Last June during E3, Nintendo made every Metroid fan gush via a surprise announcement of the new Samus installment for the 3DS, Metroid: Samus Returns. As a way to celebrate its release next month, the company has now unveiled a special edition New 3DS XL, clad in the heroine's signature colors.
The new handheld, notably, is a New 3DS XL variant, and not of the New 2DS XL variety, released late last month. The special edition handheld launches Sept. 15, the same day Metroid: Samus Returns comes out.
Nintendo showed off photos of the console via Twitter along with the release date, saying it'll only be available at "select retailers."
The front panel features a red-orange plate, with the bounty hunter's silhouette printed on top. The lower half of the clamshell features a yellowish to green plate, with a Metroid series emblem printed above the specifications.
Besides the new color scheme, it's basically the same as a regular New 3DS XL, so expect no specs or resolution bump with this special edition console. Those looking to upgrade their old and clunky 3DS or 2DS might find this a worthy purchase.
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is a "masterful reimagining" of the 1991 Game Boy title, Metroid 2: Return of Samus. The side-scrolling action-platformer is the latest Metroid franchise entry after the minimally loved Metroid Prime: Federation Force for the 3DS, released in August 2016.
Both Nintendo and MercurySteam are developing Metroid: Samus Returns. Beloved Metroid director Yoshio Sakamoto is leading the game's production. The game lets players assume the role of Samus Aran, who is sent to a planet called SR388 to kill parasitic Metroids.
Nintendo will release a special edition of the game that includes a soundtrack CD featuring 25 tracks from across the Metroid franchise. It also plans to release Samus Aran and Metroid as amiibo figures. Nintendo has yet to confirm how both will function, however. If you already have a Zero Suit Samus or Samus amiibo, Nintendo says they'll also work in this game.
Metroid Prime 4
A new Metroid game for the Switch, Metroid Prime 4, is also in the works. Its announcement caused quite a stir among E3 audiences, in fact, because it finally answered the prayers of ardent Nintendo fans wishing for a fourth Metroid Prime installment. Beyond confirming it's working on it at the moment, Nintendo failed to give anything more. It's not clear how far along it is in terms of development.
