SUPER METROID from Nintendo

Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
    Size: 24 megabits Supports:

SUPER METROID is the third installment of the METROID series. In every game in the series, you play the bounty hunter Samus Aran. In the original on the NES, odd lifeforms called Metroids were discovered on SR388. What are Metroids, you ask? Well, let's say they're cute, flying jellyfish with some nasty habits of clinging to creatures and sucking them of their life force. Anyway, seeing the Metroids as a way to take over the universe, the Zebesian space pirates captured the Metroids and fled to their base planet, Zebes. Well, since the Galactic Federation's leigons of special corps couldn't penetrate the pirates defenses, it decided to send a lone lady in a really neat suit -- YOU... Well, actually Samus. Anyway, you as Samus defeated the pirates and saved the galaxy from certain doom. (And the Federation gave you your $250 and told you to skeddadle.)

Then, in METROID 2 for the GameBoy, you returned to SR388 to destroy the Metroids once and for all. And what an excellent job you did! Well... With one exception, you DID destroy all the Metroids. What exception? Well, after destroying the Big Bad Mama Metroid, you noticed a little pod. Curious, you poked the pod with your gun, and... Oops! Looks like you just loosed a little Metroid larva! But don't they look so cute when they're just babies? Aw... And look how it clings to the wires connected to your power generator! Well, maybe you can keep it for awhile... And so that's what you did. You went to the Galactic Federation's science station and said, "Hey! Look what followed me home! Can I keep it, mom?" Well, the scientists said, "No," but they decided to study the larva. Feeling that they'd take good care of the little bugger, you left, but remeber those space pirates you sent to the correctional center? Well, they sorta took the larva, again bent on universal conquest.

Anyway, that's the background story (with a little editing, but...), and so in SUPER METROID, you play Samus Aran again on Zebes, intent on defeating the pirates once and for all. This sequel may look very familiar to those who have played the original... In fact some sections are almost exactly from METROID, except for a few details. Which brings us to...

Graphics - SUPER METROID has some of the best graphics you'll see in an action / adventure. Much attention is paid to every detail from stalagmites to sea fans. Plus, Samus is excellently animated and moves rather realistically with plenty of poses.

Sound - While the music isn't anything to scream about, it does capture the gloomy feel of Zebes. Some may find the music too gloomy, while others may want a bit more variety.

Control - SUPER METROID has some of the best control I've seen. Exact, minute jumps can be acheived with little difficulty, and basic manuvers are relatively easy. However, with more advanced techniques such as the Space Jump, which allows Samus to jump in midair, timing can be difficult. With practice, the timing becomes second nature, but a beginner may have difficulty finding when to push jump or navigating a narrow corridor. Gameplay. This game follows a basic theme of finding an item to open a new area to find another item to open another area to... Well, you get the picture. While it sounds extremely monotonous, SUPER METROID actually moves rather quickly. Perhaps too quickly, but we'll get to that later. Anyway, the only frustrating parts might be figuring out how to use an item or trying to defeat a certain boss. Plus, the ending is rather disappointing lengthwise, but the last few battles are worth seeing! Let me just say be prepared for a shock when you enter Tourian's final rooms.

Overall, SUPER METROID is an excellent game. The graphics are great, and the game is hardly ever boring. However, some may find it too easy, and after beating it once, it has very little replay value other than trying to find all the items (which can get VERY boring). I would (as always) suggest renting this one first as it can usually be defeated within 12 to 13 hours at the most.