When Nintendo first revealedMetroid Dreadat E3 2021, it labeled the game as “Metroid 5.” Some fans may have been scratching their head as to why this title was shown before the officialMetroid Dreadtitle, but there’s a good reason for it. Nintendo wanted to convey the message thatMetroid Dreadis the fifth installment in the coreMetroidseries, continuing the storyline that started with the NES original. And not only isMetroid Dreada continuation of that story, but it appears it will also be bringing it to an end.
LongtimeMetroiddeveloper Yoshio Sakamoto appeared during the Nintendo Treehouse Live segment following the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct. During this segment, Sakamoto discussed how the core 2DMetroidseries has mostly stayed focus onSamus Aranand her relationship with the titular Metroid creatures from one game to the next. However,Metroid Dread"will mark an end to that story arc."
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What exactly this means for the future of theMetroidfranchiseremains to be seen, but fans shouldn’t take this as a sign that newMetroidgames will go away. After all,Metroid Prime 4is in active development at Retro Studios for the Nintendo Switch, and the previous threeMetroid Primegames show that Nintendo has already been willing to step away from the main story arc from time to time.
Metroid Dreadmarks the firstnew 2DMetroidgamesinceZero Missionreleased in 2004, and the game preceding it narratively,Metroid Fusion, was first released in 2002. Those who want to catch up on the story can play the originalMetroidthrough the Nintendo Switch Online service, and they could also playMetroid: Samus Returnson a Nintendo 3DS if they have one.Super Metroidis also available to play through Switch Online, thoughMetroid Fusionis mostly stuck on the Game Boy Advance.
3DS Ambassador Program members have access toMetroid Fusion, and those with Wii U consoles can play the game through that system’s Virtual Console service. At the time of this writing, there is no way to playMetroid Fusionon a Nintendo Switch. Some fans are hoping that will change, but Nintendo has so far shown no desire to add anymore of its classic games to Switch Online beyond NES and SNES titles.
This may make it difficult for fans to catch up in regards toMetroid Dread’s story, which is a bit of a shame, but many are likely happy that there’s a new 2DMetroidgame coming out at all. More information onMetroid Dreadshould come to light in the months leading up to its release, so fans should stay tuned.
Metroid Dreadlaunches October 8, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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