Metroid Prime: Federation Force arrived in North America first and is due in Europe this week, but it made its debut in Japan on 25th August. As a result we can see how it's performed in the Media Create chart results; the outcome is not good.
Metroid isn't always a huge-seller in Japan; for example Metroid: Other M was number three in the country when it made its debut with 45,398 sales back in 2010. For Metroid Prime: Federation Force, however, it's suffered the indignity of missing the top 20 entirely, selling less copies than Splatoon's 4,441 units.
Beyond that, Yo-kai Watch 3 (in two versions) is number one, with a host of new releases across mostly Sony platforms performing modestly. Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack does arrive on 3DS in 15th place, with some evergreen Wii U and 3DS titles found throughout the top 20.
- [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura (Level-5, 07/16/16) – 32,460 (1,152,838)
- [PS4] Tales of Berseria (Bandai Namco, 08/18/16) – 24,057 (197,593)
- [PS4] No Man's Sky (SIE, 08/25/16) – 22,200 (New)
- [PS4] The King of Fighters XIXV (SNK, 08/25/16) – 20,655 (New)
- [PSV] Sengoku Otome: Legend Battle (Shirogumi New Media Development, 08/25/16) – 16,054 (New)
- [PS4] Sengoku Basara: Sanada Yukimura-Den (Capcom, 08/25/16) – 15,592 (New)
- [PS3] Tales of Berseria (Bandai Namco, 08/18/16) – 15,262 (91,447)
- [PS4] Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X (Sega, 08/25/16) – 12,915 (New)
- [PS3] Sengoku Basara: Sanada Yukimura-Den (Capcom, 08/25/16) – 11,796 (New)
- [3DS] Dragon Ball Fusions (Bandai Namco, 08/04/16) – 10,827 (138,479)
- [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons X: Kami no Shou / Ryuu no Shou (GungHo Online Entertainment, 07/28/16) – 10,372 (154,477)
- [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo, 04/29/16) – 8,147 (415,444)
- [Wii U] Minecraft: Wii U Edition (Mojang, 06/23/16) – 8,003 (99,412)
- [3DS] Pokemon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire (Pokemon, 11/21/14) – 6,914 (2,878,174)
- [3DS] Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack (Inti Creates, 08/25/16) – 6,426 (New)
- [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Nintendo, 02/18/16) – 5,301 (228,811)
- [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition (SIE, 03/19/15) – 5,114 (859,174)
- [Wii U] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Nintendo, 06/23/16) – 4,810 (86,256)
- [PSV] Beast and Princess (Idea Factory, 08/25/16) – 4,765 (New)
- [Wii U] Splatoon (Nintendo, 05/28/15) – 4,441 (1,456,508)
Moving on to hardware, the limited success of software releases means there's a general decline overall, with the New 3DS LL (XL) comfortably on top. In fact, the PS4 saw a significant decline; we've seen reports that stock of units has been running down with retailers awaiting new supplies (perhaps of the leaked 'Slim' model).
- New 3DS LL – 19,300 (22,437)
- PlayStation Vita – 8,923 (10,027)
- PlayStation 4 – 5,812(17,596)
- Wii U – 4,519 (4,702)
- New 3DS – 4,460 (5,400)
- PlayStation 3 – 1,067 (1,192)
- 3DS – 520 (835)
- 3DS LL – 179 (135)
- Xbox One – 50 (52)
A grim outcome, all told, for Metroid Prime: Federation Force. We'll see how it fares on its UK launch in those charts early next week.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 243
Well, there goes Metroid in Nintendo's eyes
Awesome to see Kirby: Planet Robobot continue to sell well, such a fun game!
Last time I saw something like this was when the Wii U Fatal Frame (which was digital only) failed to make into the NA eShop's top sellers for its launch week.
@cbkummer Exactly. "Metroid doesn't sell, why make anymore Metroid games?"
And in other news the Earth is round. This was inevitable and is what happens when you don't give people what they want.
Is anyone surprised?
@Tsurii Not in Japan, that's for sure.
I heard Metroid games don't sell as well in Japan as they do in the west, but jeez!
Damn, I'm getting the game. I think it'll be good! It's a shame Nintendo treats their IP's so awfully.
Somehow Splatoon is still in the top 20 despite Nintendo stopping supporting it.
I guess all that can save it now is if Nintendo offer a free DLC expansion that somehow attracts those fans that are boycotting the game (Maybe a Samus mission campaign of sorts?) during the upcoming 3DS Direct...
We'll...why did Nintendo think there was s market for bizarre Metroid SpinOffs? Its not Mario.
Lol, oh my... Like the article suggests, Metroid isn't a big seller in Japan, plus you have the added fact that it isn't really Metroid game either. I can't say I'm surprised it failed miserably.
How is this news exactly Metroid has never been big in Japan
@Wolfgabe "For example Metroid: Other M was number three in the country when it made its debut with 45,398 sales back in 2010." Missing the top 20 is bad, however you slice it.
@Wolfgabe To not even make the top 20 is a complete failure.
How are the Olympic games both for 3DS and Wii U still in the top 20?! Who buys that? Why? Combined sales of more than 300.000 haha
I'm sad for Next Level for getting saddled with such a duff game. This game was a bad idea from conception. I'm also sad for Metroid, as it means we probably won't be getting anymore games in the series.
This games deserves all the hatred it gets. How could Nintendo be so out-of-touch with what it's fans want? And no, I haven't played this and don't intend too. I mainly play on my commute to work and thus not tethered to an internet connection; this game has no value to me.
@Tsurii Probably playing AM2R--a real Metroid game.
I'm very sad about this. . . .
So the Metroid game that noone asked for or wanted, plus it received tons of hate, didn't sell well. So does that mean that Nintendo can pull it's combined head out of its butt and perhaps actually listen to what the fans want out of them? Federation Force could have been cool as an online shooter for Wii U, sort of a Halo vibe you know.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE But Metroid has never done well in Japan, its really a western game in Nintendo's eyes, I'm sure even if it was "what people wanted" (and i won't even get into how entitled that sounds) it would most likely have sold poorly
@evenflow403 AM2R is one of those times where Nintendo should just pay for it and put it out on VC.
@CCore28 I have it, and I think it is quite a good game, if a bit short.
Then again, I'm one of the what seems like few people who thought it looked interesting when it was announced. I enjoy multiplayer coop games quite a bit.
Metroid FF isn't bad and as a matter of fact it's rather fun. It may not be the Metroid everybody wanted but why does that make it a bad game. It's funny people won't even give it a chance and I'm talking about people that have played it. I'm glad there was a few reviewers that rated it based on the game and not necessarily a Metroid game.
Despite my distaste and me not being shocked that it's (expansion) tanking... I'm still tempted to get it while at that prime price on Amazon. I feel like some news is coming about a proper title that this ties into. Wouldn't it be nuts if blast ball was a teaser for federation force which was a teaser for a new prime? I feel Nintendo wouldn't be this.... STUPID ... To put out this title as the defining 30th anniversary title for the series... I mean come on....
So I wait for the direct coming September 1st with fingers crossed so hard that they are about the snap off. And my eyes are crossed too...
@BensonUii I wouldn't say that yet. They've been letting old stock run out without topping it up, presumably to flood stores with Slim models.
Now where are all the Metroid fans that defended this?
In all fairness, no one asked for Federation Force but the game itself isn't bad or broken, it's an OK to good game. But that's not the point i guess, it's more about the Metroid Prime label it got.
@CCore28 ...Except it's not a bad game by any stretch. It may not be a great one, but labeling something mechanically sound that many people on here have stated their enjoyment for "bad" just because it doesn't perfectly match your expectations is kinda pathetic.
Or are you one of those people were anything below 8/10 is instantly awful?
Anyways: Metroid doesn't sell well in Japan. Shooter's don't sell well in Japan. The Wii had a far larger install base than the 3DS has.
It's just gotten overshadowed. Which is really sad.
Odd that games for portable systems that aren't portable due to needing an online connection don't do well, isn't it?
Of course it bombed, they don't like FPS in Japan.
Lots of Japanese playing Blastball online though... maybe Nintendo made a mistake giving it away for free.
No surprise there. It is a piece of .
@Jd12345678 - no profanity, thanks.
Let's hope it sells well. I know the UK has at least 1 sale
Fewer copies, I'd say
Can't say i'm shocked.
@Dakt People need to remember this is a spin off. More specifically it was a spin off that was originally intended for DSi but then shelved and ressuructed on 3DS. I doubt it will have any real bearing on the series in general. They said they wanted to do a Prime 4 for Wii U but weren't really is a good position to do so
@ThomasBW84 45,000 isnt exactly the best either
Nintendo should considered "Rhythm Metroid". Have Samus dance and stripping off her metal suit to techno music, rhythm games are always popular in Japan.
I bet it could have gotten more sales if it was advertised, with maybe the 30th anniversary logo on it. I've never seen a FF ad on my TV.
I mean, c'mon Nintendo, if you're gonna release this as the 30th anniversary game, go hard or don't release it at all. Grow some balls and own up.
