Editing Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

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:''"Corruption" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Corruption (Disambiguation)]] and [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Disambiguation)]].''
{{Infobox Game
|title     = ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''
|image     = [[File:Metroid Prime 3 Packaging.jpg|275px|North American box art for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
|developer = [[Retro Studios]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|released  = [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|22px|United States]]/[[File:Flag of Canada.svg|22px|Canada]] August 27, 2007<br />[[File:European flag.svg|22px|Europe]] October 26, 2007<br />[[File:Flag of Japan.svg|22px|Japan]] March 6, 2008
|genre     = [[First-person adventure]]
|modes     = Single player
|ratings   = [[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: T (Teen) (Violence, Animated Blood)<br />[[Wikipedia:Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]]: M <br /> [[Wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: B (12) <br /> [[Wikipedia:Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]]: 16 <BR /> [[Wikipedia:Pen European Game Information|PEGI]]: 12+
|platforms = [[Wii]]
[[Wii U]]
|media     = [[Wikipedia:Nintendo optical discs|Nintendo optical discs]]
|input     = [[Wii Remote]] and [[Nunchuk]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'''''|メトロイドプライム3 コラプション|Metroido Puraimu Surī Korapushon}} is a video game developed for the [[Wii]] by [[Retro Studios]] and published by [[Nintendo]]. It is the 9th game in the [[Metroid (series)|''Metroid'' series]] and is the third and formerly final main installment in the [[Prime trilogy|''Prime'' trilogy]], excluding ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''. The game takes place six months after the events of ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' and introduces a new control system based on the [[Wii Remote]] and [[Nunchuk]]. It was released in North America on August 27, 2007<ref name="Chan">{{Cite news |first=Jon |last=Lindemann |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview On Wii Shop Channel |date=2007-08-10 |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14207 |work=Nintendo World Report |accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> and sold in stores on August 28.<ref name="PreviewAnnouncement">''Metroid Prime 3 Preview'' channel announcement: "In stores on August 28th"</ref> It was released in Europe on October 26, 2007.<ref name="EuropeRelease">{{Cite web |url=http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/pr_releaselist.html |title=Partial list of upcoming Nintendo DS and Wii titles across Europe |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2007-07-11 |accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref> Nintendo released a [[Metroid Prime 3 Preview]] channel to North American Wii owners via the [[Wii Shop Channel]] on August 10, 2007<ref name="Chan" /> and to European [[Wii]] Owners on 15 October 2007.

Ten years after the original release of ''Corruption'', a sequel, ''[[Metroid Prime 4]]'' was revealed to be in development for [[Nintendo Switch]] at E3 2017. It is currently without a release date.

==Gameplay==
''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' is a 3D first-person adventure. Utilizing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the player can point [[Samus Aran]]'s [[Arm Cannon]] with the Wii Remote pointer and use the [[Grappling Beam]] by moving the Nunchuk. The player can choose whether to use the A button or B trigger for firing, with the remaining button used to jump.

In contrast to the interchangeable beams used in ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', ''Corruption'' has a stackable beam system similar to ''[[Super Metroid]]<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s.<ref name="IGN Retro Studios Interview">{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/708/708948p1.html |title=Interview: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=IGN |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=2006-05-16 |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> [[File:Command Visor.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Command Visor]] was a new feature introduced to the series which allowed Samus to interact with her [[Gunship (Corruption)|Gunship]] remotely, to remove obstacles and dock it at suitable [[Landing Site]]s.]]The game also features various [[visor]]s, including the new [[Command Visor]], which lets Samus call her ship to different landing points and use certain ship powerups. The [[X-Ray Visor]] featured in ''Metroid Prime'', removed in the second Prime game, makes a reappearance and can be used in conjunction with a new beam (The [[Nova Beam]]) that can fire through [[Phazite]] walls. The [[Scan Visor]] is also reintroduced.<ref name="IGN Retro Studios Interview" /> Visors can be switched easily by holding the - button and pointing in a direction of the desired visor with the Wii Remote.<ref name="Play Magazine Article">{{Cite web |url=http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5131/mp1li2hc2.jpg |title=Scan of MP3 Article |publisher=Play Magazine |last=Loe |first=Casey |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> The variation of the [[Screw Attack]] seen in ''Echoes'' has also been implemented. It is used by pressing the jump button in synchronized intervals three times, and then continued for a maximum of five times.<ref name="Off-Screen Trailer">{{Cite web |url=http://media.wii.ign.com/media/748/748547/vids_1.html |title=Off-Screen Trailer video |publisher=IGN |date=2006-09-15 |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

