First 4 Figures have done very good things with the Metroid license, from the classic Varia Suit to the sexy Zero Suit Samus, but their latest creation leaves their previous efforts in the dark. Phazon Suit Samus. Being infected with a glowing mutagen has never looked so good!

The statue is crafted entirely in transparent resin, with over 25 LED lights incorporated to give it the unhealthy Phazon glow, and the who thing is mounted on a mirror base that ties the whole effect together. Standing at 11 inches tall, Phazon Suit Samus is very pretty, but also pretty rare at only 1,500 pieces worldwide, and pretty expensive at $224.99. If you've got the funds and are so inclined, hit up the order page immediately to make sure you get yours when they are released in early 2009. Hit the jump for two more pictures of this spectacular piece.

I know. Metroid made the jump to 3D years ago. Just the one GameCube could do it, no duct tape required. But is it really 3D? Course not. You can keep your supposed Z-axis, if I'm playing Metroid on a two-dimensional screen, it's two-dimensional. Which is why these shots of Metroid Prime 3, taken and converted by Nintendo Everything's Valay, are so great. Because they're really in 3D. You need the blue/red glasses and everything.

Metroid Prime 3 in true 3D [Nintendo Everything]

Key Metroid Prime Staffers Leave Retro Studios

According to report from Shacknews, three senior staffers at Metroid Prime series developer Retro Studios have left, described as being "escorted off the premises last Friday." Specifics weren't provided, but Shacknews theorizes that the move could indicate that the trio, which includes Metroid Prime 3 Corruption director Mark Pacini, is planning to set up shop outside the confines of Retro.

Pacini was quoted last summer that the Retro Studios team would be taking a break from all things Metroid, but may not have had any idea how permanent it would be for some. There have been no announcements about the Nintendo-owned, Austin-based studio's next project, but wherever the recently departed wind up maybe they'll get to put some guns on some cars.

Key Metroid Prime Staff Leave Retro Studios [Shacknews]

Japanese Women Like Metroid Prime Too

While the majority of the Japanese Wii line-up looks to be targeted at families who wear nothing but sterile white cotton, the marketing for Metroid Prime 3 Corruption skews a bit differently overseas. That image of a lonesome gamer transfixed by the blue glow of a monitor in a darkened room, the very thing Nintendo was rejecting? Apparently, it's kosher again and precisely the kind of thing that appeals to women looking for something to play between bouts of Wii Play. We'll see if attractive, wispy Japanese women and fashionable Japanese men take the FPS plunge when the Wii Metroid ships in Japan next week. I'm expecting a debut somewhere in the teens.

Retro Studios Loses One Of Its Own To Cancer

The gaming industry lost another long-time contributor yesterday, IGN reports, as Retro Studios senior software engineer Mark Haigh-Hutchinson succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Haigh-Hutchinson's 23-year career spanned stints at both LucasArts and Retro, where he specialized in camera systems and controls. He helped to create beloved games such as Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Sam 'n' Max Hit the Road, Zombies Ate My Neighbors and the Metroid Prime series. He was also the author of the book Real-Time Cameras, published in 2008.

He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. Mark Haigh-Hutchinson was 43.

Famed Industry Veteran, Retro Studios Programmer Dies [IGN]

At the Montreal Games Summit, Retro Studios prez Michael Kelbaugh and game director Mark Pacini waxed nostalgically on the development of the Metroid Prime series. While opinion on the decision to change the series' direction from 2D action adventure to 3D, first-person shooter may be divided, what I think we can agree on is that behind the scenes look at how it all came to be is certifiably neat-o. Hearing tales of Shigeru Miyamoto shooting down game design concepts, the months long struggle to make the game's morph ball work and the last-minute decision to include the scan visor are the kinds of things one rarely hears about from Nintendo published games.

From the original Metroid Prime to Echoes to Corruption, some great internal-only moments are revealed. That first hands-on with the Nintendo "Revolution"? I'd have been giddy, too.

Gamasutra has a fantastic write up of the session, which fans of Metroid shouldn't miss.

