Nintendo says Metroid is important to them, explains why Metroid: Samus Returns isn't coming to Switch

Coming from a Polygon interview with Reggie Fils-Aime...

On the Metroid franchise being important

“We wanted to make it clear that Metroid is an important franchise for us. As we think about how to satisfy the needs to the Metroid fans, we needed to make sure they understood there was a great console experience coming, in addition to Metroid: Samus Returns coming on Nintendo 3DS. That's what we wanted to make sure it was clear that it wasn't one or the other, that we were going to support both of our platforms with a great new Metroid experience."

On why Metroid: Samus Returns wasn't in the E3 Spotlight

“We've learned through lots of experience that the consumer wants to get that upfront information on the console experiences. Anyone whose passionate about a particular franchise envisions what the next one is going to be like.
Oftentimes, until they see it, until they really understand it, there's going to be some dissonance.

I really do think we need to help our fans understand what we're doing, why we're doing it and give them all the examples of why we think it's going to be a fantastic experience, and certainly I have confidence in our developers on what they deliver is going to be first-rate.”

On why Metroid: Samus Returns isn't also coming to Switch

“There's over 66 million of these devices out in the hands of consumers. From our perspective, what better way to re-engage fan love with the Metroid franchise then to create a game that's playable on 66 million devices, and then follow along with a Metroid experience on Nintendo Switch, when at that point the install base for that system will be significantly higher than what it is today.”