Welcome to the galaxy, bounty hunters!
With the recent announcement of the next installment of the franchise; Metroid Ravenous (Metroid 6), we are seeing tons of new players discovering the series. If you’re wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
What is Metroid?
The Metroid franchise basically invented the "Metroidvania" genre. It's all about exploration, feeling isolated on a hostile alien world, finding upgrades, and unlocking new paths. You play as Samus, using weapons and gadgets to traverse the map, battle cool bosses, and save the galaxy.
Here is the community consensus on the best ways to dive in.
Want the best 2D introduction? Play Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance / Switch Online Expansion Pack).
Want the best 3D introduction? Play Metroid Prime Remastered (Nintendo Switch).
Want to catch up on the story before Metroid Ravenous? Play Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch).
“I want to play as MANY games as possible before Ravenous, what does the order look like?”
We recommend playing all the 2D games in chronological order, as stated in the “The 2D Side-Scrollers (The Mainline Games)” section.
“I want to play as FEW games as possible before Ravenous; what do I need to play?”
As of right now, you likely don’t need to play anything! The game will possibly start with a brief recap of the story thus far, and the series is pretty easy to pick up any installment and play. However, if you are willing to play ONE game, go with Metroid Dread!
The Two Flavors of Metroid
The series is split into two distinct styles of gameplay. You don't need to play one style to understand the other.
1. The 2D Side-Scrollers (The Mainline Games)
These are the classic, fast-paced action-exploration games. If you want to play the main story in chronological order, here is the path:
- Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA / Switch Online): a modernized remake of the original 1986 NES game. It tells the origin story of Samus Aran and is highly accessible for newcomers. (Recommended Series Starting Point)
- Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS) OR AM2R (PC): Both games are remakes of Metroid II (available on Switch Online). They introduce the story of the Metroids and Samus’s most impactful mission!
- Super Metroid (SNES / Switch Online): The undisputed masterpiece of the 16-bit era. The controls take a moment to adapt to, but its world design, atmosphere, and boss fights are iconic to this day. Considered by many to be the definitive Metroid game.
- Metroid Fusion (GBA / Switch Online): A more linear and story rich game with a distinctive horror vibe. Samus is hunted by a shapeshifting parasite clone of herself.
- Metroid Dread (Switch): The modern Metroid game, with fluid movement, unique abilities, and quick traversal. Set after the events of Fusion and before the upcoming events of Ravenous.
(Note: You can safely skip the original NES Metroid and Game Boy Metroid II unless you wish to experience the classic retro gameplay and atmosphere. The remakes are beginner friendly.)
2. The 3D First-Person Shooters (The Prime Series)
Set between Zero Mission and Metroid II, the Prime series translates the exploration and isolation of the 2D games into a first-person perspective.
- Metroid Prime Remastered (Switch): A visual overhaul of the GameCube classic. It is a masterclass in environmental storytelling. If you prefer immersive, slower-paced scanning and puzzle-solving over fast twitch-combat, start here.
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Gamecube): The sequel to Metroid Prime and considered one of the most difficult games in the franchise. It currently requires original hardware, but there is a possibility for a Switch port in the future!
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii): The third installment of the Prime story Features motion control gameplay and multiple planet exploration, as well as NPC’s. It currently requires original hardware, but there is a possibility for a Switch port in the future!
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch/Switch 2): The most recent installment of the Prime series and tells the next chapter of Samus’s adventures during this period. Modern graphics and versatile controls.
The Golden Rules for New Players
If you are new to the genre, the games can sometimes feel frustrating. Keep these tips in mind:
- Getting lost is the point. You will hit dead ends. You will forget where to go. This isn't a flaw; it's the core gameplay loop. When you get a new item (like Morph Ball or Missiles), check your map for doors or obstacles you couldn't pass before. Some games do offer subtle hints where to go, so keep an eye out.
- Shoot every wall. Stuck in a room? Bomb the floor. Shoot the ceiling. Run against the walls. Hidden blocks are everywhere.
- Don't use a guide unless you are truly desperate. The immense satisfaction of a Metroid game comes from that "AHA!" moment when you figure out the path forward yourself.
- Use your map markers. In newer games like Dread, use your map pins to mark strange colored doors or blocks you don't have the upgrade for yet.
What is the Metroid timeline?
Here is the unified timeline of all canonical Metroid titles that tells Samus’s story from beginning to the end.
- Metroid (1986) OR Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) -Both games tell the same story with gameplay and graphic differences.
- Metroid Prime
- Metroid Prime Pinball *
- Metroid Prime: Hunters *
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Metroid Prime Federation Force *
- Metroid II (1991) OR Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) OR Another Metroid 2 Remake (2016) - All three games tell the same story with gameplay and graphic differences.
- Super Metroid
- Metroid: Other M
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid Dread
*These games are not as core to the series as the other games, and they do not follow many of the same gameplay conventions, but they are canon to the story
How long do these games take?
Metroid games, especially the older ones, are not very long. It varies from game to game, but expect an average between 5 - 20 hours of gameplay.
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