gaming Mario and Metroid...related?

[Discordian 6,021]

While it's a long shot and it comes from a comic that's probably just making a joke I can't help but see it as a possibility.

 

 

Could the Mario and Metroid universes be the same? There's already some possible connection floating around with Kirby and Mario. Maybe all Nintendo games are connected. (Not counting Smash Bros)