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Top 10 Metroid Games According to Negative World [top ten]
 
Metroid is one of the absolute best franchises in video gaming, producing some of the greatest video games ever made, and if you disagree with that obviously true statement you are no friend of mine. However, it isn’t exactly as prolific of a Nintendo franchise as Mario or Zelda, and in fact, disregarding re-releases, a trilogy compilation, and a pinball game (yep, there was a Metroid pinball game), there are only ten Metroid titles released to date. Coincidentally, there are only ten spots in a top ten list. I think that we can all agree that this is god’s way of telling me that I had no choice but to put together this list. Or the aliens telling me. Either way works.

As with the last few lists, this is not a list of my personal favorites, or a list that a small group of Negative World editors have put together. Instead, this is a list based on the average scores of the Metroid games as rated by Negative World members in our video game database. So if you don’t like the order, don’t blame me! Blame Negative World! Which I just happen to be a part of...

And exactly like last time you will see a few numbers in the header for each game in the last. The first is the average score (out of 10) for that game calculated from all member ratings, and the number in parenthesis is the amount of members who have scored this game (IE the amount of ratings that went into the calculation.)

Ok then, let’s get to it!
10/29/13, 22:50  
 
   
 
Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS) - 7.44/10 (17)
Metroid Prime: Hunters may be the lowest rated Metroid game at Negative World (and that is counting the pinball game), but that doesn’t mean that we have a clear consensus on its quality. With scores from our members ranging from a 9.5/10 to a 5.0/10 and everywhere in between, Hunters is a very divisive game.

On the plus side, Metroid Prime: Hunters was praised for its tech, smooth FPS controls and its extensive online multiplayer mode, a rarity for a DS game. On the minus side, many felt that the core game felt like a Metroid Prime lite, complete with a series of repetitive boss battles where you fought the same boss in slightly different ways. So for us it falls somewhere in the 7s.

 
Metroid: Other M (Wii) - 8.39/10 (48)
Are you ready for another divisive Metroid game? This time with scores ranging from a 9.9/10 to a 5.0/10 and everywhere in between? Because that is what you’re going to get with Metroid: Other M.

A collaboration between Nintendo and Tecmo, Metroid: Other M is perhaps one of the strangest Metroid games that exists. For starters, it is a game set in a 3D world that (generally) plays more like a 2D game, so much so that it uses the sideways Wii remote with its digital pad to control the action, and this was definitely a love it or hate it control choice. It also has some odd, detective-like pixel hunt sections. And of course, it notoriously has a much larger focus on story and presentation than the previous Metroid games did which, among other things, led to a drinking game revolving around the concept of taking a shot every time Samus says the word “baby”. Yep, that exists, apparently.

 
Metroid II: Return of Samus (GB) - 8.41/10 (27)
For the second Metroid game (and the first handheld Metroid game), Nintendo decided to mix things up a bit and give Samus a clear goal that worked itself into the way she had to progress; eradication of the metroids. Although it was limited by the tech of the Game Boy, the creamed-spinach-colored Metroid II is still a pretty solid game in its own right, and there are even a few dedicated fans who consider it to be the best game in the series.

Much like the original Metroid, Metroid II does not have a map to help you progress, but it is easier to find your way through the game this time around without one. Or is it? I actually found it more confusing, but apparently I’m wrong and insane. Not necessarily in that order.

 
Metroid (NES) - 8.47/10 (40)
Apparently we have a thing for putting the original game from a series in our #7 spot. Metroid came to the scene as equal parts platformer, shooter, and adventure game, and was largely inspired by the movie thriller “Alien”, resulting in one of Nintendo’s darkest, yet most satisfying games of the NES era, spawning an entire beloved franchise.

It would be remiss of me, however, to not point out that a large part of why the original Metroid struggles to remain as accessible to gamers as later iterations in the franchise have is that it contains a huge, interconnected world without a map system. It is easy to get lost in Metroid, which can be a plus or a minus, depending on your perspective, but certainly turns many people off from completing this game. (Or in my case, turns them towards a FAQ to complete it with.)

