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==Recurring characters==
==Recurring characters==
{{main|Characters in the Metroid series}}
===Protagonists===
====Samus Aran====
{{seealso|Samus Aran}}
The series'heroine, Samus Aran, was orphaned by a Space Pirate attack on a earth colony on the planet K-2L. Because of losing her parents,Rodney and Virginia Aran, she was subsequently raised by the Chozo, an alien race of [[bird people]]. To help her survive their planet's climate, they infused her with their DNA, which also improved her physical abilities. The Chozo trained her to become a warrior and defend the galaxy, bequeathing her with a unique [[powered exoskeleton]] called the Power Suit..<ref name ="samus">{{cite web|author=Jesse Schedeen|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/851/851622p5.html|title=Stars: Icons&nbsp;— Samus Aran|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2008-02-12|accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref>

====The Galactic Federation====
The governing body of the galaxy formed by an alliance of alien species,<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mechadrake.com/metroidmanga.html|title=Metroid eManga pgs. 9-11|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref> often contracts Samus with difficult missions to complete, with the aim of eradicating the Space Pirates. Samus trained in the Federation's military before becoming a [[bounty hunter]], leaving some time after her commanding officer, Adam Malkovich, died to save her during a mission.<ref name="FusionAdamDiscussion">{{cite video game|title=[[Metroid Fusion]]|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2002-11-15|platform=[[Game Boy Advance]]|quote='''Computer:''' Did this "Adam" care for you? Would he sit in a safe Command Room and order you to die? / '''Samus:''' He would understand that some must live and some must die… He knew what it meant. He made that sacrifice once. / '''Computer:''' So he chose life for you? Our fair warrior, Samus Aran… Your Adam gave his life so that you might keep yours… For the sake of the universe…}}</ref> The Galactic Federation's troopers also use powered armor, and their technology usually bears multiple versions of their symbol, a stylized cross-shape. Troopers are also given a basic repeating assault weapon, and in ''Metroid Prime 3'', some are equipped with the Phazon Enhancement Device.

====The Chozo====
A mysterious and [[Wise old man|sage]]-like species featured throughout the ''Metroid'' series. The origins and age of the Chozo race and civilization are unknown, but they were once spread across several planets in the ''Metroid'' universe. Lore entries in [[Metroid Prime]] suggest that the race may have traveled to a [[Plane (metaphysics)|higher plane of existence]] as opposed to dying out. The Chozo were extremely technologically advanced, but took pride in their elaborate [[Statue|statuary]]. They also exchanged knowledge with other species, including the Luminoth of Aether, the Reptilicus of Bryyo, the Elysians of Elysia ([[robot]]s which the Chozo themselves built. Lore found in Metroid Prime 3 specifically mentions a fellowship of enlightened species that once existed between the Chozo, the Luminoth, the Reptilicus, and another race called the Ylla. While the former three have been expounded on in the series, the Ylla are only mentioned in this piece of lore and have yet to be seen. <ref name="AgeofScienceScan">{{cite video game|title=[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]|developer=[[Retro Studios]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2007-08-27|platform=[[Wii]]|quote=The ships of Bryyo sped to the stars, in all directions, bearing the banner of peace. Soon we found stellar brethren in the Chozo, the Luminoth, and the Ylla. Starborne knowledge came to Bryyo, and we gladly sent our wisdom to our new friends in return.}}</ref> They were also responsible for breeding the Metroids.<ref name="trailers"/> In the Japanese versions of the games, the Chozo are only ever identified by the generic term {{nihongo|chōjin-zoku|鳥人族|lit. "race of bird-humans"}}, of which the name "Chozo" is an anglicized version. In ''Super Metroid'', some of the Chozo statues would rise up and attack Samus; these bosses are called Torizos. In ''Metroid Prime'', in later areas in game play, Chozo [[ghost]]s appear and attack Samus. Although originally allies, they have been [[insanity|maddened]] by the Phazon corruption of their planet, and can no longer distinguish friend from foe.

