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Metroid Prime 2 - Echoes Shows Multiplayer Action For GameCube

Posted by simoniker on from the long-awaited dept.

Thanks to Nintendo.com for its new info page officially revealing Metroid Prime 2: Echoes for GameCube, showing several impressive screenshots of "this highly anticipated sequel to Metroid Prime", as the first hints of setting are discussed: "Hunted by a mysterious entity and a warring race called the Ing, Samus Aran must explore the light and dark worlds of this doomed planet." The previously rumored multiplayer mode is also confirmed: "Up to four players can battle each other as they search for weapons, grapple across ceilings, and turn into Morph Balls to make their escapes."

78 comments

  1. Wasn't a fan of the first by Kanpai · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I've been playing Metroid games since the very beginning, and in all honesty, i was disapointed by Metroid Prime, which just seemed too slow to me. It is best described as "walk through hallway. Shoot door. Walk through door. Shoot enemy. Repeat." These new features for the sequel sound promising, and of course the graphics are astounding, but this time i'll be sure to rent it before buying

    1. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by dogbowl · · Score: 2, Funny

      "walk through hallway. Shoot door. Walk through door. Shoot enemy. Repeat."

      and how is that different from every other Metroid title?

      --

      These pretzels are making me thirsty.
    2. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by cbirdsong64 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Oh come on, man, you can sum up any game like that.

      GTA: Walk around city, shoot at people, get in car, get out, repeat.

      Mario: Enter level, jump around, jump on enemy, collect stuff, repeat.

      Halo: Run around, shoot at enemies, drive a jeep, repeat.

    3. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by Frizzle+Fry · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah. I feel like I've entered bizarro world where that description only suits prime rather than suiting the first metroid game with its endless identical repetitive hallways.

      What made Prime so much better is that it wasn't slow and repetitive like the original, and hopefully echoes will keep that going.

      --
      I'd rather be lucky than good.
    4. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by adler187 · · Score: 1

      No, I think you are describing Halo.

      Although you didnt have to shoot the doors for them to open (though you could still shoot them if you wanted to. Maybe to try and convince your brain that you are playing a better game?)

    5. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by SamSim · · Score: 4, Funny

      Tetris: Make a line. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. REPEAT. REPEAT. REPEAT.

      --
      qntm.org
    6. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
      Yes, it is slower moving than Super Metroid. This is the problem with 2D vs 3D; 2D is fundamentally faster and can pull off things like the Speed Booster, whereas 3D really can't. Yep, it takes over twice as long to charge up the charge beam, Missiles have a much slower firing rate, takes longer to jump, and all that.

      At the same time it did really end up feeling like a Metroid game to me, and within hours I was finding myself successfully using some of my old Metroid strategies--tactics that I never thought could be made effective in a 3D game. Objectively the action is a little slower than Super Metroid, but probably faster than, say, Metroid II, and it was very nicely done overall.

      Oh, and you forgot Jump. Sure, it's no Mario 64 in terms of it's jump complexity, but there's a lot of jumping, and grappling, and...to be honest it felt odd that the Jump button was the secondary button, actually (but they had to do that in order to pull off the special beam weapons).

    7. Re:Wasn't a fan of the first by Zangief · · Score: 1

      GTA: Walk around city, shoot at people, get in car, get out, repeat.

      Nintendo games: Have Fun. repeat. repeat.

      yeah, call me fanboy!

  2. Metroid Prime and multiplayer by BigHungryJoe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I loved Metroid Prime. Metroid Prime and Windwaker alone made the Gamecube worth the money.
    Unfortunately, this is the kind of "multiplayer" I was hoping for.

    Why is Nintendo so averse to doing providing a real online multiplayer service? I have a blast on XBox Live and I think that being "Live Enabled" drives the sale of many games.

    It just seems like they're ignoring a potentially lucrative part of the market.