''Corruption'' is the second ''Metroid'' game (the first being ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'') to involve any in-game use of Samus's Gunship for anything other than saving. With the aforementioned Command Visor, Samus can call in her ship for an air strike, carry around large objects with the ship's grapple beam, or have it land in a more convenient spot. In addition, Samus can enter her ship to travel to various areas on the planet, or even travel to entirely different planets altogether, such as [[Norion]] and [[Bryyo]], among others.
[[File:Hypermode Pirate.png|thumb|250px|A [[Pirate Trooper]] entering [[Hypermode]]. Samus and enemies can enter this [[Phazon]]-charged state in the game to dramatically increase their attack power and stamina. Utilizing Hypermode is essential to defeat some of the creatures in the game.]]
In the game, Samus obtains a new suit to handle her [[Phazon]] corruption named the [[Phazon Enhancement Device]] (PED).<ref name="Spong information sheet">{{Cite web |url=http://spong.com/press_release/13153?cb=17 |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruptive Factsheet |publisher=Spong |accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> A new feature that makes use of Wii Remote functionality allows the player to lock on and strafe around an enemy while simultaneously firing anywhere on screen. (This is called Lock on/ Free aim.)<ref name="E3_conference 2007">{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/803/803335p1.html |title=Nintendo E3 2007 Press Conference |publisher=IGN |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=2007-07-11| accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref> This can be changed in the options so that players can choose the previous method of locking on targets. The [[Morph Ball]] also returns, along with the [[Spring Ball]], which can be used by flicking the Wii Remote up.<ref name="E3 2007 Developer Walkthrough">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21690.html |title=E3 2007 Developer Walkthrough video |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date=2007-07-12 |accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> According to [[Retro Studios]], the more intuitive control causes ''Corruption'' to be less difficult and faster-paced than ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''. Scanning has also become easier to perform.<ref name="devin-intrv">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/16/interview-metroid-prime-3-corruption |title=Interview: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=IGN |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=2006-05-15 |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> Additionally, a new [[checkpoint]] system allows players to restart immediately at certain points in the game between [[Save Station]]s, a feature not implemented in the series previously.

Nintendo announced that there would be no online play in ''Corruption''.<ref name="GamePro Interview">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/features/119708.shtml |title=Feature: Q&A: online play a no-go in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=GamePro |last=Bailey |first=Justin |date=2007-07-02 |accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref> The game instead introduces a system that rewards players with tokens for completing various achievements. The tokens can be used to purchase unlockable items or sent to friends via the WiiConnect24 service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23758.html |title=Metroid Prime 3 Preview |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date=2007-08-20 |accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> Gamers can also take screenshots within the game and send them online.<ref name="IGNReport070822">{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/814/814436p2.html |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview |publisher=IGN.com |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=2007-08-20 |accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref>

==Plot==
[[File:GFS Olympus.png|thumb|200px|The G.F.S. ''Olympus'', the first area explored in ''Corruption''.]] 
Six months following the events of ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', Samus Aran boards the Galactic Federation [[G.F.S. Olympus]] in which she meets three other bounty hunters; [[Ghor]], [[Rundas]] and [[Gandrayda]]. Initially, they are hired to help cure the Federation [[Aurora Unit]] networks of a [[Space Pirate]] virus, but a Space Pirate attack suddenly occurs, and they are dispatched to the nearby planet [[Norion]] and ordered to activate its [[Defense Cannon]] to fend off the [[Invasion on Norion|assault]]. It is on Norion that Samus encounters a member of the [[PED Delta squad]], using [[Phazon Enhancement Device]]s (PEDs) to utilize Phazon as weapon. [[File:Armored Troopers Olympus.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Space Pirates board the Olympus.]]

[[File:MP3 Darkness.jpg|thumb|200px|Dark Samus leads the attack on [[Norion]].]]
During the mission, Samus encounters [[Meta Ridley]] once again, and the two end up plummeting down an energy shaft. After a brief fight, Samus is rescued by Rundas while Ridley plummets to an unknown fate. Shortly after, a [[Phazon]] meteor (later called a [[Leviathan]]) is sighted heading to the planet. The Hunters, having restored power to the Defense Cannon, rush to the [[Control Tower (Norion)|Control Tower]] but are attacked by Dark Samus just before activating the defense systems. With the other hunters unconscious, a heavily wounded Samus manages to activate the laser just in time to destroy the Leviathan Seed.

Samus wakes up one month later and learns that she and her fellow Hunters were corrupted by Phazon from Dark Samus's attack. However, the Federation scientists discover that Samus's body was now self-producing Phazon and have added a PED to her suit that allows Samus to control her internal Phazon (within limits) and to enter [[Hypermode]]. Samus further learns that the other three Hunters had left two weeks before for missions to three other planets where Leviathan Seeds have been observed, but the Federation lost contact with them seven days earlier. Samus is ordered to destroy each Leviathan Seed and seek the whereabouts of the other Hunters.