===Antagonists===
====Metroids====
The eponymous in-game Metroids are large [[jellyfish]]-like creatures with quadripartite [[cell nucleus|nuclei]]. They are capable of [[siphon]]ing an undetectable [[Vitalism|life energy]] from any life form, generally causing the death of the victim in the process.<ref name="history"/> This energy can also be siphoned from the Metroid in turn, allowing it to be used as a living power source. The original ''Metroid'' establishes that exposure to [[beta ray]]s would cause them to multiply very quickly.<ref name="trailers"/> ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' established a five<!-- Do NOT change this to six. There is no such thing as a Beta Metroid in M2 or Fusion. -->-stage [[Biological life cycle|life cycle]] in which those Metroids native to SR-388 go through two stages of [[ecdysis]] followed by two stages of [[mutation]], thus maturing through five previously unknown forms: Alpha,<!-- Do NOT add Beta here. There is no such thing as a Beta Metroid in M2 or Fusion. --> Gamma, Zeta, Omega, and [[Eusociality|Queen]].<ref name="trailers"/> ''Metroid Prime'' introduced three new, [[Metroid#Phazon|Phazon]]-mutated forms: Hunter Metroids, [[Nuclear fission|Fission]] Metroids, and Metroid Prime itself. ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' has a Phazon-mutated strain of Metroid, the Tallon Metroid. Instead of siphoning all of their power from victims, they can feed directly off Phazon. They are born as Infant Metroids from [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoons]] and mature into adulthood when exposed to Phazon. The game also introduces Dark Tallon Metroids, Tallon Metroids corrupted by the [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|Ing]]. In ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', three new mutations of Metroid appear: Phazon Metroid, which is almost exactly like a common Metroid, except that it is capable of phasing in and out of local timespace; Hopping Metroid, which cannot hover, phase out of local timespace, or drain energy, but can fight using its claws as melee weapons and armor for defense; and the Metroid Hatcher, a boss which can float and spawn Phazon Metroids, but cannot phase out of local timespace. Though Metroids are dangerous animals, they are presumably not intrinsically sinister or evil, but act only on instinct. At the end of the second game in the series, Samus spares a baby Metroid, which adopts her as its parent. This Metroid later reappears in the sequel, and in saving Samus's life is killed by Mother Brain. In Metroid Fusion, Samus is injected with DNA from the infant Metroid in order to save her from being killed by the X(giving her the ability to freely absorb X, but also their suceptibility to extreme cold). It is also revealed that the Galactic Federation was breeding Metroids in the Restricted Laboratory in B.S.L.(most of these were killed by one of the SA-X, resulting in the lab's ejection and destruction). An Omega Metroid appears as the final boss(having escaped the Restricted Lab), during B.S.L.'s collision course with SR388. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', a Metroid appears as a character that can be summoned through an Assist Trophy. Like in the ''Metroid games'', it will attack by attaching itself to a character's head and sucking his/her life.

====Space Pirates====
A hostile group known as Space Pirates serve as the antagonists of the ''Metroid'' series. They are a group of "interstellar nomads" resembling humanoid [[insect]]s or [[crustaceans]], who plunder colonies and ships. A single Pirate may have many biological differences between individuals of their own species, most likely because of their willingness to perform self-experimentation and mutation. Important leaders include Ridley, the Space Pirate commander, Mother Brain, the biomechanical defense of Zebes controlled by the Space Pirates, and Kraid, a recurring boss. The organization also includes a winged, [[mantis]]-like species, the Ki Hunters. The Space Pirates are interested in Metroid research, especially in using Metroids for energy generation, as soldiers, and for experimentation&nbsp;– their Phazon experiments produced all the Metroid variants seen in the ''Prime'' games with the exception of ''Metroid Prime'' itself.

====Ridley====
One of Samus's recurring adversaries, Ridley, is a high-ranking Space Pirate. [[Ridley (Metroid)|Ridley]] shares features with both the [[Pterosaur|pterodactyl]] and the mythical [[wyvern|European dragon]].<ref name="history"/><ref name="samus"/> Ridley's exact rank is unknown, with some sources referring to him as the general of the Space Pirates.<ref name="trailers"/> Ridley directly led the Space Pirate attack on Samus's home colony of K-2L, which inevitably led to the deaths of all the colonists including Samus's mother and father.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mechadrake.com/metroidmanga.html|title=Metroid eManga pgs. 34-64|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref><ref name="samus"/> Samus has since had a personal vendetta against Ridley because of this, coupled with her objective to rid the galaxy of Space Pirates.<ref name="history"/><ref name ="samus"/> Over the course of her adventures, Samus confronts several different incarnations of Ridley in the series, such as Meta Ridley from ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' and ''Metroid Prime 3'', Omega Ridley from ''Metroid Prime 3'', and also an X parasite clone in ''Metroid Fusion'' and a mechanized version in ''Zero Mission''.<ref name ="samus"/><ref name="timelines">{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/374/374778p1.html|date=October 18, 2002|author=IGN Staff|title=Metroid Time Line|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Ridley appears in the introduction and as a trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', both Ridley and Meta Ridley are boss characters in the Subspace Emissary.

