Recently Nintendo has focused more on marketing games that are already released. This is actually a pretty good way for Nintendo to do it, because:

1. Install base is only 10 million (4 mil), Prime 3 will be one of those games that sells well and moves Wii's well in to the Summer 08 drought (you know it's coming) and as the user base expands.
2. If the game is really that good, expect long legs.
3. Unlike other companies Nintendo games tend to stay in the charts for a rediculous amount of time, bringing it more press (free publicity).
4. Flooding the market with advertising for companies as large as Nintendo actually raise demand and pricing. Networks will raise prices in anticipation.
5. Some times too much hype can either kill profits or kill anticipation, especially if the game isn't as good as expected (then there is a great first week, then the sales disappear, we see this a lot.)

Also, Nintendo said that expect hype real soon. Which is the best way to build hype. Let it build among the fans for 2 years, than start the hype wagon after the seeds have been planted and have germinated.

Shadow)OS may have a point...but I think that gameplay videos and developer walkthroughs are kind of the equivalent of "going to your friend's house and watching the game." You see bits of the game, you read or listen about new features in the game...and it sells you...makes you want to play it more.

There's so many games out today, it's almost necessary to have media and hands-on previews to sell me on a game...

Leo

Then give me a reason why Metroid Prime is ranked 3rd best games ever on Gamerankings, Halo 8th and Killzone don't even made the top 10 ?

Or why does Halo and Metroid Prime have the same score on Metacritic ?

Maybe you don't like it, but it is one great game.

I have a friend who appears in the Metroid Prime 3 television commercial for the American market - the ad involving an airport passenger lounge and includes experience videos (people playing the game) and game footage. The ad was shot about 2 months ago. All the big Wii commercials are shot in Australia including the original Wii ad with the 2 Japanese guys.

I think Nintendo is handling Metroid Prime very carefully.

They probably intentionally removed the multiplayer idea by the same token they're downplaying certain aspects of its promotion. Think about it, will Metroid Sell more as a Metroid game, or as a Halo Killer? Since nintendo knows they can't compete with Halo and still keep it a Metroid game, they're doing everything in their power to avoid pitching it as a game in the same league or for that intended purpose. A Multiplayer mode would always be held to Halo's standard and shadow any value it could hold for Metroid and would only serve to make a comparison between the two. If this game in any way become associated as being Nintendo's version of Halo, it would no doubt work to Metroid's disadvantage. Even if sales aren't affected by this perception, the future appeal of other Metroid games may be.

Metroid Prime 3 will be a great game, but its image needs to be handled carefully so perhaps Nintendo is trying to handle the situation prudently. I have no clue how this would work but perhaps they're approaching it from a different angle just like they did with the Wii in its appeal. Everyone kept saying the Wii needed to compete in graphics and power, but it found a way not too. But I think I'm once again giving too much credit to Nintendo on the issue of MP3.

(F*** Killzone 1, KZ2 is the real deal, psp killzone got a 9) I never said I didnt like it, I said it wasnt EXTREEMLY GOOD, just pretty good as good as resistance.

 The lines would be out the door if that happened.  Well maybe not but it would at least make me pay ol' Gamestop a visit.

There is a way to achieve that, it's called " Wii Would Like To Play".

I start to seriously think about a demo to try in stores.

I command everyone here to stop comparing Metroid to Halo!