Skip to main content

New Metroid Dread trailer dives into the game’s backstory

With its release date quickly approaching, Nintendo released another trailer for Metroid Dread. However, unlike earlier peeks at the game, this trailer isn’t totally action-packed. Instead, it’s for the Metroid franchise’s longtime fans. Packed with lore and backstory for Dread, the game’s latest trailer serves as an explainer for why Samus is heading to the EMMI-infested planet.

Metroid Dread - Another Glimpse of Dread - Nintendo Switch

In the trailer, it’s revealed that the entire reason for Samus’ latest adventure is another sighting of the X Parasite, creatures that Samus seemingly destroyed in the Game Boy Advance title Metroid Fusion. However, they’ve somehow survived and now pose a threat to all life in the universe once again. The X Parasite, for those who don’t know, kills and assimilates other forms of life to spread. It doesn’t discriminate and sees the entire universe as an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Recommended Videos

The trailer goes on to reveal that the EMMI robots that hunt Samus down in Metroid Dread were first sent to the planet to investigate but then vanished. If the EMMI bots were sent to track down and exterminate X Parasites on sight, it may explain why they’re now hunting down Samus. She had previously been infected by the parasite, only to be cured by the Galactic Federation using DNA from a Metroid. While she was cured, her DNA was also changed to include Metroid DNA. However, it’s possible that some part of the X Parasite is still alive in her and continues to trigger the EMMIs.

Metroid Dread is currently set to release on October 8 for the Nintendo Switch.

Otto Kratky
Otto Kratky is a freelance writer with many homes. You can find his work at Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Gamepur. If he's…
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: release window, trailers, gameplay, and more
Samus holding up a glowing fist in Metroid Prime 4.

One of Nintendo's lesser-known yet still beloved franchises is Metroid -- a series that originally began on the NES, putting us in the shoes of bounty hunter Samus Aran. Now, over 35 years later, fans are eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which has been in the works for several years.

The Prime series takes the formula introduced in the 2D games and turns it into a 3D, first-person adventure that still very much feels like Metroid, despite the perspective shift. Hype for the next installment in the series has found new life now that the original Metroid Prime is available to play on the Nintendo Switch. While there a lot we don't know about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, there are plenty of details we can dig into before release. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is confirmed to be an upcoming Switch game, but it is also an upcoming Switch 2 game alongside Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. We've scoured as much as we could find to bring you everything we know about Metroid Prime 4.
Release window

Read more
All Metroid games in order, by release date and chronologically
Profile shot of Samus in the first Metroid Prime 4 Beyond trailer.

For a company that is mainly focused on family-friendly franchises like Mario, Kirby, and Zelda, Metroid is notably dark for a Nintendo IP. The series began on the NES and has appeared on almost all of Nintendo's consoles since in one form or another. The core series established a new template for games that would eventually inspire a whole new genre -- the Metroidvania. Focused on exploration and acquiring new abilities and weapons to reach new areas of a sprawling map, Metroid has always been a cult hit with fans but never a premier series for Nintendo.

Another difference Metroid has from most Nintendo games is a stronger focus on the story. The first batch of games weren't filled with dialogue or cutscenes, but there was a clear progression and narrative to follow. Once we got to the Prime games, however, story started to play an even greater role.

Read more
What’s new in July 2024: 7 upcoming games to check out this month
Key art for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.

This month is deceptively packed with games. It might lack a true AAA standout game, but there are plenty of more experimental games and indie titles coming out over the course of July. On the multiplayer front, games like Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, The First Descendant, and Zenless Zone Zero will offer new ways to play games with friends. On the single-player front, games like Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure will be playing around with more experimental gameplay flows and ideas.

If you know where to look, you definitely won't be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding new games to play throughout this month. To help you sift through all of these game launches, I'm highlighting seven of the most prominent releases of July 2024 that you should keep on your radar. At the end of this article, you can also find a list of even more games that you can keep track of as they come out.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (July 2)

Read more