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{{short description|Video game series}}
[[Image:Metroidlogo.png|250px|thumb|right|The title "Metroid" cropped from the logo of the game ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''; there is no consistent series logo.]]
{{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|Metroid (video game){{!}}''Metroid'' (video game)|the fictional species|Metroid (fictional species)}}
::''"SR_388", "SR-388", and "SR 388" redirect here. For the list of highways numbered 388, see [[List of highways numbered 388]].
{{Distinguish|Matroid|Meteoroid}}
{{nihongo|'''''Metroid'''''|メトロイド|''Metoroido''}} is a series of [[science fiction]] [[adventure game|adventure]] [[video game]]s produced by [[Nintendo]]. The series was conceived by longtime Nintendo designer [[Gunpei Yokoi]].<ref name="history"/> ''Metroid'' combined the platforming of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and the exploration aspect of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' with a decidedly darker atmosphere.<ref name="history"/> The series features one of the first female [[protagonist]]s in a video game. The series is also noted for [[linearity (computer and video games)|nonlinear gameplay]]. ''Metroid'' chronicles the missions of [[bounty hunter]] [[Samus Aran]] to protect the galaxy from the depredations of the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of fictional organisms such as the Metroid against civilization.
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Metroid
| collapsible = no
| state =
| image = Metroid Logo 2017.svg
| caption = Logo since 2017
| platforms = {{hlist
| [[Famicom Disk System]]
| [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]
| [[Game Boy]]
| [[SNES]]
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| [[GameCube]]
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| [[Wii]]
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
}}
| developer = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] {{resize|83%|(1986–2004)}}
| [[Intelligent Systems]] {{resize|83%|(1986–1994)}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olivares |first1=Vladimir |title=Metroid: The Unsung Hero of Nintendo's Trinity |url=https://www.cbr.com/metroid-nintendo-unsung-hero/ |access-date=June 26, 2021 |work=CBR |date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921165659/https://www.cbr.com/metroid-nintendo-unsung-hero/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Retro Studios]] {{resize|83%|(2002–present)}}
| [[Fuse Games]] {{resize|83%|(2005)}}
| [[Nintendo Software Technology]] {{resize|83%|(2006)}}
| [[Team Ninja]] {{resize|83%|(2010)}}
| [[Nintendo SPD]] {{resize|83%|(2010)}}
| [[Next Level Games]] {{resize|83%|(2016)}}
| [[MercurySteam]] {{resize|83%|(2017–present)}}
| [[Nintendo EPD]] {{resize|83%|(2017–present)}}
}}
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| genre = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Platform game|Platform]]
| [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]
| [[First-person shooter]]
| [[Side scroller]]
| [[Pinball]]}}
| creator = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Satoru Okada]]
| [[Gunpei Yokoi]]
| [[Hiroji Kiyotake]]
| [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]
}}
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| first release version = ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]''
| first release date = August 6, 1986
| latest release version = ''[[Metroid Prime Remastered]]''
| latest release date = February 8, 2023
}}


{{Nihongo foot|'''''Metroid'''''|メトロイド|Metoroido|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is an [[action-adventure game]] franchise created by [[Nintendo]]. The player controls the bounty hunter [[Samus Aran]], who protects the galaxy from [[Space Pirate (Metroid)|Space Pirates]] and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic [[Metroid (creature)|Metroid]] creatures.
The ''Metroid'' series currently consists of ten games across different video game platforms. All of the games in the series have been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, though each installment has seen varying levels of success. It is also one of Nintendo's best selling franchises with 13&nbsp;million games sold.<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=Rus McLaughlin|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/815/815011p1.html|title=IGN Presents The History of Metroid|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-24]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> Samus Aran has also been featured in many other Nintendo produced games.


''Metroid'' combines the [[Platform game|platforming]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and the [[Exploration game|exploration]] of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' with a [[science fiction]] setting and an emphasis on [[nonlinear gameplay]]. Most ''Metroid'' games are [[side-scrolling]], while the 3D games use a [[First-person (video games)|first-person perspective]]. Players battle hostile alien enemies and obtain [[power-ups]] as they progress through the game world. The series is known for its isolated atmosphere, featuring few [[non-player character]]s.
==Overview==
===Common gameplay elements===
The ''Metroid'' series games contain elements from shooter, platforming, and adventure games.<ref name="history"/> The games are notable for their non-linear progression and solitary exploration format where the player only controls [[Samus Aran]], with few or no other characters to interact with. The series has been a 2D side scroller in all its incarnations until the ''Metroid Prime'' series changed the format to a [[first person (video games)|first-person perspective]], leading to a strong [[first-person shooter]] element while still retaining its adventure and exploration features. The player gains items and [[power-up]]s for Samus' cybernetic suit by defeating alien creatures through real-time combat with her arm cannon, which enables further exploration.<ref name="history"/><ref name="pro">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/71888.shtml|date=[[July 11]], [[2006]]|author=GamePro Staff|title=Feature: The 10-Best Video-Game Franchises|publisher=[[GamePro]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Frequently recurring upgrades include the ''Morph ball'', where Samus curls into a tight ball and can roll into tight places and plant bombs.<ref name="history"/> ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' is the first game in the ''Metroid'' series to use extensive voice acting; however, Samus remains a silent protagonist.<ref name="history"/> There is very little story explanation in the first few Metroid games, though more backstory was introduced in ''[[Super Metroid]]'' with its opening narration, and the Prime series with the scanning visor that allows the player to read information off of walls and computer terminals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/557/557284p1.html|author=IGN Staff|date=[[October 14]], [[2004]]|title=A Space Bounty Hunter's Arsenal|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref>


The first ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' was developed by [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] and released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1986. ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' was released for the handheld [[Game Boy]] in 1991. ''[[Super Metroid]]'' (1994), released for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], received acclaim. After a hiatus, ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' (2002) and ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' (2004) were released for the [[Game Boy Advance]].
The ''Metroid'' games have been a popular for [[Speedrun#Metroid series|speedrunning]], which is the act of completing a game in the fastest time possible. Speedrunning is encouraged by the game design as the completion time has often determined what ending a player gets to see, with a shorter time being better.<ref name="history"/> ''Super Metroid'' is thought to have helped popularize speedrunning in video games through the non-linear design that allowed for sequence breaking through secret passages and other means.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/813/813952p1.html|author=Lucas M. Thomas|date=[[August 20]], [[2007]]|title=Super Metroid Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Also, the original ''Metroid'' introduced the challenge of having 3&nbsp;minutes to escape from either a planet or a ship that is set to self destruct, which is another gameplay innovation of the ''Metroid'' series.<ref name="history"/>


The first 3D ''Metroid'' game, ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' (2002), was developed by [[Retro Studios]] for the [[GameCube]] and received acclaim. It was followed by ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' (2004) and the [[Wii]] game ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' (2007). ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' (2010), developed by [[Team Ninja]] for the Wii, received weaker reviews. After another hiatus, [[MercurySteam]] developed a remake of ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'', ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'' (2017) for the handheld [[Nintendo 3DS]], followed by ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' (2021) for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. ''[[Metroid Prime 4: Beyond]]'' is scheduled for 2025.
The games are influenced by the two other major [[Nintendo]] franchises, ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref name="history"/> From ''Mario'', the game had extensive areas of platform jumping, and from ''Zelda'', non-linear exploration, but ''Metroid'' decidedly differs from those games in its atmosphere of solitude and foreboding.<ref name="history"/> Further, ''Metroid'' had five different endings based on how quickly a player could complete the game, a design unheard of at the time.<ref name="history"/>


As of September 2012, the ''Metroid'' series had sold over 17.44 million copies.<ref name="GWR2013" /> It has been represented in other Nintendo media, including the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series. [[List of Metroid media|Additional media]] includes soundtracks, comic books, and manga. Along with the 1997 [[Konami]] game ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'', the early ''Metroid'' games defined the [[Metroidvania]] subgenre, inspiring other games with continuous, explorable side-scrolling levels. Samus was one of the first prominent female video game characters.
===Recurring characters===
{{seealso|Samus Aran}}
[[Image:Metroidprime3 1.jpg|right|thumb|Samus Aran in her power suit]]
The heroine, ''Samus Aran'', is a proficient galactic [[bounty hunter]]. She wears an extremely powerful and adaptable exoskeleton suit made by the ancient Chozo who specifically designed it for her.<ref name ="samus"/>


==Gameplay==
The antagonists of the ''Metroid'' series, the ''Space Pirates'' are a hostile group of "interstellar nomads" resembling humanoid [[insect]]s, who plunder colonies and ships. A single Pirate may have many biological differences between individuals of their own species, most likely because of their willingness to perform self-experimentation and mutation. Important leaders include Ridley, the Space Pirate commander, Mother Brain, the biomechanical defense of Zebes controlled by the Space Pirates, and Kraid, a recurring boss. The organization also includes a winged, ''[[mantis]]''-like species, the Ki Hunters. The Space Pirates are interested in Metroid research, especially in using Metroids for energy generation, as soldiers, and for experimentation&nbsp;– their Phazon experiments produced all the Metroid variants seen in the ''Prime'' games with the exception of Prime itself.
The ''Metroid'' series contains gameplay elements from shooter, [[Platform game|platformer]], adventure, survival and sometimes first person games.<ref name="history" /> The series is notable for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration format where the player only controls [[Samus Aran]], with few or no other characters to interact with. The player gains items and [[power-up]]s for Samus's cybernetic suit primarily through exploration, and occasionally by defeating alien creatures through real-time combat with the suit's arm cannon. Many such upgrades enable further avenues of exploration.<ref name="history" /><ref name="pro" /> A recurring upgrade is the Morph Ball, which allows Samus to curl into a ball, roll into tight places and plant bombs.<ref name="history" />


The classic series consists of [[Side-scrolling video game|2D side-scroller]]s, while the ''Metroid Prime'' series uses a [[first person (video games)|first-person perspective]], and [[first-person shooter]] mechanics. The 2010 ''[[Other M]]'' made use of a [[third person shooter]] format.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}
A high-ranking and bloodthirsty Space Pirate, and one of Samus's main antagonists, ''Ridley'' shares features with both the [[Pterosaur|pterodactyl]] and the mythical [[European dragon]].<ref name="history"/><ref name="samus"/> Ridley led the Space Pirate attack on Samus's home colony of K-2L, which inevitably lead to the deaths of all the colonists including Samus's mother and father, the latter of which Ridley was directly responsible for.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mechadrake.com/metroidmanga.html|title=Metroid eManga pgs. 34-64|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref><ref name="samus"/> Samus has since had a personal vendetta against Ridley because of this, coupled with her objective to rid the galaxy of Space Pirates of which he is the leader.<ref name="history"/><ref name ="samus"/> Samus confronts several different versions of Ridley in the series, such as Meta Ridley from ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', Omega Ridley from ''Metroid Prime 3'', and also a clone in ''Metroid Fusion'' and a mechanized version in ''Zero Mission''.<ref name ="samus"/><ref name="timelines">{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/374/374778p1.html|date=[[October 18]], [[2002]]|author=IGN Staff|title=Metroid Time Line|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Ridley also makes cameos in games where Samus is featured, such as ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', where he can be seen flying through the level Zebes, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' both as a Trophy and in the game's opening, where he is fighting Samus at Ceres Space Station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/097/097067p1.html|date= [[July 31]], [[2001]]|author=IGN Staff|title=Smash Profile: Captain Falcon|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Ridley, in both normal and Meta Ridley forms, appears as a boss character.<ref name="metroidrid">{{cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/850/850888p1.html|author=Phil Pirrello and Richard George|title=Smash Bros. Wish-List: All Nintendo Edition|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Ridley was the number two most requested Nintendo character by IGN and number one by the fans to be added as a playable character to the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]].<ref name="metroidrid"/>


The original ''Metroid'' was influenced by two other major [[Nintendo]] franchises: ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'', from which it borrowed extensive areas of platform jumping, and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', from which it borrowed non-linear exploration.<ref name="history" /> ''Metroid'' differed in its atmosphere of solitude and foreboding.<ref name="history" /> ''Metroid'' was also one of the first video games to feature an exploration to the left as well as the right, and backtracking to already explored areas to search for secret items and paths.<ref name="trailers" /> Since the late 1990s, the term "[[Metroidvania]]" has been applied to this format.
''Kraid'' is a gigantic [[dinosaur]]-like beast allied with the Space Pirates, possibly one of their leaders.<ref name ="samus"/> First appearing in the original ''Metroid'', he is the first part of the mini-boss duo along with Ridley.<ref name="timelines"/> In ''Super Metroid'' he appears in his giant form, two screens tall and almost a screen wide. ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] his size and appearance, showing he did not grow between games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/474/474827p1.html|date=[[January 23]], [[2004]]|author=Craig Harris|title=Metroid: Zero Mission|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Kraid also appeared in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' as a trophy that revealed him to be a [[bioengineering|bioengineered]] Space Pirate, and a stage hazard in Brinstar Depths, where he would rise from the lava lake and rotate the stage with a swipe of his claws. He was also slated to appear in ''Metroid Prime'' as a boss in the Phazon Mines, with a metal dome covering his head and blue Phazon veins on his belly, but was removed due to time constraints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gen-n.net/dyk/002.shtml|title=Did You Know? Classic Metroid enemy Kraid was planned to be in Metroid Prime|publisher=Generation N|accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref>


===Audio===
''Mother Brain'' is a recurring game boss in the series. Her exact status has always been unclear, as she has been referred to as the leader of the Space Pirates, or a supercomputer that operates the Space Pirate home world of Zebes, or even a friend of the Chozo.<ref name="brain">{{cite web|author=Matt Casamassina|date= [[August 14]], [[2007]]|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812862p1.html|title=The Return of Aran's Fiercest Enemy|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Samus seemingly destroys Mother Brain in the original Metroid, but again confronts her in Super Metroid and this time Samus is almost defeated, but the baby Metroid intervenes and brings about Mother Brain's final defeat.<ref name ="samus"/> It was revealed in ''Metroid Prime 3'' that the Galactic Federation had constructed supercomputers called Auroras, and that there were plans for a "Future Aurora Complex", which appears to be Mother Brain from the original Metroid.<ref name="brain"/> She has been called the number 4 all-time best video game boss.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ryan Stewart and Mitch Krpata|date= [[October 13]], [[2006]]|url=http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid24907.aspx|title=The 20 Greatest Bosses in Video Game History - #4: Mother Brain|publisher=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref>
The ''Metroid'' series has been noted and praised for its unique style of [[video game music]].<ref name="history" /><ref name="original" /><ref name="xxx" /> [[Hirokazu Tanaka|Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka]], composer of the original ''Metroid'', has said he wanted to make a score that made players feel like they were encountering a "living creature" and had no distinction between music and sound effects.<ref name="original" /><ref name="shoothip" /> The only time the main ''Metroid'' theme was heard was after Mother Brain is defeated; this is intended to give the player a [[catharsis]]. At all other times, no melodies are present in the game.<ref name="shoothip" /> The composer of ''[[Super Metroid]]'', [[Kenji Yamamoto (composer born 1964)|Kenji Yamamoto]], came up with some themes by humming to himself while riding his motorcycle to work. He was asked to compose the music for ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' to reinforce the series continuity.<ref name="awesome" /> ''Metroid Prime''{{'}}s [[Dolby Pro Logic|Dolby Pro Logic II]] surround sound was mixed by a member of [[Dolby Laboratories|Dolby]].<ref name="primed" />


Developers from [[Retro Studios]] noted how the 6 [[Megabyte|MB]] memory budget for all sound effects of a level in ''Metroid Prime'' was crucial in producing a quality soundtrack, as each sound had to be of high quality to be included.<ref name="awesome" /> Yamamoto used heavy drums, piano, voiced chants, clangs of pipes, and electric guitar.<ref name="primed" /> ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' took advantage of the increased [[Random access memory|RAM]] in the [[Wii]], allowing for higher-quality audio samples.<ref name="awesome" /> Kenji Yamamoto, who composed the music for ''Super Metroid'' and the ''Prime'' trilogy, copied the musical design of the original ''Metroid'' in ''Metroid Prime 3'', by keeping the music and themes dark and scary until the very end, when uplifting music is played during the credits.<ref name="awesome" />
The ''Galactic Federation'' is as its name suggests, the governing body of the galaxy. The GF was formed after numerous space-faring species made contact, and the subsequent cultural convergence led to rapid technological advancements.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mechadrake.com/metroidmanga.html|title=Metroid eManga pgs. 9-11|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref> They often contract Samus with large missions to complete, and aim to eradicate the Space Pirates.
Samus trained in the Federation's military before becoming a bounty hunter. It is assumed that she left following the death of her commanding officer, ''Adam Malkovich''. Samus has a profound respect for Adam because he died in order to save Samus in a previous mission.<ref name="FusionAdamDiscussion">{{cite video game|title=[[Metroid Fusion]]|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2002-11-15|platform=[[Game Boy Advance]]|language=English|quote='''Computer:''' Did this "Adam" care for you? Would he sit in a safe Command Room and order you to die? / '''Samus:''' He would understand that some must live and some must die… He knew what it meant. He made that sacrifice once. / '''Computer:''' So he chose life for you? Our fair warrior, Samus Aran… Your Adam gave his life so that you might keep yours… For the sake of the universe…}}</ref> The Galactic Federation's soldiers use [[Powered exoskeleton|powered armor]] similar to Samus's; however, they are much weaker. Their technology usually bears multiple versions of their symbol, a stylized cross-shape that seems based on their visors. Troopers are also given a basic repeating assault weapon, and in ''Metroid Prime 3'', some are equipped with the Phazon Enhancement Device.