[[File:Boss rundas1.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Samus confronts the corrupted Rundas in [[Bryyo Fire]].]] 
Samus first travels to [[Bryyo]], the abandoned home of the extinct Bryyonians and now home of the [[Reptilicus]], where she finds out to her horror that the Phazon corruption initially thought to be benign can cause her body to overload with Phazon energy, which could eventually drive her insane, and she must dispel it to prevent further corruption. She then learns that Rundas fell to the Phazon corruption and battles him in self-defense. Rundas, upon defeat, gets impaled on his own ice structures and Dark Samus flies in and absorbs him. After acquiring his [[Ice Missile]]s and the [[Ship Missile]]s that allow her to destroy the [[Seed Shield Generator|shield generator]] around the Seed, she enters the Seed and fights [[Mogenar]], a corrupted [[Mogenar-class War Golem]]. [[File:Phazon Core Explodes.png|thumb|200px|Samus destroys Bryyo's [[Phazon Core (creature)|Leviathan Core]].]]Upon destruction, however, the resulting explosion overloads Samus with Phazon so she expels the Phazon from her system and proceeds to destroy the Leviathan of Bryyo, eradicating all Phazon from the planet. However, inside her DNA, the Phazon that Dark Samus implanted in her within her proceeds to grow.

[[File:Ghor challenges.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ghor challenges Samus.]]
She then heads to [[SkyTown, Elysia]], the flying city created by the [[Chozo]], which is populated by [[Elysians|sentient robots]]. She manages to cure [[Aurora Unit 217]] of its [[corruption virus]] but then the now-corrupted Ghor attacks and disables the Aurora, forcing Samus to defeat him, watch as Dark Samus arrives to absorb him, and acquire his [[Plasma Beam]] to repair the Aurora. The Aurora then helps her build a [[Theronian Bomb]] to let her destroy the Leviathan's shield, allowing Samus to fly in inside, where she fights [[Helios]], the corrupted commander of the [[Elysian]] robots. Helios explodes and Samus is further corrupted.

[[File:Utragia.jpg|thumb|200px|Samus travels to the Space Pirate Homeworld.]]
The final impacted planet is a [[Space Pirate Homeworld]], where the corruption has spread so quickly that the planet itself is becoming pure Phazon. Unfortunately, the Seed there is so heavily protected that only a single cargo ship is allowed to reach it, but Samus is unable to continue due to the planet's [[Acid Rain]]. After briefly partnering with a [[Federation Marine]] to get the [[Hazard Shield]], [[NZG41|the trooper]] attempts to kill her and then reveals herself to be Gandrayda. Samus defeats her and then watches helplessly as Dark Samus absorbs her. After equipping herself with more gear, [[Fleet Admiral Castor Dane]] contacts Samus saying that Federation is planning to lead an invasion of the Pirate Homeworld, but the planet is protected by a massive [[Defense System Generator|planetary shield]]. Samus uses her newly acquired [[Nova Beam]] to disable the shield allowing the Federation begin the all-out [[Assault on the Pirate Homeworld|attack]] on the Space Pirates. [[File:OmegaRidleyAppears.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Omega Ridley, the final Core Guardian.]] Samus herself leads a team of [[Demolition Trooper]]s to destroy the security door to the [[Skyway]] leading to the Pirate Homeworld's Seed, where [[Omega Ridley]] awaits. After Ridley's defeat, Samus's corruption reaches a critical point, where she is now virtually glowing with Phazon.

[[File:The Federation enter the Wormhole.png|thumb|200px|The [[Federation Fleet]] fly into the [[Wormhole]] to [[Phaaze]], the source of all Phazon.]]
Aurora Unit 217 discovers the location of planet [[Phaaze]], the origin point of Phazon. Traveling with the Federation via a [[wormhole]] created by a [[Leviathan Battleship]] stolen from the Pirates, Samus arrives and descends to the planet. As soon she arrives, Samus begins absorbing dangerous amounts of Phazon energy, nearly corrupting her completely, but manages to prevent this by [[Auto Vent|venting]] all her available energy and locking herself in permanent Hypermode. After venturing to the planet's inner [[Sanctum (Phaaze)|Sanctum]], she encounters Dark Samus, who fuses with the stolen [[Aurora Unit 313]] that is linked with Phaaze's core.[[File:Aurora unit 313.png|thumb|left|200px|Samus fights the corrupted Aurora Unit.]] Samus destroys the corrupted 313 and kills Dark Samus, which destroys the Phazon in her own body and causes the planet to self-destruct. The Federation fleet escapes via another wormhole, but loses contact with Samus in the process. Eventually, though, her ship appears, and she reports that her mission is complete, then flies off into space. After leaving the celebrating Federation fleet, Samus returns to Elysia, where she mourns the loss of her fellow bounty hunters who were also her friends on this mission. Eventually, she leaves Elysia in her gunship, only to be followed by [[Sylux]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/17/e3-2015-what-metroid-primes-producer-wants-in-the-next-sequel |title=E3 2015: What Metroid Prime's Producer Wants In the Next Sequel|author=Jose Otero|date=16 Jun 2015 |accessdate=2015-06-16}}</ref>. [[File:Delano 7 MP3.PNG|thumb|200px|Sylux's [[mysterious spacecraft]].]]

