I saw the trailer for Metroid: The Other M. Now while it blew me away, there were some things I had trouble with. So an a frame by frame analysis was in order. Here are some highlights to what I think clarify things for those equally confused.

- Firstly it’s a Team Ninja + Nintendo and then Team Ninja X(?) Nintendo collaboration. Nintendo has collaborated with other developers on it’s previous series; Sega/Amusement Vision for F-Zero GX; Namco with Soul Calibur II/ Starfox Assualt; and Capcom for the Zelda Oracle spin-off games. So it’s only appropriate this one feels very much like a Ninja Gaiden.

- I’m guessing (and this is only a guess right now) that The Other M will take place between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, and use flashback sequences to back up certain narrative aspects shown in the trailer.
Highlights

0:39 – We see a young lady in a military like uniform looking out of a window. She may or may not be Samus. Various games in the series have hinted of her service in the Galactic Federation at one time or another.

0:40 - Regardless she’s giving something a firm thumbs down.

0:50 – “Any objections, lady?”: This is most likely Adam Malcovich. Malcovich was an intergral part of Metroid Fusion’s storyline, despite being dead by the time it was set. Samus lamented on Malcovich having been her commanding officer during her time in the Federation. His death was said to have pushed her into bounty hunting rather than sticking around in military service. Also hints or confirms the young lady is Samus herself: Malcovich’s trait was calling her “lady” something which Samus would later claim would sound dodgy if said to her by anyone else.

0:59 – Trailer title. This could be working title? “The Other M” could refer to a line from the ending dialogue of the original Metroid game “...But it may be invaded by the other Metroid” – Possibly more Metroids? By the time Super Metroid is set, the Metroids are extinct... well naturally, anyway. Cloning? The Federation accomplished that Metroid Fusion when Samus finds the hidden breeding facility...

1:03 – CQC: Samus now fights up close without needing to use her arm cannon.

1:13 – ... but uses it in combo with her physical attacks.

1:16 – Ridley. Not Meta or Phazon like in the Prime games.

1:23 – “Remember me?”... Nope. Possible Samus buddy?

1:28 – Mother Brain attacking a giant Metroid in a cinematic version of Super Metroids final battle. More proof of flashbacks?

1:31 – “Time to go,”...Samus speaking or her suit? Metroid Prime showed Samus’ suit could give her verbal announcements. Samus generally is never heard speaking, but has text in Metroid Fusion.

1:47 – “I’m Samus Aran,”... Samus Aran meets someone called “Samus Aran”. Hints of cloning? Definitely not how Samus got her suit because it was given to her by the Chozo prior to the first game.

1:25 – 2010. But notice how numbers at the top of the screen reads “3 25”. This is an Americanised date. So 25th March 2010 is a possible launch date.

UPDATE: Well, it's been confirmed The Other M takes place between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. The Federation cloned Metroids during Fusion, so this might explain Samus meeting Samus.

The esteemed (In alphabetical order)