Intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran took some time off after the events ofSuper Metroid, as Nintendo could not find a satisfactory way to bring her space-faring exploits to the N64. But, when it was finally time for Samus to return, Nintendo hired Retro Studios to developMetroid Primefor the GameCube. It was unusual for Nintendo to license theirproperty to other developers, but as games likePrimeandThe Minish Capby Capcom have shown, the results tend to speak for themselves.
ThePrimeseries showcased exactly how one should go about transitioning a 2D franchise into 3D, as it retained all the class, spirit, and integrity of the side-scrolling games while propelling them into a new dimension. Over the twenty-plus years that have passed sinceMetroid Primewas first released in 2002, it has spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and a fourth entry that is slated to launch on Nintendo Switch in 2025.
7Metroid Prime Pinball
DS Title Is A Competent Pinball Game And Not Much Else
ThePrimebrand was fairly popular in the aftermath of the first game’s release in 2002, and the fact that one of Samus' most iconic abilities is being able to turn into a ball was perhaps too good to pass up, as Nintendo launched this underwhelming pinballgame for the DSin 2005.Metroid Prime Pinballwas conceived during the development ofMetroid Prime Hunters, and they pitched the idea to Fuse Games, who had previously madeMario Pinball Land.
Metroid Prime Pinballisn’t an entirely awful game — it’s a competent pinball game on a platform that is a nifty fit for this type of experience. The boards look rather nice, and the connection of Samus' Morph Ball ability within the confines of a pinball machine is fun, but it’s ultimately a novelty title that has remained largely forgotten as thePrimeseries released more titles.
During a time when fans were begging and pleading for a newMetroidgame, Nintendo’s response wasn’t exactly what anyone was hoping for.Metroid Prime: Federation Forcewas announced at E3 2015 andlaunched on the 3DSa year later as a co-operative multiplayer shooter.
Unfortunately,Federation Forcefell short of being either a funMetroidgame or an entertaining co-op shooter. It featured a harebrained plot and some questionable design choices — a shame, considering the prospect of a multiplayer shooter set in theMetroiduniverse is intriguing, butFederation Forcedidn’t come close to achieving that promise.
Metroid Prime Hunterswas developed by an internal Nintendo studio, as Retro was busy withEchoes. Set between the events ofPrimeandEchoes,Hunterswas as close as one could get to having this series on the go, and the finished product was ratherimpressive for a DS title.
Huntersalso makes use of the stylus for aiming, while movement is controlled with the d-pad. It works most of the time, and the brisk pace of the game helps to make up for any incongruity in the control scheme. In terms of the two handheldPrimegames, the other being 2016’sFederation Force,Hunterswas able to translate the home console nature of the franchise the best.
After years out of the spotlight during the 1990s, Samus returned in fine form viaMetroid Prime,a surefire GameCube classicthat propelled the bounty hunter into superstar status. It’s still one of the most impressive and innovative titles of its generation — and the first game to put players directly behind Samus' visor to enter full-blown first-person shooter territory.
But, what really madePrimespecial was how it deftly transferred the game mechanics from Samus' 2D exploits into 3D, as this first-person adventure game features a brilliantly interconnected map, outstanding combat, and a sense of discovery that is unmatched. The deeper exploration of the Chozo mythology is also perfectly handled, as it delves deeper into Samus' roots. Seeing loose elements from previous 2D entries brought together into something cohesive is absolutely marvelous.
While the first twoMetroid Primegames found a home on the GameCube, the third entry was made for the Wii and took full advantage of the innovative control scheme on offer. InMetroid Prime 3: Corruption, the player makes use of the Wiimote in order to aim and fire, tapping into the potential of the console more than perhaps any other game in the library.
Corruptionsees the events of the previous game,Echoes, come to fruition as Samus battles not only a Phazon infection but also goesup against Dark Samus, who she briefly battled at the end of the second chapter. This incredible third chapter of thePrimeseries is still worth playing today, as the precise aiming of the Wiimote meshes perfectly with the pristine map design and pitch-perfect combat.
In the wake ofMetroid Prime’sincredible success, Nintendo tasked Retro with developing a direct sequel. Set an indeterminate amount of time after the first game,Metroid Prime 2: EchoesseesSamus embark on a dark journeyon the planet Aether, where she crosses between the dark and light worlds in order to progress.
Echoesalso sees some of Samus' usual weaponry swapped out for an arsenal focused on light and darkness, as they are core elements of the game’s design. Additionally,Echoesfeatures a fun multiplayer mode, the first in the series to do so, and it is absolutely worth playing today. The slick visuals, precise combat, and dark story all meld together brilliantly asEchoesis one of the GameCube’s finest hours.
As the long, agonizingwait forMetroid Prime 4continues, Nintendo sought to find a way to bring fans up to speed with the series and remastered the first game for the Switch in 2023. The end result was nothing short of perfection, as this astonishing GameCube title was rebuilt for the Switch and showed just how wonderful the game always was.
Metroid Prime Remasteredmaintains all the awe and wonder of the original game, featuring remarkable visuals and the same snappy combat system. It is a perfect fit for the Switch and looks incredible either docked or in handheld mode. It also introduces some nifty accessibility options, a slew of bonus content such as artwork and soundtrack gallery, as well as a reworked HUD. It is the best way to play one of the industry’s finest games — and the best game to date in theMetroid Primeseries.