==Plot==
A species of bird-like bipeds, the ''Chozo'' raised Samus Aran and outfitted her with armaments.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mechadrake.com/metroidmanga.html|title=Metroid eManga Vol. 2 pgs. 2-70|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> They are portrayed as mysterious and sage-like throughout the Metroid series. The origins and age of the Chozo race and civilization are unknown, but they were once spread across several planets in the Metroid universe, though none have been seen alive in the current time of the games. The Chozo were extremely technologically advanced, but took pride in their elaborate statuary. They also exchanged knowledge with other species, including the Luminoth of Aether, the Bryyonians and Reptilici of Bryyo, the Elysians of Elysia ([[robot]]s which they themselves built), and several other as yet unseen species.<ref name="AgeofScienceScan">{{cite video game|title=[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]|developer=[[Retro Studios]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=[[2007-08-27]]|platform=[[Wii]]|language=English|quote=The ships of Bryyo sped to the stars, in all directions, bearing the banner of peace. Soon we found stellar brethren in the ''Chozo'', the '''Luminoth''', and the Vlla. Starborne knowledge came to Bryyo, and we gladly sent our wisdom to our new friends in return.}}</ref> In the Japanese versions of the games, the Chozo are only ever identified by the generic term {{nihongo|chōjin-zoku|鳥人族|lit. "race of bird-humans"}}, of which the name "Chozo" is an anglicized version. In ''Super Metroid'', some of the Chozo statues would rise up and attack Samus; these bosses are called ''Torizos''. In ''Metroid Prime'', in some areas later on in game play, ''Chozo'' ghosts appear and attack Samus. Although originally allies, they have been maddened by the Phazon corruption of their planet, and can no longer distinguish friend from foe.
===Setting===
The ''Metroid'' franchise takes place in a [[science fiction]] setting where [[human]]ity is shown to be a part of a spacefaring sovereignty known as the Galactic Federation. Other races are both a part of the Federation as well as close allies, the most prolific being the Chozo, an [[bird|avian]] species possessing advanced technology and skills in bioengineering. The mutual nemesis of the Federation and the Chozo are the Space Pirates, a villainous interstellar cabal comprising multiple alien races of disreputable nature that all refuse to abide to the Galactic Federation's rule. They are led by the [[dragon]]-like warlord [[Ridley (Metroid)|Ridley]], and plot to develop weapons of mass destruction from hazardous life forms and materials to destroy the Federation and secure galactic dominance.


The eponymous [[Metroid (fictional species)|Metroids]] are a species of predatory, [[jellyfish]]-like organisms that feed on an undetectable [[life energy]] found in all living creatures. Biological weapons, the Metroids were engineered by the Chozo to eradicate a parasitic, [[shapeshift]]ing virus known as the "X" that threatened their civilization. While the Metroids succeeded in stopping the X, they became a danger to the Chozo themselves when they developed the ability to evolve into different and far deadlier forms. Most of the games center around the efforts of various organizations, including the Space Pirates, the Galactic Federation, and rogue members of the Chozo race, to weaponize the Metroids and the subsequent conflicts they cause.
The eponymous in-game Metroids are large [[jellyfish]]-like with quadripartite [[cell nucleus|nuclei]]. They are capable of [[siphon]]ing an undetectable [[Vitalism|life energy]] from any animal, generally causing the death of the victim in the process.<ref name="history"/> This energy can also be siphoned from the Metroid in turn, allowing it to be used as a living power source. ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus|Metroid II]]'' established a five-stage [[Biological life cycle|life cycle]] in which those Metroids native to SR-388 go through two stages of [[ecdysis]] followed by two stages of [[mutation]], thus maturing through five previously unknown forms: ''Alpha'', ''Gamma'', ''Zeta'', ''Omega'', and ''[[Eusociality|Queen]]''. ''Metroid Prime'' introduced three new, [[Metroid (series)#Phazon|Phazon]]-mutated forms: ''Hunter Metroids'', ''[[Nuclear fission|Fission]] Metroids'', and ''Metroid Prime'' itself. ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' has a Phazon-mutated strain of Metroid, the ''Tallon Metroid''. Instead of siphoning all of their power from victims, they can feed directly off Phazon. They are born as Infant Metroids from [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoons]] and mature into adulthood when exposed to Phazon. The game also introduces ''Dark Tallon Metroids'', Tallon Metroids corrupted by the [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|Ing]]. In ''Metroid Prime 3'', three new forms of Metroid appear: ''Phazon Metroid'', which is almost exactly like a common Metroid, except that it is capable of phasing in and out of local timespace; ''Hopping Metroid'', which cannot however, phase out of local timespace, or drain energy, but can fight using its claws as melee weapons and armor for defense; and the ''Metroid Hatcher'', a boss which can float and spawn Phazon Metroids, but cannot phase out of local timespace.

A highly [[Radioactive decay|radioactive]] and [[mutagen]]ic compound, ''Phazon'' is a major plot element of the Metroid Prime trilogy. In ''Metroid Prime'', a Phazon meteorite crashes into Tallon IV and causes Samus to investigate, where she discovers a Metroid that has been mutated by Phazon exposure, and though it is defeated by Samus, it steals her Phazon Suit and becomes ''Dark Samus''. ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' sees Samus fighting against Metroid Prime as it attempts to absorb more Phazon in order to survive. ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' is centered around Dark Samus, in conjunction with the Space Pirates, spreading Phazon across the galaxy. Samus’s body begins to naturally produce Phazon, but is in danger of corruption because of overexposure. Samus eventually tracks Dark Samus to the planet the compound originated from, and defeats Dark Samus and all Phazon as a result.


===Story===
===Story===
{{See also|Characters of the Metroid series}}
The ten games in the ''Metroid'' series focus on the adventures of [[Samus Aran]] and her assignments to wipe out threats to the Galactic Federation presented by the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness various biological weapons such as the Metroids and also the [[Radioactive decay|radioactive]] and [[mutagen]]ic compound Phazon. The first ''Metroid'' game had Samus exploring the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting the Metroid species to conquer the galaxy. She confronts the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as its guardians, Kraid and Ridley.
{{Metroid chronology}}
''Metroid'' follows the adventures of the bounty hunter [[Samus Aran]], who battles the Space Pirates and the Metroids.<ref name="timelines" /> Samus was raised by the Chozo after her parents were killed by a Space Pirate raid led by Ridley. She serves in the military of the Galactic Federation before departing and beginning work as a bounty hunter,<ref name=":4" /> while facing the forces of Ridley and [[Mother Brain]].<ref name="1up-girl3" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-04|title=Funny Pages from 1UP.com|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3135108|access-date=2023-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404050848/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3135108 |archive-date=2015-04-04}}</ref>


In the original ''Metroid'', Samus travels to the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from using the Metroids to create biological weapons.<ref name="The History of Metroid, at GameSpot" /> She defeats the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as Ridley and his fellow Space Pirate leader, Kraid.<ref name="timelines" />
The chronology of the ''Metroid'' [[fictional universe]] does not match the release order of the games. This section will list the games in chronological, rather than release, order.<ref name="history1">{{cite web | url = http://metroid.jp/metroid_version2/history/index.html | title = METROID ZERO MISSION OFFICIAL SITE&nbsp;— History | year = 2004 | accessdate = 2005-08-21 | publisher = [[Nintendo]] | language = Japanese}}</ref>


The ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' series is set between ''Metroid'' and ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'', and chronicles Samus' conflicts with a malignant, radioactive substance named Phazon.<ref name=":4" /> In ''Metroid Prime'', Samus travels to Tallon IV to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting a Phazon-infused meteor that has poisoned the local ecosystem.<ref name="timelines" /> After battling a cybernetically enhanced Ridley and clearing out the Space Pirate presence on the planet, Samus purges the Phazon from Tallon IV by defeating the titular enemy, a Phazon-infected Metroid. ''Metroid Prime: Hunters'', which is unconnected to the Phazon storyline, sees Samus respond to a distress call to the Alimbic Cluster. Other bounty hunters respond to the call, and after conflicting amongst themselves, they all ultimately band together to fight against a creature named Gorea.<ref name=":4" /> In ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', Samus explores the planet Aether, which is suffering from a Phazon outbreak. The Phazon has split the world into "light" and "dark" dimensions, leading to the rise of the evil Ing race. While liberating Aether from the Ing, Samus encounters Dark Samus, a revitalized Metroid Prime that has partially copied her physical appearance. In ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'', Samus and three other bounty hunters are recruited by the Federation to stop Dark Samus from infecting the galaxy with Phazon. While fighting to avoid being slowly corrupted by Phazon herself, Samus eradicates Phazon and her double.<ref name="timelines" /> ''Metroid Prime: Federation Force'', the only game in which players do not control Samus, sees Samus mind-controlled by Space Pirates; the Federation Force, an elite squadron of marines equipped with powerful exosuits, battles to rescue her and destroy the Space Pirates.<ref name=":4" />
;''[[Metroid]]'' and ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' (1986/2004): Samus travels through the caverns of the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting the Metroid species for galactic domination. She confronts the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as its guardians, Kraid and Ridley.<ref name="timelines"/> In the 2004 remake ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'', it is [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] that she was ambushed by Space Pirates after defeating Mother Brain and escaped from Zebes, and her ship crash-lands back on the surface. Stripped of her Power Suit and her ship destroyed, she is forced to infiltrate the Space Pirate mothership in order to find a way off the planet with only an emergency pistol for protection. After receiving a fully powered suit from deep within the Chozo ruins, she defeats Mecha-Ridley and escapes from the mothership before it self-destructs.<ref name ="samus"/>
;''[[Metroid Prime]]'' (2002): Samus receives a distress signal in her new ship and travels to Tallon IV to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting a powerful [[radioactive decay|radioactive]] substance known as Phazon. She discovers that the Chozo once settled on this planet, and their disappearance, as well as the emergence of Phazon, is due to a meteor impacting the planet decades ago. After ruining a Space Pirate mining operation and collecting the twelve Chozo Artifacts that allow access to the sealed impact crater, she confronts, and seemingly destroys, Metroid Prime, the apparent source of the planet's Phazon corruption.
:;''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]'' (2005): Not a separate canon game in the ''Metroid'' storyline but actually retells the story of the original ''Metroid Prime'' in pinball format.<ref>{{cite web | author=Craig Harris|url = http://ds.ign.com/articles/660/660466p1.html | title = Metroid Prime Pinball | date = [[October 21]], [[2005]] | accessdate = 2008-02-27 | publisher = [[IGN]]}}</ref>
;''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' (2006): When the Federation receives an unusual telepathic message, Samus is sent to the remote Alimbic Cluster in the Tetra Galaxy to uncover the rumored "Ultimate Power." Six rival bounty hunters that also heard the message actively attempt to secure the power before anyone else, including Samus. It transpires that the promise of ultimate power was actually a lie sent by the creature Gorea, sealed away by the Alimbics in a void between dimensions. After killing Gorea, Samus and the hunters escape the cluster, empty handed, but alive.
;''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' (2004): Samus is sent to investigate the planet Aether after a squad of GF Marines was lost there. Samus finds them all dead, killed by several creatures, mainly consisting of an evil race called the Ing. Upon meeting the only remaining member of Luminoth (the others were frozen in stasis chambers until the end of the game, where the last of the energy is replaced, and Dark Aether is destroyed), Samus learns Aether has been split into [[Parallel universe (fiction)|two dimensions]] by a meteor similar to the one that crashed on Tallon IV. Samus helps save Aether from the Ing, but encounters Metroid Prime once again, now called Dark Samus, a heavily mutated being who had copied Samus' genetic code and stolen her Phazon suit at the end of her Tallon IV adventure.
;''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' (2007): Space Pirates shut down Galactic Federation computer systems and then engage in large scale combat in an attempt to further spread Phazon. Enormous Phazon-based seedships, known as Leviathans, impact planets and begin corrupting them with Phazon. Samus is charged with destroying the 'Phazon Seeds' and restoring functionality to the Federation's computer network. After purging three planets of Phazon (including the Space Pirate homeworld), the Federation locates the source of Phazon, planet Phaaze, which is made entirely of Phazon. As the Federation engages the Space Pirates in orbit, Samus enters the depths of the planet, and succeeds at finally destroying Dark Samus and Phazon once and for all.
;''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' (1991): Following the events of the previous chapters, the Galactic Federation deems the Metroid species too dangerous to exist, and, after their own failed attempts, employs Samus to travel to the Metroid homeworld, SR388, and exterminate the entire species. After killing every Metroid, Samus finds an unhatched egg behind the Queen Metroid's chamber. Before she gets the chance to destroy it, it hatches a tiny Metroid larva which imprints Samus as its mother. Helping her escape back to her ship, it is handed over by Samus to the Galactic Federation's research station for study.<ref name="timelines"/>
;''[[Super Metroid]]'' (1994): Before the scientists can conduct extensive research, Samus receives a distress signal from the research lab. She returns just in time to see Ridley stealing the hatchling, having killed all of the scientists. She then follows Ridley to the rebuilt base on Zebes to stop the Space Pirates in their new plan to clone the Metroids and use them as a weapon. She kills the reborn versions of Ridley and Kraid, as well as new guardians Phantoon and Draygon, in order to confront Mother Brain once again. Samus is nearly killed in the battle, but is saved, and her suit supercharged, by the Metroid hatchling, shortly before Mother Brain kills it.<ref name="timelines"/> Samus proceeds to destroy Mother Brain, and once again escapes Zebes during a countdown to an explosion. This time, the entire planet explodes, taking with it the few remaining cloned Metroids.
;''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' (2002): While acting as a bodyguard for researchers on the planet SR388, Samus is infected by a native creature known as the X Parasite, originally the [[predation|prey]] of the Metroid species. Doctors surgically remove portions of her Power Suit and cured the X infection with a vaccine created from the [[DNA]] of the baby Metroid from her previous adventure. The vaccine not only allowed her to survive the parasites, but to absorb them to power up her energy and weapons. She is then sent to investigate a disturbance at the space research facility, Biologic Space Labs. Here, the researchers had attempted to contain the infected Power Suit as well as a number of creature specimens taken from SR388. It is revealed that not only have the specimens been carriers of the X parasite, but an X mimicking Samus, nicknamed the SA-X, has taken control of Samus's old suit. The SA-X methodically breaks into different parts of the station to allow the X parasites to infect the entire station.<ref name="timelines"/> While trying to destroy the rapidly multiplying X as well as clones of the SA-X, Samus discovers a secret Federation Metroid breeding program. The Federation intends this for peaceful purposes and plans to capture the SA-X and conduct research on her. Realizing the threat this would pose, Samus' shipboard computer, Adam, suggests that she self-destruct the station, as well as alter its propulsion to intercept with SR388 and destroy the planet as well in order to finally wipe out the X and Metroid populations. Samus is confronted by one of the SA-X, which she defeats, but the parasite escapes. After changing the station's propulsion to intercept with SR388, and activating the self-destruct cycle, Samus races back to her ship. Once there, she encounters an Omega Metroid combating the weakened SA-X she had fought earlier. The SA-X is quickly destroyed by the Metroid, and Samus absorbs the SA-X parasite in order to use her regained weapons to destroy the Omega Metroid and leave the station before it explodes.


In ''Metroid II'', the Galactic Federation calls for the extermination of the Metroid species and contracts Samus to travel to the species' homeworld, SR388, to carry out their extinction. She succeeds in wiping out the planet's Metroid population, but saves a single hatchling Metroid that bonds to her and delivers it to the Ceres research station for study.<ref name="timelines" /> In ''Super Metroid'', Ridley steals the hatchling and takes it to Zebes, where the Space Pirates are attempting to clone the Metroids. After killing Ridley, Samus herself is nearly killed by the revived Mother Brain, but is rescued by the now grown Metroid which sacrifices itself. Samus destroys Mother Brain in retaliation and escapes as Zebes explodes, exterminating her old enemies for good.<ref name=":4" />
==Games==
{| width="100%" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="16%" | Title
! width="7%" | Year
! width="13%" | Platform
! width="64%" | Notes
|-
| ''[[Metroid]]''
| {{vgrelease|JP=1986|NA=1987|PAL=1988}}
| [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| If a player completes ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', a copy of the original ''Metroid'' will be available to be played in ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' on the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/377/377074p1.html|title=Classic Metroid on the GameCube|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-11-12]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> It was also released on the [[Game Boy Advance]] as part of the [[Classic NES Series]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/560/560526p1.html|title=Metroid|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-10-26]]|accessdate=2008-03-20}}</ref> On [[August 13]], [[2007]], ''Metroid'' was made available on the [[Virtual Console]].<ref name ="release">{{cite web|author=Matt Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812102p1.html|title=Metroid Classics for Wii|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-10]]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=1991|JP=1992|PAL=1992}}
| [[Game Boy]]
| The first sequel, ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'', caused several changes to the game, including showing Samus' armor upgrades with a bulkier suit instead of a color change, that would become a recurring of the series. Also, the password system was replaced with Save Modules and cheat codes were also removed.<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=Rus McLaughlin|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/815/815011p1.html|title=IGN Presents The History of Metroid|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-24]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> There was discussion after the release of ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' that a similar remake of ''Metroid II'' would be made, but by then [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|R&D1]], who made Zero mission, had been broken up and absorbed by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|EAD]].<ref name="history"/>
|-
| ''[[Super Metroid]]''
| {{vgrelease|JP=1994|NA=1994|PAL=1994}}
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Nintendo]]
| [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], director of the original ''Metroid'', held off on participating in making ''Metroid II'' in order to prepare a ''Metroid'' sequel for the Super Nintendo that had not yet been approved.<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=Rus McLaughlin|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/815/815011p1.html|title=IGN Presents The History of Metroid|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-24]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> The game featured Mode 7 effects, highly original level designs, and high replay value.<ref name="pro"/> It was intended by Metroid creator Gunpei Yokoi to be the final game of the series.<ref name ="samus">{{cite web|author=Jesse Schedeen|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/851/851622p5.html|title=Stars: Icons&nbsp;— Samus Aran|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2008-02-12]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> On [[August 20]], [[2007]], ''Super Metroid'' was made available on the [[Virtual Console]].<ref name ="release">{{cite web|author=Matt Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812102p1.html|title=Metroid Classics for Wii|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-10]]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2002|PAL=2002|JP=2003}}
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| The game was originally thought to be a remake of [[Super Metroid]].<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/092/092742p1.html1|title=Nintendo Confirms New Metroid|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2001-03-23]]|accessdate=2008-03-20}}</ref> The same team that designed ''[[Super Metroid]]'' created ''Metroid Fusion''.<ref name ="fusion">{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/368/368710p1.html|title=Metroid Fusion Hands-on|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-08-22]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> ''Fusion'' was the first ''Metroid'' that allowed interaction with the console release (in this case ''Metroid Prime''), allowing the sharing of information to unlock special features in each Metroid game upon completion.<ref name ="fusion"/> The game was also noted for having sharper graphics and more character animations than ''[[Super Metroid]]'', which it was compared with.<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/360/360550p1.html|title=E3 2002: Metroid Fusion First Impressions|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-05-23]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Prime]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2002|JP=2003|PAL=2003}}
| [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]
|[[Retro Studios]] had been tasked with five projects by Nintendo, all of which floundered and were scrapped to focus on a 3D Metroid. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] became personally involved, scrapped the 3rd person perspective of the game and introduced a first person perspective.<ref name="history"/> When it was reported that ''Metroid Prime'' would be a [[first person (video games)|first-person perspective]] game instead of a [[Side-scrolling video game|side scroller]], initial fan reaction was negative, fearing it would be too similar to the game ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' and become entirely a shooting game without its puzzle and exploration features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=37|author=Pete Deol|title= No Metroid For You|publisher=[[N-Sider]]|date=[[February 19]], [[2001]]|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref><ref name="pro"/>
|-
| ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2004|PAL=2004|JP=2004}}
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| Zero Mission was the first 2D Metroid game to have cinematics sequences and an adjustable difficulty level.<ref name="zero">{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488084p1.html|title=Metroid: Zero Mission Director Roundtable|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-01-30]]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> The graphical engine of the game was based on Metroid Fusion but was also rebuilt in areas.<ref name="zero"/>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2006|PAL=2006|JP=2006}}
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| A demo cartridge of ''Metroid Prime Hunters'' was included with the launch of the [[Nintendo DS]] portable gaming system.<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/697/697307p1.html|title=Metroid Prime Hunters|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2006-03-21]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> Hunters was the first Metroid or Nintendo DS game to allow voice chat between players over the internet.<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687241p1.html|title=Metroid Gets Voice Chat|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2006-02-09]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2004|PAL=2004|JP=2005}}
| [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]
| Developers noted that the quality and quantity of cinematics was increased over ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', and that the audio and visual features had all been redone from ''Metroid Prime'' and nothing had been carried over.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/556/556375p1.html|title=Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Interview|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-10-12]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> It was decided after the games release that the difficulty level was too high outside of the boss encounters, which might discourage exploration that is a signature part of the series, so the difficulty was moderated in the final Metroid Prime game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Edge|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8476&Itemid=2|title=Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Interview|publisher=[[Next Generation Magazine]]| date=[[2007-12-26]]| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2005|JP=2006|PAL=2007}}
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| Initial reports of ''Metroid Prime Pinball'''s coming release was met with wary reaction, as the company developing the game, [[Fuse Games]], had also made ''[[Mario Pinball Land]]'', which had been met with negative reviews.<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/616/616137p1.html|title=E3 2005: Metroid Prime Pinball Impressions|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2005-05-18]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''
| {{vgrelease|NA=2007|PAL=2007|JP=2008}}
| [[Wii]]
| ''Metroid Prime 3'' was the final game of the Prime trilogy, and was developed by [[Retro Studios]] just as the previous two had been. They took an extra few months to develop the game in order to perfect the controls, as they had to be fundamentally redesigned from the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] controls.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mark Bozon and Lucas M. Thomas|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/842/842830p1.html|title=Nintendo Wii 2007 Year in Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-12-20]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|-
|}


