Nintendo says that its long-awaited sequel to 2002’s Metroid Fusion is the end of a five-part saga, concluding Samus’ battle against the Metroids. Maybe they’ll miss some in-jokes or fan service references, but history is largely unimportant. A player can hop into Paper Mario: The Origami King without ever playing another Mario title.
Nintendo sequels don’t often require you to play the games that came before it.
