Metroid 3 to launch with Wii

By Paul Loughrey Published 11 May, 2006

Wave your wand at Samus.

Nintendo has revealed that the next instalment in the Metroid series will definitely be a Wii launch title, and that you'll be able to play the game using the motion-sensing remote controller.

Developer Retro Studios is still keeping quiet on the gameplay specifics, but have managed to pick up a few snippets of info - such as the fact that the X-Ray visor is making a welcome return, and it's being upgraded slightly to include a new wall-piercing beam that'll let you seek out cowardly enemies and frazzle them before they even know you're there. It's also going to play a bigger role in puzzle solving, but there's no word as to how exactly this will work.

Travel between the huge areas on multiple worlds will be undertaken in Samus' new gunship, and there's a distinct possibility of remotely controlling the ship as a puzzle solving tool - bringing in the heavy weapons to clear obstacles and open up new paths in certain areas.

Nintendo is making an effort to push the boundaries visually, with a smooth framerate, new bloom effects and a ramp up of the particle effects for those pretty explosions we all love so much.

Several new visors will be making an appearance, and there's also talk of utilising the 24-hour connect service to push upgrades and new weapons and content for the game - although that's unconfirmed at this stage.

Picture of Paul.

About Paul Loughrey

Read more articles from Paul by visiting the Paul Loughrey archive page.

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Comments (24) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • rinoaMW #1 6 years ago

    wow - i love the metroid series, this is great news. If nothing else launches, i'll be a happy bunny, but the fact that this and Zelda being launched at the start of the Wii's life is a great way to start!

    can't wait!

  • lambtron #2 6 years ago

    Metroid and TP. SOLD!

  • JetSetWilly #3 6 years ago

    Metroid and TP. SOLD!

    Hear, hear! My two favourite franchises at launch. An absolute must buy.

  • ecureuil #4 6 years ago

    Zelda - yep
    Metroid - yep

    What else needs to go on my Wii launchshopping list?

  • bionutz #5 6 years ago

    so finally, I can play a metroid game... and shoot'em ups on a console!!!.
    Oh goodie goodie!

  • Milbe #6 6 years ago

    The Metroid greatness! Behold! I hope there will be a boundle pack.

  • The12thMonkey #7 6 years ago

    My Wii Shopping list.

    Wii
    Pleanty O' Wiimotes
    Super Mario Galaxy
    Zelda: Twilight Princess
    Super Smash Bros Brawl
    Metroid Prime 3 Corruption
    Wario Ware Smooth Moves

    maybe Red Steel - best wait to see how the general reaction is after E3.

  • ShekkyBoy #8 6 years ago

    You have to applaude the guys and girls at Retro Studios. To just even handle such an iconical, beloved videogame character would make a few developers pause and think if they were out of the depth. Not Retro. They've plunged head first, made the unorthodox desicion to reinvent the series as a first-person adventurer and made it one of the best games of the current generation. No higher credit can go to them than having their own beautiful series as a launch title for Wii. It also speaks volumes habout Nintendo's ability to recognise talent and nurture it. Hopefully third time's the charm and Retro will garner the sales the series deserves to back up the numerous developer awards they've won for Prime 1 and 2.

  • nightsparkle #9 6 years ago

    wel this just seems to good to be true. definitely going to preoder mine then. (is this already possible atm?)

  • Milbe #10 6 years ago

    What ShekkyBoy says! +1

  • Lost_in_Darkness #11 6 years ago

    You guys do know MP3 along with Mario and Zelda are playable on the show floor right?

    Get to playing and give your impressions post haste!
    BRING VIDEO!

  • Machiavel #12 6 years ago

    a new wall-piercing beam that'll let you seek out cowardly enemies and frazzle them before they even know you're there.

    Sounds like the bloke with the wall-piercing beam is the coward to me!

  • trav #13 6 years ago

    *slaps money down on the counter*

    That Wii is pre-ordered for sure now. I never doubted you for a second Nintendo.

    >_>

    Well....maybe for just one second
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/06 @ 11:11

  • Psi #14 6 years ago

    Where can you pre-order a wii? I want to spend a penny!

  • The_Aardvark #15 6 years ago

    \o/

    Nintendo have really learnt the lessons of the cube. Wheel out the big guns at launch (MP, Zelda) with the prospect of many more to follow (Mario Galaxy, SSB, tons o' crap)

  • Nikanoru #16 6 years ago

    Wow, multiple worlds? That's great news....*sniff*

    Also, the grapple beam stuff has me very interested, as well as some of the other new features I've heard talk of.

    Also, it's good to finally see an article talking about the graphical improvements over the previous two games (which are gorgeous even today), instead of whining and bitching about how it doesn't look as shiny as the competition.

  • Feanor #17 6 years ago

    This game really appeals to me, if the annoying backtracking and lack of save points from the first two Metroid Prime games have been fixed.

  • ProtoformX #18 6 years ago

    A wall-piercing beam? Isn't that what the Wave Beam did in the pre-Prime Metroid games anyway? I definately remember something like that from Super Metroid.
    This is looking good. This is looking very good indeed. I shall be pre-ordering my Wii as soon as Game will let me. Console, 3 extra controllers, Zelda and Metroid at least.

  • I_Have_The_Power #19 6 years ago

    "Where can you pre-order a wii? I want to spend a penny! "

    oh Wii puns are sooo last week...

    So far Nintendo have the most interesting launch title line up out of everyone. So who's laughing now? :)
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/06 @ 17:30

  • Nikanoru #20 6 years ago

    This game really appeals to me, if the annoying backtracking and lack of save points from the first two Metroid Prime games have been fixed.

    Please die an awful death.

  • Galvanizer #21 6 years ago

    SHIT! Wii launch line-up is AMAZING! :-0

  • prakon #22 5 years ago

    this article is awsome. i repeat,awsome. i wonder if there will be a better game

  • prakon #23 5 years ago

    this game is so sexy
    ssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeexy
    hahaha!

  • prakon #24 5 years ago

    i wanna have sex with a wii