Shacknews has learned that several key employees from Metroid Prime series developer Retro Studios are no longer with the company.

Design director Mark Pacini, art director Todd Keller, and principal technology engineer Jack Mathews were escorted off the premises last Friday. The simultaneous departure of senior staff members is generally indicative of an intention to branch off and form a new development studio.

Contrary to other rumors, Shacknews has also learned that Retro Studios is not in danger of closing.

Founded in 1998 and purchased by Nintendo in 2001, Retro was responsible for the Metroid Prime trilogy, which concluded with the company's first Wii title last August. The studio's current project is unknown, though it has stated its intent to move away from the Metroid franchise.

For the third time this week, Nintendo has spoken out on the shortages afflicting its ever-popular Wii console, which is still difficult to find on store shelves after over a year on the market.

"Typically, we'd have begun stockpiling console hardware back in August [for the holiday rush]," Nintendo senior VP George Harrison told Wired. "But this year, we were selling all the Wii we could get, and we got all the way through the summer with basically no inventory in our warehouse."

Nintendo currently produces about 1.8 million Wii units a month. About a third of those are allocated for North America, where the $250 system sold more than 350,000 units last week.

Harrison also commented that, based on the strong performance of Western third-parties and developers, the company has no incentive to acquire... Read more

First Nintendo denied it, and now Retro Studios game director Mark Pacini has put one more nail in the coffin.

A long-rumored 2D Metroid handheld project, Metroid Dread was given new hope after a scanning report found in Retro's recent Metroid Prime 3--"Experiment status report update. Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion."--was taken as a hint of the game's development by hopeful fans.

Not so, says Pacini.

"It's not what you think it means... it was something that was overlooked and wasn't in any way indicating anything about the handheld game," he said to MTV. "We know no information about the handheld games."

So what was the phrase doing there in the first place? Is it all... Read more

After a cryptic message was found within Retro Studios' Metroid Prime 3--"Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion."--many fans assumed that the long-rumored 2D Nintendo DS title was to be unveiled shortly.

Not so, according to the big N. "Nintendo is not making the 2D Metroid at this point in time," the console manufacturer told CVG.

While an apparent denial of the project, the specific wording leaves some waggle wiggle room for debate. Specifically, "the 2D Metroid" could imply that the game does in fact exist and that the title might simply be in development by a third party studio. Or it could be a Metroid with 3D graphics and 2D-style gameplay. Or we could simply be in denial. Retro wouldn't be cruel enough to slide that reference in for no reason, would they?

With Metroid Prime 3: Corruption just released to glowing reviews, series developer Retro Studios has officially stated that its next project is not a Metroid game. The Prime line has been described as a trilogy in the past, and statements by Corruption director Mark Pacini have now confirmed Retro is easing off not only Prime but the overall franchise as a whole.

"We are taking a break from the Metroid series and from Samus," said Pacini in a Yahoo! Games video interview. "So I'm sure there will be other titles created, but as far as Retro Studios is concerned, we're taking a break for a little bit."

As Nintendo's premier Western development studio, it is very likely Retro has other Wii projects in the works, though none are announced. Before shaving down development to focus on the original Metroid Prime (GCN), released in 2002, Retro was working on numerous projects including the widely-known RPG Raven Blade. It is unknown if Retro will resurrect any defunct properties.

Pacini also spoke on the challenges of properly using the system's unique controller. "We spent a great deal of time and research on how the... Read more

With the release of Retro Studios' excellent Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) comes a tantalizing hint that the series may have yet have another 2D entry in the works.

In 2005, various print and online publications released news of Metroid Dread, a new 2D Metroid game in development by Nintendo for DS. Nintendo has always been cagey about the game, and since then the game has been inconsistently reported as being cancelled or indefinitely delayed.

However, scanning an unassuming control console in the second half of Metroid Prime 3 yields the following message: "Experiment status report update. Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion." Whether this means the game is indeed close to release is unclear, but it suggests Nintendo may not yet have shelved it completely.

Shacknews has sent requests to Nintendo regarding the matter.

Wii owners, your hardcore, breathtaking adventure is here. Retro Studios' Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is an epic experience, a fitting end to a respected trilogy, and one of the finest uses of the Wii hardware to date. Read my full review.

Of course, we already know Retro can create gorgeous worlds, and here Corruption does not disappoint. After the visually conventional space station, Samus travels to the first of several new intergalactic locales. From there, the sense of wonder and discovery never lets up.

