First 4 Figures reveals a preview of Meta Ridley statue

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!

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

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

 

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

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)

AGDQ 2018 begins January 7 and features two Metroid speedruns

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.

Last Chance for First 4 Figures Varia Suit Samus Statue

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.

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

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

Metroid Prime: Federation Force artist confirms Sylux is in the ending

Metroid Prime 4 is in rapid development for Nintendo Switch, and speculation is rampant about the role that Samus’s rival Bounty Hunter Sylux is to play in the game. Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe previously confirmed rumors that Sylux was the pilot of the ship following Samus at the end of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and now, we can confirm another rumor about Sylux: he did in fact make an appearance at the end of Metroid Prime: Federation Force as well.

I recently discovered the ArtStation profile of Logan Foster, a contract environment and prop artist for the game. He says he designed the ending scene, and flat out confirmed that the character in that scene is Sylux. He also confirms that the scene is set on a Federation research station. It was one of the first things he designed for the game. You can see the ArtStation post for yourself below, but in case it is removed at Nintendo’s request, it has been archived over on Wikitroid.

Source: ArtStation

Metroid: Samus Returns History Modules are out now

Nintendo has released two new trailers for Metroid: Samus Returns in the form of video transmissions detailing the history of both Samus and SR388. Despite the game having come out two months ago, it’s still exciting to see a bit more of the lore explained. The trailers could also bring in some new players for the holiday season. The first trailer features gameplay clips from Metroid: Zero Mission, Samus ReturnsSuper Metroid and Metroid Fusion. The SR388 “module” is unlisted, but accessible by clicking on a link at the end of the Samus module. They also provide a name for the “Spiderspark” technique that some of you may have discovered in the game – it’s called the Spider Boost.

The SR388 Data File says that Samus Returns takes place less than a year after Zero Mission, which is slightly inconsistent with the Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet (which said that Prime takes place 3 years after Zero Mission). It also suggests that the Metroids were recently discovered on SR388, when previous media has always said they were first discovered there. The trailer also suggests that Aeion is linked to the Chozo.

You can watch the trailers below.

Universe Trailer/SR388 Data File

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