I'm very confused as to how people think Metroid Samus Returns didn't do well ... It had a strong first week and it looks like it could get to 800k + when all is said and done. This is a case of people hyping a product up more than Nintendo ever did. They didn't even announce it at their e3 direct, but after it. I'm not going to make excuses for the game, it sucks that the first "real" Metroid experience people got isn't going to crack 1 mil. But all of the Metroid games that released at the end of a console's life have done worse. It's amazing that Other M even got close to Prime 3 considering the reviews and the eventual death of the Wii.
I also think saying that it's a result of a "niche franchise" is a bit too short sided. It all comes down to how a company runs a franchise. If Nintendo and it's audience want to run Metroid as a niche franchise, than a niche franchise it will be. If they want to run it as something else it will be that. People talk like Metroid's niche status is unevitable, a curse that is somehow the fault of the IP. Even when you take into account that it's more complex than your standard action game, I really don't think this is the case. There are some franchises that are just destined to be niche, and I don't think Metroid is one of them. Samus Returns was just a "niche" title meant to be that way, it was meant to be a fun experience that hardcore fans would buy that would support a slowly dying console. It's the same as Fire Emblem, but we don't see that as dying, and we're getting closer to it no longer being "niche" either.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/08/metroid-prime-3-the-anti-hype
As far back as 2007, Metroid's exposure has been an issue. You can't sell a game you don't want to sell. Samus Returns did fine for what Nintendo wanted it do, if it only hits 500k-800k that's fine and I won't be upset. It will probably make a profit. I only care about expanding the series forward with Prime 4 or Metroid Dread, if they fuck those up, THAT is a problem.
