I think that hits the nail on the head.  Its not at all that their game-making chops are in question.  Just like the EAD teams, who also do a lot of experiment with directions and scale and style.  But Retro didn't build themselves on that, their rep is built on Metroid Prime, on building big games that are ambitious and polished and, most importantly, can go blow-for-blow with the big boys of the AAA 3rd parties and rival consoles' exclusives.  As such, the DKCR series comes off as out of place and a misuse of resources, not cause they're bad but because Retro can do much more. And this undercuts expectations. Now, Monolith Soft is doing the Retro thing of building massive and ambitious games that can stand up to rivals from the rest of the industry.  

Well, if you were to ask me which game is better in my own personal opinion, Xenoblade Chronicles or Metroid Prime, I would have to go with Xenoblade Chronicles. If you were to ask me which is the second best game IMO, Metroid Prime 2 or Xenoblade X, I'd have to go with Xenoblade X.

Monolith is nowhere near the level of Retro despite the fanboys of the recent Xenoblade voting

Monolith has neither created an all time great title (relatively speaking it is insignificant next to something like Metroid Prime) nor has it dealt with more than one large IP. credit to them but it's not even a question

in terms of quality and objective rating that is ridiculous. Xenoblade is large and well done but it is nothing particularly new. Metroid Prime was a game changer

I sure hope they don't revile their new project, that would be disappointing after waiting so long to hear about it.  

Seriously, we should have a reveal of some kind in 2016 about Retro next project and I can't wait to see what it is.

I don't really think we need to question Xenoblades quality, lol.

...what on Earth is an "objective rating?"

Metroid Prime is one of the best games of all time! With that said Monolith Soft is the better studio now. Bring up prime is like bringing up old rare titles and acting like there still a great studio. Now retro is not as bad as rare is now but there not putting out console defining games. When I look back at wii u in the future x will for now be one of those games that defined and showcased what this console could do. Even Nintendo knows what they have in the studio as e3 and n directs have always showcased x as a flagship title. And I think that's where alot of this comes from directs and e3 retro has let down fans for a long time now by showing nothing or playing it safe with dk. Meanwhile x for this gen has pushed the hardware and has been the highlight for there directs. Nintendo doesn't need more platformers chose your next game wisely retro,2 dk games in 8 years doesn't cut it despite them being good . They need to push the hardware like Monolith! If next games dk it better be in 3d damn it!

Well we all know how Retro works and we also know that after their usual game chosing process they were told by Nintendo to make another DK game, so it's only understandable that thy weren't that happy on working on DK all over again...

There are interviews asking Monolith about their next project. Nobody is asking about Retro. Neither forums, journalism or anyone. TF was the hype killer for them.

Nobody outside of few ones will be excited for another DK.