The News

Remakes of iconic video games are always challenging. Fail to live up to expectations, and fans will demonize the developers. But pull off the incredible, and video game companies reap the benefits of nostalgia, which include higher sales and profitability. Earlier in the week, Twitter user LeakyPandy revealed that Nintendo plans to reveal a Super Metroid Remake in the next two years.

Nintendo is planning 2 new Metroid titles that will release in the next two fiscal years respectively. One is a re-release of Metroid Prime Trilogy HD, the second one is a Super Metroid Remake that mimics Samus Returns in style and scope.

— LeakyPandy (@LeakyPandy) November 25, 2019

Analysis

Leaky Pandy been hit-or-miss when it comes to rumors, but the comparison to the Metroid II remake is interesting. Although fans rated Samus Returns fairly well, the game sold just over 500,000 copies despite many quality-of-life upgrades. These upgrades included a better button layout, melee counters, and a sensor to find hidden secrets. While fans were thankful for the improvements, the excitement around Samus Returns did not translate into huge sales. Overall, Samus Returns is not even in the Top-50 of best-selling Nintendo 3DS games.

Which brings us to a potential Super Metroid Remake. Critics still view Super Metroid as one of the best action-adventure games of all time. While the game is hard and sometimes confusing, fans place SM in the pantheon of the best video games of all time. If the game fails to meet fan expectations, remaking an iconic title like SM makes Nintendo vulnerable to high levels of scrutiny. While fans will likely buy the game, a SM remake failure could damage the Metroid brand. Considering that Nintendo plans to release Metroid Prime 4 in the next few years, a remake of an iconic title is both risky and bold.

Conclusion

Although Nintendo likely views the risk to the Metroid franchise as low, we are surprised that Nintendo would consider a Super Metroid remake. If the remake is in the same vein as A Link Between Worlds, the game could be a huge success.

But we want to know what you think. Are you excited about the possibility of a Super Metroid Remake? Which do you want more: Super Metroid remake or Metroid Prime 4? What changes would you like to see in a SM remake? Let us know in the comments below or the social media links on the right. Be sure to check out our other news items on Pokemon, Modern Warfare, Capcom, Blizzard and more. Until next time, enjoy!