Metroid Prime 1–3 Visual Retrospective — Hardcover Sale

Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective — hardcover sale and what's inside

Sheena Vasani covers gaming news and gadget deals for The Verge. If Metroid Prime 4: Beyond left you wanting more story and artwork, Piggyback's Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective is a strong companion piece — and it's currently discounted.

Where to buy and the current deal

Normally priced at $49.99, the 210-page hardcover is available for about $41.08 at Amazon and Walmart right now. That's roughly $9 off the list price and one of the first discounts on this collectible tabletop book.

Design and presentation

The book was developed with Nintendo and Retro Studios and reads like a curated art book. The stitched-bound, canvas-like cloth hardcover features a red embossed outline of Samus Aran on the front. The production quality makes it suitable for display on a shelf or coffee table.

What you'll find inside

The retrospective collects concept art, sketches, and illustrations spanning the original Prime trilogy and Metroid Prime Remastered. Highlights include:

• Concept drawings of environments and level layouts.
• Character and enemy designs, including bosses and variations that never reached the final games.
• Early sketches showing the evolution of Samus' suit and weapons.

Behind-the-scenes stories

Beyond the art, the book includes behind-the-scenes commentary that adds context to the visuals. It covers development challenges such as Retro Studios' burnout after Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and sheds light on Nintendo's famously secretive process. Margin notes from series producer Kensuke Tanabe reveal design debates and decision points from across two decades.

"The margin notes from Kensuke Tanabe reveal design debates from over two decades ago," an especially entertaining peek behind the curtain.

Why it matters to fans and collectors

For readers interested in gaming news, design, and development, this retrospective offers both visual inspiration and historical perspective. It's useful for fans who want to dive deeper into Metroid lore, for artists studying game concept work, and for collectors seeking a high-quality book that documents the series' evolution.

Quick takeaways

• 210 pages of concept art and developer notes.
• High-quality stitched hardcover ideal for display.
• Includes insights from Retro Studios and Nintendo staff.
• Currently on sale at major retailers for about $41.08.

Sign up for Verge Deals to receive curated deals on products we've tested, delivered to your inbox weekly. Follow topics and authors for more stories like this on your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

— Sheena Vasani