In ''Metroid: Other M'', set after ''Super Metroid'', Samus investigates the Bottle Ship, a derelict scientific research station, with a Galactic Federation platoon led by her former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich.<ref name="timelines" /> They team up against many bioweapons created by a Federation science group, including clones of creatures Samus faced on Zebes like Ridley and the Metroids. A revived Mother Brain, now occupying a humanoid body supplied to her by the Federation, takes control of the Metroids and attempts to unleash them upon the Federation, but is stopped by Samus at the cost of Adam's life. Afterward, Samus encounters and kills the ethereal entity Phantoon and sets the Bottle Ship to self-destruct.<ref name=":4" /> In ''Metroid Fusion'', Samus accompanies a team of scientists to SR388, where she has her first encounter with the X parasites when the species reappears in the absence of the Metroids. The X overruns a scientific research station in the planet's orbit, assimilating and imitating many creatures being studied on board.<ref name="timelines" /> Samus is infected by one but is saved using a vaccine made from the baby Metroid's cells. She discovers that the Federation has been cloning Metroids in secret, and sets the space station on a collision with SR388 to destroy the X parasites.<ref name=":4" /> ''Metroid Dread'' continues where ''Fusion'' left off, with the Federation dispatching a squadron of advanced automatons known as E.M.M.I. to investigate the planet ZDR, where X parasites have been sighted. Samus is sent to the planet herself after contact is lost, coming into conflict with the X and a Chozo war criminal named Raven Beak, stopping both from invading the rest of the galaxy.
==Development==
===History===
[[Image:NES Metroid.png|thumb|left|''Metroid'' provided a thoroughly nonlinear gaming experience.]]
In the mid-1980s, Nintendo's [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|R&D1]] team started simultaneous development of two games for the [[Famicom Disk System]]: ''[[Kid Icarus]]'' and ''[[Metroid]]''. The two games, both released on the same day in 1986, have been called "companion games", as they shared developers and gameplay elements such as the introduction of the game saving password system.<ref>{{cite web|author=William Cassidy|date=[[2003-09-14]]|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/488/488733p1.html|title=Hall of Fame: Kid Icarus|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref>


== Development and history ==
''Metroid'' was designed to be a shooting game that combined the platform jumping of the ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' with the non-linear exploration of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' but would have a distinctly darker aesthetic. Half way through development, one of the staff said to his fellow developers "Hey, wouldn't that be kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman?", and the idea was accepted.<ref name="history"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488084p3.html|title=Metroid: Zero Mission director roundtable|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-01-30]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> While ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' was never mentioned during development, the team is said to have been influenced by that film's atmosphere, and the [[Alien (film series)|films]] have since been one of their biggest inspiration origins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-retro.com/reportajes/origenmetroid.htm|title=El Origen de Metroid|language=Spanish|publisher=N-Retro|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref>
{{Timeline of release years
| subtitle = Main entries in '''bold'''
| summary = A timeline of releases in the Metroid game series, from the first in 1986 to present.
| range1_color = #fb8c00 #ffe0b2
| range1 = 1986 –
| 1986 = '''''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'''''
| 1991 = '''''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'''''
| 1994 = '''''[[Super Metroid]]'''''
| 2002a = '''''[[Metroid Fusion]]'''''
| 2002b = '''''[[Metroid Prime]]'''''
| 2004a = '''''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'''''
| 2004b = '''''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'''''
| 2005 = ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''
| 2006 = ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''
| 2007 = '''''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'''''
| 2009 = ''[[Metroid Prime: Trilogy]]''
| 2010 = '''''[[Metroid: Other M]]'''''
| 2016 = ''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]''
| 2017 = '''''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'''''
| 2021 = '''''[[Metroid Dread]]'''''
| 2023 = ''[[Metroid Prime#Metroid Prime Remastered|Metroid Prime Remastered]]''
| 2025 = '''''[[Metroid Prime 4: Beyond]]'''''
}}


=== 1986–1991: Conception and first game ===
Director [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] began planning concepts for ''Super Metroid'' in early 1990, but his studio was committed to making another game, so developers from [[Intelligent Systems]] were brought in to help complete the game.<Ref name="super"/> After ''Super Metroid'''s release, it would take eight years until the next game was released. A [[Nintendo 64]] title was considered during the period, but Nintendo "couldn't come up with any concrete ideas".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/377/377563p2.html|title=Metroid Prime Roundtable QA|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-11-15]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> Then in 1999, [[Retro Studios]], a newly formed [[second-party developer]] based in Texas, was given the project for ''[[Metroid Prime]]''. It was the first time that Nintendo allowed a studio outside of [[Japan]] to work on one of their titles.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/377/377001p1.html|title=Quotes from Metroid Prime Roundtable|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-11-11]]|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> Composer Kenji Yamamoto, who composed the music for [[Super Metroid]], was asked to compose the music for [[Metroid Prime]] to reinforce the series continuity.<ref name="awesome"/> After it became a top seller on the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], a trilogy was authorized.<ref name="history"/>
[[File:NES Metroid.png|thumb|left|In ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' (the first game in the series), released in 1986 for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], the player controls [[Samus Aran]] who fights alien monsters on the fictional planet Zebes.|alt=A video game screenshot. A person in a powered exoskeleton travels through a cave, while winged monsters hang from the ceiling.]]


The central figures in the production and development of the ''Metroid'' series are [[Satoru Okada]], who directed ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' and created the series; [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], who was a character designer for the first game and has directed or supervised most of the sequels; [[Gunpei Yokoi]], who headed the R&D1 division and produced the first two games; [[Makoto Kano (video game designer)|Makoto Kano]], who wrote the scenario for ''Metroid'', co-designed the second game, and produced the third; and [[Hiroji Kiyotake]], who designed characters for the original.<ref name="history" />
Rumors abounded since 2005 about the development of a title called ''Metroid Dread''. In ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', there is a message on a computer panel that if scanned says "Experiment status report update: Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion." Developers from [[Retro Studios]] gave a full but cryptic denial of any connection with the rumored game, and Nintendo has denied they are making another 2D Metroid title at this time.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=MTV Multiplayer|url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2007/09/26/retro-studios-answers-the-dreaded-metroid-dread-question-and-other-prime-exclusives/|title=Retro Studios Answers The Dreaded “Metroid Dread” Question&nbsp;— And Other “Prime” Exclusives|date=[[2007-09-26]]|author=Stephen Totilo|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/815/815899p1.html|title=Metroid Dread Nearing Completion|date=[[2007-08-27]]|accessdate=2007-08-27|author=Matt Casamassina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Computer and Video Games|Computer and Video Games Magazine]]| url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=171525|title=Nintendo denies Metroid Dread| date=[[2007-09-06]]|accessdate=2007-09-06|author=Mike Jackson}}</ref>


The original ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'', an [[action game]] for the [[Family Computer Disk System]], was developed by Nintendo's [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Research & Development 1]] (R&D1) and released in Japan on August 6, 1986.<ref name="trailers" /> It was published for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in August 1987 in North America and on January 15, 1988, in Europe.<ref name="metroidnes" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/metroid/related/platform/nes/ |title=Metroid Related Games |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103083417/http://www.gamespot.com/metroid/related/platform/nes/ |archive-date=2012-11-03}}</ref> It was directed by [[Satoru Okada]].<ref name="history" />
===Creation and design===
[[Image:Metroidprime10101.jpg|thumb|''Metroid Prime'' introduced 3D to the series]]
''[[Metroid]]'', ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'', ''[[Super Metroid]]'', ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' and ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' were all developed by Nintendo's internal [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|R&D1 section]]. The games which have been developed by separate teams are ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|2]]'', and ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|3]]'' ([[Retro Studios]]), ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' ([[Nintendo Software Technology|Nintendo Software Technology Corporation]]), and ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]'' ([[Fuse Games]]).


''Metroid'' was designed to be a shooting game that combined the platform jumping of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' with the non-linear exploration of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' and a darker aesthetic. The name of the game is a [[portmanteau]] of the words "metro" (as in [[rapid transit]]) and android, and was meant to allude to the mainly underground setting of the first game as well as its robot-like protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game Center CX (Fuji TV show)|url=http://www.selectbutton.net/archive/topic/5865|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090556/http://www.selectbutton.net/archive/topic/5865|archive-date=2015-05-18|access-date=2011-10-08|publisher=Selectbutton.net}}</ref> Halfway through development of the original ''Metroid'', one of the staff said to his fellow developers "Hey, wouldn't that be kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman?", and the idea was accepted.<ref name="history" /><ref>{{cite web|date=2004-01-30|title=Metroid: Zero Mission director roundtable|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/30/metroid-zero-mission-director-roundtable?page=3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416000042/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/30/metroid-zero-mission-director-roundtable?page=3|archive-date=2013-04-16|access-date=2008-02-20|website=IGN}}</ref> [[Ridley Scott]]'s 1979 science-fiction horror film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' was described by Sakamoto as a "huge influence" after the world of the first ''Metroid'' had been created. In recognition of this, an antagonist was given the name [[Ridley (Metroid)|Ridley]], after director [[Ridley Scott]]. The development staff were also influenced by the work of the film's creature designer [[H. R. Giger]], finding his style to be fitting for the ''Metroid'' universe.<ref>{{cite journal|date=July 2009|title=The Making of Super Metroid|journal=[[Retro Gamer]]|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing Ltd.]]|issue=65|page=60}}</ref>
The central figures in the production and development of the ''Metroid'' series are [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] who has directed or supervised the development of all the games (excluding ''Metroid II''), [[Gunpei Yokoi]] who headed R&D1 and produced the first three games before his death in 1997, Makoto Kanoh who directed and designed scenarios for the first three games, and [[Hiroji Kiyotake]] who designed the characters for the original game.<ref name="history"/> [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], who made the ''[[Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda (series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series, has not been involved with the production of ''Metroid'', but he did act as producer for both ''Metroid Prime'' and its sequel.


=== 1991–2002: Sequels and first hiatus ===
==Audio==
''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' was released for the [[Game Boy]] in 1991 in North America and in 1992 in Japan and Europe. ''Metroid II'' also further established [[Samus Aran|Samus]]' visual design, with the bulky Varia Suit upgrade and different arm cannons.<ref name="trailers" />
The ''Metroid'' series has been noted and praised for its unique style of [[video game music]]. [[Hirokazu Tanaka|Hirokazu 'Hip' Tanaka]], composer of the original ''Metroid'', has said that he wanted to make a score that made players feel like they were encountering a "living organism", that had no distinction between music and sound effects.<ref name="original">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/811/811667p1.html|title=Top Ten Tuesday: Best 8-Bit Soundtracks|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-08-08]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> The only time the main Metroid theme was heard was once Mother Brain was defeated, giving the victorious player a [[catharsis]]. At all other times, no melodies are present in the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alex Brandon|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20020925/brandon_01.htm|title=Shooting from the Hip:An Interview with Hip Tanaka|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|date=[[2002-09-25]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> The composer of [[Super Metroid]] [[Kenji Yamamoto (Nintendo musician)|Kenji Yamamoto]] came up with some of the games themes by singing them while riding his motorcycle.<ref name="awesome"/> [[Metroid Prime]]'s [[Dolby Pro Logic|Dolby Pro Logic II]] surround sound was designed by a member of Dolby Digital.<ref name ="primed">{{cite web|author=Fran Mirabella III|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/376/376866p1.html|title=Metroid Prime|date=[[2002-11-11]]|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> Developers from [[Retro Studios]] noted how the process of fitting all the sound effects and music for [[Metroid Prime]] in 6 [[Megabyte|MB]] of space was crucial in producing a quality soundtrack, as each sound had to be of very high quality to be included.<ref name="awesome"/> [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|Metroid Prime 3]] took advantage of the increase in the amount of [[Random access memory|RAM]] that took place when the series switched from the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] to the [[Wii]]; this allowed for higher quality audio samples to be used and thus a better overall audio quality.<ref name="awesome">{{cite web|author=M4G Staff|url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=174|title=Interview with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Sound Team at Retro Studios and Composer Kenji Yamamoto|publisher=music4games|date=[[2007-10-05]]|accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref> [[Kenji Yamamoto (Nintendo musician)|Kenji Yamamoto]], who composed the music to [[Super Metroid]] and the Prime trilogy, copied the musical design of the original ''Metroid'' in ''Metroid Prime 3'', by keeping the music and themes dark and scary until the very end, when uplifting music is played during the credits.<ref name="awesome"/>


As R&D1 were committed to making another game, Nintendo brought in [[Intelligent Systems]] to develop ''[[Super Metroid]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES).<ref name="super" /> Development began in late 1991.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-metroid/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925084427/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-metroid/ | archive-date=2017-09-25 | title=Super Metroid Developer Interview - Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition - Official Site}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://warrenleigh85.medium.com/game-retrospective-super-metroid-edcef70f34da | title=Game Retrospective: Super Metroid | date=8 April 2020}}</ref> Released in 1994, ''Super Metroid'' drastically expanded the ''Metroid'' formula, with numerous new power-ups<ref>{{Citation|title=Super Metroid Review - IGN|date=21 August 2007|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/21/super-metroid-review|language=en|access-date=2021-01-17|archive-date=2021-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225135951/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/21/super-metroid-review|url-status=live}}</ref> and a richer story.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|date=2007-10-25|title=The History of Metroid|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-history-of-metroid-article|access-date=2021-01-17|website=Eurogamer|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921165659/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-history-of-metroid-article|url-status=live}}</ref> It received acclaim and is considered one of the best SNES games.<ref name="history" /> It was directed by [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], character designer for the first ''Metroid''; Sakamoto has directed or produced most of the 2D ''Metroid'' games since.<ref name="history" />
==Other media==
===Video games===
Samus is a playable character in the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, which also includes stages and minor characters taken from ''Metroid'' games.<ref>{{citeweb|author=Peer Schneider|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/160/160494p1.html|title= Super Smash Bros.|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[1999-04-27]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|author=Fran Mirabella III|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/166/166387p1.html|title= Super Smash Bros. Melee|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[2001-12-03]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', also features Zero Suit Samus, a version of the heroine using the blue form-fitting suit seen in ''Zero Mission'' and the ''Prime'' series, and Ridley as a boss.<ref>{{citeweb|author=Lucas M. Thomas and Matt Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/809/809868p9.html|title= Super Smash Bros. Brawl FAQ&nbsp;— Veterans|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[2007-01-01]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|author=Lucas M. Thomas and Matt Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/809/809868p12.html|title= Super Smash Bros. Brawl FAQ&nbsp;— Newcomers|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[2007-01-01]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> She also makes appearances in other Nintendo games such as ''[[Tetris]]'' (NES version), ''[[Galactic Pinball]]'', ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', and ''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]''.<ref>{{citeweb|author=IGN Staff|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/067/067378p1.html|title= One Ticket to Zebes, Please|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[1999-03-18]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|author=IGN Staff|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/390/390502p1.html|title= Wario Ware Is Insane|accessdate=2008-02-26|date=2003-03-21|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref>


