Metroid: Zero Mission

"Hand-held Metroid game does it again!"

Introduction - Zero mission is just another awesome edition to the Metroid series. Though it is an enhanced version of the first, original Metroid game for NES, Zero Mission is exciting and fun. It starts with a letter about Samus's first mission, then leads on to the good part. On the Metroid Chronology, after Metroid, Metroid 2: Samus's Return, Super Metroid, Metroid Prime, and Metroid Fusion, Metroid Zero Mission is the sixth game of this great series.

Gameplay - Metroid Zero mission is an awesome game. Like all Metroid games, it has you thinking of what weapon you will get next. Also, the missile expansions and other extras are well hidden so it poses a great challenge. Completing the game 100% is very difficult. All the different areas have to be searched through thoroughly and more than one time. The bosses are tough except for Kraid. He's the first boss anyway so that's to be expected. The Ridley battle is rather bad. The area where the battle is fought is way too small for a boss battle like that to go on. It is more of a win quickly or die quickly. Mother Brain and Tourian is tough. Like all games, it is suppose to be tough, but that battle is very frustrating when you fall off the platforms. The post Mother Brain part is interesting and yes, difficult. The world of Brinstar is a bluish rocky world. It houses pools of acid and enemy creatures that don't inflict that much damage. Because this is the first world, it is not made to be hard. The mini bosses in this area are formidable, but relatively easy. This is an easy part of the game. The world of Norfair is a molten world where pools of lava flow freely. The enemies are harder than the monsters in Brinstar. Also, there are a lot of weirdly hidden items here. Breakable walls and floors make this world hard. There are hot rooms here too that when without the Varia Suit, it damages you. This is a very bad surprise when you walk into a room. The World or Kraid is a metal world with grass scattered around. The acid and bugs that randomly appear from the acid make this world rather frustrating. The World of Ridley is harder than Kraid. There is more acid and invisible pits and walls. This world is an area of being unsure until ou get the map and complete the area. The World of Tourian is very hard! Metroids, metroids, metroids galore! They make Zero Mission a true Metroid game!

Controls - The controls for Zero Mission are actually very good. Everything is straight forward and easy to use taking into consideration that this is a hand held system. They only hard control is aiming diagonally down while running and shooting. It is not so much hard as it is aggravating. There are a lot of buttons that are being pushed at once. That's basically the only real downside to the game.

Storyline - In Zero Mission, there is actually a steady storyline. An emergency order goes out from the Galactic Police that all metroids on the planet Zebes must be destroyed. Also the mechanical life form Mother Brain that presides on Zebes must be destroyed. Through the worlds of Brinstar, Norfair, Kraid, Ridley, and Tourian, Samus Aran must collect weapons to fulfill this task. (Kraid and Ridley are the names of the worlds. That's the name of the bosses too.)

Playtime - Zero Mission is made to possibly be beat within 3 hours. However, that is usually after the game has been beaten once or more. Normally, it takes 3 to 10 hours to beat it depending on how fast or slow you go. The downside to beating it in 3 hours is that the full effect isn't there. Taking it slow is better personally because there is no rush to beating it in a certain time. If you take extra long at Norfair, no worries.

Replay Value - The replay value on this game is unbelievable. Going back through the worlds knowing where some things are makes the second time through easier. Also, this kind of game never gets old. Why not try to get items in a different order? That's the great part about it. There is a new sort of freedom because the first time through, you would want to do it right. The next times through you would want to do it differently. Even if you go through the game a second time and do the same as before, it can still be great. It's like reading a really good book - why not read it again? I know I would.

Final Recommendation - Overall, this game is great! The sound on it isn't half bad either. This is the kind of game any video game lover should buy. I, myself, went out of my way to buy it and got more than just an average game. This is not the renting type of game. You'll spend more money renting it again and again rather than just buying it. This is definitely one of the best games ever! (By the way, if you want to buy this game used, go right ahead. It doesn't make much of a difference. You can erase files whenever you want. It's helpful.)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/28/04