A 3DS Metroid game was in development by Next Level Games. However, according to a nameless developer, the game's development was shelved in favor of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. Concept art for it was later leaked online on 2014 in a portfolio for Next Level Games belonging to artists Nelson "Dedos" Garcia and Xochitl. The concept art indicated a more angular style, and contained art for Samus as well as a Boss Creature. An Iwata Asks interview previously mentioned the prototype without revealing it was Metroid: Chad: We had made a prototype in preparation for that meeting.