the time period including Stephen Dupree and their writer. Crazy David Wise was also working on the game…

 

[Slash]

Retro's new IP (post-DKC:TF) was aiming for release in 2017-2018. It was an ambitious project and David Wise was one of the music composers.

After five years of development, if a project isn't coming together, it's probably best to cut your losses and move on.

Any idea what genre or type of game it was? Shame it never came to fruition. (Also, nice seeing you here on the new forum, Emily!)

 

[Sander RX]

I hope we will get to see that mysterious Retro project in the future via a leak or something.

It would be the best scenario for them to get back to it and thread the needle one day, but clearly something about it wasn't working out. Although, who knows, maybe it will get to share the good fortune of Metroid Dread if the stars align.

 

[Magic-Man]

Timeline based on information I know.

2018
- Retro initially intended to remaster/remake the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy.
- But Nintendo hands Metroid Prime 4 to Retro Studios.
- Retro now has less time to work on trilogy, so they focus energy on finishing Prime 1.

2019
- Nintendo begins looking for external studios to provide additional help + assistance to Retro Studios.
- Original plan: Core work (engine, art assets) on Prime 1 could "potentially" lead into sequels: Prime 2 and 3. (Don't get your hopes up for this)
- Original plan: Prime Trilogy games would be developed and released sequentially. (Prime 1 would be developed and released first)

2020
- Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the entire game industry.
- Many game developers are now working from home.
- Everything has become more complicated.

2021
- Metroid Prime 1 finally wraps up development.
- Prime 1 remaster is a bit more ambitious than anticipated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- It's currently unknown whether Nintendo scrapped/cancelled future plans for remasters/remakes of Prime sequels.
- No journalist/insider seems able to get a clear, straight answer on Nintendo's plans for Prime 2 and Prime 3.
- An insider named Belmont (on Resetera) seems convinced plans for Prime 2 and 3 were scrapped. (Source)

2022
- It's Metroid Prime's 20th anniversary.
- Switch also turns five years old.

2023
- Metroid Prime 4 aims for a release this year.

I finally got new rumors in my own thread? Hell yeah!

 

[Dark Cloud]

I wonder with Stephen Dupree back maybe they’ll take a second look at making the new IP or it’s just cancelled forever.

 

[sanstea]

I hope the game that Retro worked on gets leaked some time in the future. Really interested in the behind the scenes story.

 

[Raccoon]

I finally got new rumors in my own thread? Hell yeah!

congrats kid, you've really made it

 

[Method]

I wonder with Stephen Dupree back maybe they’ll take a second look at making the new IP or it’s just cancelled forever.

Will we ever get a look at Retro's Other Game™?

What's up Dark Cloud!

 

[carlosfilho]

Yeah, i also believe in a Prime 1 reveal at E3 for a September/October release, similar to Dread's marketing cycle.

 

[NateDrake]

As has been said, the game's development is complete. It still needs to go through QA and such before it will be ready for release, so there is still much to go through before the game is brought to market; but the game is well-beyond the state of being cancelled.

Expect an announcement in 2022 with release soon after for Metroid Prime Remaster.

In the meantime, focus on Metroid Dread and be excited for the Metroid series getting love on Switch.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Will we ever get a look at Retro's Other Game™?

What's up Dark Cloud!

Hey! Good to see you! One day we will see Retro’s Other Game.

 

[oracion]

As has been said, the game's development is complete. It still needs to go through QA and such before it will be ready for release, so there is still much to go through before the game is brought to market; but the game is well-beyond the state of being cancelled.

Expect an announcement in 2022 with release soon after for Metroid Prime Remaster.

In the meantime, focus on Metroid Dread and be excited for the Metroid series getting love on Switch.

Hey, can we hope that F-ZERO and Star Fox will be loved as much as Metroid in the future?

 

[byDoS]

Will we ever get a look at Retro's Other Game™?

What's up Dark Cloud!

Am I a bad person for wanting a gigaleak on that?

 

[Mr_No_U]

Can't wait!

 

[Skittzo]

Unless it's somehow a very ambitious remake that adds significant amount of content/is particularly impressive graphically, I can't get hype for a remake of Metroid Prime 1 only. It's still a good looking game and it feels like a downgrade to go from an entire trilogy on the Wii to individual releases.

I would rather have had a less good looking remaster of the trilogy than a full scale remake of individual games.

What if it's a 4k remake launching next holiday with the 4k Switch?

Spoiler

and yes I realize who I'm talking to

 

[Shoe]

Really excited to see what this looks like.

 

[CMM1215]

Thank you so much for the timeline and info Emily! Excited to see how they celebrate this game

 

[Deleted user]

If the remake of Metroid Prime is anything like the Skyward Sword Remake, I'll be there day 1.

