Blogger Coffeewithgames recently noticed that Amazon US had stopped stocking Metroid Prime Trilogy a few weeks back. He fired off an email of enquiry to Nintendo about the status of the title and got a response from Nintendo.
"Unfortunately, Metroid Prime Trilogy is no longer being shipped. Having said that, you may be able to find what you seek through the secondhand video game market."
Some further probing was done to confirm the reasons behind why it was being discontinued. When the game was first announced, Nintendo did say that it would be available on a limited basis, but could not provide a reason why. The other New Play Control titles are not subject to this discontinuation however and Nintendo continues to develop and ship those titles. It's not known if other regions are affected by this as of yet, but we'll certainly let you know if we're able to find out anything on the subject.
The limited availability likely has something to do with the steelbook the US version of this collection comes packaged in. There's no mention of an alternative release nor of more "New Play Control" titles, so if you're hankering for some Wii Metroid action now might be a good time to snap up a copy while you still can!
[source coffeewithgames.blogspot.com]
Comments 115
Wow that sucks, atleast I got myself a copy a while back... (still have yet to play it, but I get to it soon hopefully).
Augh! Must get game before out of store! I was planning on waiting until i beat metriod prime 3 but...
I wasn't going to get the trilogy just because I already own the originals, but I may change my mind now.
That is an interesting decision by Nintendo, dont really see a reason why they would do that!
SO glad i broke my own rule and paid full price for the game on launch day!
The best game on the Wii, I'd say. Anyone who hasn't gotten it...GET IT. Even if you don't like it, the fact that it's being discontinued means you can flog it for big bucks on ebay. You really can't lose.
GODDAMN Gotta find it quick... D:
Glad I got my copy at launch. It's AWESOME. Go get it, guys!
One question; WHY?!?!
Damn! i have to find it before its too late
I need to snag it soon then. Graanted I already have MP1-3, but...its a steelbook!
I've had my copy since August, woohoo. Still in excellent shape, too. =)
Good thing I got my copy day 1. I almost feel like buying a second copy just to keep sealed up.
OH NO
...have to make a choice...have to make a choice...
This is just raspberries nintendo. I mean REALLY, why would this do this! I beat you the PS3 and the 360 wouldn't just stop shipping a great game package like. You know what forget this i'm moving to the other guys anyway.
D:
Why discontinue it? The game sells like... um...
OK, so I can't come up with a good metaphor. But that game sold so damn well. You'd think a money-loving company like Nintendo would keep it in stock for as long as the Wii was being made.
I actually found the games a bit boring so eh I don't care.
oh wow, i got this on release, i even bought a new TV because i felt my old one didn't do the games justice, it's THAT good. If you haven't got this game yet, you'll soon regret it.
i didnt have any of the games before, so i got this for christmas and its amazing! besides the games themselves, the organization and layout of the actual trilogy is brilliant. you earn metals by playing through the three games and you can spend them on bonus content. also when you beat one of the games once, you can start a new file on a new difficulty and still keep all of the logbook scans .
...are you sure they're not just discontinuing the shiny metal boxes? they gotta still be making the actual disc game right? otherwise people are gonna copy it and sell fake discs on ebay.
Aw, and I was at least THINKING of getting this! (Never really jumped into metroid, but I have the DS Demo) Maybe Metroid Primes 1 & 2 will be released separately as New Play Controlls or something along those lines.
Looks like I'm screwed. After all, I basically always miss an good oppertunity for games.
Well to all you collectors out there ya might make a pretty penny off this set and I hope ya do if you do so choose to sell em on sites like eBay and Amazon. I had both GC titles already so I did not want to play through those much more and I got 3 on the Wii, so I was set.
Yes! I'll go and buy another one, and in a decade it will cost hundreds of dollars on whatever Ebay will be called by then!
Well I know what I'm doing tomorrow....runnning out to Wal-Mart to buy a copy.
Well, they DID label it a "collector's edition." By that logic, it should've been discontinued a couple months ago. I already have a copy, thankfully. Sorry to those who'll miss out or have to buy used because of this.
Well, there are copies around local electronics stores in Jamaica so I'm in luck.
BLASPHEMY! But seriously, pick up a copy right now if you enjoy life.
I bought it and have only played the first one. I shouldn't judge the games based on just one game, but to tell you the truth I didn't enjoy it that much.
