Metroid Features
Soapbox 30 Years Later, Super Metroid's Foreboding Atmosphere Is Still Unmatched
Zeb-easily the best
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate Super Metroid's 30th anniversary, Ollie sings the praises of the game's enduring foreboding atmosphere... The Metroid series is perhaps best known for its...
Soapbox I Hated Metroid: Zero Mission At First, Until I Loved It
We all make mistakes
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate Metroid: Zero Mission's 20th anniversary on 9th February 2024, Ollie looks back on his initial experience with the game, and why first impressions can't always be...
Feature Samus' Suits, Ranked - Every Metroid Box Art Suit Design, From Worst To Best
"Honey, where's my super suit?"
Metroid's protagonist, Samus Aran, has a rather unique privilege in the world of Nintendo. Unlike characters like Mario, Link, and Kirby, all of whom retain the same general look across their respective franchises (okay, Link is a little more varied than the other two, but still), Samus' basic design can be altered...
Soapbox As A Colour Blind Gamer, I Can Now Finally Beat Metroid Prime
Prime-ary colours
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Rory how the recent release of Metroid Prime Remastered has enabled him to settle an old score. Prime endboss spoilers inbound... I know. I was a handsome bugger. It’s always...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime Remastered?
Scanning for scores
We are sure that many of you lovely lot have spent the weekend Morph Ballin' and we can't say that we blame you! After last week's Nintendo Direct finally brought us news of Metroid Prime Remastered we couldn't believe our luck; but when it dropped on the very same day we had to check if we were dreaming! Even more so was this...
Feature 6 Things We'd Love To See In Metroid Prime 4
It's been four years since development was restarted
This week — today, in fact — marks an astonishing four years since the announcement that work on Metroid Prime 4 had been restarted from scratch and shifted over to original developer Retro Studios. We all remember the day when Shinya Takahashi, Senior Managing Executive Officer at Nintendo,...
Feature Missing In Action - What Happened To These Switch Games?
Genshin Impact, Silksong, Metroid Prime 4, and Outer Wilds
Note: Having heard (finally!) about Pikmin 4, we've updated and added to this article (first published back in June). Enjoy! The media cycle that exists around video games these days can be quite punishing. After all, if you announce a game before it's ready, and then realise that it needs...
Feature Every Metroid Prime Location, Ranked
From Phazon to Phendrana
Note: the YouTube embeds featured in this article will naturally contain footage of some of the boss encounters within Metroid Prime, including the final boss. If you've never played the game, take this as your spoiler warning! (Also, you've never played Metroid Prime!? *tuts and shakes head for several minutes*) The...
Talking Point How Were You Introduced To Metroid?
Lets get this morph ball rollin'
In case you didn't know, tomorrow (Monday, August 15th) marks the 35th Anniversary of Metroid's NES launch in North America. That's insane, right? 35 years! Do you feel old yet? In the years and decades since its debut in 1987 ('86 in Japan), the Metroid franchise has gone on to become one of Nintendo's tentpole...
Feature 10 Top Metroid Cosplays - The Best Samus Cosplays We've Ever Seen
Plus a handful of villains
The Metroid series has delighted fans for over 30 years and currently spans 15 different games, with Metroid Prime 4 in development. Samus is the main protagonist of the games, and shocked fans when the fact she was female was first revealed back in Metroid on the NES, but her classic suit and the 'Zero' suit aren’t the...
Feature Seriously, What The Heck Is Going On Inside Samus’ Morph Ball?
5 theories to solve an armour-plated mystery rolled up in an enigma
The Metroid series is now in its 35th year, and over that lengthy period of time Nintendo has happily elaborated on everything from its star’s childhood to flappy parent-killing nightmare Ridley, Metroids, Chozo, and even creepy Phazon-created evil clone. In short, virtually every...
