Metroid Games You Need To Play Before Metroid Dread

You can straight up ignore the Prime games in this scenario. They're just there to fill in the blanks between Metroid 1 and 2 but you do have to play all of or at least most of the 2D Metroids since those are what count for understanding the relationship between Samus and the other Metroids

You should also put Another Metroid 2 remake because it's far superior to both of those in my opinion and it's mostly Canon anyway except for the boss editions but it still works.

@moodycat I think Samus Returns is great and is probably more relevant since it's the official Metroid 2 remake but AM2R was incredible

BOO! A COMPLEX JRPG THAT HAS A DIFFICULTY CURVE THAT ISNT COMPARABLE TO DARKSOULS! RUN!!

**ahem** now that the game journalists are gone, play AM2R if you cant play Samus Returns and read up on the story of Samus Returns. Very good game!

Ok so I never played a metroid game, But you know with this knew one coming out I played some of super and........Lord do I love it, what the hell have I been missing out on, I have play metroidvina's But WOW this game is Amazing, I just loving going from room to room, Looking for new power ups, I can't tell you how fun it is, and to think I have been missing out of this for years, And metroid dread coming out with the creepy vibe, is going to make this game 10/10 for me.

@Snatcher

Played it the first time 2014 and i was thinking the same.
The Atmosphere is incredible.

@ketsu112 LOL, you made me remember the one guys who couldn't beat the tutorial on cuphead, and the one dude that said new super mario brothers is hard LMAO!

@Azuris How Have I been missing out on this game LOL, I just never wanted to try one, thought it would be boring but no, its really really good.

@Snatcher Dang, I envy someone getting to play Super for the first time. Have fun with it!

@Sdelintwouters I came to the comments just to point out that Prime Pinball is a retelling of Prime, so is an alternative to the story of that game... Technically...

I wouldn't choose Super Metroid to a newcomer in all honesty as the world is huge and you'll easily feel lost unless you know what you're doing.

Zero Mission is the best start point with its decent difficulty. If you like the structure, then go with Fusion as the level structure is not very large.

Finally..if you want challenge, then play Metroid 2 and then Super Metroid

I'm kind of stuck in the middle of Super Metroid. I'll get back on it eventually. That's what happens when I start a game when I'm already playing through another game (or two or three). But Super Metroid is a classic. I've enjoyed my time with it so far, which is saying a lot given that it's my first playthrough of an old game.

Looks like Super is on NSO, will have to give it a go. Haven’t played a Metroid since NES, and I was young and stupid so I didn’t actually do so well in it. I just remember trying because fiends liked it.

Lemme guess, you guys saw the post on reddit and decided to write a whole article about it?

@moodycat 100. That game is magical. I couldn't put it down, whereas I felt like I was forcing myself to play Samus Returns.

@Socar Super Metroid is much easier to navigate than say, the original Metroid. It's got very distinct architecture to the levels and the feeling of being lost may only occur once you have opened up the entire map and aren't sure where to go. The original Metroid makes everything look the same, so it's very easy to get lost, there. Metroid Zero Mission is an excellent choice, as well.

But seriously, AM2R is significantly better than Samus Returns, like by a mile or more.

I think Super Metroid might be a tittle hard for newcomers. I'd start with Samus Returns since you'll start to understand if you like this kind of games, and also it should feel a lot like Dread. If you really like it buy Dread and in the meantime you can try another one, like Zero Mission, Fusion or Super.

...Do we REALLY have to play these games? lol
I played Zero Mission, Metroid II I never played since it was NES and I wasn't a big fan of most of those games, Samus Returns I skipped out on because, well...3DS, I haven't touched that system in a long time. Super I played, but never beat it, and I played Fusion. o.o

@Pirate1 Super is much easier than the original, due to, oh I dunno...HAVING A MAP SCREEN lol.

But yeah, give it a go, it's a blast!

Fusion will probably feel the closest to dread, since there was a certain sequence in the game where you're basically powerless and just have to run. If you can find some way to play it, I really recommend it.

EDIT: Ah sorry, I'm thinking of Zero mission for the stealth sequence! My memory is not as great as I remember it being I guess.

"If I only play one Metroid game, which should I play?" I would not recommend NES/GB versions. But before answer I would ask: what do you seeking?

If you're seeking the origin, Zero Mission
If you're seeking the "feeling", Super Metroid
If you're seeking a closer gameplay, Samus Returns
If you're seeking the closer in plot, Fusion

But I really recommend play them all, even Other M and Prime series (including Hunters), only not Pinball, Federation Forces and NES/GB

@Socar I agree with you. Zero Mission as an entry point all of the way.