After ''Super Metroid'', Nintendo released no new ''Metroid'' games for eight years. They considered developing a ''Metroid'' game for its next console, the [[Nintendo 64]], but could not generate firm ideas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/15/metroid-prime-roundtable-qa?page=2 |title=Metroid Prime Roundtable QA |website=IGN |date=2002-11-15 |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212170301/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/15/metroid-prime-roundtable-qa?page=2 |archive-date=2012-12-12}}</ref> Sakamoto said he could not imagine how the [[Nintendo 64 controller]] could be used to move Samus.<ref name=":0" /> An unidentified company declined an offer from Nintendo to develop a ''Metroid'' game for the Nintendo 64, as they were not confident they could create a worthwhile successor to ''Super Metroid''.<ref name=":0" /> Samus appeared in the Nintendo 64 fighting game ''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999).<ref name="Spot" />
===Comics and cartoons===
[[Comic book|Comics]] and [[manga]] have been made for various magazines based on ''Metroid'',<ref>{{citeweb|author=George Caragonne, James Brock, Bob Layton, Jade, Kathryn Bolinger |url=http://diesgaudii.genvid.com/site/metroid/comic/|title= Metroid|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=[[1987-01-01]]|publisher=[[Nintendo Power]]}}</ref> ''Super Metroid'',<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/?g=sm&p=comics|title= Comics & Manga
|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=[[2006-01-01]]|publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime'',<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mp&p=comics|title= Comics |accessdate=2008-02-20|date=[[2002-01-01]]|publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> and ''Metroid: Zero Mission''<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mzm&p=manga|title= Manga |accessdate=2008-02-20|date=[[2004-01-01]]|publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> in both the United States and Japan. Samus Aran and other ''Metroid'' characters also feature in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comic books by [[Valiant Comics]].<ref>{{citeweb|author=Webster Swenson|url=http://cnn.captainn.net/com_cn1_wtvl.html|title= Captain N Volume 1|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=[[1990-01-01]]|publisher=Valiant Comics}}</ref> Mother Brain was also the main villain in the ''Captain N: The Game Master'' TV show.<ref>{{citeweb|author=Michael Drucker|url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/760/760506p1.html|title= Captain N The Game Master&nbsp;– The Complete Series|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[2007-02-01]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref>


=== 2002–2009: ''Metroid Prime'' and Game Boy Advance games ===
===Live-action movie===
[[File:Metroidprime10101.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|''[[Metroid Prime]]'', released in 2002 for the [[GameCube]], introduced [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]] and [[first-person shooter]] gameplay to the series.|alt=A video game screenshot. A weapon points outwards towards a snowy landscape.]]
A live-action movie version of ''Metroid'' was reportedly in development by [[John Woo|Lion Rock Productions]], based around [[Samus Aran]], along with her early battles with the Metroids and the Mother Brain. It was scheduled to be released in theaters around 2006, but either has been canceled or remains in [[development hell]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=4202|title= John Woo Bringing Metroid to the Big Screen|accessdate=2007-10-18|date=[[2004-04-07]]|publisher=Crave Online}}</ref> On [[April 1]], [[2005]], [[IGN]] posted an article reporting that critically panned director [[Uwe Boll]] would be directing the ''Metroid'' movie, with Samus herself being portrayed by [[Michelle Rodriguez]], despite her opinion that the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] was a "machine for kids". The supposed movie, with a $19&nbsp;million budget, would not follow the games' storylines; instead, it would have Samus, a "scientist for the government," donning a Power Suit to defend Earth from alien invaders in the near future, in a plot similar to that of ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]''. At the end of the "report," however, Casamassina reveals the whole article was an [[April Fools' Day|April Fools Joke]].<ref>{{citeweb|author=Matt Casamassina|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/600/600860p1.html|title= Metroid Movie Details Announced|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=[[2005-04-01]]|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

In 2000, the Nintendo producer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] visited the new Nintendo subsidiary [[Retro Studios]] in [[Austin, Texas]]. He did not like any of the projects they had in development, but spent time playing ''Action Adventure'', a third-person science-fiction action game with a female protagonist. Miyamoto tasked Retro with developing a ''Metroid'' game for the new Nintendo console, the [[GameCube]]. The team terminated ''Action Adventure'' and moved to ''Metroid''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hester|first=Blake|date=2018-05-29|title=The rocky story of Retro Studios before Metroid Prime|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/29/17386066/the-rocky-story-of-retro-studios-before-metroid-prime|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.polygon.com|language=en|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123534/https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/29/17386066/the-rocky-story-of-retro-studios-before-metroid-prime|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/18/a-retrospective-the-story-of-retro-studios |title=A Retrospective: The Story of Retro Studios |first=Kenneth Kyle |last=Wade |date=December 17, 2004 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108105347/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/18/a-retrospective-the-story-of-retro-studios |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Metroid Prime]]'', the first 3D ''Metroid'' game, released in 2002, moved the nonlinear structure of ''Super Metroid'' to a [[First-person (video games)|first-person perspective]].<ref name=":3" /> Nintendo stressed that it was not a [[first-person shooter]] but a "first-person adventure".<ref name="history" /> ''Metroid Prime'' received acclaim.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |title=Metroid Prime reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121132248/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/metroid-prime |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=September 8, 2006 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> It sold 2.84 million copies worldwide<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |title=2020CESAゲーム白書 (2020 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]] |year=2020 |isbn=978-4-902346-42-8 |page=241}}</ref> and was the best-selling ''Metroid'' game until ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' (2021).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Gavin |date=2022-05-10 |title=It's Official, Metroid Dread Is The Best-Selling Game In The Metroid Series |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/its-official-metroid-dread-is-the-best-selling-game-in-the-metroid-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510110044/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/its-official-metroid-dread-is-the-best-selling-game-in-the-metroid-series |archive-date=2022-05-10 |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2002, Nintendo released ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', a 2D game for the [[Game Boy Advance]] (GBA).<ref name="history" /> It was developed by R&D1 and written and directed by Sakamoto.<ref name="Credits" /> Its gameplay is similar to ''Super Metroid'',<ref name="ign-handson" /> but with a more mission-based structure that gives more guidance to the player.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lake, Max |date=August 26, 2002 |title=Preview |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3435 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231160419/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3435/metroid-fusion-game-boy-advance |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=January 4, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> The team's next GBA project was ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission|Zero Mission]]'' (2004), a remake of the original ''Metroid''.<ref name="history" /> Both GBA games received acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroid Fusion |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-fusion/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607164326/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/metroid-fusion |archive-date=2021-06-07 |access-date=2021-01-20 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroid: Zero Mission |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-zero-mission/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913044109/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/metroid-zero-mission |archive-date=2020-09-13 |access-date=2021-01-20 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}</ref> A Nintendo restructure merged R&D1 with R&D2 in 2003, shortly ahead of the release of ''Zero Mission''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kohler |first1=Chris |title=Nintendo Consolidates Its Game Development Teams |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/09/nintendo-ead-spd-merge/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915010920/http://www.wired.com/2015/09/nintendo-ead-spd-merge/ |archive-date=2015-09-15 |access-date=2021-01-08}}</ref> A 2D ''Metroid'' game for the [[Nintendo DS]], ''[[Metroid Dread]]'', was in development around 2006, but the hardware was not suitable for the project. ''Dread'' was ultimately revived in 2021 for the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=17 June 2021 |title=Metroid co-creator on why ''Metroid Dread'' is all about scary robots |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/22537280/metroid-dread-interview-yoshio-sakamoto-nintendo-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617153950/https://www.polygon.com/features/22537280/metroid-dread-interview-yoshio-sakamoto-nintendo-switch |archive-date=17 June 2021 |access-date=17 June 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>

In 2004, Nintendo also released ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', which sees Samus switching between parallel light and dark worlds and introduced more difficulty.<ref name=":3" /> ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', released for the [[Wii]] in 2007, added [[motion controls]]<ref name="history" /> and has Samus exploring separate planets, with more emphasis on shooting action.<ref name=":3" /> The ''Prime'' games were rereleased for the Wii in the compilation ''[[Metroid Prime: Trilogy]]''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Metroid Prime Trilogy Review - IGN|date=21 August 2009|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/21/metroid-prime-trilogy-review|language=en|access-date=2021-01-08|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128023452/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/21/metroid-prime-trilogy-review|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, Nintendo released ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]'', a pinball spin-off for the DS developed by [[Fuse Games]].<ref name=":1" /> ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'', a [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer game]] developed by [[Nintendo Software Technology]], was released for the DS in 2006.<ref name="history" />

=== 2010–2016: ''Other M'' and second hiatus ===
A new 3D ''Metroid'' game, ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', developed with the Japanese studio [[Team Ninja]] and directed by Sakamoto, was released for Wii in 2010.<ref name="mompreview" /> It featured a third-person perspective and placed a greater focus on story and action. ''Other M'' received weaker reviews, with criticism for its characterization of Samus as timid and emotional and its reduced emphasis on exploration.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Millsap|first=Zack|date=2020-08-23|title=Why Metroid: Other M Is STILL Controversial, a Decade Later|url=https://www.cbr.com/metroid-other-m-controversial-decade-later/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110141542/https://www.cbr.com/metroid-other-m-controversial-decade-later/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' described ''Other M'' as "such a massive misfire and a flop with fans that it practically killed the series", with the series going on another hiatus for six years.<ref name=":3" />

A ''Metroid'' [[minigame]], "Metroid Blast", appeared in the [[Wii U]] game ''[[Nintendo Land]]'' (2012), which had a mixed reception.<ref name="NintendoLand" /> Using the [[Wii U GamePad]], the player controls Samus's gunship, while up to four players with [[Wii Remote]]s and Nunchuks control [[Mii]] characters on foot, wearing Varia Suits. Miyamoto said this reflected his ideas for future ''Metroid'' games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/43591/metroid-wii-u-ideas-shared-by-miyamoto/ |title=Miyamoto shares ideas for Metroid Wii U |work=Official Nintendo Magazine |date=2013-11-05 |author=Skrebels, Joe |access-date=2013-11-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719135218/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/43591/metroid-wii-u-ideas-shared-by-miyamoto/ |archive-date=2013-07-19}}</ref>

In 2014, a former artist from [[Next Level Games]] said that Next Level had built a ''Metroid'' prototype for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] handheld before Nintendo asked them to develop ''[[Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon]]'' instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/next-level-games-was-working-on-a-metroid-title-280783.phtml |title=Next Level Games was working on a Metroid title |date=2014-09-06 |access-date=2014-09-08 |author=Holmes, Jonathan |website=Destructoid |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909235426/http://www.destructoid.com/next-level-games-was-working-on-a-metroid-title-280783.phtml |archive-date=2014-09-09}}</ref> In 2016, Nintendo released ''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]'', a multiplayer game for the 3DS developed by Next Level. It received criticism for its multiplayer focus and frivolous tone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcauthority.com.au/news/fans-really-dont-want-metroid-prime-federation-force-405317|title=Fans really don't want Metroid Prime: Federation Force|website=PC & Tech Authority|access-date=2019-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909221929/https://www.pcauthority.com.au/news/fans-really-dont-want-metroid-prime-federation-force-405317|archive-date=2018-09-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: ''Samus Returns'', ''Dread'' and ''Prime 4: Beyond'' ===
[[File:Metroid Samus Returns gameplay.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1|''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'', released in 2017 for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]]]

A remake of ''Metroid II'', ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'', was developed by [[MercurySteam]] and released for the 3DS in September 2017. It retained the gameplay of the original and added 3D graphics and gameplay features such as melee combat.<ref name="businessinsider_announce"/><ref name="polygon_announce" /><ref name="verge_preview" /> MercurySteam's next project was ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], a realization of the cancelled Nintendo DS project from the late 2000s.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-15 |title=Metroid: Dread brings the franchise to Switch |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/15/metroid-dread-brings-the-franchise-to-switch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615162433/https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/15/metroid-dread-brings-the-franchise-to-switch/ |archive-date=2021-06-15 |access-date=2021-06-15 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> Released in October 2021, it had sold more than 2.9 million copies worldwide by May 2022, making it the best-selling ''Metroid'' game.<ref name="Metroid Dread sales" />

In February 2023, Nintendo released ''Metroid Prime Remastered'', a [[High-definition video|high-definition]] [[Remaster (video games)|remaster]] of ''Metroid Prime'' for the Switch.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=February 8, 2023 |title=Metroid Prime: Switch Remaster Getting Shadow Drop on Nintendo eShop |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-remaster-switch-revealed |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208223954/https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-remaster-switch-revealed |url-status=live}}</ref> It was developed by Retro Studios with assistance from developers including [[Iron Galaxy Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2023-02-10 |title=Retro Studios Wasn't The Only Dev Working On Metroid Prime Remastered |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/02/retro-studios-wasnt-the-only-dev-working-on-metroid-prime-remastered |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212145955/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/02/retro-studios-wasnt-the-only-dev-working-on-metroid-prime-remastered |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2017, at [[E3 2017|E3]], Nintendo announced ''Metroid Prime 4'' for the Switch.<ref>{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|date=June 13, 2017|title=Metroid Prime 4 Confirmed For Nintendo Switch, But Retro Studios Isn't Involved|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/metroid_prime_4_confirmed_for_nintendo_switch_but_retro_studios_isnt_involved|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615052437/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/metroid_prime_4_confirmed_for_nintendo_switch_but_retro_studios_isnt_involved|archive-date=June 15, 2018|access-date=January 25, 2019|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media}}</ref> While not confirmed by Nintendo, ''[[Eurogamer]]'' reported that ''Prime 4'' was being developed by [[Bandai Namco Studios]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=February 9, 2018 |title=Yes, Bandai Namco is working on Metroid Prime 4 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-08-yes-namco-bandai-is-working-on-metroid-prime-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119082756/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-08-yes-namco-bandai-is-working-on-metroid-prime-4 |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref> Unsatisfied with the progress, Nintendo announced in January 2019 that it had restarted the development under Retro Studios, the developer of the previous ''Metroid Prime'' games.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |date=January 25, 2019 |title=Nintendo Restarting The Development Of Metroid Prime 4 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/25/nintendo-restarting-the-development-of-metroid-prime-4 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218002520/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/25/nintendo-restarting-the-development-of-metroid-prime-4 |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In June 2024, Nintendo revealed a trailer and the title ''[[Metroid Prime 4: Beyond]]'', with a release year of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=2024-06-18 |title=''Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'' Gameplay Finally Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-4-gameplay-revealed |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817142711/https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-4-gameplay-revealed |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Video game series reviews
<div style="font-size: 90%;float:right;border-left:1em solid white">
| gr = yes
{| class="wikitable"
| sales = yes
|+'''Aggregate review scores'''
!Game
![[Metacritic]]
![[Game Rankings]]
|-
|''[[Metroid]]'' ([[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] re-release)
|<center>58 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid (Classic NES Series)| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/metroidclassicnesseries?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>62%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/921926.asp?q=Metroid| title = Classic NES Series: Metroid&nbsp;— GBA| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''
|<center>—
|<center>80%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/585799.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid II: Return of Samus&nbsp;— GB| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Super Metroid]]''
|<center>—
|<center>96%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/588741.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Super Metroid&nbsp;— SNES| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Fusion]]''
|<center>92 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Fusion| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/metroidfusion?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>91%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/516709.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Fusion&nbsp;— GBA| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Prime]]''
|<center>97 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Prime| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/metroidprime?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>96%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/447244.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Prime&nbsp;— GC| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
|<center>89 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid: Zero Mission| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/metroidzeromission?q=metroid%20zero| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>90%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914982.asp| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid: Zero Mission&nbsp;— GBA| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''
|<center>85 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Prime: Hunters| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/metroidprimehunters?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>84%<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920760.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Prime: Hunters&nbsp;— DS| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''
|<center>92 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Prime 2: Echoes| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/metroidprime2echoes?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>92%<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/589573.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Prime 2: Echoes&nbsp;— GC| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''
|<center>79 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Prime Pinball| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/metroidprimepinball?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>81%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928291.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Prime Pinball&nbsp;— DS| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''
|<center>90 out of 100<ref>{{cite web| publisher = [[Metacritic]]| title = Metroid Prime 3: Corruption | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/metroidprime3corruption?q=Metroid| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|<center>90%<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928517.asp?q=Metroid| publisher = [[Game Rankings]]| title = Metroid Prime 3: Corruption&nbsp;— WII| accessdate = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
|}
</div>
The series has been highly praised by critics, being ranked by [[IGN]] as the 8th best franchise ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/749/749069p4.html|title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises|date=[[2006-12-04]]|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> In 2001, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' chose ''Super Metroid'' as the best game ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030611191341/http%3A//gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly's 100 Best Games of All Time| author=EGM staff |publisher=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]| year=2001| accessdate=2006-11-17}}</ref> The ''Metroid'' games have since appeared in other "best game" lists, with all games released up to 2005 included in a [[Nintendo Power]] "Top 200 Nintendo Games list",<ref name="NP Top 200">{{Citation|year=February 2006| title=NP Top 200|periodical=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=200|pages=58–66}}</ref> ''Prime'' in the IGN top 100,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_30.html|title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007 <nowiki>|</nowiki> 30: Metroid Prime|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> ''Metroid'', ''Super Metroid'', ''Prime'' and ''Echoes'' in a list by [[GameFAQs]] users;<ref>{{cite web | title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest&nbsp;– The 10 Best Games Ever| url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 | publisher=[[GameFAQs]] | accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> ''Metroid'' and ''Super Metroid'' in [[Game Informer]]'s list;<ref>{{cite journal | title=Top 100 Games of All Time | journal=[[Game Informer]] | volume=100 | year=2001 | month=August | pages=34 }}</ref> and ''Prime'' and ''Super Metroid'' in [[Edge (magazine)|Edge's]] list.<Ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6231&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=9|title=Edge's Top 100 games|publisher=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> The series has been influential in many other games, including [[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]].<ref name="pro"/> The games have also sold very well, with [[Super Metroid]], [[Metroid Fusion]], [[Metroid Prime]] and [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]] exceeding one million copies sold.<Ref>{{Cite web|date=[[2007-12-27]]|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml|title=US Platinum Videogame Chart|publisher=The Magic Box|accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref><Ref name="super">{{Cite web|date=[[2007-01-01]]|url=http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=112&view=dev|title=Super Metroid|publisher=[[N-Sider]]|accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref><ref name="sales">{{cite web|url= http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080125e.pdf#page=6 |title=Financial Results Briefing for the Nine-Month Period Ending December 2007|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2008-01-25| accessdate=2008-01-25|pages=6}}</ref>


