Metroid Wii U Rumors: Retro Studios Developing Title, To Include GamePad Co-op?

Nintendo's first party lineup was not as aggressive for the Wii U launch, but it seems that the company is saving its big lineup for 2013.

According to a report from Dual Pixel, Nintendo will reveal the bulk of its first party content at E3 in 2013. Among the major titles mentioned are the upcoming 3D Mario adventure for the Wii U, a Zelda title for the 3DS, a new Yoshi's Island HD, Wii U Kirby titles, and a new Fatal Frame for the Wii U.

Dual Pixel also notes that the Wii U might also include a new IP from Retro Studios which is also supposedly working on a new Metroid title for the Wii U. Metroid is one of the core franchises of Nintendo and saw a major revival on the Nintendo Gamecube when it launched its popular Metroid Prime series developed by Retro Studios.

The Wii launched the third installment in that series and released a trilogy pack shortly after. An additional Metroid title was made later on (Other M), but it was not produced by Retro and saw less success.

According to Dual Pixel writer Alexander Maier, the new Metroid would be a first person adventure similar to the original Prime series, but would include a twist to incorporate the gamepad. Players would control Samus Aran with the Wii Motion Plus and nunchuk while a second player would use the GamePad to control a Chozo in a new coop mode that has never been featured in the series. The report does indicate that the title may or not be in production, but could potentially make its premiere at E3.

One title not mentioned in the report is the highly anticipated Zelda for the Wii U. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata recently stated that a Wii U Zelda was in production but information would be withheld until relevant. Other rumors circulating around the title indicates that 2014 maybe the release for the game.