The events of ''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]'' follow.

==Development==
[[Nintendo]] greenlit a third game in the ''Metroid Prime'' series in the late spring of 2004, before the release of ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''. At this time, according to [[Bryan Walker]], preliminary discussions had taken place, but nothing had entered production.<ref name="ignspace">Casamassina, Matt. [https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/29/a-space-bounty-hunter-in-texas A Space Bounty Hunter in Texas]. ''IGN''. August 28, 2009. Retrieved on October 4, 2021.</ref> Retro staff wanted to branch out and create a game in a different genre. They considered a revival of ''[[Wikipedia:Donkey Kong Country|Donkey Kong Country]]'' - which they would realize as ''[[List of cameos and crossovers in other games#Donkey Kong Country Returns series|Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' after ''Corruption'' - and a spinoff of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' about the last surviving Sheikah (for which concept art was produced). [[Satoru Iwata]] read their design documents and asked them to finish the ''Prime'' series as a trilogy before they moved on to other franchises. Iwata also wanted to take advantage of the Wii with a ''Metroid Prime'' title.<ref>DidYouKnowGaming? "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKs_Oyfuyuc Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)]". ''YouTube''. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 17:38)</ref>

The game was first announced with a [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption teaser trailer|teaser trailer]] at E3 2005. When properly unveiled at E3 one year later, the press noted that it looked similar in appearance to ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''; however, according to Retro Studios, it would have a much more finished look when the game was complete. They declared that ''Corruption'' would have much larger environments than in ''Echoes'' and would be targeted to run at 60 frames per second in the finalized version.<ref name="devin-intrv" /> The developers also indicated interest in using the WiiConnect24 feature to provide additional content.<ref name="devin-intrv" />

''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' was the first game in the ''Metroid'' series in which the characters utilize full voice acting, though previous games in the series used limited voice acting. However, Samus remains silent for the game as in previous titles (Minus some grunt noises). ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' would later be the first ''Metroid'' game to give Samus a speaking role, and she would have one line in ''[[Metroid Dread]]''.

''Corruption'' uses an [[interactive music system]]. In designing the sound for the game, [[Scott Petersen]] identified the aesthetic and sonic palette Retro Studios was seeking as "Sci-fu": highly-stylized and synthetic. This meant that all such sounds were required to have little to no midrange content, so that world sounds would mostly be highs and lows, with the middle range being left for creature and weapon sounds, and music. [[Kenji Yamamoto]] also sought to stick to the "Metroid music creation theory" he had established with the previous two games.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072301/http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=174</ref><ref>http://www.originalsoundversion.com/a-blast-from-the-past-metroid-prime-3-corruption-with-kenji-yamamoto-and-retro-studios/</ref>

[[File:Good luck, Samus....png|thumb|290px|The words "Good luck, Samus..." appear on-screen after leaving the G.F.S. ''Olympus''.]]
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stated in a 2007 interview that the game was "not going to ship by June"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158460 |title=Metroid Prime 3 to be Released After June |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |publisher=1UP.com | date=2007-04-03 |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> and set it at a summer 2007 release date at the earliest. Later he hinted, "when we release it, it will be perfect. And if that's a little later than folks would have liked, I'm hoping they're going to be happy." <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552624/20070215/index.jhtml |title=Where Are All The Wiis, DS Lites? Nintendo Exec Has The Answer |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |publisher=MTV |date=2007-02-16 |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> Some of the first gameplay footage to be shown of the game was seen at Nintendo's Media Release at E3 2006 and it was confirmed by Retro Studios that ''Corruption'' will be the last game in the ''Prime'' trilogy. Nintendo illustrated how ''Corruption'' will take advantage of the special abilities of the [[Wii Remote]] as demonstrated by [[Metroid Prototype|a version]] of ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', modified for the Wii, shown at the Tokyo Game Show in 2005.

In late April, 2007, IGN editor Matt Casamassina revealed that the game would be shown in detail during May of that year. He later reported that this event would take place the week of May 20. The publication also announced that the title will be released on August 20, 2007 in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/790/790231p1.html |title= Metroid Prime 3 Dated |publisher=IGN |date=2007-05-21 |accessdate=2007-07-02}}</ref> Nintendo of America later announced to have moved the release date to August 27, 2007.<ref name="Chan" /><ref name="07-02 Release">{{Cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/metroid-prime-3-delayed-by-a-week-274501.php |title=Metroid Prime 3 Delayed! By A Week! |publisher=Kotaku |date=2007-07-02 |accessdate=2007-08-09}}</ref> Nintendo later announced an "in stores" date of August 28.<ref name="PreviewAnnouncement" /> A release in Europe was planned for October 26.<ref name="EuropeRelease" />

