Metroid Database.com

The latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine contains two new screenshots from Metroid Prime -- one of which is Samus in ball form from a third-person perspective. The other shot shows the first-person view through Samus' visor, which looks considerably different -- and better -- than the last time we saw it in the Spaceworld footage. It would appear that the reports of a combination of first- and third-person gameplay for Prime are true. Personally, I'm still hoping for optional all-third-person gameplay, but we'll undoubtedly learn more as it happens. If you haven't picked up a copy of the current NP, IGN has the images scanned as well so you can catch a glimpse there.

--TJ

Just two weeks after its Japanese release, gamers in North America can get their mitts on Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Gamecube. As we all know by now (heck, just read it a few paragraphs below), this is the sequel to 1999's N64 hit Super Smash Bros. and it includes our beloved Samus Aran as a playable character. And the good news is, despite rumors and "confirmations" to the contrary, the sound effects have NOT been changed from the Japanese version.

Of particular noteworthiness to Metroid fanatics: there are two different Zebes levels, one in Brinstar and a secret one in Kraid's Hideout, complete with an enormous Kraid; trophies can be earned including at least two Samus Arans, a Metroid, Kraid, Ridley, a Chozo statue, Samus' starship, and possibly more; the Adventure mode includes a Zebes-escape sequence, complete with planetary explosion, and more. And it's not just Samus receiving that much attention -- every character is represented equally well. It's like 20 years of Nintendo history all packed into one big blast of a game! Metroid fans, Mario fans, Zelda fans and all other Nintendo fans have plenty to make 'em smile in SSBM, so geez, go pick yourself up a copy already.

--TJ

Smash Bros. DX, known in the US as Super Smash Bros. Melee, was released in Japan this week for the Nintendo Gamecube. Smash Bros. DX is of course the sequel to the Nintendo 64 game Nintendo All-Star Dai Rantou Smash Bros., a fighting game featuring all of Nintendo's top mascots such as Samus Aran, Mario, Kirby, Link, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, and many more. The new Gamecube title has lots of new characters joining in the fray as well as new secrets, bonuses and hidden surprises. The game is scheduled for release in the US in early December.

--TJ

To cap off what could have very well been the biggest onslaught of major releases in one week in videogame history, Nintendo officially launched the Gamecube console today, November 18, 2001. The release of the GC comes just three days after Microsoft's launching of their Xbox game console and four days after Konami's release of what is probably the most highly-anticipated PlayStation 2 title to date, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Talk about a huge week for videogamers!

Six titles are available for the Cube's release, with only two of them -- Luigi's Mansion and Wave Race Blue Storm -- from Nintendo themselves. However, these will be followed fairly quickly by the early December release of Nintendo's Pikmin and Super Smash Brothers Melee -- and I don't think I need to remind you Metroid fans that SSBM will be our first chance to see what Samus Aran can do on the new system!

Enjoy your new Gamecubes, everyone!

--TJ

In an e-mail to the Metroid Database, videogame composer Tommy Tallarico told us that his studios did do around 100 sound effects for the upcoming Metroid Prime. After some internal rearrangements at Retro Studios, that job has since been taken over by Retro's in-house development team; however, Tallarico remains "on-call" in case he's needed for anything else on the project. He mentioned nothing about being involved with Metroid Prime's musical soundtrack, so I'm not sure if he's actually doing that or not.

--TJ

IGN reported a little bit of information on what to expect from the 'look' of Metroid Prime. According to them, the player will see exactly what Samus sees through the visor of her helmet, including all the little digital readouts that would be built into her gear such as energy and weapon gauges. The player will also experience such effects as reflections and environmental changes as if he/she were wearing the famous armor.

Also included in the short article is some impressive-sounding copy about the graphics and a piece of conceptual art of an enemy direct from Retro.

(On a personal note, I'd say that's neat, but how's the game play? I'm more interested in how we'll control Samus' jumping when we can't see her feet or their spatial relationship to floating platforms.)

Read IGN's story and see their mockup of an MP in-game screen here.

--TJ

Nintendo Co., Ltd.'s official Super Smash Brothers Melee site has been enjoying occasional updates of information on the upcoming Gamecube title. Today they added a profile of Samus Aran, with some screenshots that look absolutely hot!! NCL's 3D Samus model looks a little more "classic" than the one we've seen from Retro Studios, and the action shots they show are extremely cool.