@BensonUii Really? Does Mother, FZero come to mind?
@BensonUii Ah, fair enough!
Regardless of how the game may be like according to reviews (overall fairly positive), how Nintendo failed to realise that this WASN'T the game fans have been clamouring for years about is beyond me.
I'm all for experimenting for new ideas but only after the beloved old ones have become "worn".
I eventually hope to buy the game but I'm not in a rush for a co-op tactical FPS.
In contrast, I would have rushed out for a first person exploratory action adventure title.
@Oubie Were you not aware of the actual Olympics having only just finished? Tends to increase interest in Olympics themed games.
i hope this means it will go down to like 5 pounds in a few months
I've stayed away from bashing Federation Force, but it amazes me how consistent Nintendo is at misunderstanding its own games and past successes. Metroid Fusion on GBA was quite honestly a work of genius, and yet we've had nothing on DS or 3DS that tried to surpass it.
The game was not really meant to target a Japanese audience though, was it now?
Their attempt to appeal to a Japanese market using crappy chibi characters has backfired on them. Should have made a real Metroid instead, would have sold better. And before everyone leaps onto their high horse, this game was not what anyone wanted or preferred. It is reaping what was sown.
It's sad, because it's apparently it's a good game, but come on. When you have to put so much effort into convincing people it's a good game in the first place, that's never a good sign.
Believe me, it'll bomb everywhere! Rip Metroid!
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
It's Japan, Metroid does terribly there as a rule. Also, people got what they wanted with Metroid for years, and they sold modestly, but nothing astonishing. The internet is just the vocal minority, plus people rarely follow through when their complaints are answered.
** Goes back to enjoying Federation Force **
And that in the country that absolutely LOVES its handheld games...
This doesn't bode well, indeed.
@TerrapinJess That's what I've been thinking for a while too.That FF was supposed be a spin off that released alongside a new Wii U Metroid that was then moved to NX.With NX being delayed,they just haven't been able to show us this new Metroid yet.Without giving any spoilers,there's a part in FF that hints of Prime 4.Hopefully we'll find out soon.
@TruenoGT
Not entirely true- you can still do stuff without teaming up in MH, whereas Metroid Prime FF really punishes single players. Plus it's a FPS which the Japanese aren't famous for loving.
I still think this game would work better on a console with a more reliable internet connection- or a decent single player option.
@BensonUii Metroid hasn't had a new game for years, then randomly makes a spin-off game instead of a new main one (I'm still getting it, it looks fun. But they're clearly trying to capitalise on the Metroid name!) F-Zero hasn't had a new game in years.... Paper Mario isn't what it used to be in a bad way. Mario Party has turned into a shallow mess. Golden Sun is basically dead. No mother 3 despite years and years of begging from fans. Animal Crossing Amiibo festival instead of a main series game! Despite the fact they made a whole new engine for the Wii U! Even their main series suffer at points, Tri-force heros was very boring in single player. I didn't mean every single IP but, I think you see what I mean.
@Dakt In interviews they talked about how they wanted to make a Metroid U but could not get the team or resources necessary to do so plus if they started now it would be 2-3 years at least. Wii U's miserable sales like played a part as well
@Dakt Metroid Prime 2 didn't even hit one million from what I hear and neither did the trilogy collection which really isn't good considering the latter was released on a system that had 10x the install base of Wii U. People need to stop acting like Metroid is this million selling AAA series it's really not. Name one game in the series that has managed to sell over 3 million
Too had some "hardcore gamers (which is an odd term to begin with)" trashed this out on internet forums the second it was announced. Glad I've got to enjoy it. Knowing Nintendo, they will see this as no one caring about the Metroid franchise and never make another.
On another note, according to these charts, I really don't have the same taste as the Japanese.
@Yorumi Where have you been getting your numbers? Also alot of people on miiverse seem to be enjoying the game
It's a shame but we all expected it. Hopefully this doesn't put Nintendo off Metroid alltogether. I want to see where they take the Sylux storyline.
It's sad because it's not even a bad game, it's fun!
Well they make a game slap metorid on it and except it to sell.hmm has nothing to do with samus no sale lol the whole world hated this game since in was announced.ill never waste my money on this game.
@LandOfZeldtir not true only true ones sale.i bet if they made metroid prime 4 it would sell.hmm remake super metroid or metroid 2 it would sale
Not at all a surprise to be honest.
However Feddy FoFo's failure will do little to change Nintendo's attitude about the series. They'll either do another cringe-worthy looking game like Feddy FoFo or stop making them entirely, or at least put the series in the same "development" category as Star Fax and Fzero.
I feel so bad for Next Level Games. Being trashed all over the place in both sales and fora/comment sections for a game that I believe they honestly made their best efforts on.
Nintendo totally deserves this for letting such a poopy game pass.
The game no one asked or and apparently wants (besides super fans). Learn from this mistake Nintendo.
@CapricornDavid I have not seen anyone bash the developers, only Nintendo. Next Level has been paid for their work so don't feel too bad for them.
i hope the devs land on their feet and recover their morale. i have to wonder what the thinking will be at nintendo. does this signal the end of games like this, and tri-force heroes; or will it sign the end of metroid instead?
Can't say I'm surprised. Pity, because it's a pretty fun game. If anything, I think two Metroid titles in a row underperforming will just make Nintendo shelve the series rather than make another to "give the fans what they want."
@Dakt Tanabe after E3 2015, if I recall correctly. I remember that interview as well. He basically confirmed there was no Prime game being developed at that time.
Oh, wow...
Not entirely surprising given that Japan just doesn't care for Metroid unlike those in the West. Not to mention, the amount of unwarranted hate the game got just because it's a spin off didn't help either. Needless to say, it's a good game that recieved good reviews, but unfortunately, the so called "hardcore fans" crucified the game before they even gave it a chance resulting in poor sales worldwide. If Nintendo fans approached it with an unbiased opinion and looked past the Metroid Prime name, they would have discovered a fairly fun game in then style of Metroid. Is it what anyone wanted? No, but that shouldn't stop Nintendo from experimenting.
Anyways, the amount of hate this game has gotten astounds me to no end. Hopefully Colour Splash does not receive the same fate.
Garbage in, garbage out.
@Dakt I'm jumping in the middle of the conversation, so I haven't followed it from the start. I think what @Wolfgabe was trying to say is that Tanabe implied he was trying to gather a team and the necessary resources to make a Prime 4 game on Wii U, but was unable to do so, and that now we're way too late in the Wii U lifespan to make such investment worth it.
@BensonUii If you've heard from those who played Fed Force, they say it leads to Prime 4
So did Corruption, and we got Other M after that. Even the lead is relatively similar to the one in Corruption, premise-wise.
The best way to expand the Metroid universe is to make more lore-heavy exploration-based games, and there's no need to set up Prime 4 in any way.
Hardly surprising. Even if it turned out great, the concept was such a bad idea it was dead before release.
And fewer, not less!
@ThanosReXXX "And that in the country that absolutely LOVES its handheld games..."
Well maybe they love their "mobile" games more?
[3DS] Puzzle & Dragons X: Kami no Shou / Ryuu no Shou (GungHo Online Entertainment, 07/28/16) – 10,372 (154,477)
Is the 2DS a thing in Japan? I remember seeing it mentioned once in a bundle, but that was it. I'm sure it could outsell X1. Do the Japanese not care about their children's eyesight?
Maybe a New 2DS would change that?
@BensonUii I understand how it is expanding the universe, but it's a bit of a disservice to fans. Imagine waiting years for a new game and you end up getting a spin off that is not what the fans have been asking for. Amiibo festival shouldn't have happened. It's a terrible game that requires multiple amiibo to be able to play locally! Tri-force heroes should've had more effort put into the single player too. If they announced a Metroid Prime 4 first, then I can guarantee this game would've been met with far more open arms! I'm not complaining about Happy home designer, that game tried something new and it was relatively new. But honestly, amiibo festival could've been skipped.
@Tsurii Nowhere near this game since it isn't a Metroid game
@rjejr The hell if I know. All I know is that in general, they are more handheld oriented instead of home consoles.
This just seems to be the result of people always complaining about Nintendo games being more of the same thing... while that has been a bit of a problem with certain IP's, those IP's are very active ones... Metroid is not... Metroid needs more of the same right now in order to revive it, and then they can start getting creative with spin-offs like this.
@Yorumi Yup, and then the fans would be more happy with if they knew they were getting two Metroid games! A Wii u/NX main one, federation force = fun spin off in the meantime while we wait.
Nobody wanted this game. Nintendo is clueless these days
@ThanosReXXX "All I know is that in general, they are more handheld oriented instead of home consoles."
And that's why we'll get a hybrid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hamKl-su8PE
@Oubie i got all code cubes in that game
@Dakt I recall around E3 2015 in an interview with Metroid FF they said how they wanted to make a Metroid U but werent really able to do so at this point. Sounds like you weren't paying attention much
@MarcelRguez Exactly my point. I recall seeing interviews where he stated that clearly. As loved as Metroid is it does not come close to say Zelda or Mario in terms of selling power.
