In 1993, Nintendo released its third title for the Metroid franchise and named it Super Metroid.
The game opens up with the semi-corny line "The last Metroid is in captivity, the galaxy is at peace...". Then the fantastic musical score that sets the mood throughout most of the game begins. It then goes on to do a brief overview of what took place in the first two Metroid games, in updated SNES graphics. (see image below of Samus defeating mother brain in Metroid 1)
It then goes on to say that Samus took the metroid rescued on SR388 from Metroid II to a Space Station for research and soon after she left she had recieved a distress signal from that station saying that they were under attack. She returns to the station to find everyone slaughtered. You run through the station to see that the metroid had been taken and you eventually end up in a room where the metroid is centrally placed and the room appears empty otherwise. Then you get to battle Ridley for the first time (second if you count Metroid 1). (see image below)
After you fight Ridley off (or recieve enough damage for Ridley to think he's leaving you for dead), a self destruct sequence is activated on the ship and you have to get out within 60 seconds. While it is far from difficult to get out on time, it sets the tone for some frantic sequences later in the game. You then follow Ridley back to planet Zebes where the rest of the game takes place.
The game not only continues on Metroid signature puzzle/adventure legacy but capitalizes on them as well as making very memorable boss battles that make the replay value considerably high. You get to re-battle Ridley yet again with much more firepower.
But you also get to revisit the imfamous Kraid who was also in Metroid 1, but is not longer the tiny little spikey figure that he once was.
But it isn't just a repeat of old battles revisited, there is also a plethora of new bosses including a spooky phantom in the wrecked ship, Crocomire in the Norfair (which is quite famous for it's ending seen below) and of course, the mother brain. (images in order of mention below)
Along with the aforementioned puzzles and boss battles, you have action packed game play (yes even between the boss battles) and seemingless endless amounts of power ups to find. The graphics were top of the line for the time being and they often would have you stop and take a moment to enjoy the scenery (as in the scene pictured below)
Nintendo wanted everyone to have something to love about this game so they even included special endings for those who like to do speed runs. Quicker than 5 hours through the game would score you a glimpse of Samus' face after the credits as opposed to her just giving you a thumbs up in her full suit if you are slower. What everyone shot for, of course, was the quicker than 3 hour ending where she shed her entire suit (seen below).
In the end, Super Metroid was the pinnacle of 2D platformers in the early 90's. The sad part is that Nintendo left Metroid fans waiting for almost 10 years before another Metroid game would be released. But it was well worth the wait. Now we're just waiting for the successor of Metroid Fusion (the last 2D metroid game which was released in 2002). While rumors have circulated about 2D Metroid "Dread", all have been shot down by Nintendo. While I'm pretty certain there wil be another 2D Metroid, I just hope it won't be another 10 years away. I give Super Metroid 9 Obese Children out of 10. If you weren't around in 1993 to play this game or if you just weren't into gaming then, I would suggest (if you have a Wii) to download it from the Virtual Console immediately or to go on ebay and buy a super nintendo and super metroid. It is well worth it, even with the great new games that are out today.
9/10
-CA
