"The finest Game Boy action game ever with the BEST replay value - Insanely addictive!"

This is my review for Metroid II - Return of Samus for the Nintendo Game Boy.It's honest as any other reviews for other games that I've posted on GameFAQs.So,here it is:

Way back in 1993 I've played a game for the Game Boy called Kid Icarus from Nintendo.After finishing it,I was really amazed of this gaming masterpiece and I thought there will never be a better action game for the Game Boy ever.Boy,I was wrong! A couple of days after finishing Kid Icarus I got my hands on a copy of Metroid II - Return of Samus.When I first saw the intro screen,listening to the alien sounds and the introduction music,I just knew this game will be somewhat special.After playing a while,I found this game was even better than Kid Icarus! I was mesmerized by the vast world you have to explore.The game is HUGE compared to any other action game on the Game Boy.It had a larger selection of weapons and upgrades,compared even with the original Metroid on NES!Every aspect of the game was honed to perfection.It's the work of the genius Gunpei Yokoi.Too bad he's not among the living now.I'm very sad about the loss of this gaming genius.My only wish was the game to be longer...but this game is really lenghty.I finished in 8 hours the first time I played it.After finishing it once,I played it again to find the secret items and hidden locations.I've felt exactly the same way as I first played it.And after finishing it in 3 hours this time,I found out that it offers different endings,depending on the completion time.This is fantastic,since it boosts the replay value of the game to the max.It is so addictive that I've began completing it again and again...I don't even remember how many times till now(I still play it now and the fun doesn't disappear even after 10 years of it's production date).Probably beaten it over 50 times till now,perfecting the game to that degree I can call myself a Metroid II master.I still have to finish it in under an hour(with maximum items) with every second spared and every 'trick' used(I think this is impossible).It's that addictive.I haven't played a game with such replay value since Super Mario Land on the Game Boy.If you don't believe me,try Metroid II for yourself.
Well,here is the detail summary review for the various aspects of this game:

LENGTH OF PLAY: from under 2 hours(for the most hardcore freaks) to whopping 10 hours(for newbies).Add the replay time to find all of the secrets and uncover the best ending,and you can multiply this x2,x3 or more!

STORY: 8/10:

Not much of a story here.The story is short and simple,but effective.Just the type for an action game.This is not an RPG where the story goes in firs.Here,action and gameplay is most important.You can read much of it in the instruction booklet provided with the game.But the in-game adventure is cool,so text is not necessary here.

GRAPHICS: 9/10

Really great graphics which fit the mood perfectly.Samus Aran(the main hero of the game)is way cool with the Varia Suit and the final boss is incredible!

MUSIC: 9/10

Not much music in this game.It's a game where the sound effects are mainly used to create the game's mystical atmosphere.But the music that's put inbetween is first class and very memorable.

SOUND EFFECTS: 10/10

The sound effects are the main factor of the overall experience in Metroid II.They are perfectly produced and add greatly to the atmosphere of being on a creepy alien planet,and the weapon effects are superb!

CONTROL: 10/10:

Among the best on the Game Boy.It's perfectly precise.If you can't pass or destroy something in this game,and you blame it on the control,it means you suck at playing video games.

ATMOSPHERE: 10/10

Creepy,mysterious and satisfying.Play it alone between 1:00 A.M. and 3:00 A.M. with earphones at higher volume for full effect.It's BEST of the BEST!

CHALLENGE: 9/10

For experienced Metroid/Super Metroid freaks and expert item hunters,lower this score by 1.For people who easily get lost in the similar rooms of Metroid II,raise the number by 1.It provides a good challenge to get the best ending and ALL of the secrets and items at once.

LEVEL DESIGN: 10/10:

Marvelous.I must say,at times better than Super Metroid on SNES.Great level design and masterfully hidden secrets make this a cool secret item-hunting game.

REPLAY VALUE: 10/10:

Really high,if you are addicted by this excellent game.
Casual gamers who don't search for secrets or best score may find a little less in replay value.But who cares?This is HARDCORE!

OVERALL RATING: 10/10
(All-Time Classic)

Final Conclusion:

So why are you waiting? Get this game and play it on any of your Game Boys(pocket,color or Advance!).It's quite old,and now it's dirt-cheap! Find it and BUY this gem at once(while supplies last).

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/08/01, Updated 07/08/01