Feature Metroid Dread Has Plenty Of Other M's DNA, And That's No Bad Thing
Another M
Editor's note: This article discusses an audio-based character moment near the end of Metroid Dread. If you're sensitive to spoilers, you may want to finish the game and come back to this article later... For 15 years, Metroid Dread was just a rumor. Now, it’s real, it’s been out for over a month, and it’s fantastic. Samus Aran’s...
Talking Point The Metroid Dread Credits Debate Is Sadly Common
The video game development industry needs to respect its contributors
The conversations around Metroid Dread have been mostly positive since its launch, but a recent topic that has caused a good deal of debate and criticism of developer MercurySteam has related to the game's credits. Multiple contributors to the game have raised the fact that...
Soapbox 10 Reasons Why Metroid Fusion Is The Best Game In The Series
You clear Fusion
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been pondering. Today, as we look forward to the coming release of the next instalment in the 2D Metroid lineage, Stuart takes a look back at his very favourite game in the series... Hello. Did you know...
EMMIs in pursuit mode
Earlier today we reported that another impressive-looking fan-made Metroid game — a 2D reimagining of Metroid Prime this time — has been shut down after the makers received an inevitable cease-and-desist communique. Nintendo wasn't specifically named, but there are no prizes for guessing the "certain games-related company"...
Talking Point Can Metroid Dread Be The Franchise's 'Awakening'?
This could be a breakthrough for the series
Over the weekend our lovely folk in the video team posted a detailed chat, above, asking a simple but intriguing question — "Why hasn't the Metroid series traditionally sold well?" It's a good question, and it feels like one with a lot of varied answers. Let's summarise a few, before shifting to a fully...
Guide Metroid Prime 4 - Everything We Know So Far
Every shred of information on the upcoming Metroid Prime sequel
Metroid fans have had some ups and downs when it comes to Nintendo's haunting space-based series, but thankfully things finally seem to be looking relatively positive for everyone's favourite bounty hunter. After 2017's excellent remake of the Game Boy's Metroid II: The Return of Samus...
Feature Pokémon, Zelda, Mario, Metroid... Nintendo’s Biggest Bugs, Glitches And Errors
It’s a bug feature
Of all the developers putting out games today, Nintendo has possibly the best reputation for delivering rock-solid, glitch-free and glorious gaming experiences. The patented ‘Nintendo polish’ is something of a given when you fire up a first-party game - we expect an assuredly smooth, jank-less time where in games from...
Feature Please Understand: Unpacking Nintendo's Vision For Metroid Prime 4
Is Metroid finally on the right track after the Federation Farce?
Nintendo’s announcement that Metroid Prime 4 was effectively being taken back to the drawing board wasn’t exactly the January surprise fans were hoping for; the sizeable delay to this much-anticipated sequel was an understandable downer for fans. Despite disappointment, the video...
Guide Where To Find All The Upgrades In Metroid: Samus Returns
Upgrade path
Like any Metroid game before it, Metroid: Samus Returns is full of secrets, passages and loot for the famous bounty hunter to find. Your progression through the game is tied to finding these items as you'll invariably encounter doors, passageways and environmental hazard that necessitate the locating of these gadgets. To...
Preview Going Back to SR-388 in Metroid: Samus Returns
Exploring strange, old worlds
It’s hard to believe, but we haven’t received a proper Samus-starring Metroid adventure since Other M launched seven years ago - the role of Metroid Prime: Federation Force will always be disputed. Our chozo-suited heroine has finally come back to us in the aptly-titled Metroid: Samus Returns. It’s a...
Feature A Long Journey Through Metroid Prime: Federation Force
"Charge!"
Right now Nintendo is building the hype for Metroid: Samus Returns, but it's not been that long since our last game from the IP graced the 3DS. Metroid Prime: Federation Force was divisive (to put it mildly), and is now one year old. Amusingly, our editor Tom Whitehead and reviewer extraordinaire Conor McMahon only recently finished a...
