Sakurai Primes a New Stage: Frigate Orpheon Revealed

[Misto-Roboto]

<p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/stage20_071218a-l.jpg" title="It's almost beautiful, isn't it?" alt="It's almost beautiful, isn't it?" align="middle" border="0" height="315" width="400" /></p>
From the Metroid game that changed its franchise, is the a stage based on the Frigate Orpheon. This stage’s setup came from Metroid Prime. In Metroid Prime the boss of the Frigate was a massive parasitic queen.



This stage is riddled with hazards like many other Metroid stages within the Smash Bros series. Things like the power going out…
<p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/stage20_071218b-l.jpg" title="Ahhh, damn it, Samus forgot to pay her power bill again..." alt="Ahhh, damn it, Samus forgot to pay her power bill again..." align="middle" border="0" height="315" width="400" /></p>
<p align="center">and the stage turning 180° make this for a ban worthy… err, I mean hectic stage.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/stage20_071218d-l.jpg" title="Flip-bi-de-doo-dah, flip-bi-de-day! My, oh my, what a fine stage!" alt="Flip-bi-de-doo-dah, flip-bi-de-day! My, oh my, what a fine stage!" align="middle" border="0" height="315" width="400" /></p>
<p align="center">Don’t worry though, the stage gives you time to expect the stage inversion from a siren that goes off.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/stage20_071218c-l.jpg" title="Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" alt="Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" align="middle" border="0" height="315" width="400" /></p>

 

[BrianM]

Good to see the Prime series getting recognition.

 

[Ryuujiin]

Good to see a Metroid stage without lava.

Oh and Snake still got back!

 

[Panda_Convoy]

I think that the overall design is a might bit bland, however, I do like the lighting a lot in this stage. I specifically enjoy the green floor panels that glow in the dark, and also kind of mesh with the regular lights for this very surreal lighting. Also I think the stage will be a quick 180 flop as opposed to the agonizingly slow Brinstar Depths. Not much to worry about other than a quick "CHANGE PLACES!" stage flop every so often. I think it'll be interesting enough without being so detrimental to our health.

The music update was a bit odd, too... Not that I argue, it's just unusual to see a music accompany a stage update that isn't some "mega blowout." It's a nice piece although, I confess, my unfamiliarity with the Mother series makes me a little less attached to it... Especially since it's from 3. Also, while being a very nice piece, I'm not sure it will be reaching the highest marker on My Music.

(if this post looks familiar, I apologize. I meant to post it here and misclicked the thread I wanted and just was not paying attention.)

 

[Fanewgie]

Good: Yay for Prime representation! I wasn't really expecting it to get much of a nod outside of trophies and such.

Bad: Boo for Prime 1 representation. Seriously? Parasite Queen? Is this the best they could come up with? The boss from the first 10 minutes of the first game? Out of three epic games - one containing a parallel universe and one containing a planet MADE OUT OF PHAZON - this is what they come up with for a stage representing the Prime trilogy?

Also Good: Having a stage hazard (?) like the Parasite Queen gives Ridley, Kraid and Dark Samus a higher chance at being epic bosses - or assist trophies - instead of annoying stage hazards.

 

[RazorwireTroop]

Holy crap when Sakurai Mentioned 180 degrees I thought. Wait this stage mes it possible for 3d fighting? lame. But then I saw Pictchas (pictures) and had an orgasm. I Love the Metroid Franchise.

 

[burrito]

Yes! METROID PRIME! Although this wouldn't really be my pick for a stage to represemt Metroid prime.

Plus, I don't really understand the rotating aspect. Probably just because I'm tired.

 

[Deleted member]

This, to me, hints for Ridley.

Why?

Well, didn't Sakurai say something about stages fitting in with characters more?
Samus = Frigate Orpheon
Ridley = Norfair (with the awesome Ridley boss battle music)

But, that's my 2 cents.

 

[lanky_gunner]

this is one of those updates i HAVE to reply to.

i love this stage. i seriously don't think this could be a banned stage at all! i mean, you have sirens that indicate when the rotation will happen, there are no stage hazards whatsoever, and the platforms are actually pretty well put, unlike Brinstar Depths, with it's small platforms and jagged floors.

and i love we're getting Metroid Prime rep. now i just wanna see a Meta-Ridley costume for Ridley when he's announced as playable.

definetely a stage i'll play often

 

[AuraLancer]

Maybe I'll actually use this stage, unlike Brinstar Depths.