    -BHJ

    1. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mario Party 4 has sold better than any Xbox Live multiplayer game. It seems to me that they know what the hell they're doing.

    2. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think they see online gaming as lucrative. Microsoft loses so much money on Xbox live I wouldn't be suprised if Nintendo never made an online game.

    3. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mario Party 4 is for 1 to 4 players all using the same Gamecube.

      I think the grandparent was referring to real online multiplayer. You know, the kind with ethernet cards where you don't all have to be sitting in the same room.

    4. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by clu76 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'd personally rather have LAN play for Metroid Prime 2. Games are much more fun when the people are sitting in the same room. I have XBox live. Don't like it.

      --
      the cosmos in 20 words or less: thumbuki.com
    5. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh fine, rub our nose in the fact that you have actual friends rather than disembodied X-Box Live voice "friends".

    6. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by CuBeFReNZy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Metroid Prime was an excellent game... and 2 will be even better. I'm so glad to see Nintendo bring back this franchise after so long.

      As for the online... I think Nintendo doesn't see it as profitable yet. Because it really isn't. Out of the estimated 14 million + Xbox users, only 750,000 are subscribed to Live. So Live really isn't pulling that much for Xbox when you look at the general numbers. I love playing games online, and I think it would be great if Nintendo made more of their games online for the GameCube, but I think it's too late in the Cube's life for them to start something.

      The Warp Pipe project is great It makes me look forward to LAN games alot more. I hope Nintendo realizes they can do that instead of having to start their own online service.

    7. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Guppy06 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "Why is Nintendo so averse to doing providing a real online multiplayer service?"

      Because then they'd have to filter out all the assholes online.

    8. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Fine, but did you read the other AC's post closely enough?

      According to that post, Mario Party 4 - a single-console (offline) multiplayer game - has performed better in the market than any Xbox Live game. And that is the point - that the sales of online multiplayer console games is nowhere near the perceived hype, not when compared to offline multiplayer games or (especially) single-player games.

      Personally, I don't play online multiplayer games (other than slashdot). That's not because I have any sort of agenda, that's because the idea has never appealed to me, and every time I've tried it, the experience matches my low expectations. So, I specifically avoid games where the focus is mostly on online multiplayer. If a game's focus is on single-player mode and/or an offline multiplayer mode for playing with friends who are hanging out together, but it also features online multiplayer, then I don't mind. That's why I will readily buy games like this upcoming Metroid Prime sequel, but never an MMORPG or your typical modern FPS.

      The breaking point for me will be when I can have the same experience playing a game against a friend online as I can playing against him or her in the same room. The Xbox Live and Sony SOCOM headsets don't cut it (I've played using both). I'm talking about natural conversation-style stuff, like being able to physically point at my screen and having my friends see and understand, seeing my friends' faces when I whoop on them, getting into foodfights while one person scrambles for the pause button, intangible things like that. Best solution I can think of for online multiplayer games is LAN-play in the same room, with multiple TVs and multiple consoles, but that's so impractical that impromptu multiplayer games become inconvenient, because it's a chore to set up.

      In the meantime, my friends and I are good to go with offline games, and I think we'll be playing them for a long time while technology tries to catch up with what would be the most fun for us.

    9. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by fr0dicus · · Score: 1

      That's 750,000 more than Nintendo.... and they've paid for the privilege. In the UK it's 39/year for Live, assuming that we're getting ripped off (as usual), and that the average internationally is $30/year, that's still $22 million. It certainly doesn't cost anywhere near that much to provide the service, and given that a fair proportion of games already have LAN capability, it's not that much of a stretch to extend the service on the programming side either.

    10. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Salamande · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Interesting point. I think that's one of the prime (ahem) reasons why Nintendo is so skittish about going online.