For me, Super Metroid rivals Breath of the Wild in terms of how I went into both without much expectation, but quickly ended up loving them.

However, the main reason I’m here was just to comment on how Sakamoto and his team have stressed numerous times about how it doesn’t matter if you’ve played a Metroid game before if you want to play Dread, yet here we are with the title “Metroid Games You NEED To Play Before Metroid Dread”. Nice one NL 😂

@mjharper I am in the same boat! I started with Metroid Prime(s) and my first 2d was Fusion and then Zero mission and then Samus Returns (Orignal) then Samus Returns remake. Lastly I have finally got around to playing Super but keep getting stuck in the middle and moving to other games. I have restarted the game at least 3-4 times because that seems easier then trying to figure out what I need to do where ever I am at.

The author left Other M off this list. If you're going to play 1 Metroid game, it should be that one... baby.

Okay but seriously, I think Zero Mission is the place to start. Not only chronologically is it the first, but it has more modern conveniences for navigating that were absent in Super, and the gameplay physics are a lot snappier. Super Metroid is a masterpiece and I personally prefer it to ZM, but it is annoyingly floaty at times, and the map design is more obtuse than ZM. I don't know that I would have finished it if it was my first Metroid.

@Jokerwolf @moodycat for real? I agree AM2R is awesome and really make me feeling satisfied about a remake for Return of Samus (for me it's almost unplayable), but in my opinion Samus Returns is in a higher level of gameplay

With all the easily available walkthroughs online, there is no reason why someone couldn't start with the NES original. It is a great game.

For £50, these should all be bundled with Dread.

I still think GBA games will be added to NSO later this year, giving access to Zero Mission and Fusion.

These should all be available on Switch E-shop, I was devastated when my 3DS died and I lost all of my game library - including metroid Fusion

Super Metroid is about as perfect as a game can be in my books, it's my favorite non-RPG game of all time.

Zero Mission and AM2R (the Metroid 2 fan remake) are also both top tier games.

Fusion is quite great as well.

The original Metroid and Metroid 2 are quite dated (the lack of map in particular hurts them a ton) and as a remake I found Samus Returns to be throughly average.

Then there's Axiom Verge as well, I mean it's not really a Metroid game but in my opinion it's by far the most succesful attempt at copying the formula and I do believe it compares quite favorably with the actual Metroid games.

@Tandy255 I keep waiting for that as well... C'mon Nintendo... Also add Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, but we all know Square Enix will keep that firmly within their clutches.

Luckily, since Metroid fusion came out, games like Hollow Knight and Ori have massively brought prevalence to the Metroidvania genre so I hope that everyone adopts this.
Metroid fusion was the one I liked the most as I was early teens when I was obsessed with it. I cannot wait for this

@Snatcher You need to play Fusion. It's my favourite for sure. I first played it on Wii U VC, right after beating Super Metroid for the first time and it blew me away. Loved everything about it. I'm confident GBA is next up for NSO and Fusion will be added before Dread is released. Fusion was the first GBA game added to Wii U VC.

I've never played Zero Mission though. Many rate that as the best Metroid.

I think Super Metroid will always be my #1, but I'd say Fusion is a close second. I know it gets some flack for being too linear, but that honestly never bothered me. The narrative is engaging, and Samus has a lot more personality than she does in most of the other games. Also it has some freaking epic boss fights. That weird bio-weapon thing still creeps me out.

@moodycat It's very good too, but I wouldn't say is "better done" than Samus Returns. Both are great, and deserve to be played.

@Socar I was 11 when Super Metroid launched, and I adored it and still adore. It is not hard at all, you just have to have some patience.
In my unimportant opinion, Super Metroid is the game I played which meets its demands best. The final half hour has no words, but it has more drama than most games out there. Does it make it to the best video game of all time? Maybe. It‘s just fantastic!

SuperMetroid: a great game marred by an extremely unintuitive system to climb (sort of) walls. I always give up when that ability is unlocked

@RCGamer yeah for real, if you play Metroid zero mission then another Metroid 2 remake it feels like they go together better thematically.

I still vote Other M isn't a canon entry

@Snatcher Great to see you enjoying Super Metroid! Oh what I’d give to play it again for the first time...

Since there is four games it would have made sense to me to release two double packs in the same graphics style before dream. Metroid 1/2. And then Metroid 3/4. But I can just dream. I’d happily throw my money at them.

