Metroid Prime Hunters is a first-person action-adventure game published by Nintendo and developed by its Redmond-based subsidiary, Nintendo Software Technology, for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America in March 2006, with other territories later. A part of the "Metroid" franchise, the story takes place in between the events of "Metroid Prime" and "". Players assume the role of series protagonist Samus Aran, who investigates a mysterious message that originated from the Alimbic Cluster and comes into contact with a legion of bounty hunters.