| game0 = [[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]
The original ''Metroid'' has been described as being boosted by its "eerie" music, adding a "sense of mystery and exploration" to the game by making the game "moody and atmospheric".<ref name="history"/><ref name="original"/> [[IGN]] praised the well timed music that helped add suspense to the experience.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Jones|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/159/159335p1.html|title=Metroid 2: Return of Samus|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[1999-06-14]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime'' was considered one of the best games ever upon release, winning [[Game of the Year]] from various publications and websites.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/general2.html |title = GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002: Game of the Year| publisher = [[GameSpot]]| accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2002/overall/| title = Game of the Year 2002| publisher = [[GameSpy]]| accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/388/388472p1.html|title=GDC 2003: Metroid Wins Game of the Year|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2003-03-07]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> [[GameSpot]] described ''Super Metroid'' as better than the original "in literally every conceivable way",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermetroid/review.html|title=Super Metroid review|last=Provo|first=Frank|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=[[2007-08-27]]|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref>
| sales0 = 2.73 million<ref name="2004 CESA Games White Paper" />
[[Metroid Fusion]] was noted for its "understated score" which fit the mood of the adventure and its excellent stereo sound effects, making it an uncommonly good [[Game Boy Advance]] sound experience.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/377/377060p2.html|title=Metroid Fusion|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2002-11-12]]|accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref> [[IGN]] called the aural experience with ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' "mesmerizing".<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/562/562948p1.html|title=The Ultimate Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Experience|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-11-02]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref>
| mc0=-
On the popular video game music site [[OverClocked ReMix]], ''Super Metroid'' is the 11th most remixed video game, with [[Metroid]] tied for 19th.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocremix.org/games/?&offset=0&sort=mixcountdesc|title=Browsing: Games (530)|publisher=[[OverClocked ReMix]]|date=[[2008-02-01]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> Music from ''Metroid'' has been frequently been re-released as part of "best of" video game music releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/794/794173p1.html|title=Game Central's Best of the Best CD|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2007-06-06]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/498/498534p1.html|title=Japan Gets Famicom Music|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2004-03-12]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Carle|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/666/666562p1.html|title=IGN Interviews 8-Bit Weapon|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2005-11-18]]|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> [[Metroid Prime]]'s soundtrack was called the best sound design on the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], and composer [[Kenji Yamamoto]] utilizes heavy drums, piano, voiced chants, clangs of pipes, and electric guitar. The sound effects were also noted for a high degree of accuracy and blending with the soundtrack.<ref name ="primed">{{cite web|author=Fran Mirabella III|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/376/376866p1.html|title=Metroid Prime|date=[[2002-11-11]]|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref>
| gr0=-


| game1 = [[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]
{{-}}
| sales1= 1.72 million<ref name="2004 CESA Games White Paper" />
| mc1=-
| gr1=79%<ref name="metroid2gr" />

| game2 = [[Super Metroid]]
| sales2 = 1.42 million<ref name="2004 CESA Games White Paper" />
| gr2=96%<ref name="supergr" />
| mc2 = -

| game3 = [[Metroid Fusion]]
| sales3 = 1.39 million<ref name="2004 CESA Games White Paper" />
| mc3=92<ref name="fusionmc" />
| gr3=91%<ref name="fusiongr" />

| game4 = [[Metroid Prime]]
| sales4 = 2.84 million<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=2020CESAゲーム白書 (2020 CESA Games White Papers)|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]|year=2020|isbn=978-4-902346-42-8|page=241}}</ref>
| mc4 = 97<ref name="primemc" />
| gr4 = 96%<ref name="primegr" />

| game5=[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]
| mc5=89<ref name="zeromc" />
| gr5=90%<ref name="zerogr" />

| game6 = [[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]] <small>([[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] re-release)</small>
| gr6 = 62%<ref name="Metroid GameRankings" />
| mc6 = 58<ref name="Metroid Metacritic" />

| game7 = [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]
| sales7 = 1.10 million<ref name="Metroid Prime 2 sales" />
| mc7=92<ref name="echoesmc" />
| gr7=92%<ref name="echoesgr" />

| game8 = [[Metroid Prime Pinball]]
| mc8=79<ref name="pinballmc" />
| gr8=80%<ref name="pinballgr" />

| game9 = [[Metroid Prime Hunters]]
| mc9=85<ref name="huntersmc" />
| gr9=84%<ref name="huntersgr" />

| game10 = [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]
| sales10 = 1.31 million<ref name="Metroid Prime 3: Corruption sales" />
| mc10=90<ref name="corruptionmc" />
| gr10=90%<ref name="corruptiongr" />

| game11 = [[Metroid Prime: Trilogy]]
| mc11=91<ref name="trilogymc" />
| gr11=92%<ref name="trilogygr" />

| game12 = [[Metroid: Other M]]
| mc12=79<ref name="ommc" />
| gr12=79%<ref name="omgr" />

| game13 = [[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]
| mc13=64<ref name="ffmc" />
| gr13=65%<ref name="ffgr" />

| game14 = [[Metroid: Samus Returns]]
| mc14=85<ref name="srmc" />
| gr14=87%<ref name="srgr" />

| game15 = [[Metroid Dread]]
| sales15=3.07 million<ref name="Metroid Dread sales" />
| mc15=88<ref name="dreadmc" />
| gr15= -

| game16 = Metroid Prime Remastered
| sales16=1.09 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Financial Results Explanatory Material |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2023/230509_3e.pdf |website=Nintendo |access-date=9 May 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509154008/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2023/230509_3e.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
| mc16=94<ref name="mprmc" />
| gr16= -
}}

''Metroid'' ranked the 70th top game (collectively) by ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' in 1996<ref>''Next Generation'' 21 (September 1996), p.47.</ref> and the 6th in 1999,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 50 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=50 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1999|page=80}}</ref> and as the eighth best game franchise by ''[[IGN]]'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/the-top-25-videogame-franchises |title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises |date=2006-12-04 |website=IGN |access-date=2021-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226223358/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/749/749069p4.html |archive-date=2008-02-26}}</ref> In 2001, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' named ''Super Metroid'' the best game ever.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly's 100 Best Games of All Time |author=EGM staff |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |year=2001 |access-date=2006-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030611191341/http://gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |archive-date=2003-06-11}}</ref> All the ''Metroid'' games released by 2005 were included in a ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' top 200 Nintendo games list,<ref name="NP Top 200" /> ''Prime'' in the ''IGN'' top 100,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_30.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201122718/http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_30.html |archive-date=2007-12-01}}</ref> ''Metroid'', ''Super Metroid'', ''Prime'' and ''Echoes'' in a list by [[GameFAQs]] users;<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest – The 10 Best Games Ever |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |website=[[GameFAQs]] |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716111618/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |archive-date=2015-07-16}}</ref> ''Metroid'' and ''Super Metroid'' in ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s list;<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Top 100 Games of All Time | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | volume=100 | date=August 2001 | page=34}}</ref> and ''Prime'' and ''Super Metroid'' in ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''{{'}}s list.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time/ |title=Edge's Top 100 games |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121231340/http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time/ |archive-date=2013-01-21}}</ref> The series has influenced games including ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''.<ref name="pro" />

Samus Aran was recognized by ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as "enduringly popular"<ref name="GWR2013" /> and as the "first playable human female character in a mainstream video game", although Toby Masuyo ("Kissy") from [[Namco]]'s ''[[Baraduke|Alien Sector]]'' predates her by one year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/namcoxcapcom/namcoxcapcom2.htm#tobymasuyo |title=Obscure Namco characters |publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=6 October 2013 |author=Kurt Kalata |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926182846/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/namcoxcapcom/namcoxcapcom2.htm |archive-date=26 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/10/nintendo_download_13_14_october_2009_japan |title=Nintendo Download: 13-14 October 2009 (Japan) |publisher=nintendolife.com |access-date=6 October 2013 |author=Sean Aaron |date=9 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006174808/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/10/nintendo_download_13_14_october_2009_japan |archive-date=6 October 2013}}</ref> Ridley was the second-most requested Nintendo character by ''IGN'' and number one by the fans to be added as a playable character to the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series<ref name="metroidrid" /> and Mother Brain is often named among the best video game bosses.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Ryan Stewart |author2=Mitch Krpata |name-list-style=amp |date=October 13, 2006 |url=http://thephoenix.com/Boston/recroom/24907-20-greatest-bosses-in-video-game-history-4-/ |title=The 20 Greatest Bosses in Video Game History - #4: Mother Brain |newspaper=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]] |access-date=2008-02-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114100926/http://thephoenix.com/Boston/RecRoom/24907-20-Greatest-Bosses-in-Video-Game-History-4-/ |archive-date=January 14, 2009}}</ref>

The original ''Metroid'' has been described as boosted by its "eerie" music, adding a "sense of mystery and exploration" to the game by making the game "moody and atmospheric".<ref name="history" /><ref name="original" /> ''IGN'' praised the well-timed music that helped add suspense.<ref name="xxx" /> ''[[GameSpot]]'' described ''Super Metroid'' as better than the original "in literally every conceivable way",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/super-metroid/reviews/super-metroid-review-6177708/ |title=Super Metroid review |last=Provo |first=Frank |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=2007-08-27 |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419213453/http://www.gamespot.com/super-metroid/reviews/super-metroid-review-6177708/ |archive-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> ''Metroid Fusion'' was noted for its "understated score" which fit the mood of the adventure and its excellent stereo sound effects, making it an uncommonly good Game Boy Advance sound experience.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/12/metroid-fusion?page=2 |title=Metroid Fusion |website=IGN |date=2002-11-12 |access-date=2008-03-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023234558/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/12/metroid-fusion?page=2 |archive-date=2012-10-23}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime'' was considered one of the best games ever made upon its release, winning [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] from various publications and websites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/general2.html |title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002: Game of the Year |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207154432/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/general2.html |archive-date=2003-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2002/overall/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111094349/http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2002/overall/ |archive-date=2012-01-11 |title=Game of the Year 2002 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=2008-02-20 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/07/igda-names-metroid-game-of-the-year|title=IGDA Names Metroid Game of the Year |website=IGN |date=2003-03-07 |access-date=2008-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212235339/http://cube.ign.com/articles/388/388472p1.html |archive-date=2007-02-12}}</ref> ''IGN'' called the aural experience with ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' "mesmerizing".<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/02/the-ultimate-metroid-prime-2-echoes-experience |title=The Ultimate Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Experience |website=IGN |date=2004-11-02 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025162927/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/02/the-ultimate-metroid-prime-2-echoes-experience |archive-date=2012-10-25}}</ref> Music from ''Metroid'' has been frequently re-released as part of "best of" video game music releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/game-centrals-best-of-the-best-cd |title=Game Central's Best of the Best CD |website=IGN |date=2007-06-06 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618123933/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/game-centrals-best-of-the-best-cd |archive-date=2013-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Staff |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/12/japan-gets-famicom-music |title=Japan Gets Famicom Music |website=IGN |date=2004-03-12 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025162937/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/12/japan-gets-famicom-music |archive-date=2012-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Carle, Chris |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/18/ign-interviews-8-bit-weapon-2 |title=IGN Interviews 8-Bit Weapon |website=IGN |date=2005-11-18 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618124144/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/18/ign-interviews-8-bit-weapon-2 |archive-date=2013-06-18}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime''{{'}}s soundtrack was called the best sound design on the [[GameCube]]. The sound effects were also noted for a high degree of accuracy and blending with the soundtrack.<ref name="primed" /> On the popular video game music site [[OverClocked ReMix]], ''Super Metroid'' is the tenth-most remixed video game, while the first ''Metroid'' video game was twenty-fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocremix.org/games/?&offset=0&sort=mixcountdesc |title=Browsing: Games (530) |publisher=[[OverClocked ReMix]] |date=2008-02-01 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320042620/http://www.ocremix.org/games/?&offset=0&sort=mixcountdesc |archive-date=2008-03-20}}</ref>

===Sales===
Each ''Metroid'' game, excluding spin-offs and remakes, has sold more than one million copies.<ref name="super" /><ref name="US platinum" /><ref name="sales" /> By September 2012, the series had sold over 17.44 million copies worldwide.<ref name="GWR2013" />

Sales of ''Metroid'' games in Japan have typically been lower than in the United States.<ref name=gr-history /> In its debut week in Japan, ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' sold 32,388 units, ranking it behind ''[[Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Wii Fit]]'', and ''[[Gundam Musou Special]]''.<ref name="media sale" /> ''Metroid: Other M'' was the third-bestselling video game in Japan during its week of release with 45,398 copies sold, ranking it behind ''[[Wii Party]]'' and ''[[Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airu Village]]''.<ref name="andriasang metroid sales" /> It sold an additional 11,239 copies the following week.<ref name="japanese charts" />

==Legacy==
Along with the 1997 [[Konami]] game ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'', the early ''Metroid'' games defined a subgenre known as [[Metroidvania]]. Tom Happ, developer of the 2015 Metroidvania game ''[[Axiom Verge]]'', defined Metroidvania games as side-scrolling adventures with continuous maps, rather than discrete [[Level (video games)|levels]], that require the player to collect items and backtrack. Other notable Metroidvania games include ''[[Cave Story]]'' (2004), ''[[Shadow Complex]]'' (2009), ''[[Ori and the Blind Forest]]'' (2014), ''[[Hollow Knight]]'' (2017), and ''[[Chasm (video game)|Chasm]]'' (2018).<ref name="metroidvania" /> ''Metroid'' is therefore among a handful of game series to have genres named after them, along with ''[[Dark Souls]]'' ([[Soulslike]]) and ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' ([[Roguelike]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gamerant.com/games-created-genres/#demon-39-s-souls-ndash-souls-like | title=8 Games That Started New Genres | date=6 May 2022 | access-date=13 March 2023 | archive-date=13 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095838/https://gamerant.com/games-created-genres/#demon-39-s-souls-ndash-souls-like | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[AM2R]]'', a [[Fangame|fan-made]] remake of ''Metroid II'' was released. Nintendo issued [[takedown notice]]s to halt its distribution, citing the potential damage to its intellectual property.<ref name="fan remake" /> ''AM2R'' was nominated for the [[The Game Awards 2016|Game Awards 2016]], but was removed as it had not been cleared by Nintendo for inclusion.<ref name="game awards" />

===Crossovers===
====''Super Smash Bros.'' franchise====
{{Main|Super Smash Bros.}}
Samus is a playable character in all five ''Super Smash Bros.'' games.<ref>{{cite web |author=Peer Schneider |date=1999-04-27 |title=Super Smash Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/28/super-smash-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227014836/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/28/super-smash-bros |archive-date=2012-12-27 |access-date=2008-02-17 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Fran Mirabella III |date=2001-12-03 |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/03/super-smash-bros-melee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915062546/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/03/super-smash-bros-melee |archive-date=2012-09-15 |access-date=2008-02-17 |website=IGN}}</ref> Games from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' onward also feature Zero Suit Samus, a version of the heroine using the blue form-fitting suit seen in ''Zero Mission'' and the ''Prime'' series.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Lucas M. Thomas |author2=Matt Casamassina |name-list-style=amp |date=2007-01-01 |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl FAQ&nbsp;— Veterans |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/04/super-smash-bros-brawl-faq?page=9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103131442/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/04/super-smash-bros-brawl-faq?page=9 |archive-date=2012-11-03 |access-date=2008-02-17 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Lucas M. Thomas |author2=Matt Casamassina |name-list-style=amp |date=2007-01-01 |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl FAQ&nbsp;— Newcomers |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/04/super-smash-bros-brawl-faq?page=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105054215/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/04/super-smash-bros-brawl-faq?page=12 |archive-date=2012-11-05 |access-date=2008-02-17 |website=IGN}}</ref> Ridley makes cameos in ''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]'', where he can be seen flying through the level Zebes, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' both as an unlockable trophy and in the game's opening, where he is fighting Samus at Ceres Space Station.<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN Staff |date=July 31, 2001 |title=Smash Profile: Captain Falcon |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/smash-profile-captain-falcon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025162920/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/smash-profile-captain-falcon |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=2008-02-26 |website=IGN}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Ridley appears as a boss character in both normal and Meta Ridley forms.<ref name="metroidrid" /> Ridley's clone from ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' appears as a boss on the Pyroshpere stage in [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'']], where he will join a fighter's side if they manage to knock him out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Paul |date=2014-10-24 |title=Super Smash Bros. Wii U gets 8-player mode, Mewtwo, custom stage creator |url=https://gaming-age.com/2014/10/super-smash-bros-wii-u-gets-8-player-mode-mewtwo-custom-stage-creator/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Gaming Age |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817142732/https://gaming-age.com/2014/10/super-smash-bros-wii-u-gets-8-player-mode-mewtwo-custom-stage-creator/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |last2=Simms |first2=Brandon |last3=Graeber |first3=Brendan |last4=Moreupdated |first4=+49 8k |date=2014-04-15 |title=Stage Hazards and Boss Characters - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / 3DS Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/super-smash-bros-wii-u-3ds/Stage_Hazards_and_Boss_Characters |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817142737/https://www.ign.com/wikis/super-smash-bros-wii-u-3ds/Stage_Hazards_and_Boss_Characters |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to demand from fans, Ridley was made a playable fighter in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Kraid also appeared in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' as a stage hazard in Brinstar Depths and unlockable trophy. Various other characters such as Metroids, Mother Brain and Dark Samus appear as either trophies or stickers in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series as well. Dark Samus would later debut as a fighter in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', sharing a moveset similar to Samus. A number of locations from the ''Metroid'' franchise have appeared in ''Super Smash Bros.'' games as battle stages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2018 |title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate Stages - All New Super Smash Bros Ultimate Stages |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/10-12-2018-super-smash-bros-ultimate-stages-guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214045434/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/10-12-2018-super-smash-bros-ultimate-stages-guide |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

====Other games====
Samus has appeared in other Nintendo games such as ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'', the NES version of ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Tetris DS]]'', ''[[Galactic Pinball]]'', ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', ''[[Kirby's Dream Land 3]]'' and ''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]''.<ref name="trailers" /><ref>{{cite web |author=IGN Staff |date=1999-03-18 |title=One Ticket to Zebes, Please |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/19/one-ticket-to-zebes-please |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109210209/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/19/one-ticket-to-zebes-please |archive-date=2012-11-09 |access-date=2008-02-17 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=IGN Staff |date=2003-03-21 |title=Wario Ware Is Insane |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/21/wario-ware-is-insane |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023234553/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/21/wario-ware-is-insane |archive-date=2012-10-23 |access-date=2008-02-26 |website=IGN}}</ref>

