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Metroid is an action-adventure franchise owned and published by Nintendo, and developed by multiple studios, including Intelligent Systems, Retro Studios, and MercurySteam. The Metroid franchise debuted in 1986 with the release of Metroid for the Family Computer Disk System in Japan. The franchise has spawned multiple sequels and spinoffs, as well as a sub-series known as Metroid Prime. The best-selling title in the series is the original Metroid, including sales from both the original Nintendo Entertainment System release, as well as its release on the Game Boy Advance and Virtual Console releases.
The main series of titles is developed by sub-studios of Nintendo, as well as independent studios such as Intelligent Systems and Mercury Steam. The Metroid Prime series is developed primarily by Retro Studios, though Metroid Prime Hunters was developed in-house by Nintendo, while Metroid Prime Pinball and Metroid Prime: Federation Force were developed by Fuse Games and Next Level Games, respectively. Metroid: Other M was co-developed by Team Ninja. While all entries in the series, save for Prime Pinball, are action-adventure titles, the main series entries are Metroidvania titles, while the Prime series consists primarily of first-person shooters. Other M blends both genres to an extent.
The most recently released title in the franchise is Metroid Prime Remastered, released on February 8, 2023. Upcoming titles in the series include Metroid Prime 4, with an unscheduled release date. Metroid is a franchise featured in the Super Smash Bros. franchise of games, having joined the roster in the first entry, Super Smash Bros.