Metroid Prime sequel in the works.

[OB1]

OB1, I do believe that Prime is a spin-off series.

It's a prequel, not a spin-off title. A spin-off title would be something like Luigi's Mansion or Mario Golf.

Adding wall jump isn't too needed, but screw attack and the full version of the space jump sure are Metroid staples. Making them 3rd person would mean that jumping normally would eventually turn into a 3rd person thing later in the game. That would make the controls suddenly shift, or change how certain jumping areas are handled. Now, you may think a first person screw attack would make you dizzy, but there's nothing that says they have to spin the camera too. Just add some wacky electric stuff on the sides of the visor to indicate the attack is active or something.

It was just a thought. I really can't think of much that would make for a better 3D Metroid game.

Bump mapping would have BEEN the "other cool graphical touches" that using fewer textures would have freed up. Of course, it's very likely that they will simply get better and better at this. The next one should likely have bump mapping so it's no biggy. Actually, often the illusion of texture was given to many things in that game without using bump mapping, mainly the creatures.

No no, that's not what I meant. Using bump-mapping in a clever way like with what they're doing in Halo 2 and Doom 3 would allow for lower-poly models and environments to look very high-poly. For instance, look at the new Master Chief model. He's actually comprised of less polygons than the Halo 1 Chief model, but thanks to clever bump-mapping placement he looks ten times better. They're doing the same thing to vehicles and environments as well. But Prime didn't use any bump-mapping at all, which is puzzling since the GC's first big game (Rogue Leader) showed us just how well the GC can utilize that effect.