Posted: 20 months ago, last updated a year ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Metroid is a series of running, jumping and exploration games where you play bounty hunter Samus Aran who protects the galaxy from the Space Pirates. It includes the platforming of a Mario game, but the focus is more on fighting enemies, finding new equipment and gaining access to new areas. You start with minimal weapons and slowly gain these as you progress.
You fight a range of different aliens to get to new rooms and gain power-up upgrades. It's frantic action at times, but once the enemies are dead the play switches to exploring and mapping the room-based environments. It's a simple loop that is used to build tension and discovery. With a foreboding soundtrack and often dark visuals, you make your way forward against the odds.
Metroid games have endured over the years with over 18 million games sold. The original side-scrolling platform games are:
Because of the remade games on newer systems you can play through the games chronologically as follows on modern systems:
The series moved into 3D platform games with the Metroid Prime games:
You fight a range of different aliens to get to new rooms and gain power-up upgrades. It's frantic action at times, but once the enemies are dead the play switches to exploring and mapping the room-based environments. It's a simple loop that is used to build tension and discovery. With a foreboding soundtrack and often dark visuals, you make your way forward against the odds.
Metroid games have endured over the years with over 18 million games sold. The original side-scrolling platform games are:
- Metroid (1986) NES, Gameboy Advance
- Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991) Gameboy
- Super Metroid (1994) SNES, 3DS and Wii U
- Metroid Fusion (2002) Gameboy Advance
- Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) Gameboy Advance, Wii U (remake of Metroid)
- Metroid: Other M (2010) Wii
- Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) 3DS (remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus)
- Metroid Dread (2021) Switch
Because of the remade games on newer systems you can play through the games chronologically as follows on modern systems:
- Metroid: Zero Mission on Gameboy Advance
- Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS
- Super Metroid on 3DS or Wii U
- Metroid Fusion on Gameboy Advance
- Metroid Dread on Switch
The series moved into 3D platform games with the Metroid Prime games:
- Metroid Prime (2002) Gamecube, Wii
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004) Gamecube, Wii
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007) Wii
- Metroid Prime Hunters (2006) DS
- Metroid Prime: Federation Force (2016) 3DS
- Metroid Prime 4 (TBA)
Game Details
Release Date: 06/08/1986, updated in 2017
Platforms: 3DS and 2DS, DS, GBA, GameCube, Switch, Wii and Wii U
Content Rating: PEGI 7
Players: 1
Genres: Fighting, Traversal (Collecting, Platform, Puzzle, Role-Play and Shooting)
Developer: Retro Studios (@RetroStudios)
Lists
View our choice of games like Metroid. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 14 hours and 19 hours to complete. Length of games in the series varies but most you can finish in under 20 hours.
Play Style
This is a single-player game.
This has been enjoyed by families in the following styles:
Benefits
This game has helped players develop their Identity as part of the following pathways:
Age Ratings
Skill Rating
Our Game Pathways reveal how 13-year-olds play this game:
- 13-year-old: Decoding Fantastical Discoveries
Costs
Metroid usually costs £3.59 to £39.99.
Metroid
Metroid Fusion
Metroid II: Return Of Samus
Metroid Prime Hunters
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Metroid: Other M
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Zero Mission
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.
Accessibility
We haven't documented accessibility features for this game yet. Our Metroid Accessibility Report details system-wide settings that may help, and suggests similar games with accessibility features. Tweet the developer (@RetroStudios) to let them know about our Accessibility Questionnaire.
Diversity and Inclusion
We haven't documented diversity and inclusion information for this game yet.

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