====Kraid====
Kraid is a gigantic [[dinosaur]]-like beast allied with the Space Pirates, possibly one of their leaders.<ref name ="samus"/> First appearing in the original ''Metroid'', he is the first part of the mini-boss duo along with Ridley.<ref name="timelines"/> In ''Super Metroid'' he appears in his giant form, two screens tall and almost a screen wide. ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] his size and appearance, showing he did not grow between games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/474/474827p1.html|date=January 23, 2004|author=Craig Harris|title=Metroid: Zero Mission|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> He was also slated to appear in ''Metroid Prime'' as a boss in the Phazon Mines, with a metal dome covering his head and blue Phazon veins on his belly, but was removed due to time constraints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gen-n.net/dyk/002.shtml|title=Did You Know? Classic Metroid enemy Kraid was planned to be in Metroid Prime|publisher=Generation N|accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref> Kraid also makes a guest appearance in the background of the Brinstar Depths stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.

====Mother Brain====
Mother Brain is a recurring game boss in the series. Its exact status has always been unclear, as it has been referred to as the general of the Space Pirates, a supercomputer that operates the Space Pirate-occupied world of Zebes, or a councilor of the Chozo.<ref name="trailers"/><ref name="brain">{{cite web|author=Matt Casamassina|date= August 14, 2007|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812862p1.html|title=The Return of Aran's Fiercest Enemy|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> Mother Brain is depicted as a very large brain with cybernetic spikes and a single eye; usually contained in a glass tube which Samus must break to attack it, Mother Brain also rises from the floor with a grotesque body in ''Super Metroid''. Samus seemingly destroys Mother Brain in the original ''Metroid'', but again confronts it in ''Super Metroid''; in this game, Samus is almost defeated, but the baby Metroid intervenes, and Samus once again defeats Mother Brain. It was revealed in ''Metroid Prime 3'' that the Galactic Federation had constructed biomechanical supercomputers called Auroras, and that there were plans for a "Future Aurora Complex", which appears to be the Mother Brain as depicted in ''Super Metroid''.<ref name="brain"/> In the trailer for ''Metroid: Other M'', the scene of Mother Brain destroying the baby Metroid is reenacted in an FMV cutscene.

====Phazon====
A highly [[Radioactive decay|radioactive]] and [[mutagen]]ic compound, Phazon is a major plot element of the ''Metroid Prime'' trilogy.<ref name="trailers"/> Some decades before ''Metroid Prime'', a Phazon meteorite crashes into Tallon IV. Later, Samus responds to a distress signal from the Space Pirate frigate Orpheon orbiting Tallon IV. Her investigation leads her to the surface of the planet discovering several Space Pirate bases and the Metroid Prime itself. Metroid Prime is a Metroid that has become highly evolved and mutated by Phazon exposure. Though it is defeated by Samus, the creature absorbs her Phazon Suit and copies her genetic code, ultimately becoming Dark Samus, a major antagonist in the Prime series.<ref name="trailers"/> ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' sees Samus fighting against Dark Samus as it attempts to absorb more Phazon to survive on the planet Aether. She also confronts the Ing, a [[demon]]-like extraterrestrial race from Dark Aether, the dark parallel of Aether. Dark Aether and the amorphous Ing that inhabit it were created by a different Phazon meteor impacting an undetermined time ago splitting the planet and its energy in two. ''Corruption'' introduced an extraterrestrial called the "Phaz-Ing" which had similar characteristics to the "Inglet", a member of the Ing race. This brings to question whether the Ing are Phaz-Ing exposed to Dark Energy or previously existed. ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' is centered around Dark Samus, in conjunction with the Space Pirates, spreading Phazon across the galaxy by infecting planets and several hunters with it, including Samus. Samus's body begins to naturally produce Phazon, but is in danger of corruption because of overexposure. Samus eventually tracks Dark Samus to the planet the compound originated from, Phaaze, and defeats Dark Samus, and in the process destroys Phaaze and all remaining phazon.