At the Media Summit held by Nintendo during the week of May 21, 2007, Reggie Fils-Aime noted about ''Corruption'' compared to the rest of the franchise that players have "never played it this way before". He also noted that Nintendo employees who had seen the game in action claimed that it "will reinvent the control scheme for a first-person shooter", and that the game is the closest a console title can get to PC control, breaking through the lens of how the game is played.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/790/790923p1.html |title=Nintendo Summit: Reggie Talks Wii and DS |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |authorlink=Matt Casamassina |publisher=IGN |date=2007-05-22 |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> IGN commented on an updated version of the game being played at E3, saying that it "plays better than any first-person console game ever."<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |title=E3 2007: Hands-on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |date=2007-07-11 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/803/803978p1.html |work=IGN |accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> The Wii Zapper, a gun shell peripheral, was never considered as a controller because it was announced when development of ''Corruption'' was nearing completion.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/y2lcs9/metroid-prime-developers-reveal-how-they-pushed-wii-graphics-and-that-famous-controller |title='Metroid Prime' Developers Reveal How They Pushed Wii Graphics And That Famous Controller |publisher=MTV |date=September 27, 2007 |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |accessdate=October 19, 2022  |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225181406/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1570214/20070920/index.jhtml |archivedate=December 25, 2008 |quote=One controller option they didn't consider was using the Wii Zapper, the upcoming peripheral announced in early summer that turns the system's controllers into a two-handed light gun. "We actually found out about the Zapper the same time everyone else did," Pacini said. "We were a few months from completing the game, so it was never really considered." }}</ref>

It was later revealed that the [[Wikipedia:Halo (franchise)|''Halo'' franchise]] influenced ''Corruption'', as many designers were fans of those games.<ref>Kiwi Talkz. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDPQ6vG9ahs #138 - Paul Tozour Interview (Metroid Prime 2 & 3, Boss Design, A.I., Leadership, Four Swords etc.)]". ''YouTube''. June 25, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022. (starts at 1:07:37)</ref>

===Bounty hunting concept===
''Corruption'' was originally conceived as an open world game where Samus would undertake missions pursuing criminals. Samus would be based in a hub area that she would return to after each mission, and the missions did not follow the traditional ''Metroid'' path of progression. [[Bounty Hunter|Bounty hunting]] missions would serve as side quests, in which Samus would apprehend lesser criminals for rewards, which were enhanced capabilities for Samus and her Gunship rather than currency. It was envisioned as a "leveling up" system akin to a JRPG.<ref name="dykg" /> <!-- starts at 18:36 -->

However, when Retro Studios presented this concept to Nintendo, it was rejected because their perception of a bounty hunter was more like a mercenary or hired gun, and not someone who collects bounties for their hunts.<ref name="ignspace"></ref> By [[Kiyohiko Ando|Kiyo Ando]]'s account, Nintendo believed Samus completed missions out of the goodness of her heart instead of for money.<ref name="dykg" /> <!-- starts at 22:38 -->

[[Jack Mathews]] later expanded on the concept and said the misunderstanding of the word "bounty" in "bounty hunter" was discovered and clarified quickly. He stated that the concept was extensively documented and conceptualized, but could not recall if any programming was done or how much of the story had been conceived at that point, including whether Dark Samus would have played a role. The [[Inventory]] was intended to remain the same as it is in the final game.<ref name="shinesparkers">{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Interview: Jack Mathews |url=https://shinesparkers.net/interviews/jack-mathews/ |publisher=Shinesparkers |date=2018-01-20 |accessdate=2018-01-20 }}</ref> According to a 2022 interview with Walker, nothing was prototyped.<ref name="dykg" />

[[Mark Pacini]] had what Walker called ambitious ideas for a non-linear game with an open world, that also made greater use of the [[Gunship (Corruption)|Gunship]]. However, prototypes for the ship and world proved to be too large for the Wii to handle, and these plans were ultimately scaled back due to the Wii's limited hardware specs. Walker later reflected that while the team was proud of ''Corruption'', they had fallen short of some of their goals to expand the ''Metroid'' formula with a larger role for the Gunship.<ref name="kiwitalkz">Reilly, Reece. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sWfE2x-ClM #109 - Bryan Walker Interview (Metroid Prime Trilogy, Donkey Kong, Mario Kart 7, Project Management)]" (starts at 24:42). ''KIWI TALKZ''. October 2, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.</ref> There were never any plans for players to directly control the Gunship, but other functions, such as its use as a distraction in combat, were planned but not implemented.<ref name="dykg" /> <!-- starts at 21:09 -->

===Marketing===
Nintendo had initially been criticized for an apparent lack of promotion and marketing for ''Corruption''. IGN compared the minimal hype for the title to the large amount for the original ''Metroid Prime'', which was marketed with its own live action advertisement. The publication assumed that Nintendo's recent actions were due to the company's new focus on casual game styles on their console and relatively low sales of ''Echoes''. When questioned on this, Nintendo of America replied, "Nintendo fans will be surprised by the quantity and quality of ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' information that becomes available before the game launches on Aug. 27. Your patience will be rewarded (or Corrupted)."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/811/811682p1.html |title=Metroid Prime 3: The Anti-Hype |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |publisher=IGN |date=2007-08-08 |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref>

