The Metroid saga is one of Nintendo ’s oldest dealership , with the originalMetroiddebuting in 1986 ( in Japan ) . Since then , numerous Metroid game have been released across various Nintendo console and handhelds , along with spinoffs and remake .
Metroid has a repute for being atmospherical , with satisfying gameplay that encourages exploration . Though the franchise has in the main been presentedfrom a 2D linear perspective , the Prime subseries consist of first - person shooters , which was a major departure at the time . Either way , it ’s one of Nintendo ’s most beloved franchises , with most games garner overconfident reviews from critics and fan . Metroid Dreadreceived wild ratings across the board when it launch in 2021 , the originalMetroid Primehasmade its way to the Switch , and fans are thirstily look details on the development ofMetroid Prime 4 .
But which Metroid games are the best ? Here ’s our definitive ranking of the Metroid series in order .
13. Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Predictably , Metroid Prime : Federation Forceis our pick for the bad Metroid game . Truth be told , it is n’t awful , but it prioritizes on-line co - op on the 3DS — a scheme that is not known for being a multiplayer twist . This biz leave a risky taste in the mouths of many because — at the clock time — it had been six years sinceMetroid : Other M , the last game in the serial . Other Mwas regarded as one of the worst in the series , soFederation Forcewas more of a letdown than anything . If you’re able to get past the fact that it does n’t star Samus , but rather nameless Galactic Federation Marines , you might have a good time with this one , but otherwise , you’re able to definitely decamp it .
12. Metroid Prime: Hunters
In keeping the radical of all the “ regretful ” games in the series , Metroid Prime : Hunterswas disliked because it did n’t sense like Metroid . or else , it ’s a first - someone shooter , but far more watered down than the Prime series . Impressively , the biz looks and fly the coop well enough on the Nintendo DS , but the foundation of what ’s there experience so different from what Metroid fans fell in dear with . Huntersalso leans into PvP on-line playing period , in all likelihood attempting to capitalize on the trends popularize by the the likes of of Call of Duty . It is n’t unsound , it ’s just nothing like the original games .
11. Metroid: Other M
It ’s interesting because the reviews forMetroid : Other Mdon’t seem to delineate up with the way fans palpate about it . Critically , Other Mwas a “ good ” yet blemished biz , but it ’s often regarded as one of the most fearful thing to have ever been released . While we do n’t believe it ’s as speculative as its report makes it seem , Other Mcertainly is n’t cracking . Its biggest issue is how linear it is , which is a far battle cry from what made the original installments so much playfulness . The sense of exploration was much remove inOther M , in favor of a more constricted experience . It also prioritise narrative way more than other entrance . To some , this might be appeal , but longtime Metroid fans were left foiled withOther M. To make matter worse , the secret plan required you to curb the Wii Remote horizontally to control Samus or else of having a more traditional ascendancy scheme .
10. Metroid II: Return of Samus
Metroid II : Return of Samuslaunched for the Game Boy in 1991 , and it ’s very much a product of its metre . In 1991 , it was positively received , but time has n’t been as kind to it as you might hope . Bogged down by the limitation of the hardware , the level lean to blend together inReturn of Samus , and everything looks the same . By today ’s standard , it feel stiff and clunky to play , despite improving upon the master in some ways . It ’s an significant game in the Metroid series due to its narrative , but gratefully , you may skip playing this one in favour of the 3DS remake ( which we ’ll cover below ) .
9. Metroid
It ’s strong not to have a soft post for the originalMetroidfor NES.It ’s arguably one of the most important games of all sentence , with timeless visuals that still look dandy today . intimately yet is the way it encourages exploration by rewarding players with items and force - ups that allow new areas to be notice . Though , 35 age afterwards , it but does n’t hold up as well . It ’s obtuse at times , torpid , and finnicky , making it hard to urge in 2021 . Without a single-valued function , the originalMetroidfeels almost impossible to get through . But it gets points for being so influential , and for being one of the first major examples of a strong cleaning lady protagonist in television games .
8. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
prompt on to the Prime trilogy , our next filling isMetroid Prime 2 : replication . This is the GameCube follow - up to the fantasticMetroid Prime , showcasing the Dark Samus doppelganger , and answer as the first game in the series to feature multiplayer . Metroid Prime 2 : Echoesis more tale - ride than the first Prime game , while still retain an emphasis on top - notch gameplay . Like the first Prime game , it ’s submit from a first - individual perspective and features puzzles , platforming , geographic expedition , and shooting . We ’d rank this one eminent , but its persistent trouble spikes make it less enjoyable than we ’d like .
7. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Metroid Prime 3 : Corruptionis the conclusion of the Prime trilogy , which found for the Wii in 2007 . While there ’s often debate on whether this one ranks high than its predecessor , Metroid Prime 3 : Corruptionhas some of the best shot in the serial publication , while enclose up the story nicely ( despiteMetroid Prime 4coming at some point in the futurity ) . Visually , it was impressive at the metre , and still face decent today , though a small dated . Ultimately , Corruptionis a marriage of the serial ’ good features up until that point , polish the first - person shot , puzzle - solving , and geographic expedition aspect . The only thing that bog this game down is its controls , which take the use of the Wii Remote .
6. Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusionis the heir toSuper Metroid , and while those are mighty big brake shoe to fill , it does a great job of proceed the beloved formula while adding new estimation . Fusionstill boast a big opened - terminate map to explore , with power - ups and items litter throughout . This secret plan run more into fighting and story thanSuper Metroiddid , with a larger focal point on one-dimensionality that limits exploration . Depending on your tastes , this may or may not be a positive thing . One thing this biz does magnificently is that it besprinkle fleck of narrative throughout , rather than a large exposition dump at the beginning . We wo n’t spoil it here , but it ’s got its average share of twist and turn that work in bicycle-built-for-two with the superb gameplay .
5. Metroid: Zero Mission
We ’re thrilledMetroid : Zero Missionexists because it allow players to experienceMetroidin a forward-looking way . Zero Missionis a full remake of the originalMetroid , released for the GBA in 2004 . After act as the remake , it ’s awesome how many little improvement were made upon the original . The ascendency inZero Missionfeel tighter , the graphic symbol apparent motion is faster , the jumps find less floaty — it ’s all in all an improvement in nearly every regard . Visually , it ’s still arresting , even 17 years later , and will likely still hold up in another 17 years . We only wish this biz ( and many others on this inclination ) were easier to get ahold of , because as it stand , it ’s strand on GBA and the Wii U Virtual Console .
4. Metroid: Samus Returns
The most modern 2D Metroid tone ending in the series isMetroid : Samus return . This 3DS remake ofMetroid IIlaunched in 2017 and was a remarkable take on the series . Most significantly , it allowed a modern generation of players to experience the level of the 2nd game without all the luggage of the Game Boy ’s limited specification . But away from that , Samus Returnsimplemented fresh approximation such as the 2.5D tv camera perspective shifts , along with a mint of improvements to ascendency and shop mechanic . Dreadactually borrows many of the ideas introduced inSamus Returns , such as the stylish melee counter and even some of the perspective shift . If you ’re wanting to get caught up on the series beforeDread , Samus Returnsis not one to skip .
3. Metroid Prime
A first - person three-D take on Metroid ? sure that could n’t cultivate , veracious ? Well , not only did it wreak inMetroid Prime , but in many way , it felt like a natural evolution from 2D to 3D in the most refined way . Transitioning from 2D to 3D could have been fatal , butPrimeintegrates all of the machinist that give Metroid its identity , while desegregate in new features thanks to the perspective shift . In many ways , Primeis much more immersive because it ’s show from Samus ’ eyes . This arcdegree of immersion raises the wager of the entire dangerous undertaking , and we can not praise it enough for that . This could have easily turn into a senseless first - someone gunslinger , but rather , it feels more like Metroid than anyone would have expected .
This Gamecube classic was also remastered for the Switch andplays better than ever in 2023 .
2. Super Metroid
Unsurprisingly , Super Metroidis one of the best biz in the series , which first launch for the SNES in 1994 . The fact that it ranks so high despite being 27 years onetime is a testament to how well this secret plan is designed . The original games sure enough had their fair share of smart auto-mechanic , butSuper Metroidrefined them to the peak of stand the test of time . Aside from the mechanics and level social system , Super Metroidholds up esthetically , as well . It sits right in that unfermented topographic point of have beautiful 2D fay that attend right smart well than most 3D games from the nineties . WhileSuper Metroidisn’t utter and has a few outdated aspects , it ’s incredible just how well it plays all these age later . Best of all , it ’s easy to get ahold of , thanks to being useable on Nintendo Switch Online .
1. Metroid Dread
Yep , it’sthatgood . Metroid Dreadcame out and was not only first-class , it somehow made the past 19 long time seem worth the wait . Few games have lived up to such monolithic expectations , but Nintendo and MercurySteam absolutely nailed it . The level figure contributes to the enjoyment , pay you pot of places to search , with a patterned advance organisation that feel satisfying . This game will definitely put your science to the mental testing , so check out ourbeginner ’s guide . It ’s also smart how the game tease you with inaccessible area , so that when youdofinally get the powerup that reserve you to reach those spots , there ’s a here and now of excitement that always spread as you revisit those locations . The bosses are expertly designed , the sense of atmosphere is immense , and the visuals are the proficient in the serial , hands down . dally this game .