====X-Parasite====
In ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' Samus faces another opponent, the X-Parasite, a parasitic life-form from planet SR388. These creatures were originally the prey of the Metroids but have now multiplied out of control following the eradication of the Metroids in ''Metroid II''. An X infects Samus but she is saved by a vaccine created from the DNA of the Metroid hatchling she spared from ''Metroid II'' and ''Super Metroid''. Some of the X infect her suit and become a clone of Samus called the SA-X, which has the same powers and capabilities as Samus at full power and uses these to assist the other X. Although Samus is ordered by the Federation to destroy the X, they secretly desire to capture the creatures for themselves, and intentionally sabotage Samus's mission to keep her from destroying too many of them (a fact that enrages Samus upon her finding out). Samus is able to exterminate the X on the station by crashing the space station ''Fusion'' takes place on.


==Games==
==Games==

Revision as of 01:57, 7 May 2010

This article is about the series. For the video game, see Metroid (video game).
Metroid
The text "Metroid"
Genre(s)Action-adventure game
Developer(s)Nintendo (R&D1/Intelligent Systems, Retro Studios, NST), Team Ninja
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Platform(s)NES, Game Boy, Super NES, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii
Original release1986

Metroid (メトロイド, Metoroido) is a series of science fiction action-adventure video games conceived by designer Makoto Kanoh and artist Hiroji Kiyotake and produced by Nintendo.[1] Metroid chronicles the missions of bounty hunter Samus Aran who protects the galaxy from the depredations of the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of fictional organisms such as the eponymous Metroids. It is noted for having one of the first female protagonists in a video game, and for its nonlinear gameplay. Metroid combines the platforming of Super Mario Bros. and the exploration aspect of The Legend of Zelda with a decidedly darker atmosphere.[1]

As of 2008, the Metroid series consists of ten games spanning most Nintendo consoles, from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the Wii, with an eleventh installment arriving on August 31, 2010. It is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises with 16 million games sold, and all of the Metroid games have received some level of critical acclaim.[1] Samus Aran is featured in many other Nintendo-produced games along with secondary characters such as Mother Brain and Ridley. Nintendo has adapted several Metroid games into manga, and a live-action movie has been considered.[citation needed]

Common gameplay elements

The Metroid series contains gameplay elements from shooter, platformer, and adventure games. [1] The series is notable for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration format where the player only controls Samus Aran, with few or no other characters to interact with. The series has been a 2D side-scroller in all its incarnations until the Metroid Prime series changed the perspective to a first-person perspective, leading to a new first-person shooter element. The player gains items and power-ups for Samus' cybernetic suit by defeating alien creatures through real-time combat with her arm cannon, which enables further exploration.[1][2] A recurring upgrade is the Morph Ball, which allows Samus to curl into a ball, roll into tight places and plant bombs.[1]

The original Metroid was influenced by two other major Nintendo franchises, including Mario, from which it borrowed extensive areas of platform jumping, and The Legend of Zelda, from which it borrowed non-linear exploration.[1] The game differed in its atmosphere of solitude and foreboding.[1] Metroid was also one of the first video games to feature an exploration to the left as well as the right, and backtracking to already explored areas to search for secret items and paths.[3] Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the first game in the Metroid series to use extensive voice acting; however, Samus is a silent protagonist.Until metroid other M. [1] There is very little story explanation in the first few Metroid games, although more backstory was introduced in Super Metroid with its opening narration, and the Prime series with the scan visor that allows the player to read information on walls and computer terminals.[4]

The Metroid games have been popular for speedrunning, which is the act of completing a game in the fastest time possible, since players often receive a better ending if they do so.[1] Metroid had five different endings based on how quickly a player could complete the game, a design unheard of at the time.[1] Super Metroid is one of the most popular speedrunning games, and helped popularize speedrunning in video games through its non-linear design that allowed for sequence breaking through secret passages and other means.[3][5] The original Metroid introduced the challenge of having three minutes to escape from either a planet or a ship that is set to self destruct, which is another recurring gameplay innovation of the Metroid series.[1] However, the Prime trilogy had more of a focus on exploration, as the secret endings in the Prime games were unlocked not by quickest time, but by the highest number of pickups (i.e.: missile expansions) the player had collected, which meant that there was a great deal of time spent on backtracking and exploration needed as opposed to the 2D games, where the player needed to skip areas to achieve a 'perfect ending'.

