Metroid Database.com

From the desolate front of Metroid-related news comes this nice little tidbit, brought to our attention by SubZero in the Message Board.

Several months ago, the Big N confirmed that they would indeed be releasing enhanced versions of two GameCube classics; notably, Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes for the Wii. These will be coming as part of the New Play Control! series. Each would be essentially the same game as its original, but with Metroid Prime 3 style Wiimote controls.

Well, now there are two official Japanese TV commercials which each offer a glimpse of what we can expect. It appears that each remade title will be released separately, as this preview only showed Metroid Prime. It demonstrates the Prime 3 style controls (including the new addition of the Wiimote-flick Jump Ball ability). While the graphics and gameplay appear to be unchanged, only time will tell what other enhancements these rereleases might bring to the table. It may end up being nothing more than a chance for Wii owners to see what they may have been missing, but I for one wouldn't mind putting my Prime 1 and 2 discs permanently on the shelf just to have the buttery-smooth Wiimote controls from Prime 3!

In Japan it will be released on the 19th of February. As for the rest of the world, there's not yet a solid release date, but it should be safe to assume that these will be hitting store shelves worldwide some time this year.

Metroid Prime Wii TV Spots:

• http://www.gametrailers.com/player/45104.html
• http://www.gametrailers.com/player/45113.html

-Jesse D