      When all is said and done, the image they're trying to project is one of a family company...which is quite different from a kiddy company, despite popular opinion. Making a game online capable requires such freedom of communication that it's impossible to censor it and not cripple the experience. Look at Phantasy Star Online: do you think you'd be able to bond with your buddies as well using only the Symbol Chat interface? And even then, they still managed to "dirty" it up...it seems you can make a lot of questionable images with those symbols.

      Even if they stuck on a big, shiny sign covering half the retail box that said, "Hey, people on the net can be assholes, so we're not responsible for hurt feelings incurred playing online!" parents would still bitch the first time little Timmy was told to "fuck off n00b". I guess doing without that grief, and the resultant image shift, is worth the online sales. I disagree, but that may be part of the rationale.

    11. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Squidgee · · Score: 1

      In the US it's $50 a year; I'd hardly say you're getting "ripped off." In fact, I'd say that's about even with the exchange rates.

    12. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by billcopc · · Score: 1

      Console + portable LCD screen, network patch, gamepad: 2 minutes to set up.

      PC + monitor + keyboard + mouse + TCP settings + installing every fricking game + idiots who have half-assed rigs that can't run the latest games and don't listen when you tell them so = wasted day of non-gaming.

      Some people have fun lan parties, but it's not for everyone. On the other hand, most everyone who can operate a game console, can figure out how to connect one cat-5 between two consoles and plug them both in the wall. And those who can't, are probably still playing on PSX or N64.

      --
      -Billco, Fnarg.com
    13. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I'm not sure I get your angle.

      Portable LCD screens (at least the ones I think you're talking about, the 4"-5" screens) sound pretty lame for party gaming. Even someting as small as a 19" screen is pretty much only good for one or two people, sitting right in front of it. For PC LAN parties, sheesh, it's just as bad as you say (luckily I've never set one up, only visited).

      When my friends and I get together for a good fighting game session, or racing, or Monkey Ball, or whatever, it's always in front of at least a 27" TV. For 4-player, preferably it's at my house on a 36" flat CRT or at my friend's house with a (pfft) big-ass rear projection TV. Moving from that kind of setting, with everyone paying attention to the same thing, to a multi-screen setting is so PC-like that it's not really the same as the kind of gaming sessions where we have the most fun. And for parties, it's not that great. At the parties I've been to where there are video games, most people have fun when everybody's watching one big screen. Sticking two big screens in the same room is another major hassle that we've never bothered with, btw.

      Lastly, I think you're wrong about technicaly inept people sticking to old technology. It's typically that kind of person that upgrades everything whenever they get the chance, because they don't know how to work their old stuff properly and therefore stop appreciating it faster than technical people do. My main desktop computer is a Coppermine 933, and it's faster than I need for most things. But my cousin, who doesn't know a thing about computers or optimizing performance, just bought a 2+ GHz P4 rig that he will never fully take advantage of (at least, not before he decides to upgrade again). And me, I bought a PS2 later than all the non-techie friends I have, because I already have some good DVD players and found the initial PS2 lineup of games to be seriously shitty.

    14. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by fr0dicus · · Score: 1

      That's 28. So we're only paying 28% more, not too bad for blighty. :(

    15. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      most everyone who can operate a game console, can figure out how to connect one cat-5 between two consoles and plug them both in the wall. And those who can't, are probably still playing on PSX or N64.
      The early PS1 actually had a feature that allowed linking two of them. Only few games used it (the second wipeout) and it was later removed.

    16. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by zonker · · Score: 0

      you may have paid for the priveledge, but if ms' profit margins aren't high enough (hell if i know what their margins are) for the amount live costs them, i could see it disappearing. companies aren't interested in 'cool features' unless it affects their bottom line, in a positive way.

      --

      Large print giveth, and the small print taketh away

    17. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by xeaxes · · Score: 1

      There's a simple solution to this.

      Every game has an ESRB rating associated with it. Each online game can be automatically censored based on that rating. So, if a game has an M rating, anything goes. If an online game has an E rating, they could auto-sensor bad words, etc. I'm sure they could come up with one that would detect those words in voice too.

