I-U

@CreamyDream I've played Metroid Prime Hunters extensively. Kid Icarus Uprising has similar means of inputting, but it's actual execution is definitely different. On ground controls in particular really bugged me with the whole flick and tap concept to quick aim and stop. MPH was no where near as slippery.

I don't like Miyamoto's decision to limit Star Fox Zero to his "innovative" control scheme. I do think that there should have been options, as I do think I would prefer to play the game traditionally, like I did with Star Fox 64 3D. Since there are no options and there is a questionable control scheme, the best solution here is for Nintendo to release a shop demo prior to the game's release. I'm interested in the game, but I do not see myself taking a $60 risk here. Having a pre-release demo would help ease my concerns if the scheme is as solid as Miyamoto and Nintendo believes it is.

As far as new releases go, my focus is almost entirely on Metroid Prime Federation Force right now. I want to play a new Metroid game and I'm glad that this looks to be a very fun co-op multiplayer experience. Tanabe has said that it is connected to the Prime universe, so I'm also intrigued how the missions featured in Federation Force connect back to the sub-series' established lore. I'm also interested to see what they'll do here to build up Metroid's future and see if Sylux makes a return. I'm expecting to play MPFF in August as a day one buyer.

@FRANKLIN_BADGE: How did you come to the assumption that I would pass on an engaging single player experience from Metroid? My favorite game in the series is Metroid Prime Hunters because it has both an engaging single player and engaging multiplayer. Having nailed both so well, that game ultimately made me perceive the rest of the series as half efforts in comparison, no matter how good they are in a particular aspect. My hope, in spite of its art style choice, is that Federation Force will engage me in both single player and multiplayer again within the Metroid Series. I would not get that from a Prime 4 or whatever else the fanbase "wants."

"Metroid Prime-ish!"

Yeah, it doesn't look quite as slow and doesn't seem to have that façade of a cohesive world when it's disconnected all around. I'm personally glad Metroid Prime Federation Force is just familiar, because the main games are just a bit boring and bloated. Outside of the art style, Federation Force is very close to what I've been wanting out of a Metroid release for nearly a decade: engaging multiplayer. I cannot wait to play this new Metroid game with my siblings, and explore what all Federation Force reveals and implies about the Prime universe. I will be buying and may even be buying multiple copies.

The 3DS sucked this year to be honest. For the first time owning a handheld from Nintendo, there wasn't any game that interested me enough to ultimately own. Admittedly, I may get Majora's Mask 3D at some point in the new year, but regardless, it's the worst year for a Nintendo handheld that I've experienced. Next year will be better though. We've got Hyrule Warriors Legends and Metroid Prime Federation Force at least.

Most of my Wii U experience for 2015 hasn't been too noteworthy either; however, the console finished the year strong in my opinion. Starting with Super Mario Maker, I have ended up playing three 2015 Wii U releases so far: Super Mario Maker, Mario Tennis Ultra Smash and Xenoblade Chronicles X. I also decided to pick up Yoshi's Woolly World, though I've yet to sit down with that one. Again, the year had a strong finish I feel, after spending most of the year with Smash U's DLC updates occasionally. I'm not sure what the Wii U will see in 2016, I just know that I want to play Pokken and Zelda U on it.

Metroid Fusion has the darkest and tensest atmosphere of the 2D games and most of the Primes in my opinion. I feel it may only be outdone by Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime Hunters in that sense. The game's greater sense of guidance did not push me away, I actually enjoyed it. The problem comes though when I'm replaying Fusion and cannot skip over a story and objectives I've already read through 10+ times. Fortunately, the B.S.L.'s sectors, enemies, bosses and atmosphere are interesting enough to keep me engaged in spite of that issue whenever I do play.

I love Dementium, Moon, Dementium II and ATV Wild Ride on my Nintendo DS, and they were the main reason why I decided to keep up with Renegade Kid news (which I have stopped doing). Next, they come onto the 3DS scene with what I feel is one of the more charming and simplistic platformers of this generation, on the Nintendo side: Mutant Mudds. What happens then? Oh, Bomb Monkey, which I happen to really like. Again, Renegade Kid seemed to have hit a chord with me with retro goodness.

