Retro Studios is among the most admired of Nintendo's associated studios, having made its name with the Metroid Prime Trilogy and then by reinvigorating 2D DK gaming, most recently with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Wii U.
The studio has contributed to other games - including Mario Kart 7 - but many want to know what it's doing next; indeed, what it's been working on since Tropical Freeze arrived in early 2014. Some rumours suggest it's a new IP, while plenty are no doubt fantasizing over a new Prime title (even if there have been discouraging noises in the past year on that front).
Whatever it's doing for the Nintendo Switch, presumably, it's ramping up enough to recruit some new talent. The company's Twitter account has sprung to life with three job postings.
Exciting times. We've hugely admired the work of Retro Studios over the past three generations of hardware, so hopefully a major Nintendo Switch project will make a bang for the company. What do you hope to see from the Texas-based studio?
With thanks to Benson for the heads up.
Comments 72
Don't be another Donkey Kong.
@Nintenjoe64 My gut tells me it won't be, because I don't think Tropical Freeze sold huge numbers.
Nope, it didn't - https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/wiiu.html
Environments, animation, & A.I. engineering....
sure hope this is METROID!!!!!
I would love it too be a Metroid game but I think Retro wants too do something new.
Have they said anything about making games for Nintendo Switch?
Something new, something fresh is what I hope Retro are working on. Mind you it has been long enough since the last Metroid game, so I'd be happy either way (but if they are working on an existing IP I'd much prefer it to be an Eternal Darkness sequel)
They've been hiring for a long time. These positions have gone unfilled for quite some time. People should not be expecting something big or wonderful from Retro. They simply do not have the staff necessary to make very much.
Pretty sure Retro is today about what Rare is today, in regards to their respective pasts.
@Azooooz In late 2014 they were supposedly working on something for Wii U, but that would have likely been scrapped or moved to Switch by now.
I hope they're expanding, and that these applications aren't to fill in the gaps left behind by people that left company.
Why can't they be a WV based studio? Not that I have the resume for that anyway, but if they were here I'd be more likely to go back to school. Nothing much but low paying state work.
I doubt it is Metroid. Many of the talent behind the Prime series has left, and I remember reading somewhere Sakamoto commented there weren't plans for Metroid soon.
@Nintenjoe64 Really? I LOVED Tropical Freeze. I'd be very happy with another DK game.
At this point I don't care anymore what it is, I just want to see it NOW!!
DKCR3
MAKE SOMETHING!
I feel like they gave up on metroid. Its been a dead franchise for such a long time and it's revival just dug a deeper grave it seemed.
They're working on F-zero for suuuurrrreeeee.
@ThomasBW84 ever thought about mario kart 7 dlc?
I also think it'll be a new IP, as others suggested above. Dunno, but I can see them creating an original first-person adventure game (not an FPS, mind you, but something akin to Prime, Deus Ex or Dishonored. Or all 3), as I think that would fill a gap in Ninty's existing IPs. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Speaking of wishful thinking, why can't I dream a Retro-made Kid Icarus game? <3
I think another DKCR would be alright then we got two DKC trilogies which would be awesome.
But maybe it's time for a new ip by Retro.
@ThomasBW84 I think it sold just over a million on WiiU which is not that bad, Prime Trilogy didn't even do half those numbers on Wii and DCKR outsold every Prime game. DKCR3 would be nice.
Its Cranky Kong Switch.
I'm torn i want another Metroid game but i also want another DKC game to form a trilogy
@Yalaa Yeah, the Prime series as a whole has been on a downward trend, sadly. There's logic to the 'new IP' chatter, I think, as I'm not convinced a third DKC game will be considered a potential smash hit for Nintendo.
Splatoon, it should be noted, has proven to Nintendo that new franchises can work nicely.
@Araquanid What do you mean? Metroid isn't dead, AM2R was released recently.
They're probably working on a new project. Metroid Prime has been sullied, and there's only so many Donkey Kong Country games you can make before you realize it's time to try something else.
Who here actually cares? It seems like everyone here hates Nintendo, so why would it matter what Retro is working on? You're just going to complain anyway.
@argh4430 Complain ≠Hate
Complain = Care
come on guys if yer gonna argue lets get the show on the road!
i wanna see body parts flying everywhere
@PlywoodStick at least only gatorboi has shown up. I'm guessing the other trolls didn't feel like trying to spin this as a negative thing.
Metroid Prime or GTFO
@bezerker99
you mean another m
@ThomasBW84 To me, the most telling part of this probably being a new title would be something that hasn't been mentioned yet. Why is no one asking themselves why they would need additional artists/new artists for a game that they've already done multiple parts of? The assets are already in-house, the people having experience with putting them together are also there already as well, so why train new guys on how to make worlds for a new Donkey Kong Country Returns game?
In my humble opinion, that makes no sense at all, so I'm expecting a completely new game, or a re-imagining of either Metroid or Kid Icarus in full HD.
@ogo79 BREAKING NEWS: Metroid: Other M 2 - CONFIRMED for Nintendo Switch!
NOW WITH 20% MORE BABY!!!
@LeRaposa You have no idea what you are talking about.
First off, these tweets are new, so they are relevant now, and second: Retro Studios currently has a team of 70 people, so they could easily make something nice or big.
Just look at what PlayTonic Games can do with a fixed team of just 20 people, and 4 temporary additions for music and so on. That's a pretty decent game that they produced right there. A team of almost triple the size should be able to at least equal that effort.
@ThanosReXXX I think he's confusing retro being on a hiring spree and filling positions vs them having not been able to fill said positions.
Sure Retro has tweeted positions in the past...but for all you (@LeRaposa) know, Retro has just been expanding due to an increase in scope from the boss man (Nintendo).