      --

      "BEHOLD, CORN!!" - Dr. Weird, ATHF

    18. Re:Metroid Prime and multiplayer by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      As far as I'm concerned this isn't about language, it's about behavior and courtesy. Consider all the assholes on TV and the radio that still come up clean as far as the FCC is concerned.

      Consider. You can scrub their language until you're blue in the face, but they're still assholes and they still detract from the gaming experience of paying customers.

      And, conversely, it is possible to be polite while still swearing like the proverbial sailor.

  3. What?!? by jonbboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Slow? it can be beat in less than 2 hours!

    http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/02/2 9/ 2136259&mode=nested&tid=127&tid=186&tid=207&tid=21 3

    "It is best described as "walk through hallway. Shoot door.
    Walk through door. Shoot enemy. Repeat."

    Bullsh1t!

    Metroid Prime is filled with diverse puzzles and many enemies that require different battle tactics.

    What specifically would you add/change to make it better? (besides add multiplayer). I would just add more of what it already has.

    1. Re:What?!? by jonbboy · · Score: 2, Informative

      "Metroid Prime is filled with diverse puzzles and many
      enemies that require different battle tactics."

      Plus the incredible atmosphere of the game, and the tight controls!!!

    2. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Controls? That Cube controller was a piece of junk to control the game.

    3. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if you were trying to control it like it were Halo. Metroid Prime is not a shooter and therefore doesn't need shooter-style controls. The 'Cube controller works great as a first-person-adventure-game controller.

      --
      M

    4. Re:What?!? by scot4875 · · Score: 2, Informative

      It had a strafe option. Hold the L trigger to strafe.

      You either haven't played it or don't have the mental capacity to cope with such complex control schemes.

      --Jeremy

      --
      Jesus was a liberal
    5. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yawn.

      I am talking about a PROPER, independent strafe option - one that doesn't require me having to hold down a button and that allows me to change the direction I am facing in at the same time.

      There is nothing complex about the MP control scheme at all.

    6. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no point in the game at which you would need to do that, though. Like I said before, it's not a shooter, so it doesn't need shooter controls.

      --
      M

    7. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have played the game and so I am well aware of what type of game it is - a game where you control someone in an FPS view. Such a game needs a proper strafe option simply for normal movement.

      Otherwise you have to back yourself up and move if you need to correct your position. It's like controlling a wheelbarrow.

    8. Re:What?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, either that or use the strafe option that they included by pressing and holding the L trigger.

      --
      M

  4. This'll never get past the censors! by fr0dicus · · Score: 2, Funny

    The evil triple necked trouser snake beast!

  5. Expect a speed run by Radix37 · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    In the traditions of my Metroid Prime 100% in 1:37, as soon as the game is out and dissected ;-)

    --
    Speed Demos Archive - Lots of speed runs!
    1. Re:Expect a speed run by MilenCent · · Score: 1

      Just allow me to say that you, sir, are The Man.

      I've tried the trick to get the Space Jump boots at the beginning of the game and can never pull it off, even with instructions.

    2. Re:Expect a speed run by TrickFred · · Score: 1

      Do you have a 'Players Choice' version of the game? I do - and looking around online, I found a site [can't remember it, was a few months ago] that says that trick, and several other sequence breaking tricks were fixed, but not all of them - there's one room where you can literally climb up a magnetic track by sticking your face in it, turning to the left a bit, and repeatedly jumping - that still works.

  6. metroid + multiplayer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    = the end of a great series.

    can't believe they're giving in to the people who dont understand what metroid is all about.

    1. Re:metroid + multiplayer by Guppy06 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Two years ago you were saying the same thing about Metroid and FPS.

    2. Re:metroid + multiplayer by billcopc · · Score: 1

      That's because Super Metroid was so amazing we didn't expect anyone could top it.

