5 Ways Nintendo Can Bring Metroid Back to 2D
 
Some established franchises just feel more natural in 2D. Â Even though I love the Metroid Prime series, Â I still long for the polished 2D gameplay of the earlier installments. Â Just for fun, I wanted to think about five different projects or ideas that would suit Nintendo just fine in filling the 2D drought that we have experienced since the GBA Metroids. Â If you have more ideas, I’d love to hear them
Metroid II Remake
Typically, the Gameboy platforms only received stripped-down ports or adaptations of games that appeared on the full home consoles. So looking back, it is a bit of a surprise the Nintendo released a full sequel to such a popular franchise as Metroid. I’m also very surprised that Nintendo never even released a remake of Metroid II on the Gameboy Advance in the fashion of Metroid: Zero Mission.  Since Nintendo never got around to revisiting part II, DoctorM64 has been working on his our remake of the game. His blog not only enough to get your drooling, but it’s an interesting read from a game development standpoint. If Nintendo doesn’t have the initiative to take on this project themselves, they should at least hire DoctorM64 to do it for them.
Metroid: SR388
Another very compelling fan-developer project comes in the form of Metroid: SR388. Instead of re-creating an existing Metroid game, SR388 aims to be a completely original game that uses sprites and other graphics from Super Metroid and adds new weapons, special moves, and enemies. The videos that have been released for this project have been nothing short of stunning and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here. And much like my thoughts on the Metroid II project, Nintendo would be smart to embrace a fan project instead of sending cease and desist orders.
Super Metroid HD Remix
I’m really looking forward to the release of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD with hopes that it will be successful and start a trend of retro HD remakes, including some from Nintendo.  (I realize the Wii as it stands right now is only capable of 480p, but I am willing to accept lower resolutions as well) I think Super Metroid would be one of the best games for Nintendo to re-master first, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. The beautiful mockup above from Alchemist Defined (the artist behind the Sonic 2 HD mockup) should serve as some nice inspiration.
Metroid Dread
Supposedly, Nintendo had a fresh 2D Metroid game in development for the DS as a follow-up to Metroid Fusion. It was reportedly canceled, but very few people know for sure if Metroid Dread was ever really in development.  Whatever the truth holds, it doesn’t change the fact that Metroid fans were anticipating it. If Nintendo had Dread in the works, they should consider revisiting it. If not, they should still think about keeping portable Metroid games in 2D instead of going the Metroid Prime route on the DS.
Classic Metroid DS Compilation
Even if Nintendo doesn’t take the initiative to release a brand new or overhauled Metroid game, the very least they could do is release a nice compilation of their past 2D Metroid games for the DS.  Having the original Metroid (and maybe the Zero Mission Remake), Metroid II, Super Metroid, and Metroid Fusion on one tiny cartridge would sell very easily at the $35 price range. To me this seems like easy money for Nintendo and a dream come true for many Nintendo fans.Â
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network or Amazon Associates.
the mind boggles at why nintendo stoped bringing out 2d handhend metroids, the castlevania games are obviously doing well enough and metroid popularity thanks to the prime games is at its peak!
Who knows, maybe their is already one being worked on behind the scenes, with how hugely popular the ds has been its hard to imagine that nintendo are simply ignoring a classic franchise
Well Metroid Dread was supposed to be that one…
It also didn’t seem like Metroid Prime Hunters did as well on the DS as they were expecting…
Paper Metroid would also be an interesting idea(and Nintendo would likely do that before an HD version of any game).
lol — Paper Metroid.
That would be very cool — especially if they had a lot of fan service in there
nintendo can bring back any stupid character from past (let alone metroid), cause of the unconditional loyalty from its fans
First news of a remake and a small taste of what might be the best game on the Genesis, and now the same thing with what might be the best game on SNES? Yowzers!
Project SR388 sparked my interest; I’ll be sure to keep track. I do hope this becomes a popular trend, but… would it be a hit? Sure, there’ll be plenty of gamers who will jump on it – but if I were to ask anyone in my area who plays games, and most people in England, chances are the majority wouldn’t bother; seeing as they have their ‘superior’ 3D realistic worlds to roam around in.
I’m often asked “Why do you play [retro game or console] when you’ve got a [new console]?”
Still, while it may not reach the heights of games like Call of Duty 4 or Halo that appeals to the majority of modern gamers, Metroid still has a huge fanbase among retro gamers.
ORB,
Never call Samus stupid. =_=
See you next time.
Correction: Small taste of what might be the best game on the Genesis in HD.
> nintendo can bring back any stupid character from past (let alone metroid), cause of the unconditional loyalty from its fans
There is no ‘character’ called ‘metroid’. The only thing worse than unconditional loyalty is ignorance.
Thanks for bringing these to my attention RB. I think that we will find out the validity of Metroid Dread this E3 because I doubt that they’d drag it on longer than that.
It’s even less likely that we’ll see a compilation, easily. Nintendo never (or barely ever) do compilations, they have a similiar mindset to Square Enix. Why put them all together when we can force consumers to buy them all seperately and make them pay more? As cool as it would be, I have my doubts.
I love the etroid series, but I can’t stand the 1st person gaming. I would rather have it come back to the 2D format. Fusion seriously rocked. Why they never put that on a console I don’t understand… But if they never use 2D they should try something new like the 3rd person like Grand Theft, Mario, and Zelda have done!!! (Istill would rather see 2D though)
I know I have no place, what so ever for making this segestion. But I feel that if by any chance Nitendo do release a remake of metroid II. They should have a very clever story, that would convince the player as to why the main character would revisit this chapter in her life. One of my Ideas was to create such a sinerio were Samus has finally been captrued by The Space Pirates, along with several other bounty hunters including at lease one from Metroid Prime Hunters. During Samus captivity she and the others are brought to a planet that is simiar in apperance to SR388. Seenig this cause Samus to remeber her first time to that fatfual planet, thus leading to the opening of the game. To Make things simple your playing a memory of samus. At the end of the game she wakes from her day dream and this is the beginnig of Metroid Dread or some other futrue Metroid game. What do you think that Idea? Perhaps it’s a little wierd right, but it’s worth a shot.
I know I have no place, what so ever for making this segestion. But I feel that if by any chance Nitendo do release a remake of metroid II. They should have a very clever story, that would convince the player as to why the main character would revisit this chapter in her life.
One of my Ideas was to create such a sinerio were Samus has finally been captrued by The Space Pirates, along with several other bounty hunters including at lease one from Metroid Prime Hunters. During Samus captivity she and the others are brought to a planet that is simiar in apperance to SR388. Seenig this cause Samus to remeber her first time to that fatfual planet, thus leading to the opening of the game. To Make things simple your playing a memory of samus. At the end of the game she wakes from her day dream and this is the beginnig of Metroid Dread or some other futrue Metroid game.
What do you think about that Idea? Perhaps it’s a little wierd right, but it’s worth a shot.
Hey it’s me again. I just wonted to say that the Super Metroid HD remix would also be a great idea and it should not change any thing from the original. Also I wont to add that the game should come with the classic version along with some bonus features on a doubble disc package. This would be great if you take this idea of yours into futher consideration and help promote this idea in particular.
This is for all modern gamers who are suckers for high resolution and 3D graphics. 2D is still alive and it’s not leaving any time soon!!! Thank you.