Having positions open is not a bad thing....in reality it's just telling you that pure awesomeness is soon to be on the way!
Definitely not Metroid Prime, as Tanabe confirmed one wasn't in development at last year's E3, and whatever Retro is working on started in 2014. Doesn't rule out a non-Prime Metroid, but I seriously doubt it.
Anyways, it's either some pre-existing IP, or a new IP completely.
Would love a StarTropics reboot.
@HeroOfTime32 Most important part is that they have a big enough size team to make something nice, and that is a good thing.
And so would a new game/IP...
EDIT:
And agreed on that final conclusion. They probably have a lot of great ideas but they need a few more hands to make them a reality. Good times ahead either way indeed, also what with all the positive reactions of both media and third party developers.
@bezerker99
@PlywoodStick It is canon!
I really hope that it is third Donkey Kong Country game but I doubt it. At least not right away.
They're alive at least.
@Nintenjoe64 @ThomasBW84
Low #'s i think is partly because of Wii U install base but either way, I have been playing DKC since the originals and firmly believe DKC:TR is the BEST donkey kong game ever made. And the best OST of the series. I would love if Retro was making another one.
The positions they're advertising certainly sound more likely to be something like Metroid rather than what they've been working on more recently... but even if it's not, more focus on environment design and AI would be good for almost any game.
@speedracer216 @leo13
I enjoyed Tropical Freeze (haven't finished it yet) but it was a bit soon after DKCR and I'd like to think Retro are working on something brand new
Wow...
Metroid for sure!
I'd like to see anything from them, but I don't think Nintendo can get away with leveraging B-tier properties like Metroid and Donkey Kong this time without some serious promotion. The Wii U sold so poorly that it's do or die time, and I can really see them listening to the market a bit more this time.
In this case, that probably means Retro is either going to come out with an HD triple A looking game that looks like a new Eternal Darkness but plays like Uncharted or they'll look to strike gold with another Splatoon-like zany multiplayer experience.
An spacial FPS. Not that I love the gender, in fact I don't, but for some time I've been thinking that they would take the atmosfere of Metroid Prime and make a competitive, fast paced, spacial FPS.
Please be a new Donkey Kong Country!
@Nintenjoe64 A bit soon? Really? You think 1 DK game per generation is too soon (we only got 1 on N64, 1 on Gamecube, 1 on Wii and 1 on Wii U)? Not me, I love them.
As much as I love DKC (they were a huge part of my childhood), I don't believe they're making another one. Nintendo will probably remaster Tropical Freeze for Switch to get more sales, hopefully a new one can come after that. =)
What games did Retro create besides bringing back DKC and Metroid?
@ThomasBW84 I feel like it's low sales were due to the small install base of the Wii U. It still sold more than a Metroid game would have...
@Rontanamo_Bay
@RenanKJ Metroid and DKC are all they've done aside from helping with Mario Kart 7.
@ThomasBW84 I blame that on the Wii U. The game itself, is s masterpiece.
I was so excited for Returns on Wii, I loved the SNES trilogy, and it didn't disappoint. Tropical Freeze is even better on Wii U, a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, so I'd love more DK from Retro! But regardless, it'll be top quality whatever they put out next.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland 2
I'd love to see Retro go multiplatform. They are wasting their time with unsupportive Nintendo.
Anything but more lackluster Donkey Kong "Country" games.
@GravyThief Rosy rupeeland has a 'sequel' in Japan, its Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip.
@PlywoodStick Depends on HOW you complain.
In most cases, people complain about Nintendo probably not managing to do something that no other company ever or just very rarely managed to do. Or about Nintendo doing bad business decisions, even though they simply just personally want something else.
I think there are enough ridicoulus complains under many of the news that they could be considered hating, even if the person himself does not even realize that.
Honestly, I am sick of many of the comments here myself by now. (Not much under this news)
Just give me Mega Man 11 and I'm fine.
Retro better be making a new Mario Bros.......I haven't played a good single screen 2 player game in some time
A Metroid Prime 4 would be nice, really. But me being a huge fan of Retro Studios will probably just accept whatever they have to offer. Maybe.
I had no idea Retro Studios was located in Texas!
Kid Icarus Prime, an FPS game...it's happening, deal with it.
I'm ambivalent on the prospect of them making another Metroid game. On the one hand, people have been clamouring for a new full Metroid Prime game for ages and it would be nice for the fans to get what they want for a change. On the other, I hate Metroid with a passion and could not stand any Metroid game that I've ever played, especially Prime. They are tedious and aggravating. Generally speaking, I don't like exploration and cannot stand not knowing where to go. So I dunno, if I had to speak selfishly, I'd say that I want to see either a new Donkey Kong game to match the original trilogy or something entirely new. Just no more Metroid, I can't take another one.
@TheBigK Then don't buy any metroid games?
I'd love a Trilogy remaster, but aside from wishfull thinking I do hope they are working on a new ip or at least reviving a dead one.
Can't wait to see what they are working on!
I wonder if Retro Studios decided to revive the Raven Blade name and reboot its development from the ground up. From what I heard, the original beta turned out to be a boring experience in retrospect.
I'm hoping for an Eternal Darkness spiritual successor. Or even Geist...
I love everything they did the past few generations, and Tropical Freeze is one of the greatest games ever... But i want something dark and "mature" from them this time.
Edit: just read the Raven Blade comment above mine... Yup. That would be great news to me.
Diddy Kong Racing sequel please!!
I loved both Prime and DK games that Retro made so I wouldn't be disappointed to see another one from either series. I think Tropical Freeze is the best platformer on the Wii U.
.....but I wouldn't be disappointed to see something original from them too. So basically, I just want another Retro Studios game!
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