      And in a sense it hasn't been topped, I think. Fusion was fun but short-lived, since as soon as you get the big guns you're already at the last boss fight and it's all over in a blink.

      If they could come up with a 2D-scrolling Metroid but with today's graphics realism.... hmmmmmm.. maybe :)

      --
      -Billco, Fnarg.com
    3. Re:metroid + multiplayer by C0rinthian · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Metroid 2 was better. :)

      It's amazing how much tension you can build in a B/W gameboy game. Heh, the less enemies there were, the more dangerous it was.

      "Oh look, a metroid husk. F--k."

    4. Re:metroid + multiplayer by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      "It's amazing how much tension you can build in a B/W gameboy game."

      Reminds me of the end of Metroid Fusion.

      Someone who had never played Metroid II:
      "What in the world could that be?"

      Someone familiar with Metroid II:
      "FUCK! An Omega! I need more life! I need more missiles! I need my mommy!"

    5. Re:metroid + multiplayer by n0wak · · Score: 1

      Metroid: Zero Mission > Super Metroid

      At least from a pure gameplay point of view. I turned on my SNES and pulled out the old SM cart after playing through Zero Mission three times... maybe more. Better atmosphere with SM (though not being portable helps that), but far slower paced and less balanced out IMO. Don't get me wrong, Super Metroid is great, and from a historical point of view it is the superior game, but Zero Mission topped it.

    6. Re:metroid + multiplayer by billcopc · · Score: 1

      I had nearly forgotten that.. but oh now I remember it so clearly. Empty rooms leave you wondering "Why aren't there any critters in here ?".. was there a secret item hidden somewhere ? or perhaps a huge boss was waiting just ahead.. the temporary absence of danger only suggested that there was a truly monstrous thing just around the corner.

      --
      -Billco, Fnarg.com
    7. Re:metroid + multiplayer by billcopc · · Score: 1

      I actually dislike Zero a little, it doesn't "feel" right in my hands. The animation is too speedy and as such it is somewhat difficult to properly land jumps n'stuff. In contrast the true original metroid was slow as molasses, enough that I used to speed up Nesticle just a touch, to make it more bearable.

      Another thing I kind of miss was the simplicity of the original NES version. It was an entirely novel game to try and exploit the glitches. There is this one trick where you could short-cut to the Mother Brain level by luring a flying critter into the "bridge room" and freezing it as a stepping stone so you didnt' need to fight the other two bosses. Beating Mother Brain's defense system without a full equipment was a challenge in itself.

      --
      -Billco, Fnarg.com
  7. Finish the first game recently by MilenCent · · Score: 1

    I played through it again recently, with 100% items. It didn't strike me as much the first time just how well put-together it is.

    I mean, even in the first area, just look at the walls. There are places in the game where there's multiple laters to the walls, just for the purpose of realism. This game was a labor of love. I can't imagine how many man-hours it must have taken to develop all those textures.

    1. Re:Finish the first game recently by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      "This game was a labor of love. I can't imagine how many man-hours it must have taken to develop all those textures."

      What I found neat was that the textures in some of the "Loading: Please Wait" tunnels in the Chozo Ruins get (more) reflective when you look at them through the thermal visor.

  8. New Icons? New stuff? by FroBugg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The icons on the HUD look different from those in Prime, if I'm remembering correctly. Does this mean it's going to have different beams and visors?

    1. Re:New Icons? New stuff? by MMaestro · · Score: 2, Interesting
      True the icons on the HUD are different, but if you really think about it they can pretty much all be justified as 'revamped.' Chances are they're all the same thing (with a change or two) since, after all; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

      Judging from the first screenshot where you can get the best view :

      Energy bars? Different but its pretty clear what they're trying to do.
      The two verticle bars under the missle count? Again, pretty clear (Dark Blue shows max, Teal shows remaining.)
      Left verticle bar? Danger meter, almost no change there. (Though I wonder why its not spiking with that enemy right in front of Samus... maybe an alpha version screen shot?)
      Map? Again, basic change nothing special.

