Metroid Dread

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Metroid Dread was a cancelled 2D side-scrolling adventure video game by Nintendo intended for release on the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was to be the next entry in the Metroid series of video games and a sequel to the 2002 Game Boy Advance title Metroid Fusion. It was first seen in an official internal software list made by Nintendo in 2005 and a reveal at the Electronic Entertainment Expo convention in 2005 and 2006 was anticipated; it was not revealed in either year and is the only title to date on the list that has not been revealed. A message in the 2007 video game Metroid Prime 3: Corruption made reference to a "Metroid project 'Dread'" which was believed to contain a reference to Metroid Dread. Corruption director Mark Pacini denied this however and stated that it was a coincidence. Wired writer Chris Kohler however found a coincidence unlikely.

Series director Yoshio Sakamoto has been questioned on the status and history of Metroid Dread from websites including Kotaku, MTV Multiplayer, and Joystiq. He confirmed that a game with the name Metroid Dread existed at one point. He also stated that they would "start from scratch" if development resumed. Critics have expressed an interest in seeing the game or a similar 2D sidescrolling Metroid game released. It has appeared in 'most wanted' lists as recently as 2013. IGN's Craig Harris criticized Nintendo's decision to reveal the game so early. In 2010, Harris claimed that the story for Dread had been fully written and that Nintendo could "bring it back at any time."

History

Yoshio Sakamoto has been asked about the status of Metroid Dread by several websites including Kotaku, MTV Multiplayer, and Joystiq.

Metroid Dread first appeared in an official internal software list made by Nintendo in 2005 which listed "key DS games set to be announced in the future."[1] This led to the expectation that it would appear at the Electronic Entertainment Expo convention in both 2005 and 2006.[2][3][4] It was to be a 2D side-scrolling video game and a sequel to the 2002 video game Metroid Fusion.[4] IGN's Craig Harris noted that Nintendo revealed it too early and that people should wait until next year.[5] Rumours existed that suggested Metroid Dread was cancelled or put in development hell.[6][4]

A message reading "Experiment status report update: Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion" was found in the 2007 Retro Studios video game Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, which lead to speculation that this was in reference to Metroid Dread.[1] Corruption game director Mark Pacini denied a connection and stated that it was entirely coincidental.[7] When asked by Kotaku whether the Wii game Metroid: Other M was what became of Metroid Dread, Metroid series designer Yoshio Sakamoto said it was not.[8] GamesTM asked Sakamoto whether Dread ever existed; Sakamoto confirmed its existence but stated that if the staff went back to it, they would "start from scratch."[9] Sakamoto also stated that they were "waiting and watching and reading the comments to see what people are interested in before we make any comment on the project."[2] According to Sakamoto, questions about Metroid Dread were popular (especially in interviews following E3).[10] On the 75th episode of IGN's Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast, Craig Harris confirmed that the story for Metroid Dread was fully written and that he had seen it. He claimed that Nintendo was able to "bring it back at any time." [11] Metroid Dread is the only game on the internal software list that has not yet been released.[1]

Reception

Since its listing, critics have expressed an interest in Metroid Dread or a similar 2D side-scrolling Metroid title project being revived. Audrey Drake listed it as her second most-wanted thing at E3 2012, specifically developed by Retro Studios and released for the Nintendo 3DS with "Super Metroid-style gameplay."[12] IGN featured it in their "Life Support: Games in Danger" article.[13] K. Thor Jensen included it in his list of "video games you will never, ever play." He felt that Metroid: Other M was a disappointment and it made him nostalgic for Dread.[14] Patrick Klepek noted that the possible cancellation of the game was not good for "old school Metroid fans."[6] Thomas East included Dread and its apparent reference in Corruption in their list of "11 amazing Metroid facts and secrets." East added that he was hopeful for a possible 3DS release.[15]

Marc Zablotny, a writer for Official Nintendo Magazine, included it in his 2013 wishlist. He used Kirby: Return to Dream Land, a game originally announced in 2005 and released in 2011, to show the possibility that Metroid Dread could still be made. He also stated that he was more interested in what Dread "stood for rather than the specific game itself."[4] Zablotny later included it in a list of the "15 more Nintendo Games you never got to play" and called it one of the most infamous examples of a cancelled Nintendo game.[16] Nick Chester criticized Nintendo for its focus on titles such as the Brain Age series as opposed to a 2D Metroid game.[17] Chris Kohler expressed skepticism over Retro's denial of a reference to Metroid Dread in Corruption; he noted that it would be believable if Pacini said that it was a joke, but the claim that it was a coincidence was not.[18]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Casamassina, Matt (2007-08-27). "Metroid Dread Nearing Completion". IGN. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harris, Craig (2010-03-12). "GDC 10: Sakamoto on Metroid Dread: Please Be Patient.". IGN. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  3. ↑ Kohler, Chris (2007-09-06). "Nintendo Teases, Denies Existence of Metroid Dread". Wired. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Zablotny, Marc (2013-01-01). "Nintendo 2013 wish list". Official Nintendo Magazine. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  5. ↑ Craig Harris (2005-09-19). "Nintendo DS Mailbag". IGN. Retrieved 2005-09-19. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Klepek, Patrick (2005-11-20). "Metroid Dread Cancelled?". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  7. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (2007-09-26). "Retro Studios Answers The Dreaded "Metroid Dread" Question -- And Other "Prime" Exclusives". MTV. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  8. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (2009-06-03). "Nintendo: New Metroid Is NOT Metroid Dread". Kotaku. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  9. ↑ "Yoshio Sakamoto discusses Metroid 64, Metroid Dread and the 3DS". GamesTM. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  10. ↑ Grant, Christopher (2010-03-12). "Metroid Dread concept is something Sakamoto 'can't say never existed'". Joystiq. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  11. ↑ Harris, Craig (2010-05-03). "Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast Episode 75 - Wii Feature at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-05-03. 
  12. ↑ Drake, Audrey; George, Richard (2012-06-01). "E3 2012: IGN Nintendo's Most Wanted". IGN. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  13. ↑ Geddes, Ryan (2011-03-30). "Life Support: Games in Danger". IGN. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  14. ↑ Jensen, K. Thor (2011-01-21). "Video Games You Will Never, Ever Play". UGO Networks. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  15. ↑ East, Thomas (2012-04-20). "11 amazing Metroid facts and secrets". Official Nintendo Magazine. p. 1. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  16. ↑ Zablotny, Marc (2013-09-08). "15 more Nintendo Games you never got to play". Official Nintendo Magazine. p. 2. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  17. ↑ Chester, Nick (2007-09-06). "Nintendo denies Metroid Dread poppycock". Destructoid. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
  18. ↑ Kohler, Chris (2007-09-27). "Retro: Metroid Dread Name Drop ‘Complete And Utter Coincidence’". Wired. Retrieved 2013-12-31. 
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