Nintendo has announced Metroid Dread, a brand new 2D entry in the long-running series, which will be released for the Nintendo Switch this fall.
After reassuring fans that the oft-delayed Metroid Prime 4 is still in development, Nintendo revealed the all new Metroid Dread, which takes Samus back to her 2D roots and equips her with a brand new power suit that blends her traditional mechanized appearance with the more organic, Metroid-infused suit from 2002's Metroid Fusion. Nintendo says that Samus will be more agile than ever, as she can now quickly parkour her way over obstacles and through tight spaces. Players will also be equipped with a variety of returning suit upgrades and brand new pieces of equipment, including the new Omega Beam, a weapon which can fire an extremely powerful, single-use charge shot.
Taking place after Metroid Fusion, which was previously the furthest point chronologically in the series' timeline, Metroid Dread sees Samus traveling to the planet ZDR in order to trace the source of a mysterious transmission. After arriving, Samus is attacked by the vicious E.M.M.I., a mechanical species that was originally built to be used as DNA extracting machines. While many of the previous Metroid games featured Samus landing on the surface of the planet and fighting her way underground, Metroid Dread will begin in the depths of ZDR and tasks Samus with fighting her way upward as she tries to escape the deadly planet. Series producer Yoshio Sakamoto stated that Metroid Dread will conclude the story arc that began with the original Metroid on NES, and will feature the resolution of Samus' love-hate relationship with the series' titular energy-absorbing aliens, the Metroids.
Long-time Nintendo fans may recognize the title Metroid Dread, as the title was previously used for a canceled project that was initially announced for the Nintendo DS in 2005. The game quickly disappeared from Nintendo's release schedule following the launch of the DS, and despite being referenced in 2007's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Nintendo denied that the game was in development. In 2009, Yoshio Sakamoto confirmed that the ideas he had in mind for Metroid Dread were not utilized within the then-upcoming Metroid: Other M, and he mused that the project might get released eventually. With the announcement of Metroid Dread for Switch today, it seems as though Sakamoto has finally followed through on that idea, sixteen years after the title was originally announced.
Metroid Dread launches on Oct. 8, just in time for the series' 35th anniversary. A special edition of the game will also be released, which includes a steel game case, five card prints featuring art from the game, and a 190-page art book covering all five of the main entries in the series. A two-pack of amiibo figures, depicting Samus in her new power suit and one of the robotic E.M.M.I. enemies, will also be released on the same day. The figures can be scanned into the game once per day to refuel Samus' health and ammo.
Source: Nintendo