Take a look at the official SSBM site here

Image blatantly stolen from NCL's SSBM site. Sorry...! =P

--TJ

E3 could very well have been called "S3" for Metroid fans -- the amazing Nintendo area showed us that Samus Aran will be returning in no less than THREE new games for the two upcoming new Nintendo systems: Metroid IV for the Game Boy Advance and Metroid Prime and Super Smash Brothers Melee for the Gamecube. Sure, the info leaked a few days early, but finally it came straight from Nintendo to the rabid Metroid-loving public.

Unfortunately, footage of Metroid Prime was not so easy to come by for the average E3 attendee, but Metroid IV was shown on video and SSBM was playable. How does the future look for Metroid fans? Your MDb webmonster TJ was at the show and I will give you my own opinions, without having looked at any other news sites' E3 coverage first. Read through my thoughts and check out a few photos I took myself. As far as I'm concerned, the seven-year wait may very well be worth it.
>> More...

--TJ

Ken Lobb at Nintendo of America has indeed not only confirmed that there WILL be a Metroid game for the GameBoy Advance (which went on sale March 21 in Japan, and will be released in America on June 11), but it will NOT be a remake of Metroid 1, 2 or 3 -- it will be an entirely new Metroid game! We don't yet know who will be developing the title, but being on the GBA, I think it's safe to say that we will be getting a fourth 2D scrolling adventure, which ought to make Metroid otaku very happy campers. Of course, no release date has been mentioned, but we're sure to find out more at E3 in May. More news as it's announced. Read up on the GBA's future and the so-called "Metroid Advance" (not necessarily the actual title) at the following links:
    IGN
    Nintendo
Part of me wants to say "it's about friggin' time," but the other part of me just wants to heave a sigh of relief and say "Thanks, Nintendo." So since I can't make up my mind, I'll say "Thanks, Nintendo -- it's about friggin' time!"

--TJ

NCL has announced that a number of Super Famicom/SNES classics will be released on GameBoy Advance, among them, Super Metroid! Read the short scoop at IGN here.

--TJ

According to the latest news from IGN, Metroid 4 will not exactly be a first-person shooter ala Quake or Half-Life, but rather a first-person adventure with the possibility of third-person views for situations that call for it. Read the latest gossip at IGN here. The MDb still doesn't know who to trust, as I have also had some minor contact with someone at NOA who basically said to just wait and see. In all likelihood, E3 in May will be the first time we get any solid news.

--TJ

In other news, Retro has laid off a number of employees as of February 15, 2001. CLICK HERE for the full story at Daily Radar. What does this mean for Retro and the games it currently has in development? Nintendo? Gamecube? Metroid?

--TJ

Several sites have reported that Nintendo Europe has confirmed the upcoming release of a Metroid game on Nintendo's forthcoming new handheld game console, GameBoy Advance. Naturally, Nintendo of America is denying it, so as usual, we all await further news.

--TJ

HUGE THANKS to MDb visitor Justin Anderson for sending along this link to Figures.com. JoyRide Studios, a "Racing Champions" company, is producing a line of videogame character action figures, which will include the first-ever official Samus Aran figure. The photos provided look somewhat prototypical (the sculpt could use a little tweaking and it definitely needs a paintjob and detailing), but we can't wait to see the final product.

>>Click here for the page on Figures.com showing the Samus figure from their Toy Fair 2002 report.

--TJ

As they tend to do from time to time, Electronic Gaming Monthly has published their "Top 100 Games of All Time" list in the January 2002 issue of the magazine, and topping the list at numero uno is none other than Super Metroid. It should be noted that the list contained strictly home videogames (although several home versions of arcade games made the list, including emulated versions such as R-Type from the R-Types PSX disc), and did not include any pre-NES titles and few, if any, games released in the last 6 months. Although there were sidebars included in the story for "5 Best Arcade Games Ever" and "5 Most Influential Games Ever," EGM's picks in those two categories were, shall we say, puzzling at the very least. (Daytona USA the second best arcade game ever?? Tony Hawk's Pro Skater one of the most influential games ever?! (Sorry kids, but you're hopped up on the goofballs.)

So, despite the fact that some of their other picks leave me wondering how valid the whole list is, EGM picked Super Metroid above 99 other titles, and it's always nice to see our girl get her deserved praise. Incidentally, the original Metroid ranked in at number 69 and Super Smash Bros. showed up at 93, but Metroid II did not make the list.

--TJ