The Metroid Prime series is hugely popular among the franchise's fanbase - you probably already knew that if you chose to read this article - but the games are starting to show their age a little as technology gallops forward. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is now 15 years old (where does the time go?), with its GameCube visuals naturally looking noticeably different to today's standards.
But what would the games look like if they were given a significant resolution upgrade? Well, you can take a look for yourself thanks to this video below which sees an emulated version of the game running at 60fps in 4K. The texture upscales have been achieved by using a neural network, with the credit going to BearborgOne.
The difference is perhaps most notable at around the two-minute mark when Samus' ship crash lands and the much-prettier-than-usual scenery is revealed. You can see how it looked originally in the video below (that crash landing takes place from the 2:56 mark here).
You probably know what we're going to say next, but where on Earth has this Metroid Prime Trilogy HD collection for Switch got to? It must be happening, right? Please?
Are you as desperate as us to relive the Metroid Prime series in glorious HD? Let us know in the comments below.
[source reddit.com, via kotaku.com]
Comments 36
If they announced the HD trilogy for Switch then I think it’d be my most anticipated game! I super hope they do it.
@Ajent Would happily vie for a hardcopy of that.
Just let us choose between GCN controls and Wii controls.
I want the HD Trilogy SO BADLY!
Come on Nintendo, you still have to compensate for that MP4 delay, you know.
I admit, the Prime trilogy is already perfect. They would just need to do some minor tweeks and remaster it in HD and... Dammit, now I want it even though I already have it on the Wii.
If it comes out, it's got to be GC controls for all three games.
Just started Corruption (as it's the only one I've still got) and it's just not doing it for me.
I'd love for them to re-release the Metroid Prime Trilogy in HD with gyro aiming but it'll probably be a while before that happens, if it happens. It'll be a long time before Metroid Prime 4 comes out so that leaves a pretty big gap of time for them to do a HD Trilogy and I can see them waiting till there's going to be a bit of a gap in the release schedule. Or, just as likely, they just won't bother at all.
I would be shocked if it was 60fps on the switch
@BenAV Unless they were always working on this?
@frabbit It's certainly possible. It could come out at any point between next year and never.
@BenAV Surely any time between next week and never. I need this in my life 2019!
@frabbit Haha. I guess there's always a chance but I'll be really surprised if it comes out this year given how stacked the second half of the year already is.
@Mooj738 the originals run at 60fps.
I'm not worried about performance with Nintendo games on the Switch, 3rd parties is a different story.
I would have to pass unless they included a game feature that was worth me buying the trilogy again. I can always just fire up the Wii U.
oh that FOV is killing me
I’m making my way through Metroid prime 2 again but this time playing the Wii Triology version through the WiiU VC. I’m getting the sky temple keys atm. Such a good game. The ingenuity in the level design is just awesome. I have such admiration for the developers. The game still looks great on my 50inch TV. So impressive for 15 year old game. Just for a comparison I set up the original game using my old day 1 GameCube and new Carby HD adapter and that looks just as good. I’m loving replying old GameCube classics. Up next is timesplitters 2 and FP.
I've never played any of the prime games, but from the ones I tried, it's just not or me.
I just couldn’t get into them. I know I’m in the minority. Should they release them for the Switch, I’d take at them for sure. Plus it will be fun to see all the hardcore fans going bonkers happy
Please Nintendo make this happen.
I don't like the result here : it all feels odd. The ship seems to be floating like a puppet, and seems to be in a different place that the background. Better resolution and better framerate alone are not always a good idea : sometimes art direction doesn't support it.
If you look at the original footage, none of that happen.
This footage prooves that Metroid Prime Trilogy needs a remake and not a simple remaster.
Get out of my face with those AI-upscaled textures.
I have been playing 4k gamecube games for ages on my Dolphon emulator. Judge me all you want but I have bought these games over and over throughout the years.
@Rafke That's where modding comes in handy. My copy of Mario Kart Wii is in mint condition, and seeing as it's located on the hard drive connected to my soft-modded Wii, there's no need for digging through physical collections either...
@frabbit Prime 3 disappointed me as well. I was not fond of the motion controls and some other changes. I also really liked the control setup on the GC. I know some never liked it, but it felt so natural to me. I get that others like the motion controls, but I'm always a fan of having options, and it's annoying when they take options away. Hopefully, if they release a new version, they'll restore the GC controls.
I've just got to say that I've played the first Prime recently on a Wii and it held up brilliantly, both the gameplay and the super smooth 60fps visuals.
I'm all for a HD coat of paint for older games if the opportunity is given, but I don't think these look bad in standard def. Areas like Phendrana when I played through MPT still had a "wow" factor IMO.
Then again, graphics don't make or break most games for me.
I would love to see a HD Trilogy for the Switch hopefully before Prime 4
The switch wireless play and online features could make for a great multiplayer mode... Or co-op story mode...
FFS I’m getting very impatient with the lack of Metroid! The only news we’ve was bad in the MP4 delay...
Please Nintendo give us something!
Looks like I'm one of the lucky few nintendo fans who've never played Metroid Prime. I'll be experiencing it all for the first time when the Switch HD collection launches!
Annnny day now...
Metroid Prime Trilogy HD ...
1080p, 60fps
Ninty has no excuse lol
I'd love to pick up a Metroid Prime Trilogy in HD. It's one of those things on the list of "I really don't know why Nintendo doesn't do this"
But that's a long list.
Looks amazing after all these years. Some of my favorite games of all time. Who do I have to kill to make this happen?
Metroid Prime HD Trilogy Deluxe. Come on Reggie, make an epic exit and announce this on your last day, My body is ready.
@frabbit I've finished MP3: Corruption recently. Must admit I really didn't like it at first but thought it was awesome by the time I completed it. There is lots of backtracking though which I didn't notice so much in the first two games. You also get special endings for getting 75% and 100% of the upgrade pickups. Hope it picks up for you.
@Rhaoulos The only thing about Prime Trilogy which annoyed me a lot was the "friend vouchers". Basically you cannot 100% the game without using Wii Connect 24 which went out of service ages ago, meaning you can't unlock some of the bonus content which really disappointed me
A HD Trilogy would put that right but personally I still want motion controls as an option and I heard the Joy Cons aren't as good as the Wii remote for pointer controls so am not sure if we'd get motion controls for a HD version. You can't have everything I guess.
40 minutes and only a minute of it is real gameplay.
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