@Dakt I remember seeing an article of two where he explained it okay here it is https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/next_metroid_prime_home_console_title_would_likely_now_be_on_nx
After a dreadful set of numbers for starfox....metroid hits the same flaw. Nintendo will be asking is it time we gave up on these franchises. Fans say stop making what you want and start making what we want!
A game like metroid that has a small but dedicated fan base shouldn't get a spin off. Don't mess with what's not broken.
@MarcelRguez With FF I often think of Oddworld Strangers Wrath. Both are technically spin offs meant to flesh out and expand the universe, both star a completely different protagonist, they both have completely different gameplay elements from the main series and feature a entirely different setting.
@Dakt The Metroid U could have likely been Prime 4. In fact the post credits cutscene at the end of FF likely acts as a set up of sorts
Not surprising as Japan hate fps games. I think it looks decent. Not a hand held gamer really though.
A metroid game is at the bottom of these list of games I want Nintendo to make anyway.
The chibi art-style was likely 60% due to the 3DS's limitations, and 40% due to the Japanese not really liking Metroid that much.
Which leads us to the first comment here. Samus and her Zero Suit counterpart are gonna join the Ice Climbers', Duck Hunt Duo's, Rob's and other characters' "Smash embargo".
@BensonUii Honestly at this point, I think they shouldn't make Fed Force right not, not that they're not allowed. Because I don't want this to kill the series! Tri-force heroes should've absolutely happened the foundation was awesome. But a better single player wouldn't have gone amiss. And I do not want a Pokemon Festival haha. Absolutely not, if amiibo festival told me anything it's avoid, avoid, avoid. I do understand what you're saying, at least they made fed force. But it is a real punch in the face to long time fans.
This game shouldn't even exist in the first place, you keep hearing that a thing is better than nothing, well that doesn't apply to FF.
@BensonUii Yeah. I'm hoping that's their plan. Obviously I'm getting Fed Force, I want to support the series and it looks fun. But Nintendo should've planned this better. "We have future plans for the Metroid series so be sure to stay alert in the future" that would've been nice.
I played FF and it was "okay at best". It did not feel like Metroid or Prime for that matter. The control scheme is frustrating and uncomfortable, really inexcusable, considering the ability to play it on the NN3DS and have access to two joysticks. If it had just been labelled as another FPS, it would have probably been tolerable. The review on this site was VERY generous compared to the more realistic reviews of other sites.
Well this was expected. But if there's anything I've learnt is that vita still exists and has value and people still enjoy Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games.
You know it's not going well when Minecraft for Vita sells more than your game.
@Yorumi Where is it reviewing poorly? 27 of the 37 critic reviews on Metacritic are average-to-great (60+). Given the number of negative user reviews on Metacritic are from people who actually admit they haven't played the game, you can count those out.
Yeah well it's not exactly Metroid Prime 4 is it!?
This was not the Metroid game we were looking for. Plain and simple. I just hope they don't scrap plans for all future Metroid games now
To anybody citing this site's review as proof that Federation Force is good - remember that a different reviewer reviewed Blast Ball and gave it a 5/10. Now, I don't claim to know what Mitch thinks of the full game, but I will say that many of his complaints about Blast Ball carry over to the main game as well.
So yeah, some people enjoyed the game, but even on this site it's difficult to say there's a consensus. Personally I thought it was awful. The missions are technically varied but lacking in real variety due to the lack of real upgrades. This also lends to a lack of feeling as though you've truly progressed. Not helping matters is the utter lack of enemy variety. The original Prime trilogy sported massive bestiaries of flora and fauna. In FF, you fight ice hoppers in one mission, then go to a sweltering-hot ruins planet to fight... fire hoppers, which are exactly the same.
The overarching problem is that the game is pitifully easy, though. Moreover, it doesn't scale with multiple players. If your game for up to 4 players is easier single-player than Metroid Prime 2 or 3, that's a huge problem.
@the-madprofessor
The fact that you're using 60 as your cutoff value, and that even then a quarter of reviews are actually lower than that, really speaks to the validity of your argument. Or rather, the lack thereof.
So a spin-off from a neglected series featuring controversial design choices and garnering mediocre reviews fails to sell? Well, colour me shocked!
It's amusing to see the excuses bit there's no two ways about it, they are very under-par sales.
I feel a bit for Next Level but aside from that I hope Nintendo learn a lesson. However my fear is they will use poor sales of this as an excuse to put it on the naughty bench with F-Zero, Advance Wars and co. That they will refuse to accept it is because of their own poor design and blame it on the franchise not being popular (I have the same fear with Starfox and (to a lesser extent) Chibi Robo). Let's hope not. Metroid may not be a Mario-level seller but it usually does better than this and has the potential to attract players who aren't into cutesy platformers , especially given its usual high quality.
Why is anyone surprised by this? Nobody asked for a Hunters successor.
@CCore28 To be fair, the game itself isn't crappy; it just isn't the Metroid title that core fans wanted.
Well... This is a good example to what Nintendo needs to really produce, which are games that fans are looking to purchase. The game's title alone is a slap in the face to people who are long time fans of the series. Metroid hasn't put out Mario numbers but it still has a fan base (not for silly spinoffs such as FF though)...
If Federation Force had a title that had nothing to do with Metroid in it then maybe it would've been a respectable game? Nintendo should know better than this..
@firstnesfan THIS. Like, x1000. And this is coming from someone who enjoyed Federation Force.
Sometimes giving people what they want is better than telling people what they should want. Not all such ventures turn out like the iPhone and Wii Sports.
@Yorumi 66 isn't good, but it's not poor either - it's average.
@Dakt You fail to take into account exactly how much profit was made. And that data isn't public. A million seller doesn't mean as much as it did in the 80's-90's.
It's a pity, a seemingly decent game being screwed by the circumstances surrounding it.
Well, this is depressing and sort of expected. For one, it was a game geared towards a western audience, so Japan is not interested, then the western audience goes cooku for cocoa puffs over pixels, so a game with such a graphical style will obviously flop over here too. In the end, thanks a lot Metroid "Fans" we will never see Metroid make a comeback ever again, sarcastically speaking with a tone of anger.
@BensonUii
You got it in one there. There are people here that think this is how you communicate with Nintendo when they are not happy?
@Yorumi The game got decent and somewhat good reviews, and if the game does not sell it's the picky customer's fault. If a game does not sell, then the franchise is dead. Simple as that.
@Wolfgabe Did they even print one million copies of Prime Trilogy? That crap was hard to find at leas than $70 used for a long time.
And Yo-kai Watch is still on top, dang.What? I can't say god damn anymore? Oh man this is an outrage!
@Yorumi Remember everyone has an opinion. Some might think this game was decent or good some might not.
First person shooter was never a selling point in Japan anyways so I don't get why Nintendo even think that Metroid Prime: Federation Force would do them success there. Now since the game is flopping in sales, why not just give us a proper true Metroid game already. Nobody likes their favorite franchise turn into the next Call of Duty. Stop turning them into one. It's bad enough that Resident Evil had to endure that for several sequels, now Nintendo is turning Metroid into that. It just doesn't interest.
Regarding the reviews, 66 for Federation Force places it 10th out of 11 Metroid games on Metacritic. Only the NES Classic port of the original game on GBA scores worse.
@penamiguel92
You're blaming the fans for not buying a game they didn't want? Wow.
Bad timing... if this game was released as a B-Side for a proper Prime HD game on Wii U, it would've been a small hit. With a little complementary story, a so on.
I don't own it yet, but it does look fun, I still won't pay full price for this.
@electrolite77 Why does there have to be only one culprit for poor sales?
People saying it didn't sell because it's a crap game are wrong. It didn't sell because people assumed it was a crap game. It's sad public opinion was shaped by so much ignorance and hurt feelings (for some reason). It's the old Nintendo gets crap for making a game too similar to its predecessor just as much for making a game too different from its predecessor. The game is a lot of fun and well designed. I support the criticism of the 'solo campaign' and cramped hands if played too long, but other than that - a lot of misinformed and self entitled people are missing out on a solid game.
There's definitely no one true culprit for this game's unfortunate situation... Nintendo's blunder with the Wii U prevented their likely plan to release a mainstream game alongside this, but fans also reacted irrationally.
Whatever you may think of a game, you can express your opinion, but celebrating a failure because it proves your assumptions is incredibly petty, no matter the pedigree of the series in question.
I'm enjoying Federation Force, but don't get me wrong. I would have rather had a real Metroid entry, and I do have AM2R tucked away on my Mac. I'm the only person in my pool of friends that bought the game. Everybody asks me how it is and just shrugs it off. I had to find a coop partner on Miiverse and add him on Wii U so we could exchange codes. I almost didnt buy this game until Christmas time or a sale. So yeah, I expect that this game has successfully been killed by the internet outrage.
@Oubie Those games give their fans what they want. Metroid hasn't created new fans, and screwed the old ones. Hence no sales. It'd be like Rockstar making the next gta a pg-13 linear side-scroller that could be finished in 90 minutes.