I just hope they're not doing a Disney. Y'know, putting their best stuff in the 'vault' for years at a time. The Metroid Prime games are among the best ever, and should always be available. I guess a definite benefit of a download-only future in gaming is that at least re-releasing games is less hassle for publishers.
Good thing....
I can't stand the Metroid Prime series. So it works out for me, an extra slot in stores for a game I might buy.
Picked it up for $20 when Best Buy had it on sale. People need to go buy it.
Either the special case is going, or they're going to put out separate editions of Prime 1 and 2 would be my guess.
"Either the special case is going, or they're going to put out separate editions of Prime 1 and 2 would be my guess."
I suspect they'll probably re-release the Trilogy at some point down the line, just without the steel case and art book. I don't see them putting out Prime 1 & 2 individually since they seem to have dropped the remaining New Play Control games (Chibi Robo, Pikmin 2) for the US market.
Awesome. I love this game, yet I can't wait to sell it when it's worth big bucks.
Hopefully I can find it tomorrow at Wal Mart or GameStop (unless it's been opened by GameStop) and keep it sealed for a while then sale it for some car money
Because I totally want to buy a compilation of three games I already have, except with worsened graphics.
Well, good thing no one's forcing me to buy it.
I missed out on Bestbuys sale. Found out after, I think. Still P*ssed! Is it on sale for less than 50 anywhere?
figures the second I get the money to buy this game they stop shipping it.
Darn it!
buy.com still has it
I really cannot believe Nintendo is going to do this; it is a fortune to have it in my stock right now, I think this is a great game (three games, actually) so get it now if you do not have it.
Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo decided to completely stop making the trilogy. They did a very similar thing to Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn after a relatively short time.
Anyway, I only played it very little after I picked this pack up. After reading about this tidbit earlier today on Kotaku I ended up diving into MP1 this afternoon, and I somehow managed to play for five hours straight. Still a damn good game! So the graphics are a bit dated.
I got my copy at target before black friday they sold it for 20 new
I preorder every game I want just about so I'm not worried obviously but what was the motive to stop selling more copies?
I never could get into any of the first-person Metroid games. Just seems to claustrophobic to me. That and first-person games are best played with a keyboard and mouse IMO. I can see my local stores selling out of these now for resale on eBay... The same people that bought out all the Zhu Zhu Pets...
LAME! I was going to wait until I got back to the States in Aug/Sept. to buy it. Well, I'll see if i can have it shipped to my bf's house or something (although, he doesn't have a wii, so he can't play it-hehehe).
Edit: Buy.com and Walmart have it online for about $50. Bestbuy, Target, and Gamestop do not have the game in stock online. None of the sellers on Amazon are offering the game cheaper than Buy.com, so that's where I bought mine.
Good thing I got mine when it came out.
This is so odd. Luckily, I pre-ordered my copy. I am never getting rid of this wonderful collection.
I already own Metroid Prime 1 and 2 on the Gamecube, amd Metroid Prime 3 on the Wii so I could care less about Nintendo getting rid of the collection.
For the people who are questioning Nintendo for this
umm...
ITS A COLLECTOR'S EDITION!
It's supposed to be available on a limited basis. Every collector's edition, limited edition, and game-of-the-year edition is supposed to have a VERY limited number of games. IF it was supposed to be a regular game, than the game wouldn't say on the cover: Metroid Prime Trilogy: Collectors Edition; It would simply say: Metroid Prime Trilogy.
For example, and i'm going to examples of PS3/360 (don't attack me on this), Modern Warfare 2 Hardened Edition and Presiged Edition have a limited stock and will discontinue anytime soon. LittleBigPlanet and another game that I can't remember right now Game-of-the-Year Edition are also going to discontinue in a matter of time (if they haven't already)... and those two plus MPT and MW2 are all AAA tiles.
So don't think that Nintendo WILL keep on selling Metroid Prime Trilogy forever or any company for that matter to sell anything that is SUPPOSED to be rare.
EDIT: btw: I got my copy at launch, played it for hours and STILL have the disc in my Wii right now. If you look at the Nintendo Channel right now on my Wii, you can see that Metroid Prime Trilogy is just 3 minutes more than Super Smash Bros. Brawl despite I bought Brawl at launch as well AND played it for an avarage of 4 hours/day almost every day.