Recurring characters

Main article: Characters in the Metroid series

Games

Metroid: Other MMetroid Prime: TrilogyMetroid Prime 3: CorruptionMetroid Prime HuntersMetroid Prime PinballMetroid Prime 2: EchoesMetroid: Zero MissionMetroid PrimeMetroid FusionSuper MetroidMetroid II: Return of SamusMetroid (video game)
Main article: List of Metroid media

The eleven games in the Metroid series focus on the adventures of Samus Aran and her assignments to wipe out threats to the Galactic Federation presented by the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness various biological weapons such as the Metroids and Phazon.

The chronology of the Metroid fictional universe does not match the release order of the games.[6] This section lists the games in chronological order, rather than the order of release.

Metroid/Metroid: Zero Mission (1986/2004)
Samus travels through the caverns of the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting the Metroid species for galactic domination. She confronts the cybernetic lifeform Mother Brain, as well as its guardians, Kraid and Ridley.[7] The 2004 remake Metroid: Zero Mission has an addendum to the storyline—after the defeat of Mother Brain, Samus was ambushed by Space Pirates and her ship crash-lands back on the surface. Stripped of her Power Suit and her ship destroyed, she is forced to infiltrate the Space Pirate mothership to find a way off the planet with only an emergency pistol for protection. After receiving a fully powered suit from deep within the Chozo ruins, she defeats Ridley Robot and escapes from the mothership before it self-destructs.[8][3]
Metroid Prime (2002)
Approximately three years after the events of Metroid, Samus receives a distress signal in her new ship and travels to Tallon IV to stop the Space Pirates from exploiting a powerful radioactive substance known as Phazon. She discovers that the Chozo once settled on this planet, and their disappearance, as well as the emergence of Phazon, is due to a meteor impacting the planet decades ago. After ruining a Space Pirate mining operation and collecting the twelve Chozo Artifacts that allow access to the sealed impact crater, she confronts and seemingly destroys Metroid Prime, a Metroid that had been feeding off the Phazon Core of the meteor to increase in size and strength.[3]
Metroid Prime Pinball (2005)
Metroid Prime Pinball is not a separate canon game in the Metroid storyline, but a retelling of the original Metroid Prime's story in pinball format.[9]
Metroid Prime Hunters (2006)
When the Federation receives an unusual telepathic message, Samus is sent to the remote Alimbic Cluster in the Tetra Galaxy to uncover the rumored "Ultimate Power". Six rival bounty hunters that also heard the message actively attempt to secure the power before anyone else, including Samus. It transpires that the promise of ultimate power was actually a lie sent by the creature Gorea, sealed away by the Alimbics in a void between dimensions. Gorea attacks and sucks the energy and weapons from the hunters. After killing Gorea, Samus and the other hunters escape the cluster, empty handed, but alive.[3]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)
Samus is sent to investigate the planet Aether after a squad of GF Marines was lost there. Samus finds them all dead, killed by several creatures, mostly by an evil race called the Ing. The Ing possess life forms, transforming them into monstrous "dark" versions of their former selves to wage war with Aether's dominant race, the Luminoth. Upon meeting the only remaining member of Luminoth (the others are frozen in stasis chambers, awaiting the destruction of the Ing), Samus learns Aether has been split into two dimensions by a meteor similar to the one that crashed on Tallon IV. Samus agrees to assist by recovering Aether's planetary energy (the "Light of Aether") from Dark Aether and thereby putting an end to Dark Aether and the Ing; however, Samus yet again encounters Metroid Prime, a heavily mutated being who had copied Samus' genetic code and stolen her Phazon suit at the end of her Tallon IV adventure, now in the form of Dark Samus.[3]
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)
Space Pirates shut down Galactic Federation computer systems and then engage in large scale combat in an attempt to further spread Phazon. Enormous Phazon-based seedships, known as Leviathans, impact planets and begin corrupting them with Phazon. Samus is charged with destroying the 'Phazon Seeds' and restoring functionality to the Federation's computer network. After purging three planets of Phazon (including the Space Pirate homeworld), the Federation locates the source of Phazon, planet Phaaze, which is made entirely of Phazon. As the Federation engages the Space Pirates in orbit, Samus enters the depths of the planet and succeeds at destroying Dark Samus and Phaaze.
Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991)
The Galactic Federation deems the Metroid species too dangerous to exist, and after their own failed attempts, employs Samus to travel to the Metroid homeworld, SR388, and exterminate the entire species. After killing every Metroid (among them Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, and Omega Metroids) and the Queen Metroid, Samus finds an unhatched egg behind the Queen Metroid's chamber. Before Samus fires on the Metroid egg, an infant Metroid hatches and believes Samus to be its mother. Helping her escape back to her ship, it is handed over by Samus to the research station, Ceres, for study.[7]
Super Metroid (1994)
Before the scientists can conduct extensive research, Samus receives a distress signal from the research lab. She returns just in time to catch Ridley stealing the hatchling, having killed all of the scientists. She then follows Ridley to the rebuilt base on Zebes to stop the Space Pirates in their new plan to clone the Metroids and use them as a weapon. She kills the reborn versions of Ridley and Kraid, as well as new guardians Phantoon and Draygon, to confront Mother Brain once again.[3] Samus is nearly killed in the battle, but is saved, and her suit supercharged, by the Metroid hatchling, shortly before Mother Brain kills it.[7] Samus proceeds to destroy Mother Brain, and once again escapes Zebes during a countdown to an explosion. This time, the entire planet explodes, taking with it the few remaining cloned Metroids.
Metroid: Other M (2010)
A new title featuring story, cutscenes, and dialogue new to the franchise. Series director Yoshio Sakamoto confirmed the title as an interquel between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion.[10]
Metroid Fusion (2002)
While acting as a bodyguard for researchers on the planet SR388, Samus is infected by a native creature known as the X Parasite, originally the prey of the Metroid species.[3] Doctors surgically remove portions of her Power Suit and cured the X infection with a vaccine created from the DNA of the baby Metroid from her previous adventure.[3] The vaccine not only allows her to survive the parasites, but to absorb them to power up her energy and weapons. She is then sent to investigate a disturbance at the Biologic Space Labs research station, where it is revealed that specimens from SR388 had been carriers of the X parasite. An X mimicking Samus, nicknamed the SA-X, has taken control of Samus's old suit, methodically breaking into different parts of the station to allow the X parasites to infect the entire station.[7] While trying to destroy the rapidly multiplying X as well as clones of the SA-X, Samus discovers a secret Federation Metroid breeding program. Realizing the threat this would pose, Samus' shipboard computer, Adam, suggests that she alter the station's propulsion to intercept with SR388 and destroy the planet as well to finally wipe out the X and Metroid populations.[3] After changing the station's propulsion, Samus races back to her ship, where she encounters an Omega Metroid which seems invulnerable to every weapon Samus has. The SA-X returns and tries to kill the Metroid since the ice-beam it has seems to be the only weapon able to damage it. But the SA-X is badly damaged by the Metroid, and Samus absorbs the SA-X parasite to use her regained weapons to destroy the Omega Metroid and leave the station before it collides with SR388.[3]

