During the Nintendo Direct at the E3 2021, Nintendo announced another installment of a highly anticipated series: Metroid. But instead of the desired Metroid Prime 4, there was Metroid Dread – the unexpected fifth installment.
This is the announcement:
- Nintendo presented the new Metroid Dread with a short gameplay trailer on the evening of June 15.
- The new Metroid Dread is already the 15th installment of the series when taking various spin-offs and side stories into account.
- Metroid Dread is the first 2D platformer in the series in 19 years, which also continues the story.
- The game is also intended to be suitable for players who have never played a Metroid installment.
When is the release for Metroid Dread? On October 8, 2021, for Nintendo Switch. The official site lists the download size as 6.9 GB (via Nintendo.com).
What about Metroid Prime 4? Fans of the series actually expected Nintendo to show Metroid Prime 4. After all, it was already presented at E3 2017, but since then there has been more or less silence about it. Also on MeinMMO, Metroid Prime 4 was among the most anticipated games during the Nintendo Direct.
In 2019, Senior Managing Executive Officer Shinya Takahashi stated that the development of Metroid Prime 4 did not meet Nintendo’s standards (via YouTube.com). The game was to be restarted from scratch.
Metroid Dread is, however, not the expected installment, but Metroid 5 – meaning it continues the main series, not the Prime series. The Prime games are 3D adventures, not 2D platformers. Development on Metroid Prime 4 is currently in progress.
Metroid Dread was supposed to be released in 2006
Fifteen years ago, a Metroid Dread was supposed to be released, back then for the Nintendo DS as a successor to Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance from 2002 (via IGN.com). However, that has not happened yet.
Since the new installment is named the same, it is reasonable to assume that precisely Metroid Dread is now being released. The official press release states that Metroid Dread from 2021 is this installment that follows the one from 2002 (via Twitter.com).
According to the developers, the technology 15 years ago was not good enough to carry on the spirit of Metroid. So they waited – until now. Dread has even exceeded the expectations of the developers.
And what about Metroid 5? This is perhaps the strangest part of the entire announcement. Before there was even anything to see regarding Metroid Prime 4 or Dread, the trailer prominently featured the text “Metroid 5”.
However, this is not an announcement of a new game, but apparently refers to Metroid Dread itself. Metroid 5 and Metroid Dread are essentially the same game.
If you want to see more announcements from Nintendo, check out our ticker. There you will find all announcements regarding the Nintendo Direct at E3 2021:
All announcements and trailers from the Nintendo Direct in the live ticker