They have changed quite a bit since though, with the exception of the release of Xeodrifter, focusing on re-updating several of their DS games. There was also an announcement of Cult County, which looked really cool, but again Mutant Mudds and that general retro push was what put RK on the map with the 3DS.

Along with that change, it seems like the retro titles, releases that look like they can be as great as Mutant Mudds potentially, are getting further and further away. Mutant Mudds Super Challenge? Treasurenauts? Treasurenauts? RK, just roll with those games please.

@Bolt_Strike
Personally speaking, I saw more exploration elements going on within that ice level mission shown off at the Treehouse coverage than I've experienced out of much of 3D World. I want more exploration to be had in Federation Force, and I have faith that that is already going to be present in a number of missions. Nothing on level to exploring whole regions like in traditional entries, but enough to have a satisfying experience with a group of friends and even alone. Having said that, I still want the action heavy missions like that one they showed where the Federation Force was taking on Space Pirates at an outpost while taking out warheads. I really don't want Nintendo getting the weird idea that they suddenly need to go all out with exploration. Metroid is better when it has diversity.

@IceClimbers
I really hope that if Federation Force is being reworked, it is simply to change the game's art style. That was my one problem with the game, that it just isn't familiar looking. Considering what Metroid Prime Hunters looks like on the DS, Federation Force should have looked much more like a Metroid title with its art style than it did at the E3 event. If Nintendo is waiting for that change to show off Fed Force again, I'm all for it.

I did not watch any of the Directs as I wanted to see and hear more about Metroid Prime Federation Force. Of the announcements I've heard about though, I'm happy about the addition of Cloud to Smash 4 and the addition of Linkle into Hyrule Warriors Legends. That said, if Nintendo wants to have a Direct running on all cylinders, they should talk about the Metroid game that they have upcoming.

Without any mention of Metroid Prime Federation Force, probably the upcoming game I have the most anticipation for, much of the Direct I have an indifferent reaction to. About the only thing of interest to me is the fact that Cloud is on his way to Smash 4 and that there will be a Smash Direct next month. Otherwise, I did not hear about anything that makes me want to watch the Direct, as I really wanted to see how Federation Force would look or be presented following all its backlash. It's probably an August 2016 release though, and may be covered in the next general Direct which likely will be in January.

@Bolt_Strike I would argue that atmosphere is the most substantial concept of the Metroid games being tied to every aspect of each title. Honestly, I would question whether someone is a fan of this series if they don't value atmosphere highly. That's what Metroid stands out on, or at least use to before everyone seemingly started caring about what's the right depiction of Samus. Anyways, regarding Super Metroid's gameplay, I suppose it is the intelligence to it as well as what I've already mentioned regarding its storytelling. By intelligence I mean that it doesn't assume I'm an idiot and let's me learn my potential mostly on my own. It's very satisfying to have multiple avenues I can take to go about traversing locations in this Zebes. Super Metroid is a game that I feel isn't trying to control how I play, like a Metroid Prime would with its excessive use of colored doors or a Metroid Fusion does by making me stop to hear whatever Adam wants to tell me. Super Metroid ultimately feels like a massive playground the more I become familiar with what I'm able to do as Samus. Almost no other Metroid game feels that way with its gameplay and design to me.

I would say that of all the Metroid games, Super Metroid is probably the one that does find plenty of moments to be fun in its vibrance and not fall under the same serious/dark umbrella that nearly every other Metroid falls under. It's that kind of charm with how broad Super Metroid is that really makes it compelling to me to keep coming back to. Just to be clear too, Super Metroid's gameplay is not separate from its atmosphere, even if I may have addressed them as if they were. Kicking around a Yard or fighting a Golden Torizo has as much to do with the gameplay elements of Super as it does its atmosphere since they're usually very intertwined in this franchise and especially in this game.

