Metroid Database.com

SAMUS TO APPEAR IN N64 FIGHTING GAME!!!!

Yes, it's true, yes, it's confirmed, yes, it's for sure!!! Samus Aran will make her N64 debut as one of the playable characters in Nintendo's new fighting game, Nintendo All-Stars Dai-Rantou Smash Brothers. In fact, all of Nintendo's biggest stars will be entering the fray, including the Mario brothers, Donkey Kong, F-Zero's Blue Falcon, Link, Fox McCloud, and lots more. Smash Brothers, which will most likely undergo a title change for its US release, should be out in Japan early 1999. Go to the announcement at IGN64.com for the full scoop! Ya know what? It might be time for me to buy an N64.

--TJ

Sorry this is late and a bit untimely, but I figured it should at least be archived on the site. Nintendo has announced that they will be re-releasing a color version of Metroid II for the GameBoy Color. No word on an official release date yet. They've also said that they'll be re-releasing some old NES classics for GBC--I hope this includes the original Metroid!

In other news, Dan Owsen of nintendo.com's "Ask Dan" fame keeps making vague references to the possibility of an upcoming new Metroid game. Just last week he mentioned that he knew that we wanted one, "2D, 3D or otherwise." Whatever that means. But they do know that demand is there, so hopefully you're not all email bombing the big N about it.

--TJ

GAH! Craziness! In the course of a single week, suddenly the prospects of a Metroid 64 are looking up! An MDb visitor (I dunno if he wants his name disclosed so I'm withholding it) recently wrote the big N an email simply telling them that he'd love to see a Metroid 64... and believe it or not, they responded quite favorably indeedy!! Check out their response:

While a Metroid game for the N64 has not yet been officially announced, it's very likely one will be produced. Keep checking our website for the latest product information, announcements and updates. New information like game announcements and release dates is first posted there! There is an extensive amount of upcoming game and system information throughout the site. If a release date isn't listed in our pages, then it means the date isn't yet known.

...how 'bout that?? "very likely" is a heck of a lot better than what they usually write back-- something along the lines of "there are no plans at this time" or whatever. As I said in the last news bit (see August 7, below), I think that after Zelda is released, we Metroid maniacs should start being a bit more eagle-eyed in our examination of the latest game mags and videogame news websites--I have a hunch that some info is going to sneak out towards the end of this year or early next year. Perhaps the MDb will actually start getting exciting again! ^_^

--TJ

Good lord in heaven. Jump back. Strike up the friggin' band. Nintendo actually uttered the phrase "Metroid 64" in public! On the most recent "Ask Dan" column at www.nintendo.com, the following innocent yet slightly misinformed question sent the Metroid fans of the Internet into an utter frenzy:

Q: Dear Dan, Have you heard of something called the Year 2000 bug? There is a good site explaining it at http://www.htmlgoodies.com/year2000.html. I am very concerned about this problem. They say you should check everything that plugs into the wall for compliance with the year 2000. Witch brings me to the point, what about Nintendo products? Your loyal and concerned reader, [Name omitted]

A: First of all, how would your Nintendo 64 even know what year it is? Of course the Nintendo 64 Disk Drive does have a real-time clock in it, but I'm sure that the developers were aware of the Y2K bug as they were developing that system. In any event, the Y2K bug is really going to affect mainly machines that use the COBOL programming language, which the N64 assuredly does not. So don't worry about the N64, you should be able to blissfully continue playing Metroid 64 as the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 1999. That is, if your power company's computer systems are Y2K compliant! (Wait a minute -- did I say Metroid 64? That is just wishful thinking!)

...Whatever, Danny! I've been reading Nintendo's little hints and "propaganda," if you will (i.e., Nintendo Power), for over ten years now--I know when a name-drop is wishful thinking and when it's not. This sounds like a definite hint that Nintendo plans on releasing Metroid 64 by late 1999, possibly for the 64DD. Of course, Zelda: Ocarina was supposed to be for the 64DD as well, and we all know that it's a cartridge that's coming out on November 30 (a nice pretty gold one, but still, a cartridge). Anyways, Nintendo just doesn't let their employees say things like this if there isn't a hint of truth behind it. Perhaps since Zelda is near completion, they have to start drumming up a little hype for their next major title, or at least one that's down the road. Perhaps it's time for us Metroid junkies to start keeping our eyes peeled. Oh well. Now, DON'T take this as an official announcement from Nintendo that Metroid64DD will be released by late '99 or anything, please!! ...But it's a start! ^_^ Thanks to everyone who brought this to my attention--there were a lot of you--since I hardly ever go to nintendo.com myself!)

--TJ

Well, it's mentioned, at least...Shigeru Miyamoto held a press conference to show off the new Zelda game, and of course, someone asked the following question:

Q: Considering the fact that Nintendo is making sequels to its most successful games, are there any plans of a Metroid or Punch-Out for N64?

Miyamoto: I'm personally not involved in a Metroid sequel and I hope that there is some other developer who will make one. I just have no information about it. I'm sorry.

...so there ya have it. Nothing on the Metroid front yet. Sucks, dunnit?

--TJ