"Before the release of the first Metroid Prime in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube, alongside the release of Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advanced, the Metroid franchise was left to stagnate after Super Metroid in 1994 on the Super Nintendo. While the series femme fatale Samus Aran might have had a few cameos in other Nintendo games during that time – Smash Brothers for the Nintendo 64 the most notable example – her own adventures traveling the cosmos and shooting-up Space Pirates were neglected for eight years."
"If you're not directly working on the game, go away" - former Retro world artist, Nate Purkeypile
Then there is Microsoft's approach which is just to piss in the wind and 95% of their stuff turns out bad. Developers might like that personally but you'll be out of a job quicker than you know it through badly shipped products.
First party Nintendo titles are held to a specific standard for a reason. It could be argued that both Sony and MS could benefit from doing the same, but you are right with MS nonchalant approach and "it scored well internally" and then putting out something like Redfall. Even Halo, MS' flagship series, wasn't overseen with the fine tooth comb to ensure it was top notch quality.
Nintendo first party games are very rarely duds, let alone non functional ones. You don't get that without a little (or a lot) of micromanaging. Is it annoying? No doubt. Their track record speaks for itself though and you can't deny that.
I think there is good evidence for both sides of that argument, really.
Japan Studio didn't have much oversight and that studio produced pure magic. Financially, it wasn't a cash cow studio, but I sense that anyone who played their games really felt the care and passion for their creation at work. Media Molecule is another one. I personally feel that Sony and Microsoft micromanagement tends to be overly negative. It might work for Nintendo because they're big on making a fun and engaging game first and entice people that way.
Sony as of late and Microsoft for at least two generations now, when they get into the micromanagement, it seems like a profoundly anxious experience.
i dunno if i agree with that.
i think some leeway is necessary to achieve atleast some sort of spectacle.
With the Wiimote as your Arm Cannon, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a motion control revolution.
From Xfire: "Is Super Metroid still as super as it once was in 1994? If not, which Metroid game is better than the influential title?"
I look forward to the day any game beats that Super, Metroid or not.
Hollow Knight come damn near close to knocking Super Metroid from the top of my list, that’s a huge achievement for such a small team.
The problem for me is I’ve been waiting for a 2D Metroid that beats Super but I don’t think I’ll ever see that day. I still play the original 1-2 times a year and a few randomiser plays.
Fully agree with the list and all points it makes for each game. I’m expecting Dread to fit in the middle of that list but I’m happy to be wrong about that.
I prefer Prime 2 over this if you ask me, still a great game. Love the series hope for a new metroid on the WiiU!
i love all three games in this trilogy... all of them 9 of 10 minimum
I have super shaky hands and I never had any problems playing this game. All you had to do was aim from the hip, holding the controller up was unnecessary and just makes the controls feel worse. Anyway I love this trilogy, for how awesome it was and for bringing metroid back after 8 years. Each game in the trilogy was its own unique experience, while still fitting together as whole really nicely.