Development

History

A video game screenshot. A person in a powered exoskeleton travels through a cave, while winged monsters hang from the ceiling.
Metroid provides a thoroughly nonlinear gaming experience.

In the mid-1980s, Nintendo's Research & Development 1 team started simultaneous development of two games for the Famicom Disk System: Kid Icarus and Metroid. The two games, both released on the same day in 1986, have been called "companion games", as they shared developers and gameplay elements such as the introduction of the game saving password system in the North American release.[11][3]

Metroid II: Return of Samus was released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1991 in North America and 1992 in Japan. It was the first game of the Metroid series whose North American release featured a save system, allowing the player to have three separate save files. Metroid II also established the current "look" of Samus Aran and her Power Suit, namely the bulky look of the Varia Suit upgrade and the visual difference between the "Beam Mode" and "Missile Mode" of Samus' arm cannon.

Director Yoshio Sakamoto began planning concepts for Super Metroid in early 1990, but his studio was committed to making another game, so developers from Intelligent Systems were brought in to help complete the game.[12] After Super Metroid's release, there would not be another sequel for eight years. A Nintendo 64 title was considered during the period, but Nintendo "couldn't come up with any concrete ideas".[13] In 1999, Retro Studios, a newly formed second-party developer based in Austin, Texas, was given the project for Metroid Prime. Nintendo rarely allows overseas teams to work on its games but this was one occasion when they allowed a high profile title to be developed by a studio outside of Japan.[14] After it became a top seller on the GameCube, a trilogy was authorized.[1]

