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.
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