MIGS 2007: Retro Studios On The Journey Of Metroid Prime [Gamasutra]

These fun little codes for Metroid Prime 3 Corruption just popped into my mailbox. They include a slew of tips and even a list of the bumper stickers available in the game. Hit the jump for the full set of tips, lists and cheats.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

With a trip to Tokyo via Los Angeles just around the corner, I'm going to have to find something to keep myself occupied in between failed attempts at sleeping and demanding another serving of alcohol from the sky waitress on my long flight. Picross DS helped while away the 14 hour trip to Leipzig, but I'll be (finally) picking up Jeanne d'Arc for my next leg of travel. I don't expect this weekend will leave much time for gaming, so I'll probably only find a few hours to dedicate to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in between packing, cleaning, brushing up on conversational Japanese and other obligations. Maybe some of this week's recently released demos will get some "me time."

Anyone pick up a title from this week's releases? Any lucky PAL citizens enjoying the Hanabi Festival? Let us know what you're playing this weekend in the comments.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

After last night's monthly gaming get together Geek Night, which included playing plenty of EA's skate (poorly), the Call of Duty 4 beta, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and lots of BioShock, I've got an action gaming itch to scratch. That's why I'm firing up the old Xbox for some Otogi and tackling the last chapters of Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Both have been on my completion backlog for a long time now—never finished the original Xbox Ninja Gaiden—and a quiet weekend with lots of swordplay sounds just magical.

Oh yeah, plenty of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption as well. So what's up? What are you playing this weekend?

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Livecasting Metroid Prime 3

I'm going to play through a chunk of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and stream it live. Sorry this is so behind, but I was in Germany when the game arrived on my doorstep. Feel free to play along. That's it, sorry you missed it, but you can always check out the video in the archives.

Week In Games: Gundam Corruption 08

This week represents a late summer perfect storm of video game release hype. With a series of massive releases hitting store shelves this week, including Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Lair, Blue Dragon and Warhawk, one can hardly believe this is August, not the middle of November.

Personally, the only thing on my "buy or die" list is Metroid Prime 3, but with Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix also hitting digital stores this week, I'm sure I'll be plenty busy.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
Samus is back for another first-person adventure. One of Nintendo's big three for 2007. Do want.

Lair (PS3)
Factor 5's dragon riding game may not be getting great reviews, but it sure is pretty.

Blue Dragon (Xbox 360)
Sakaguchi and Microsoft are banking hard on this easy-on-the-eyes RPG.

Warhawk (PS3)
Incognito's multiplayer-only shooter will be tearing up the network with massive online support.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (PSP)
It's huge in Japan. The game that sells PSPs overseas week after week.

Dynasty Warriors Gundam (PS3, Xbox 360)
The Japanese equivalent of chocolate and peanut butter.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii)
The Tiger is back and ready to tap a little white, dimpled ball around carefully manicured lawns for 2008.

Carnival Games (Wii)
Mini-games! Yay!

What are you picking up this week?

Mother Brain(s) Returning For Metroid Prime 3

The latest Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview clips added to WiiWare in tandem with the latest Wii firmware update give us a better look at one potential returning Metroid staple. The "Aurora"—more commonly known as the Mother Brain to Metroid and Super Metroid fans—is heavily featured in one of the clips, indicating that a starring role (or at least a cameo) for the organic computer is more than likely.

What's even more interesting is that we may even see multiple Auroras, as the narrator explains that the old school Tourian bitch is just one of many Mother and Father Brains. It's confirmed: My interest in Metroid Prime 3 has never been so high.

Metroid Prime 3 Bridge Battle Video

For those without a Wii, still at work or stuck on an alien planet with only Internet access, here's one of the new Metroid Prime 3: Corruption videos that's available on the Wii. Impressions: the game is super fast, and seems only made faster by the free-aiming (lock-on) that Crecente dug back at E3.

My mindset: let this be good for those of use who grew tired of Wii Sports after 10 minutes and haven't had much since.

Metroid Prime 3 Bridge Battle Gameplay [gametrailers]

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview Rolling onto Wiis

Heads up! Head over to the Wii Ware section on the Shopping Channel and download a totally free Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview. After downloading, it becomes its own Wii Menu channel. It's not a demo, but has trailers and other vids from the game. This kicks off a "Month of Metroid" for Nintendo with Metroid (available for 400 points) and Super Metroid (800 points) getting Virtual Console releases on August 13 and August 20th respectively. MP3: Corruption drops August 27th. Finally a reason to use the Wii again.

Thanks to all who sent this in! Hit the jump for a clip Gamer Named Tim made.