Metroid Database.com

First, an announcement: First 4 Figures' Zero Suit Samus statue has been finalized. There are two versions of this figure, the first a basic statue in a print run of 2500 and the second a limited edition version with a lighted stand to produce neat lighting effects, limited to a print run of 250.

The basic model runs for $110, the limited edition at $135. Not sure how long those will last, but the Gravity Suit has sold out. We've already had some comments about it on the board, and some like it, some don't. It's scheduled to come out "Q3-2008" though considering their track record, I'm going to go ona whim and say you might get yours in January if you're lucky. If you happen to stop by the Nintendo Store in New York City, they often have F4F models on display in the main lobby.

Next we have a compilation of rumors. We've already mentioned the state of Metroid Dread before (see the 09/26/07 article), and there has been no new word on it, so it remains just rumor and speculation, so here are a couple other rumors that you may not have heard about.

The first rumor has it that Retro Studios is interested in updating Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2 for the Wii using Prime 3's acclaimed Wiimote controls. This is certainly likely, considering there had been a rumor before the Wii launched that old Gamecube games would be updated for the Wii as budget titles. At the same time, it is highly unlikely that any other significant changes will be made to the games (you should not expect to find updated graphics, for instance, though it's possible the audio might be remastered at a higher quality), though we can only hope that Retro will clear up the discrepancies between the US and EU/JP/AU versions of Metroid Prime's narrative, which have caused so much confusion and frustration among fans.

The second rumor regards the Metroid Movie. Back in 2004, it was reported that John Woo had bought the rights to the film, but there's been no news since. Well, actually there was a little piece of rumor back in April that turned out to be a hoax. Some Swedish dude had posted on his blog what is a doctored pic of Samus said to be from a poster for the film.

Destructoid's statement fits this best: "Shady grainy photo is shady and grainy." Not to mention stolen and Photoshopped from a deviantART gallery. IMDB doesn't even have a listing anymore, so I'd say the film's existence is nebulous at best.

In short, these rumors are for the time being just rumors and wishful thinking. Anything official regarding Metroid will surface at some future conference (E3 is July 15-17; Leipzig's Games Convention in late August (at roughly same times as the Democratic National Convetion); E for All October 5-8; Tokyo Games Show in October 9-12; and the Penny Arcade Expo in late October). My guess is any new Metroid announcements would happen at E3 or TGS, so mark your calendars!

Until next time...
Captain Commando