Reggie Fils-Aimé was convinced that Metroid: Other M was going to be a hit and become a killer-app – Nintendo Switch

Currently in promotion for her book, “Disrupting the Game”, Reggie Fis-Aimé who was president of Nintendo of America at a time when the leaders of Japanese society were put forward, literally like game characters, never stops sharing his memories of his years at the head of NOA. And if sometimes he gives himself the beautiful role, especially with the story of Wii Sports, sold thanks to him, in a bundle with the Wii in the West (read here) he also does not hesitate to reveal other less flattering anecdotes. He thus recounted how he did not like Donkey Konga on GameCube, convinced that the game risked harming the DK license (see there.) Conversely, he has just revealed to Kinda Funny Gamescast that he was convinced that Metroid: Other M released in 2010 on Wii was going to be an important date for the Metroid series.

The website Nintendo Everything reports the following:

I really thought this was going to be a defining moment for the Metroid franchise. It gave a lot more perspective on Samus. I really thought this was going to be a killer moment in franchise history, and it wasn’t. It didn’t work – not in the trading results, but it really didn’t hit the player the way we hoped.

A priori, Reggie was very excited by the release of the game, even allowing himself to intervene on its development, with the game team by suggesting that the beginning of the title was too long, for example. As a reminder, Metroid: Other M is a separate Metroid title since it makes the connection between the 2D games and the 3D games of the license. Developed by Team Ninja (to whom we owe in particular Ninja Gaiden) the game is designed as a sequel to Super Metroid (and is placed just before Metroid Fusion.) It further emphasizes storytelling and intrigue by presenting us with a Samus in the making, still very young… Although the title has some flashes, it also has a lot of clumsiness and gameplay that is not always well calibrated (especially during these platform phases.) Samus’ personality is confused and has the subject of much criticism. By wanting to humanize Samus too much, apart from her suit, many believe that the developers have weakened her and made her another character, in total opposition to previous games. If the game has, despite everything, fans, it has especially many detractors who do not forgive its weaknesses, incomprehensible for a game of such a license condemned to excellence. Later, Metroid Prime: Federation Force will meet the same kind of “resistance”. Initially presented as a “real” Metroid Prime”, the game, released in 2016 on 3DS, will not find its place in the saga either and will never be considered a title worthy of inclusion.

Ultimately, Metroid: Other M will not be the big success expected by Reggie Fils-Aimé both in terms of sales (1.3 million worldwide) and in terms of impact on players. Like what, no one is a prophet…

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