Super Metroid

"The Space Pirates have returned and Samus comes back to take them down!"

Introduction-

The Super Nintedo Entertainment System had many great games. Ranging for The Legend of Zelda: a Link to the Past, to the Super Mario World series, Donkey Kong Country, and many more. Super Metroid does not break the rule of the SNES (which is be a great game). In fact, I think it proved itself to be the best SNES game there is. Only two games get in the way of Super Metroid being the best game out there (Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles, Super Mario Bros. 3). Super Metroid has a battery backed saving system, so you can save any time you come along a save station. Super Metroid had a high standard to match for the two reasons that it was an SNES game and it was a Metroid game. There is no failure for this 1994 release.

Gameplay-

Super Metroid has spectacular gameplay. This game makes almost every other game out there look like they have bad gameplay, even if they don't! Gunpei Yokoi (1941-1997, producer of Metroid) made sure that this game was a blast for everyone who played this game. Twelve years later, I don't think he failed.

Super Metroid was on the SNES, Nintendo's second gaming system. If you have ever played the SNES before (or even if you haven't) the controls shouldn't take too long to get used to. The controls give you the ability to aim diagonally, run, shoot various weapons, and many more things without having to memorize too many controls. Personally, I think the best new addition was the ability to aim diagonally (and they ability to toggle weapons on and off). Now you can destroy creature in the air without being right under them and kill creatures on the floor without having to duck. Super Metroids control adds a lot to the gameplay, because you won't lose a battle because of the controls.

This game can be difficult, but not impossible. In fact, you can probably go through this entire game without dying with a little experience. Just like Metroid II: Return of Samus, Super Metroid lands perfectly in the difficulty range. I doubt you will every find yourself overwhelmed by this game. It should only take a few tries a max to pass a difficult boss in this game (Nintendo probably did this just to make sure no one got angry with this game).

When it comes to the fun factor of this game, Super Metroid aimed high and got higher. I had a blast through this entire game, and trust me, I'm not the only one who did. Tons of people who played this game were given a lot of enjoyment while they played this game. Super Metroid has high standards to meet, simply because it is a Metroid game. Super Metroid definitely matched, and quite frankly beat out, the other two Metroid games. If you are looking for a game with a high fun factor, grab Super Metroid.

Overall Gameplay: 40/40

Story-

Like all Metroid games, Super Metroid has a good story. It keeps up with the storyline and takes place right after Metroid II: Return of Samus. Here is what I portray the story as:

Almost two years ago, Samus was sent on a mission to solely infiltrate Zebes, base of the Space Pirates, and destroy the mechanical life-form Mother Brain, along with the parasitic life called a Metroid. After destroying Ridley and Kraid, Samus went to Tourian and destroyed both the Metroids and Mother Brain. Samus headed off of Zebes, and returned to the Galactic Federation.

A while after defeated the Space Pirates, Samus was sent on a mission to exterminate all of the Metroids on SR-388. Samus went into the planet and discovered that Metroids had the ability to evolve. Along with the Infant Metroids, Samus found Alpha Metroids, Gamma Metroids, Zeta Metroids, Omega Metroids, and the almighty Queen Metroid. After a grueling battle with eight un-evolved Metroids and the Queen Metroid, Samus came across a Metroid egg. The egg hatched in front of her eyes, and, even though Samus's mission was to exterminate all Metroids, she didn't have the heart to do it.

Samus took the Metroid to a space colony named Ceres. The scientists studied the Metroid hatchling and made an astounding discovery. Metroids could create energy to help people across the galaxy. The scientists continue their studies on the Metroid and Samus leaves Ceres. Only a few minute after leaving the space colony, Samus picks up a distress signal. The space colony Ceres is under attack. Samus rushes back to Ceres, not knowing what enemies she will soon face.

Overall, I think this story is perfect. If you want a better story, good luck finding one (as I doubt you will). Super Metroid sets a high standard for a great story.

Overall Story: 20/20

Graphics/Sound-

Super Metroid, once again, did a good job in this category. It excelled compared to the previous two Metroid games. I really do think that Super Metroid capitalized in every category, and this is no exception.

Super Metroid was on a 16-Megabyte system, so it was bound to have good graphics. In fact, Super Metroid had spectacular graphics, and the environment was easier to tell apart. In Metroid II: Return of Samus, it was easy to get lost because of the reoccurring environment. Not only can distinguish areas in Super Metroid, but Super Metroid also has a colored mapping system that helps you get around. Enemy and character sprites were very good. I was especially impressed with Ridley's new look. He appear larger and more menacing then before. He also took on the look of a dragon, which also added to his evil look. Samus was pretty brilliant, too. Her suit looked a lot better, and her attacks looked very good as well. Overall, the graphics were made as best as possible.

The sound has always been sub-par throughout the entire Metroid series. However, with the release of Super Metroid, the bad sound reputation was relinquished. Super Metroid has brilliant sound basically everywhere. The tunes from Super Metroid are often used in the Metroid Prime series (Metroid's 3-D series), and Ridley's theme is used just about in every Metroid game released after Super Metroid. Aside from one tune (Wrecked ship before the boss), I liked every music theme in this game.

Overall Graphics/Sound: 19/20

Play Time/Lasting Appeal-

Super Metroid scores high on both parts of this, but, before I break down the two sections, I want to explain something. Just because a game doesn't have a second quest, doesn't mean that it has bad lasting appeal! It means that it doesn't have a second quest, and nothing more. Sometimes a game has no second quest, but you would love to just play through it again. That would be considered good lasting appeal, not bad.

Super Metroid is an easy game to get hooked on. From the second you turn on the Super Nintendo with this game in it, you will be absorbed in this game. I know I was. Super Metroid is almost addictive (in a good way). Once you start, you probably won't stop playing. But, if you keep on playing, you will notice one thing about Super Metroid. It has a near perfect play time. It probably takes a little over three hours unless you are a game expert, or you skipped a good amount of items. Three to five hours of non-stop fund is nothing to scoff at. Super Metroid will leave you in awe, and it won't be for only a few minutes.

As for lasting appeal, I found myself playing through this game several times, even though it does not have a second quest. You have to try to get bored with this game (and even if you try, you will probably fail). Super Metroid will be so fun the first time through, you'll want to play it again. When you finish it the second time (and probably get more, but not all of the items) you'll want to play through another time. This process keeps continuing over and over again. Super Metroid will leave you longing to play it every second you can. It definitely does not fail when it comes to lasting appeal.

Overall Play Time/Lasting Appeal: 19/20

Overall Score-
Gameplay: 40/40
Story: 20/20
Graphics/Sound: 19/20
Play Time/Lasting Appeal: 19/20
Total Score: 98/100 (about 10/10)

It is a shame to say this game is anything but a must buy! Super Metroid is a very popular game. Unfortunately, it is a little bit on the rare side. If you can get a hold of a working copy of this game, don't hesitate to say yes. This game shows us what great games really are. Super Metroid didn't disappoint many people, and, if there are disappointed people, they are few and far between. Super Metroid is loved by many people, not only in this country, but around the world. Super Metroid is easily the best Metroid game, and I doubt that will ever change.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/26/06