Shinesparkers is a Metroid fan community dedicated to bringing its fans up-to-date Metroid news and exclusive content, such as Harmony of a Hunter. It highlights the creativity of Metroid fans from across the world by showcasing their work to our audience. We often collaborate with the wider Metroid community and support their endeavors to ensure the Metroid fan community is the very best it can be. Shinesparkers aims to be the first multilingual Metroid fan website, with content translated into multiple languages in an effort to reach out to an expanded audience.
Shinesparkers was started in 2009 by a group of Metroid fans who wanted an opportunity to discuss their love for the Metroid franchise and Nintendo news. The podcast was originally called Hyperbeam, but was later changed to Shinesparkers. Unfortunately, the podcast didn’t take off, and after just a single episode, it was dropped.
On the 17th of May 2009, Shinesparkers transitioned from failed podcast to the savior of a Nintendo-centric web community known as Nintendo Online, run solely by Darren Kerwin. It continued to function as a community for Nintendo Online for almost a year before a more permanent home was secured in the form of The Joypads. While continuing to support it, Darren had already begun work on the next chapter in the Shinesparkers story.
With the launch of a brand new Metroid title on the horizon, it was just the right time for a new face to step into the Metroid fan community. In June 2010, work began on the new Shinesparkers, a dedicated Metroid website and community offering up-to-date news and exclusive content. Darren focused hard on the overall vision and direction of the website, providing the content and reaching out to the community to bring Shinesparkers to life. With the team working to their strengths, the website eventually launched on the 31st of August 2010 and quickly became among the fastest-growing and most reliable Metroid communities online, and the only active Metroid community in Europe.
Shinesparkers conducted interviews with several notable names from the Metroid franchise and highlighted projects from the creative talents within the fan community. It also focused on its own original content in the form of fan-arrangement albums called Harmony of a Hunter to mark the 25th Anniversary of Metroid. The albums were a massive success and pushed Shinesparkers above and beyond what was ever expected. Two further albums were released in 2014 called Harmony of Heroes, which focused on the Super Smash Bros franchise, and the latest album in the series was released in 2017 called Harmony of a Champion, which is a story-driven tribute to the music of Pokémon Red and Green.
By the end of 2014, it was clear there wasn’t a great deal of Metroid content to share. Shinesparkers began to expand into covering gaming events from a Nintendo angle and attempted to keep the website alive with regular news thanks to Renan “Naner” Greca. By July 2015, the Shinesparkers community had exhausted itself, and the website became dormant. Shinesparkers continued to support the various creative efforts of the community, such as the MetroidHQthon, which raised thousands of dollars for charity, and was responsible for helping the Metroid fan film “The Sky Calls” obtain enough votes to go into production. Darren continued to work hard within the Metroid community to promote the 30th anniversary of Metroid throughout its anniversary year.
In June 2017, Nintendo announced they were working on two brand-new Metroid games – Metroid: Samus Returns, the first 2D Metroid title in thirteen years, and Metroid Prime 4, the first major 3D title in over a decade. With a resurgence brewing within the Metroid community, it was time for Shinesparkers to return with a fresh look, an expanded team, and a radical perspective for what a fan website should be in the modern day. The team was expanded to include such members as RoyboyX, Glaedrax, Quadraxis, Amanda VanHiel, and many others who are listed below.
In June 2021, Metroid Dread was officially announced after fifteen years of speculation, and released four months later to critical acclaim and commercial success. The Metroid franchise was further revitalized when Metroid Prime Remastered was unexpectedly released in February 2023. The future has never looked brighter for Metroid, and Shinesparkers intends to be there for every second of it.
In July 2023, Darren stepped down from his role as Creative Director of Shinesparkers after almost thirteen years in the role, to pursue new projects. Darren felt that he was leaving the community in a great place and is proud of what had been accomplished. He passed on his role to Roy, and Darren remains in contact with the Shinesparkers team to offer advice and guidance on its content.
The journey continues…
Roy
Creative Director
Roy is the Creative Director of Shinesparkers. He supports the site in all aspects. His favorite Metroid game is Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
Irene
Deputy Creative Director
Irene supports Roy in managing the Shinesparkers team, content and social media. Additionally, she continues to design amazing headers for our content. Her favorite game is Super Metroid!
Glaedrax
Community Spotlight and Social Media Manager
Glaedrax is in charge of managing our Community Spotlights, which aim to promote fan projects relating to Metroid. In addition to this, he is a content writer and manages our social media accounts. If you see us posting a meme, or talking passionately about Flat Egg, it’s probably his fault. His favorite Metroid game is Super Metroid.
