Nintendo’s Metroid Dread Blows Out Franchise Sales Figures

After a long period of neglect, Nintendo launched Metroid Dread, a return to the classic side-scroller model for the legendary franchise. Developed by Spanish video game studio MercurySteam, the new installment features bounty hunter Samus Aran awakening in the bowels of a distant planet, stripped of many of her powers and abilities. She must reclaim her weapons and tools as she navigates her way to safety. Complicating matters is the fact that there are areas of the planet patrolled by ruthless, near invincible robots designed to accumulate DNA for sampling, called E.M.M.I., that have self-modified their abilities and turned, essentially, into Terminators seeking to track her down for reasons that are not made clear until later in the game.

The return to the classic format has been a spectacular success. In the United States, a whopping 854,000 units were shipped in October, making it the most successful American Metroid launch. The numbers are equally as impressive from around the globe; e.g., according to one source focused on the Japanese market, Metroid Dread managed to sell so many copies in the first 72 hours that it has already surpassed the entire lifetime unit sales of nearly all other Metroid games in the land of the rising sun. This is creating a lot of hope that it will reinvigorate Nintendo’s commitment to the series.

Metroid Dread - Joshua Kennon - IMG_6581 — The game starts with bounty hunter Samus Aran answer a strange transmission from planet ZDR showing an extinction-level parasite that was supposed to have been eradicated.

Metroid Dread - Joshua Kennon - IMG_6575 — Metroid Dread is easily the most enjoyable Metroid title since Super Metroid back in the 1990s. The only disappointment? The soundtrack is the worst in the series. It’s really unfortunate because of how good the game itself is. We’re talking so underwhelming that if I had been an executive at Nintendo, I would have delayed launch until a different composer came up with something as amazing as the other Metroid games which made you feel as if you were on another planet, exploring ruins of different civilizations.

Metroid Dread - Joshua Kennon - IMG_6577 — The new Metroid Dread is in the classic “Metroidvania” genre. It should surprise exactly no one that it is so successful. An entire generation grew up with games like these and the format works. You can turn it on, play for 20 or 30 minutes, and turn it off. There are no in-game purchases. It satisfies the need for exploration and logic puzzles. If they kept cranking them out, it seems like a license to print money.

Metroid Dread - Joshua Kennon - IMG_6578 — Navigating around the planet involves, at times, elevators, rail systems, and teleportation devices.

Metroid Dread - Joshua Kennon - IMG_6579 — … another example of a transport area between regions.

The economics of the game in the modern era are especially interesting. The original Metroid launched on the NES in the North American market back in 1987 at a list price of $39.95. Meaning, if you were to buy one that Christmas, you would have paid the equivalent of $95.75 in today’s, inflation-adjusted terms. In contrast, Metroid Dread lists for $59.99 and a lot of folks are going to buy it through the Nintendo digital store, meaning that, to some degree, a lower real purchase price is offset by much higher profit margins than were possible in decades past. In addition, the modern Metroid Dread has a stand-alone $29.99 double amiibo pack that 1.) gives the player an extra energy tank plus extra missiles, and 2.) which can be used once every twenty-four hours to partially replenish both energy and missiles. The double amiibo pack can be purchased at retailers such as GameStop and Target.

Metroid Dread Amiibo 2-Pack - Samus and EMMI — The Metroid Dream double amiibo pack features two action figurines that, when held above the controller in the amiibo menu, result in in-game upgrades and stat replenishment.

For Aaron and I, the game has been a welcome addition to our home. We had finally gotten to the point where our life as new parents was easy. Dorian sleeps through the night and is a breeze. As such, things had pretty much returned to normal. However, with Graham in the newborn phase, it feels like we are back at square one (even though we realize we will blink and it will be over before we know it). As a result, we’ve reverted to the division of labor we had back during the early part of the year. As I clear the backlog at Kennon-Green & Co. that accumulated due to Graham’s arrival three weeks ahead of schedule – getting out new client fiduciary agreements, preparing portfolio reviews, and lining up everything for the employees that will be joining us in 2022 to help lighten our burden at the office dramatically – Aaron has been dealing with 3 a.m. feedings and diaper changes. Some nights are great. Other nights, like last night, are not. He gets through it by rocking Graham in one arm and exploring Metroid Dread. I think it’s helped to keep him sane. (That and help from his parents, Grandma and Grandpa Green. I have no idea what we would have done if they hadn’t retired to Newport Beach to be near us and the kids. I’ve said it too many times to count but it remains true: They are an absolute godsend.)