Retro Studios' Cancelled Harmony: A Deep Dive into the Lost Wii U Platformer

Retro Studios' Cancelled Harmony: A Deep Dive into the Lost Wii U Platformer Retro Studios, the acclaimed developer behind the Metroid Prime series, has long been recognized for its innovation and impact within the gaming industry.

Based in Austin, Texas, Retro Studios has consistently delivered critically acclaimed titles for Nintendo platforms, including popular entries in the Donkey Kong Country and Metroid franchises.

However, beyond its well-known successes, the studio’s history is punctuated with ambitious projects that never saw official release.

One such project is Harmony, a cancelled 3D platformer developed during the Wii U era, which recently resurfaced through a preservation-focused livestream. Development on Harmony began as Retro Studios explored new creative directions for Nintendo’s then-latest hardware, the Wii U.

The project, described as a “linear 3D” platforming experience, was an ambitious departure from Retro’s existing portfolio, taking inspiration from classic Nintendo adventures while introducing original concepts.

According to recent coverage, Harmony was ultimately shelved when the studio was reassigned to support the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Last week, Harmony emerged from obscurity when a Twitch user known as ‘Stumblyn’ streamed over four hours of gameplay footage from a work-in-progress build.

This unprecedented look at the game was intended for preservation and documentation purposes.

Shortly after being broadcast, both the Twitch recording and an uploaded YouTube version were swiftly taken down, highlighting the ongoing debate around game preservation and archival efforts for unreleased titles. Eurogamer reports that Harmony’s gameplay centered on a red-haired female protagonist with the unique power to influence nature through song.

In striking sequences, the main character could be seen singing to summon woodland creatures, who would collaborate musically to create pathways—such as forming a spiny vine, enabling traversal across challenging landscapes.

The protagonist’s song could also call forth larger allies for both combat and puzzle-solving.

Notably, players would encounter a mossy troll companion reminiscent of Sully from Monsters Inc., utilized for both heavy lifting and traversing obstacles.

In another gameplay highlight, the hero rides this forest troll to retrieve a giant acorn, then uses her powers of song to grow it into a climbable tree, exemplifying the title’s distinctive environmental interactions and puzzle mechanics. Although Harmony never progressed beyond internal development and early prototyping, it epitomizes the creative ambition that characterizes Retro Studios’ legacy.

Over the years, Retro Studios has also worked on experimental projects set in the world of The Legend of Zelda and other notable Nintendo IPs that have never been publicly released. Currently, Retro Studios is in the final stages of development on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, scheduled for launch in 2024 on Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2.

The upcoming entry promises new gameplay features, including Joy-Con 2 mouse support, reflecting the studio’s ongoing commitment to technical and creative innovation. The recent preservation-focused Harmony leak offers a rare and compelling glimpse into the unseen chapters of Retro Studios' journey.

As Metroid Prime 4: Beyond nears release, the legacy of Harmony and other unreleased projects continues to inform the conversation around game preservation and the enduring influence of one of Nintendo’s most innovative studios.

Metroid Metroid Prime Metroid Prime 4 Wii Retro Studios Wii U Metroid Prime 4: Beyond