TheMetroidseries had trouble when it first was considering going into 3D. While Samus Aran did make her polygonal debut on the Nintendo 64 console, it was only through theSuper Smash Bros.as opposed to a mainline game. It took several years for Nintendo’s bounty hunter to be brought into the third dimension, until it finally happened on GameCube withthe critically acclaimedMetroid Primedeveloped by Retro Studios.
Famously, the reason why the series skipped the Nintendo 64 was due toMetroidseries producerYoshio Sakamoto being apprehensive of how to transition the game into 3D. The specific reason according to an old interview with games™ (now known as gamesradar+) was that he himself couldn’t imagine how Samus could move around while using the N64 controller. He also stated that Nintendo itself was approaching another company who could possibly develop an N64 game as well, but that offer was also turned down. While this never came to be from Nintendo, one fan is putting together what an N64Metroidgame could have looked like.
RELATED:Metroid Prime Mod Remasters Game With 4K Visuals and Other Enhancements
This concept was created by Twitter user Luto Akino, who is an indie game developer from Mexico. They posted a video of thisMetroid 64concept, where Samus is in a 3D re-imagining of the Lower Brinstar area. It demonstrated a rotating 3D camera around Samus, where the player can look around at any angle. Unlike theMetroid Primeseries, this project is a 3D action platformer, where Samus can lock onto certain objects with the press of a button, which keeps the player centered on what they are shooting at.
Some of Samus' movement and weapons were also demonstrated in this video, with her jump always being in a corkscrew motion, or her being able to use a quick dash/dodge mechanic. Aside from her arm cannon, she also has access to her morph ball form, which can lay down a series of bombs like from her 2D entries. Many fans compared the fan project toCapcom’sMega Man Legendsgame, due to their similar third-person gameplay mechanics.
This fan game looks incredibly promising, as some felt it captured whatMetroidcould have looked like in 3D beforeMetroid Primetook off. Others were however wary of this project being talked about publicly, asMetroidfan games have been forced to shut down developmentbefore. Some are already dreading the inevitable request from Nintendo to cease any further development onMetroid 64.