"Fusion technically follows the events of Metroid: Other M, a title that sits between the GBA entry and Super Metroid in the timeline but is viewed as a spin-off of sorts thanks to its differences from past games and its first-person perspective"

Don't you mean Metroid Prime? MOM is not first person

I only play Metroid Prime Federation Force 3DS because it looks like Armored Core.

@Richnj "With Dread"?? Lol!

I agree with Super Metroid being the perfect Metroid entry game for newcomers. It has the first Metroid formula but with many adjustments to make it friendlier to play and easy to navigate while still being challenging enough.

And the more we pretend Metroid MOM never existed, the better.

I bought Other M at Gamestop for $5, and then when I inserted the disc, my Wii wasn't able to read it, or any other disc from that point on. I'm not blaming the questionable direction of character development for what happened to my Wii... but I can't rule it out entirely.

Other M and Federation Force are the only titles I've yet to play. And I think that's alright.

I never actually beat Samus Returns on the 3DS. If I can find where my charging cable went off to, I might give it another go.

Played them all. Safe to say my personal faves are, every single one of them. Weakest is the first, but what a remake. Prime 1 is a masterpiece, Super Metroid is a masterpiece.

@DK-Fan 😝

Nintendo: Metroid 5 (where we pretend that Metroid: Other M never happened)

I actually enjoyed Other M, but it is flawed and I never felt the need to revisit it.

All of them minus Blast Ball and Hunters. Yes that includes Metroid Prime Pinball😁

All amazing games, Super Metroid, Zero mission, Fusion, Samus returns. Next Dread:)

I’m currently playing Ori and The Will of the Wisps and I love it, really excited for Metroid Dread.

It would be nice if Nintendo gave us an official way to play these on switch... because most of these game by now are pretty hard to come by and same for their console...

on 'availability', you forgot that both Metroid (NES) and Super Metroid (SNES) are available for free through Nintendo Switch Online service

@RunGMhx the Wii U has everyone except pinball and fed force (both of which you can play on 3DS). I own every Metroid Multiple times (including Fed force) and i have so many hopes for the series that i've e-mailed Ninty an they've come up with, "dread" the working title for Fusion back in the day.
Edit: i may have got the Dread working title from a mistranslation during 2002, because Wiki says dread was the DS game title that never came to fruition. I recall it from GBA, Gamecube era. Not DS.

@LinktotheFuture I completely agree. It is such a revolutionary game that totally nails the controls, atmosphere, music, feeling of exploration, etc. I still go back and play it every once in a while.

Where to jump in probably comes down to play style. Super Metroid is good for those more into the exploration and navigation aspect. That's less my thing, so Fusion and Zero Mission are a bit more my style as I like having a bit of guidance on where to go. But all three of those play very well.

I had never played Metroid before part two came out on the Game Boy. I had a Game Boy by then and a friend of mine already had it at strongly recommended it. The game became one of my favorites on the system and I played it multiple times over the years. It really felt like a big deal at the time and I loved the game play and world design. Perhaps it hasn't aged well as some say, but I'll always love it. I can't find the new 2.5D Metroids by MercurySteam appealing.

@nessisonett Just one of those moments you wish you can just remove form your mind, just so you can in joy it all over again.

I love Fusion so much. Still remember buying it for saved money at EB Games while my parents were shopping for groceries at the local mall. I couldn't hold my excitement, so I started it up in the car on the way home.

I would call Fusion a horror game and the one giving me the most Alien vibes, with everything going silent at times and the only thing you can hear is the footsteps of your evil copy. When that happens you know you soon have to run for your life.

10/10 game. Glad I still have my childhood copy.

Nintendo Life doesn’t consider Other M essential!?!?

Joking. Although I do love Other M (come at me), the storytelling is pretty terrible. I don’t really like the storytelling in Fusion other (though the plot is much better), but I think they make good companion pieces, especially in chronological order. And despite all the whining the gameplay is superb. Feels more like Samus in 3D than Prime does IMO.

All that said, playing Metroid for the plot is like reading Playboy for the articles (for anyone old enough to get the reference).

@nothankyou Other M is super canonical. It was a deliberate attempt to bring the series story away from the Prime tangent and incorporate elements from the canon manga. Like it or not.

@Markiemania95 Haha. I'm sure they say that so newcomers aren't intimidated and it's good they are making this game with that in mind. But let's be honest, going into this game after a good base knowledge of the series' best games would make it a much better experience.