Following this promise, Nintendo released the ''[[Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel]]'' on August 10, 2007 in North America. This channel, available as a free download via the [[Wii Shop Channel]], allows [[Wii]] owners to view preview videos of the game. These include previously unannounced details the game's plot and battle sequences from within the game. The channel also enables the user to view promotional artwork by moving the Wii Remote pointer across the screen.<ref name="Chan" />

Starting with the ''Preview'' channel, Nintendo launched a "[[month of Metroid|month of ''Metroid'']]" in North America. It included announcements of additional videos that would become available as well as a [[Virtual Console]] download of ''[[Metroid]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] on August 13. This would be followed by ''[[Super Metroid]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] available for download on August 20 and the release of ''Corruption'' one week thereafter.<ref name="Chan" /> Matt Casamassina stated that his critique of the marketing behind the game still stands, since it is only effective for the percentage of Wii owners who download the free channel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812309p1.html |title=Wii-k in Review Podcast: 08.10.07 |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |publisher=IGN |date=2007-08-10 |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref>

==Reception==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:#242424; color:#ffffff; font-size:90%; margin-left: 5px; float:right"
|+'''Reviews'''
|-
!style="background:#585858; text-align:center; width:115px"|Publication
!style="background:#585858; text-align:center; width:80px"|Score
|-
|''[[Nintendo Power]]''
|10 out of 10
|-
|''IGN''
|9.5 out of 10<ref name="IGN review">{{Cite news |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Review |date=2007-08-27 |publisher=IGN |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/815/815424p4.html |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|''Gametrailers''
|9.6 out of 10<ref name="GT">{{Cite news |first=Staff, Gametrailers.com |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Review |date=2007-08-27 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/24117.html |work=GameTrailers |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|''1UP''
|9 out of 10<ref name="1UP">{{Cite news |first=Mark |last=MacDonald |title=Reviews: Metroid Prime 3 - Back to the Future |date=2007-08-26 |publisher=1UP.com |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3162330 |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|''Yahoo! Games''
|4 out of 5<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/wii/metroid-prime-3-corruption/reviews/ |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=Yahoo.com |date=2007-08-28 |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|''Game Informer''
|9.5 out of 10<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E0969E35-7F22-459A-A443-12C8D7CE047C.htm?CS_pid=230010 |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=Game Informer Online |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|''GameSpot''
|8.7 out of 10<ref name="GameSpot review">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/metroidprime3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;reviews |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=GamePro |date=2007-08-27 |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|''GameSpy''
|4.5 out of 5<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/metroid-prime-3/816157p1.html |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |publisher=GameSpy |date=2007-08-27 |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|''Official Nintendo Magazine''
|94%
|-
|''GameDaily''
|9 out of 10<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/metroid-prime-3-corruption/wii/game-reviews/list/5361/0/ |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Reviews |publisher=GameDaily |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|''GamePro''
|4.25 out of 5<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/131309.shtml |title=Review: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Reviews |publisher=GamePro |date=2007-08-27 |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
|-
|colspan="2" style="background:#585858; text-align:center;"|'''Compilations of multiple reviews'''
|-
|Game Rankings
|92 out of 100 (based on 14 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Reviews |publisher=Game Rankings |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928517.asp |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|Metacritic
|90 out of 100 (based on 62 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/metroidprime3corruption?q=metroid%20prime%203 |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>
|}

''[[Nintendo Power]]'' gave ''Corruption'' a perfect 10/10 rating. The game is one of the few to achieve this perfect score, following ''[[Wikipedia:Resident Evil 4|Resident Evil 4]]'' in January 2005 and preceding ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' the following month. IGN awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10. The review noted that it was beautifully designed and was currently the best game for the [[Wii]]. Despite citing that the game is similar to the previous games therefore lowering its score by a small margin, IGN did conclude that it is the best game in the ''Prime'' trilogy.<ref name="IGN review" />

''Corruption'' scored a 9.6 out of 10 in a Gametrailers.com video review. The reviewer praised the more user-friendly and action-packed nature of the game compared to ''Metroid Prime'' and ''Echoes''. The site also praised the superior motion-sensitive controls, stating, "After playing ''Metroid Prime 3'' you'll never want to play a shooter with dual analog controls again, it's that good." They further added that those elements make ''Corruption'' far superior to the original ''Metroid Prime''.<ref name="GT" />

1UP.com gave the game a 9 out of 10. The review highlighted the controls and said the graphics were "some of the best visuals in gaming, period".<ref name="1UP" /> GameSpot, who gave the game 8.5 out of 10, stated the game possessed enjoyable puzzles, boss battles, atmospheric levels and smooth gameplay. They also stated some contextual actions do not work well and that the controls took away some of the game's difficulty. Furthermore, they stated the game was not very different from the earlier installments in the series.<ref name="GameSpot review" />

By 2009, ''Corruption'' had sold nearly 900,000 copies in North America alone.<ref name="ignspace"></ref>

==''Metroid Prime Trilogy''==
''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]'' was announced on May 22, 2009 for release in North America on August 24 of the same year for $49.99. The disc includes ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', and ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' with Wii controls, as well as new content, menus, and unlockable media. Certain changes made to the PAL version of ''Corruption'' (such as replacing Admiral Dane's "Damn!" with "No!") are placed in the ''Trilogy'' version as well.