A Metroid-lookalike enemy, called the Komayto, appears in ''[[Kid Icarus]]'' for the NES; the characters allude to the similarities between the two in ''[[Kid Icarus: Uprising]]''.<ref name="trailers" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2012 |title=Kid Icarus: Uprising is a Gaudy, Goofy, Surprisingly Hardcore Shoot-'Em-Up<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=https://kotaku.com/kid-icarus-uprising-is-a-gaudy-goofy-surprisingly-ha-5877434 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020204520/https://kotaku.com/kid-icarus-uprising-is-a-gaudy-goofy-surprisingly-ha-5877434 |archive-date=2021-10-20 |access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref> In ''[[Dead or Alive: Dimensions]]'', a [[fighting game]] developed by Team Ninja for the 3DS, one stage is a replica of the arena in which Samus fights Ridley in ''Metroid: Other M'' and features both as non-playable characters.<ref>{{cite web |last=Drake |first=Audrey |date=2011-05-23 |title=Dead or Alive Dimensions -- Metroid Secrets |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/24/dead-or-alive-dimensions-metroid-secrets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062815/http://ie.ign.com/articles/2011/05/24/dead-or-alive-dimensions-metroid-secrets |archive-date=2016-01-02 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=IGN}}</ref> When asked why Samus is not playable in ''Dimensions'',<ref name="non-playable" /> Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi said in an interview that "it would be better to let her focus on her job rather than kicking everyone's butt in [''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'']".<ref name="yosuke hayashi" /> The [[Wii U]] launch game ''[[Nintendo Land]]'' has a minigame based on the series called "Metroid Blast".<ref name="NintendoLand" />

A Samus [[amiibo]] figure can be used to unlock a Mii costume based on her appearance in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and a Samus costume in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Mario Maker Amiibo Support |url=https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/games/detail/super-mario-maker-wii-u/ |website=Nintendo.com |access-date=2023-01-29 |archive-date=2022-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128234620/https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/games/detail/super-mario-maker-wii-u/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Nintendo and [[Epic Games]] began negotiations to include Samus in ''[[Fortnite]]'' as a skin. The plans for this first came to light publicly when internal Epic documents were released as part of the ''[[Epic Games v. Apple]]'' case in 2021. Other characters from the batch in the document such as [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] and [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] were added to the game in late 2020, but Samus was not.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandom |first1=Russell |title=Fortnite is planning skins for LeBron James and The Rock, documents show |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/3/22417523/fortnite-party-royale-lebron-james-zion-the-rock-epic-apple |website=The Verge |language=en |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425151010/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/3/22417523/fortnite-party-royale-lebron-james-zion-the-rock-epic-apple |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, former Epic creative director [[Chair Entertainment|Donald Mustard]] revealed that Nintendo had requested Nintendo Switch exclusivity for the Samus skin, which was against Epic's policy of maintaining feature parity for ''Fortnite'' across all platforms, and so the character was never included.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Oli |title=Nintendo wouldn't let Samus be in Fortnite |url=https://www.polygon.com/24138083/samus-fortnite-skin-nintendo-refused |website=Polygon |date=23 April 2024 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=17 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817142733/https://www.polygon.com/24138083/samus-fortnite-skin-nintendo-refused |url-status=live}}</ref>

===In other media===
{{See also|List of Metroid media}}
====Television====
A ''Metroid'' animated series was considered for the ''Super Mario Bros. Power Hour'', a cancelled animation block that would have aired in the 1980s. Concept art was produced for the series, which notably featured a male incarnation of Samus. ''Power Hour'' never moved forward in the intended format, instead being replaced by ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' which aired in 1989.<ref name="cartoon" /> Mother Brain was the primary villain in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' TV show.<ref name="captain N" />

====Manga====
Various magazines have published [[Comic book|comics]] and [[manga]] based on ''Metroid'',<ref name="diesgaudii" /> ''Super Metroid'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/?g=sm&p=comics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306073357/http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/?g=sm&p=comics |archive-date=2008-03-06|title=Comics & Manga |access-date=2008-02-20 |date=2006-01-01 |publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mp&p=comics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320015327/http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mp&p=comics|archive-date=2008-03-20|title= Comics |access-date=2008-02-20|date=2002-01-01|publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metroid-database.com/manga/?vid=10&cid=35 |title=Manga |access-date=2008-12-23 |date=2002-01-01 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008061101/http://metroid-database.com/manga/?vid=10&cid=35 |archive-date=2011-10-08}}</ref> and ''Metroid: Zero Mission''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mzm&p=manga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320015332/http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.php?g=mzm&p=manga|archive-date=2008-03-20|title= Manga |access-date=2008-02-20|date=2004-01-01|publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> in both the United States and Japan. Samus Aran and other ''Metroid'' characters also featured in the ''Captain N: The Game Master'' comic books by [[Valiant Comics]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Webster Swenson |url=http://cnn.captainn.net/com_cn1_wtvl.html |title=Captain N Volume 1 |access-date=2008-02-20 |date=1990-01-01 |publisher=Valiant Comics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305212018/http://cnn.captainn.net/com_cn1_wtvl.html |archive-date=2008-03-05}}</ref> In Japan, a ''Metroid'' manga series was published in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Monthly Magazine Z]]'' beginning in November 2003, and ran for 16 chapters which were later collected into two [[Tankōbon]] volumes. The series chronicled Samus' life up through the events of the original game, and went on to influence the plots of subsequent games in the franchise.<ref name="trailers" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo|title=Everything you need to know before you play Metroid Dread|first=Maddy|last=Myers|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=October 8, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|archive-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012213559/https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in Japan, ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'' published a three-volume manga starring Samus, {{nihongo foot|[[w:ja:メトロイド サムス&ジョイ|''Metroid: Samus and Joey'']].|メトロイド サムス&ジョイ|Metoroido Samusu& joi|group=lower-alpha}}<ref>{{cite web|title=English Translation Of Metroid EX: Samus & Joey Manga Finally Complete |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/10/english_translation_of_metroid_ex_samus_and_joey_manga_finally_complete |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |publisher=Gamer Network |first=Damien |last=McFerren |date=2015-11-07 |access-date=2016-01-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210065605/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/10/english_translation_of_metroid_ex_samus_and_joey_manga_finally_complete |archive-date=2015-12-10}}</ref>

====Proposed film====
In 2003, two producers optioned the rights to create a live-action film based on ''Metroid'', but the rights expired.<ref name="trailers" /> The director [[John Woo]] acquired the rights a few years later,<ref name="movie" /> and his studio Lion Rock Productions was to produce and release the film before 2006.<ref name=":2" /> The writers included [[David Greenwalt]], who had worked on ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', and ''[[Grimm (TV series)|Grimm]]''.<ref name=":2" /> According to the producer Brad Froxhoven, the film would have explored Samus' [[origin story]]; she would be "an exceptionally talented, but also flawed character who was looking for redemption ... We wanted to see her struggle, to be humbled, and to be forced to rise up against crazy odds. And of course we wanted to see the cool weapons in all of their glory".<ref name="IGNMetroid" />

According to Foxhoven, Nintendo was protective due to the failure of the 1993 [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'']] film.<ref name="IGNMetroid" /> Nintendo had no answers to the team's questions about Samus' personal life, relationships, and other personal characteristics, and was uncomfortable with the film team "being the ones to propose those answers".<ref name="IGNMetroid" /> Foxhoven said Nintendo left the discussions appreciating that they needed to develop the franchise further if it were to become a Hollywood film.<ref name="IGNMetroid" /> In 2013, Sakamoto said he could support a film directed by Ryuji Kitaura, the director of the CG scenes in ''Other M'', if the concept and methodologies were good enough.<ref name="gamestm" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{reflist|2}}
<ref name="fan remake">{{Cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|date=2016-08-08|title=Nintendo Issues Takedown Notices for Impressive Fan-Made Metroid II Remake, AM2R|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/08/nintendo_issues_takedown_notices_for_impressive_fan-made_metroid_ii_remake_am2r|access-date=2021-01-06|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108093508/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/08/nintendo_issues_takedown_notices_for_impressive_fan-made_metroid_ii_remake_am2r|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="game awards">{{cite web|last=Imms|first=Jason|date=November 28, 2016|title=Pokémon Uranium and AM2R: Why They Were Pulled from The Game Awards|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-uranium-and-am2r-why-they-were-pulled-from/1100-6445792/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161202040241/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-uranium-and-am2r-why-they-were-pulled-from/1100-6445792/|archive-date=December 2, 2016|access-date=October 15, 2018|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==External links==
;Official
*[http://www.metroid.com Official English site]
*[http://www.metroid.jp Official Japanese site]
*[http://www.retrostudios.com Retro Studios official site] (''Metroid'' and [[Retro Studios]])


<ref name="Metroid Metacritic">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid (Classic NES Series) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125234857/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/classic-nes-series-metroid |archive-date=2010-11-25}}</ref>
;Other
*{{moby game|id=-group/metroid-universe|name=''Metroid'' series}}
*[http://metroid.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Wikitroid, the ''Metroid'' wiki]


<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080125e.pdf#page=6 |title=Financial Results Briefing for the Nine-Month Period Ending December 2007 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2008-01-25 |access-date=2008-01-25 |page=6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216091258/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080125e.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-16}}</ref>
{{Metroid series}}


<ref name="2004 CESA Games White Paper">{{Cite report|title=2004 CESA Games White Paper|date=December 31, 2003|pages=58–63|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]}}</ref>
[[Category:Metroid]]

[[Category:Video game franchises]]
<ref name="US platinum">{{cite web|date=2007-12-27 |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=2008-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=2007-04-21}}</ref>

<!-- <ref name="Metroid Prime sales">{{Cite web|last=Montreal|first=Mathew Kumar, Leigh Alexander|title=MIGS 2007: Retro Studios On The Journey Of Metroid Prime|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16389|access-date=2020-06-12|website=www.gamasutra.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228002311/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16389|url-status=live}}</ref> -->

<ref name="Metroid Prime 2 sales">{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |author=Casamassina, Matt |author-link=Matt Casamassina |title=A Space Bounty Hunter in Texas |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/29/a-space-bounty-hunter-in-texas?page=7 |access-date=2021-01-26 |website=IGN |archive-date=2021-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921165705/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/29/a-space-bounty-hunter-in-texas?page=7 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="media sale">{{cite journal |title=Software Sales for 3/3 – 3/9, 2008 |journal=Media Create |date=2008-03-09}}</ref>

<ref name="japanese charts">{{cite web|title=Manga Based Fighter Tops Japanese Charts, Other M Sales Decline |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/121228/Manga_Based_Fighter_Tops_Japanese_Charts_Other_M_Sales_Decline.php |website=Gamasutra |date=16 September 2010 |access-date=2011-03-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511025126/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/121228/Manga_Based_Fighter_Tops_Japanese_Charts_Other_M_Sales_Decline.php |archive-date=2012-05-11}}</ref>

<ref name="Metroid GameRankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/921926-classic-nes-series-metroid/ |title=Classic NES Series: Metroid — GBA |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054158/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/921926-classic-nes-series-metroid/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="metroidnes">{{cite web|access-date=2011-07-03 |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/metroid-other-m/0/0 |title=Iwata Asks: Metroid: Other M – Vol. 1: An NES Game with the Latest Technology |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America Inc]] |date=2013-04-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ |archive-date=2015-07-25}}</ref>

<ref name="metroidvania">{{Cite web|last=Nutt|first=Christian|title=The undying allure of the Metroidvania|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/236410/The_undying_allure_of_the_Metroidvania.php|access-date=2021-01-16|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=13 February 2015|language=en|archive-date=2020-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129040154/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/236410/The_undying_allure_of_the_Metroidvania.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="metroidrid">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/08/smash-bros-wish-list-all-nintendo-edition |author1=Phil Pirrello |author2=Richard George |name-list-style=amp |title=Smash Bros. Wish-List: All Nintendo Edition |website=IGN |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024085009/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/08/smash-bros-wish-list-all-nintendo-edition |archive-date=2012-10-24}}</ref>

<ref name="captain N">{{cite web|author=Michael Drucker |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/01/captain-n-the-game-master-the-complete-series |title=Captain N The Game Master – The Complete Series |access-date=June 19, 2021 |date=February 1, 2007 |website=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618070159/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/01/captain-n-the-game-master-the-complete-series |archive-date=2013-06-18}}</ref>

<ref name="super">{{cite web |date=2007-01-01 |url=http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=112&view=dev |title=Super Metroid |publisher=N-Sider |access-date=2008-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404152718/http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=112&view=dev |archive-date=2008-04-04}}</ref>

<ref name="xxx">{{cite web |author=Tim Jones |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/15/metroid-2-return-of-samus |title=Metroid 2: Return of Samus |website=IGN |date=1999-06-14 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711214501/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/15/metroid-2-return-of-samus |archive-date=2015-07-11}}</ref>

<ref name="diesgaudii">{{cite web |first1=George |last1=Caragonne |first2=James |last2=Brock |first3=Bob |last3=Layton |author4=Jade |first5=Kathryn |last5=Bolinger |url=http://diesgaudii.genvid.com/site/metroid/comic/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708181426/http://diesgaudii.genvid.com/site/metroid/comic/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |title=Metroid |access-date=2008-02-20 |date=1987-01-01 |publisher=[[Nintendo Power]]}}</ref>

<ref name="GWR2013">{{cite book | title=Guinness World Records 2013: Gamer's Edition | publisher=Guinness World Records Ltd. | year=2012 | page=154 | isbn=9781904994954}}</ref>

<ref name="NP Top 200">{{Cite magazine|date=February 2006| title=NP Top 200|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=200|pages=58–66}}</ref>

<ref name=gr-history>{{cite web |access-date=2013-01-03 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-history-of-metroid/ |title=The History of Metroid |publisher=GamesRadar |date=2007-10-23 |author=Robinson, Andy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525045327/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-history-of-metroid/ |archive-date=2015-05-25}}</ref>

<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=4202 |title=John Woo Bringing Metroid to the Big Screen |access-date=2007-10-18 |date=2004-04-07 |publisher=Crave Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011115815/http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=4202 |archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref>

<ref name="huntersgr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/920760-metroid-prime-hunters/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid Prime: Hunters — DS |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054351/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/920760-metroid-prime-hunters/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="omgr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960554-metroid-other-m/index.html |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid: Other M — WII |access-date=2010-09-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831162233/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960554-metroid-other-m/index.html |archive-date=2010-08-31}}</ref>

<ref name="awesome">{{cite web|author=M4G Staff|url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=174|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315081014/http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=174|archive-date=2008-03-15|title=Interview with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Sound Team at Retro Studios and Composer Kenji Yamamoto|publisher=music4games|date=2007-10-05|access-date=2008-03-19}}</ref>

<ref name="non-playable">{{cite web|first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |website=[[Eurogamer]] |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-24-samus-not-playable-in-dead-or-alive-3ds |title=Samus Not Playable in Dead or Alive 3DS |date=2011-01-24 |access-date=2012-11-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109153806/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-24-samus-not-playable-in-dead-or-alive-3ds |archive-date=2012-11-09}}</ref>

<ref name="Credits">{{cite video game|title=Metroid Fusion|developer=Nintendo R&D1|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 17, 2002|platform=[[Game Boy Advance]]|scene=Staff credits}}</ref>

<ref name="supergr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588741-super-metroid/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Super Metroid — SNES |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054213/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588741-super-metroid/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="ommc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid: Other M |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-other-m/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |access-date=2010-08-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827113603/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/metroid-other-m |archive-date=2010-08-27}}</ref>

<ref name="pinballmc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid Prime Pinball |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-pinball/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831085305/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/metroid-prime-pinball |archive-date=2010-08-31}}</ref>

<ref name="trilogygr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960329-metroid-prime-trilogy/index.html |title=Reviews of Metroid Prime: Trilogy |work=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2009-08-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828113034/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960329-metroid-prime-trilogy/index.html |archive-date=2009-08-28}}</ref>

<ref name="andriasang metroid sales">{{cite web|author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=September 9, 2010 |title=Monster Hunter Beats Metroid and Bleach for Top Sales Spot |url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/09/monhan_tops_charts |publisher=Andriasang |access-date=2011-03-23 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911075926/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/09/monhan_tops_charts |archive-date=September 11, 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="Metroid Dread sales">{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Gavin |title=It's Official, Metroid Dread Is The Best-Selling Game In The Metroid Series |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/its-official-metroid-dread-is-the-best-selling-game-in-the-metroid-series |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=May 10, 2022 |date=May 10, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510110044/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/its-official-metroid-dread-is-the-best-selling-game-in-the-metroid-series|archive-date=May 10, 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="trilogymc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-trilogy/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |work=[[Metacritic]] |title=Reviews of Metroid Prime: Trilogy |access-date=2009-08-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819083042/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/metroid-prime-trilogy |archive-date=2010-08-19}}</ref>

<ref name="corruptiongr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/928517-metroid-prime-3-corruption/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption — WII |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054358/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/928517-metroid-prime-3-corruption/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="corruptionmc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-3-corruption/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227084414/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/metroid-prime-3-corruption |archive-date=2012-12-27}}</ref>

<ref name="gamestm">{{cite web|date=2010-09-14|title=Yoshio Sakamoto discusses Metroid 64, Metroid Dread and the 3DS|url=http://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/yoshio-sakamoto-discusses-metroid-64-metroid-dread-and-the-unwritten-future-of-the-warioware-series/3/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213115652/http://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/yoshio-sakamoto-discusses-metroid-64-metroid-dread-and-the-unwritten-future-of-the-warioware-series/3/|archive-date=2013-12-13|access-date=2011-03-18|work=[[GamesTM]]}}</ref>

<ref name="trailers">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/90j5yi/gt-retrospectives-metroid-retrospective--part-1 |title=The Metroid Retrospective Video Game, Part 1 &#124; Video Clip &#124; Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers.com |date=2007-07-25 |access-date=2011-10-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410190209/http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/90j5yi/gt-retrospectives-metroid-retrospective--part-1 |archive-date=2014-04-10}}</ref>

<ref name="ign-handson">{{cite web|author=Harris, Craig|date=August 22, 2002|title=Metroid Fusion Hands-on|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/22/metroid-fusion-hands-on|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117061819/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/368/368710p1.html|archive-date=November 17, 2007|access-date=October 16, 2021|publisher=IGN}}</ref>