 

[The Qu]

This, to me, hints for Ridley.

Why?

Well, didn't Sakurai say something about stages fitting in with characters more?
Samus = Frigate Orpheon
Ridley = Norfair (with the awesome Ridley boss battle music)

But, that's my 2 cents.

And then you factor in Ridley's music track too. He'll be in in some form or fashion.
Very nice looking stage! I love the graphics here, especialy the lighting in the latforms. Not sure if I dig the rotation tho. Oh, and the dorks complaining about zero Prime content can stop whining now!

 

[MajinNecro69]

Definitely unique, a stage that has periodic blackouts. Nice to see the Prime series get some representation, too.

All we need now is a playable Ridley and I'll be quite happy :D

 

[Sasori's_Shadow]

I love seeing Prime get some recognition in Brawl, and a Metroid stage without lava is nice for a change, but if they were going to represent the Metroid Prime series with one stage (and I'm not saying that they are), there are much more important, better options for a background setting than the very first boss battle in the very first game of the series.

But don't get me wrong, it's still a good choice, and I'm absolutely loving this stage, it's just that I don't want to see any lost potential in Prime's representation if that makes any sense at all.

 

[ChozoChampion]

Good: Yay for Prime representation! I wasn't really expecting it to get much of a nod outside of trophies and such.

Bad: Boo for Prime 1 representation. Seriously? Parasite Queen? Is this the best they could come up with? The boss from the first 10 minutes of the first game? Out of three epic games - one containing a parallel universe and one containing a planet MADE OUT OF PHAZON - this is what they come up with for a stage representing the Prime trilogy?

Also Good: Having a stage hazard (?) like the Parasite Queen gives Ridley, Kraid and Dark Samus a higher chance at being epic bosses - or assist trophies - instead of annoying stage hazards.

yeah i was kinda hoping for a phendra rifts stage..... and u said 3 epic while i feel that echoes( besides the dark/light thing) was just recycled enemies and weapons from prime.

still hoping well get a phendra rifts song here but the atmosphere says otherwise

 

[DarkSpidey13]

hell freakin' yeah! it's not Artifact Temple, but it'll do for now. :D

 

[Mr. M]

Mmmm...

I guess this stage is alright. Kind of bland though. Graphics look a tad worse on this stage then the rest. Oh well. They could've chose a different area too, but I understand why they chose this. Most people would know this area and boss right off the bat, even if they did not complete the game.

 

[DraginHikari]

Looks like an interesting area... but this is another one of those things where the screen shots don't dicate the real thing very well.

 

[Mic_128]

It's a bit dark, but looks like fun. And it seems decent enough from what I can see to be tournament legal.

 

[Magmar's Wrath]

The really interesting thing about this update is that they are starting to bring up secondary stages for series. That is really nice to see, because I cannot wait for the second Star Fox stage.

 

[Nybb]

You just know that there will be lava coming from somewhere.

 

[TheLongestShizzle]

You just know that there will be lava coming from somewhere.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAH not

anyways..

Yeah I like this stage =] And updates dont always should everything about a stage so there might be more to it thatll make it more interesting.

 

[Darkfur]

This isn't a real metroid stage if it doesn't have acid or lava SOMEWHERE. =p I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Queeny back there breaks out and spits at the stage.

 

[Loadsy]

Aside from this being one of the best updates IMO, I also feel that this is an excellent representation of the prime series because I can remember this boss battle vividly and it is easily on of the most exciting first areas of any game again IMO. My prediction for the rest of the week is; wednesday an actual metroid as an assist trophy, thursday Ridley playable (please god!) and then on friday we learn some of his moves. I hope im right! And wouldn't it be awesome to have Meta Ridley as a color change.

 

[soviet prince]

The really interesting thing about this update is that they are starting to bring up secondary stages for series. That is really nice to see, because I cannot wait for the second Star Fox stage.

I hope there making a stage for each character that way norfair will kind of confirm ridley.