 
Metroid: Fusion (GBA) - 8.84/10 (40)
Metroid: Fusion was the first 2D Metroid released after a certain much-loved Super Nintendo Metroid that shall not yet be named (you know of which game I speak), so there were, understandably, a lot of expectations for the game. While it would be tough to say that Fusion completely met those very high expectations, it is generally accepted as a very solid 2D Metroid game that is well worth playing for fans of the series.

Some complaints about linearity exist, but some new additions like stealth gameplay revolving around avoiding the deadly SA-X, as well as a deeper than usual storyline involving a former commanding officer named Adam Malkovich, result in a unique and satisfying Metroid experience.

 
Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA) - 9.02/10 (42)
Metroid: Zero Mission may technically be a remake of the original Metroid, but man, what a remake it is! Although some areas of the map will look a tad familiar, Zero Mission is essentially a brand spanking new Metroid game completely updated on every level, from the “modern” gameplay reminiscent of Super / Fusion, to updated graphics and music, to a much more expanded map with tons of new areas. Zero Mission is the blueprint on how to successfully remake a classic title.

It is also the last truly 2D Metroid game, released almost 10 years ago back in early 2004 on the Game Boy Advance. I don’t know how anyone else feels, but whether “Metroid Dread” was a real thing or not, I think it is well past time for another 2D Metroid. Get on it, Nintendo!

 
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GC) - 9.09/10 (62)
It says something pretty positive about the console Metroid Prime trilogy that our lowest ranked of the three is our 4th favorite Metroid game ever. As the follow-up to Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes could, perhaps, be considered a tad bit of a disappointment. Complaints generally revolve around the uninteresting dark world, as well as more linearity, a pointless ammo system and less interesting boss fights.

However, none of that kept Echoes from being a great game in its own right, and it even does some things better than the original Metroid Prime, such as its increased focus on interesting puzzles and its excellent mini-boss battles. Echoes also introduced gamers to Dark Samus, one of the greatest “dark” versions of a hero in a Nintendo game. And there are a lot of dark versions of heroes in Nintendo games.

 
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) - 9.36/10 (85)
Whether we considered Echoes a disappointment or not (personally, I loved it), most of us at Negative World considered Metroid Prime 3: Corruption to be a step back in the right direction (not me, but I still loved it.) For one, there was no dark world to drag the game down. The game also utilizes the Wii remote and nunchuck very effectively, with smooth pointer controls and context-sensitive motion controls merged to create the best control scheme in a Metroid Prime game yet... especially during combat. Flicking the nunchuck forward to attach your grappling hook to an enemy shield and then yanking it back to rip their shield away has to be one of the most satisfying uses of motion controls on the Wii.

There were some complaints about the game, including even more increased linearity and a larger focus on story and characters without much quality in those areas to back it up. However, Corruption remains one of our favorite Wii games, and I can’t help but hope to see Retro Studios take on Metroid Prime 4, eventually.

 
Metroid Prime (GC) - 9.61/10 (109)
After seeing both Metroid Prime 2 and 3 in our list, you had to know this one was coming. Metroid Prime is the game that started off the Prime series, and is generally considered to be the best of the trilogy. I remember getting a chance to play Metroid Prime before it released, stepping up to the demo unit full of anxiety, and walking away with all doubts obliterated. Metroid Prime succeed in large part by borrowing heavily from the 2D Metroid formula, creating a vast and varied interconnected world to progress through by obtaining various power-ups, while focusing on the strengths of 3D gaming as well, including 1st-person shooting and adventure elements. It didn’t hurt that the visuals and soundtrack were stunning.