I am so excited for Metroid Dread. All the Metroid entries are fantastic. I even love Other M. Even with the flaws and the loathing it receives it's one of my favorites and I'd rebuy on switch in a heartbeat. For anyone who hasn't played Zero mission, or Super Metroid you are really missing out on a great experience.

I’ve played all these apart from Federation Force but… there’s a story?!
I truly had no idea.

If you're going to play Metroid 1 and 2 for nostalgic purpose, I suggest using NSO or an emulator with a rewind feature. Zero Mission, Super Metroid, and Fusion are all classic games and it's harder for me to pick a best one the more I play them. AM2R is another must play that follows the same winning formula as these 3.
I still haven't got around to Samus Returns mainly because of the 3ds but may buy it and then just emulate it since 3ds seems like a tough purchase in 2021.

I recommend Metroid Samus Returns, if you can only play one before Dread.

It's modernized, the counter is incredible, the visuals look so good with 3D and it's portable. I'm playing it now because I can't wait 4 more months- the hype is unbearable. The exploration perhaps isn't as elaborate as say, Super Metroid, because it's a Remake of the Gameboy entry, but it's still crazy good.

I may play Metroid Zero Mission, Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion at some point after Dread though.

Ay, us Metroid fans are eating good though. After all that time, we finally got Samus Returns, finally got Prime 4 announced and now we're getting Dread. And the Prime Trilogy is still likely coming to Switch. It's so good to see the fanbase HAPPY for once and assembling en masse for the hype. Not too long ago we were assembling en masse with pitch forks.

I see that E3 has given game journalists more stuff to talk about.

Or don't and just play the new one.

@Ulysses Dropping GBA games on NSO in September would be a great way to build up to the release of Dread.

The Metroid games I need to play before Dread? The answer is simple: “All of them.”

Edit: Except for Federation Force. There, I’m in the clear, people! Don’t attack me!

For Metroid Fans. This is a post I copy and paste but I hope it's helpful to someone interested in more Metroid. Fans have done alot and the series has possibly more great games because of it than anything beyond Mario.

I don't agree with the general sentiment that the first two games have aged that badly. The first 2 games certainly aren't as polished as the newer ones but I think they have some charm still. However fans have certainly made them better with Metroid HD being a terrific improvement hack and Metroid 2 EJRTQ being a quality hack that adds colour. I'd suggest that anyone play them like that. I'd also recommend all to play the two terrific fan games AM2R and Metroid Planets that remake the first two. AM2R has an excellent Reddit community continuing to evolve the game. Metroid Planets has a terrific remake AND reimagining of the first game that unlike Zero Mission stays faithful to the original mechanics. It's not well known but it's astonishingly well polished.

There's also a considerable amount of awesome mods/hacks on Metroid Construction, especially for Super. Super has the terrific mod Project Base that creates a more modern experience and Fusion has the quality Sequence Breaking mod that opens the game up. Aside from that there are all new experiences. Here's the best hacks that create all new games based on my experience. There's many others worth playing as well but this is a great start.

Metroid 1:

Rouge Dawn
Incursion
Over the Moon

Super Metroid:

Hyper Metroid
Ascent
Escape 2
Vitality
Ancient Chozo (Similar to Super but different and gorgeous enough to recommend on it's own)
Nature (Vanilla, means it has little to no graphical or mechanical changes)
Recovery (Vanilla)
Hidden (Vanilla)
Retroid (Metroid 1 remake in the SM engine)
Y Faster (Speedrun)
Y Faster 2 (Speedrun)
Super Zero Mission (Hard)
Eris (Hard)
Redesign Axeil Edition (Hard)
YPX (Hard)
Cliffhanger Redux (Very Hard)

Zero Mission:

Scrolls 6 (Haven't played it, heard good things)

Also there are some real cool randomizers:

A Link to the Past and Super Metroid combo randomizer
Zelda 1 and Metroid 1 combo randomizer
Varia Randomizer for Super Metroid
Metroid 1 Randomizer
Zero Mission Randomizer
Fusion Randomizer (In Beta)

It's really quite amazing what fans have done for the series. Even the first two Prime games have randomizers. And despite what people may say even Other M is a decent game, albeit with a silly story and some clunky mechanics. Thankfully there's a mod for it too called Other M Maxximum Edition that fixes most of the common complaints.

@nessisonett Play the incredible hacks on Metroid construction. I think you'd be very happy with Hyper Metroid to begin.

I'll be doing the full timeline playthrough, but not when Dread releases. I'll do it when Prime 4 releases.