<ref name="primed">{{cite web|author=Fran Mirabella III |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/11/metroid-prime |title=Metroid Prime |date=2002-11-11 |website=IGN |access-date=2008-02-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207014156/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/11/metroid-prime |archive-date=2012-12-07}}</ref>

<ref name="fusionmc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid Fusion |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-fusion/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123194019/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/metroid-fusion |archive-date=2010-11-23}}</ref>

<!-- <ref>{{Cite web|date=14 September 2010|title=Yoshio Sakamoto discusses Metroid 64, Metroid Dread and the 3DS|url=http://www.gamestm.co.uk/interviews/yoshio-sakamoto-discusses-metroid-64-metroid-dread-and-the-unw|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115161357/http://www.gamestm.co.uk/interviews/yoshio-sakamoto-discusses-metroid-64-metroid-dread-and-the-unwritten-future-of-the-warioware-series|archive-date=15 November 2010|website=[[GamesTM]]}}</ref> -->

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<ref name="Metroid Prime 3: Corruption sales">{{cite web|date=25 April 2008|title=Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2008 (Briefing Date: 2008/4/25): Supplementary Information|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf|access-date=12 June 2020|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519050029/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="original">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/08/top-ten-tuesday-best-8-bit-soundtracks |title=Top Ten Tuesday: Best 8-Bit Soundtracks |website=IGN |date=2007-08-08 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012233104/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/08/top-ten-tuesday-best-8-bit-soundtracks |archive-date=2012-10-12}}</ref>

<ref name="timelines">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|date=October 18, 2002|title=Metroid Time Line|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/18/metroid-time-line|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185501/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/18/metroid-time-line|archive-date=October 22, 2012|access-date=2008-02-26|website=IGN}}</ref>

<ref name="cartoon">{{cite news |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=The Super Mario Bros. Super Show people once tried to make bizarre Metroid and Castlevania cartoons |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/8/18536769/super-mario-bros-power-hour-metroid-castlevania-cartoons-dic |access-date=June 19, 2021 |website=www.polygon.com |date=May 8, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200411/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/8/18536769/super-mario-bros-power-hour-metroid-castlevania-cartoons-dic |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|date=October 21, 2005|title=Metroid Prime Pinball|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/21/metroid-prime-pinball|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020183148/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/21/metroid-prime-pinball|archive-date=October 20, 2012|access-date=2008-02-27|website=IGN}}</ref>

<ref name="echoesmc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid Prime 2: Echoes |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-2-echoes/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126094747/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/metroid-prime-2-echoes |archive-date=2010-11-26}}</ref>

<ref name="1up-girl3">{{cite web|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|date=August 7, 2006|title=One Girl vs. the Galaxy|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3152658|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404101405/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3152658|archive-date=April 4, 2015|access-date=February 24, 2009|publisher=1UP.com|page=3}}</ref>

<ref name="metroid2gr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585799-metroid-ii-return-of-samus/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid II: Return of Samus — GB |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020051144/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585799-metroid-ii-return-of-samus/ |archive-date=2012-10-20}}</ref>

<ref name="zerogr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914982-metroid-zero-mission/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid: Zero Mission — GBA |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054319/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914982-metroid-zero-mission/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="primegr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/447244-metroid-prime/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid Prime — GC |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014005944/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/447244-metroid-prime/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Gates|first=Christopher|date=March 8, 2019|title=The Entire ''Metroid'' Timeline Explained|url=https://www.svg.com/147316/the-entire-metroid-timeline-explained/|access-date=January 26, 2020|website=SVG|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124024953/https://www.svg.com/147316/the-entire-metroid-timeline-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=2019-03-19|title=The complete ranking of the Metroid series|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/3/19/18196756/the-best-metroid-games-ranked|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107235127/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/3/19/18196756/the-best-metroid-games-ranked|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="pro">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/71888/the-10-best-video-game-franchises/|date=2006-07-11|author=GamePro Staff|title=Feature: The 10-Best Video-Game Franchises|magazine=[[GamePro]]|access-date=2008-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114063237/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/71888/the-10-best-video-game-franchises/|archive-date=2010-01-14}}</ref>

<ref name="businessinsider_announce">{{cite web|last=Weinberger|first=Matt|date=13 June 2017|title=After 26 years, Nintendo is bringing back a forgotten classic 'Metroid' game for a gorgeous remake|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/metroid-samus-returns-nintendo-3ds-2017-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170808170501/http://uk.businessinsider.com/metroid-samus-returns-nintendo-3ds-2017-6|archive-date=8 August 2017|access-date=14 June 2017|work=[[Business Insider]]|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]]}}</ref>

<ref name="polygon_announce">{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Allegra|date=13 June 2017|title=Metroid: Samus Returns comes to Nintendo 3DS this year (update)|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/13/15793854/metroid-samus-returns-release-date-nintendo-3ds-e3-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613194514/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/13/15793854/metroid-samus-returns-release-date-nintendo-3ds-e3-2017|archive-date=13 June 2017|access-date=13 June 2017|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=Rus McLaughlin |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/15/ign-presents-the-history-of-metroid |title=IGN Presents The History of Metroid |website=IGN |date=2007-08-24 |access-date=2008-02-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322232835/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/15/ign-presents-the-history-of-metroid |archive-date=2016-03-22}}</ref>

<ref name="NintendoLand">{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/75739/nintendo-debuts-metroid-blast-in-nintendo-land |title=Nintendo debuts 'Metroid Blast' in Nintendo Land |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |first=Steve |last=Watts |date=2012-09-13 |access-date=2012-09-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916223453/http://www.shacknews.com/article/75739/nintendo-debuts-metroid-blast-in-nintendo-land |archive-date=2012-09-16}}</ref>

<ref name="mompreview">{{cite web|title=Metroid Other M Preview for the Wii|date=2009-06-03|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3174587&p=44|access-date=2009-06-03|archive-date=2011-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119010758/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3174587&p=44|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="fusiongr">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/516709-metroid-fusion/ |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Metroid Fusion&nbsp;— GBA |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054220/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/516709-metroid-fusion/ |archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

<ref name="primemc">{{cite web|website=[[Metacritic]] |title=Metroid Prime |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |access-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121132248/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/metroid-prime |archive-date=2010-11-21}}</ref>

<ref name="yosuke hayashi">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/12/dead-or-alive-dimensions-interview-with-team-ninjas-yosuke-hayashi |title=Dead or Alive Dimensions Interview with Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi |first=Audrey |last=Drake |website=IGN |date=2011-05-12 |access-date=2021-10-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062818/http://ie.ign.com/articles/2011/05/12/dead-or-alive-dimensions-interview-with-team-ninjas-yosuke-hayashi |archive-date=2016-01-02}}</ref>

<ref name="Spot">{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=February 18, 1999|title=Super Smash Bros. Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/supersmashbros/review.html|access-date=April 26, 2008|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=|archive-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725200955/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/supersmashbros/review.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="verge_preview">{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=14 June 2017|title=Samus Returns is a confident throwback to Metroid's roots|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/14/15797610/metroid-samus-returns-nintendo-3ds-preview-interview-e3-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614150423/https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/14/15797610/metroid-samus-returns-nintendo-3ds-preview-interview-e3-2017|archive-date=14 June 2017|access-date=14 June 2017|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNMetroid">{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Peer|date=2012-12-28|title=Whatever Happened to the Metroid Movie? Former producer talks about the ill-fated John Woo/Nintendo co-production|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/28/whatever-happened-to-the-metroid-movie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231131210/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/28/whatever-happened-to-the-metroid-movie|archive-date=2012-12-31|access-date=2012-12-31|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]}}</ref>

<ref name="ffmc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-federation-force/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Metroid Prime: Federation Force |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2016-07-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222082315/https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/metroid-prime-federation-force |archive-date=2020-02-22}}</ref>

<ref name="ffgr">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/168673-metroid-prime-federation-force/index.html |title=Metroid Prime: Federation Force — 3DS |website=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2016-07-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011336/http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/168673-metroid-prime-federation-force/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>

<ref name="srmc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-samus-returns/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Metroid: Samus Returns |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2017-09-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021050436/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/metroid-samus-returns |archive-date=2017-10-21}}</ref>

<ref name="srgr">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/211393-metroid-samus-returns/index.html |title=Metroid: Samus Returns — 3DS |website=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2017-09-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209015734/https://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/211393-metroid-samus-returns/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>

<ref name="dreadmc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-dread/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Metroid Dread |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2021-12-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208112520/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/metroid-dread |archive-date=2021-12-08}}</ref>

<ref name="mprmc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Metroid Prime Remastered |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2023-02-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208112520/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/metroid-dread |archive-date=2021-12-08}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website|http://www.metroid.com/}}

{{Metroid series}}
{{Main franchises by Nintendo}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|Japan}}


[[Category:Metroid| ]]
[[ar:ميترويد (سلسلة)]]
[[Category:Nintendo franchises]]
[[de:Metroid]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[es:Metroid (Saga)]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[fi:Metroid]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[fr:Metroid]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1986]]
[[ja:メトロイド]]
[[Category:Metroidvania games]]
[[nl:Metroid-serie]]
[[no:Metroid]]
[[Category:Space opera]]
[[pt:Metroid]]
[[ro:Metroid]]
[[ru:Metroid: серия игр]]
[[simple:Metroid]]
[[sv:Metroid-serien]]

Latest revision as of 22:49, 26 October 2024

This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Metroid (video game). For the fictional species, see Metroid (fictional species).
Not to be confused with Matroid or Meteoroid.

Metroid
Logo since 2017
Genre(s)
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Creator(s)
Platform(s)
First releaseMetroid
August 6, 1986
Latest releaseMetroid Prime Remastered
February 8, 2023

Metroid[a] is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo. The player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic Metroid creatures.

Metroid combines the platforming of Super Mario Bros. and the exploration of The Legend of Zelda with a science fiction setting and an emphasis on nonlinear gameplay. Most Metroid games are side-scrolling, while the 3D games use a first-person perspective. Players battle hostile alien enemies and obtain power-ups as they progress through the game world. The series is known for its isolated atmosphere, featuring few non-player characters.

The first Metroid was developed by Nintendo R&D1 and released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Metroid II: Return of Samus was released for the handheld Game Boy in 1991. Super Metroid (1994), released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, received acclaim. After a hiatus, Metroid Fusion (2002) and Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) were released for the Game Boy Advance.

The first 3D Metroid game, Metroid Prime (2002), was developed by Retro Studios for the GameCube and received acclaim. It was followed by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004) and the Wii game Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007). Metroid: Other M (2010), developed by Team Ninja for the Wii, received weaker reviews. After another hiatus, MercurySteam developed a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus, Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) for the handheld Nintendo 3DS, followed by Metroid Dread (2021) for the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled for 2025.

As of September 2012, the Metroid series had sold over 17.44 million copies.[2] It has been represented in other Nintendo media, including the Super Smash Bros. series. Additional media includes soundtracks, comic books, and manga. Along with the 1997 Konami game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the early Metroid games defined the Metroidvania subgenre, inspiring other games with continuous, explorable side-scrolling levels. Samus was one of the first prominent female video game characters.

Gameplay

[edit]

The Metroid series contains gameplay elements from shooter, platformer, adventure, survival and sometimes first person games.[3] The series is notable for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration format where the player only controls Samus Aran, with few or no other characters to interact with. The player gains items and power-ups for Samus's cybernetic suit primarily through exploration, and occasionally by defeating alien creatures through real-time combat with the suit's arm cannon. Many such upgrades enable further avenues of exploration.[3][4] A recurring upgrade is the Morph Ball, which allows Samus to curl into a ball, roll into tight places and plant bombs.[3]

The classic series consists of 2D side-scrollers, while the Metroid Prime series uses a first-person perspective, and first-person shooter mechanics. The 2010 Other M made use of a third person shooter format.[citation needed]

The original Metroid was influenced by two other major Nintendo franchises: Mario, from which it borrowed extensive areas of platform jumping, and The Legend of Zelda, from which it borrowed non-linear exploration.[3] Metroid differed in its atmosphere of solitude and foreboding.[3] Metroid was also one of the first video games to feature an exploration to the left as well as the right, and backtracking to already explored areas to search for secret items and paths.[5] Since the late 1990s, the term "Metroidvania" has been applied to this format.

Audio

[edit]

The Metroid series has been noted and praised for its unique style of video game music.[3][6][7] Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka, composer of the original Metroid, has said he wanted to make a score that made players feel like they were encountering a "living creature" and had no distinction between music and sound effects.[6][8] The only time the main Metroid theme was heard was after Mother Brain is defeated; this is intended to give the player a catharsis. At all other times, no melodies are present in the game.[8] The composer of Super Metroid, Kenji Yamamoto, came up with some themes by humming to himself while riding his motorcycle to work. He was asked to compose the music for Metroid Prime to reinforce the series continuity.[9] Metroid Prime's Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound was mixed by a member of Dolby.[10]

Developers from Retro Studios noted how the 6 MB memory budget for all sound effects of a level in Metroid Prime was crucial in producing a quality soundtrack, as each sound had to be of high quality to be included.[9] Yamamoto used heavy drums, piano, voiced chants, clangs of pipes, and electric guitar.[10] Metroid Prime 3: Corruption took advantage of the increased RAM in the Wii, allowing for higher-quality audio samples.[9] Kenji Yamamoto, who composed the music for Super Metroid and the Prime trilogy, copied the musical design of the original Metroid in Metroid Prime 3, by keeping the music and themes dark and scary until the very end, when uplifting music is played during the credits.[9]

Plot

[edit]

Setting

[edit]

The Metroid franchise takes place in a science fiction setting where humanity is shown to be a part of a spacefaring sovereignty known as the Galactic Federation. Other races are both a part of the Federation as well as close allies, the most prolific being the Chozo, an avian species possessing advanced technology and skills in bioengineering. The mutual nemesis of the Federation and the Chozo are the Space Pirates, a villainous interstellar cabal comprising multiple alien races of disreputable nature that all refuse to abide to the Galactic Federation's rule. They are led by the dragon-like warlord Ridley, and plot to develop weapons of mass destruction from hazardous life forms and materials to destroy the Federation and secure galactic dominance.

The eponymous Metroids are a species of predatory, jellyfish-like organisms that feed on an undetectable life energy found in all living creatures. Biological weapons, the Metroids were engineered by the Chozo to eradicate a parasitic, shapeshifting virus known as the "X" that threatened their civilization. While the Metroids succeeded in stopping the X, they became a danger to the Chozo themselves when they developed the ability to evolve into different and far deadlier forms. Most of the games center around the efforts of various organizations, including the Space Pirates, the Galactic Federation, and rogue members of the Chozo race, to weaponize the Metroids and the subsequent conflicts they cause.

Story

[edit]
See also: Characters of the Metroid series
Metroid
Story chronology
Main series in bold, remakes in parentheses
[11][12]

Metroid follows the adventures of the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who battles the Space Pirates and the Metroids.[13] Samus was raised by the Chozo after her parents were killed by a Space Pirate raid led by Ridley. She serves in the military of the Galactic Federation before departing and beginning work as a bounty hunter,[14] while facing the forces of Ridley and Mother Brain.[15][16]

In the original Metroid, Samus travels to the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from using the Metroids to create biological weapons.[17] She defeats the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as Ridley and his fellow Space Pirate leader, Kraid.[13]

The Metroid Prime series is set between Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, and chronicles Samus' conflicts with a malignant, radioactive substance named Phazon.[14] In Metroid Prime, Samus travels to Tallon IV to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting a Phazon-infused meteor that has poisoned the local ecosystem.[13] After battling a cybernetically enhanced Ridley and clearing out the Space Pirate presence on the planet, Samus purges the Phazon from Tallon IV by defeating the titular enemy, a Phazon-infected Metroid. Metroid Prime: Hunters, which is unconnected to the Phazon storyline, sees Samus respond to a distress call to the Alimbic Cluster. Other bounty hunters respond to the call, and after conflicting amongst themselves, they all ultimately band together to fight against a creature named Gorea.[14] In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Samus explores the planet Aether, which is suffering from a Phazon outbreak. The Phazon has split the world into "light" and "dark" dimensions, leading to the rise of the evil Ing race. While liberating Aether from the Ing, Samus encounters Dark Samus, a revitalized Metroid Prime that has partially copied her physical appearance. In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Samus and three other bounty hunters are recruited by the Federation to stop Dark Samus from infecting the galaxy with Phazon. While fighting to avoid being slowly corrupted by Phazon herself, Samus eradicates Phazon and her double.[13] Metroid Prime: Federation Force, the only game in which players do not control Samus, sees Samus mind-controlled by Space Pirates; the Federation Force, an elite squadron of marines equipped with powerful exosuits, battles to rescue her and destroy the Space Pirates.[14]

In Metroid II, the Galactic Federation calls for the extermination of the Metroid species and contracts Samus to travel to the species' homeworld, SR388, to carry out their extinction. She succeeds in wiping out the planet's Metroid population, but saves a single hatchling Metroid that bonds to her and delivers it to the Ceres research station for study.[13] In Super Metroid, Ridley steals the hatchling and takes it to Zebes, where the Space Pirates are attempting to clone the Metroids. After killing Ridley, Samus herself is nearly killed by the revived Mother Brain, but is rescued by the now grown Metroid which sacrifices itself. Samus destroys Mother Brain in retaliation and escapes as Zebes explodes, exterminating her old enemies for good.[14]

In Metroid: Other M, set after Super Metroid, Samus investigates the Bottle Ship, a derelict scientific research station, with a Galactic Federation platoon led by her former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich.[13] They team up against many bioweapons created by a Federation science group, including clones of creatures Samus faced on Zebes like Ridley and the Metroids. A revived Mother Brain, now occupying a humanoid body supplied to her by the Federation, takes control of the Metroids and attempts to unleash them upon the Federation, but is stopped by Samus at the cost of Adam's life. Afterward, Samus encounters and kills the ethereal entity Phantoon and sets the Bottle Ship to self-destruct.[14] In Metroid Fusion, Samus accompanies a team of scientists to SR388, where she has her first encounter with the X parasites when the species reappears in the absence of the Metroids. The X overruns a scientific research station in the planet's orbit, assimilating and imitating many creatures being studied on board.[13] Samus is infected by one but is saved using a vaccine made from the baby Metroid's cells. She discovers that the Federation has been cloning Metroids in secret, and sets the space station on a collision with SR388 to destroy the X parasites.[14] Metroid Dread continues where Fusion left off, with the Federation dispatching a squadron of advanced automatons known as E.M.M.I. to investigate the planet ZDR, where X parasites have been sighted. Samus is sent to the planet herself after contact is lost, coming into conflict with the X and a Chozo war criminal named Raven Beak, stopping both from invading the rest of the galaxy.

