The Metroid franchise has been around for a long time. Beginning on the original NES back in 1986, the series introduced fans to a sci-fi universe full of mystery. While Metroid and the classic SNES game Super Metroid are available on the Switch, many other titles in the series, such as the Metroid Prime games, remain unavailable on the hybrid console. However, a new report suggests that fans might be able to play the first Metroid Prime game in the coming months.
Recently, VentureBeat reporter Jeff Grubb went on Twitter to discuss the possibility of a remastered Metroid Prime 1 coming to the Switch. According to the insider, he now believes that Nintendo will re-release the original game on the Nintendo platform, instead of the complete Metroid Prime Trilogy.
This recent statement from Grubb backs up previous Metroid rumors regarding a possible re-release of the title. Last week, Emily Rogers, another industry insider, claimed that there was a better chance that the first game in the Metroid Prime series was going to release in 2022 compared to the previously rumored HD version of the Metroid Prime Trilogy. Furthermore, she claimed that Nintendo was planning this release to coincide with the game’s 20th anniversary.
This recent tweet from Jeff Grubbs means that he has changed course on his previous predictions regarding the series. He had originally believed that Nintendo was planning to re-release all 3 games as part of an HD collection for the Switch. However, he admitted the new details from Emily Rogers changed his mind. “I went back to look into it, and I think she's right,” he said.
While fans might be itching for more Metroid ahead of the release of Metroid Dread, the newest installment coming to the franchise, it’s worth noting that none of these rumors have been confirmed by Nintendo. This means that these new details might change moving forward or could prove to be completely false.
In addition to this rumor of a remaster of the first Metroid Prime releasing on the Switch, several other classic games are coming to the platform. Through the Nintendo Switch Online service, players are getting the chance to play Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This marks the first opportunity for fans to pick up Super Mario 64 since the game’s limited-time release as part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. Furthermore, this is the first time that Ocarina of Time will have been available for the Switch.
Metroid Prime is available for GameCube.