@moodycat I think both are great in their own way. There's also a wonderful colour hack called Metroid II EGRTQ that's a real nice upgrade to the original. As for AM2R it hasa terrific Reddit community who continues to support and update the game.

@ChromaticDracula Federation Force receives a lot of undeserved hate. It was simply a way to expand the Metroid franchise. Granted, I didn't like the chibi style but it had the gameplay of the Prime games and offered good, fun multiplayer. To me that's a great example of the internet jumping on the hate bandwagon for the sake of it.

@Kevlar44 Currently about 80% of the way through an OOT randomizer run so I’ll check those out after I’ve finished that!

@TheFrenchiestFry yeah... But they are pretty good lol

I wouldn't play Samus returns for 3ds. I'd play am2r as it captures the original game much better and is a joy. Much better for me. It's on PC and Mac I think check it out you won't regret it.

Played all of them. Pretty much the same for Zelda and Mario, except the ones that shall not be named.

@NinjaWaddleDee
Agree with that, I started with Fusion which was the most recent at the time and enjoyed it so went back. There's no need to scrap to play every single one.
I liked other m and it was very interesting. Give it 5 years and we'll be being told 'other m, the missed classic!' Just like Doshin the giant.

It'd be cool if, y'know, I had any of these devices...

Anyways, I am able to try Super Metroid, so I hope it's good:)

Well I played the original 3 roundabout their release, but haven’t played any since. I was definitely gonna play Fusion before the new one, but maybe I’ll start with Zero Mission, then Samus Returns since I never played those either.

I would if any, and I mean ANY, would be available on Switch

You gotta play Super Metroid with the lights off and the music loud. Preferably alone. The atmosphere is sublime.

Only Metroid I've beaten is the second one on the Game Boy a few weeks ago. Had a blast with it. Definitely need to beat a few more before Dread.

Fusion is the only I never finished...
Too bad I can only play Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion using an emulator, I would love to play those games on my Switch!

@AFCC I think you can play the first Metroid and Super Metroid, but you need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

@SuperWeird Thats hardcore dude LOL.

some day... there will be an official Metroid vs Castlevania crossover.

That moment when the Wii U has a better selection of Metroid Games that the Switch. Now that I think about it, you can play all of them except Metroid II and the Remake on the Wii U.

While controversial in these parts, AM2R is excellent and also fine way to experience Metroid 2.

I'm going to echo others and say you could also throw AM2R in there (as well as Samus Returns, not replacing it).

A lot of people saying it's better than Samus Returns - but for me it's apples and oranges. They both do different things well and both do some things badly. I think because it is a real underdog story, it's nice to think a lone developer did a much better job than Nintendo but for me they are difficult to compare.

Either way, it's an extremely good fan game. It feels really professional with just a little jank (I found it too easy to cheese the lower level Metroids, and remote controlling the robot felt clunky and fangamey).

Also, I did enjoy Other M. Story is awful, really terrible, rubbish. But i remember enjoying a lot of the gameplay. I haven't played it since launch but I remember enjoying it in spite of its flaws. So, maybe worth a look (after the rest).

Also, for Metroid Zero Mission, there is a small hack that removes the hints (there are Chozo statues that tell you almost exactly where to go). Without those the game is more exploratory and closer to the original/Super Metroid.

My problem with Super Metroid is I can't get past the spot where those 3 little green creatures teach you to wall jump. I can't get the wall jump down, no matter what I do. I had to stop playing there, and it made me really sad, because I was having the time of my life up until then.

@LinktotheFuture

Yes, the wall jump mechanic is awful in that game. Super Metroid is my favourite game of all time but the wall jump is terrible.

In fairness, it was released before wall jumps were common but it's still too difficult to pull off (and not that useful elsewhere in the game).

The metroid games aren't that long either.
Super Metroid is only 6-7 hours long.

@LinktotheFuture
I spent a good few 20 minutes in that pit trying to nail down that wall jump. It sucks, but when it clicks, it clicks.

@PaulBizkit @Splodge I have spent a few hours trying to get it, and failed. Maybe I will try again someday. I would love a remake with an easier wall jump.

@LinktotheFuture Look up a tutorial if you need but it's actually not that hard. The key is to press in the opposite direction and repress jump as soon or shortly after Samus grabs the wall. You'll see a distinct animation with her hand placed on the wall. Make sure you are spin jumping as well. I don't believe you need to hold run but many find it helpful, especially since you need to be pressing it to spin jump. Basically spin jump into a wall, wait for her animation of grabbing the wall, and then press jump and the opposite direction at the same time.

