Nintendo has faced a wave of criticism from its dedicated fanbase, with readers of GameCentral's letters page expressing significant disappointment over the company's 2025 output. The long-awaited Metroid Prime 4 has been labelled a letdown, failing to meet the high expectations set by its protracted development cycle.
A Year of Quantity Over Quality?
One reader, Thompson, set the tone by declaring 2025 a "very disappointing year" for the gaming giant. While titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are considered the best of the bunch, they are not seen as the top-tier, system-selling experiences typically associated with Nintendo. The sentiment is that the company has prioritised quantity over its usual hallmark of quality, with releases like Hyrule Warriors and Kirby Air Riders cited as games that could have been sacrificed for more polish elsewhere.
This perceived dip has directly impacted consumer confidence. Thompson stated they will not be purchasing a Switch 2 this year, opting to wait until a stronger lineup of exclusive games is revealed. The lack of clear information about the console's future offerings is a key point of concern for many.
Metroid Prime 4: Sent to Die?
The release strategy for Metroid Prime 4 has come under particular scrutiny. Reader Simon suggested Nintendo's relatively muted promotion for the title, coupled with its December launch just after the Black Friday sales period, made it seem like the game was being "sent out to die." They speculated this indicated a lack of corporate faith in the project, a surprising move given the Switch 2's current need for standout exclusives.
GameCentral's own review scored the game a 7/10, describing it as a "decent" but not "great" experience. This assessment has been met with resignation by long-time fans who had hoped for a masterpiece after the lengthy wait.
Broader Inbox Discussions
The Wednesday letters page, published on December 3, 2025Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with fellow player SlideAway1983 offering tips about audio-visual cues and the game's accessibility options, including a recent patch that made parrying easier.
Elsewhere, nostalgia and the passage of time were themes. Reader Bootles pondered whether Grand Theft Auto VI would one day look as primitive as the original Resident Evil does now, reflecting on how a game that seemed mature in 1995 is now viewed through a lens of camp nostalgia. Another correspondent, Marc, lamented the "grey and brown" aesthetic of many Xbox 360-era games, contrasting them with the brighter arcade styles of the 1990s.
Practical queries also featured, with Adams6legend asking about the graphical performance of Resident Evil Requiem on the Switch 2 and the possibility of a Resident Evil 4 remake port. Meanwhile, a reader named David sought advice on TV compatibility for a PS5 Pro, a console they discovered was a surprise Christmas gift.
The Inbox remains a vibrant community hub, with discussions on everything from the best games of the year to hardware compatibility. Readers can continue the conversation by emailing gamecentral@metro.co.uk.
