Metroid: Zero Mission
Our Rating
9.4
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Believe it or not, it's been nearly twenty years since gamers first set foot on planet Zebes. Numerous game series, developers, and consoles have come and gone since then, but Metroid remains one of the most beloved franchises in gaming. Now that the lady in red has made the bold leap into 3D in Metroid Prime, what's next for the world's favorite somersaulting femme fatale? A phenomenal remake of the game that started it all, of course.
It's no secret that Metroid for the NES is far from pretty, so it's a relief that the remake's visuals borrow heavily from Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion--arguably two of the best looking games on their respective platforms. Everything from the gigantic bosses to Samus herself is terrifically animated, and shows off some of the most well-drawn sprites on the GBA to date.
Those that played through the often monotonous spaceship levels of Metroid Fusion will appreciate the more varied, planet-based environments of Zero Mission. Whether you're travelling through the firey depths of Norfair, or leaping off of crumbling pillars in the Chozo ruins, everything is as detailed as 2D graphics get.
In order to further flesh out the story, the game also features a handfull of short animated cutscenes. Not only do they look spectacular, they really add to the game's overall mood.
The first time you hear the updated version of the game's haunting main theme, you'll know you're in for a musical treat. Every song in Zero Mission's roster helps enhance the experience, and stands out as some of the GBA's most memorable tunes. The sound effects are equally well designed, with bosses that have barks as big as their bites.
Players assume the role of Samus Aran, whose mission is to defeat the insect-like Space Pirates (Scooby Dooby Do!) that are researching the use of life-sucking Metroid creatures as biological weapons. Not only does she have to contend with the Metroids, Pirates, and their leader, Mother Brain, but the environment and native creatures on Zebes also seem to have a bone to pick with the foxy bounty hunter. She's far from the helpless damsel in distress, however; Samus is armed to the teeth with missiles, bombs, and several different types of energy beams. Pity the Space Pirates.
Gameplay consists largely of exploration, and I don't mean the kind between you and your roommate back in college. Samus blasts her way through the enemy-rich locales of Zebes, collecting powerups which grant her entry to previously unaccessable areas. This turns the entire game world into one gigantic puzzle. The joy you'll feel once you find the items you need to get into new areas of the game is unparalleled.
Fans will be happy to know that this isn't just a straight port of the original Metroid with pretty visuals. Nintendo has learned a lot in the past decade or two, and all of that knowledge has transformed Zero Mission into a masterpiece that makes the NES classic seem unplayable by comparison. The controls are tighter than even Super Metroid's, so jumping on the frozen carcases of your enemies has never felt so natural. Weapons and abilities from newer iterations of the series have also been added, as well as entirely new areas and bosses. Samus even has the newfangled ability to fire at an angle--half of the reason the NES title is so ultra difficult.
If there's one area that Metroid: Zero Mission falls short, it's the game's length. Metroid vets will plow through the game in 4-5 hours or less, and few will find the game at all challenging until the excruciatingly difficult Hard mode is unlocked. Regardless of this shortcoming, Zero Mission is worth every penny.
Every time a Metroid title is released, it seems it becomes one of the defining games for the system. Zero Mission is no different. One can argue that when developers resort to remakes, it's a sign that the industry is running low on originality. With remakes this good, you won't see me complaining.
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9.8
9.3