Metroid Prime: Federation Force is probably a decent game. No one is questioning that, and few have even had the chance to decide for themselves yet. However, for anyone at Nintendo to insinuate that fans will be totally cool with not getting a proper, Samus-starring Metroid title amid the dearth of new Nintendo wares at E3 just because Federation Force is a fun game is pretty outlandish, but that didn’t stop Reggie Fils-Aime.
The Nintendo of America President and CEO caught up with Mashable to explain the company’s (extremely boring) E3 presentation this year, and he while he owned up to disappointing Metroid fans with the game’s debut, he thinks the game’s good enough to make up for it:
What the fan at home saw was something in the Metroid Prime universe that they weren’t expecting. The reaction has been negative. There’s no sugar coating it. This is an example where fans who aren’t able to get their hands on the game may be at a bit of a competitive disadvantage. Everyone who has played what we are showing regarding Metroid Prime, they’ve come across really pleased. My ask is that fans trust us.
Which is a classic case of Nintendo missing the point. As I said, Federation Force might be great. I have no problem with them making that game, and I don’t think any other Nintendo/Metroid fan does either.
The problem is the part where a spinoff is the only Metroid we’ve gotten in quite a while—and the last one was the questionable Other M—and with nothing earth-shaking announced at Nintendo’s E3 this year, everyone is wondering what they’re thinking. The negativity isn’t so much towards Federation Force as it is about the feeling of bait and switch during the game’s reveal.
And some of the backlash isn’t even about Metroid; it’s general unrest at Nintendo pumping up little games to distract from their general lack of news. A spinoff of a franchise that gamers are hungry for a solid, true installment in just happens to be the most readily emblematic move to attract the negativity.
People playing and liking Federation Force may be good for the game itself, but if the fan unrest goes away, it’ll be more about the initial shock wearing off and people moving on than anything else. Nintendo’s biggest selling point is its beloved characters, and we want some Samus—whether or not we’re also able to enjoy games she’s not in.
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