Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 8 Metroid Games

Metroid Prime Pinball (Nintendo DS)

#8

Because it was released in 1986, Electronic Gaming Monthly never had a chance to review the original Metroid. They also skipped over reviewing Metroid II: Return of Samus when it was released on Game Boy in 1991. That sucks, but look on the bright side, EGM did manage to review Metroid Prime Pinball, the game they ranked the worst installment in the entire Metroid series. To be fair, it's not that the editors thought it was bad, but rather that it's an "eye-crossing headache" to play. Robert complained that "it can be hard to see the little rolled up Samus, uh ball at times, particularly during boss fights when the big fellas and their minions are pelting you with rocks or rockets or blast waves or just negative thoughts, and extra particularly when the ball gets hung up in the dead zone between the upper and lower screens."

That said, the three editors agreed that this mash-up has cool ideas and the science fiction setting lends itself well to pinball. After complaining about the lack of a tilt option, David called Metroid Prime Pinball "a good-looking, great-playing test of skill perfectly suited to twin-screen play." He also liked the soundtrack and effects, as well as the way the game uses Samus' signature weapons. It may be the lowest scoring game of the bunch, but Metroid Prime Pinball can't be too upset with the still pretty-good average of 7.5 out of 10.

Metroid Prime Hunters (Nintendo DS)

#7

Twenty years after revolutionizing 2D adventure games, Metroid had somehow been turned into an equally-acclaimed 3D series. In fact, the transformation was so successful that when Nintendo decided to bring a new story-based entry to the DS, they made it a first-person shooter, complete with online multiplayer deathmatches. Both fans and critics were split on how they felt about the shift towards Halo-style action, and you can definitely see it in the EGM reviews. I think Jeremy perfectly sums up what many people were feeling at the time: "I love Metroid and I love portable games. So why am I not madly in love with Hunters? Maybe it's because it emphasizes its multiplayer aspect. Meanwhile, the single-player experience is disappointingly un-Metroid-ish."

Shane agreed with Jeremy's mixed take: "It's a shame that the single-player adventure can't live up to the Prime heritage. Here, you guide Samus across multiple planets while amassing alien artifacts. And though the varied environments and open-ended progression represent innovations the franchise needs, the half-assed execution won't win any awards." Electronic Gaming Monthly did like certain aspects, such as the amazing 3D visuals, but hated the reliance on the touch screen and lacking level designs. With very little enthusiasm, Metroid Prime Hunters averaged a so-so 7.7 out of 10.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)

#6

By 2007, the critics were starting to cool off on Metroid. After waiting nearly a decade for more Samus, Nintendo spent most of the 2000s overwhelming fans with a remake, a side-scrolling sequel, a multiplayer shooter, a pinball game and a full Prime trilogy. That's seven games in five years, and you can see the fatigue setting in when you read the Metroid Prime 3: Corruption reviews. Mark puts it bluntly: "In my review of the original Metroid Prime in the fall of 2002, I said 'It's as if the best title from six years in the future fell through a time warp.' The funny thing is, playing Metroid Prime 3 almost si x years later, it often does feel like the same game."

While most of the editors agreed that more-of-the-same wasn't a terrible thing, Jeremy was clearly disappointed. "Yes, when it's being Metroid, Corruption is great; unfortunately, it also wants to be a fast-paced, scripted shooter. Between its pathetic A.I., limited weapon selection and lopsided difficulty -- well, it's not Halo. Worse, the brilliant control scheme brings to light the fact that the Wii-mote sucks for hardcore games." Perhaps the funniest part of the review comes in their side-blurb, where EGM reveals that you can "scan for hint at upcoming Metroid Dread on DS." I can't wait to see how relevant that is with the new Switch game. With an average score of 8.7 out of 10, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption lands at a respectable sixth place.

Super Metroid (Super NES)

#5

Now here's a fun fact: When Electronic Gaming Monthly went to rank the top 100 games of all time back in 2001, it was none other than Super Metroid that topped the list. While that's certainly impressive, Samus' 16-bit outing is going to have to settle for fifth place in this countdown. Oh how things changed for the long-running franchise after they published this feature.

EGM raved about Super Metroid at the time, and it's easy to see why. Al explains that "Nintendo pulls out all the stops with quite possibly the greatest action/adventure game ever created. Graphics: Impressive! Music and sound: Ultra-cool! Gameplay: Awesome!" Ed agreed, explaining that he was a big fan of the original, "and this game brought back so many good memories for me." This seemed to be the trend among the reviews. The Review Crew agreed that the sequel blows the original away. With nines across the board, Super Metroid sets the bar real high in fifth place.