Metroid Prime is sitting at #7 (#6 if you ignore the duplicate Ocarina of Time) on our all-time greatest games on a Nintendo platform list here at Negative World, a very well deserved spot (although I’d put it even higher myself.) However, it is only #2 on our top 10 Metroid games list, which means that we still have another amazing Metroid game to talk about…

 
Super Metroid (SNES) - 9.67/10 (92)
It’s a close call, but Super Metroid just edges out Metroid Prime to stand as our top rated Metroid game… for now, anyway. Released on the Super Nintendo way back in 1994, Super Metroid took the basic concept of the previous Metroid games (Metroid and Metroid II) and threw things into overdrive, creating what was, at the time, one of the most mind-blowingly awesome video games to hit the scene. The graphics, music, action, exploration, power-ups, boss fights, etc. all combined to create a powerful game whose excellence was hard to deny. It might be nearly 20 years later, but Super Metroid is still, to this day, considered not only one of the greatest 2D video games ever made, but one of the greatest video games ever made, period.

Also, it finally added a much needed map system to the series, but did so in a way that still kept the players on their toes, exploring every nook and cranny to find not only power-ups but, often enough, the way to progress through the game. Super Metroid is a masterpiece in gaming and sits as our #2 rated game on a Nintendo platform ever (again, ignoring duplicates) right behind The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Can a future Metroid game ever top Super Metroid? It’s hard to imagine, but I look forward to seeing Nintendo give it a go.

 
There you go, Negative World’s top 10 rated Metroid games. Do you agree, disagree? Let us know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to check out top 10 lists for our favorite Mario, Zelda, Kirby, and Castlevania games! Or just go ahead and check out all of our top ten lists!

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10/29/13, 22:50  
 
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@kriswright
@Shadowlink

Watching people pay up on bets is almost better than receiving the reward directly. Shucks.
01/15/16, 01:22   
I often wonder if I should update these lists a bit after new games come out, but en, TOO MUCH WORK.

Anyway, right now Metroid Dread has a 9.27/10 on NW. But it only has 11 ratings so it's like comparing apples to oranges. Still! This would put it snugly in the number 4 spot behind Super, Prime and Prime 3, and everything after it would be bumped down a notch.
05/10/22, 21:48   
This list (which I completely missed, apparently) is a travesty! The original Metroid is way too low. You guys and your 3D biaseseses!
05/11/22, 20:34   
Fusion is too low on that list. It gave off the feeling that you had too move with more caution and suspense as opposed to just run n gun because of SA-X

Although its the music that makes you cautious mostly
08/04/22, 23:14   
Where is Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
08/06/22, 16:10   
08/08/22, 18:45   
Metroid dread is one of my least favorites, mainly because the map and room designs are just botched.
It takes place after Fusion, which was straightforward (with literal flashing lights and sirens marking where to go), but dread is just a maze with identical room design and way too much backtracking.

Dont get me wrong, the robot idea was fantastic and the boss batlles are fun, and its a great game overall, but i need things to flow nicely.
08/08/22, 20:10   
Edited: 08/08/22, 20:10
Holdup. Fusion has 20 energy tanks??

I made it through that game with a grand total of 7
Even Nightmare seemed like your average boss with that many tanks.
08/10/22, 18:40   
12. Metroid Prime: Hunters
11. Metroid
10. Metroid: Samus Returns
9. Metroid: Other M
8. Metroid Fusion
7. Metroid II: Return of Samus
6. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
5. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
4. Super Metroid
3. Metroid: Zero Mission
2. Metroid Dread
1. Metroid Prime
03/28/23, 00:58   
@Secret_Tunnel

Suoer was way better then Dread, for starters, and secondly [long rant about how Dread had the worst maps and level designs]
03/28/23, 03:42   
@Stan McStanly

Super is without a doubt one of the greatest games ever made for its time. I didn't play it until the late 2000s after playing pretty much every other Metroid game released, so a lot of its impact was lost on me. Its atmosphere is still second only to Prime, but I remember having a lot more fun with Zero Mission and Dread.

I didn't get lost in Dread a single time! I felt like it was some of the best level design ever in a Metroid game, giving just the perfect amount of clues to require a bit of thought from the player, without feeling the need to ritually obscure its linear structure with "exploration" like every other Metroid game seems to be obliged to. Beat the game in six hours and loved every second of it.