Feature Re-acquainting Ourselves With an Old Ally in Metroid: Samus Returns
"It's time"
When it came to time for questions during our hands-on demo with Metroid: Samus Returns for the Nintendo 3DS, the very first thing we asked was, “Why now?” That's because, one deviation aside, Samus Aran has been out of the public spotlight for seven years - it's been a whole decade if you trace her absence back to the beloved...
Feature A Close Look at AM2R - The Metroid Game That Fans Deserve
Another Metroid 2 Remake, as the name says, but it does the job
Come along with us and take a glimpse into an alternate reality. It's not much different than the one you currently live in; in fact, it's nearly indistinguishable. The only change is that this is a world where Nintendo never stopped producing amazing Metroid games. On a relatively...
Guide Meching Sweet Chaos In Metroid Prime: Federation Force
The Bermuda System Campaign Field Manual
Look at you, fresh from boot camp standing tall and proud beside your shiny Project Golem Mech. Don't think this campaign will be a walk in the park; whether you fight alone or in a squad, the Bermuda System will be far from stable until we are done here cleaning up every single speck of Space Pirate scum...
Round Up Metroid Prime: Federation Force Predictably Divides Opinion
A force to be reckoned with?
Ever since Metroid Prime: Federation Force was first unveiled at E3 2015 it's proved to be somewhat of a controversial entry into the Metroid franchise - even more so than Other M if that were possible. Some bemoaned the lack of Samus, others weren't a fan of the chibi-style characters, yet some were cautiously...
Talking Point Free and Early Access Downloads Like Metroid Prime: Blast Ball Make a Lot of Sense
Working harder for sales
Poor old Metroid Prime: Federation Force - following its bizarre and poorly received E3 2015 reveal it's been kept largely out of the spotlight, only emerging in the past week with Nintendo opening the doors for previews and, somewhat surprisingly, releasing Metroid Prime: Blast Ball for free. Essentially a bonus / training...
Poll How Much Do Early Access and Free Downloads Affect Your Purchasing Choices?
Metroid Prime: Blast Ball is the latest to lure players in early
This week brought a rather interesting surprise from Nintendo, as it released Metroid Prime: Blast Ball as a free download. In Europe it's effectively a gift, seemingly a standalone download that takes the mini-game / training from Metroid Prime: Federation Force and hands it over well...
Hands On Squashing Space Pirates in Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Insane in the Mother Brain
It's safe to say the general - or at least loudest - response from Metroid fans upon the reveal of Metroid Prime: Federation Force was one of disappointment. One year on and things have calmed down a little bit, but is there enough in this game to sway those who spoke so strongly against it at E3 2015? First and foremost...
Dealing with daft dialogue, new controls and quirky ideas
Fans of films, TV shows, books and video games like to think their influence is significant in determining the general creative direction of a brand, especially in this era of social media and the very loud internet. To a degree they're right, too - when any IP becomes popular creators are...
Talking Point Metroid Prime: Federation Force and Entitled Fury
Federation Farce
You can read our headline in two ways - that the fury towards Metroid Prime: Federation Force and Nintendo's Digital Event as a whole is justifiable, or that 'entitled' is a criticism of attitudes in consumers that make specific, harsh demands and react angrily when they're not met. That's deliberate, as there's merit to either side...
Feature Nintendo Franchises We Want to See at E3 - Metroid
Crawling into the current generation?
In the lead up to E3 we'll be doing a series of features covering game franchises that we want to make an appearance at the show, and what we'd like to see out of a potential next entry in each series. In this entry Nintendo Life news, reviews and features regular Mitch Vogel thinks over the Metroid franchise...
Feature We Put Bayonetta 2's Nintendo Outfits to the Test
Nintendo's mascots have never been so deadly
Bayonetta 2, one of the highest profile third-party exclusives on Wii U — albeit published by Nintendo — is getting close to release. The Platinum Games extravaganza is all set to deliver high-intensity action to the system, and we've been impressed so far; we said as much in our preview. Nintendo's...
