Summary

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Adventure, Platform
Platforms: Arcade, Family Computer Disk System, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii, Wii U
Developers: Nintendo R&D1
Publishers: Nintendo, Playtronic

Metroid (1986): A Space Adventure Classic

Released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Metroid is an action-adventure game that quickly became a classic. It follows the story of Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is sent to the planet Zebes to exterminate the Metroid, a parasitic alien species that threatens the galaxy.

Metroid is a non-linear game, meaning that players are free to explore the planet Zebes in any order they choose. This was a revolutionary concept at the time, as most games were linear and forced players to follow a set path. Metroid’s non-linearity allows players to discover the game’s secrets at their own pace and gives the game a sense of replayability.

In addition to its non-linearity, Metroid is also known for its challenging difficulty. Players must carefully manage their resources and use their abilities strategically in order to survive. The game is full of traps and enemies, and players must be constantly on their guard.

Despite its difficulty, Metroid is a fair game. Players are never punished for making mistakes, and they are always given the opportunity to learn from their deaths. This makes the game accessible to players of all skill levels.

Metroid’s graphics and sound are also top-notch for its time. The game’s pixel art is detailed and expressive, and the music is atmospheric and immersive. Metroid’s visuals and sound create a truly unique and memorable experience.

Overall, Metroid is a classic game that deserves its place among the greatest video games of all time. It is a challenging, rewarding, and immersive experience that will appeal to gamers of all ages.

Gameplay

Metroid is a side-scrolling action-adventure game. Players control Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is sent to the planet Zebes to exterminate the Metroid, a parasitic alien species that threatens the galaxy.

Samus is equipped with a variety of weapons and abilities, including a blaster, missiles, and bombs. She can also use her Power Suit to absorb energy and gain new abilities, such as the ability to jump higher, shoot ice beams, and turn invisible.

Players must use Samus’s abilities to explore the planet Zebes and defeat the Metroid. The game is non-linear, meaning that players are free to explore the planet in any order they choose. This allows players to discover the game’s secrets at their own pace.

Metroid is a challenging game, but it is also fair. Players are never punished for making mistakes, and they are always given the opportunity to learn from their deaths. This makes the game accessible to players of all skill levels.

Development

Metroid was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1, a team led by Gunpei Yokoi. Yokoi was inspired to create Metroid after playing the arcade game Space Invaders. He wanted to create a game that was more challenging and rewarding than Space Invaders, and he also wanted to give players more freedom to explore the game world.

Metroid’s development was a long and difficult process. The team had to overcome a number of technical challenges, and they also had to deal with Nintendo’s strict quality control standards. However, the team persevered, and Metroid was finally released in 1986.

Reception

Metroid was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its beautiful graphics and sound. Metroid quickly became one of the most popular games on the NES, and it has since been ported to a number of other platforms.

Metroid has been credited with inspiring a number of other games, including the Castlevania series and the Super Metroid series. The game is also considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time.

Legacy

Metroid is a classic game that has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s non-linear gameplay, challenging difficulty, and beautiful graphics and sound have made it a favorite of gamers for over 30 years. Metroid has also been credited with inspiring a number of other games, and it is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time.

Here are some of the reasons why Metroid is such a classic game:

Its non-linear gameplay. Metroid was one of the first games to allow players to explore the game world in any order they choose. This gave players a sense of freedom and discovery that was unlike anything else at the time.
Its challenging difficulty. Metroid is a challenging game, but it is also fair. Players are never punished for making mistakes, and they are always given the opportunity to learn from their deaths. This makes the game accessible to players of all skill levels.
Its beautiful graphics and sound. Metroid’s graphics and sound are top-notch for its time. The game’s pixel art is detailed and expressive, and the music is atmospheric and immersive. Metroid’s visuals and sound create a truly unique and memorable experience.

If you’ve never played Metroid, I highly recommend checking it out. It is a classic game that is still enjoyable today.