      Now for the (presumably) Visors and Beam selection :

      Red beam? Energy beam, no brainer if you've played Metroid Prime.
      Blue beam? Cold? Ice? Ice beam? It flipped with the Wave Beam but that could always be changed.
      Green beam? Now admittedly this is reaching a bit but maybe a Plasma Beam? No way to tell until we get more info or until we play it.

      As for the visors, some are pretty self-explanatory..

      Red : Combat visor, check. Blue : Scan visor, check. Yellow : Thermal visor, maybe? The icon is obviously not the same, but it looks even less similar to the X-Ray visor. Green : Who knows? Could be a motion sensor visor, a sound based visor, maybe the new look for the X-Ray visor or even a Radiation/Phazon visor (though I doubt we'll see Phazon again since it was a localized element).

    2. Re:New Icons? New stuff? by Guppy06 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "Energy bars? Different but its pretty clear what they're trying to do."

      But it's definitely different from the way energy has been displayed since the first game. There might be something else involved in there (another try at the Reserve Tank concept?), especially considering the way everything else seems to be revised to get less clutter on the HUD, not more.

      "The two verticle bars under the missle count? Again, pretty clear (Dark Blue shows max, Teal shows remaining.)"

      Or there's two flavors of missiles again. Fusion and Prime had interesting ideas for variety in missiles, but it seemz Zero Mission has gone back to two flavors again. I don't think we'll know either way until we get to play the game ourselves.

      "(Though I wonder why its not spiking with that enemy right in front of Samus... maybe an alpha version screen shot?)"

      Because the "danger meter" was the environmental danger meter. It only goes off if you're about to step in lava/toxic water/Phazon/hot rooms/etc.

      "Map? Again, basic change nothing special."

      I hope the map screen will tell you what rooms you've already colleted items from...

      "Green beam? Now admittedly this is reaching a bit but maybe a Plasma Beam?"

      The icon is swirly. I'd guess Wave.

      Now my question is: If the HUD is so different from Prime, does thsi mean she's in a new/different/modified suit?

    3. Re:New Icons? New stuff? by NonSequor · · Score: 1
      Now my question is: If the HUD is so different from Prime, does thsi mean she's in a new/different/modified suit?


      Firmware upgrade
      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
    4. Re:New Icons? New stuff? by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      "Firmware upgrade"

      By whom? Last I heard, the suit (and a good chunk of her) were Chozo technology

  9. I've said it before, I'll say it again, by GaimeGuy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    People always need a reason to bitch about Nintendo.
    "Nintendo is too traditional!"
    "Nintendo should put multiplayer in Metroid!"

    Now, it's:
    "Nintendo is selling out!"
    "What the hell is Nintendo thinking?! Putting multiplayer in Metroid. No one wanted that crap!"
    People are ALWAYS criticizing nintendo for being too conservative and for not "changing with the times." Now that Nintendo is listening to these people, they're getting branded as sell-outs. Good god, people. If Nintendo wants to become #1 in the industry again, they're going to have to do stuff like this.

    No, it doesn't mean that they're going to change the game formula at all! And no, it doesn't mean they're going to put less effort in their games! They're adding something which the fans asked for. And for the love of god, if anyone can pull off these types of things and still retain the feel of the franchise, it's Nintendo.
    Now why don't you all wait until more about the game is revealed and until you can PLAY it before judging it?

    1. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      People are ALWAYS criticizing nintendo for being too conservative and for not "changing with the times." Now that Nintendo is listening to these people, they're getting branded as sell-outs. Good god, people. If Nintendo wants to become #1 in the industry again, they're going to have to do stuff like this.

      It's what is known as 'discussion'. Nintendo is not bashed any more than any other big company, but all the Nintendo fans get defensive about it and say ridiculous things like your last sentence.