@Bolt_Strike
There's a strong sense of wonder to Super Metroid's Zebes that most of its successors never really accomplished. With Super Metroid being very focused on environmental storytelling, not using a single word to convey its engrossing atmosphere, each new area in a major region of Zebes felt like a new page that had its own content to "read" while adding to the set up of the previous entry. Super Metroid's story also kept broad and diverse. When I'm laughing at punting around Yards and watching them pinball around an industrial site in Maridia, I'm not feeling the way I feel when I watch good natured, worker Evirs bury their tortured mother. When I'm imagining Samus as some ultimate ninja warrior training with a pack of Etecoons deep in Brinstar, it's certainly different from what I imagine of her as she looks at the dead corpse outside of Kraid's chamber. When I'm feeling like the mightiest speedster ever bashing through wall after wall in the upper regions of Norfair, I know that the demonic and brutal nature of the region's lower depths will humble my journey as I discover I'm no closer to the infant Metroid as when I first landed on Zebes. There's so much done by Super Metroid's environmental content that many of the Metroid games afterwards seem almost soulless.

The only Metroid game I prefer to Super Metroid is my first Metroid experience, Metroid Prime Hunters. I highly regard both for mostly similar reasons, and I definitely feel that Super Metroid's tense and mysterious atmosphere is timeless. The amount of freedom and variety in its gameplay also really captures my imagination too. While Super Metroid is not filled with interesting lore to be scanned, it is so detailed and believable that Zebes still feels like it's telling its own compelling tale regardless. Definitely a classic, definitely a lot better than Metroid Prime and definitely a game that sits comfortably as one of the best games I've ever played.

Every time an article or topic addresses the Prime-style returning to the Wii U, Metroid Prime Hunters doesn't get one mention. The Wii U is a HD console, it's suppose to be the most advanced Nintendo system they've ever released. I not only think the Prime-style will leave the best impression for the console, but I also think that it's time for multiplayer to be revisited in the franchise, as it was in Hunters.

If Retro is handling the project, as I would expect, I really hope they have made a quicker game. If you're going to have me moving slow, give me the Boost Ball from the start so I can speed up my pace through the world. Story-wise, I'm not looking for a story to be told to me like in Other M, and would like to see scans/lore again. Please though, make that a more thoughtful element and more interlocked to the environment. I can talk about Metroid Prime Hunters all day on the subjects it has made me reflect on with the content of the Alimbic Cluster. The Prime Trilogy, not so much. Return to first person, bring back multiplayer, be quicker, be thought-provoking and be refreshing in upgrade selection.

That extra would have been A LOT better than the main game.

I'm actually a little surprised Super Mario 3D Land didn't somehow manage to be #1, though I definitely think A Link Between Worlds is more deserving. Probably my favorite Zelda game and favorite game on the 3DS. A lot of comments here though on Uprising not making the list. I'm very happy that it missed the mark for this poll. Kid Icarus Uprising had an excellent cast, dialogue and art direction, but nearly everything else didn't sit well with me. The controls for land segments worked but were far from excellent, really making me disinterested in the overall experience.

My top 10 must-play games on the 3DS are mostly Nintendo DS games. Exclusive to the 3DS, retail-only, I would go with Super Mario 3D Land, A Link Between Worlds and New Super Mario Brothers 2.

When NOA releases Metroid Zero Mission, which should have been done already, is when I'll take interest in purchasing from the eShop.

@Chaoz: Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2, Metroid Prime 3, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Zero Mission and Super Metroid all did a great job at storytelling.

Super Metroid hasn't aged. I think Nintendo would actually make the game worse with a modernized remake, especially in terms of the game's physics, which have made it almost a dream to speedrun. The only Metroid game that should be considered for remaking is Metroid II. It would actually benefit: color added, map added, walljumping added, more upgrades added and more bosses. Super Metroid is as content rich as it should be, Metroid II has far more room for content to be added.

I don't think the focus on the 3DS should be fill up the remaining years with remakes though, and I certainly expect to see a new Metroid on the 3DS before any remake, even one deserving like Metroid II. The series has too much potential to waste its debut entry onto a system with a remake.

The troll on page 9 I got to ignore, so I like that Captain Toad got a mention.

I bought the Metroid Prime Trilogy for my little brother as he's on the Wii U a lot and will have easier access to these three games with them simply on the menu. What I do not plan on doing for him is overhyping these three games. I think they're worth completing, and solid games, but I have found them disappointing. I just don't find them that thought provoking compared to Metroid Prime Hunters, the Metroid Prime game I feel is very clever about how it interconnects lore, environmental details and music. The Metroid Prime Trilogy I feel were pretty lackluster in trying to accomplish that. A lot of locations feel completely insignificant. They're great games to play, but I think they're very far from being Metroid's golden standard.