Talking Point A History of the Sexualisation of Samus
Exploring the long, complicated history of the bounty hunter's public image
Zero Suit Samus' alternate costumes in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Just this week, Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai revealed the new alternate costumes for Zero Suit Samus in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U: “From the ending of
Talking Point Horror and Metroid Could be a Perfect Fit
Samus scares
"Nintendo plays things too safe" is a common criticism we hear from people across the vast swamp of cynicism that is the internet. It is a criticism that has always struck us as a little odd, because it's common knowledge that Nintendo often performs risky Frankenstein-like experiments with its wealth of existing franchises. Just look...
Talking Point Super Metroid's 20th Anniversary Reminds Us Of What We Are Missing
New Metroid games must be coming, right?
Today brought us a notable landmark, with the much-loved Super Metroid celebrating its 20th Anniversary. It's enough to make some of us feel old, but more importantly acts as a testament to the title's exceptional quality; you can play it now on your still shiny Wii U and it stands up to scrutiny. Visually...
Interview Shinesparkers - Celebrating Metroid with Music
Recreating the adventure
Recently we became aware of Harmony of a Hunter, a two-disc album of fan-produced Metroid music that covers the history of the franchise: it's available for free from this download page. It's a project from Metroid fan-site shinesparkers.net, and a follow-up album called Harmony of a Hunter: 101% Run is on the way. We spoke...
Ninterview IAmThatOneGuy Talks About Creating Paper Samus
Aran sweater
Last week we told you about a giant paper Samus created by Flickr user IAmThatOneGuy, and we decided that we wanted to learn more about how it was created. We reached out to the paper artist and learned more about him and his unique project. Nintendo Life: First, please introduce yourself and your creation. Matthew R Green: My name is...
Feature What Happened to Metroid 64?
Samus got lost
As a week of Metroid Anniversary celebrations draws to a close, we thought we’d look back at a Metroid game that never was. We’re not talking about Metroid Dread, which could still happen, but Metroid 64, which will obviously never see the light of day. We’ve made the title up, but in light of the trend of adding ‘64’ after...
Feature Samus Aran, Gaming's Leading Lady
We take a look at the famous female bounty hunter
Historically, just about every form of media has seen itself dominated by men, and gaming is as guilty as the rest. You could chalk it up to the playing population remaining largely scant of females for reasons too complex and debatable to delve into here, but that's only half the story. The...
Talking Point The Future of Metroid
Where next, Samus?
It’s a big anniversary for Metroid, joining Mario and Zelda in the 25 year club. It’s interesting to note that there hasn’t been much fanfare from Nintendo, with the upcoming 3DS ‘Ambassador’ release of GBA classic Metroid Fusion being the only sign of Samus this year. It seems that as a franchise, Metroid is very much...
Feature Staff Roundtable - Metroid's Past, Present and Future
Primed and ready
25 years ago, Nintendo released the original Metroid on the world, kicking off a franchise that has hit incredible highs and suffered the odd low point too. Here news editor James Newton is joined by reviewers Jacob Crites and Thomas Whitehead to discuss the series, its heritage and where it might go in the future. James Newton:...
Talking Point Your 25 Years of Metroid Memories
Charge your beaming smiles
Today is the 25th anniversary of Metroid and we want to know your favourite Metroid moments. Do you remember the first time you faced off against Ridley? Touching down on Tallon IV for the first time in Metroid Prime? Whatever your favourite moments and memories of Metroid, we want to know. Leave them in a comment below...
Features Don't Touch My Samus: Metroid's Controversial Turn
Why the latest Metroid game's depiction of Samus isn't a complete departure
Metroid isn't a franchise that is known to rest upon its laurels. While each entry maintains the same basic elements that made the first game successful, one could hardly say that the series has gotten comfortable over the years. Whether it's adding a narrative, introducing...
Features Metroid's Metal Makeover
How five guys blasted the series' haunting soundtrack into a whole different genre - without sucking
The trouble with covering beloved music is that it’s so easy to lose something in the translation. Successfully capturing the original work’s intent and mood is atypical; what most often happens when things go south is the heart and soul of the...
