Metroid: Zero Mission (2004)

I enjoy Super Metroid but I've never finished it because on every playthrough I inevitably hit a wall and get frustrated trying to parse the tiny map wondering where to go next. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention but the wayfinding never felt fair. It presented a wide open space with easily missed guideposts and while I can appreciate how limitless this space felt in 1994, decades later it's not a great use of my time.

Zero Mission easily solves that with clear objective markers on the map screen. It provides just enough indication of where to go next without spoilers. It's exactly what I want in a metroidvania, a drip feed of new skills to constantly explore new areas. It's not terribly complex but as a remake of an NES game it's an easy playthrough to provide just enough historical context for the series. For this reason it's a great entry point for the metroid-curious.

This Metroid entry is a masterful remake of the original Metroid (1986), modernizing the classic with tight controls, updated graphics, and expanded lore. It retains the series' signature nonlinear exploration and atmospheric isolation while adding quality-of-life improvements like a map system and smoother combat. The new epilogue sequence featuring Zero Suit Samus is a standout, offering stealth gameplay that adds variety and narrative depth, and this is what sold me to play this game, I highly recommend this solely because of this epilogue, it won't blow your mind but is definitely a must-play.

It's a concise, polished experience that serves as both a perfect entry point for newcomers and a satisfying reimagining for longtime fans. As much as I like the SNES Metroid, this one has better quality overall, the animations, visuals and especially the controls. It makes the SNES one feel clunky at times since this one is a huge step forward when it comes to how the controls feel, they really nailed when developing this one, and the subsequent ones also benefit from this successful implementation.

Beyond its mechanical refinements, this title excels at pacing and world design. Each area of Planet Zebes feels deliberately structured to guide new players without stripping away the joy of discovery, subtly nudging you forward while still rewarding curiosity with missile expansions and hidden upgrades. The balance between freedom and direction is impressive, making backtracking feel purposeful rather than tedious. The OST reinforces the eerie solitude of the environment, reminding you that exploration in Metroid is as much about mood as it is about progression.

What makes this title a standout is how confidently it sets the foundation for modern 2D Metroid games. Many of the design choices here, with fluid movement, readable level layouts, and responsive combat, became the blueprint for future titles like Fusion and Dread. Even today, it holds up remarkably well, feeling less like a product of its time and more like a timeless refinement of the series’ core ideas. It’s not just a remake done right. It’s a definitive version of the original vision, and one of the strongest arguments for why 2D Metroid remains so compelling.

After playing Fusion, a pretty underwhelming title. this was a breath of fresh air. The pacing is immaculate, I could barely put it down. The art and music are great, the gameplay and map are basically everything you could want from a Metroid game.

My only complaint is very personal, but I just don’t love how hard it is to 100% these games. Stuff is really well hidden and there’s no hints, you just have to luckily bomb the correct wall. So trying to find every collectible is super tedious - I wish the map would help you more.

But if I just stuck to the main gameplay, it is a thrilling ride and there’s so many satisfying moments. I would have to replay super Metroid to decide which one I love more, but they’re both amazing games

Enhanced graphics, soundtrack, gameplay and story, this game is just the first Metroid but on steroids.

Something that always bothered me about the original were the controls and since it was my first Metroid game, i was afraid that all of the other would handle the same... Well, good thing i was wrong, huh ? Moving around as the ever so badass Samus Aran never felt better, it made me actually want to explore all the levels to each secret rooms and other bonuses.

But the thing i loved the most about this game was the atmosphere. The soundtrack, ennemy designs and the extra cutscenes really put the game in this eerie/dangerous mood. Even in my power suit, i never truly felt safe, it genuinely felt like a horror game at times.

Now something that the original definitely didn't have was the stealth section at the end of the game, where you play as a suitless Samus (Zero-suit samus if you're a connoisseur), trying to avoid ennemies à la Metal Gear. I think it's a great idea that unfortunately felt a bit rushed and clunky, but i think that, with a bit of tweaking, it could make for a really fun standalone spin-off.

4.2 out of 5, would visit my bird dads again !

(Ps : something that wasn't fixed AT ALL in the remake however was the Mother Brain boss fight, damn thing gave me headache... Then again, you are fighting a giant brain... so maybe that's the point ?)

Pros:
+ It's a remake of the original Metroid but plays more like Super Metroid

+ Lots of secrets and places to backtrack to and/or explore

+ Great visuals and attention to detail for the GBA's small screen/resolution

+ Cool cutscenes as you progress through the game

+ Samus has a nice butt in her Zero Suit

Cons:
- Zero Suit Samus, period.

- Music quality leaves a lot to be desired and is mostly forgettable other than the main themes

- Controls sometimes felt stiff/awkward and jumps felt somewhat jerky

- Environments didn't feel all that varied

- The ending is just a picture of Samus? Seriously?

Final Thoughts:
For the longest time, I had wanted to play through the original Metroid for NES but came to find out a little over a week ago that Metroid: Zero Mission was a full blown remake of it for the Game Boy Advance. Being a huge fan of the Metroidvania genre, I felt like I owed it to myself to see how much I'd enjoy the firt half of that term (as I love the Castlevania games). Metroid: Zero Mission was pretty fun and after playing it for a couple of hours, I felt that it definitely lives up to the hype. I had a blast exploring everything and searching for hidden items, going to areas that I probably wasn't supposed to enter yet, and using the ol' noggin to figure out exactly how to reach certain things.

However, after a couple more hours of playtime, tedium began to rear its ugly head. In an effort to find hidden areas or items that seemed beyond reach, I found myself trying to bomb anything and everything in sight, as well as somersaulting into anything that resembled a wall as there's almost no tell-tale signs of where a hidden breakable wall is. Eventually, I reached Mother Brain and after a few annoying attempts, managed to beat her and escape back to Samus' ship. Job well done, I thought to myself...but oh, if it were only that simple! Nintendo made sure gave me a nice, fat "F*** you!" by forcing me to play as the completely imcompetent Zero Suit Samus.

Strapped with an absolutely useless peashooter and the amazing ability to constantly piss off speedy, red lobster-like aliens, Zero Suit Samus and the space pirate ship section managed to sour the fascination I had with the game thus far. It felt tacked on and unnecessarily frustrating. I imagine that it was thrown in to pad the overall game length (and obviously as fan service), as the base game wasn't all that long in the first place but man...what a way to pull you right out of the experience. Still, the majority of the game was enjoyable and I can imagine both Super Metroid and Fusion being a better overall experience for what the genre is named after.