Metroid Fusion (Game Boy Advance)

#4

For nearly two decades, Metroid Fusion has had the distinction of being the last original side-scrolling Metroid game. That talk has finally come to an end thanks to the release of Dread, but you have to admit that it had quite a run. This Game Boy Advance title was basically everything the editors wanted after Super Metroid, and while it may have taken eight years for Nintendo to finally do something with Samus, the review scores suggest that it was worth the wait. Or, as Milkman puts it: "Fusion is proof that you can never have too much of a good thing. The artwork is fantastic, with all sorts of cool effects, and of course the classic Metroid gameplay remains as entertaining and rewarding as ever."

While Mark also liked the sequel, he had a surprisingly harrowing story to go with his praise: "This game almost got me killed. Rather than stop playing Fusion while standing on the bus to work, I risked keeping both hands on my GBA, almost flying out the front windshield at a studden stop -- that's how bad you'll want to continue this game once you start." The three editors liked the flawless gameplay and gorgeous graphics, but were less impressed by the navigation rooms that limit exploration. They felt it was more linear than past installments. With an average score of 9.2 out of 10, Metroid Fusion has a slight edge over Super Metroid.

Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance)

#3

At the top of this list, I lamented that we'll never know what EGM would have given the original Metroid. While that's technically true, there is a loophole. Released in 2004 on the Game Boy Advance, Metroid: Zero Mission is a remake of the 1986 action game that first graced the Nintendo Entertainment System. I think Shane sums it up perfectly: "Zero Mission isn't merely a portable replacement for the classic 8-bit Metroid cartridge you foolishly sold at a yard sale -- it's a remake that fleshes out every aspect of the landmark title. Zero Mission's newly organic environments pack a ton of surprises -- hundreds of tricky secrets, unexpected (and challenging) boss encounters, original areas to explore and a stunning new final act that bravely eschews all normal Metroid conventions."

Crispin spends his review stressing that this is a great game, no matter if you're new to the franchise or Samus stan. He argues that this is a great place to start, "and if you're already a Metroid maniac, you'll love Zero Mission even more, regardless of whether you played the original NES game. It's certainly a more fleshed-out experience, with more bosses, new sticky spots and very cool surprises." All three editors loved the gorgeous visuals, catchy tunes and all of the unlockables, which is why Metroid: Zero Mission averages a killer score of 9.2 out of 10.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube)

#2

Sometimes a game is so groundbreaking and revelatory that everything that comes after it feels like a disappointment. That's the case with Metroid Prime, a game that exceeded all expectations and completely redefined what people should want out of both a Metroid game and a first-person adventure. No matter how good the sequel ended up being, it was never going to wow the critics like that first game. Don't let the second-place finish fool you, because Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a phenomenal game that managed to outscore even the mightiest 2D installments. The only reason it's not number one is because it's impossible to compete against the original Metroid Prime.

Shane was surprised that instead of going bigger and flashier, Retro Studios opted for a slightly low-key sequel. He compared it to Majora's Mask and complained that Echoes drops the ball when it comes to the plot. He was also disappointed by the world design, which "feels small." "Even though Aether's four areas exist in both the light and dark worlds, those worlds seem so similar that it all comes off as a bit cramped." Bryan gave Prime 2 a perfect 10 out of 10, but acknowledged that "it doesn't feel too much like the last game. In terms of weaponry and equipment, the majority of the beams, visors, and suits are completely new, plus the classic screw attack makes its 3D debut and pulls off the transition as beautifully as the rest of the franchise's features have." With an average score of 9.3 out of 10, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes has earned its place as one of the very best games in the franchise's long life.

Metroid Prime (GameCube)

#1

When Metroid Prime was first announced to be a first-person adventure starring everybody's favorite female bounty hunter, longtime fans were skeptical. This was a series that was so steeped in its 2D level designs that it had inadvertently started an entire sub-genre. But this was Nintendo, who has previously done the impossible by turning Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda into 3D masterpieces, so everybody kept an open mind. It's a good thing they did, because Metroid Prime was yet another massive sea change, forcing even the most die-hard 2D gamers to look at Samus in a whole new light. By taking everything that people loved about the side-scrolling adventures and making them 3D, Nintendo reminded an entire generation that just because a story is told from the first-person perspective, that doesn't mean it's a mindless action game.

Shane used his review to confess something big: "I've gotta go buy my friend Chris a copy of Prime. I bet him two years ago that the new Metroid wouldn't even earn a Silver Award. I'm glad I was wrong." He called it "the best GameCube game yet" and gushed about the spectacular boss fights. Miguel had a similar change of heart: "I was totally ready to hate on Metroid Prime prior to experiencing it first-hand, but the minute I set foot on Tallon IV's lush overworld, I was a believer. It is simply mind-blowing on so many different levels -- you must experience it." With all three editors giving the game a score of perfect 10, Metroid Prime was both EGM's best-reviewed game of 2002 and their Game of the Year. The score is nearly a full point higher than second place, making this far and away the magazine's favorite Metroid game. And once again, Nintendo proves the skeptics wrong.