Inside Retro Studios

By Staff, GameSpotPosted Aug 30, 2007 12:31 pm PT

Ever wondered what it's like inside the house that Samus built? Here's your chance to find out.

Metroid House

Get a rare inside look at Retro in this video feature.

Once upon a time, back when the GameCube had just hit the market, Retro Studios was one of a handful of developers committed to making games exclusively for Nintendo's fledgling console. The Austin, Texas-based studio was founded in 1998, two years before the GameCube's unveiling at the August 2000 Space World event. The studio had a fairly low-key profile among the various heavy hitters that had already committed to develop for the hardware, but it managed to garner some interest due to a suite of titles slated for the new console. Retro's profile rose considerably when it was revealed as the developer of Metroid Prime, announced for the GameCube at E3 in 2001. Although the game now stands as one of the finest GameCube titles--not to mention a smart, slick revision of the classic franchise--public opinion was a bit different at the time. The studio withstood a seemingly never-ending volley of shots from fans convinced that Metroid Prime was going to go horribly wrong as a first-person shooter.

Fast-forward to this past week, when Metroid Prime 3: Corruption hit the Wii amid a bevy of anticipation from the massive Prime fan base that has accumulated over the course of two GameCube games, the original Metroid Prime and its sequel, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The critical and commercial success of both games cemented the Prime series as another in Nintendo's impressive stable of franchises that have made the company phenomenally successful. More importantly, they proved Retro had the skills to handle one of Nintendo's top properties.

Retro-Spective

Hear Retro's thoughts on Corruption's development right here.

Though the nearly nine-year-old studio is now a bona fide player, it's still a bit of a mystery to many. While Retro's games have been among the highest-profile titles on Nintendo's systems, not much has been heard from the studio itself. We recently had a chance to take some of Retro's precious time as it wrapped up development on Prime 3 for release outside the US. During a rare visit to Retro's modest offices, we heard from the team as work wound down. Over the next two days we'll be running interviews from that visit to give you insight into the team at Retro and Metroid's unique development process.

85 Comments

  • widdowson91

    Posted Oct 21, 2008 1:09 am PT

    Retro studios have proved that even 3rd party developers can make games that rival Nintendo's own. Good on them, I loke the Metroid Prime games.

  • hellpolice

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 5:08 pm PT

    Agreed I know western developers can do better if they didn't sell out and spend more time in thinking on a fun well though game rather than focus so much in mundane concepts such as military FPS, etc. EA is the best example on releasing many mundane games for the sake of profits.

  • Merl57

    Posted Sep 13, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    Yeah I agree most western devs like EA are hardcore at churning out crap for profit

  • Mk200114

    Posted Sep 12, 2007 9:27 pm PT

    Way to go, Retro! Go Nintendo and go Texas!

  • Arkk_Angel

    Posted Sep 8, 2007 6:41 am PT

    Retro is a great example of the talent found in Austin, TX. Way to represent Retro!!!

  • axelviiii

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 6:33 pm PT

    little of both, id say

  • Turisman4

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 5:25 pm PT

    Wouldn't it technically be "The House That Rebuilt Samus"?

  • samir550

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 4:22 am PT

    Add a Comment

  • Mac8457

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 6:55 pm PT

    Yea it doesn't work for me either.

  • shades843

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 11:14 am PT

    has anyone else notice that there no video for the second section retro spective I can't seem to watch it and there no file to download

  • Nintenfreak165

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 10:37 am PT

    MP better than halo.Why or why not? Keep in mind graphics and voice acting don't make the game game play,story and characters do.(thats why I like nintendo)

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 7:32 am PT

    great feature!

  • DarkspineSonic0

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 5:59 am PT

    Man this game looks awsome. "ahem" I shall get it at all costs. it will be cool to use the arm cannon with the wii remote

  • -Prime-

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 8:44 pm PT

    This was really cool. I always wondered what kooky stuff their studio contained on the inside. I worked an internship in Austin and while I was there I made sure to drive by their office building.

  • GreenXMega

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 7:08 pm PT

    Can't those guys talk any quieter?

  • dynomitemasta posted Sep 3, 2007 9:28 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    dynomitemasta

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 9:28 am PT (hide)

    does anyone else hate the controll scheme for this game? I wish they gave you the option of using the gamecube controller. I am going to end up putting my foot through my TV

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