The next Metroid Prime title will likely skip the WiiU in favour of Nintendo's next-generation NX console, says series producer Kensuke Tanabe.

Citing the long development times for HD games, Tanabe said "If we started for Wii U now, it would likely take three years or so. So it would likely now be on Nintendo's NX console."

"It would need to include a lot of content, which would take a lot of work on the development side."

Tanabe told Eurogamer he wants the next Metroid Prime to focus on a single planet, with a time-shifting mechanic at the core of its gameplay.

Little is known about Nintendo’s upcoming NX console other than the fact that it is "a brand new concept" based around a new subscription service.

Nintendo announced Metroid Prime: Federation Force for the 3DS last week at E3 2015, but the series has not seen a home console title since Metroid: Other M in 2010.