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Ok, so this is a Metroid, the star of the Metroid series of video games for numerous Nintendo consoles (like you didn’t already know that...) :

A Metroid as it appears in ‘Super Metroid’ for the Super Nintendo.

Now, normally one might think it would be extremely easy to sculpt something like this in 3D; at least as someone with 3D experience might. Throw some spheres together to represent the nuclei, throw that into a larger sphere, add some claw-tusk-lookin’ things and you’re set! Here’s the problem: that image and it’s subject are two dimensional, and that means there’s no cheating and turning him around so you can see him from different angles. I’ve run into a few problems in doing this...

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This video needs no introduction. Enjoy...

Finally! My Samus model COMPLETE!! MMUUWAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

OK, OK... so I’m no Frankenstein, but this is freakin’ awesome. This thing is gonna get a nasty rig, and I’m gonna animate the sh*t out of it!

  

Head over to the project page to check out other media!

OK, I gotta pat myself on the back for this one. This model is looking bad-ass. I’m loving how the textures are looking all retro-y (before you ask, yes, it’s supposed to look that way!). I ended up getting the model down to 496 polygons, but I can’t remember where I gave or took a few and ended up with 502. I’m happy with that! I am uber pumped for how this one’s gonna turn out!

So far it’s taken me about three to four hours a night to get this far. I’ve spent probably a total of 25+ hours on ‘er. Head on over to the projects section to check out the texture work. It’s probably pretty sloppy, I dunno, but the actual file isn’t something you’ll see in the final product.

More to come!

Super Metroid Redux project page

Threw this model together for a few hours tonight. It probably doesn’t look like much to people that don’t know 3D without a texture on it, but you get the general idea. The model is under 600 triangles for anyone interested, but I think I may try to bring it down to 500. I got a lot of influence looking at the character model for Super Smash Brothers, and judging by the characters in other Saturn or PlayStation games, 500 looks to be pretty high already. We’ll see how she looks when there’s a texture on there, but for now I think it’s coming along pretty well! A few more tweaks here and there and she’ll be ready for some animation!

Click here to see more Super Metroid Redux project details / history

The Plan:
Remap the Tourian zone on planet Zebes entirely in 3D, or 2.5D to be more specific, with graphics similar to that of a Sega Saturn or PlayStation game. Create polygonal templated objects for all environment pieces. Create polygonal objects for all interactive characters; Samus, Metroids, Mother Brain, etc.

If it helps, think Super Metroid on Kirby 64 mode.

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Went with Torie and Ted to the Sanford Flea Market on Sunday in search of some retro action. I’d hoped to find some rare Sega Saturn games, maybe some SNES collectibles, but hadn’t really even thought about what I’d purchased. The good fellas at Game Trader had a mint condition Model 2 Super NES; I couldn’t resist. I’ve had the traditional console since it was around in the early 90s, but was always fascinated by the sleek miniature design of the Model 2. The only problem is that I think the A/C adapter is bad, because the console doesn’t come on. I’ve tried it with the original model and it does the same: sends a signal to the screen but I guess not enough of one to actually play anything.

Along with the console, I managed to snag a bundle deal on a few games. I’ve not played an actual SNES console in ages as most of this stuff is easy available via emulation. But there really is nothing like playing this stuff with the original controller. Better yet, an ASCIIWare controller!

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