    2. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Actually, I've noticed that Nintendo is the target of young turk gamers that somehow think they've something to prove by kicking the old man of the industry around. Sony doesn't get the same amount of trash that Nintendo gets from casual gamers, for example, just because there would be nothing to gain by dragging their name through the gutter. Sony's extreme to the max, dude. Nintendo? Pssh, "I played that when I was five, but I'm a man now. A MAN!"

    3. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by Zed2K · · Score: 1

      The bigger question is why do you care what people think about Nintendo? As long as they crank out good games they will be around. Let people say whatever they want to say. If someone rips on it does that make the game any less fun?

      Its like people argueing about which OS they use. Its stupid and pointless and the people that get all upset about it are just as bad as those making the statements.

    4. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by GaimeGuy · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'm not getting defensive. I'm telling the truth: people ALWAYS need to complain about Nintendo. I saw thousands of people posting across the internet about wanting multiplayer in metroid. Now, they're getting it, and I'm sure I'm going to see thousands saying that Nintendo's selling out now, too.

      No matter what, Nintendo is always criticized. They were criticized for making the smart business decision in selling Rare (Rare, during the past three years, had made up for less than % of Nintendo's profits), which has only produces one game since the sale, Grabbed by the Ghoulies. Ironically, it has already released two of its GBA games which were completed before they were sold to microsoft. And now, the revival of Banjo Pilot for the GBA has shown up! So Nintendo's systems, for now, are STILL getting more games from Rare than the X-box is! And Nintendo is making the smart business decision in staying out of online, for now, untill it becomes profitable and something affordable to all games. I hardly see anything wrong with Nintendo's business practices.

      Now, on to what you said about my comment: It's not ridiculous. The company's image and reputation isn't going to change unless the COMPANY does something about it. I'm not saying Nintendo's going to go bankrupt. I'm not saying they're going to fail. What I'm saying is that if Nintendo wants to INCREASE its market share, then they're going to have to do stuff like this. I retain full confidence in their abilities, and I'm confident that they'll make this multiplayer thing work out.

    5. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by GaimeGuy · · Score: 1

      I mean they made up for less than 5%. In fact, during the last year they were partially owned by Nintendo, less than one percent (.5%, I believe) of Nintendo's profits were from Rare. Rare became a liability, so nintendo got rid of them.

    6. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      'm not getting defensive.

      You are.


      I'm telling the truth: people ALWAYS need to complain about Nintendo. I saw thousands of people posting across the internet about wanting multiplayer in metroid. Now, they're getting it, and I'm sure I'm going to see thousands saying that Nintendo's selling out now, too.

      No matter what, Nintendo is always criticized.

      Oh, poor Nintendo! How will they ever cope?!?

      Of COURSE they will be critised when they do something, just like what happens to every other single company in the world. Sony brought games to the mass market, and some complain they killed the industry. MS tried to keep the online gaming thing going and people complain that we aren't yet ready for it. Nintendo are not singled out anymore than the other companies are, it's just that the Nintendo fans can't bear to hear it.


      Now, on to what you said about my comment: It's not ridiculous. The company's image and reputation isn't going to change unless the COMPANY does something about it. I'm not saying Nintendo's going to go bankrupt. I'm not saying they're going to fail. What I'm saying is that if Nintendo wants to INCREASE its market share, then they're going to have to do stuff like this. I retain full confidence in their abilities, and I'm confident that they'll make this multiplayer thing work out.

      It IS a ridiculous thing to say. I am totally and utterly baffled as to why I keep hearing Nintendo fans say things like "if Nintendo are to be number 1 again then..".

      Seriously, why do you care if they are number one or not?

    7. Re:I've said it before, I'll say it again, by GaimeGuy · · Score: 1

      You honestly believe that Nintendo doesn't get any more criticism than Sony or Microsoft? I suggest you open your eyes.

