I think it might be helpful to compare it to Fire Emblem, another series that recently was in a position of "put up decent numbers or you may never come back." 250K was set as the benchmark that Awakening had to sell for the series to ensure it kept getting games, and while I don't want to assume that the same applies across all series, I don't think a 2D Metroid would be significantly more expensive to develop, especially given that the story, powerups, basic enemy design, and general world layout are already provided due to it being a remake.

Additionally, if memory serves, Nintendo described the sales as "firm" in a previous sales report. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Samus Returns will be the big sales revolution that Awakening was for Fire Emblem, but SR's numbers aren't some kind of doomsday scenario.

That is weird. Here's hoping they actually will buy Metroid Prime 4. To each their own I guess, but all I know is Nintendo could even release a Zelda game on Virtual Boy and I'd scour the Earth to find one.

Everyone who hasn't played it should get on that because it's great...
I'm not convinced it would have done as well on the Switch as everyone seems to think...
I think next to titles like BotW and Odyssey, Samus Returns would appear very lazy and low-budget (let me reiterate that it's a great game and every Nintendo/Metroid fan should play it)...
I'm not sure the reception would have been any better on the Switch...

Metroid is one of those series that everybody agrees is fantastic, but no one seems to play for some reason...

release on switch eshop infact id like if nintendo port all the first party titles from wii u and 3ds the past 2 years to switch eshop..as its about 2 years ago I stopped buying software for both consoles

This should've been on the Switch so obviously, it would have added something special to the Switch's library, a great September release between Rabbids rpg and SMO. Nintendo made the mistake Sony made by releasing PS3 games when PS4 was launching.

Been a Metroid fan since getting MP1 in 2002, couldn't care less about Samus Returns only for the fact that it came out on the 3DS. The 3DS is my least liked handheld ever made, the resolution and LCD quality was just criminal even in 2012. Even if you paid me I wouldn't play on the 3DS. If it was on the Switch, I would add it to my list of must buy exclusives.

If Sony brought back a beloved franchise on a old portable instead of PS4, I would skip it too.

It outsold Federation Force, i have no worries for the franchise right now. If MP4 fails then we can worry. But they probably should re-release Samus Returns on Switch, i would buy it again.

Rework the controls just a little so that it takes advantage of the Switch layout. Touch up the graphics just a tiny bit. Re-release it on Switch with all of the Amiibo stuff unlocked. I'd buy it again.

It's a remake of a not very beloved Metroid game. What did you expect? If this game hits a million than that would be huge. That's on par of a new game and would show that Metroid is prime to explode in sales.