Stan McStanly said:
Holdup. Fusion has 20 energy tanks??

I made it through that game with a grand total of 7

This was how my playthrough went too! I'm just as shocked as you!
03/28/23, 03:57   
Did some 2D #MetroidScience a couple years ago, then played Dread and Prime Remastered since. Having not replayed Prime 2 and 3 in a while, this is how I'd rank the ones I've played.

1. Metroid Prime
2. Metroid Dread
3. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
4. Metroid: Zero Mission
5. Metroid Fusion
6. Super Metroid
7. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
8. Metroid: Samus Returns
9. Metroid: Other M
03/28/23, 17:50   
@Secret_Tunnel

The level design was ok, but it all just felt like an easy maze. The map, though, annoyed me. I much prefer the old grid-based map where every room is a square. Its all a matter of taste, i suppose.

Yah, some of those tanks were hidden a little too well. I did end up with 250 missiles in the end though.
03/29/23, 01:16   
Edited: 03/29/23, 01:17
@Secret_Tunnel
I feel like the original Metroid is even more impressive for its time. Even though it's become the internet's favorite whipping boy!
03/29/23, 22:38   
@Anand

I played the original Mario, Zelda, and Metroid all around the same time, as a kid in the early 2000s, and I found Metroid to be waaay more obtuse than the other two! Zelda had a logic to it, and I could build up a mental model of the map in my head over time. Even if I often had no idea where to go, just aimlessly exploring was fun! Metroid was much more oppressive, it was much harder to get back to safe ground. I never really grokked it.
03/30/23, 01:15   
I feel like that must have been my experience as well? Like I remember playing Metroid as a kid but I never got super far? For whatever reason kid me didn't invest myself into it the way I did some other games.
03/30/23, 03:58   
@Secret_Tunnel@Zero
Hmm, I found Zelda 1 way more obtuse. You need to poke around just to uncover the dungeons.

I feel like the layout of Metroid 1 is fairly logical. There are a few vertical shafts in each area. Just try a door and see if you can make it through the room with your current powers. Then go back to the shaft and repeat with the next door until you reach the top/bottom. There are a handful of mandatory powers that you need to bomb/shoot walls/floors for, but there's usually some kind of indication or tell. Plus, shooting/bombing the shit out of everything is just the vocabulary of the game, like jumping is Mario's. At least bombs are free and unlimited, unlike in Zelda. And finding the secret areas with no obvious tell was so goddamn thrilling. It felt as transgressive as bombing your way through a level in Spelunky. As in Zelda 1 dungeons, you can also use the geography of the area to figure out where secret areas COULD BE. Then there's the door trick that lets you glitch through walls... But I still think there aren't too many MANDATORY secret areas.

Also, people say Metroid is tough until you get an energy tank, but good luck strolling through the cemetery when you start Zelda!

Mario is the most approachable, but it still has valuable stuff hidden behind secrets.

Man, I loved NES secrets. The kind of wtf stuff that you just randomly found one day and permanently added to your lexicon for that specific game. And then bragged about to your friends. The internet has kind of destroyed that shit. It hurts my soul when my nephews Google any puzzle solution/challenge/secret that they can't immediately figure out.

I love how some games are trying to bring back that sense of mystery and discovery. Like Elden Ring and Spelunky and The Binding of Isaac. And Tears of the Kingdom, perhaps??
03/30/23, 04:37   
Edited: 03/30/23, 04:41
Anand said:
I love how some games are trying to bring back that sense of mystery and discovery. Like Elden Ring and Spelunky and The Binding of Isaac. And Tears of the Kingdom, perhaps??

Yeah, I'm obsessed with this stuff.

- Spelunky Eggplant Run
- Banjo-Kazooie Ice Key
- Mario 64 A Button Challenge
- Ocarina of Time Triforce
- Legendary Pokemon

It's hard for me to put into words why. This Youtube comment on a Mario 64 A Button Challenge video gestures at it:

Youtube Commenter said:
It feels like the ABC is a "puzzle designed by god". It's a hidden game inside of regular SM64, created by the negative space from the design that the game devs had originally carved out. A secret riddle with no intended solution or even possibly any solution at all. Every level is more of a toybox of movement tech and glitches that, if strung together in just the right way, would just barely be able to work. It's a game where the levels get harder--have to get harder because if there was any easier way to do it we would've found it already.