Rumors abounded since 2005 about the development of a title called Metroid Dread, supposedly a 2D side-scroller for the Nintendo DS. In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, there is a message in the Metroid breeding zone of the Space Pirate Homeworld on a computer panel that if scanned says "Experiment status report update: Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion." Developers from Retro Studios gave a full but cryptic denial of any connection with the rumored game, and Nintendo denied they were making another 2D Metroid title.[15][16][17][18] However, at E3 2009, Sakamoto confirmed Metroid Dread existed at one point, and may still be in development.[19][20] On the May 3, 2010, 75th episode of IGN's Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast, editor Craig Harris confirmed that the story for Metroid Dread was fully written and he had seen it at one point in time, claiming "[Nintendo] has it and can bring it back at any time." [21]

A new Metroid title was announced at E3 2009, entitled Metroid: Other M. This title is being developed in cooperation with Team Ninja and directed by long-time series director Yoshio Sakamoto. It is slated for release on the Wii on June 27, 2010.[10]

Creation and design

A video game screenshot. A weapon points outwards towards a snowy landscape.
Metroid Prime introduced 3D to the series.

Metroid was designed to be a shooting game that combined the platform jumping of Super Mario Bros. with the non-linear exploration of The Legend of Zelda and a distinctly darker aesthetic. Half way through development, one of the staff said to his fellow developers "Hey, wouldn't that be kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman?", and the idea was accepted.[1][22] While Alien was never mentioned during development, the team is said to have been influenced by the film's atmosphere, and the series has since been one of their biggest inspirations.[23]

Metroid, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission were all developed by Nintendo's internal R&D1 section. The games which have been developed by separate teams are Metroid Prime, 2, and 3 (Retro Studios), Metroid Prime Hunters (Nintendo Software Technology Corporation), Metroid Prime Pinball (Fuse Games)[3], and Metroid: Other M (Project M). The central figures in the production and development of the Metroid series are Yoshio Sakamoto who has directed or supervised the development of all the games (excluding Metroid II), Gunpei Yokoi who headed the Research & Development 1 team and produced the first three games before his death in 1997, Makoto Kanoh who directed and designed scenarios for the first three games, and Hiroji Kiyotake who designed the characters for the original game.[1] Shigeru Miyamoto, who made the Mario and The Legend of Zelda series, has not been involved with the production of Metroid, but he did act as producer for both Metroid Prime and its sequel.

Audio

The Metroid series has been noted and praised for its unique style of video game music.[1][24][25] Hirokazu 'Hip' Tanaka, composer of the original Metroid, has said he wanted to make a score that made players feel like they were encountering a "living organism" and had no distinction between music and sound effects.[24] The only time the main Metroid theme was heard was after Mother Brain is defeated; this is intended to give the player a catharsis. At all other times, no melodies are present in the game.[26] The composer of Super Metroid, Kenji Yamamoto, came up with some of the games' themes by singing them while riding his motorcycle. He was asked to compose the music for Metroid Prime to reinforce the series' continuity.[27] Metroid Prime's Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound was mixed by a member of Dolby Digital.[28] Developers from Retro Studios noted how the process of fitting all the sound effects and music for Metroid Prime in 6 MB of space was crucial in producing a quality soundtrack, as each sound had to be of very high quality to be included.[27] Composer Kenji Yamamoto utilizes heavy drums, piano, voiced chants, clangs of pipes, and electric guitar.[28] Metroid Prime 3 took advantage of the increase in the amount of RAM that took place when the series switched from the GameCube to the Wii; this allowed for higher quality audio samples to be used and thus a better overall audio quality.[27] Kenji Yamamoto, who composed the music to Super Metroid and the Prime trilogy, copied the musical design of the original Metroid in Metroid Prime 3, by keeping the music and themes dark and scary until the very end, when uplifting music is played during the credits.[27]

