Highlights
- The Metroid games are beloved for their iconic gameplay and Samus Aran as a groundbreaking female protagonist.
- Metroid: Other M, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, and Metroid Prime Hunters are some of the hardest titles in the series.
- Super Metroid is considered the quintessential Metroid game, known for its amazing level design and challenging platforming and shooting mechanics.
The Metroid games are one of the most beloved titles under Nintendo. Its premise, game design, and gameplay are so iconic that it birthed the Metroidvania genre. On top of these amazing elements, Samus Aran is widely regarded as one of the best protagonists in gaming who also broke new ground by being one of the first female playable main characters.
That said, the Metroid games are also notorious for their difficulty and at times claustrophobic atmosphere. Finishing any Metroid game will test the player’s reflexes: from platforming sections that require precise timing, to accurately shooting down enemies and dodging attacks, these are the hardest Metroid games ever.
10 Metroid: Other M
One of the more divisive titles in the Metroid franchise, Metroid: Other M puts the players in the shoes of Samus but in the third person, eschewing the classic 2D view. Players can switch between the third-person and first-person view. The former is used mainly for platforming and navigating through stages, while the latter is used for more precise shooting and looking for hidden areas.
As far as combat is concerned, Metroid: Other M demands players to switch between third and first-person modes when shooting at enemies. Players have to get used to this control scheme, since the first-person view, while allowing players more aim control, renders Samus unable to move.
9 Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Metroid Prime: Federation Force is considered to be a spin-off to the Metroid games, primarily because it focuses on co-op multiplayer and first-person shooting. Following the events of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, this game sees players control members of the Galactic Federation as they endeavor to stop the Space Pirates from conquering the Bermuda System.
What makes this game one of the harder Metroid titles is the added factor of relying on other players to complete missions. While there is a single-player option, coordinating with other players is the way to go, for better or worse, since trying to finish the game solo significantly ramps the difficulty up.
8 Metroid Prime Hunters
Part of the Metroid Prime titles, Metroid Prime Hunters takes place between the events of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Players control Samus who investigates the Alimbic Cluster after receiving a telepathic message. Unbeknownst to her, the same telepathic message was also sent to other notorious bounty hunters across the galaxy. Samus has to face these deadly bounty hunters as she uncovers the reason behind the message.
Combat in Metroid Prime Hunters is mostly done in first-person using the Nintendo DS’ dual and touch screens as well as the notorious control scheme has most players looking for the optimal hand position to get the most accurate shots and movement the game needs players to execute.
7 Metroid Fusion
One of the best Game Boy Advance titles, Metroid Fusion mixes the frantic and claustrophobic atmosphere with amazing pixel art that makes every level vibrant and memorable. The game also introduces a new Fusion suit for Samus that came about after she extracted some deadly X-Parasites from her body.
Apart from the new biomes, Samus also faces a variety of new enemies as well as SA-X, the parasitic clone of Samus that packs tons of firepower and is constantly tracking her down throughout the game. These add more stakes to an already tense title to finish.
6 Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is one of the longer Metroid games to date and has taken inspiration from previous titles to give players the Metroid experience on the Nintendo Switch. Enemies are plentiful and come in different shapes and sizes: all of them are gunning to take out Samus once they set their sights on her.
Samus has some tricks up her suit. She can parry enemy attacks, but players need to get the timing correct to pull it off. Adding to the confined atmosphere are the EMMI robots that relentlessly hunt Samus whenever they encounter her in different areas.
5 Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime is the first game of the franchise to have players control Samus in first-person view. Its developers wanted Samus to use the first-person perspective to further immerse players as they explore the environment. This was executed to much critical acclaim.
As the first Metroid game in first-person, getting used to the aiming and controls when it comes to platforming and combat is essential for players to master. Hitting multiple targets while dodging their attacks provides a hectic pace that is amplified since players see the action through Samus’ point of view for a change. Widely regarded as a runaway hit, its 2023 remaster is considered to be one of the best games of the year.
4 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Following the success of Metroid Prime, its sequel, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes opted to lean more towards the cramped atmosphere that harkens to the Aliens movie franchise. The combat from the first game is still present in this title and gives players bigger areas to explore.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes introduces an evil version of Samus, as well as a slew of new cloaked enemies that can be detected via sound. Another new game mechanic introduced in this title is the Light and Dark Aether. These are parallel dimensions that players have to manipulate throughout their playthroughs to solve puzzles.
3 Super Metroid
Super Metroid is widely regarded as the quintessential Metroid game. This title became the blueprint for succeeding 2D Metroidvania titles, thanks in large part to its amazing level design and various traversal and weapon options.
Exploring its various areas is daunting but doable thanks to the inclusion of a map: accessing hidden areas often rewards players with power-ups. That said, Super Metroid requires players to be on point with their platforming and shooting skills. Enemies are everywhere and vary in strength and speed. Jumping around and pelting enemies are crucial for players who want to finish this classic game.
2 Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is the remake of the 1991 title Metroid 2: Return of Samus for the Nintendo DS. Utilizing the power of the DS, Metroid: Samus Returns has players use the two screens: one for the gameplay and the other for the map, which was absent during the 1991 game.
Samus is given new weapons to play with that she can fire at any angle, along with introducing a parry mechanic to help her take out enemies. Exploration is much more complex, with seemingly labyrinthine areas that house secret rooms that only keen-eyed players would notice.
1 Metroid 2: Return of Samus
Metroid 2: Return of Samus is the first Metroid title that can be played on Nintendo’s handheld console, the Game Boy. This game is often lauded for continuing the narrative of the first title and also paving the way for new methods of exploring the one huge stage the game is set in.
That said, players need to memorize where they are since there is no available map. In most cases, players can get lost in levels trying to clear the enemies to progress since most of the areas look the same, resulting in an oftentimes bewildering experience.