With Metroid Prime 3: Corruption just released to glowing reviews, series developer Retro Studios has officially stated that its next project is not a Metroid game. The Prime line has been described as a trilogy in the past, and statements by Corruption director Mark Pacini have now confirmed Retro is easing off not only Prime but the overall franchise as a whole.

"We are taking a break from the Metroid series and from Samus," said Pacini in a Yahoo! Games video interview. "So I'm sure there will be other titles created, but as far as Retro Studios is concerned, we're taking a break for a little bit."

As Nintendo's premier Western development studio, it is very likely Retro has other Wii projects in the works, though none are announced. Before shaving down development to focus on the original Metroid Prime (GCN), released in 2002, Retro was working on numerous projects including the widely-known RPG Raven Blade. It is unknown if Retro will resurrect any defunct properties.

Pacini also spoke on the challenges of properly using the system's unique controller. "We spent a great deal of time and research on how the... Read more

With the release of Retro Studios' excellent Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) comes a tantalizing hint that the series may have yet have another 2D entry in the works.

In 2005, various print and online publications released news of Metroid Dread, a new 2D Metroid game in development by Nintendo for DS. Nintendo has always been cagey about the game, and since then the game has been inconsistently reported as being cancelled or indefinitely delayed.

However, scanning an unassuming control console in the second half of Metroid Prime 3 yields the following message: "Experiment status report update. Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion." Whether this means the game is indeed close to release is unclear, but it suggests Nintendo may not yet have shelved it completely.

Shacknews has sent requests to Nintendo regarding the matter.

Nintendo has released two more trailers for Retro Studios' Metroid Prime 3: Corruption by way of the game's Wii preview channel. Like the first two updates, today's consists of a narrative trailer paired with a gameplay video. Below, check out a video about the ability-boosting Phazon Enhancement Device, and continue on to the full article to see gameplay of Samus entering her Phazon-powered Hyper Mode.

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New at Eurogamer today is this Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview. The article offers hands-on impressions.

As indicated by the pulsing blue light surrounding the Wii console's disc drive, another system update was released tonight.

According to a bulletin sent out to Wii users via the systems, the relatively minor update fixes a freezing issue with the Internet Channel, which occurred when resetting the system while browsing, as well as smooths out some connection problems associated with the console's optional ethernet adapter.

Just before the system was sent out, two new Metroid Prime 3 videos were released to the Metroid Prime 3 preview channel. They showcase Samus' spider ball ability and a galaxy-wide network of Aurora supercomputers--which bear a striking resemblance to antagonist Mother Brain. The videos can also be found on FileShack. The spider ball video can be seen below, and the Aurora video is viewable in the full story.

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A message today from Nintendo entitled "It's a month of Metroid!" on the Wii Shop Channel revealed the upcoming releases of Metroid and Super Metroid on the Wii Virtual Console. Metroid will be available for download Monday for 500 Wii Points ($5), with Super Metroid arriving one week later on August 20 for 800 Wii Points ($8), according to the message.

A Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview package is also available as via the Wii Shop Channel, containing a trailer, gameplay video, and "scratch-off" game revealing different pictures of Samus. Download the videos from FileShack.

The campaign breaks a trend of a conspicuous lack of marketing for Retro Studios' shooter. Despite being hailed by press as one of the Wii's most promising core audience games (check out our preview), Nintendo has devoted little marketing muscle to the title. Metroid Prime 3 ships August 27.

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Bad news regarding highly anticipated Wii titles is hovering above Tuesday like a dark Lakitu.

In a somewhat unsurprising, but still discouraging announcement, Retro Studios CEO Michael Kelbaugh tells GamePro that his studio's upcoming title Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will not feature online multiplayer.

"It's something we talked about early on, but we only have so many resources. We opted to devote those resources to making a better single-player experience," he said.

There is no word on any offline multiplayer mode, although Nintendo's website lists the title as supporting only one player. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is now due to ship on August 27, a week later than originally ... Read more

With Retro Studios' anticipated Wii shooter Metroid Prime 3 originally slated for an August 20 launch, Nintendo today moved the release of the game to August 27. The news was included at the end of an announcement detailing the October 1 launch date for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (NDS).

Perhaps to atone for the minor delay, Nintendo also released a slew of screenshots and character art for the game.