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Metroid Co-Creator Calls Transition To 3D A Necessary Change

e3 2010
by Jeff Marchiafava on June 17, 2010 at 08:57 PM
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Nintendo's veteran designer Yoshio Sakamoto not only helped create the NES classic Metroid, but he also oversaw every 2D incarnation of the critically acclaimed series until the franchise went 3D in 2002. So when we sat down with him this week to discuss his newest project, Metroid: Other M, we couldn't help but ask what he thinks of the direction the series has taken.

"Well things certainly have changed a lot for Samus and the Metroid games from the very beginning to where they are now," Sakamoto told us, "but I feel that it was a very natural and desirable evolution. In fact each step along the way felt like it was a necessary and important change. When you think about the kind of experiences you have with Metroid, you’re slowly sinking into an unexplored world.  So adding 3D to that definitely adds a certain level of immersion and sense of depth when you’re exploring the worlds."

However, Sakamoto was quick to point out that they're taking a different approach to how gamers will play in 3D, by making it handle more like its side-scrolling predecessors. "...We’ve been able to come full circle in terms of controls. We’ve been able to take the feeling of immersion and depth of the 3D games and marry that to the accessible control schemes available in the first games."

We'll bring you more of our interview with Sakamoto later in the week. In the meantime, check out our hands-on impressions of Metroid: Other M from the show floor.

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  • by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 08:59 PM

    oh, a 3D world, not like stereoscopic viewing. i agree with what he says

  • by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:05 PM

    i'm glad they decided to go with this. the result looks amazing. i was, however, expecting a follow-up to Prime 3 but this was much MUCH better. WE CAN SEE SAMUS AS WE PLAY! sadly i don't have a Wii... feel free to "donate" one to me.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:07 PM

    Great change. Love the franchise even more now.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:09 PM

    To each it's own.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:22 PM

    I agree.  Most people hated the 3D Metroids, but I loved them.  Would love to see a 2D Metroid on the 3DS.  Could be awesome....

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:26 PM

    I'm glad that I'm on the same page with Sakamoto. Metroid: Other M looks to be the best of both worlds with side-scrolling exploration and first-person immersion.

    Now if only he would keep the story out of the way of the gameplay... because I hated Fusion and Prime 3 for breaking up the gameplay with cutscenes. Everything should be seamlessly tied together in a Metroid game. That's what made Super and Prime so good.

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    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:36 PM

    3D on a wii game. ugh that sounds horrible.

  • by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:40 PM

    i just want to know the story and more about baby samus and samus connection.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:44 PM

    Nice.  Playing through the Metroid Prime Trilogy disc for Wii and it rules so far!

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    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 09:50 PM

    a Metroid Prime for the 3DS would be nice, but a really Metroid Prime, not the Hunters *** that was for the DS

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    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 10:15 PM

    They did a great job transitioning it to 3D in the first place.  There was a lot of controversy even then and the results were spectacular.  No doubt Other M will be too.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 11:12 PM

    I have always been a fan of Metroid, and this game just might top Metroid 3.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 11:38 PM

    Awesome, can't wait.

  •
    by Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 11:56 PM

    Love Metroid. 2D or 3D, hands down one of the best franchises ever made.

  •
    by Friday, June 18, 2010 at 07:49 AM

    This game can't come out fast enough.

  •
    by Friday, June 18, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    Well the change is a bit different from what were use to but I have to agree, it was necessary to make the series better even though I wasn't a huge fan of the Prime series.

  •
    by Friday, June 18, 2010 at 11:34 AM

    3D just adds more depth and immersion into games.

  •
    by Friday, June 18, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    I can't wait to play this game! I can't stand fps I like being able to see my character

  •
    by Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 08:27 AM

    The concept of a 3d world is a great idea.  However, I have played through EVERY metroid game, and have found every item, but I still would LOVE to meet Adam Malkovich, and the Etecoons/Dachoras mentioned in the Metroid fusion plot.  

    083110 is the date of the release

  •
    by Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 05:30 PM

    I agree with him, and I'm glad that he is open to change and innovation.

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