To continuously wall jump on the same wall just press back in the direction of the wall after making your wall jump. You can simply quickly press left and right essentially. It's odd but very easy once you get it. Practice makes perfect.

If you're stuck in the pit in Brinstar with the monkey looking aliens you can also use a bomb jump to get out if wall jumping isn't working. Press the bomb button and after getting knocked up press it again as close to the floor, but before landing, as you can. Once you are in the air simply press the bomb button again when your ball touches the previous bomb again. You can intiate a bomb jump with mid air morph too but that's likely more difficult for most as you need to be quick to get into morph, especially without high jump.

@Snatcher I will say, to never have played a Metroid game, you sure sound like you have. If you're being sincere, I envy the joy you'll have of playing them for the first time.

@Kevlar44 I did watch a video at the time. It didn't help. This was back when Super Metroid came out on the Wii VC. Haven't touched it since, so it has been awhile.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if I was also experiencing some lag? We had just gotten a HDTV, but this is back when 50 inch HDTVs were $3000. The worst part was that the TV died just a couple years later.

@Sdelintwouters I quite liked Other M, but otherwise I agree

@PaulBizkit Yep, it's definitely like puzzle solving finding new ways to reach platforms in Metroid games. A big percentage of the fun, if you ask me.

I'm not sold on this game.

I need to see how much content it has, the price seems to steep when games like Hollow Knight cost a fraction of the price and have a ton of content in them.

I'll hold off until reviews and possibly a sale.

Wow, why did they even list federation force? That was a metroid game in name only. Hard pass on that one and I'm a die hard metroid fan. Maybe even one of the only people that enjoyed Other M.

I really enjoyed Other M. Fusion was a bit too linear for my liking and I'm hoping that Dread won't be the same.

Metroid Prime Federation Force, and Other M never happened. They NEVER HAPPENED.

@tseliot Not lying to you man, I have played metrovania's But never a metroid game, Oh boy do I love it.

No map?! Of course Metroid had a map, you simply had to call up the fine folks at Nintendo Power and pay by the minute to be walked through it

Timely article.

I already begun my first playthrough of Metroid: Zero Mission on Wii U, just made it to Kraid. Don't know why I didn't play this one back in the day but getting to experience for the first time now is so good.
I'm going to need to buy Samus Returns soon but why is it expensive on the second hand markets? Is it rare for some reason?
Super Metroid I have on numerous systems and played already but never beaten for some weird reason. That will change this time.
Metroid Fusion was my very first 2D Metroid back on the OG GBA. Absolutely loved it. I had to buy it again on Wii U because both my GBA and OG DS have died.
And that will leave Dread. I already have my Collector's Edition and amiibo preordered!

@WCB I got a copy of Samus Returns (3DS) on eBay (US site) in January for $33. I do see it is $45 or so now. A year or two ago It used to be even cheaper than that. I decided to grab it in January when I saw the prices creeping up and figured it was because it was out of print since 3DS was discontinued. I bought a Wii U for the Virtual Console for playing Minish Cap and the GBA Metroids which all go for $80+ for authentic cartridges. I think used game prices are very high right now with the switch drawing people like me who played Nintendo games in our childhoods (but sold all our systems and games) back into gaming.

@Sdelintwouters Are the spin-offs considered canon?

@TheFrenchiestFry who the hell wants to ignore the prime games they are incredibly awesome games with alot of epic exploration and soundtracks.

Metroidstyle games to also try would be Blaster Master and Bionic Commando on the NES, Rohga on MAME, Turrican, Ranger X and Vectorman on Sega Genesis, Cybernator and Front Mission - Gun Hazard on the SNES. Also Super Mario Bros Extra, the best SMB1 hack ever, is a Mario-Metroid hybrid hack that you really need to play.

I got into Metroid by playing Super Metroid in the late 90s. I really enjoyed the game and it was like nothing else I had played up to that point. I kind of feel bad saying I really enjoyed it though because I never finished it. At the time I really never finished games because I wouldn’t press on past anything slightly difficult or confusing. I tried again in 2018 when I got back into gaming and also didn’t finish it. (To be fair I think I got distracted by playing Ocarina Of Time 3D) I am willing to press through difficult parts of games now (I loved Hollow Knight and Celeste). I need to give Super Metroid another try from the beginning at some point. I think I understand how to approach it and not get stuck now.

I do think newcomers to series like Metroid or Zelda are probably better off starting with a newer entry or remake than going with and SNES or NES era game. I find that I am better at appreciating the older games once I have built up enough to knowledge of the series to fill in the blanks where the older games don’t help me know what to do next as much.