@Yorumi Sad, I know....A lot of criticism for the solo campaign. Why put so much stock into that. Anyone, with half a brain knows this game was designed as a co-op first with no regard to solo campaign. Sadly, some reviewers aren't immune to self-entitlement experienced by the 'I know this game is crap without playing it' camp. Without that bias hindering it - that 5-6 average is really a 7-8 average. It's unavoidable, but it's creating this 'wow, this game is actually better than i was expecting' phenomenon by people who actually played it. The reviewers were immune to it because they had to pander to the 'this isn't metroid! Arrgh!' crowd. This is all very true and none of it is opinion - trust me.
@rjejr A riot indeed...
If that is the only thing that they are going to reveal without mentioning more form factors to come to assure me and confirm what I see as absolutely logical, I may need to go to the storage room and take out the paint bomb equipment and pay EG a visit. Real-life Splatoon, hardcore style...
Wow there's a lot of poison and gloating in here, lol....
If metroid was a big seller in Japan then I would be worried but quite frankly this news doesn't bother me. I will be picking the game up on payday.
It's fate was sealed very early on. There's been a drought in terms of Metroid support and to try and ignite the fans passion with a spin off over a core entry was always going to be risky. It's a shame because the quality of MP:FF as a game isn't lacking.
@Yorumi Its incredibly petty to celebrate a game failing because there is always the risk the studio or franchise could go down with it or maybe even both which is never a good thing. You have to consider the fact that game development has become much more expensive on top of being time consuming. As a result of that there isnt really any room to the middle tier b list games its either AAA or low budget. Look at Tomb Raider 2013 a game that sold over 3 million but still didn't make SE a cent. A game like AC amiibo festival is not nearly as time consuming and resource intensive as a full blown AAA HD Metroid not to mention likely far less expensive to develop. In this day and age all it takes is one good flop to sink an average company
"An almost guaranteed way to kill Metroid forever would have been for this game to be massively successful. " Are you 5 or something? It's a bloody spin off why do you people insist on comparing it to the main series? A spin off doesn't have to adhere to the conventions of the main series in general. Ever heard of Oddworld Strangers Wrath?
It shouldn't take a genius to say that Wii U's situation hasn't really put Nintendo in a good position to take a lot of big risks at the moment. Nintendo stated clearly that the next main Metroid would likely be on NX. From a business perspective it would mostly be considered financial suicide to release a large scale AAA project for a system on its last legs especially when it had never sold well to begin with on top of the fact that Metroid as loved as it is has never been an AAA system seller
Splatoon survived by a thread!
Splatoon will never die! Until the sequel. Then, SEQUEL!
I don't dislike this game for not being the Metroid game I wanted. I just don't like mission based shooters. I don't think we have to worry about this killing the Metroid franchise. I think we will get another entry once it makes sense in Nintendo's eyes to do so. Hopefully the NX generation is that time.
@Yorumi I'm half-joking, but that IGN review was pretty bizarre. I generally enjoy about 90% of nintendo's input. They wouldn't be my favorite if that wasn't true. I don't know if I'm defending them or not. I just generally enjoy nintendo games and, conspiracy or not, believe they get an unfair populist opinion because of their years of refusal to conform to lowest common denominator form of gaming that has been the norm for the past decade, you know - graphics first, gameplay second. I will always respect their philosophy of experimentation over the whatever will sell type of game. Wait a minute...I am defending them. Damn you!
How thoroughly unsurprising.
Its a shame, Federation Force is a fine game, but so many people were ready to hate it long before it was released or they even tried the game, simply because it wasn't the traditional Metroid game so many have been impatiently whining for. I enjoy the game, its not the best game ever, but I have fun playing it, so in my book its a success. Though my book means nothing in the face of being a commercial success or being popular with most gamers.
All they need to do to realize that Metroid can still be a great franchise with a huge audience if you make the games right: Look at the number of times AM2R has been downloaded.
A game with almost entirely negative feedback but Nintendo insisted on pushing out anyway selling poorly? What a surprise!
@cbkummer
Yup, as we all know, when a game sells poorly for any reason, Nintendo blames the series for not being popular enough and nothing else. If a game can't sell well on name alone regardless of what it is it's not worth investing in for Nintendo.
Since Metroid doesn't do well in the east, why not have the guys in the WEST make the games and SELL to the west?!
@MrPuzzlez Next Level Games are a Canadian team.
And then Nintendo is all like "Duh, they don´t like Mehroid anymoar so let´s just kill da series for good."
@duffmmann As long as you got enjoyment out of it, that's what matters. Except round here. Look what happened when they reviewed it here, everyone jumped on it and said the review score was wrong, by people who hadn't played it.
So, as we're on Nintendolife....
"How the hell can you like this garbage! This is not Metroid! I read a review elsewhere where they scored it low! This is my opinion and don't resort to personal attacks!"
Think they'll do to this like they did to Fire Emblem?
opinions are like a@re holes, everyone got one, although there are a few sore round here lol
@Yorumi "Because metroid is a series that doesn't see a lot of entries. We're not exactly being flooded with metroid games here. So if a spin-off does better than real metroid why make real metroid? Look what happened with fire emblem and that wasn't even a spin off."
There are other franchises that havent seen a ton of entries and yet they still get spin offs like Oddworld with Strangers Wrath. And your point is?
"Who cares about the wiiU. How hard would it have been to put a 2d metroid game into production? That wouldn't be much of a risk. If they do want to make a metroid NX why not talk about it? If it's more than 3 years out it's safe to say it's not in production now."
Who cares about Wii U? Well I don't know how bout the people who bought and wanted their investment to be worth it on top of the people at Nintendo who wanted it to be profitable. You realize how ridiculous you sound with that statement?
Also there is a good reason for a lot of Nintendo's below average output as of late. Anyone should be able to easily tell that Nintendo is clearly in a transition phase at this current moment as they gradually phase out Wii U and shift more toward NX. Its clear they don't intend to sink any more money into what can be considered a dying system especially considering Wii U has been a pretty big money sink for them already. That's why a lot of their recent games have mostly been low risk low budget affairs. For them the sooner they cut their losses with Wii U and move on the better.
Game nobody wants flops in sales. In other news, water is wet.
It is a pity, though. Next Level Games has made some good games. And this will likely put Nintendo off of Metroid for a while.
@the-madprofessor Ah. Well, it looks like the fans have taken over Metroid, anyway.
@jimi I don't share your irrational hate for a game that none of us have actually played yet
Is this sentence going to keep floating around for years to come every time this game is brought up?
I completed the game on normal mode on the 23rd. It's slightly above average. A 66 is a fine grade for it.
@Yorumi The way people keep moving the goalposts is baffling to me. From "you can't judge it from a trailer" to "first impressions can be deceiving" to "Blast Ball is only a demo" to "you haven't played the game even though it's been available for a while now".
The worst part being, he admits he hasn't played the game. Yet here he is, defending it from the criticism of those who have actually played it. A backwards crusade if I ever saw one.
@Yorumi They have to have a team willing to work on a Metroid title. Nobody was willing to work on one, so one isn't in production. Simple as that.
Whether Federation Force was a desired game yes or not doesn't matter it would still sell terrbly because it's Metroid. Would it sell better in the west? Sure but not by much anyway. I'm sure developers are now even less interested in developing a Metroid game, first because it definitely won't sell and second because it's very supportive and all so mature Metroid fan base will definitely love them for even trying to expand the Metroid games in any form possible.
@Yorumi "You can't have it both ways. You can't defend them greenlighting FF while also saying a 2d metroid wouldn't sell enough to be worth it. You really think enough decision maker at nintendo thought FF was a better investment than a 2d metroid."
Except that FF had been in development long before Other M even
@jimi Get over it
No, you get over it. I played it so I could form my own opinion, and it's a negative one. Metroid is my favorite Nintendo franchise, so I'll try to keep myself informed about whatever they are planning for it. If I don't like that direction, as a longtime fan, I'll make my voice heard. If that upsets you, it's not on me.
And reversing your own argument, your "opinion" can also be fully ignored, since you haven't played it. I won't bother with the rest of your post, since it's just beating the cremated ashes of a zombie horse.
I don´t get why @Yorumi gets such negative comments about his well made arguments.
No wonder Nintendo considers Metroid a niche appeal series at home.
Metroid will be fine. You don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Federation Force is the bathwater. As for the baby...that was Other M. Hahahah.
@jimi
"Where were those "fans"? Because that trilogy totally flopped in sales"
I'm really tired of this meme.
Trilogy, since you apparently weren't aware, released in very limited quantities. It had a poster, a tin case with a plastic sleeve over it, and other goodies (I got a sweet t-shirt with mine but I can't recall if that was part of the game package, or a Gamestop bonus).
Trilogy sold exactly as much as Nintendo produced.
This is why I hate Nintendo Fans, they really, really, never try something new.
