Metroid Prime Hunters Launches on Nintendo eShop: A Look Back at Samus’ DS Adventure

Nintendo eShop Welcomes Metroid Prime Hunters: Revisiting Samus Aran’s Unique Nintendo DS Outing Nintendo has officially announced the return of Metroid Prime Hunters on the Virtual Console for North America, rekindling interest in one of the franchise’s most distinct titles.

First released for the Nintendo DS in 2006, Metroid Prime Hunters offered players a fresh take on the Metroid universe with a heavy focus on fast-paced action and online multiplayer gameplay. A Brief History of Metroid’s 3D Journey The road to 3D Metroid was a long one.

Nintendo’s initial efforts to develop a Metroid title for the Nintendo 64 never progressed beyond early conceptual stages, leaving fans waiting for a direct successor to Super Metroid.

That silence was finally broken in 2002 with the release of Metroid Prime for the Nintendo GameCube, the critically acclaimed first-person adventure crafted by Retro Studios.

This bold reimagining brought Samus Aran into a new era, revitalizing the franchise and spawning a highly successful trilogy. Metroid Prime Hunters: Distinctive Design and Online Innovation While Retro Studios steered the mainline Prime entries, Nintendo took the opportunity to experiment with Metroid Prime Hunters on the Nintendo DS.

Notably, it became the only title in the Prime series not developed by Retro Studios.

Instead, development was led by Nintendo Software Technology (NST), who introduced robust online multiplayer functionality—a first for the Metroid series—alongside an action-driven single-player campaign. Upon its original release, Metroid Prime Hunters was praised for its ambitious use of the DS hardware and its competitive online play.

However, it also received mixed feedback regarding its unconventional touch screen control scheme, a byproduct of adapting a first-person shooter to portable hardware. Virtual Console Release and Legacy The newly announced Virtual Console re-release for North American players—available as part of this week’s Nintendo eShop update—brings the single-player experience to a new audience.

It is important to note that while the original’s online multiplayer mode is not included in this version, the core campaign remains fully intact, allowing fans to relive or experience Samus’s DS adventure in its entirety. Metroid Prime Hunters stands as a testament to Nintendo’s willingness to innovate within its beloved franchises.

Its release on the Virtual Console offers both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to revisit a significant, action-packed chapter in Metroid’s storied history.

As the community reflects on this unique title, anticipation continues to build for what the future holds for Samus Aran and the Metroid series on current and future Nintendo platforms.

Metroid Prime Hunters Nintendo Virtual Console Nintendo DS Retro Studios Metroid Prime