It is a magnificent return to form for the series; Retro's art team reinforces the assertion that it is among the best in the industry. Every location simply oozes atmosphere and personality--and, despite what the game's trailers might lead you to believe, the environment and atmospere are rightly the most present characters here.

Boasting a gigantic 24-megabit cartridge, Super Metroid remains arguably the finest 2D Samus Aran adventure to date. Released in 1994 by developer Nintendo, the older title's story serves as a sequel--yes, you read that right--to Retro Studios' upcoming Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Nintendo releases the brilliant platforming shooter on the Wii Virtual Console today for 800 Wii Points ($8), alongside two less trumpeted titles.

Also considered one of the best of its franchise, Sega's 1993 Genesis action sequel Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master features seven stages of single-player slashing. Only you can stop Neo Zeed, for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Last and certainly least, Hudson Soft's 1989 TurboGrafx action RPG Neutopia also sees a release. Pigeonholed as a Zelda clone, the game at least looks polished, and sells for a paltry 600 Wii Points ($6).

Nintendo has released two more trailers for Retro Studios' Metroid Prime 3: Corruption by way of the game's Wii preview channel. Like the first two updates, today's consists of a narrative trailer paired with a gameplay video. Below, check out a video about the ability-boosting Phazon Enhancement Device, and continue on to the full article to see gameplay of Samus entering her Phazon-powered Hyper Mode.

Get the Flash Player to see this video.

... Read more

This week's three additions to Wii's online Virtual Console highlight the perils of life-sucking parasites, time travel, and knowing someone named "Dark Sol."

First of this week's releases is Nintendo's original NES Metroid, which has heroine Samus exploring the world of Zebes and battling against the Space Pirates and their nefarious plans for the energy-rich Metroids. It sells for 500 Wii Points ($5). The Super Nintendo Metroid entry, Super Metroid, hits the service next Monday, setting the stage for the retail release of Retro Studios' Wii shooter Metroid Prime 3: Corruption on August 27.

Fleshing out the Shining Force mythology is Climax Entertainment and Sonic! Software Planning's Genesis RPG Shining in the Darkness. Featuring a turn-based battle system, the first entry in the long-running ... Read more

A message today from Nintendo entitled "It's a month of Metroid!" on the Wii Shop Channel revealed the upcoming releases of Metroid and Super Metroid on the Wii Virtual Console. Metroid will be available for download Monday for 500 Wii Points ($5), with Super Metroid arriving one week later on August 20 for 800 Wii Points ($8), according to the message.

A Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview package is also available as via the Wii Shop Channel, containing a trailer, gameplay video, and "scratch-off" game revealing different pictures of Samus. Download the videos from FileShack.

The campaign breaks a trend of a conspicuous lack of marketing for Retro Studios' shooter. Despite being hailed by press as one of the Wii's most promising core audience games (check out our preview), Nintendo has devoted little marketing muscle to the title. Metroid Prime 3 ships August 27.

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We liked a lot of games at this year's E3--but we liked some better than others. The Shack's Best of E3 2007 compiles the top picks from Shack editors Chris Remo, Chris Faylor, Nick Breckon, and Carlos Bergfeld, briefly touching on what makes the games so appealing and linking to fuller coverage of each one. If you only read, uh, twenty game previews this month, let them be these twenty.

Rock Band, from Harmonix Music Systems, deserves special mention for being the only game to show up on the lists of all four editors. It's just that awesome. Other games with multiple mentions include Retro Studios' Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Valve's The Orange Box, and Irrational Games' BioShock.

During a Nintendo meeting at E3 this week, I was able to get hands-on impressions of Retro Studios' impressive upcoming Wii action/adventure sequel Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The good news: it is slick as all hell. The bad news: it's not out until August. Read all about it..

Gorgeous touches abound on both small and large scales. Skyboxes are beautiful eruptions of unearthly color, serving as an excellent backdrop for sequences such as grappling beam rollercoaster rides. Character models are clearly using more polygons and higher-resolution textures, leading to a cleaner look overall. When using the slightly darker scan visor, Samus' face becomes lightly visible in reflection, highlighting the inherent solitude so crucial to the affecting atmosphere of Metroid games.

... Read more

Bad news regarding highly anticipated Wii titles is hovering above Tuesday like a dark Lakitu.

In a somewhat unsurprising, but still discouraging announcement, Retro Studios CEO Michael Kelbaugh tells GamePro that his studio's upcoming title Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will not feature online multiplayer.

"It's something we talked about early on, but we only have so many resources. We opted to devote those resources to making a better single-player experience," he said.

