Why an N64 Metroid Game Never Happened
The Metroid franchise has a history of highs and lows, stealing the spotlight just as swiftly as it fades back into the shadows. While the Metroid Prime trilogy is considered classic, something like Metroid: Other M received more of a mixed reception. It's an interesting series to look back on, especially considering it has some sort of presence on every generation of Nintendo console except the Nintendo 64. Many of Nintendo's major IPs like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda made the jump to 3D during the N64 era, but Samus Aran was nowhere to be seen.
She did eventually make a triumphant return on the GameCube with the aforementioned Metroid Prime, but that was eight years after the previous game on SNES, Super Metroid in 1994. While it may seem odd for Nintendo to have completely cast aside one of its most beloved series for an entire generation (not counting Samus' appearance in Super Smash Bros.), there were a few sound reasons why this happened behind the scenes.
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In 1996, playing a game in the third dimension was still a new concept. The idea had been toyed with in past titles like Star Fox and the original Doom, but nothing had gone that extra mile. All of this started to change with the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, with titles like Crash Bandicoot and Super Mario 64 ushering in a fresh way to enjoy gaming.
In this new 3D craze, all hands were on deck to try and cash in on this technology. Nearly every major franchise from Sonic the Hedgehog to Mega Man were all trying to transition into 3D, with various levels of success. While something like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time set the bar for what an epic adventure could be, Castlevania on N64 was an awkward
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