 

[Dardan Sandiego]

Emily's account helps put this entire thing into context. I wasn't super enthused about a Metroid Prime remake only but knowing (more or less) what went on behind the scenes makes this outcome easier to accept. This is probably the best possible outcome after a series of unfortunate events (Retro's previous game being cancelled, Bandai Namco's MP4 being cancelled, global pandemic). I prefer Echoes to the first Prime but it's still a fantastic game and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Dark Cloud]

So one of the designers had a very ambitious idea to make Metroid Prime 3 open world. I wonder if this is a thought of theirs for Metroid Prime 4.

 

[Kano]

What if it's a 4k remake launching next holiday with the 4k Switch?

Spoiler

and yes I realize who I'm talking to

It's easier to believe it'll be packed in with Metroid Prime 4 and release next year than that to happen

 

[Mori Medinayo]

Thanks to Emily is the first time we have an idea of MP4 aiming release. 2023. And that's pretty compatible with it being crossgen. If the franchise increases in popularity thanks to Dread and Prime 1, it could perfectly be the main launch game.

Edit. It could be funny:
2021 first HD Metroid.
2023 first 4k Metroid.

 

[FrostyLemon]

It actually makes more sense to go all out with a remake rather than just rereleasing the trilogy once again. Actually looking forward to what this will look like.

 

[Legion of Primes]

Starting to think I should just dig out the Wii u and play the trilogy there

 

[night814]

It's a remaster that approaches remake territory -- essentially, they are redoing assets but the core may remain untouched.

As mentioned in the thread, Nintendo views it as a remaster. Ultimately, the terminology don't matter much. The project is ambitious & one Prime fans should be excited for come 2022.

I think in the case of Prime that's absolutely the best way to do it, it would really be terrible if they were to release a new version of Prime and something felt off about it like the platforming or shooting.

 

[sanstea]

I wonder if they will remake the OST as well.

 

[Magic-Man]

Phendrana Drifts, except for it looks like that snow kingdom from Mario Odyssey now

 

[MisterSpo]

It's a remaster that approaches remake territory -- essentially, they are redoing assets but the core may remain untouched.

As mentioned in the thread, Nintendo views it as a remaster. Ultimately, the terminology don't matter much. The project is ambitious & one Prime fans should be excited for come 2022.

It can't be stressed enough. Nintendo truly does love releasing remasters/remakes during anniversaries.

Anniversaries are one the easiest marketing templates.

• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definition Edition - Released during Xenoblade Chronicle 1's 10th anniversary.
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Released during Skyward Sword's 10th anniversary.
• Super Mario 3D All Stars - Released during Mario's 35th anniversary.
• Advance Wars 1 + 2 - Releasing during Advance War's 20th anniversary
• Pokemon Diamond & Pearl - Releasing during Pokemon's 25th anniversary (and Diamond & Pearl's 15th anniversary)

Plus, Metroid Prime wasn't just any game. It's one of the greatest games that Nintendo has ever created. It sits at 97% on Metacritic.

Prime 1 was Metroid's Ocarina of Time moment. It would be almost insulting if Nintendo didn't acknowledge Metroid Prime's anniversary in some way.

And who can forget all the times Metroid Prime been compared to Citizen Kane...

IGN - Citizen Kane: Is Metroid Prime Our Citizen Kane?
Kotaku - The Man Who Never Wanted To Make The 'Citizen Kane' for Games

So glad to see Nate and Emily - posting back to back no less!

This thread was a great read and a lot of information and suggestion that makes sense. E3 2022 could be huge for Metroid - first look at Prime 4 and a 2023 release window, with a reveal for Metroid Prime (HD? Definitive Edition?) and a launch in the second half of 2022.

Prime really is a special game.

 

[Dragoncaine]

I have Trilogy installed on my computer, but with this remake news, I'm definitely going to wait for that first and then play 2 and 3 on Dolphin. Beyond excited to get a first taste of FPS Metroid.

 

[Mkhashouf]

Something i learned in game dev is that you need to kill your baby when needed otherwise you'd just be wasting time working on something that won't even be as good as you imagined so I understand why Retro had to do it.

 

[NateDrake]

So glad to see Nate and Emily - posting back to back no less!

This thread was a great read and a lot of information and suggestion that makes sense. E3 2022 could be huge for Metroid - first look at Prime 4 and a 2023 release window, with a reveal for Metroid Prime (HD? Definitive Edition?) and a launch in the second half of 2022.

Prime really is a special game.

I'd refer to it as Metroid Prime Remaster for the time being. That sets the best bar of expectation.

 

[Gamecocks625]

Definitely great to see Nate and Emily here. Really appreciate y’all’s insights. Makes for lively discussion

 

[Josh5890]

I'd refer to it as Metroid Prime Remaster for the time being. That sets the best bar of expectation.

Until it is officially announced. I am going to simply call it Prime 1 HD. Way simpler for me