27 Jan 2018
Metroid: Samus Returns Permalink

Metroid: Samus Returns total sales data from Spain for 2017

January 27, 2018

As we reported several months ago, Metroid: Samus Returns had a good launch week in Spain. Now, the cumulative sales for software throughout all of 2017 have been made available. While the game did not secure a spot in the year’s Top 20 (which are filled with all the usual AAA suspects ranging from FIFA to Mario to Zelda to GTA), we got some additional numbers for Metroid: Samus Returns and a few other titles as a bonus for the year-end round-up, courtesy of Hobby Consolas via Bruno MB.

Note that the following listing is not ranked or exhaustive and the other titles are listed solely for context comparisons:

INJUSTICE 2 (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE) – 20,000 (PS4/X1/PC)
WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS) – 12,500 (PS4/X1/PC)
PERSONA 5 (ATLUS) – 11,000 (PS3/PS4)
NIER AUTOMATA (SQUARE ENIX) – 10,000 (PS4/PC)
METROID: SAMUS RETURNS (NINTENDO) – 7,200 (3DS)
PREY (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS) – 7,000 (PS4/X1/PC)
YAKUZA ZERO (SEGA) – 4,400 (PS4)
YAKUZA KIWAMI (SEGA) – 3,000 (PS4)
OKAMI HD (CAPCOM) – 2,000 (PS4/X1)

This covers up until week 51, 2017 which contains sales data as of December 23, 2017. Note that all of the higher performing titles in that list, aside from Wolfenstein II, came out very early in the year and are multiplatform releases (sales figures are for all available formats combined). These figures do not include digital sales.

Interesting to note is that in Spain, the sixth of January (Día de los Reyes Magos) is when the big presents are given as part of the Christmas holiday, usually celebrated with gifts on the 24th/25th of December across most European countries. This means that the first week of January also sees a big increase in sales, usually. We can thus assume that the game moved some more units between the cut-off for this sales chart and that date, but that’s ultimately just speculation. Take that as you will.

The full Top 20 can be found at the source link.

Source: Hobby Consolas via ResetEra’s Bruno MB

25 Jan 2018
Uncategorized Permalink

Bayonetta 1+2 for Switch includes support for Metroid amiibo

January 25, 2018

The official Japanese website for the Switch ports of Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 has been made public and it includes details on the new amiibo support not present in the original Wii U versions. Various amiibo can be scanned to unlock special costumes and weapons, which includes three of the Metroid range of amiibo.

Samus (Smash), Samus Aran (Samus Returns) and Zero Suit Samus (Smash) have been confirmed to unlock costumes in both games. Originally, the Samus costume was a special unlock in Bayonetta 2 that you had to pay for with halos collected in the game, while Bayonetta had it unlocked from the start.

The full list of compatible amiibo are as follows:

Peach (Smash), Link (Smash), Fox, Samus (Smash), Bowser (Smash), Bowser Jr, Toon Link (Smash), Falco, Zero Suit Samus, Bayonetta Player 1, Bayonetta Player 2, Peach (Mario), Bowser (Mario), Daisy, Boo, Koopa, Goomba, Wedding Peach, Wedding Bowser, Link (OOT), Link (8-bit), Toon Link (WW), Link (BotW bow), Link (BotW horse), Link (MM), Link (TP), Link (SS) and Samus Aran (Samus Returns).

Source: Official Japanese Bayonetta Site

22 Jan 2018
Metroid Prime Permalink

First 4 Figures reveals a preview of Meta Ridley statue

January 22, 2018

Fans of Metroid Prime, and especially Ridley, will be happy to know that First 4 Figures has recently revealed a new preview of their Meta Ridley statue. While it had already been announced almost a year ago, this new sneak peak shows an updated version of Meta Ridley, as it has now entered the physical stages of development.

First 4 Figures is known for their amazing statues and attention to detail, and this statue certainly appears to be of the highest quality. The preview is shown below.

The hand you see in the photo is there to illustrate the scale of the statue. That being said, Meta Ridley is shaping up to be quite sizable.

As of now, we have no idea when preorders will open up or how much it will cost, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated!

Source: First 4 Figures
20 Jan 2018
Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Permalink

Interview: Jack Mathews (Technical Lead Engineer, Metroid Prime 1/2/3)

January 20, 2018

We have a great interview for our readers today! Jack Mathews, former Technical Lead Engineer on Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption talks to us about his time working on the original three Metroid Prime games and highlights some interesting facts about their development.