 

[silver777]

It looks like we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! The filler updates are coming to an end, lo and behold, the awesome updates are finally returning! <3 <=D

 

[Spellman]

I agree with alot of people in this thread. I am very glad they're giving Prime some recognition. I know there are better places, but this is a memorable place in Metroid Prime, so I'm glad to see it. I also like the overall lighting in this level, just look at Kirby.

Personally, Tallon Overworld would be my choice of level for the Prime series. Probably more up on the upper areas of the vines to make it a ring out level, and have rain and waterfalls and stuff as scenery. And the music! Boy, we had better at least get a Tallon Overworld arrangement of the Brinstar theme at the very least.

Looks like an interesting area... but this is another one of those things where the screen shots don't dicate the real thing very well.

And I agree with this, things will really come alive and go into perspective when we see the real thing. I find video game screenshots look shoddy and pixilated, so I always tread carefully before I judge. I can imagine some consistant light flickering in this level to bring out the background.

 

[Arrow]

I like the stage a lot, although I agree that it seems a strange choice to represent Prime, over Phendrana Drifts or the Artifact Temple. Actually, I'm kind of glad they didn't use Artifact Temple, since I can't think of anything that would really make it unique, aside from statues shooting lasers at you (which would be annoying) or Meta Ridley doing fly-bys (which would ruin his playability chances). And hopefully we'll get a nice Phendrana remix for the Metroid series in My Music. Aside from that, I also think the way this level works is kind of odd, considering that it never flipped or had the power go out in Prime. Still, very excited to try this one out, since the whole flipping aspect looks really fun.

 

[Chepe]

Yeah, it does look like the good updates are starting to come. Double updates of stage and music? Those two could really have been separated if they really wanted to...

Anyways, I think that this is a good representative of Metroid Prime if only because it was the very first area explored in the very first 3D Metroid experience and new game (along with Fusion) after 8 years. Yeah, most will recognize this place.

Whats interesting to me is the whole flipping idea... It looks like a successor to Brinstar Depths from Melee in a way... Norfair with the acid theme, and Frigate Orpheon with the flipping theme. Not exactly the same, but the movement methods are awfully similar...

 

[MajinNecro69]

Oh boy, I HOPE that it's turning out to be a character per stage, that way Samus & Ridley have one for each of them :D

Uh oh...does that mean that there may be only two Star Fox reps (Unless they bring back Corneria AGAIN :D)

 

[Blue X]

This is turning out to be a good week. Took me a second to remember the parasite queen from Prime 1 but it definitely looks like an awesome stage.

 

[O Rly?]

Huzzah! Love the stage. Brinstar Depths was one of my favorites until I started playing semi-regularly on local tournament levels, when I realized the ceiling was stupidly low.

This seems to have the opposite effect - a much taller ceiling! Hooray!

Let's just hope you can't tech off the above platforms, though. This type of hecticness might make for a fun level, even in tourney play (it's certainly not going to be a neutral stage, but a good counterpick, perhaps >_>

 

[SinisterLizard]

Finally! A Metroid stage I don't hate!

 

[fighterkirby7]

why everione hated metroid stages? they are greatn and this is the second best!(only losing to norfair,that huge lava wave and security area idea were genius.)

 

[WarioII]

im lovin the glow in the dark look when the lights go out and the random turning of the stage thats great i love randomness

 

[Cereal Rabbit]

I might actually start to have a liking in metroid stages!

Is it the first Metroid stage that doesn't involve lava?

I'll love the glowy stage!

 

[00Elf]

Well it's about time Sakurai, it's one of the best updates in what, seven weeks?

 

[Uchiha.Sanosuke]

I...actually like this stage.

It looks cool, and it bring good memories back of Prime. And...lo and behold...

IT ISN'T COVERED IN LAVA.

Good news, good good news.

 

[Eaode]

A Stage that Rotates 180 degrees?

I TOTALLY CALLED THIS

Okay, what you will see is a REALLY crappy GIF version. Please click on it to see the full, awesome, flash version




NOTE: when the stage is upside down, the moving platform (up and down) cannot be stood on. This will prevent ******** camping.

This stage has no theme yet. I just wanted to make an awesome rotating stage (keyword awesome, ie. NOT Brinstar Depths.)


Whatchall think?

 

[gamer8]

I love it!

 

[IllidR]

I like the looks of this stage, it's very creative and should be fun!