Metroid Prime: Federation Force Criticism Addressed by Nintendo of Canada Manager

Metroid Prime: Federation Force, developed exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS, remains one of the most discussed entries in the Metroid franchise due to its unique approach and departure from traditional series conventions.

Released worldwide in August 2016 by Nintendo, the game was developed by Next Level Games and aimed to provide a multiplayer cooperative experience set in the well-established Metroid universe.

Despite carrying the franchise's name, Federation Force faced significant backlash from series fans, largely due to its focus on a cast of Galactic Federation soldiers rather than the iconic bounty hunter Samus Aran. In a recent interview with EP Network, Andrew Collins, Communications Manager at Nintendo of Canada, candidly addressed the controversy surrounding Metroid Prime: Federation Force.

Collins acknowledged that the game did not meet the expectations of long-time Metroid fans, stating that it "wasn’t the experience people were hoping for." However, he emphasized the value that Federation Force brought to the Nintendo 3DS library, describing the project as "a well-rounded package." "The game featured Blast Ball, a distinctive 3-player sci-fi sports mode, alongside the core Federation Force campaign—a separate cooperative experience focusing on bounty hunter squads," explained Collins.

While Blast Ball offered a new competitive angle with its squad-based sci-fi setup, the main Federation Force mode supported up to four players in cooperative missions throughout the galaxy. Collins also highlighted the challenges faced by the title, noting that, "It was unfortunate for Federation Force, because it didn't showcase Samus as a primary character.

Fans held strong opinions as a result—Samus does make a brief appearance later in the game, but the absence of the main protagonist for much of the experience led to harsh criticism from core fans who sought a more traditional Metroid outing." Federation Force's reception was notably mixed upon launch.

While some praised its experimentation within the universe and local/online multiplayer features—a rarity for the series—others felt the departure from the atmospheric exploration and singular narrative focus of previous entries diluted what made Metroid unique.

Sales figures were underwhelming compared to other Metroid releases, and the title remains a talking point for franchise evolution discussions. Despite the initial reception, Metroid Prime: Federation Force reflects Nintendo's willingness to innovate—even if it means taking risks that may not always align with established fan expectations.

As the company continues to expand its beloved properties through the Nintendo Switch and eShop, Federation Force stands as a case study in balancing franchise heritage with creative experimentation.

Metroid Metroid Prime Nintendo Canada Nintendo of Canada Metroid series Federation Force Metroid Prime Federation Force Andrew Collins Nintendo 3DS Blast Ball