Vital Info:
*Developer: Nintendo Research and Development 1
*Publisher: Nintendo
*North America Release: July 28, 1994
*Platform - SNES

It's no secret that I love Super Metroid. And what better time to spread the love than now? Super Metroid was just released on Virtual Console, getting Wii owners in the Metroid mood for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

Three years after Metroid II: Return of Samus was released on the gameboy, Nintendo released the third game in their popular franchise. Super Metroid took the SNES to a whole new level, introducing the never-before-seen 24-megabit cartridge. This larger cartridge meant that the game would be able to pack in more areas, more enemies, more action, and more badass.

Like other Metroid games, Super Metroid revolves around gathering powerups in order to get to the next area. Don't be fooled though, it isn't as linear as it sounds. This game requires a lot of exploration. The objectives are never right in front of you. It takes a bit of roaming around to figure out what to do next. Thankfully, due to Metroid's unprecedented level design, art direction, and sound track, exploring all of planet Zebes's nooks and crannies never gets boring.

Planet Zebes is a gigantic, open ended world that is just waiting for Samus Aran to land her ship and conquer all evil that lurks there. This was one of the largest games anyone had ever seen back in '94. This game took a long time to beat, and it wasn't easy. In the later hours of Super Metroid, there are some tough fights. With these tough fights, however, comes more satisfaction from defeating the baddies.

Super Metroid is arguably the best looking game on the SNES. There are a countless number of sprites everywhere you look. The attention to detail in this game is something that you don't see in a lot of video games today. Every sprite is animated flawlessly, creating a VERY polished finished product. Everything from seeing Samus breathing, to blasting away mother brain with your super missiles looks astounding. The environments in Super Metroid are all completely different. From the watery depths of Maridia to the fiery hell of Norfair, every new area brings new things.

The soundtrack in Super Metroid is still today some of the best video game music of all time. Every single song from the game is a memorable one. A great soundtrack such as this one will make you feel like a part of the game, completely immersing you in everything around you. Each new area has a perfectly fitting sound, creating an incredible nostalgic sensation.

This game appears on nearly every "Best Games of All Time" list, and it darn well deserves it. The music, graphics, and overall surreal atmosphere sync absolutely perfectly with each other, making Super Metroid the greatest game ever created.

Graphics: 3/3
Gameplay: 4/4
Soundtrack: 3/3

OVERALL: 10/10

I have to play this one. THis is the only Metroid game I haven't played. I remember playing Metroid II but never Super Metroid. The NAME IS BADASS

I've got a question for you. How does your rating system work? I'm curious? XD

Nice review. I can't wait for this game on VC, it's the only non-handheld Metroid I haven't played and everyone keeps going on about how great it is...

If you have the money you can grab it now.

Not for us Europeans. Hopefully it'll be out this Friday.

I haven't played this one yet. I need to do so.

wow...

Weird rating system but i guess it works...

kinda...

yeah...that was a weird rating system.

Super Metroid is the bomb but MP3 might have it beat...

Nothing tops Super Metroid, no doubt MP3 is good... but its hard to beat a classic.

IMO side-scroller Metroids > 3D Metroids.

It's simply a fact that classics rock...
Mario, Zelda, Metroid, everything just rocks better when its old!

I'm the complete opposite. I guess I'm just new fashioned. I love the 2D Marios, Zeldas, and Metroids but still prefer the 3D games. Except for Mario. I'd put them on an equal level.

I thought the same but after playing MP3. I'd have to say MP3 takes MEtroid to a new level of amazing.

I'm curious as to the age of gamers that prefer 2-d and the age of gamers who prefer 3-d. I think nostalgia bites most of us geezers. The only series I prefer 3-d in by nintendo to date would be Zelda... not that Lttp or LoZ are bad or middle road games.

imo (for major franchises in the industry I keep playing year in, year out):
2-d metroid > 3-d metroid
2-d mario >>>>>>> 3-d mario (to this point, galaxy may narrow it a tad)
2-d Sonic >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3-d Sonic
2-d castlevania >>>>>>>>>>>>>>∞>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3-d castlevania

3-d Zelda > 2-d Zelda

2-d Mario Kart = 3-d Mario Kart

Nintendo math baby!!

I guess for me it's probably because I never really got a chance to get sucked into the 2D era. Friends of mine did have a SNES but I didn't play it enough. I got started with the PlayStation so I was thrown right into 3D. After going back and trying to play the old or even new 2D games, some of them just don't work for me. I do like the Castlevanias on DS though.

Add the points together to get the overall score. I probably should have had a total of 50 or so, but I didn't give much thought to it because I would have given it a perfect score no matter what the system.

I'm 15, and most of the games on my list of favorites are SNES games.

This post was last modified: 08-30-2007 04:01 PM by Ronin686.

I'm a 2-D gaming fan and I'm 20, started my gaming days with the NES.

While I love the 2D Metroids, I just can't seem to get into them as much as I get into the Prime series...

I'm 16 and I could care less about 2D and 3D. I love all good games.