In other media

See also: List of Metroid media

Characters and elements from the Metroid series have appeared in different mediums. Samus has appeared in Nintendo games such as Super Mario RPG, Tetris (Nintendo Entertainment System version), Tetris DS, Galactic Pinball, Kirby Super Star, and WarioWare.[3][29][30] Several characters and game environments have appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series. Samus is a playable character in all three Super Smash Bros. games.[31][32] Super Smash Bros. Brawl, also features Zero Suit Samus, a version of the heroine using the blue form-fitting suit seen in Zero Mission and the Prime series.[33][34] Ridley makes cameos in Super Smash Bros., where he can be seen flying through the level Zebes, and in Super Smash Bros. Melee both as a unlockable trophy and in the game's opening, where he is fighting Samus at Ceres Space Station.[35] In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Ridley, in both normal and Meta Ridley forms, appears as a boss character.[36] Kraid also appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee as a stage hazard in Brinstar Depths and unlockable trophy. Comics and manga have been made for various magazines based on Metroid,[37] Super Metroid,[38] Metroid Prime,[39] Metroid Prime 2: Echoes,[40] and Metroid: Zero Mission[41] in both the United States and Japan. Samus Aran and other Metroid characters also feature in the Captain N: The Game Master comic books by Valiant Comics.[42] Mother Brain was also the main villain in the Captain N: The Game Master TV show.[43] Metroids were an enemy encountered by Pit in the NES game Kid Icarus.[3] Six short "E-comics" were created to chronicle Samus' life and were published by Kodachi.[3] Comic Bom Bom also published a three-volume manga starring Samus called Samus and Joey (メトロイド サムス&ジョイ) [44]

Live-action movie

In 2003, two producers optioned the rights to create a movie based on Metroid, but the rights expired.[3] John Woo reacquired the rights a few years later, and Lion Rock Productions was to produce and release the film before 2006, but it either has been canceled or remains in development hell.[3][45] On April 1, 2005, IGN posted an April Fool's Day article reporting critically panned director Uwe Boll would be directing the Metroid movie, with Samus being portrayed by Michelle Rodriguez, who stated the Nintendo GameCube is for kids.[46] In 2010, IGN posted an article about potential video game movies and their current status. Metroid was marked as "Dormant." They stated that the last time that the movie was mentioned was in 2004 and that the movie was likely canceled.

Reception

Aggregate review scores
Game GameRankings Metacritic
Metroid (GBA re-release) 62%[48] 58%[47]
Metroid II: Return of Samus 80%[49] —
Super Metroid 96%[50] —
Metroid Fusion 91%[52] 92%[51]
Metroid Prime 96%[54] 97%[53]
Metroid: Zero Mission 90%[56] 89%[55]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 92%[58] 92%[57]
Metroid Prime Pinball 81%[60] 79%[59]
Metroid Prime Hunters 84%[62] 85%[61]
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 90%[64] 90%[63]

The series has been highly praised by critics, being ranked by IGN as the eighth best franchise ever.[65] In 2001, Electronic Gaming Monthly chose Super Metroid as the best game ever.[66] The Metroid games have since appeared in other "best game" lists, with all games released up to 2005 included in a Nintendo Power "Top 200 Nintendo Games list",[67] Prime in the IGN top 100,[68] Metroid, Super Metroid, Prime and Echoes in a list by GameFAQs users;[69] Metroid and Super Metroid in Game Informer's list;[70] and Prime and Super Metroid in Edge's list.[71] The series has been influential in many other games, including Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.[2] The games have also sold very well, with Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Prime, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption exceeding one million copies sold.[72][12][73] Some characters have received their own reception. Ridley was the number two most requested Nintendo character by IGN and number one by the fans to be added as a playable character to the Super Smash Bros. series[36] and Mother Brain has been commonly ranked among the all-time best video game bosses.[74]

The original Metroid has been described as being boosted by its "eerie" music, adding a "sense of mystery and exploration" to the game by making the game "moody and atmospheric".[1][24] IGN praised the well timed music that helped add suspense to the experience.[25] GameSpot described Super Metroid as better than the original "in literally every conceivable way",[75] Metroid Fusion was noted for its "understated score" which fit the mood of the adventure and its excellent stereo sound effects, making it an uncommonly good Game Boy Advance sound experience.[76] Metroid Prime was considered one of the best games ever upon release, winning Game of the Year from various publications and websites.[77][78][79] IGN called the aural experience with Metroid Prime 2: Echoes "mesmerizing".[80] Music from Metroid has been frequently re-released as part of "best of" video game music releases.[81][82][83] Metroid Prime's soundtrack was called the best sound design on the GameCube. The sound effects were also noted for a high degree of accuracy and blending with the soundtrack.[28] On the popular video game music site OverClocked ReMix, Super Metroid is the tied for the tenth most remixed video game, with Metroid tied for twenty-fifth.[84]

Sales of Metroid games in Japan have typically been lower than in the United States. In particular, the first two installments of the Metroid Prime series did not sell well in Japan. In its first day of release in Japan, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption sold 20,000 copies,[85] and it was the fifth bestselling game during its debut week in Japan, selling 32,388 units, ranking it behind Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Wii Fit, and Gundam Musou Special.[86]

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