I was watching an interview with Derek Yu today where he talked about how obvious BIG secrets are going to get spoiled immediately by the internet, whereas little surprising interactions could be safe for a long time. A game like Tears of the Kingdom, built on emergence, might be where the future of mystery in games lies.

I also like this article:

Kotaku said:
Let me illustrate. If you tell me that Luigi is in Super Mario 64, I can tell you that you are lying or misinformed. The conversation is over. But if instead, you tell me that Super Mario Brothers 3 is a stage performance within the Mario universe, I can offer no such rebuttal. I might argue against your claim, or I might consider its implications. But short of the rare Word of God, nobody can finally arbitrate this claim. The conversation can continue forever.

Which brings us back to the Donkey Kong timeline. Is trying to piece together an in-universe timeline for a series like this silly? Absolutely. Are there simple out-of-fiction reasons for all of the quirks of the Donkey Kong universe? Definitely. Is the Great Ape War merely the deranged invention of a forgotten editor on a second-rate fan Wiki, now mined for YouTube videos? Possibly. But none of these things matter.

In a media landscape dominated by crossover superhero movies and post-Lost TV shows that present themselves as puzzles, and in which the code of videogames is no longer impenetrable and mysterious, it makes perfect sense that fans would dive into the stories of games. And the more ill-defined the plot of a series, the more room there is to play and explore. So while we may never see the Great Ape War played out on a Nintendo platform, and Donkey Kong Jr. may be lost to history, these events and characters will continue to live on in fandoms.

Which relates to something else Yu said in that interview: all the mechanical secrets in Spelunky 2 have been found, but there are thematic connections that people haven't necessarily made yet.

Understanding what makes Breath of the Wild's "multiplicative gameplay" so good, how that can be applied to software in general, and what its relevance is in a world of infinitely generated AI content, has an active area of research for me the past few weeks. I think it's crazy important. Surprise in a game is predicated on pushing the boundaries of the game's finitude; if it's never-ending, what's the point? Shiren the Wanderer with millions of items would be a non-sequitur.

Scott Alexander said:
MANN: Touche. But doesn’t it bother you that AIs can work thousands of times faster than humans, putting human artists out of jobs? We wanted AIs to free us from drudgery so we could focus on the finer things in life; instead, they’re taking art and poetry, leaving us with menial labor.

AIR: Let me rephrase that. You wanted quicker burger-flipping; instead, you got beauty too cheap to meter. The poorest welfare recipient can now commission works of wonder to make a Medici seethe with envy. If deep down humans always thought that art - and music, and poetry, and all the rest - were just jobs programs - just the aesthetic equivalent of digging ditches and filling them in again to raise the employment rate - tell me now, so I don’t hesitate when the time comes to paperclip you.

Infinite paintings can be infinitely beautiful. But can infinite games be infinitely surprising?
03/30/23, 05:55   
Not sure if I'll eat my own words because I have to see what I ranked them, but...

1.) Super Metroid
2.) Metroid Prime/Remastered
3.) Metroid Dread
4.) Metroid Fusion
5.) Metroid Prime 2
5.) Metroid Prime 3
6.) Metroid Zero Mission
7.) Metroid 2
8.) Metroid
9.) Metroid: Other M
10.) Metroid: Samus Returns
03/31/23, 18:58   
Welp. Time to see if I've even played ten.

1) Super Metroid
2) Metroid Prime (still haven't beat it but i like what I'm seeing so far)
3) Metroid Fusion
4) Metroid Prime 3 (also haven't beat. Aforementioned excuse)
5) Metroid Dread
6) Samus Returns

Welp. Time to hit the backlog.
03/31/23, 20:54   
Edited: 03/31/23, 20:55
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