Quadraxis
Features Manager
Quadraxis is responsible for managing the release of features on our website. He is also a content writer. His favorite Metroid game is Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Amanda VanHiel
Podcast Lead
Amanda is the host of the Shinesparkers Podcast! You’ll hear her in most episodes keeping our guests and our team in line. Her favourite Metroid game is Metroid Fusion.
David Porvia
Graphics Support
David provides support for our graphics, creating some of the headers you see on our content (he even draws some from scratch!). His favourite Metroid game is Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Leon
Graphics Support & Socials
Leon is responsible for some of the awesome headers you see on our content, giving the features and Spotlights we put out, a greater chance to shine. They also run our Instagram account. Their favorite Metroid game is the Metroid Prime Trilogy.
Deadweight
YouTube Manager, Translator
Deadweight is the manager of our YouTube channel, and our translator for Spanish content from Metroid developers and community members. His favorite Metroid game is Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Darts
Translator
Darts is our translator of official Japanese content and for interviews with Japanese Metroid developers and fans. His favourite Metroid game is Super Metroid.
Renan
Technical Support
Renan is providing technical support to the website, in an effort to make the website work correctly and look as great as it can. In addition to this, he is a content writer, who has provided support for the community since the early days of its creation. His favourite Metroid game is Metroid: Zero Mission
Giulio Bruschini
Podcast support
Giulio supports our podcast with editing and helping us bring our show to video on YouTube. His favourite Metroid game is Metroid Fusion.
Stephan Wells
Podcast Support
Step is on hand to offer support, editing, and guidance for our podcast! He enjoys the Metroid Prime Trilogy of games, especially Metroid Prime 2: Echoes!
Strince
Lorekeeper
Strince has a unique role on Shinesparkers as our lorekeeper, to ensure that our content is accurate in comparison with Metroid lore. For example, if we run a feature about a specific Metroid race, Strince will ensure we are providing factual information where possible.
Darren
Director Emeritus
The creator of Shinesparkers, Darren stepped back from leading the site in 2023 and now serves as an advisor to Roy in managing the website and community. He also edited the Shinesparkers Podcast. His favorite Metroid game is Metroid Prime.
Current staff
Roy – Creative Director (November 2022 – present, Deputy Creative Director: August 2017 – November 2022)
Irene – Deputy Creative Director (September 2024 – present), Graphics Support (May 2022 – present)
Lucent – Hosting & Technical Support (Albums: August 2011 – present, website: April 2016 – present)
Glaedrax – Community Spotlight Manager (April 2021 – May 2024) and Social Media Manager (July 2017 – present)
Quadraxis – Features Manager (August 2018 – present)
David Porvia – Graphics Support (March 2020 – present)
Leon – Graphics Support (July 2020 – present) and Instagram Manager (January 2022 – present)
Renan Greca – Technical Support / Content (2010 – 2015, January 2019 – present)
Amanda VanHiel – Podcast Lead / Content (May 2018 – present)
Strince – Lorekeeper (April 2020 – present)
Stephan Wells – Podcast and content editor (April 2020 – present)
Giulio Bruschini (Italian Translation: – 2017 – 2018, Podcast Support (December 2021 – present)
Deadweight – YouTube Manager and Translator (January 2023 – Present)
Darts – Japanese Translator (August 2023 – Present) and Social Media Manager (2017 – 2020)
Darren – Creative Director (August 2010 – July 2023, on leave November 2022 – July 2023), Director Emeritus (July 2023 – present)
Former staff
Benjamin Stewart (Graphics) – 2010-2011, 2017-2018
Rozen (Web Development Support) – 2017
Samantha Jackson (Graphics) – 2012
Wavehack (Hosting, Web Development Support) – 2010 – 2016
FastLizard4 (Forum Moderator, Webmaster) – 2010 – 2018
Deceptimike (Content) – 2018
Dennis (Content) – 2018
Bearborg (Graphics) – 2018
Samusoidal (Graphics) – 2019 – 2020
Mozzaratti (Podcast Composer) – 2019 – 2021
Torby Brand (Podcast Edutor) – December 2019 – July 2020
KomodoZero (Community Spotlight Manager) – August 2017 – April 2021
Dalagonash (Content Writer) – March 2020 – April 2021
Mr. Mendelli (Graphics Support) – August 2018 – January 2022
Carwyn Sugar (Translation Support) – November 2021 – July 2023
Vectrex28 (Japanese and Czech Translator) – May 2018 – December 2023
Special Thanks
Gene Kohler – Interview & Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