We would like to thank Jack for taking the time to answer our questions!

Click here to read the full interview

 

19 Jan 2018
Metroid: Samus Returns Permalink

Samus Returns ranks above Fire Emblem in best selling 3DS games of 2017 (NPD)

January 19, 2018

The first traditional Metroid title in thirteen years seems to have been received well by fans according to industry-tracking firm The NPD Group, who have confirmed that physical sales of Metroid: Samus Returns have placed the game in the top ten best selling 3DS games of 2017.

The game came in at #6 just ahead of Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia at #7. Over the past few years, the Fire Emblem series has gone from strength to strength with great success, so it is fantastic to see that sales have been strong for our favourite intergalactic Bounty Hunter too, at least in physical game sales. It is not known how each franchise has fared in the digital market.

The full NPD 2017: Top 10 best selling 3DS games are:

  1. Pokemon: Ultra Sun
  2. Pokemon: Ultra Moon
  3. Pokemon: Sun
  4. Pokemon: Moon
  5. Super Mario Maker
  6. Metroid: Samus Returns
  7. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia
  8. Super Smash Bros.
  9. Mario Kart 7
  10. Poochy and Yoshi’s Wolly World

Source: Mat Piscatella (NDP Analyst)

06 Jan 2018
Metroid, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Permalink

AGDQ 2018 begins January 7 and features two Metroid speedruns

January 6, 2018

2018 is finally here and what better way to usher in the new year than with an Awesome Games Done Quick marathon? Beginning January 7 and spanning an entire week, this year’s AGDQ is stacked with amazing games, including two from our beloved Metroid franchise.

Games Done Quick is a series of video game marathons where speedrunners from around the world gather to showcase their skills while accepting donations for several charities, such as Doctors Without Borders and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. As of this writing, they’ve raised a staggering $12 million for charity and are the largest fundraising event for both of the previously mentioned organizations.

This year, AGDQ features two Metroid games in its lineup and are as follows:

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Any%  Normal by Claris – Tuesday, January 9 at 1:10 p.m. (EST)

Metroid All Bosses Warpless by MetroidMcFly – Wednesday, January 10 at 1:22 p.m. (EST)

Keep in mind these are roughly estimated times and depending on other runs, may be pushed back or even ahead a couple of hours. If you’d like to ensure you’re able to watch one of the Metroid runs, AGDQ has a handy schedule you can consult. The schedule even converts the start and end times of each run to your local time when you access it!

If you’ve never seen a Metroid speedrun before, I guarantee watching one of these will be worth your time! If you’d like to learn more about the event, you can visit their homepage or you can watch the marathon live.

30 Dec 2017
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Permalink

Last Chance for First 4 Figures Varia Suit Samus Statue

December 30, 2017

First 4 Figures Varia Suit Samus statue is on its last few days for order. The cut off date for pre-orders is January 1st 2018, so there is not much time left to grab one.

Based on the Varia Suit from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the statue was initially revealed May 2016, so a number of key revisions have been made since then. The statue comes in two varieties, a standard model for $449.99, plus shipping and handling, as well as an exclusive edition with LED lights only available directly from First 4 Figures, worth $489.99, plus shipping and handling too.

Pre-orders for either statue ends on January 1st 2018 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET, so don’t miss your chance if you are interested.

It doesn’t end there though. First 4 Figures teased an update for the Meta Ridley statue initially shown off December 2016. As it currently stands, there is no further announcements regarding it.

Sources: First 4 Figures, Nintendo Wire

05 Dec 2017
Metroid Prime Permalink

“Metroid Prime for Wii” slated to come to Nvidia Shield in China

December 5, 2017

Nvidia’s console, the Nvidia Shield, is normally compatible with PC and mobile games. However, it has been confirmed that the Shield will receive support for Wii and GameCube titles on its launch in China. Nintendo has partnered with Nvidia and iQiyi (a Chinese video platform) to re-release some of the Wii’s best titles on Nvidia Shield, such as New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Punch-Out!! and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, with more coming in the future.

What does this mean for Metroid, you ask? Well, Daniel Ahmad, the analyst who first reported the partnership, added: “It is said that Metroid Prime for Wii will also come to the system in the future.” He was not clear on whether this refers to the Metroid Prime Trilogy compilation of all three games in the series, or Metroid Prime alone. We’ll find out as time goes on.

Source: Daniel Ahmad