Zero Mission > Super > Samus Returns > AM2R > Fusion > Other M > Return of Samus > Metroid

I've beaten every Metroid game and have beaten AM2R. Metroid Prime Hunters is my favorite game in the series, followed by a toss up between Super Metroid and Metroid Prime: Federation Force. Hunters is slept on, and Federation Force is very underrated as a single player experience. The essential game(s) to play before Metroid Dread would either be Metroid Fusion, its direct prequel, or Metroid: Samus Returns, to be familiar with Dread's similar style and gameplay.

At first I read it as “Metroid games to play before you’re dead”. I suppose it’s just as well.

@jon625 the prices on ebay are ridiculous and my local ebgames have none in stock, but I did find a copy on Amazon with a pegi rating so I guess it's a pal version (damn 3DS for region locking). Anyway it should arrive next month.

This is how I think I will play them.

Metroid- Famicom Disk System
Metroid II Samus Returns- 3DS
Super Metroid- Super Famicom
Metroid Fusion- GBA Char Aznable Special Edition GBA SP
Metroid Dread Special Edition- Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite.

@Joeynator3000 Metroid II wasn't an NES game. It's a Gameboy game.

Super Metroid is up there with Super Mario Bros. 3, Breath of the Wild and Chrono Trigger as almost perfection in gaming, and I say that knowing it has flaws (the jumping mechanics, for example).

@Lyricana Forgot about that, lol

Bring back the Mother Brain!

@roy130390 I’m actually very happy you bring up the chibi style because that was my exact gripe with it. It just…. Felt silly.

@Kevlar44 oh WOW Metroid Planets looks amazing!! I never heard of it until now and I just looked it up but holy crap that looks good.

@LinktotheFuture You know what I was thinking about it and when I learned I think my issue was I wasn't pressing the change of direction on the dpad quickly enough. Make sure you do it as fast as you can. Sometimes taking a step back can be really helpful, often times frustration makes us incapable of correction. I struggled at first too so I know it can be overcome. Hope that helps, I'm sure you can do it.

If not just remember that it's not required unless you save down in the pit. Don't go to the bottom of Brinstar without space jump and it's a nonissue. If you haven't played Zero Mission I always recommend that as the first Metroid one should play, it's much more forgiving with wall jumping too. Good luck!

@ChromaticDracula I'm glad I could help. It's actually continually improving. The discord is a great resource btw. I feel like posting to help others be aware is a small but solid contribution to a community that has given so much to me. It's a great scene with talented people doing all kind of awesome things while getting nothing in return but appreciation. I feel from your comment that the appreciation of others certainly has value as I appreciate your appreciation. lol. Enjoy.

@Papichulo I enjoyed Super Mario Bros. Extra myself however some sections I felt were a bit too difficult. Navigation could be a little much too. I'd only recommend it for players who like a stiff challenge but it really is a good recommendation for many and a hack I often forget about. Quality hacks are underrated gems, it's just too bad how difficult it often is to find the diamonds amongst the rough.

@Kevlar44 I have beaten NES Metroid, Zero Mission and Fusion. Almost beat Samus Returns, but I stopped playing for some reason.

I will have to give Super Metroid another shot on Switch Online and I will be sure to get Space Jump. Thanks for the tips!

@cainswo I'd always recommend Zero Mission first and if you must play the original first I'd suggest the remake in Metroid Planets, the mOther hack, or Metroid HD as they really add a lot to the enjoyment while staying faithful to the originals layout and mechanics. The NES original can be very tedious, cryptic, and unfair at times, especially without Varia. I see you like Hollow Knight so I would imagine you're capable but I also suspect you would have a better time with one of my recommendations from above. I grew up on the original and even with my nostalgia googles I wouldn't recommend it as an intro into the series but to each their own. I'd actually recommend the original Metroid 2 over it, it's pretty hard to argue it isn't the worst game in the series. It's got a good excuse being the first but fans have really unlocked it's potential and I'd say the suffering it can bring is best left in the past. Regardless I hope you manage to enjoy this incredible series.

“but if you're new to the series and want one quick blast to get you ready for Dread…”

Got to be a round of Blast Ball surely? Metroid but footy - what could be more perfect match?

You could basically ignore Metroid Prime games. However, the first Metroid Prime (Gamecube version) is probably the best game in the series, or at least as good as Super Metroid and Samus Returns. So, if you haven't played Metroid Prime, you will be losing a lot. It's one of the best games ever (97 in Metacritic)

@Snatcher I am a little jealous of your newfound love. To be in love for the first time with Metroid was awesome.