Metroid Federation Force is JUST a spin-off and should be treated like it, people complaining and saying “This is not a Metroid I’m not gonna buy it” are acting like a spoiled kid. The game is definitely not a Metroidvania style game but that’s ok, Samus is not even the main character, so why complain? Because it says Prime in the title and is killing your nostalgia?
Federation Force is an experiment that tries to expand the Metroid universe (There’s more than Samus out there) into places we haven’t seen before, it was a nice try, it was far from being perfect, but a sequel would fix all the problems of this... wait for it... NEW franchise, but thank you Metroid “fans”, you killed the possibility of having more games based on the rich Metroid history.
I'll leave you with a question, Isn’t expanding the Metroid Universe and using it more often is something you actually wanted and even dreamed of? Well... ... ...
@jimi
Can I get some European sales data to back that up? None of the data I've seen would indicate anywhere near a "flop", but I'm aware that sales data can be a funny thing, everybody's got their own version of the story.
"Metroid Prime 2 already sold worse than Metroid Prime 1"
Yes, and? Mario Galaxy 2 sold worse than the original, what is your point?
"Nintendo has to be responsible. The "fans" can't be responsible."
Yes, actually! By definition, the fans are the ones who are supporting the products. There may not be as many Metroid fans as Pokemon fans, but to blame them for not buying a product when by definition they're the most likely to have is just weird.
@Luffymcduck "Well made arguments?" Pffftt.............HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! XD Oh......oh my. Yes, because anyone basing a games worth off of Metacritic clearly has some solid arguments to give. Ohhhh wow. Never have I seen such a bullcrap statement in all my life. Next you'll tell me that @Yorumi is a true Nintendo fan due to his incredibly negative view points and complete and utter anti-Nintendo bias.
Naga's breath, it doesn't take a genius to realize how far gone and up his own arse he is. Any comment that conflicts with his is automatically wrong. The guy is beyond bias in his hate, disdain and utter arrogance towards Nintendo. I wouldn't listen to someone like him no matter what drivel he spouted.
@jimi I played Federation Force and pretty much liked it. The fans are at fault for denying change and being so butthurt over a spin-off.
@Laki2 My thoughts exactly.
@Malpais @Laki2
"This is why I hate Nintendo Fans, they really, really, never try something new."
"The fans are at fault for denying change"
Remember when Metroid Prime failed because fans never wanted to try something new?
Oh wait, that didn't happen. People were apprehensive at first of their series being handed over to an untested western studio for a first-person game, but then the game ended up actually being good.
"being so butthurt over a spin-off"
And hey, remember the outrage over Prime Pinball? No? Well I'll be! It's almost as if Metroid fans aren't inherently against change or spin-offs, so long as they're well-executed and timed correctly.
That was expected.
I wonder how much it would improve if Retro was fully in charge of the game development. Don't get me wrong, Next Level Games has some great works like Luigi's Mansion 2 and Punch-Out Wii, but Retro Studios quality standards is something only a few devs are able to match. Next Level definitely isn't one of them.
Keep the chibi-style mechs and add it to Retro Studios' ability to design flawless games like DKC: TF and the original Primes, do the proper marketing screaming "from the creators of the original Primes and DKC: TF" and you have a dislike antidote for the whole storm that came after E3.
People had a reason to hate, and it was not about the art style at all. They didn't feel confident enough to blindly trust a Metroid spin-off from a company well-known for throwing shovelware (see their games on Metacritic) and some video presentations that didn't inspire anyone.
@rushiosan - no profanity, thanks.
Honestly watching Federation Force footage makes me want to play Hunters again. That game looks so good compared to Force.
@BLD Preach it. I have a hunters profile picture, for god's sake.
@meleebrawler
There's usually one main culprit if a consumer product fails to find a market. The company that made it. Whether it's badly targeted, badly marketed or plain badly designed and executed, it's their fault. Fairly obvious stuff, even if you get the odd poster who bizarrely thinks it's the fault of the 'picky customer' for refusing to spend their money on something they didn't ask for and don't want.
@BLD You're spot on. Glad to see someone with good sense and no butthurt over a bad product doing poorly across the board (no one can blame only the fans, because Nintendo wasn't even selling this to old fans but to make new ones - surprise, those people didn't care for it either so that's where the big failure in sales is).
Nintendo should have learned this some time ago, but the lesson is not to burn the good will you've built with a fanbase by trying to convince them you know what's good for them by giving them not what they want but rather what you are gambling as a more mass appeal version that you are shoving down their throats. Basically, had the gamble worked here, you would only alienate your old base to build a new base with more mass appeal. That's not a win with the old base at all, it's just letting the numbers tell you that you have acted wisely when at best you have won a temporary base of casuals to prop you up for one game.
Stick to what is trusted, stick to the fans that kept coming back in the first place. If you do want to try new ideas and new IPs (e.g. Splatoon), then do that and don't transform old IPs to try to please both parties unless you know what you're doing (showing respect to the original while making it better at the same time). Something new can't be lazy, it won't make it because gamers want something familiar. If it's new, that automatically equals high expectations all around to build that fanbase in the beginning. That's why sequels are safer bets, they don't rock the boat much.
I have to say something about all this... It's kind of undeserved... I know it's not the game everyone wanted... I know it's "unique" to say put it as nice as I can, but this was completely undeserved... The game plays fine, the story is not the next best thing since grilled cheese, but hey, it's not that bad, the gameplay is quick and is pretty much what I expect from a shooter game; I've never played Metroid Prime I or II or III, the only reference I had was MP Hunters, and that was fun, unnoriginal at times, you have to beat the same boss like 4 or 5 times (the eye-thingy in a force field), it was certainly flawed, the platforming drove me crazy at times and the timed sections every other level got tiring really fast... yet I don't see any hate... and this game that improves over that same base is getting bashed... I know, it's not what we wanted; but we as fans have grown spoiled over the goodness of "something" (anything really) and we jump in the next bandwagon that arrives, be it hate, hype or just plain "meh"... but that's just my silly little opinion, I don't plan on being taken seriously in the internet, and the same boes for everyone, don't take everything too serious, it's just the internet
I don't think it's the end of Metroid. Fans are screaming out for a proper Metriod game - some want a 3D Metroid and some want a 2D Metroid. Nintendo can do it and I think there will be a Metroid game announced for NX.
@BLD In a certain sense responsability falls in both parts; the producing part has to offer good content and make a good public promotion of the product in order to attract the purchasers, the purchasing part has to take a risk and "trust" (it's not the right word, but i couldn't think of any other here) the producing part in that the product is what they say; it's a risk on both parts also as no one can ever please everyone
@Laki2
"This is why I hate Nintendo Fans, they really, really, never try something new."
You're really, really wrong there. See : Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime Pinball, Windwaker, all the Mario spin offs, Pokemon Snap, Pokken Tournament, the Wii, Splatoon, Captain Toad, Hyrule Warriors etc. etc.
Of course, fans of Pokemon/Mario/Zelda get spin offs alongside the main series....
1. Metroid is now probably dead because Nintendo thinks no one wants it even though it was its own crappy marketing that made it fail. It was sent out to die. They need to stop making games no one wants and promote them anyway! Although I'll probably get this for the holidays. (And yes, I know it doesn't sell well in Japan, but numbers like this for one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises? OUCH!)
2. Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack = DAY ONE BUY!!!
@jimi
"Nintendo has to be responsible. The "fans" can't be responsible."
Correct. Any other interpretation fails to understand the relationship between a manufacturer and marketer of consumer products and their consumers.
This game isn't what is going to kill Metroid. It's the ridiculous over reaction to Other M that killed it. Not in and of itself, I mean, this seals the deal, but this would have ever been the case if not for Other M over reaction happening first. If it was just this, Nintendo would say "ok they don't want a spinoff". But because of Other M, they're gonna say "well they go berserk over a spinoff but they go berserk over a proper entry all the same- this franchise is just toxic. No other franchise do people flip out like this EVERY SINGLE TIME, main series entry or spinoff alike".
It's not criticism that killed Metroid, it's the "sky is falling" reactions every single time a game with the name Metroid on the box is released.
@BLD
Times have also changed. Especially in the HD era now- more and more people only want what they know. You see it with AAA and you see it with new Nintendo franchises. People are much more conservative nowadays.
@Yorumi You just said FF is a crap game and now you're saying "Cause the reviews say" it's mediocre. You can't have both! It has to be one of these playboy.
And reviews is suppose to help you in your purchase of the game or to know the pro and cons of the game that's being reviewed. Not for mindless nonsense like this.Oh it's crap cause the reviewers said so!
@Wolfgabe Nintendo's output over the past year, however small it is, would've been much better if any of them actually exceeded expectations for me. I would rather have a few amazing games than ten meh-to-good ones.
@BLD ? And what's your point?
I know Prime was a complete success, hell, Prime 1 is among my most favorite games ever. Prime Hunters as well and Prime Pinball? I don't really care about it. The difference is that back then, the community wasn't as toxic as it is now. Back then, those same people who disliked Prime still gave it a chance and hey! What a great game! Nowadays, those same butthurt people still refuse to play FF because hating the game became popular. That was also proven when those same fans were trying to sign petitions for Nintendo to cancel the game. If you ask me, that's being butthurt and stupid. There was no need for such childish acting, people failed to realize that FF is a spin-off for Christsakes, the bigger title will come eventually.