Normally, I'd go with the latest versions, but I don't own AS or OR. Part of that has to do with being burned out by X/Y, as they brought light to the competitive side of this game with IVs/EVs, whatever Super Training deals with. My favorite is the last simpler Pokémon game I've played: Pokémon Black.

Pokémon Black was like a fresh start, with the main game focusing on Pokémon from Generation 5. Design-wise, Pokémon were really weird in that generation, but they're also some of my favorites. Even generic objects, like Vanillite, Trubbish and Litwick, have the benefit of being humorous to me, so I've come to like them too. What I really like about Black though are its battle animations. Artistically, I'm more fond of those moving sprites than I am the 3D models the series currently has. Battles were really fast too, so everything felt really fluid in this entry. While OR/AS are hot now, I think I'd much rather get my hands on Black 2 at this point to re-experience what Gen. 5 brought in a new adventure.

I'm going to go with Smash U. It's got the most diverse roster, the best control options and I think the amiibos are a great addition to the experience. Lv. 50 is like playing a competitive match with another player.

I was going to go with the crowd and pick Mario Kart 8, but I think the game's update to split screen is much worse than it use to be. Item-wise, 8 finally trolled me hard yesterday, so yeah Mario Kart DS it is for today.

I've been waiting to see Renegade Kid's next retro hit since Bomb Monkey. Being inspired by Metroid, I'm really thrilled for Xeodrifter. They're doing what Nintendo has been avoiding. Day one definitely.

I went to see the score first and then read the whole review. I can understand wanting to see a multiplayer component featured in Captain Toad, especially when multiplayer is unfortunately impacting the designs of major Super Mario releases, but I don't recall a co-op feature ever being mentioned for this title. I don't get how that turned into a -2 for the game. I would love to bring Pushmo's score into this regarding getting assistance from other players, but I can't, as it's done by another reviewer. Funny how that always ends up being the case.

I'm not all that worried about Captain Toad. I definitely plan on getting the game, more so now after seeing the score on this site, and I believe I will enjoy the title more than I have Super Mario 3D World easily. The most unique levels in that game were the Captain Toad levels in my opinion, and to have them fully featured in a full game is going to be awesome to experience.

I'm also glad that this is a single player game. There hasn't been a single player designed Mario release on console since Super Mario Galaxy 2, so it will be refreshing to play this spin-off experience alone from start to finish. There will be no disconnect transitioning from multiplayer to single going through this puzzle adventure. I'm excited for Treasure Tracker.

Can they just confirm a Mega for every evolution line already?

That looks really awesome. If both armored and Zero Suit Samus are available from the start, I definitely will be getting this title in early 2015 in spite of having never really owned a MH game. Even if they are unlocks though, I'm very interested in playing as Samus in both uniforms. I also have to say that I'm loving the attention the Other M designs for Samus Aran are getting.

@LordFawful said it best, a Mario-skinned Warriors game would have to have RPG characters. Fawful, Cackletta, Queen Bean, Admiral Bobbery, etc; there should be no shortage for a roster.

When I look at Hyrule Warriors though, I'm more thinking about Metroid than anything else. I'd love to see how Sylux, Spire, Weavel, Noxus, Trace and Kanden translate into this kind of game. I think it'd be epic.

Fire Emblem would really interest me too. I haven't really cared for Fire Emblem's gameplay, but its cast is something else. Put them in an action heavy game and I'm set.

I'm really fond of the art direction, and really wish this project had been realized on the 3DS. Samus looks really threatening and far more alien like than her previous designs. Boss/enemy concepts are up to Metroid standards. I really would've liked to have seen the world NLG were planning on creating for this apparently canned project. Definitely trust Next Level more than Retro Studios, but I'm not so sure about putting them over SPD1 and Sakamoto considering MZM, Fusion and Super. If they've got one thing going for them over that development team though it's no Other M association.

@Darknyht:
You were right on the money until that final sentence.