Then again, this is a game that feels fresh again after a few years. I should pick it up again.

@LinktotheFuture Maybe I'm remembering it wrong but I think wall jumping was completely optional in Super Metroid. You need it to get some hard to reach items, but it's not needed to finish the game. I think once you are in the room with the little creatures teaching you how to do it you are stuck, but you could just go back to the last save room.

Ah man, what a quality list of games. Great series.

can someone tell me what's wrong with other m before I make the mistake of playing it?

@Double-L It's not what people wanted is the biggest problem. The issues it has are overblown. However this is what they are:

1. The story. It has moments of absolute absurdity, I found it funny myself but there's 3 moments in particular that are silly to say the least. I don't play Metroid for story so I find it easy to not be bothered by it. It's a game, most of the stories in games are not literary masterpieces.

2. Some quirky gameplay elements. Pointing the wiimote at the screen for missiles is annoying at first and never quite as intuitive as one would like but you get used to it. The dodge is overpowered and can be abused. Healing with focus is a little silly and can be overpowered. Controlling with the dpad instead of the control stick isn't ideal.

3. It's fairly linear.

However there is honestly a lot to like too, that's why it reviewed so well. Action is fast and moves are fun and satisfying to pull off. The cinematics and graphics are impressive for the Wii and it's probably the best looking Metroid game ever IMO. The story isn't that much more intrusive nor the game any more linear than Fusion, which I actually prefer Other M to. The gameplay is still king here too. It's a very well made game for the most part but it's in a series that's provided near perfection before it and as such it was nitpicked to a degree that was as absurd as any of the story complaints. If you don't take the story seriously, accept that the controls may take some time to get used to, and that it isn't Prime then you should be able to enjoy it. I think Skyward Sword for example is a much more flawed game from the same era and people keep giving it a chance. I'm convinced most of the biggest haters didn't actually play it or quit quickly when they realized it wasn't like Prime. I honestly think many of it's flaws, like story and linearity, are shared with Fusion a game that doesn't receive much hate because it didn't do anything different control wise and the internet was still young. If you're really concerned about it's flaws you could always patch it with the mod Other M Maxximum edition and play a fan improved version that corrects most of them. If you're a Metroid fan I think you're missing out not giving it a chance personally, I always felt it could have been remastered into something excellent as it had a lot of potential.

@Kevlar44 thanks i always get lost in Metroid games and need tutorials maybe a more linear game might be better for me

Just started playing Zero Mission and now have Brinstar music stuck in my head... But man is Samus awkward to control. I played some of the original and Super since I have them in NSO and it seems like a common thread for the series. I don't think even Simon in the first Castlevania was as janky.

Do we know where Prime 4 will fit in to the timeline? I'm assuming it'll be set before Dread but does anyone know for sure?

If you want to play a version of Metroid 2, don't listen to the people saying "Play AM2R - it's so much better than Samus Returns." I haven't played AM2R, so I can't comment super well on which is better, but that's not the point.

Samus Returns was developed by the same people who are making Metroid Dread. It has a similar visual style, and more importantly, is the core foundation on which Metroid Dread is being built. The melee counter and free aim? Those come from Samus Returns, along with a bunch of other stuff.

Sakamoto has already said you don't need to play the others to get the story, since the story so far will be explained in the intro to the game. If you want to have an idea of how to play a Metroid game, go with Samus Returns on the 3DS, as it will prepare you for playing Metroid Dread specifically. That, and it really is an awesome game.

@Snatcher Aw yeah, another one has hopelessly fallen into the abyss that is loving Super Metroid.

People talking about fan made games... am2r is not part of the real series. It just copies gameplay from Zero Mission and Fusion. Samus Returns is the true remake and offers more interesting, modern gameplay and you simply can't beat the free aim. If you own the game, I'd recommend trying it with Citra 3ds emulator and play with a real controller. It's superb.

@Snatcher go play them ALL The GBA games, the Prime series.. all are excellent! The way Retro Studios adapted 2d Metroidvania gameplay in 3D.. it was amazingly well done.

Also going to throw in that Samus Returns is far better than AM2R. AM2R is an alright fan game, but it is a fan game through and through - it's Metroid II shoved into Zero Mission rather than a proper remake - and I suspect people champion it so hard because it's free and because they like the idea of petulantly playing a game Nintendo's legal team struck down.