No online mode for MP: Hunters

By Ellie Gibson Published 15 July, 2005

Thanks to looming launch date.

It's been confirmed that Nintendo will not include an online mode in DS title Metroid Prime: Hunters, according to US website 1UP.

Speaking in a recent interview, producer Kensuke Tanabe conceded that: "Really, we could have made this game online.

"But Nintendo's vision of online play is different from that of other companies. We wanted it to be free, easy, and easy to access for everybody.

"To set up this kind of infrastructure that we needed, and to meet the launch date we have for this game, the two just didn't match," he explained.

Commenting on Tanabe's, er, comments, Nintendo Software Technology designer Richard Vorodi confirmed that there will be no online mode, telling 1UP: "I don't think we look at it as a negative thing, because as we're not focusing on the Internet we got to focus on the Wi-Fi stuff, so four players can jump in like that," at which point he presumably snapped his fingers, or made a pelvic-thrusting gesture.

"And if only one person has the game, well, you can download it too, and then play with your friends.

"I think it's going to be the perfect multiplayer game because of that," he added.

We're not sure we agree with him, frankly. But there's always online Mario Kart DS to look forward to, at least.

Metroid Prime: Hunters is due out in the US next month, and in Europe by Christmas.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (21) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • drumbaby #1 7 years ago

    But Nintendo's vision of online play is different from that of other companies.

    Heh.

  • Talha #2 7 years ago

    Sure, Nintendo's online vision is different. For them, online is when someone can play Mario Kart VIII on GameCube while two other racers are competing through their GBAs and another one is making red flies fly around the racers without colliding into them on his DS. Really, now. Games should be 'Free and Easy'. That excludes FPS, simulators, and sports games. Good work Ninty: keep making kiddy games and leave all the hard work to the rest!

  • Eighthours #3 7 years ago

    But Nintendo's vision of online play is different from that of other companies

    "They give a toss, we don't"?

    ;)

  • Genji #4 7 years ago

    Well, you'll still have wireless multiplayer. I don't see why it has to be online too.

    Oh, and bless you, Talha.

  • mattigan #5 7 years ago

    I wont be getting this, online or not, thought the demo was shite!!

  • regmund #6 7 years ago

    Why don't they just delay the launch date ffs? I hope this doesn't mark the start of nintendo going back on their internet gaming promises....

  • Horse #7 7 years ago

    If Nintendo delay Hunters any more I will kill somebody. I couldn't give a toss about no online multiplayer. Leave it out and give it to me now!

  • Icebox #8 7 years ago

    What is this game gonna be about?

    The demo was pretty good, but will it just be composed of loads of stages like that, or will it be a proper adventure game like Metroid Prime?

  • Rahul #9 7 years ago

    Metroid Dread plz.

  • Tweakmonkey #10 7 years ago

    So which games are going to be online?

  • #11 7 years ago

    On-line-schmonline.

    Given the choice between having games now and having them much later and online I'd choose to have them now and no online.

    I say release Mario Kart DS now without online!

    Leave online stuff for Mario Kart DS 2 and Metroid Prime Hunters 2 for a later time.

  • Vin #12 7 years ago

    It'll take more than a decent online mode to save this turd.

  • #13 7 years ago

    What about Paradroid?

  • smelly #14 7 years ago

    "But Nintendo's vision of online play is different from that of other companies
    "They give a toss, we don't"? "


    Eh?

    Lets see.. they're providing online gaming to customers FOR FREE.. and they're trying to make it easy as pie for everyone to use..

    How is that "not giving a toss?"... Let me guess, you'd prefer to pay?

  • JP #15 7 years ago

    I can only imagine the especially unforgiving nature of lag in FPS-like games made the decision to axe online play easier. Lag in a racing game (Mario Kart) or social game (Animal Crossing) obviously works rather differently than it does in an FPS... I have to think the tolerance is lower in FPS.

    I was rather hoping for a handheld equivalent of Q3 CTF / Rocket Arena though.

  • Tim_the_Wiz #16 7 years ago

    JP: Lag in a racing game (Mario Kart) or social game (Animal Crossing) obviously works rather differently than it does in an FPS...

    IMO Nintendo did very well at bringing across almost no lag in MK and Animal Crossing at E3.

    smelly: Lets see.. they're providing online gaming to customers FOR FREE.. and they're trying to make it easy as pie for everyone to use..

    Very good point.

    Rahul: Metroid Dread plz.

    Here, here!

    This game [Hunters] ain't looking too good, anyway. So I'm not too fussed on it missing online. Hopefully NST exceed expectations with this one.

    Talha: Good work Ninty: keep making kiddy games and leave all the hard work to the rest!

    Making 'kiddy' games are harder than you think. (esp. the cell-shaded stuff) and if all Nintendo's games are 'kiddy', call me a 9 year old. :)

  • smelly #17 7 years ago

    although i fail to see how people are stating that metroid prime (an fps) is kiddy?

    or indeed all the other games we keep quoting every time a fangirl turns up in a nitnendo thread shouting "kiddy"

  • Mr_Brown #18 7 years ago

    Then its very unlikely I will be buying this then. Was one of the titles IMO that would be one of the best Online DS games out there...easily the best suited one. Oh well, Animal Crossing and Mario Kart online is good enough for me...two of my favourite Nintendo games out there...what more can I ask for eh?

  • Azu87 #19 7 years ago

    I couldn't care less about the multiplayer, ever since the E3's I have been wanting to get my hands on the single player. Let them focus on multiplayer, if they make a sequel.

    To Talha: In which way is Metroid a childis game? DS has lots of non-childish games from Nintendo like Another Code, Meteos, Polarium and more coming.

  • Nikanoru #20 7 years ago

    Anybody who uses the k-word is 12-15 years old himself.

    Just think about it. That's exactly the phase of puberty where you start hating all the stuff you used to like, because your little hormones start acting up, and being a tough guy like the other kids in school becomes the utmost priority. Then later, when you truly grow up, you'll learn how to just have fun and appreciate good things again, and not worry about what makes you cool.

    Of course, there are always people who stay stuck in early puberty far longer than they should, and might even stay childish and retarded like that for the rest of their lives.


    I can only imagine the especially unforgiving nature of lag in FPS-like games made the decision to axe online play easier. Lag in a racing game (Mario Kart) or social game (Animal Crossing) obviously works rather differently than it does in an FPS... I have to think the tolerance is lower in FPS.

    Given their track record though, they'd make it run smooth like butter and eliminate any gameplay lag. If anything, they always manage to polish those kinds of things. Ever seen a loading screen in a Nintendo game, for example?

  • Kengro #21 7 years ago

    Ehh... If the choice is between ps2 like online for free, and xbox like online with me paying. I'll pay... No doubt in my mind there