There is no word on any offline multiplayer mode, although Nintendo's website lists the title as supporting only one player. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is now due to ship on August 27, a week later than originally ... Read more

With Retro Studios' anticipated Wii shooter Metroid Prime 3 originally slated for an August 20 launch, Nintendo today moved the release of the game to August 27. The news was included at the end of an announcement detailing the October 1 launch date for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (NDS).

Perhaps to atone for the minor delay, Nintendo also released a slew of screenshots and character art for the game.

Earlier this week, Nintendo held a press summit to show off some upcoming first- and third-party games headed to Wii and Nintendo DS in 2007. Sadly absent from the event were the company's heaviest hitters--namely Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass--all of which are likely to show up at this year's E3 given the recent news that all four games will ship this year.

Despite the lack of marquee titles, Nintendo had some solid offerings playable. Contributor Tracy Erickson attended the event for some hands-on impressions of Next Level Games' Mario Strikers Charged (Wii), Visual Concepts and Blue Castle Games' The Bigs (Wii), Genius Sonority's Pokemon Battle Revolution (Wii), and EA Montreal's Boogie (Wii). Check out his report. Notably, two of the four games, Mario Strikers Charged and Pokemon Battle Revolution, feature long-awaited online multiplayer.

Multiplayer is where this young series is really looking to move forward, promising to be among the first wave of online-enabled Wii titles. A leaderboard will track players, rewarding points for wins and goals. Cumulative records are posted to the board; additionally, the overall performer of each day will be recognized as the "Striker of the Day." Nintendo hosted a small online tournament with players back at the headquarters and, based on that live demonstration, the game runs well in head-to-head matches.
Read the rest...

Nintendo also released the following screenshots and movies for various first- and third-party Wii and Nintendo DS titles:
- Big Brain Academy Wii Degree (Nintendo; Wii) gameplay trailer
- Boogie (EA Montreal; Wii)
- Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day (Nintendo; NDS) gameplay trailer
- Drawn to Life (5th Cell; NDS)
- Jam Sessions (Plato; NDS) (this game is amazing; look for Shack hands-on soon -Chris)
- Mario Party 8 (Hudson Soft; Wii) gameplay trailer
- Mario Strikers Charged (Next Level Games; Wii)
- Metroid Prime 3 Corruption (Retro Studios; Wii)
- Picross DS (Jupiter; NDS)
- Planet Puzzle League (Intelligent Systems; NDS) (you know, Tetris Attack)
- Pokemon Battle Revolution (Genius Sonority; Wii) gameplay trailer
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo; Wii)

FiringSquad has posted a Q&A with three members of Red Eye Studio, a new game development company founded by people from companies like Terminal Reality, Ion Storm and Retro Studios. The studio's first title, Mushroom Men, will be published by Gamecock.

Nintendo has officially revealed the North and South American release date and retail price for its upcoming Wii console. The machine will launch November 19, two days after Sony's PlayStation 3 hits stores, for a suggested retail price of $249.99. Included in the package are a Remote and Nunchuk controller combination and the accessible sports game collection Wii Sports. Since its initial showing at E3, Wii Sports has had two additions beyond the core tennis, baseball and golf games; it now includes bowling and boxing as well.

Thirty titles will be available for Wii between its launch and the end of calendar 2006; a specific launch lineup was not announced, and may not be yet finalized, but approximately half of that number is expected to be available on launch day. Nintendo will be keeping its per-game price point at the traditional $49.99; other publishers are of course able to set their own prices, but are likely to follow Nintendo's lead. The system will launch with 30 virtual console titles across the various legacy systems supported by the service. Much like Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade service, users will buy points that can be spent to purchase these games online. However, Nintendo seems to be using a direct cents-to-points ratio; for example, a 2000 point point card will be available for $20. NES games will run 500 Wii points ($5), SNES games 800 ($8), and Nintendo 64 games 1000 ($10). Price schemes for SEGA Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 games were not announced.

Wii will feature a variety of entertainment and communication features by way of its "Wii Channel" features. These includes a news channel, a global weather forecast channel, the previously announced Opera web browser, and a photo channel used to organize, display, and edit digital photos. Details regarding these channels are available at Nintendo's newly launched Wii official site. The Japanese site also contains numerous videos of the channels in action.

Former launch title Metroid Prime 3: Corruption from Retro Studios has now been officially moved to 2007. While The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess remains a Wii launch title, the GameCube version of the game has been pushed back to December 2006. Nintendo also announced a Wii version of Big Brain Academy, which first came to Nintendo DS.