The point is, the lowest amount on this poll, 20 million, is several times above a realistic budget for Metroid.

Look at the facts: single platform, low-medium fidelity graphics, single player first person shooter. Realistic dev cycle with all staff onboard would be under 2 years and a core team of 30-50.

Why such astronomical budgets? Is the outsourced staff getting paid hundreds of thousands to millions per year?

Metroid Prime 4 is "primed" on the Switch. The series has been waiting for the chance to shine on a more mature system and the Switch is hitting every note very well. As long as Switch continues with some mature titles, mature marketing, and solid sales, then MP4 stage is set for amazing sales. The next question is, "How are they designing it?" If it doesn't have the right edge to ride the wave, then it will not do so.

This.

Now that they have unified their sowtfare library, it's their biggest chance for expanding and diversify their IP portfolio. Even if a AAA Metorid game wouldn't have the same ROI as a Mario game or Zelda it would streghten their ecosystem as a whole.

If they give it a B-tier treatment it will only be a wasted opportunity.

40 mln (20 mln for engine/singleplayer and 20 mln for multi/online).

Nintendo needs good online, exclusive FPS. Metroid Prime 4 is ideal choice.

Why does Nintendo need that? Online FPSs are perhaps the most oversaturated market and filled with more large-scale established franchises than it can manage, no dev team under Nintendo has experience in the field. It's one of the lowest opportunity for growth on the platform.

Since when having multiplayer "expands the scope"?Thats an old way to think about the ambition of a game.

Single player only can and probably would make for a more daring entry.

That may be true. But i was thinking from Nintendo's point of view where they need to sell an online service. They have dipped before in the multiplayer possibilities of the metroid franchise.

Good online Metroid Prime game it would be something that would distinguish Nintendo from the competition. And that means better sales of both MP4 and online service.

There will be enough multiplayer focused game that will be developed for the system to make a case for the service.They dont need to shoehorn features in games that are not known to have those said features, though I personally dont mind them as long as they are done properly and in no way are given prority ver what the game is known for:Its campaign.

$2.50