==Trivia==
*As an easter egg, various phrases appear during the opening cutscene that are "corrupted" strings and data from the game itself, suggesting that it has been "corrupted" (breaking the [[fourth wall]]): "V o u s m o u r e z .s i v otre". In French, this literally translates to "Y o u d i e .i f y our". This is a fragment of the French translation of the explanation of permanent [[Hypermode]], shown right after the cut scene when Samus enters Phaaze (''"If your Phazon level fills completely, you will die."'') As well, near the end of the sequence, there is another phrase: "m o u r r a i i i i i. ." This is basically "[I] will dieeeee...". Another phrase appears: "andrayda hat sich die Gestalt" German for "andrayda has ... herself the shape" (the verb would be at the end of the sentence, which is missing), this appears to be a part of the German translation of the description of Hunter Gandrayda's shape-shifting abilities. Another German word, Kämpfen (fighting), can be seen near the start of the data. The English words 'error' and 'danger' can also be seen in the data sequence, near the beginning. The words "Wii Format" can also be seen in the data. Additionally, numbers in hexadecimal format are visible at the bottom of the screen; in ASCII they read: "WAKE UP. WAKE UP. I AM AWAKESamus"
*When a non-boss enemy is killed in this game, the body turns black and disintegrates, rather than fading away as in the previous ''Prime'' games. Supposedly, this is to give the game a more realistic feel and it implies that Samus' weapons burn and deteriorate enemies instead of killing like a normal bullet would. Some dead bodies encountered on the ''Valhalla'' and SkyTown will crumble to dust if shot, referencing the victims of the [[baby]] Samus comes across at the end of ''[[Super Metroid]]''. This effect returns in ''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]''.
**This effect does not just apply to beams however, as both [[Bomb|bombs]] and [[Missile|missiles]] also have this effect. While the bombs in the ''Prime'' series are depicted as orbs of electrically charged energy, this makes absolutely no sense for both standard and ice missiles, as both are guided projectiles. It is possible that the missiles are wrapped in energy from the Arm Cannon causing the effect, as the effect is seen again in both ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'' and ''[[Metroid Dread]]''.
*''Corruption'' is notably the first ''Metroid'' game to have what could be possibly considered an obscenity uttered by any of the characters (Admiral Dane exclaims "Damn!" when he realizes that the Pirates intend to shut down the [[Norion]] defense system). This was removed in the English PAL version and ''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]'' in both text and speech and replaced with "No!" in speech. Profanity has been shown in some ''Metroid'' series manga before, mainly ''[[Samus & Joey]]'' and the [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|''Magazine Z'' manga]]. Similar lines were also found in the code of ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.
*''Corruption'' is the only ''Metroid'' game to not feature some sort of backstory in the instruction booklet.
*This is one of the few ''Metroid'' games where Samus does not lose some of her abilities in the first area; instead some of her previous upgrades she originally had from the other two ''Prime'' games are not included (such as the Missile Launcher), and Samus finds new abilities rather than restoring her old upgrades.
*''Corruption'' is the first ''Prime'' game to introduce beam and Missile [[stacking]], due to the inclusion of Hypermode.
*When the Power Beam is the only beam weapon Samus has collected, the [[Arm Cannon]] will momentarily go into the charging configuration (where sections of the cannon split and yellow energy can be seen inside) whenever the player approaches places that make Samus lower her weapon such as terminals or allies that can be spoken to. This feature can be seen as perhaps recalibrating the Cannon. (It can also be seen in ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', if the player leaves the game idle long enough.)
*''Corruption'' is the only ''Prime'' game (in addition to ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'') that seems to break the [[fourth wall]]. It is in the 100% ending when [[Samus]] is flying back to the [[G.F.S. Olympus|G.F.S. ''Olympus'']] and gives the player a thumbs-up. It is unlikely that Samus is directing it to [[Admiral Dane]] at that time, (because she does it when flying past the G.F.S. ''Olympus''<nowiki/>' window) as her [[Gunship (Corruption)|Gunship]]'s window is tinted.
**Another example may be when Samus obtains the [[X-Ray Visor]], she gasps while looking at the screen, as if the X-Ray Visor lets her see the player.
*''Corruption'' and ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' are the only ''Metroid'' games in which Samus removes her helmet and even armor (either willingly or unwillingly) several times during the course of the story (at the beginning, after defeating [[Mogenar]] when she vomits Phazon, and in the ending).
*After acquiring the [[Screw Attack]], the HUD stays fixed in one place and unable to move, as if the player were locked on to something in the half second before the cutscene where the platforms crumble and the [[Chozo Statue]] raises its hand.
*''Corruption'' is the first ''Metroid'' game to allow [[Bookmark]]s to be set on the [[Map]]. ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'' would later be the second, and ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' the third.
*During gameplay, Samus's eyes will follow the Wii Remote cursor. This is easily viewable using the [[Scan Visor]].
*As Samus becomes more corrupted in the game, one of her sclerae turns black and her cornea begins to glow a bright blue, and a vein of blue Phazon can be seen on her face when it is mirrored on the Scan Visor. This vein grows slightly as she is corrupted further.
*While Samus was in a [[coma]] for a month, the [[Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet|''Metroid Prime Trilogy'' art booklet]] states that she was only in a coma for a week.
*Interestingly, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' does not take any content from ''Corruption''. The only mention of it in the entire game is in the Chronicle. This is likely because ''Brawl'' was supposed to release in 2007 before being delayed.
*A demo of the game was playable in 2006 during the [[Nintendo Fusion Tour]].
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2006 prototype)|A prototype of ''Corruption'']], dated from March 2, 2006, was leaked on the internet in January 2012 and developed to run on [[GameCube]] SDK units with additional RAM. Oddly, the game's introduction can be played with a GameCube controller. The prototype includes several debug options.<ref>http://tcrf.net/Proto:Metroid_Prime_3:_Corruption</ref>
*The game's logo is stylized text, rather than a custom-made one like the preceding game, ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''.<ref name="dykg">DidYouKnowGaming? "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKs_Oyfuyuc Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)]". ''YouTube''. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 16:52)</ref>