How could Prime Pinball be ignored? Simple, it was not the first game after 9 years of waiting. Hunters was around the corner, as was Prime 2. With FF? It was the first game after the atrocity that was Other M. I understand the hate, but the action taken in response was childish and immature.
This is good stuff lol. I absolutely love this comment section.
@suhpo There's more to come, I can sense it...
For a comment tread on weekly Japanese hardware/software sales poor old Other M is getting some bashing today. I quite like that game even if its story is a bit naff by metroid standards.
Really doesn't tell us much because, as the article pointed out, Metroid sells poorly in Japan in general. I'm more interested in how it's selling in the U.S.
Uh-oh, PS Vita is the second place.
But, New 3DS XL still on the TOP.
I tried the demo, and the control scheme sucked. There's no way to sugar coat it. But it's more then that. This game just feels like a waste on the 3DS.
Why do I say that? Because they could have done so much more on the Wii U. How about 8 vs 8 deathmatch modes across maps between Federation Soldiers and Space Pirates? How about fun twists on deathmatches like "Protect the Baby Metroid Mode?" where one team is tasked with protecting a Baby Metroid, while the other is attempting to destory it.
All the other features of the 3DS game could have been in, but it all would have been on a larger scale with a much better looking game that does not have a trashy art style.
A Wii U Federation Force was the 30th anniversary game fans deserved. I think people would not have even been so bitter about Samus not being the main character, had Federation Force been on hardware that could have done its concept and ideas justice.
Here's what I don't get. Who at Nintendo came up with the stupid idea that the 3DS needed a FPS game? Because they should be fired. The 3DS is a great little system, but trying to play a FPS game on a system that lacks a second analog stick(barring the new 3DS models) is like trying to sell a Devil May Cry style action game on the Kinect.
Some games don't work with the control scheme of a given system, and FF is proof of that.
Such a shame. Had Nintendo and Next Level Games been more ambitious and pushed this on the Wii U, this could have been a game that might have turned heads.
But now, it falls alongside Star Fox as proof that Nintendo has no idea what to do with some of their most iconic franchises.
@Yorumi And you're using these opinions as facts.Really? Cause reviews are opinions.Not facts! Don't you know this?
Those total-sales numbers look sad, though. Save a few games, most of them, especially those from games that are not new, appear pitiful.
@Yorumi How about actually playing the game, judging it based on what YOU experience, instead of hating it before it even comes out and then using Metacritic scores to validate your unwarranted "opinion" when the game releases.
There's a novel concept for ya.
Whelp, no one saw that coming. The reception of trailers and announcements looked so positively. /s
@Lucina
Why pay money for something that looks like a game one wouldn't enjoy ?
Does this mean people may not have opinions on movies / games etc. without having bought them prior ?
I hate team-based shooters, does this mean i need to buy and play Overwatch to still have the opinion that it looks like boring schlock to me ?
@Yorumi Singling you out? Okay.The reason i'm only replying to you it's cause you're using these damn reviews as facts that's all.
And i'm not saying you can't have an opinion(either way your opinion is weird as hell). One minute you say it's mediocre and then the next minute it's crap.
Nintendos green eggs and ham approach didn't quite pan out (once fans try it they'll love it). I've played the demo it's not "bad" but I certainly won't own the full game. If it was a metroidvania (2d , 3D who cares) with some innovative elements (new upgrades, gameplay options) or even better more games from the series instead of being like kid Icarus and waiting 25 years for a sequel!
You know what? I'm just gonna sidestep all the FF drama and say that I'm super happy that Planet Robobot is doing so well. I mean, it's the best selling Nintendo made game on that list. That's great!
@Yorumi Provable lies and fantasies huh?
Good golly, the denial and delusion is real. See I have been paying attention to the comments, and even previous comments you made before the game even came out. You despised it without even giving it a chance. And then to validate your hate for a game you've yet to actually play, unlike myself, you pull the Metacritic card to make it seem like your not a total Nintendo hating fool who acts like he's got his crap together, but really doesn't. You judge a game before even playing it. I don't do that crap. Even reviews don't mean much unless YOU'VE experienced it. I'm not saying you have to buy it, but before you hate a game, how about actually playing it yourself instead of blindly hating it cause it wasn't what you or others wanted.
See unlike you, and many other gamers, I don't have the right to judge a game until I've actually played it. I can't say with absolute certainty that it's a fun game or not until I've sat down with said game and play it for a lengthy time. Cause I've played games where the reviews for it were mediocre and what not, and guess what, I decided to take a chance and play that game. And surprise surprise, the game was actually quite fun and enjoyable, albeit it had several flaws, but there was no reason to hate it or look down upon it.
You act like an educated individual, therefore, its not difficult to see how hating a game and saying its crap before you even play it and withholding judgement until you've played that game can seem like one person has an opinion not based on actual concentrate experience and the other does. Which one do you think people will listen to more? And I hate to burst your hate filled bubble, but the game is still considered an average game, even by your holy light known as Metacritic. Therefore, it's not a bad game or a good game based off of a collection of multiple experiences.
So please, the next time you act like your "opinion" is fact, how about actually playing the freaking game instead of debating with others about why your always right and they're always wrong, you arrogant, anti-Nintendo little punk.
In other news, Metroid Prime Federation Force outsold a traditional console with a regular controller, online features and POWER in Japan, which only sold 50 units.
@Yorumi Comment 151 is the one i'm talking about. And comment 163 is the comment i'm also talking about,with you having two opinions on the game.One is made by reviews and the other is made by something that i don't know of.
"anti-Nintendo little punk"
My day has been made. You can't top this. Never.
Case closed: @Yorumi has been convicted of game harassment !
You are sentenced to 20 consecutive playthroughs of Sonic Boom.
Metroid game doesn't sell well in Japan, what else is new?
@Yorumi Denied ! Your Nintendoism was clear throughout the whole case, there is no denying it !
As many other witnesses have proven, you have been harassing this strong, independent game even before its official launch !
You'll have enough time to think about your vile anti-Nintendo rhetoric during your playthroughs.
And should i hear another word from you, i will have to raise the sentence to 20 additional playthroughs of Sticker Star as well !
@Lucina @Syrek24 is that you baby? LOL!
@Yorumi I love that you didn't talk about you saying the game is mediocre and crap. Love that.
@DarkmarkUnited @Yorumi deserved every bit of it !
He harassed this poor game without giving it a chance, without even paying for it !
You have seen his Nintendoist, Metroidist rhetoric yourself !
His prejudice against it, just because it was different !
Because it had a different color pallet ! Because it dared to show its deformed body ! Because it wasn't as sharp as its brothers and sisters !
This man is a vile monster and belongs on a Twitch stream, playing other incredible games so that he may one day learn to appreciate their unique and special beauty without prejudice and bias !
@TwilightOniAngel I had to look up who @Syrek24 was cause I had no idea who you were referencing, but holy crap, I can see why you would think He was me. That's uncanny LOL! XD I honestly don't like conflict or arguing, but certain people just grind my gears. I'm fine if you want to dislike Nintendo and it's games, but my motto has always been "Don't judge a game until you've played it." I can give an opinion, but that opinion is not fact nor should it be. Just like how reviewers give their opinion and it should merely be a guide to help you decide.
Le sigh. I don't know why I bother honestly. :/ I'm just way too heated over all this. Time to cool down and come back collected.
@DarkmarkUnited I'm challenging my fate by commenting in this comment section. Sadly, it's worse than the future I came from.
@DoctorOverbuild it is a good game. It's really fun and offers something different for DS.
@Lucina I was just joking. But i like your motto. Honestly i wouldn't give people so much flack if they just said "according to reviewers this game is mediocre". Instead of this game sucks cause some reviewers said so and it's fact i guess. But that's me.
This was just a fun discussion.
@TwilightOniAngel Hahaha, oh, I see. XD And I feel the same way. It's one thing to say "This reviewer said this about this game," and it's another thing to say "this game sucks. This reviewer said it sucks therefore I also believe it sucks. So sayth the review and his almighty wisdom. His word is fact and not at all an opinion."
huh. Feel sorry for the developers, but can't say I'm surprised for Nintendo. They probably aren't either, unless their studios are more insular than I thought.
Next in news, water is wet. Is anyone surprised?
@mikegamer
I don't think anyone is surprised, but I think a lot of people (especially Nintendo) were at least hoping for something better.
Color me genuinely surprised. This is something I would have thought was designed with the Japanese audience in mind; judging by the artstyle, platform choice, and local multiplayer.
I wonder how the game was marketed, and I slightly worry about the sales in other territories now.
When each of the original Prime Trilogy in Japan didn't even sell over 0.10m in lifetime sales, you can't expect much difference. Metroid's appeal has always been in the west, and even then it doesn't do that well.
