19 Years Ago, Nintendo Released the Best Threequel Game of Its Generation
The 2000s were a great time for Metroid fans. While the sci-fi series is usually one of Nintendo's most overlooked properties, the emergence of the Metroid Prime series transformed the relevance of Samus's adventures on the GameCube starting in 2002.
On this day in 2007, Nintendo released one of the best third acts in gaming history. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came to the Wii with new controls and better graphics to cap the trilogy in style. The threequel took full advantage of the motion controls the Wii possessed to create a more immersive first-person experience on the console and give something to hardcore gamers who were tired of some of the more casual games they were being fed.
The Wii was infamous for having a lot of shovelware and random third-party and indie support that didn't always result in great games. Metroid Prime 3 advanced the franchise's storylines and characters for a new generation and is the rare third part in a series that feels novel rather than tired.
GameTrailers talked about the game's superiority over its predecessors in its original review back in the day. "The original " Metroid Prime " is one of the highest-rated games in existence, but Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is easily superior. It's far less frustrating, and more action-packed, while managing to redefine console shooting controls in the process."
One of the unfortunate realities of the third game is that it was the final one for almost 20 years. Until Metroid Prime 4 came out last year, Metroid Prime 3 was the last 3D game in the franchise for almost two decades.
This makes it something to be cherished and remembered fondly. Nintendo hasn't released it on the Switch yet, but with the first Prime game available on the console, here's hoping the second and third games will eventually get their due.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