Oi shenanigans dude, I'm glad I picked it up a few weeks ago then. Maybe they'll start selling it again without the metal case?
Not interested in this anyways. No sweat from my sack.
Going back into the Disney Vault, eh?
But... but.... I haven't even seen a copy of it anywhere yet!!! Now it's going to get even harder! (
I'm glad I found this game when I did. They're great games. I was tempted to buy the Gamecube versions but I found a used copy of the trilogy with all the documetation (including the registration code) at a movie rental store. Between the sale price and the in store credit I had I only paid $12 Canadian for it.
@Junior117: While it's true that Metroid Prime Trilogy does claim to be a "Collector's Edition," it does not follow the usual trends of the branding. There is no other edition of Metroid Prime Trilogy other than the original releases, which clearly should not count. They already made WAY more copies than most Collector's Editions get, having run for several months (the limited MW2 packs you mentioned went out of production at launch, as is the norm for such bundles). As for the GOTY releases you mentioned: Those aren't limited releases, they just replace the regular model at retail until the game as a whole is discontinued.
It's also worth pointing out that while Nintendo apparently did at some point say that the game would have a limited run, they have NEVER actually referred to it as a collector's item outside of the printed packaging. This creates understandable confusion, as they don't seem to have done a good enough job of explaining to people that it wouldn't be available very long.
Gamestop:
Metroid Prime (GCN): 3.99
Metroid Prime: Echoes (GCN): 9.99
Metroid Prime: Corruption (Wii): 19.99
Buy them all separately and you get them for cheaper. Is there any new content, or is it just buying the GCN games so you can use Wii controls?
OH GOSH OH GOSH OH GOSH I HOPE THEY STILL SELL IT HERE LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO FIND A COPY.
Good thing I got mine for my birthday.
@postmanX3
If you call lossing two 2-D efects exclusive from pal version, because samus's weapon now moves, "worse graphics". Yes it's true.
Otherwise i must say that information is false, generated from the usual wii media troll bashing.
Traded my copy before Christmas ... might regret that now!
@Joe Diddley:
Well I got a spare PAL version to sell or trade if ure interested.
Oh everything is a "collector's edition" these days but they never usually disappear. I often wonder what type of collectors they are aiming them at. Like you'll see a DVD of Finding Nemo that says "collector's edition" on it - but what collectors? Collectors of Finding Nemo DVDs? You'll also find that this Collector's Edition is the most common version - the original basic release would have been in more limited numbers - so therefore surely the original would be of more interest to Finding Nemo DVD collectors than the actual "Collector's Edition", right?
I think this might be the case here in the UK too. I just checked GAME and they're out of stock - and, unlike with other games that are out of stock, there's no option to be informed when they get more stock in. Which I assume means they won't get more stock in.
Buying my copy. NOW.
@:madgear: It's just a lable they put on things to show it has more special features. Calm down.
Damn I need to go buy one soon!
Yes, the Wii controls are worth it. Don't know how anybody who has played Prime 3 can question it. sigh
Could this have something to do with making room for Other M? Maybe we'll see a regular box version of this with no special inserts after the metal box is gone. Probably after Other M has run its initial sales? Could be. I wouldn't bet on it, though.
@PostmanX3: Because improving all the textures, adding bloom lighting, and adding widescreen support totally makes the graphics worse amirite? The only graphics that are worse are the pre-recorded video sequences. Of which there's precisely 1 in Metroid Prime (and only then when you clear it 100%) and maybe 2 in Echoes. The majority of the videos in these games are scripted, not pre-recorded. Oh, and as someone else mentioned, yeah, the Ice Beam doesn't freeze up any more when you charge it. Big hairy deal, clearly the game is ruined.
So tempting... still no.
Agree with aaron, I think they're making room for Other M. It may be coming sooner than we think. I say bring on the new metroid. There's enough copies of this out there that you could find it if you really want it....it will be on the bay for a while. After all it is a collectors edition...it should be available for a limited time. No reason to go turncoat because nintendo is doing what they said they were gonna do with it....geez
I managed to grab a copy one week after it came out. Don't know what I'm going to do with the original Metroid Prime III though...
Ordered my copy the 10th December. Got the package the 7th January with the wrong game inside. Got need for speed shift for xbox360 instead. Now it seem they want me to pay for the returning costs. Me very impressed. If I don´t hear from them before Tuesday I will let you know wich store to avoid.
