It's really a question of taste, but I prefer both Xenoblade to Metroid Prime.

But trying to speak objectively, Retro Studio was considered as one of the greatest studios in the world when they were releasing the Prime games. TTheir standing has been hurt despite releasing two great 2D platformers. Not because they were bad, but because people expected bigger things.

And as much as we like 2D platformers, doing a game like Xenoblade X is 5 times the work in scale of doing a game like DKTF. The world, the story, the cutscenes, the items, the characters , the text...

It seems to me that Retro should already have launched their new game since TF or it should at least be near the end of developpement and laready shown to us.

I thinkI will pick up DKTF this year especially seeing as the year will be half empty. It released when I didn't have a Wii U and never felt like it was urgent to buy it. The anticipation was much bigger for Xenoblade X.

That's also why I asked if Retro was understaffed:

Since 2007 (already 8.5 years) we only got 2 games from them, the 2 DK games.

In less than this time, Monolith released two Xenoblade games, which take more time to create, while doing tons of help for other games and other studios.

Yep. They did the Lanayru section in Skyward Sword, and they may be likely helping with Zelda HD. Monolith has surpassed Retro's latest output easily. Prime Trilogy is what it is holding them right now, but as time passes Monolith will surpass entirely.

Firstly, that's patently false. Both Retro and Nintendo have been asked numerous times about what they're doing next. Both have been extremely tight lipped about what Retro's doing, however, which stands in contrast to Monolith being a bit more free with information and speculation.

Secondly, I have absolutely no idea where you got the notion that no one is asking about Retro's next project. People are, at the very least, interested enough to dissect seemingly every little nugget of information that comes from Retro at all about their upcoming project, both on forums and in journalism.

This is Retro's take on the Wii U:

This is Monolith's work:

Monolithsoft is my favorite. I've been a fan since the Xenosaga trilogy. When I found out that they were purchased by Nintendo I was delighted. Their games are just so excellent. I still pray for a Xenosaga HD trilogy remaster to come back on NX.

I said it in my early post but retro feels like the new rare. We remember gen defining games like prime but see nothing of that kind of effort going forward.  Dk in 2d is not going to wow or be a generation defining game. And Nintendo doesn't need more platformers, it needs more variaty and graphics that can push the hardware. Monolith Soft looks good for Nintendos HD future.

I wouldn't say that Monolith Soft has really surpassed Retro, but Retro sure has slowed down quite a bit compared to their glory from a decade ago.

Both companies still make great games, which is most important, IMO.

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=211717

Retro Studios made the best 2D platformer this generation while Monolith Soft made a gigantic turd with Xenoblade Chronicles X. The game is boring with the forced exploration and boring sidequests (again forced), the graphics are bad (especially of the first continent), the combat is boring without the abilities of the Monado of the previous games, uninteresting story compared to the first game, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if 90% of the assets in Xenoblade Chronicles X are recycled/copy pasted.

Keep in mind that the first Xenoblade was my favorite game of last gen. And people seem to forget that Monolith Soft has TWO studios, one created specifically by Nintendo to aid with Nintendo EAD games. That's not the Monolith Soft you guys are talking about though, so using that as an argument for them is weak especially because they're not the ones who made those games great: that was Nintendo EAD's doing. The second studio consists of mostly character modelers, effect designers, and animators. A mere support role.

Since Nintendo bought Monolith Soft in 2007 they've only made two games that fans seem to enjoy since then (Xenoblade Chronicles and X). Retro also made two since then and is much closer to a third one than Monolith Soft.

Yep. I can't wait for Monolith's game for NX. I hope it pushes the hardware like X.