The Metroid saga, a beloved Nintendo franchise, spans decades, starting with the original release in 1986. Numerous entries, spin-offs, and remakes have graced various Nintendo consoles and handhelds, solidifying its place as a gaming icon. Known for its atmospheric environments and rewarding gameplay that encourages exploration, Metroid has consistently garnered positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The series boasts a unique blend of 2D exploration and first-person shooter gameplay, exemplified by the ‘Prime’ subseries. With the highly acclaimed ‘Metroid Dread’ launching in 2021, the original ‘Metroid Prime’ finding a new home on the Switch, and the eagerly awaited ‘Metroid Prime 4’ on the horizon, the franchise continues to captivate gamers. But which Metroid games stand out as the absolute best? Let’s dive into our definitive ranking of the series, from the least favorite to the undisputed champion.
Predictably, ‘Metroid Prime: Federation Force’ lands at the bottom of our list. While not completely dreadful, its focus on online co-op for the 3DS, a system not known for its multiplayer capabilities, left many players disappointed, especially after the six-year gap since the previous game, ‘Metroid: Other M’. The latter was considered one of the series’ weakest entries, making ‘Federation Force’ feel more like a missed opportunity than a fresh addition. If you can overlook the lack of Samus and embrace the gameplay with Galactic Federation Marines, you might find some enjoyment, but otherwise, it’s easily skippable.
‘Metroid Prime: Hunters’ follows a similar trend of failing to capture the essence of Metroid. It deviates from the traditional formula by adopting a first-person shooter perspective, but feels considerably watered down compared to the ‘Prime’ series. Though impressive for the Nintendo DS, the game’s core mechanics feel drastically different from the elements that drew fans to Metroid. Adding to this disconnect, ‘Hunters’ heavily leans into PvP online play, attempting to capitalize on the popularity of games like ‘Call of Duty’. While not terrible, it falls short of delivering the quintessential Metroid experience.
‘Metroid: Other M’ proves a fascinating case. Critical reception painted it as a good, albeit flawed, game, yet it often receives scorn from fans. While we don’t consider it as bad as its reputation suggests, ‘Other M’ certainly isn’t great. Its most significant flaw lies in its linearity, a stark contrast to the open-world exploration that made earlier installments so captivating. The sense of exploration is virtually absent in ‘Other M’, replaced by a more constricted experience. It also prioritizes narrative over other aspects, which might appeal to some but disappointed longtime Metroid fans. To further complicate matters, the game required players to hold the Wii Remote horizontally, a departure from the conventional control schemes, adding another layer of frustration.
‘Metroid II: Return of Samus’, released for the Game Boy in 1991, is a product of its time. While well-received upon its release, time has not been as kind to it. Limited by the hardware capabilities, the levels tend to blur together in ‘Return of Samus’, with a repetitive visual aesthetic. By today’s standards, it feels rigid and clunky to play, despite some improvements over its predecessor. Its narrative significance within the Metroid series makes it noteworthy, but thankfully, players can opt for the 3DS remake (which we will discuss later) instead.
It’s hard not to feel nostalgic for the original ‘Metroid’ on the NES. An undeniable cornerstone of gaming history, its timeless visuals still hold up remarkably well. Its emphasis on exploration is beautifully executed, rewarding players with items and power-ups that unlock new areas. However, after 35 years, it understandably shows its age. Occasional moments of clumsiness, sluggish gameplay, and finicky mechanics make it challenging to recommend in 2021. Navigating without a map can feel almost impossible, but its influential status and pioneering female protagonist earn it a spot on this list.
Venturing into the ‘Prime’ trilogy, ‘Metroid Prime 2: Echoes’ follows the phenomenal original. This GameCube installment introduces the Dark Samus doppelganger and is the first in the series to feature multiplayer. ‘Metroid Prime 2: Echoes’ places a stronger emphasis on narrative than its predecessor while maintaining its focus on top-notch gameplay. Like the original ‘Prime’, it utilizes a first-person perspective and incorporates puzzles, platforming, exploration, and shooting. While it’s a fantastic game, its relentless difficulty spikes hinder its overall enjoyment, preventing a higher ranking.
