Metroid Prime 2 Remake Hype Confirmed by Original Producer
▼ Summary
– Nintendo currently makes it difficult to play the Metroid Prime trilogy, a situation series producer Kensuke Tanabe believes should be fixed.
– Tanabe expressed interest in a Metroid Prime 2: Echoes remake to allow more players to experience its local multiplayer mode, which had limited reach originally.
– Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is currently only playable on original GameCube or Wii discs, with no modern re-release available on platforms like Nintendo Switch Online.
– The multiplayer mode in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes was a local split-screen deathmatch that, while functional, was criticized for feeling unnecessary and outdated compared to online competitors.
– With Metroid Prime 4’s release approaching, there is speculation about potential re-releases of the trilogy or remasters, but no official announcements have been made.
For fans eager to revisit the Metroid Prime trilogy before the fourth installment arrives, Nintendo’s current offerings leave much to be desired. Kensuke Tanabe, the series producer, shares this sentiment. In the upcoming publication Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective, set for release on October 28, 2025, Tanabe openly discusses the possibility of a remake for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Reflecting on the game’s original multiplayer mode, he notes that Retro Studios delivered a polished local experience, though its design limited the number of players who could enjoy it. Tanabe expressed clear enthusiasm for a remake, hoping it would allow a broader audience to experience what was once a niche feature.
The 2023 Metroid Prime remake for Nintendo Switch, which received top marks from critics, appeared to set the stage for additional refreshed titles. With Metroid Prime 4 scheduled for December 4, re-releasing earlier games seemed a logical move. However, developing full remakes demands substantial time and resources. Many speculated that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes might simply join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library, which recently incorporated GameCube titles. That has not happened.
At present, playing Metroid Prime 2: Echoes legally requires an original GameCube or Wii disc. Apart from Metroid Prime Remastered, accessing any other game in the series is difficult. The Metroid Prime Trilogy on Wii was the last official release for Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and physical copies have since become rare collector’s items. The DS entries, Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime Pinball, are confined to their original cartridges, while Metroid Prime: Federation Force on Nintendo 3DS remains largely overlooked.
Regarding the multiplayer mode in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, it offered local split-screen battles for up to four players. Though the main game earned a 9.5 rating, reviewer Matt Casamassina pointed out drawbacks tied to its local-only design. He described deathmatch-style arenas infused with Metroid elements, including Morphball Cannons for traversal, a lethal Death Ball, and the ability to hack rival suits. A treasure hunt mode added variety, and the split-screen performance was smooth. Still, Casamassina felt multiplayer was unnecessary for a franchise built on immersive single-player adventures. Despite Retro’s creative touches, the mode felt dated next to the online-enabled shooters available on competing consoles.
While Tanabe’s remarks don’t confirm a remake is in development, each day brings us nearer to Metroid Prime 4. There’s always a chance the GameCube titles will appear on Nintendo Switch Online, or that Nintendo will reissue the Metroid Prime Trilogy with its refined motion controls and widescreen support, similar to recent Super Mario compilations. Even better would be remastered editions of Metroid Prime 2 and 3. Of course, expecting all this before Metroid Prime 4 arrives may be overly optimistic. In the meantime, the new visual retrospective book provides a deep dive into the artistry and development insights from the teams behind these landmark games.
(Source: IGN)