==Gallery==
:''For all artwork for the game, see [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption/Gallery]].''
<gallery>
MP3 Japan.jpg|Japanese box art.
UnusedMP3Cover.jpg|Unused [[Todd Keller]] box art concept.
CorruptionLogo.jpg|Game logo.
Old Corruption Logo.png|Old logo.
Intro text dump.png|Dump of the introduction text.
ArmCannonCalibration.gif|Samus's arm cannon "recalibrating".
MP3 Japanese guide book.jpg|Japanese guide book
</gallery>

===Print media===
<gallery>
Metroid Prime 3 Spanish print with fake screenshot.png|Article in Spanish print. The screenshot at the top of the page is a false mockup.
NOM 157 0031.jpg|''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' #157 (September 2005).
Nintendo Accion 163 0012.jpg|''Nintendo Acción'' #163 (June 2006)
GamePro - Issue 230 - Nov 2007 0095.jpg|Review of ''Corruption'' in issue 230 of ''GamePro'', which gave it a rating of 4.25/5.
GamePro - Issue 230 - Nov 2007 0096.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0030.jpg|Scans from the November 2007 issue (#180) of ''Nintendo Acción'', the Spanish Nintendo magazine.
Nintendo_Accion_180_0038.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0044.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0059.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0060.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0061.jpg
Nintendo_Accion_180_0062.jpg
EDGE.N2XX.2010.XX.Supplement.Metroid-Other.M.Special 07.jpg|Special 2010 issue of ''[[Wikipedia:Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''.
JP Other M Guide 173.jpg|''[[Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M]]'', page 173
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of rooms in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
*[[List of creatures in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
*[[List of items in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
*[[List of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption version differences]]
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption/Credits]]
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption/Gallery]]
*[[List of development renders in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|List of development renders in ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'']]
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption teaser trailer|''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' teaser trailer]]
*''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview]]''
*''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Premiere Edition]]''
*''[[Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Tin Kit]]
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption bookmark]]
*[[Iwata Asks]]
*[[Special Mission]]
*[[Jacqueline Goehner]]
*[http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mp3/packs.php Gallery of merchandise]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://wii.nintendo.com/site/metroidprime3/index.jsp Official Site]
*[http://www.metroid.com/ Official Metroid series website]
*[http://wii.nintendo.com/software_metroid.jsp Game page at Wii.Nintendo.com]
*[http://wii.ign.com/objects/748/748547.html IGN's ''Metroid Prime 3'' page]
*[http://wii.advancedmn.com/game.php?gameid=1467 AMN's ''Metroid Prime 3'' page]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21553.html Game trailer from E3 2007]
*[http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/metroid-prime-3/ Metroid Prime 3: Corruption @ GameSpy]
*[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/game/928517.html Game page at Gamefaqs.com]
*[https://www.mobygames.com/game/wii/metroid-prime-3-corruption Title at Moby Games]
*[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/wii/928517-metroid-prime-3-corruption Title at Gamefaqs]

{{Metroid games}}

[[ru:Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
[[Category:Prime Series]]
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