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Report: Bandai Namco Developing Metroid Prime 4
Nintendo has not officially revealed who is working on Metroid Prime 4, but Eurogamer reports "multiple sources" confirmed to them that Bandai Namco is at the helm.
Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, a development branch in the company, is reportedly working on the game, and even has staff from ex-LucasArts Singapore - which worked on the cancelled Star Wars 1313 title - on board, Eurogamer says. This is the first bit of news on Metroid Prime 4 since it was announced during E3 2017.
This report follows a LinkedIn profile in which a developer at Bandai Namco said he is working on an "Unannounced IP (First Person Shooter/Adventure Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch)." This developer also noted he is working on Ridge Racer 8 and is "exclusive to the Nintendo Switch." The credentials, which also included leading presentations for Bandai Namco and Nintendo, have since been removed from the profile.
This wouldn't be the first time Bandai Namco has worked on Nintendo properties. The company's previous works with Nintendo include Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, Mario Super Sluggers, Mario Kart Arcade games, and Pokkén Tournament.
Metroid Prime 4 is currently in development for Switch and has no release window. The first three Metroid Prime games brought Samus into a 3-D space with first-person shooting mechanics in a wide-linear setting. That trilogy was developed by Retro Studios, which most recently made Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. The latter is getting a Switch port that will release May 4.
[Source: Eurogamer]
Our
Take
Well that was unexpected. Though Nintendo
said from the start Retro is not working on Prime 4, that's what fans were hoping
for, but at least Bandai Namco has experience with handling Nintendo properties.
They also seem to have staffers who worked on the once-promising Star Wars 1313
game, which is fitting for a sci-fi space shooter.
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