Key Takeaways
- Metroid Prime is slated to return after practically a decade.
- Taking part in via the sequence chronologically is nice for higher understanding the story main as much as Metroid Prime 4: Past.
- The Metroid Prime lineup is a first-person off-shoot of the unique Metroidvania model pioneered by the primary sport.
Sizzling off the heels of June’s latest Nintendo Direct, we had considerably of a shock announcement on the finish with Metroid Prime 4: Past (slated to launch subsequent yr), coupled with a trailer that showcases Samus touching down on an alien planet and blasting away.
Each Nintendo and Metroid followers are doubtless conscious of the lengthy growth cycle that’s plagued the sport since being introduced at E3 in 2017 (RIP E3), however with a launch window on the horizon, now’s a superb time to prepare for the subsequent Metroid adventure by revisiting the previous titles, and we’re right here that will help you do this in chronological order (on the subject of the story).
1 Metroid NES / Metroid Zero Mission (Metroid I)
The one which began all of it.
Metroid
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Leisure System
- Launched
- August 6, 1986
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
That is the one which began all of it, dropping in 1986 on the Famicom and NES, and pioneering the Metroidvania style as we all know it. Whereas the NES model has that old-school allure, we suggest going with Zero Mission because it’s quite a bit smoother and a fairly devoted remake of the unique. Fortunately with the brand new NES (and GBA) emulator on the Swap, Nintendo On-line subscribers can play each video games with their subscription.
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2 Metroid Prime / Metroid Prime Remastered
A primary-person off-shoot with loads of model.
Metroid Prime
- Platform(s)
- GameCube , Wii
- Launched
- November 17, 2002
The primary Metroid Prime marks a 3D, first-person departure from the OG video games, and the story takes place between the occasions of Metroid I and Metroid II, so if you wish to expertise the story chronologically, we suggest enjoying via the Prime spin-offs (even the pin-ball one for those who’re actually a completionist) earlier than tackling Metroid II. One of the simplest ways to play on the time of writing is to seize the remastered model via the eShop (or a trusted retailer).

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3 Metroid Prime: Hunters
Doubling down on that FPS motion.
Metroid Prime Hunters
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS , Wii U
- Launched
- March 20, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo ST
Metroid Prime: Hunters doubles down on the FPS motion, and continues the Prime story with Samus preventing the Gorea and uncovering the secrets and techniques of the Alimbic society. Occasions on this sport happen between the primary Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. This entry initially launched on the DS, and sadly continues to be solely accessible via emulation or the bodily DS copy.

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4 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
A worthy sequel and fan-favorite.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- Platform(s)
- GameCube , Wii , Wii U
- Launched
- November 15, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
Right here we’re with the follow-up to the legendary Metroid Prime, increasing on the story in fairly important methods, introducing us to the legendary Darkish Samus, and delivering a number of the greatest gameplay within the sequence (that is undoubtedly a fan-favorite). Metroid Prime 2: Echoes initially dropped for the GameCube and the Wii, and is at the moment solely accessible via laborious copies or emulation.

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5 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
One other fan-favorite that builds on the occasions of Metroid Prime 2.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Platform(s)
- Wii
- Launched
- August 27, 2007
The story right here picks up six months after the occasions of Prime 2, with Samus (and Darkish Samus) returning to struggle some House Pirates. That is nonetheless probably the greatest Wii video games of all time, and like many of the different Metroid Prime video games, it stays a fan favourite to at the present time. Once more, that is one other Wii entry that’s solely accessible through laborious copy or emulation, however there are rumors {that a} remaster is in retailer for each Prime 2 and three.

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6 Metroid Prime: Federation Pressure
The latest Metroid Prime entry with blended emotions.
Metroid Prime: Federation Pressure
- Launched
- August 19, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Subsequent Degree Video games
- Writer(s)
- Nintendo
This marks the ultimate entry into the Prime sequence, and sadly, didn’t fairly reside as much as the wonderful story-telling and gameplay the lineup was recognized for up so far. For one, you don’t play as Samus (a giant no-no), and the deal with the Galactic Federation’s Federation Pressure simply wasn’t that fascinating. In the intervening time, the sport is barely accessible through emulation or a bodily 3DS copy.

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7 Metroid II: Return of Samus / Metroid: Samus Returns (Metroid II)
The legendary sequel to the OG.
Metroid 2: Return of Samus
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Swap Lite , Sport Boy Advance
- Launched
- November 13, 1991
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D1 , Clever Methods
After tackling the Prime lineup, you may dive again into the mainline titles beginning with Metroid II. Once more, we suggest going with a remake anytime you may, particularly on this case because the 3DS model of this sport is simply unimaginable. Nevertheless, the OG nonetheless has that nostalgic allure and tight controls and is offered via the NES emulator on the eShop, not like the 3DS model.

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8 Tremendous Metroid (Metroid III)
A real SNES basic that is lengthy overdue for a remake.
Tremendous Metroid
- Platform(s)
- SNES
- Launched
- April 18, 1994
Tremendous Metroid (or Metroid III) is up subsequent, and sadly has not acquired a remake simply but, so that you’ll both want to go on over to the eShop and obtain the SNES emulator or get your arms on an SNES. The story expands on Samus’ battle with the House Pirates, and the gameplay locations a giant emphasis on exploration.

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9 Metroid: Different M
This off-shoot has a powerful deal with Samus as a personality.
Metroid: Different M
$30 $34 Save $4
- Platform(s)
- Wii
- Launched
- August 31, 2010
- Developer(s)
- Crew Ninja , Nintendo
Different M is considerably of a novel entry within the sequence, with the story going down between Tremendous Metroid (Metroid III) and Metroid Fusion (Metroid IV) depicting Samus investigating a run-down house station. Fan emotions are blended in relation to Different M (very similar to Metroid Prime: Federation Pressure, however not practically as excessive), but it’s nonetheless a worthy entry. That is one other Wii unique that’s but to make it to the eShop, so that you’ll want a Wii helpful if you wish to play this one.

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10 Metroid Fusion (Metroid IV)
One more side-scrolling basic.
Metroid Fusion
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Swap , Sport Boy , Wii U , Nintendo 3DS
- Launched
- November 17, 2002
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D1
The fourth installment into the mainline sequence dropped in 2002 (the identical yr as Metroid Prime), with the story choosing up after the occasions of Tremendous Metroid. You play as Samus as she tries to deal with the X parasites on this side-scrolling journey. Fortunately, you may play this one on the GBA emulator via Nintendo eShop in case you have a subscription.

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11 Metroid Dread (Metroid V)
The latest Metroid sport (and a real masterpiece).
Metroid Dread
- Platform(s)
- Swap
- Launched
- October 8, 2021
- Developer(s)
- MercurySteam
Metroid Dread actually had massive footwear to fill, releasing practically 20 years after Metroid Fusion (or Metroid IV), and it’s secure to say that it’s probably the greatest Metroid video games (and Swap video games) of all time. The story takes place after the occasions of Metroid Fusion on planet ZDR and expands on that timeless Metroidvania gameplay.

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12 Launch Order
1. Metroid NES
2. Metroid II: Return of Samus
3. Tremendous Metroid
4. Metroid Prime
5 .Metroid Fusion
6. Metroid Zero Mission
7. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
8. Metroid Prime: Hunters
9. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
10. Metroid: Different M
11. Metroid Prime: Federation Pressure
12. Metroid: Samus Returns
13. Metroid Dread
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