@Grumblevolcano Those people should stay away from the series. It's pretty sad too that bigger fans of the series have had that same way of thinking. Other M has been no where near as offensive as they are.

@Beau_Skunk:
They probably won't stop. For some reason, people have a problem seeing an attractive character in an attractive outfit. I think it's ridiculous too that Nintendolife targeted Samus, but will not do the same for Shulk. They need to smash and delete their copies of Super Metroid if they have an issue with Samus in revealing outfits. That's an outfit that's actually skimpy.

"That's a debate we've tackled recently with Samus."

Yes, but now it's time for "A History of the Sexualisation of Shulk" to be done. Let's go Jake.

He's Nintendo, comes from Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii.

"A History of the Sexualisation of Shulk" tomorrow confirmed. Can't wait for it, it's so absolutely important that this site puts an article that criticizes Nintendo characters in shorts.

Where's Samus in skimpy outfits? I only see her in a top and shorts.

"This version would also be used in 2006’s Metroid Prime: Hunters."

Echoes and Hunters do not use the same model for Samus's Zero Suit.

I voted the last option, because I feel the reaction to Samus's shorts in SSB4, and ultimately Fusion and Zero Mission, is completely ridiculous. If it weren't so counter productive, I'd recommend them take Samus to a new extreme that leaves these people behind. Like I've said before, I kind of want to see a completely new model for Samus's attire that makes these people violently cringe. The sooner these people that keep bringing absurd criticisms to her character leave the better.

To respond to the ridiculous criticisms that Samus's tops and shorts may be receiving now, I hope this same female deigner puts Samus in a bikini. I want these supposed "fans" to be very uncomfortable, without crossing the border of Samus being overly sexualized. Currently, she's no where close. These are representing designs from Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion endings.

Actually, you know what, since people want to make reference to Samus Aran being Nintendo's DOA girl have her in an unlockable pole dance. I want to see these "fans" cringe so bad over "over sexualization" that they break their face.

Super Mario Sunshine would be my choice. I think the most ridiculous choice would be for them to go with the Metroid Prime Trilogy. They should just take one of those three, Metroid Prime preferably, and perfect that game through a HD remake. If they were to tackle all three games, I can basically expect barely any changes to them beyond the visuals.

Were glitches used in the Metroid Prime speed run? I would like to get my completion times for Metroid Prime down to at least an hour and a half, but I don't want to exploit a bunch of glitches to do that.

A Link Between Worlds for me. Best paced Zelda game in my opinion with a nice flow of action, an inviting degree of freedom and puzzle designs that are significantly less opaque. It's the only Zelda game I've completed without using a guide and that felt so rewarding to accomplish. I definitely should go through the game again sometime soon.

This is kind of expected. While Nintendo for the most part is straight with the 3DS, they aren't doing a good job with the Wii U.

I definitely hope this is real and available tomorrow.

Mario Kart 8 easily at the top with Nintendo Land coming in second. Mario Kart 8 is the first game that I feel justified Nintendo's leap into HD as no other game has been all that impressive visually to me that I've played. Super Mario 3D World is a bit of a joke to me, a follow up on a handheld 3D Mario game isn't the way to show off 3D Mario on the Wii U. Do that first with something fresh like 64, Sunshine and Galaxy. I feel it's a bit of miss.

I'm glad that Nintendo has finally decided to reveal a support of the Gamecube controllers on the Wii U, but this is late in my opinion....by about a year or so. Personally, I'm a little annoyed. I spent most of my time with Mario Kart Wii playing with the GCN controller, and I would have loved to have had that support for Mario Kart 8. It bugs me that the day before Mario Kart 8 releases they finally show a product that should already be on store shelves.

@Nintendo_Ninja
I'm not saying a censor would make the game terrible. I just don't like the idea at all. It'd be one thing if she was nearly nude, but this is all over her cleavage. It's ridiculous and it would be a joke to see Nintendo cater to these people over such a lite image.

I'll be honest. If Cia is censored, my interest will drop and Hyrule Warriors won't be a must have for me. I think the censor would be a huge joke and I hate the idea of Nintendo potentially catering to the people that are overly sensitive to more sexual designs.