Development and history

[edit]
Release timeline
Main entries in bold
1986Metroid
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991Metroid II: Return of Samus
1992
1993
1994Super Metroid
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002Metroid Fusion
Metroid Prime
2003
2004Metroid: Zero Mission
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
2005Metroid Prime Pinball
2006Metroid Prime Hunters
2007Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
2008
2009Metroid Prime: Trilogy
2010Metroid: Other M
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016Metroid Prime: Federation Force
2017Metroid: Samus Returns
2018
2019
2020
2021Metroid Dread
2022
2023Metroid Prime Remastered
2024
2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

1986–1991: Conception and first game

[edit]
A video game screenshot. A person in a powered exoskeleton travels through a cave, while winged monsters hang from the ceiling.
In Metroid (the first game in the series), released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the player controls Samus Aran who fights alien monsters on the fictional planet Zebes.

The central figures in the production and development of the Metroid series are Satoru Okada, who directed Metroid and created the series; Yoshio Sakamoto, who was a character designer for the first game and has directed or supervised most of the sequels; Gunpei Yokoi, who headed the R&D1 division and produced the first two games; Makoto Kano, who wrote the scenario for Metroid, co-designed the second game, and produced the third; and Hiroji Kiyotake, who designed characters for the original.[3]

The original Metroid, an action game for the Family Computer Disk System, was developed by Nintendo's Research & Development 1 (R&D1) and released in Japan on August 6, 1986.[5] It was published for the Nintendo Entertainment System in August 1987 in North America and on January 15, 1988, in Europe.[18][19] It was directed by Satoru Okada.[3]

Metroid was designed to be a shooting game that combined the platform jumping of Super Mario Bros. with the non-linear exploration of The Legend of Zelda and a darker aesthetic. The name of the game is a portmanteau of the words "metro" (as in rapid transit) and android, and was meant to allude to the mainly underground setting of the first game as well as its robot-like protagonist.[20] Halfway through development of the original Metroid, one of the staff said to his fellow developers "Hey, wouldn't that be kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman?", and the idea was accepted.[3][21] Ridley Scott's 1979 science-fiction horror film Alien was described by Sakamoto as a "huge influence" after the world of the first Metroid had been created. In recognition of this, an antagonist was given the name Ridley, after director Ridley Scott. The development staff were also influenced by the work of the film's creature designer H. R. Giger, finding his style to be fitting for the Metroid universe.[22]

1991–2002: Sequels and first hiatus

[edit]

Metroid II: Return of Samus was released for the Game Boy in 1991 in North America and in 1992 in Japan and Europe. Metroid II also further established Samus' visual design, with the bulky Varia Suit upgrade and different arm cannons.[5]

As R&D1 were committed to making another game, Nintendo brought in Intelligent Systems to develop Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).[23] Development began in late 1991.[24][25] Released in 1994, Super Metroid drastically expanded the Metroid formula, with numerous new power-ups[26] and a richer story.[27] It received acclaim and is considered one of the best SNES games.[3] It was directed by Yoshio Sakamoto, character designer for the first Metroid; Sakamoto has directed or produced most of the 2D Metroid games since.[3]

After Super Metroid, Nintendo released no new Metroid games for eight years. They considered developing a Metroid game for its next console, the Nintendo 64, but could not generate firm ideas.[28] Sakamoto said he could not imagine how the Nintendo 64 controller could be used to move Samus.[29] An unidentified company declined an offer from Nintendo to develop a Metroid game for the Nintendo 64, as they were not confident they could create a worthwhile successor to Super Metroid.[29] Samus appeared in the Nintendo 64 fighting game Super Smash Bros. (1999).[30]

2002–2009: Metroid Prime and Game Boy Advance games

[edit]
A video game screenshot. A weapon points outwards towards a snowy landscape.
Metroid Prime, released in 2002 for the GameCube, introduced 3D graphics and first-person shooter gameplay to the series.

In 2000, the Nintendo producer Shigeru Miyamoto visited the new Nintendo subsidiary Retro Studios in Austin, Texas. He did not like any of the projects they had in development, but spent time playing Action Adventure, a third-person science-fiction action game with a female protagonist. Miyamoto tasked Retro with developing a Metroid game for the new Nintendo console, the GameCube. The team terminated Action Adventure and moved to Metroid.[31][32]

Metroid Prime, the first 3D Metroid game, released in 2002, moved the nonlinear structure of Super Metroid to a first-person perspective.[33] Nintendo stressed that it was not a first-person shooter but a "first-person adventure".[3] Metroid Prime received acclaim.[34] It sold 2.84 million copies worldwide[35] and was the best-selling Metroid game until Metroid Dread (2021).[36]

In 2002, Nintendo released Metroid Fusion, a 2D game for the Game Boy Advance (GBA).[3] It was developed by R&D1 and written and directed by Sakamoto.[37] Its gameplay is similar to Super Metroid,[38] but with a more mission-based structure that gives more guidance to the player.[39] The team's next GBA project was Zero Mission (2004), a remake of the original Metroid.[3] Both GBA games received acclaim.[40][41] A Nintendo restructure merged R&D1 with R&D2 in 2003, shortly ahead of the release of Zero Mission.[42] A 2D Metroid game for the Nintendo DS, Metroid Dread, was in development around 2006, but the hardware was not suitable for the project. Dread was ultimately revived in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.[43]

In 2004, Nintendo also released Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, which sees Samus switching between parallel light and dark worlds and introduced more difficulty.[33] Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, released for the Wii in 2007, added motion controls[3] and has Samus exploring separate planets, with more emphasis on shooting action.[33] The Prime games were rereleased for the Wii in the compilation Metroid Prime: Trilogy.[44]

In 2005, Nintendo released Metroid Prime Pinball, a pinball spin-off for the DS developed by Fuse Games.[45] Metroid Prime Hunters, a multiplayer game developed by Nintendo Software Technology, was released for the DS in 2006.[3]

2010–2016: Other M and second hiatus

[edit]

A new 3D Metroid game, Metroid: Other M, developed with the Japanese studio Team Ninja and directed by Sakamoto, was released for Wii in 2010.[46] It featured a third-person perspective and placed a greater focus on story and action. Other M received weaker reviews, with criticism for its characterization of Samus as timid and emotional and its reduced emphasis on exploration.[47] Polygon described Other M as "such a massive misfire and a flop with fans that it practically killed the series", with the series going on another hiatus for six years.[33]

A Metroid minigame, "Metroid Blast", appeared in the Wii U game Nintendo Land (2012), which had a mixed reception.[48] Using the Wii U GamePad, the player controls Samus's gunship, while up to four players with Wii Remotes and Nunchuks control Mii characters on foot, wearing Varia Suits. Miyamoto said this reflected his ideas for future Metroid games.[49]

In 2014, a former artist from Next Level Games said that Next Level had built a Metroid prototype for the Nintendo 3DS handheld before Nintendo asked them to develop Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon instead.[50] In 2016, Nintendo released Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a multiplayer game for the 3DS developed by Next Level. It received criticism for its multiplayer focus and frivolous tone.[51]

2017–present: Samus Returns, Dread and Prime 4: Beyond

[edit]
Metroid: Samus Returns, released in 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS

A remake of Metroid II, Metroid: Samus Returns, was developed by MercurySteam and released for the 3DS in September 2017. It retained the gameplay of the original and added 3D graphics and gameplay features such as melee combat.[52][53][54] MercurySteam's next project was Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch, a realization of the cancelled Nintendo DS project from the late 2000s.[43][55] Released in October 2021, it had sold more than 2.9 million copies worldwide by May 2022, making it the best-selling Metroid game.[56]

In February 2023, Nintendo released Metroid Prime Remastered, a high-definition remaster of Metroid Prime for the Switch.[57] It was developed by Retro Studios with assistance from developers including Iron Galaxy Studios.[58]

In June 2017, at E3, Nintendo announced Metroid Prime 4 for the Switch.[59] While not confirmed by Nintendo, Eurogamer reported that Prime 4 was being developed by Bandai Namco Studios.[60] Unsatisfied with the progress, Nintendo announced in January 2019 that it had restarted the development under Retro Studios, the developer of the previous Metroid Prime games.[61] In June 2024, Nintendo revealed a trailer and the title Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, with a release year of 2025.[62]

Reception

[edit]
Sales and aggregate review scores
Game Units sold GameRankings Metacritic
Metroid 2.73 million[63] - -
Metroid II: Return of Samus 1.72 million[63] 79%[64] -
Super Metroid 1.42 million[63] 96%[65] -
Metroid Fusion 1.39 million[63] 91%[67] 92[66]
Metroid Prime 2.84 million[29] 96%[69] 97[68]
Metroid: Zero Mission 90%[71] 89[70]
Metroid (GBA re-release) 62%[72] 58[73]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 1.10 million[74] 92%[76] 92[75]
Metroid Prime Pinball 80%[78] 79[77]
Metroid Prime Hunters 84%[80] 85[79]
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 1.31 million[81] 90%[83] 90[82]
Metroid Prime: Trilogy 92%[85] 91[84]
Metroid: Other M 79%[87] 79[86]
Metroid Prime: Federation Force 65%[89] 64[88]
Metroid: Samus Returns 87%[91] 85[90]
Metroid Dread 3.07 million[56] - 88[92]
Metroid Prime Remastered 1.09 million[93] - 94[94]

Metroid ranked the 70th top game (collectively) by Next Generation in 1996[95] and the 6th in 1999,[96] and as the eighth best game franchise by IGN in 2008.[97] In 2001, Electronic Gaming Monthly named Super Metroid the best game ever.[98] All the Metroid games released by 2005 were included in a Nintendo Power top 200 Nintendo games list,[99] Prime in the IGN top 100,[100] Metroid, Super Metroid, Prime and Echoes in a list by GameFAQs users;[101] Metroid and Super Metroid in Game Informer's list;[102] and Prime and Super Metroid in Edge's list.[103] The series has influenced games including Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.[4]

Samus Aran was recognized by Guinness World Records as "enduringly popular"[2] and as the "first playable human female character in a mainstream video game", although Toby Masuyo ("Kissy") from Namco's Alien Sector predates her by one year.[104][105] Ridley was the second-most requested Nintendo character by IGN and number one by the fans to be added as a playable character to the Super Smash Bros. series[106] and Mother Brain is often named among the best video game bosses.[107]

The original Metroid has been described as boosted by its "eerie" music, adding a "sense of mystery and exploration" to the game by making the game "moody and atmospheric".[3][6] IGN praised the well-timed music that helped add suspense.[7] GameSpot described Super Metroid as better than the original "in literally every conceivable way",[108] Metroid Fusion was noted for its "understated score" which fit the mood of the adventure and its excellent stereo sound effects, making it an uncommonly good Game Boy Advance sound experience.[109] Metroid Prime was considered one of the best games ever made upon its release, winning Game of the Year from various publications and websites.[110][111][112] IGN called the aural experience with Metroid Prime 2: Echoes "mesmerizing".[113] Music from Metroid has been frequently re-released as part of "best of" video game music releases.[114][115][116] Metroid Prime's soundtrack was called the best sound design on the GameCube. The sound effects were also noted for a high degree of accuracy and blending with the soundtrack.[10] On the popular video game music site OverClocked ReMix, Super Metroid is the tenth-most remixed video game, while the first Metroid video game was twenty-fifth.[117]

Sales

[edit]

Each Metroid game, excluding spin-offs and remakes, has sold more than one million copies.[23][118][119] By September 2012, the series had sold over 17.44 million copies worldwide.[2]

Sales of Metroid games in Japan have typically been lower than in the United States.[120] In its debut week in Japan, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption sold 32,388 units, ranking it behind Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Wii Fit, and Gundam Musou Special.[121] Metroid: Other M was the third-bestselling video game in Japan during its week of release with 45,398 copies sold, ranking it behind Wii Party and Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airu Village.[122] It sold an additional 11,239 copies the following week.[123]

Legacy

[edit]

Along with the 1997 Konami game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the early Metroid games defined a subgenre known as Metroidvania. Tom Happ, developer of the 2015 Metroidvania game Axiom Verge, defined Metroidvania games as side-scrolling adventures with continuous maps, rather than discrete levels, that require the player to collect items and backtrack. Other notable Metroidvania games include Cave Story (2004), Shadow Complex (2009), Ori and the Blind Forest (2014), Hollow Knight (2017), and Chasm (2018).[124] Metroid is therefore among a handful of game series to have genres named after them, along with Dark Souls (Soulslike) and Rogue (Roguelike).[125]

In 2016, AM2R, a fan-made remake of Metroid II was released. Nintendo issued takedown notices to halt its distribution, citing the potential damage to its intellectual property.[126] AM2R was nominated for the Game Awards 2016, but was removed as it had not been cleared by Nintendo for inclusion.[127]

Crossovers

[edit]

Super Smash Bros. franchise

[edit]
Main article: Super Smash Bros.

Samus is a playable character in all five Super Smash Bros. games.[128][129] Games from Super Smash Bros. Brawl onward also feature Zero Suit Samus, a version of the heroine using the blue form-fitting suit seen in Zero Mission and the Prime series.[130][131] Ridley makes cameos in Super Smash Bros., where he can be seen flying through the level Zebes, and in Super Smash Bros. Melee both as an unlockable trophy and in the game's opening, where he is fighting Samus at Ceres Space Station.[132] In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Ridley appears as a boss character in both normal and Meta Ridley forms.[106] Ridley's clone from Metroid: Other M appears as a boss on the Pyroshpere stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where he will join a fighter's side if they manage to knock him out.[133][134] Due to demand from fans, Ridley was made a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Kraid also appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee as a stage hazard in Brinstar Depths and unlockable trophy. Various other characters such as Metroids, Mother Brain and Dark Samus appear as either trophies or stickers in the Super Smash Bros. series as well. Dark Samus would later debut as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, sharing a moveset similar to Samus. A number of locations from the Metroid franchise have appeared in Super Smash Bros. games as battle stages.[135]

Other games

[edit]

Samus has appeared in other Nintendo games such as Super Mario RPG, the NES version of Tetris, Tetris DS, Galactic Pinball, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Land 3 and WarioWare.[5][136][137]

A Metroid-lookalike enemy, called the Komayto, appears in Kid Icarus for the NES; the characters allude to the similarities between the two in Kid Icarus: Uprising.[5][138] In Dead or Alive: Dimensions, a fighting game developed by Team Ninja for the 3DS, one stage is a replica of the arena in which Samus fights Ridley in Metroid: Other M and features both as non-playable characters.[139] When asked why Samus is not playable in Dimensions,[140] Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi said in an interview that "it would be better to let her focus on her job rather than kicking everyone's butt in [Dead or Alive: Dimensions]".[141] The Wii U launch game Nintendo Land has a minigame based on the series called "Metroid Blast".[48]

A Samus amiibo figure can be used to unlock a Mii costume based on her appearance in Mario Kart 8 and a Samus costume in Super Mario Maker.[142]

In 2020, Nintendo and Epic Games began negotiations to include Samus in Fortnite as a skin. The plans for this first came to light publicly when internal Epic documents were released as part of the Epic Games v. Apple case in 2021. Other characters from the batch in the document such as Kratos and Master Chief were added to the game in late 2020, but Samus was not.[143] In 2024, former Epic creative director Donald Mustard revealed that Nintendo had requested Nintendo Switch exclusivity for the Samus skin, which was against Epic's policy of maintaining feature parity for Fortnite across all platforms, and so the character was never included.[144]

In other media

[edit]
See also: List of Metroid media

Television

[edit]

A Metroid animated series was considered for the Super Mario Bros. Power Hour, a cancelled animation block that would have aired in the 1980s. Concept art was produced for the series, which notably featured a male incarnation of Samus. Power Hour never moved forward in the intended format, instead being replaced by The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! which aired in 1989.[145] Mother Brain was the primary villain in the Captain N: The Game Master TV show.[146]

Manga

[edit]

Various magazines have published comics and manga based on Metroid,[147] Super Metroid,[148] Metroid Prime,[149] Metroid Prime 2: Echoes,[150] and Metroid: Zero Mission[151] in both the United States and Japan. Samus Aran and other Metroid characters also featured in the Captain N: The Game Master comic books by Valiant Comics.[152] In Japan, a Metroid manga series was published in Kodansha's Monthly Magazine Z beginning in November 2003, and ran for 16 chapters which were later collected into two Tankōbon volumes. The series chronicled Samus' life up through the events of the original game, and went on to influence the plots of subsequent games in the franchise.[5][153] Also in Japan, Comic Bom Bom published a three-volume manga starring Samus, Metroid: Samus and Joey.[b][154]

Proposed film

[edit]

In 2003, two producers optioned the rights to create a live-action film based on Metroid, but the rights expired.[5] The director John Woo acquired the rights a few years later,[155] and his studio Lion Rock Productions was to produce and release the film before 2006.[156] The writers included David Greenwalt, who had worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Grimm.[156] According to the producer Brad Froxhoven, the film would have explored Samus' origin story; she would be "an exceptionally talented, but also flawed character who was looking for redemption ... We wanted to see her struggle, to be humbled, and to be forced to rise up against crazy odds. And of course we wanted to see the cool weapons in all of their glory".[157]

According to Foxhoven, Nintendo was protective due to the failure of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film.[157] Nintendo had no answers to the team's questions about Samus' personal life, relationships, and other personal characteristics, and was uncomfortable with the film team "being the ones to propose those answers".[157] Foxhoven said Nintendo left the discussions appreciating that they needed to develop the franchise further if it were to become a Hollywood film.[157] In 2013, Sakamoto said he could support a film directed by Ryuji Kitaura, the director of the CG scenes in Other M, if the concept and methodologies were good enough.[158]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Japanese: メトロイド, Hepburn: Metoroido
  2. ^ メトロイド サムス&ジョイ, Metoroido Samusu& joi

References

[edit]
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[edit]

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