UPDATE 5/14/2020: Nintendo confirmed Paper Mario: The Origami King today for Nintendo Switch. The trailer also contained footage at the end that hinted a new Metroid title would be coming this year as well.
It looks like there might be more Metroid and Paper Mario on the horizon this year, as prominent internet leaker Sabi claims that Nintendo has new games in the works for both these mainstay franchises, and that they might be coming to the Switch at some point in 2020. Up until now, Nintendo’s plans for 2020 have been relatively sparse, with the only confirmed releases being Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, both of which are slated to come out in March.
Aside from those two, the only games known to be coming to the device this year either have vague 2020 Nintendo Switch release dates at the moment (No More Heroes 3, Bravely Default 2), or are third-party titles. However, this might now change in the wake of these recent developments.
As reported by GameRant, Sabi claims that their sources tell them that new Metroid and Paper Mario titles are in the works for 2020. According to them, the new Paper Mario game will “going back to how [the series] was,” while the 2D-style Metroid title is reported “to be related to Fusion.” There have been no further details on either of these new games, but it is worth noting that Sabi has been proven right before, especially when it comes to Nintendo releases.
The last game in the Paper Mario series, Paper Mario: Color Splash, was released in 2016 to reasonable reviews, with most fans praising the game’s art direction and dialog and others criticizing the plot and combat system, although its sales numbers were hampered in the Wii U’s waning years. As for Metroid, 2017 saw the release of Metroid: Samus Returns, a remake of Metroid 2 for the 3DS that was met with high marks from critics.
Of course, this is still just a rumor at this point, but if it were true it would be welcome news for fans of both of these flagship Nintendo franchises. The leaks that Sabi describes are promising as well, as some feel that the Paper Mario has strayed too far from the series’ RPG roots - hence later installments’ diminishing returns, and they would be pleased with a new game “going back to how it was.” Meanwhile, it isn’t clear if the upcoming Metroid will be another remake or a brand-new adventure, but if it’s the latter it will be joining the previously announced Metroid Prime 4 in continuing the saga of Samus Aran. For now though, gamers will have to sit tight and await more developments as they come forward.
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Source: Game Rant