      And please, direct me to where I said that I wanted Nintendo to hold the largest market share. I said that if they want to increase their market share, then this is what they should do. And of course Nintendo wants to increase their market share: They get more users, more potential profit, and, from an artistic side, the chance to expose their games to more people.

      People say I'm getting defensive. All I'm doing is speaking from the point of view of what Nintendo can do to expand as a business. I'd like someone to show me where I've been defensive.

  10. Battle is good... by CylanR77 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But not all of the time. What I'd really like to see in this game is cooperative multiplayer.

    Perhaps it's just me, but I've played games where the series or main focus of the game is based on single player mode, and the multiplayer "battle" modes were dull and simply not as fun as other games that were designed for multiplayer combat. On the other hand, I've had a blast playing games that include cooperative gameplay.

    Granted, cooperative gameplay makes more sense in the adventure/puzzle genre, but that's mostly what Metroid is. I'd much rather have friend and I playing the game and accomplishing it together than having both of our progress slowed by each other.

    --
    http://cylan.deviantart.com/gallery/
    1. Re:Battle is good... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think cooperative gameplay would fit with Metroid Prime's style. I mean, you're this bounty hunter who's by herself searching through a planet. Having more than one person there would destroy the atmosphere, or at least totally change it from what it's meant to be.

  11. I agree, with one exception by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
    The one real exception I've found is the way the Omega Pirate plays. When I went through on Hard Mode without too many items recently (notably lacking were all the beam-missile weapons other than Super Missiles) I just found that the randomness of which type of enemy showed up, and the randomness of whether all enemies would be the same type was rather obnoxious. It was also kind of silly that I found myself trying to memroize the ceiling so that I'd know where it's safe to walk while strafing.

    Though yes, I can find very few flaws in this game in general, and a lot of things that just feel incredibly polished.

    1. Re:I agree, with one exception by MilenCent · · Score: 1

      Eeee, the fight with the Omega Pirate *can* be annoying, but I always put that down to my own skillz.

      I can think of one texture I wish they'd have improved. When going down an elevator, you can see the pixels on Samus', um, breastplate.

      - John Harris

  12. Could work... by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
    Though, you'd really need a storyline based around it. I'm thinking specifically about the

    *SPOILERS*

    10 SA-Xs in Metroid Fusion.

    *ENDSPOILERS*

    There's also a lot of really nice puzzles you can set up for multiplayer. Anybody else here played those RPGs where the party splits in half and one side pushes a switch which moves an object in the other half of the dungeon? those puzzles tend to end up reasonably interesting every time, though this does assume both players are similar in skill....

  13. Well I am glad someone said it.... by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
    I do feel that the criticism aimed at Nintendo can sometimes be overdramatic, and if anything I've been surprised at how good a few business decisions have been in retrospect. Case in point: Rare has released...practically nothing on the XBox (just Grabbed by the Ghoulies last time I checked). Also interesting is how Sony and Microsoft are now planning to use chips made by ATI and IBM for their next consoles (GCN's partnerships). At the same time...

    HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE MULTIPLAYER FEEL LIKE METROID?!?!? HOW!!?

    Okay, now that my obligatory venting is done...to be honest I tend to buy games for a new experience. As much as I loved Metroid Prime, there's a reasonable chance I wouldn't buy Prime 2 if it sounded too similar. On the other hand, multiplayer will be something new, so will likely cause me to buy this.

    Yes, this is called irony. Yes I am still angry at them for making it multiplayer *pouts*

  14. Space jump first by Radix37 · · Score: 1
    It's still possible to get the space jump first on the game that "fixed" scan dashes, but it's a little harder. Go here for full details.

    --
    Speed Demos Archive - Lots of speed runs!
  15. Mike Hawk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Whats the matter Mike, posting as AC now because you ran out of Karma again?

  16. co-op is awesome more games should do it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I remember playing coop quake 2 online (on my pc of course, no gc port yet ;) ) a few times, and now me and my girl play Rebel Strike, it's really fun.