Metroid Prime Trilogy’s New Edition Boasts Stunning Clothbound Cover

For fans eagerly anticipating the December launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a new collectible offers a deep dive into the series’ celebrated history. On October 28, Piggyback, the renowned publisher behind acclaimed Legend of Zelda guides, will release Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective. This official 212-page volume is available for preorder on Amazon at a discounted price of $46.49, down from its original $50 listing. The online retailer’s preorder price guarantee ensures you pay the lowest price offered between your order date and the book’s release.

This premium hardcover boasts a stunning clothbound design with stitched binding and features etched metallic foil cover art depicting Samus Aran in her iconic Varia Suit. Inside, high-quality, sheet-fed art paper showcases a wealth of development materials, including concept art and sketches from the entire trilogy, Metroid Prime (2002), Prime 2: Echoes (2004), Prime 3: Corruption (2007), as well as the recent Metroid Prime Remastered (2023). The visual journey is complemented by developer commentary from the teams at Retro Studios. The book includes a foreword from series producer Kensuke Tanabe, with each of the four sections introduced by a key developer.

Shifting focus to the upcoming game, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled to launch on December 4 for both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch. The next-generation version, offering 4K resolution, is priced at $70, while the standard Switch edition costs $60. Preorders are live at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart. For those needing the new hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2 is currently in stock at Amazon, with the Mario Kart World bundle available for $499.

Nintendo is also releasing three new Amiibo figures tied to the game. Two distinct Samus figures arrive on November 6, with the Sylux Amiibo launching alongside the game on December 4. Availability is fluctuating, with certain figures already sold out at various retailers. For Amiibo collectors, the Metroid Dread 2-Pack featuring Samus and E.M.M.I. remains available at Amazon for $28.73.

For those looking to catch up on the series before December, Metroid Prime Remastered stands as one of the highest-rated titles on the Switch and serves as an excellent introduction. Fans of the classic 2D style should not miss Metroid Dread on Switch or Metroid: Samus Returns on the 3DS, the latter being a superb remake of Metroid II that garnered less attention due to its 2017 release window. Both were developed by MercurySteam.

Nintendo Switch Online provides access to the franchise’s roots. An Individual membership ($20/year) includes the NES and SNES libraries, featuring Metroid, Metroid II, and Super Metroid. To play the acclaimed Game Boy Advance titles Metroid Fusion and Zero Mission, an Expansion Pack membership ($50/year) is required.

Enthusiasts can further immerse themselves with officially licensed Metroid gear. PowerA offers a wireless controller themed with Samus and a galactic backdrop, while a set of wired Metroid-themed earbuds comes packaged in a special drawstring bag.

Piggyback’s other recent Nintendo publications, including their celebrated guides for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, are also available in hardcover editions. For more official art and lore collections, Dark Horse publishes an extensive series of books dedicated to the worlds of Zelda and Super Mario.

(Source: Gamespot)