@Wolfcoyote
I sold mine, for me owning the same game on the same plataform was kind stupid.
lol now to sell it in 10 years when super rare
Got mine before Christmas for $29 at Target. I'm glad they're discontinuing it. What's the point of putting Collector's Edition on the box if it's not limited?
holy crap,gotta get this game quick, good thing we're outnumbered by the casual gamers, might be easy to get the last few copies
Actually, I found one on amazon... just from some random website...
Funny cause a month ago Best Buy had it for sale for 20 bucks. I should have picked it up....
The responses to this post are exactly why Nintendo did this. Brilliant!
I might have to pick one up soon then...
It seemed like it was going to be like those "limited edition" platinum Gamecubes that they sold for about 5 years.
Got it a few days after release, so I'm good.
Also, the platinum gamecubes are limited edition?
Well...my local Wal-Mart didn't have it (I did picked up the wii version of Star Wars the Force Unleashed and Scribblenauts for the same price though). Looks like I may never find it...at an affordible price that is. Shame, I filled out an intend to buy survey for it on Club Nintendo
Well, there is a big, orange, obvious banner across the front that says "collector's edition". I wondered what that meant, 'cause y'know, it was the only one they sold. Now I know. This is kinda cool, actaully. I now own a soon-to-be rare collector's item (Not that I'd ever sell it or anything).
The sleeve clearly says "Collector's Edition," which, to me, suggests that there will be a non-collector's edition. I'm sure the game will re-emerge as a $29.99 title in standard packaging.
"The sleeve clearly says "Collector's Edition," which, to me, suggests that there will be a non-collector's edition."
Isn't that the original games?
@Starkiller: Not necessarily. Those are the original games, as opposed to the regular edition of the "Metroid Prime Trilogy." It's like how they released two versions of the season sets of The X-Files...the first, obscenely expensive versions had a bunch of special features while the second, budget edition is pretty bare-bones. You still get the show either way, but it's about what you want to come WITH it.
besides fire emblem, warioware is another 1st party title that is OOP.
It's too bad the wii doesn't have any means to go digital distribution with these titles. There will always be gamers out there to enjoy prime.
@vherub - double score for me. I bought Fire Emblem knowing that it would be a limited run (hard as heck though) but I skipped WarioWare for Wario Land Shake It as another better-pick-this-up-before-it-disappears release.
Well, there is a non-Collector's Edition. It's the version we got in Europe, which simply didn't come in a metal box.
i never thought Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn would become limited,thats why i waited to buy it. Now i very seriously regret it,because the game is almost impossible to find at a good price.online sites sell it for a lot while the nearest gamestop with the game used is more than 20 miles away
I really do not believe that the "Disney vault" concept readily applies to Video Games. Good Movies are still enjoyed and sought after years after the initial release. Disney's got their own strategy: rather than keep the videos on the market until they hit the bargain bin, they pull them off the shelves for another eight years, to be purchased once again in a new release format for a new generation of kids. This means you can always expect to pay full price for their movies (or even more later on for second-hand), rather than dilute their brand name by allowing them to become "cheap". Yes, it's bad for the consumer/collector, but good for the company.
Video games, on the other hand, are tied down by technological limitations. Until recently, the technology was limited such that each new generation was capable of churning out stuff that was unimaginable to the previous gen. People tire of old games. Some hard-core gamers burn through games at break-neck pace, only to sell each game back once they've "beaten" it. Past-Gen games that once sold for a whopping $50-$60 a pop are now bargain-busters that sell for $5.00 or less for a loose cartridge. Many of the rarer games are rare because they were not popular, like many unpopular games, some of them aren't that good and go for mid-range prices like $15-$20. Many of the greatest games also sold by the boatloads, and despite being highly sought after by collectors, collecting games is such a niche market that there are plenty of existing copies to go around. These usually sell for mid-range prices like the afformentioned $15-$20. It's only the games that were released near the end of a consoles life-cycle, or unlicensed/recalled games whose developers met an early demise. Tengen Tetris is a good example of this, an extremely rare, great-playing game that I only paid $40 bucks for, still less than most new games on the market today. In fact, that's the most I ever paid for a single cartridge.
