Sakamoto - Metroid 64 almost existed, Super Metroid's legacy, revisiting Metroid Dread, 3DS/WarioWare & more

A portion of a GamesTM interview with Sakamoto…

GamesTM: This apprehension over 3D gaming, is that the reason there was never a Metroid 64?

YS: I was actually thinking about the possibility of making a Metroid game for N64 but I felt that I shouldn’t be the one making the game. When I held the N64 controller in my hands I just couldn’t imagine how it could be used to move Samus around. So for me it was just too early to personally make a 3D Metroid at that time. Also, I know this is isn’t a direct answer to your question but Nintendo at that time approached another company and asked them if they would make an N64 version of Metroid and their response was that no, they could not. They turned it down, saying that unfortunately they didn’t have the confidence to create an N64 Metroid game that could compare favourably with Super Metroid. That’s something I take as a complement to what we achieved with Super Metroid.

GamesTM: It’s quite interesting that the company you mention didn’t feel confident following up on Super Metroid. That’s something that happens even now with fans comparing every new game to the SNES version. Does it frustrate you that you made something so good that nothing else appears to come close to it?

YS: We have just launched Other M in Japan and I’ve been checking user opinions on the Japanese bulletin boards. What you say is definitely true; many of them are saying that they prefer Super Metroid. So it gives me some mixed feelings to hear that. It’s complicated simply because to me Super Metroid and Other M are both products that I was deeply involved with. So as far as I’m concerned, I don’t have to compare the two. It’s definitely true that Super Metroid was a good game but it is one of many good games in the series. Of course, there was the choice for me to work on a game more similar to Super Metroid but I don’t know if that would represent a true evolution of the series. We might be able to come up with a better Super Metroid but, some day sometime, we would work ourselves into a creative dead end if we were simply moving forward in one direction. I, myself, have been seeking new stimulations and new play feels with the games that I’ve been working on so at least I am trying to avoid repeating the same things.

I definitely consider the feedback of those players that prefer Super Metroid but the fact of the matter is that Other M has other features that must be exciting and appealing to the audience. It’s only a few days since the game’s worldwide launch and at this point I’m anxious to learn the initial reaction from the public but, on the other hand, I’m always looking forward to reading the comments and feedback once those players have completed the game for the first time. Perhaps their opinion will have changed by then.

GamesTM: We can’t leave without asking about Metroid Dread. Did it ever exist?

YS: I cannot deny the existence of such a project in the past but cannot say if it will be what I move onto next or not. I’m sorry but we would like to keep that game a mystery. After all, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding Dread. And my hope, if at all possible, is to reset the situation at once and start from scratch.

GamesTM: As well as Metroid, you’re also well known for your involvement with the WarioWare series. That game is often used to show off the potential of new Nintendo technology but you haven’t announced a 3DS version yet. Why is that?

YS: Nintendo officially announced the 3DS at E3 and, as you may know, I have been very busy with Other M. In fact, it’s only right now that I have had any free time. So when it comes to the 3DS, I have to admit that I have virtually no sufficient knowledge of the hardware. I was not able to think about making any games for 3DS myself but now that Other M is complete that’s something I have to start thinking about as soon as possible. As far as WarioWare is concerned, I’m sorry but I have nothing to say about the 3DS right now. You know, toward the end of Other M’s development I didn’t even get to go to the Nintendo offices, so there was no way for me to get access to the 3DS. It was so rare that I went to the Nintendo office in those days that I had to jokingly say “Hello, I’m Mr Sakamoto from Team Ninja”! Seriously, I was staying at Team Ninja’s offices all the time.