What I find so appalling is that Nintendo NAILED their last attempt at taking the Metroid series out of hibernation. They were experimental in making Prime, but knew to launch a game (Metroid Fusion) that met fans traditional expectations to prevent any major backlash. Of course, both games were excellent, but Fusion reassured fans and helped them willingly support a fairly experimental title from a rookie studio. Prime could have had the same disaster as Fed Force, but Nintendo knew how to appease fans.
@SomeBitTripFan THIS !
This is the perfect explanation of what is wrong with this game.
It is not that it is complete rubbish, but the series has been dormant for roughly 6 years now with an already mediocre release.
And if you follow this up with something that is filler material at best with no proper release in sight, you're just asking for trouble.
That would be like selling "Tipping Stars" as the new, grand WiiU outing of Mario instead of being "in-between" fluff.
Or the Zelda title on NX ? We present you: "Link's Crossbow Training 2 !"
Release a new F-Zero and make it a slow Micro-Machines clone, and you will get the exact same reaction, no matter how good the original Micro-Machine games have been.
Geez, it's hard to make the charts when they only have one copy of Fed Force sold at each store. I had to travel a longer distance to get my copy of the game. Gamestops in my area were sold out of them in the first few hours of release. I guess Nintendo was only testing the waters to see how well it sold before making more hard copies. This is what they did when they released Devil's Third. They shortened the supply to potentially heighten the demand. I hope Fed Force doesn't suffer the same fate as Devil's Third, which will no longer have online play by the end of the year.
The amount of pitiful excuses here are astounding.
"Waaah there were not enough copies."
"Waaah it's a FPS. Japan doesn't play FPS."
"Waaah it's a Metroid game. Metroid games don't sell well in Japan."
"Waaah no one gave it a chance."
It's a video game. If you enjoyed it, then fantastic, but that doesn't make everyone else wrong for hating it.
The sky is blue.
Garbage input = garbage output
I voted with my wallet. This is the first game from Nintendo that I didn't not purchase. I always buy anything that is published or made by them but
This is the first game I refuse to buy. This is not what I wanted for the metroid series and they will not be getting my money. I'm glad to see that many other fans did the same thing.
We don't want it, and we're not having it. We have spoken! It's a done deal. Nothing that is said in favor of this game at this point can save it now. I can guaranty this is the last time we see this spin-off. Bye Felicia!
@Lucina
If you´ve read his comments he clearly doesn´t use just Metacritic as a base for his arguments. And what is this "true Nintendo fan"? Someone who blindly accepts everything Nintendo releases?
@Yorumi
Sonic Boom is not that bad, if you have four other players share the experience with you. It´s a very average game but still worth a lot of laughs while playing with friends.
@LUIGITORNADO On the contrary. When almost everyone here who says they hate it hasn't even touched the game, that seriously calls into question the validity in their "opinions" or the remarks towards the game. What's truly pathetic isn't those who are defending it, cause let's be honest with ourselves, those who are defending it, at least for the most part, have actually played it. That or they realized it's ok to have a spin off title and not act like a giant baby when they don't get what they want. No, what's truly pathetic is the amount of hates towards a product most have not experienced. This hate is only fuelled by emotions, not by reason or logic, but by pure, raw, negative emotion for something that goes against what they wanted. What I see is blind hatred with very little credibility towards the haters and those who celebrated the games abysmal sales.
What is truly pitiful isn't those who defend it, but the unwarranted, unnecessary hate towards a Metroid spin off that actually is quite decent. What's pitiful is those, like yourself, who laugh at others for defending a game against an angry mob who hasn't even given the game a chance, let alone touched it. One cannot truly judge something until they themselves have experienced it. And let's be realistic, since so many of you like to be realists. A majority of people here, especially those who attacked the game, did not play Federation Force. Once you've played it, and have shed any form of bias, then and only then can you truly judge a game. Not based of reviews from various opinions or simply trailers and videos, but from your own experience.
Go ahead and say it doesn't interest you or that you simply don't enjoy these type of games, that's perfectly fine, but DO NOT hate a game simply based on what you've seen or heard. Enough with Nintendo fans being so critical towards games that take a different path or create a new experience. Enough of this incredibly toxic and negative stance towards change and petty complaints that follow suit. Nintendo isn't the one that needs to change, it's the fans and the attitude they have. It's beyond toxic, it's destructive and it's causing good games to go unnoticed and to be shunned before they're even released. This needs to stop before precious franchises actually become dormant and are left untouched for decades.
@Luffymcduck A true Nintendo fan certainly isn't someone who constantly criticizes Nintendo for some pretty asinine reasons. They aren't constantly being Negative Nancy's and are taking to forums and comment sections to express their "opinions." They're more than allowed to disagree with certain decisions and even not buy certain content that doesn't appeal to them. After all, they aren't blind followers nor are they blind haters either. No, true Nintendo fans actually see the value of a game for what it's worth and not what it's lacking. They look for the good in things and aren't put off by new ways to play and new experiences. They push for constrictive critisism and don't just hate cause they didn't get what they wanted. They prefer gameplay over graphics. They realize Nintendo isn't behind the times, but rather they push the boundaries of what is possible in a video game, but through graphics but through the experience.
True Nintnedo Fans play video games to have fun and concern themselves more with what they're playing and less about Nintendo's sales figures. They focus on what matters and are generally positive individuals. They give out critisism in a mature manner that is constructive. They do not have temper tantrums in comments sections or make snide remarks every time Nintendo doesn't succeed at something.
No, True Nintendo Fans don't blindly accept everything Nintendo does but they don't need to act like petulant children to get their point across or to be so arrogant as to think they can do a better job than Nintendo.
@Lucina
" Nintendo isn't the one that needs to change, it's the fans and the attitude they have."
Actually, they do have to change if they want to become more relevant in today´s market. And I don´t mean they´d have to make exactly the same kind of AAA games huge 3rd party companies are making. They just need make little things: reassure the fans, that there´s a new Metroid coming alongside this spin-off or sometime later. 2002 was a great year for Metroid´s release because the fans not only got a new 2D Metroid but the first 3D Metroid as well. A similar release schecule would have propably worked here. Speaking of 3rd party games, those are the type of games some Nintendo fanboys tend to hate without even playing them. I see these kind of arguments on a Nintendo only sites like Nintendolife a lot.
<(-´_´-)>
It seems you created a new wall of text while I was typing mine. I don´t even know what to say. There has been a lot of CONSTRUCTIVE critisism here on this comment section yet you seem to ignore it. People are allowed to express their opinion. So let´s make a short review of Animal Crossing: amiibo festival. This review is based on 2 hours I spent playing my friends copy in both multiplayer and single player.
Animal Crossing: amiibo festival is a boring board game that makes little use of the amiibos that are required to play the game for some reason. Instead of pressing A to roll the dice, you have to tap your amiibo on gamepad everytime to roll. Board game doesn´t have minigames like Mario Party so the only aspect that holds my interest there is the turnips market. Not the kind of board game you want to play over and over again.
Then the minigames. Most of them are really dull. They involve tapping amiibo cards on gamepad in such minigames as: escape from this creature while tapping cards on gamepad, find the animals that are randomly hidden inside tents. There is one minigame though that manages to save AC:af from falling to the lowest ratings and that is island escape. It´s an RPG style minigame where you explore an island trying to gather supplies and build a raft. Good stuff, would be a good 3 or so euros as a standalone eShop release. Also the game looks good but that and one minigame are it´s only saving graces.
"No, True Nintendo Fans don't blindly accept everything Nintendo does but they don't need to act like petulant children to get their point across or to be so arrogant as to think they can do a better job than Nintendo."
In some cases, fans have done a better job than Nintendo. Take AM2R, that Metroid 2 remake. I think it´s better than Super Metroid and Metroid Zero Mission and would really like to see Nintendo making and official Metroid 2 remake. Or just another 2D Metroid in general as the last one was released over 12 years ago.
It appears I too have created a massive wall of text. Feel free to comment but my reply won´t propably arrive after I´ve returned from work and watched the latest Nintendo Direct. Well, I´m off to work, bye!
Wow, Japanese gamers sure don't like Federal Force because of FPS genre. Very contrary with Western gamers that adore that genre too much. Hm... between Japanese and Western are somewhat like betwen Sun and Moon.
@Lucina
Money talks. And in this case, a lack of it does.
People aren't happy with Nintendo. What you see as hate (some of it is just poo-posting) I see as passion.
But yeah. BOOO THE CONSUMER. They're wrong. Totally wrong on this. It isn't Nintendo's job to fulfill needs. It's our job to accept anything they throw at us.
Get a clue, mister.
@Caryslan Very good points. I don't think the concept is bad at all. FPS is missing in general on handheld systems so I would give some credit for that. The other issue is that it is hard to find people to play local multiplayer when it comes to the 3DS in the west, especially in the United States. Also, it would be a bit nice if it didn't retail for $40. Maybe if Nintendo would have had released the game as a cheaper download....
@ThomasBW84 Why do you make it sound like Metroid Other M debuting at no.3 was surprising?