Lee Garasich – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Timothy Miller – Interview
Grant Henry – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Mike Sneath – Interview
Jessica Martin – Video tributes, Podcast
Saturday Sazaran – Comic artist (Metroid: The Justin Bailey Adventures)
Nate Bihldorff – Interview
Thaís Jussim (Yuki) – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Yosuke Hayashi – Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
Tommy Tallarico – Interview & Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
Jeron Moore – Interview
Chad Seiter – Interview
Daisuke Amaya – Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
Jeff Skalski – Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
Video Game Music Choir – Metroid 25th Anniversary tribute video
ChozoBoy – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Christian Cardona – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Kent King – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Rebecca Marshall – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Michael Underlin – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Marcus Ross – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Johnny Mello – Interview (Community Spotlight)
Ryan Fitzpatrick- Interview (Community Spotlight)
Andrew Skeet – Interview
Sam Dillard – Community Spotlight
Jack Mathews – Interview, Podcast
Joe Heasman – Community Spotlight
The Orpheon – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Torby Brand – Community Spotlight
Katielynne Harder (Kabutroid) – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Sonny Santa Maria – Feature
Neal Anderson – Community Spotlight
Christopher Hill (Behemoth87) – Community Spotlight
Gioia Marzullo – Community Spotlight
Pennaz91 – Community Spotlight
Sebastian Mårtensson – Community Spotlight
Clark Wen – Interview
Dan Root – Community Spotlight
Sammy Hall – Feature
Robin Lindahl – Community Spotlight
David Lakin – Community Spotlight
Boid – Community Spotlight
Hirokazu Tanaka – Interview
Samuel Lidstrom – Community Spotlight
Anaugi – Community Spotlight
Alex Veens – Community Spotlight
Erik Peabody – Community Spotlight
Gina John-Crosland – Community Spotlight
Shiryu – Community Spotlight
Deadweight – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Elias Thompson – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Habreno – Community Spotlight
David Verstraete – Community Spotlight
Danior Snyder – Feature
WarlockTheVigilante – Community Spotlight
Sterling Davis – Community Spotlight
Idzuki Kouji – Interview, Feature
Kegan Crafton – Community Spotlight
Benjamin/Superstupidy – Community Spotlight
Leanne/Gonemushrooming – Community Spotlight
Eric Kozlowsky – Podcast
DoctorM64 – Podcast
Viking Guitar – Podcast
Mozzaratti – Community Spotlight
Phazon Pixie – Community Spotlight
JRP – Community Spotlight
Pamigu – Community Spotlight
PeabodySam – Community Spotlight
Oszaj – Community Spotlight
Richard Vorodi – Interview
Omni42 – Community Spotlight
The Metroid Trainer – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Sam Balcomb and Jeff Dodson (Rainfall Films) – Podcast
VGMStudios – Community Spotlight
Chernabogue – Community Spotlight
Dana Nicole – Community Spotlight
Damian Merazzi – Community Spotlight
GuilhermeRM – Community Spotlight
Alejandro Aguilar – Community Spotlight
SynaMax – Community Spotlight
Isabel Braman – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Munch K. – Community Spotlight
Kynan Pearson – Interview, Podcast
Dewey Newt – Community Spotlight
Doeboy – Community Spotlight, Podcast
Lawrence Schwedler – Interview, Podcast
TorvusBolt – Podcast, Spotlight
Gario – Community Spotlight
Lenka Volfová – Interview
RyRyCosmos – Community Spotlight
Bryan Walker – Interview
SpotArt Station – Community Spotlight
Wata Ridley – Community Spotlight, Translation Support (2024)
Micky Coyne – Interview
Patrick English – Interview
Bonbon – Community Spotlight
Skylar – Community Spotlight
Topher Putnam – Community Spotlight
Krysta Yang – Podcast
Bruce Hunt – Interview
Noababoa – Community Spotlight
Nathan McGuinness – Interview
Matthew Nightingale – Interview
Tatsuche – Community Spotlight
PirateCrab – Community Spotlight
Pajarona – Community Spotlight
Domus Populi – Community Spotlight
LeRoy Strauss – Interview
Yasuo Kanemaki – Interview
Dan VanHiel – Podcast
Domus Populi – Community Spotlight
Ai Kobayashi – Interview
Cid Newman – Interview
Nintex – Beta testing site for launch
Kit Ellis – Nintendo help and support, Podcast
Andrew Kelly – Nintendo help and support
Falcon Zero – Additional graphics (August 2011 – February 2012)
Tim Hardeman – Additional graphics (February 2012 – July 2012)