That isn’t to say that Nintendo rarely makes games in the franchise but you’re more likely to get a remake than actual new game to continue the story. Also, Metroid is really the only franchise that actively continues the story from game to game. You don’t get that in the main Super Mario games or the Zelda games. It’s a different adventure with a lot of the same characters each time but Metroid builds upon the story.
That could be one reason fans enjoy the franchise. Of these franchises, this is one Nintendo will be flexible with in regards to letting other studios work on games for it—with close supervision.