@Utena-mobile Well, I mean, I'm sure at its core, the game is good, but the horrid art style is a bit turn off.
And of course now Nintendo in all their wisdom will blame the Metroid brand, and not the fact that Federation Force was a massive disappointment and wasn't AT ALL what the fans were asking for! Oh gee, I wonder why it bombed!
@Lucina I have not bought Federation Force. But here's the thing, I don't need to. I played the demo, and the control scheme turned me off of the game once I started to play it.
I did have an open mind and was willing to give FF a chance. But it is Nintendo's job to wow me with the demo. All the demo did was tell me I can safely skip the game and save my money for Dragon Quest VIII.
But let me ask a question. How am I not a Nintendo fan because I disliked the direction Star Fox Zero went? Am I wrong as a consumer to expect an multiplayer mode in a game like Star Fox in 2016? Am I wrong because I thought the control scheme was the most asine thing I have ever seen in a video game and attempted to change something that was not broken in previous Star Fox games?
Every company should be open to criticism, regardless of their lineage or overall legacy. And while I'm not an employee of Nintendo, I am their consumer and I have every right to judge a product that they produce.
Having experience in a given market does not mean a company won't make mistakes or errors in judgment. Coca-Cola was an old, established company when they replaced Coca-Cola with New Coke. Were consumers wrong to question their judgement?
How about Mcdonalds? They have had countless failed items over the years? Are the consumers wrong because they did not embrace the Arch Deluxe?
My point is, Nintendo is a world-class developer of games. But that does not mean they aren't prone to mistakes.
Not every one is a spoiled child that hates change. I could care less if Samus was the main character of Federation Force. My opinion is that if people really want to play a game with Samus as the main character, there are over ten other entries in the series to pick from.
Not even Halo has Master Chief in every single game. Halo 3 ODST and Reach did not even have you play as Master Chief, and Halo 5 made him more of a secondary character.
So, I can live with Samus having a supporting role or even not appearing in the game. My issue was the control scheme and the lackluster gameplay.
Same goes for Star Fox Zero.
Not everyone blindly hated Federation Force and Star Fox Zero. Maybe fans have a point when they judge Nintendo.
As I said before, no company is perfect, regardless of their lineage.
I have no problem with Nintendo trying new things with their franchises but I can understand why people are so unhappy about this game.
I won't be buying it because I have no interest in FPS games, especially multiplayer ones, especially with the control compromises that come from being on a handheld.
I hope this isn't the end of Metroid
@Lucina
1. You don't get to decide what constitutes a 'True Nintendo fan'. Taking one example, Nintendo fans are entirely entitled to be interested in sales figures because they want to see the company do well and continue making games.
2. You don't get to decide whether others reasons for criticising Nintendo (or any other company) are valid.
3. If somebody says "this game has reviewed well" I or anyone else, do not need to have played the game to point out "no it hasn't".
4. In your love for Nintendo you have misunderstood the relationship between Nintendo (a Consumer products company) and their 'fans' (in reality, consumers). They exist to make products that entice consumers to to give them money. If they release products that fail to do that, it's their problem. Substitute Nintendo for Apple or Sony or Ralph Lauren or some other company and it would be absurd to say 'they can release whatever they want and people should just hand over money for it'. If Nintendo have got it wrong that's all it is, no thrashing around forexcuses will change that.
Here's the thing: this is a worse situation than Codename STEAM when you look at it in a different perspective.
Think about it. Codename STEAM was a new IP, it got hardly any advertising and received middling reviews. Surprise, surprise! It sold less than 2,000 copies in Japan in its release week.
Federation Force is a spinoff of a franchise which has been around for 30 years (I still feel that the Metroid Prime name was tagged onto it to sell more copies to this day). It is part of an established IP, it's had lots of coverage and received middling reviews. Federation Force was outsold in its release week and denied a place in the top 20 by a game (Splatoon) which is part of a new IP, released on a dying system and over a year old.
Really makes you think....
@electrolite77
"They exist to make products that entice consumers to to give them money."
If Nintendo were producing, say, clothing or food I'd agree completely, however as they are making an artistic product, like a book, movie or a piece of music, I don't. One piece of art can bring a person enjoyment, while another very similar piece can, for no logical reason, bring great dissatisfaction. They could have done what the "Metroid fans" "wanted" and made another 2D game on par with all the others, but it doesn't mean that it wouldn't be seeing worse sales, reviews and opinions despite being what "everyone" was asking for. The best Nintendo can do is make the games they'd like to make and hope that the fickle winds of opinion are blowing their way
@japongt The game is not poopy - It's actually rather fantastic. But negative people didn't like the branding. . . Are you a Negative person?
Everything else has already been said, so I'll just say it should be "fewer" copies than Splatoon.
Lol. I'm just glad I can enjoy the games I like and that I don't have to base what I like off of what everyone else thinks is cool. Some people just can't have their own voice or opinion on what they think is a great game. If it's something they don't want, they get offended that the developers weren't thinking about them when they made it. Some people are so self-centered it's ridiculous.
All in all, yes it didn't sell many, but those are 4,000 people who were really excited about playing a metroid game, and are now enjoying a good game while everyone else sits there and complains about not playing a metroid game.
People need to calm themselves before they go around telling what everyone else should be playing. Turns out, everybody isn't you, so please do us all a favor, and get over it. Let people enjoy whatever games they want. I may think Zebra Unicorn Ranch 3 is an awesome game, while you may hate that game. I don't care if you buy it, but I'm the one having fun while everyone else isn't.
@MrGuinea
"Lol. I'm just glad I can enjoy the games I like and that I don't have to base what I like off of what everyone else thinks is cool"
Indeed
"Some people just can't have their own voice or opinion on what they think is a great game. "
True, but that statement's certainly not at all applicable to the comment section. I don't see a whole lot of bashing people for liking the game, but I certainly see a lot of people getting attacked for trying to point out that the general consensus is negative, or for posting their own negative revews on the matter.
"If it's something they don't want, they get offended that the developers weren't thinking about them when they made it. Some people are so self-centered it's ridiculous."
This is such an asinine comment. You can defend almost any flaw in a video game like this. Oh you think this game is too easy? Or too short? Well sorry, the developers just weren't thinking about you when they made the game, you self-centered brat. See. You're allowed to have your own opinion on it but only so long as you're the exact target market for this game and your opinion is entirely positive.
"All in all, yes it didn't sell many, but those are 4,000 people who were really excited about playing a metroid game,"
Ok, if you think it's good I'm happy for you, but I don't think anybody who knew what this game was would say they were excited to play a Metroid game.
"People need to calm themselves before they go around telling what everyone else should be playing."
It's funny because the people doing that aren't the people who don't like Federation Force. No, rather, it's people on your side of the argument who have been screaming, since the moment this game was announced "BUY THIS GAME! Buy it, you horrid Metroid fans, or else Nintendo won't make another! You can't judge it from the trailer! You can't judge it from the demo! You have to pay $40 for the right to criticize this game!
"Turns out, everybody isn't you, so please do us all a favor, and get over it. "
Agreed, but looking at the sales data and general review scores, it turns out that you're speaking for a much much much smaller minority, here.
"I may think Zebra Unicorn Ranch 3 is an awesome game, while you may hate that game. I don't care if you buy it, but I'm the one having fun while everyone else isn't."
You cared enough to come here and insult the people who didn't buy or enjoy the game. If negative opinions on the game offend you so much, by all means go back to having a grand old time.
@Caryslan I agree with you. I feel that this game would have done so much better if it was on Wii U. Having proper controls, clearer graphics and splitscreen multiplayer would have done the concept of a multiplayer metroid justice. If it was paired with a Prime single player campaign, I bet it would have been very well received by everyone.
As it stands, I don't think the idea of Federation Force is bad, or that it is a truly bad game. The problem is, it looks like a filler game, and people and reviewers to an extend have recognised it as such. Nintendo recently has been putting out these filler games on 3DS and Wii U recently, and that's why it has sold poorly.
An NX reveal cannot come soon enough.
...Metroid never really did well in Japan. Maybe the 2D ones, but for the most part, Metroid became a western thing for Ninty. So the big question is: how did it sell on our side of the pond?
@shaneoh
They can do both. They can experiment and cater for a Series traditional form. I'm also not sure I agree about this being art. They are a public limited company, they have stockholders to report to and if their finances were to deteriorate sufficiently they would blink out of existence. They themselves are quite open about their pursuit of profit. Their game creators may be able to view what they do as an art form but ultimately they put something on the shelves for customers to decide whether they want to spend money on it. If consumers don't, Nintendo doesn't exist.
it's pretty clear Nintendo wanted to make Metroid more palatable to a Japanese audience but in doing so alienated the core Western audience.
I get why they tried but it was an epic fail. I hope this doesn't kill the Metroid franchise
@shaneoh The thing is if they brought a 2D Metroid game on the Wii U for example you'd still get people saying they're sick to the back teeth of 2D games on the Wii U. You can't win. We're dealing with some very delicate snowflakes.
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