Some would say that this is the end of an era. In an interview with Nintendo Dream, producer Kensuke Tanabe noted that Metroid Prime 4 will be his last title with Nintendo.

As Tanabe is in on the verge of retirement, Metroid Prime 4 would be his last “dance” with the series. It would also be his last chance to feature Sylux. For those new to the Metroid series, Sylux is a bounty hunter with a vendetta against the Galactic Federation and Samus Aran.

A rough translation of Tanabe’s conversation with Nintendo Dream noted:

“Considering my age, I felt that this might be my last chance to work on a Metroid Prime series title. Therefore, I planned this game as ‘the first installment of the Sylux saga.’ I designed Sylux as a dark, deeply resentful, and despicable villain; and from this game onwards, Samus would realize that a direct confrontation with him is inevitable and that she must defeat him completely. Because of this, the final battle between Sylux and Samus is not yet over. However, the time it took to complete this game was longer than expected. Furthermore, I have confirmed that I will no longer be able to participate in the production of the series in the future.”

Tanabe’s Legacy with Nintendo

It’s baffling to note that Kensuke Tanabe has been with Nintendo longer than I have been on this mortal coil. A graduate of the Osaka University of Arts, Tanabe joined the Nintendo team in 1986. Tanabe’s influence has been felt in multiple areas at Nintendo. He’s directed such platformers as Yume K?j?: Doki Doki Panic and Super Mario Bros. 2. He has worked on the scripts for such titles as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Tanabe finally found his way into the projects of Metroid in 2002 as Co-Produced of Metroid Prime. Seriously – his tableau of works is hit after hit, when it comes to Nintendo properties.

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