Samus returns
I have always felt like Nintendo treated the Metroid series as a second class citizen. Metroid Prime is now over 20 years old. Since its release there were a couple sequels and then a ton of games of varying quality released that never hit the pinnacle of the franchise that Prime did upon its release. Now Nintendo has revived the game and from its reception and sales it is clear, gamers are ready for Samus to return to her glory. This is also not just some quick port, work has been done. This is far and away the definitive version of one of the best games ever made.
Metroid Prime is kind of in a league of its own. Yes this is a first person “shooter” but it is also so much more. The world is one of the most amazing creations to explore. Every area feels ripe for searching each nook and cranny. The game has excellent pacing and really drives players to dig out every inch of this alien world. The protagonist is silent, the story is told through scanning items, and yet it feels more alive than some games with an abundance of cut scenes. Developer Retro Studios truly mastered their craft with this entry in the franchise.
MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: Switch
Price I’d Pay: $39.99
Not everything has aged well though. While Nintendo and Retro have done an outstanding job of bringing some quality of life features to the game, it still was designed a certain way. For example the progression can be confusing at times. Knowing where to go and what to do is not always apparent. There are no large beacons pointing the way and instead players have to rely on their senses and backtracking to move forward. It can be cumbersome at times. The map was great for the area I was in, but when tracking down the next objective it left a little bit to be desired.
The combat is also built for a lock-on mechanic. This means the new dual-stick mechanics make some encounters a little easier than they should be. The ability to shoot with the right trigger also feels good, but for hammering out some of the faster enemies I still found myself locking on and mashing the A button to take them down faster. Platforming is also much more accessible, being able to look down with the analog stick. The option is still there to have Samus automatically look down, but I never needed it with the new control scheme.
Speaking of controls there are plenty of options here. The default is the new dual-stick function which feels much like a modern shooter. There are also classic Gamecube style controls as well as motion controls similar to those found in the Wii port. I preferred the Pro controller setup especially considering how small the Joy Con buttons are. Having to hold down a trigger and tap one of the buttons for missiles is much easier on a traditional controller. I love that all the options are here though and being able to play Metroid Prime portable is kind of a fever dream. One of the best console games ever made can now be played anywhere is kind of bananas.
The biggest change to the game comes in the form of its visuals. Metroid Prime aged well, and for anyone that has run the game through other means knows that it scales up extremely well. This remaster goes to new levels and ends up being one of the best looking Switch games out there. The new detail to the environments is outstanding. The game looks how you remember it. Seeing Samus’ face when shooting a missile up close is still one of the coolest moments in gaming history. The game also runs flawlessly at 60fps and never misses a beat. This remaster is a prime example of the talent at Retro Studios. This game is incredible in both design and technical performance.
For those that never played the original Metroid Prime feels just as good today as it did back then. It is an atmospheric puzzle game with tons of exploration and some combat mixed in. The boss battles are fun, but exploring Talon IV is by far the star of the show. Each area is intricately designed to showcase where you can go, while also showing you places you can’t right now. Gaining a new ability never gets old and immediately entices the player to backtrack to discover new routes. The sound is equally impressive with some of the best music around. Each track delivers an ambient tone that resonates forever. These themes brought back so much nostalgia playing through the game again. The presentation in Metroid Prime is second to none.
Metroid Prime is one of the best games ever made and this new version retains everything that made it special. I have enjoyed revisiting this masterpiece so much and am so happy new players are able to experience it in its finest form. I hope this shows Nintendo that the Metroid series is truly one of the best in their repertoire and we see more games in the series. I cannot wait to see what Retro accomplishes with Metroid Prime 4 when it finally releases.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