I believe that sometime soon, the gaming world will hit critical mass, probably during the next generation after Xbox, PS3, Wii. In fact, I believe we have already seen it with the PS3. At this point, there won't be much else to add to Video Games in general that hasn't already been done. Getting back to the Metroid Prime Trilogy being a limited release, all three of those included games were past AAA retail titles themselves. If anything, Nintendo did us a favor by giving us a greatly valued compilation, much like they did with Super Mario All-Stars on SNES. Using said logic, one could compair Metroid Prime 1, 2, & 3 to Mario 1, 2, & 3, likewise Metroid M could be compaired with Super Mario World. In both cases, Nintendo has made some very great games, and they celebrate this by releasing an even greater compilation of said games with updated graphics and game controls. If you want to experience "Nintendo Vault", then look no further than the Virtual console for inspiration. Don't have the entire back catologue? Go to a used game dealer, if one exists in your area. Can't find what you're looking for there? eBay and Amazon Marketplace are great places to search online.
Wow - that was a mouthfull
@Shadx
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was. The box said so (which I know I have around here somewhere) and Nintendo advertised it as such for a bit. They did the same with the GBA SP, but they actually stopped making those after a short while.
Well sweet. I like my gamecube even more now
Oh, for the love of...
Might as well go out and get it.
Maybe they are trying to squeeze out some sales.
Seems to work.
If you didnt get it when best buy had it fot 20 bucks than you just plum crazy. Gitt to the store and get a copy you will thank yaself. Unless ya dont like the M Prime games; in that case you know your crazy.
What? That's ridiculous.
@Rensch That what I was going to say
It's a shame really, but it's business. Good or bad business we'll see.
Most online retailers are out of stock in the UK or have a suspicious "1-2 weeks" delivery time, indicating they probably don't have any in stock.
Amazon have the game for full price £34.99 which is probably your best bet.
The prices have jumped for MPT all over the place. The past few weeks on eBay, especially after the Target and Best Buy sales, MPT was selling in the low to mid $30s. Now it's up in the mid to high $40s.
Get yours while you can!
The title was pulled for the damage it was causing to US Wii ODDs. There will be a re-release as single layer individual I would assume.
It's a Collector's Edition and therefore available in smaller amounts than a regular version. Get yours while the supply lasts. THIS are the games you purchase at launch before they go to twice their price on eBay.
CRAP! I need to get it!
great.... this makes me want to get it more...
@Chatham err i dont think they'll al fit on a single layer disk
It's an advertising ploy!
@Andy100003: I also don't see how an optical disc could damage a read mechanism; nor is there any precedent for Nintendo re-releasing a dual-layer title in multiple single-layer discs.
I thought Metroid Prime 3 was decent, but not blown away (the back-tracking got really tedious and it took me forever to figure out how to use the Spinny Wheel Attack properly. Still 3 games in one, could be worth picking up...
@SeanAaron
"Spinny Wheel Attack"? Sean it's very dissapoiting that you don't know the name of the most iconic ability of the Metroid series!
(But i guess your aren't used to the series, since MP3 hardly have backtracking, and infinite Screw Attacks jumps are very easy to make, comparing to other Metroids.)
I do know what it's called, but I also like winding up Metroid fans!
I just ordered a copy of the game from a online retailer as all the brick and motor store seem to not have it in stock and also I got mine for like $5 cheaper than MSRP.
@sean
Quoting Chatham "The title was pulled for the damage it was causing to US Wii ODDs. There will be a re-release as single layer individual I would assume."
quoting myself "@Chatham err i dont think they'll al fit on a single layer disk"
what you said to me "@Andy100003: I also don't see how an optical disc could damage a read mechanism; nor is there any precedent for Nintendo re-releasing a dual-layer title in multiple single-layer discs."
Hmm confused much double check who your talking to next time
@81.WesterHive: I know. They're barstards aren't they? Now I'll just HAVE to buy it.
The game was too good to be true in the first place.
I was lucky enough to walk into a Target yesterday that still had three copies, so I got my brother to help me buy it (I only had $20 on me). I can't wait to play through the trilogy again, this time with the superb controls of Corruption...
Walked into Sears today, and what do I find...this on clearance for $19.99! One copy left, so I immediately grab it. GameCrap still sells it used for $44.99. Not even sure if I'm gonna open it, but for $20 I couldn't pass it up.
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