As mentioned earlier this morning, the rumor mill is kicking into high gear as we approach E3 this year. We already got a look at an updated Wii U controller. The next rumor seems more like fan fiction or wishful thinking, but the source is reputable.
The latest rumor from Paul Gale Network, the same site that revealed PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale months before the reveal, has heard what Retro Studios may be up to on the Wii U. The rumor points to a crossover game that has the Metroid and Star Fox universes colliding. It’s the kind of idea that only fan fiction could dream up, but crazier things have happened.
The rumor says that Retro Studios have been working on a new IP for a while now, while others at the studio wanted to make a space combat game like Star Fox. Nintendo compromised and is having the studio work on both in one game. The structure will be a mix of classic Metroid Prime style gameplay with Star Fox space battles. The player will switch back and forth between the two as the stories between the two characters intertwine.
The idea is completely off the wall and a lot of gamers have already voiced their disgust in regards to the idea. The good thing is that it’s just rumor for now, but if true – Retro Studios is the only developer that could pull it off. They already proved that they can go outside of their Metroid comfort zone with the excellent Donkey Kong Country Returns. I think they could do a Star Fox game justice as well.
If this does end up being true, the only real problem would be that both games are very different from a setting standpoint. One features mostly realistic human characters while the other is anthropomorphic animals flying space ships. The only real similarity is that both franchises take place in space.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough if this turns out to be true or not. I do want a new Metroid game and Retro is the studio to do it after the disappointing Other M. I also want a new Star Fox after the last few entries have also been disappointing. Combining them, however, might not be the best solution.