‘Metroid Prime 3: Corruption’, the concluding chapter of the ‘Prime’ trilogy, launched for the Wii in 2007. While its ranking relative to its predecessor is often debated, ‘Metroid Prime 3: Corruption’ boasts some of the best shooting in the series, delivering a satisfying conclusion to the overarching story (despite the upcoming ‘Metroid Prime 4’). Visually, it was groundbreaking at the time and still holds up fairly well today, though showing its age slightly. ‘Corruption’ expertly combines the series’ best elements, refining first-person shooting, puzzle-solving, and exploration. Its only downside lies in its reliance on Wii Remote controls.
‘Metroid Fusion’ succeeds ‘Super Metroid’, a monumental task that it manages to overcome with remarkable success. It embraces the beloved formula while introducing innovative ideas. ‘Fusion’ features a sprawling, open-ended map teeming with power-ups and items. It leans more heavily into combat and narrative than ‘Super Metroid’, prioritizing linearity over exploration. This shift may be polarizing, depending on individual preferences. One of ‘Fusion’s strengths lies in its subtle narrative approach, weaving bits of the story throughout the game rather than dumping a massive exposition at the start. Without spoiling the intricate plot, ‘Fusion’ is packed with twists and turns that enhance the superb gameplay.
‘Metroid: Zero Mission’ is a delightful addition to the series, allowing players to experience the original ‘Metroid’ in a modern context. Released for the GBA in 2004, this full remake is a testament to the original game’s lasting impact. Playing the remake reveals numerous improvements upon the original, from tighter controls and faster character movement to smoother jumping. Visually, it remains stunning even after 17 years and will likely continue to hold up for years to come. Unfortunately, its availability is limited to the GBA and Wii U Virtual Console, making it difficult to access.
The most recent 2D Metroid release, ‘Metroid: Samus Returns’, is a 3DS remake of ‘Metroid II’ that launched in 2017. This remake revitalized the second game, allowing a new generation of players to experience the story without the limitations of the Game Boy’s hardware. Beyond the remake aspect, ‘Samus Returns’ introduced innovative elements like 2.5D camera perspective shifts and significant improvements to controls and mechanics. ‘Dread’ borrowed heavily from the ideas in ‘Samus Returns’, including the stylish melee counter and certain perspective shifts. If you’re aiming to catch up on the series before ‘Dread’, ‘Samus Returns’ is an absolute must-play.
The idea of a first-person 3D take on Metroid seemed improbable, yet ‘Metroid Prime’ not only succeeded but felt like a natural, elegant evolution from 2D to 3D. This transition could have been disastrous, but ‘Prime’ seamlessly integrated the mechanics that define Metroid while incorporating new features thanks to the perspective shift. ‘Prime’ achieves a higher level of immersion by presenting the world through Samus’ eyes. This immersion elevates the stakes of the entire adventure, a remarkable feat that deserves immense praise. This could easily have devolved into a mindless first-person shooter, but instead, it feels more like Metroid than anyone could have imagined. This Gamecube classic was remastered for the Switch and plays better than ever in 2023.
Unsurprisingly, ‘Super Metroid’ claims a top spot on our list, having first graced the SNES in 1994. Its enduring popularity, despite being 27 years old, speaks volumes about its masterful design. While the original games featured clever mechanics, ‘Super Metroid’ refined them to the point of standing the test of time. Beyond its mechanics and level structure, ‘Super Metroid’ holds up aesthetically, showcasing beautiful 2D sprites that surpass many 3D games from the 1990s. While not perfect, ‘Super Metroid’ has some dated aspects, but its exceptional gameplay shines even today. Thankfully, it’s readily available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Yes, it’s that good. ‘Metroid Dread’, upon its release, wasn’t just excellent, it somehow made the 19-year wait feel worthwhile. Few games have lived up to such high expectations, but Nintendo and MercurySteam delivered a masterpiece. The level design contributes significantly to the enjoyment, offering ample exploration with a satisfying progression system. This game will test your skills, so be sure to check out our beginner’s guide. The clever design teases players with inaccessible areas, generating excitement when they finally acquire the power-up needed to reach them. The bosses are expertly crafted, the atmosphere is palpable, and the visuals are undeniably the best in the series. This game is a must-play.
