Metroid's New Rocket League-Style Multiplayer Mode Free for Limited Time

Ahead of its release, you can try out Metroid Prime: Federation Force's competitive multiplayer mode free for a limited time.

In a surprise move, Nintendo today released a demo for the mode, called Blast Ball, on the 3DS eShop. This is the Rocket League-style multiplayer mode from Federation Force where two teams shoot at a giant ball in an attempt to push it into the enemy team's goal.

The demo features online support and allows players to compete against those with the full game, which launches on August 19 in North America and September 2 in Europe. However, the online multiplayer servers will only be available for the demo until sometime in "early September." After that, only the full game will have online support.

This is somewhat of an unusual release. It's possible it's in response to the backlash to Federation Force; its reveal was met with negativity from those hoping for a new Metroid game in the style of the original games in the series or Metroid Prime. Nintendo responded last year by saying reinvention is necessary to keep its series healthy.

Or this could instead be a move to acquaint people with the game's controls. A new video released today (above) features a demonstration of a co-op match of Federation Force, followed by a brief look at Blast Ball. The two share a similar control scheme, so producer Kensuke Tanabe said the developer recommends players start out with Blast Ball to familiarize themselves with how to play.

The demo is out now for free on the eShop in North America and Europe.