Metroidhas emerged from dormancy over the last couple of years to reclaim its spot as one of the most thrilling properties in Nintendo’s exclusive catalog. With therelease ofMetroid Dreadin 2021, fans were treated to the first original entry in the mainline series in almost twenty years, ending a drought that seemed like it may never end. Then in February of this year, Nintendo confirmed longstanding rumors of aMetroid Primeremaster by releasing the first part of the trilogy with revamped graphics and controls. Now thatMetroid Prime Remasteredis finally real, fans are eagerly waiting for the rest of the trilogy.
There’s no official word on if or when remasters ofMetroid Prime 2: EchoesorMetroid Prime 3: Corruptionwill release. Now thatMetroid Prime Remasteredexists, however, it seems inevitable that the rest of the trilogy will get the remaster treatment. When that happens, Nintendo will have a very important decision to make on how they’re sold.Metroid Prime Remasteredset a precedent by releasing at a lower price point than most first-party Nintendo games, and it might be wise for Nintendo to continue that generosity lest it becomes the target of another conversation on the price of remastered games.
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Nintendo’s Shaky Remaster History Explained
When it comes to producing remasters of iconic games, Nintendo’s efforts are often successful, but come with some hangups. The primary issue in recent years has been the pricing of particular remasters in relation to either the age of the original game, the extent of the work done to remaster the title or both. One of the best examples of this isSuper Mario 3D All-Stars, which collectedSuper Mario 64,Sunshine, andGalaxyin one package for theNintendo Switch Online subscription. Having these classics on the Switch was exciting, but for many gamers, it was hardly the experience some expected.
In truth,Super Mario 3D All-Starswas more a compilation of HD ports that utilized emulation rather than true remasters. The presentation of games likeSuper Mario 64andSuper Mario Sunshinewas improved by larger aspect ratios, but they were a far cry from otherclassic collections likeCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. On top of it all, Nintendo charged full price for the collection despite the fact that the games included were 24, 18, and 13 years old when3D All-Starsreleased. For many gamers, the value offered simply didn’t justify the price, especially when other emulation options exist.
How Nintendo Can Package the Other Metroid Prime Remasters
AlthoughSuper Mario 3D All-Starswas a disappointment for many,Metroid Prime Remasteredsuccessfully balanced an enhanced experience with a price point befitting the age of the original. Graphically,Metroid Prime Remasteredwas the perfect GameCube gameto bring into the modern day with enhanced lighting, textures, and an overall sense of polish. The game also features an array of control improvements, helping it feel more like today’s FPS titles. To punctuate all of this,Metroid Prime Remasteredis available at just $39.99 USD, which is in line with many other comparable remasters.
When it comes time forremasters ofMetroid Prime 2and3, Nintendo should follow a similar format. If the enhancements are equal toMetroid Prime Remastered, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Nintendo to release each sequel individually at the same price point. If the company really wanted to surprise fans, however, it could packageMetroid Prime 2and3together for the same price asMetroid Prime Remastered. Not only would this make a lot of gamers' wallets happy, but it would make it much more simple to enjoy the iconicMetroid Prime Trilogyon modern hardware.
