Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki

We're looking to revitalize this wiki! For more information, click here.

READ MORE

Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki
Advertisement
in: Articles containing Japanese-language text, CS1 uses Japanese-language script (ja), Metroid,
and 2 more

List of Metroid media

Sign in to edit
Boxes of the Metroid games, plus a Samus bobblehead figurine, and a T-shirt in its package.

Packaging for all Metroid games released prior to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Metroid is a video game series published by Nintendo and primarily produced by the company's first-party developers, though second-party Fuse Games and third-party Team Ninja have also developed for the series. It debuted in Japan with Metroid[lower-alpha 1] on August 6, 1986, and was later released in North America (August 1987) and PAL regions (January 15, 1988). All Metroid video games have been developed exclusively for Nintendo video game consoles and handhelds, dating from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the current generation of video game consoles. The franchise consists of eleven video games, the latest of which released in 2017. Comics, manga adaptations ,and soundtracks have also been released.

The series revolves around Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy from the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of fictional organisms, especially the eponymous Metroids. The series' gameplay contains elements from shooter, platforming, and adventure games. It is known for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration.[1] The 2D Metroid games are side-scrollers, and the 3D Metroid Prime series gives the player a first-person perspective,[1] while Other M is a third-person shooter with the ability to switch to first-person view.[2] Metroid is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises, with over 17 million copies sold by September 2012.[3] The games have received varying levels of critical acclaim.[1][4]

Video games[]

Metroid series[]

Title Details
Metroid

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
1986 – Famicom Disk System[5]
1987 – Nintendo Entertainment System[5]
2004 – Game Boy Advance[7]
2007 – Wii Virtual Console[8]
Notes:


Metroid II: Return of Samus

Original release date(s):[11][12][13]
  • NA: November 1991
  • JP: January 21, 1992
  • PAL: May 21, 1992
 Release years by system:
1991 – Game Boy[11]
Notes:


Super Metroid

Original release date(s):[15]
  • JP: March 19, 1994
  • NA: April 18, 1994
  • PAL: July 28, 1994
 Release years by system:
1994 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System[15]
2007 – Wii Virtual Console[8]
2013 – Wii U Virtual Console[8]
2016 - 3DS Virtual Console (New Nintendo 3DS model only)
Notes:


Metroid Fusion

Original release date(s):[17]
  • NA: November 17, 2002
  • PAL: November 22, 2002
  • JP: February 14, 2003
 Release years by system:
2002 – Game Boy Advance[17]
2011 – 3DS Virtual Console[18][19]
2014 – Wii U Virtual Console[20]
Notes:
  • Japanese version had adjustable difficulty levels, international versions featured a single difficulty.[21]
  • Released simultaneously with Metroid Prime in North America.


Metroid: Zero Mission

Original release date(s):[22]
  • NA: February 9, 2004
  • PAL: April 8, 2004
  • JP: May 27, 2004
 Release years by system:
2004 – Game Boy Advance[22]
Notes:
  • Remake of Metroid, with improved graphics, new gameplay features and areas to explore; also has the original game as an unlockable extra.[23]


Metroid: Other M

Original release date(s):[24]
  • NA: August 31, 2010
  • JP: September 2, 2010
  • PAL: September 3, 2010
 Release years by system:
2010 – Wii[24]
Notes:


Metroid: Samus Returns

Original release date(s):[25][26]
  • NA: September 15, 2017
 Release years by system:
2017 – Nintendo 3DS
Notes:
  • Remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus.


Metroid Prime series[]

Title Details
Metroid Prime

Original release date(s):[27]
  • NA: November 17, 2002
  • JP: February 28, 2003
  • PAL: March 21, 2003
 Release years by system:
2002 – GameCube[27]
2009 – Wii[28]
Notes:


Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Original release date(s):[31]
  • NA: November 15, 2004
  • EU: November 26, 2004
  • AU: December 2, 2004
  • JP: May 26, 2005
 Release years by system:
2004 – GameCube[31]
2009 – Wii[28]
Notes:


Metroid Prime Pinball

Original release date(s):[36]
  • NA: October 24, 2005
  • AU: December 1, 2005
  • JP: January 19, 2006
  • EU: June 22, 2007
 Release years by system:
2005 – Nintendo DS[36]
Notes:
  • Remake of Metroid Prime in pinball form.[37]
  • Bundled along with the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak.[38]


Metroid Prime Hunters

Original release date(s):[39]
  • NA: March 20, 2006
  • EU: May 5, 2006
  • AU: May 25, 2006
  • JP: June 1, 2006
 Release years by system:
2006 – Nintendo DS[39]
Notes:
  • Preceded by Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, which was a multiplayer demo included as a pack-in title with the launch of the original Nintendo DS in all regions except Japan.[40]
  • First game in the series with online multiplayer.[41]
  • First Nintendo DS game to allow voice chat between players over the internet.[42]


Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Original release date(s):[43]
  • NA: August 27, 2007
  • PAL: October 26, 2007
  • AU: November 8, 2007
  • JP: March 6, 2008
 Release years by system:
2007 – Wii[43]
Notes:
  • The first Metroid game for the Wii.
  • First game in the series to include a preview accessible online via a console.[44]


Metroid Prime: Trilogy

Original release date(s):[45]
  • NA: August 24, 2009
  • EU: September 4, 2009
  • AU: October 15, 2009
 Release years by system:
2009 – Wii[46]
Notes:
  • Contains Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3, all with Wii Remote controls.[47]


Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Original release date(s):
  • NA: August 19, 2016
  • JP: August 25, 2016
  • EU: September 2, 2016
  • AU: September 3, 2016
 Release years by system:
2016 - Nintendo 3DS[48]
Notes:
  • The first Metroid game for the Nintendo 3DS.
  • Contains a game titled Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, a soccer-themed multiplayer minigame.[49]


Metroid Prime 4

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
- Nintendo Switch[50]
Notes:
  • The first Metroid game for the Nintendo Switch.


Soundtracks[]

Title Release date Length Label
Super Metroid – Sound in Action June 22, 1994[51] 58:49 Sony Records
Notes:
Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks June 18, 2003[54] 2:12:00 Scitron
Notes:

Printed media[]

Comic books[]

Game Company Publisher Release date
Metroid Valiant Comics Nintendo Comics System, Issue #2 July 1990[57]
Notes:
  • Consists of three short stories across one issue, themed after, but not directly adapting the game:[58]
    • The Coming of a Hero (2 pages), by George Caragonne, James Brock, Bob Layton, Jade, Kathryn Bolinger.
    • Metroid (1 page), by George Caragonne, Mickey Ritter, Jan Harpes, Jade.
    • Deceit Du Jour (10 pages), by Mark McClellan and Bill Vallely, Vince Mielcarek, Bob Layton, Jade, Joe Q and The Gradations.
Super Metroid Nintendo Nintendo Power, Issues #57–61 February–May 1994[59]
Notes:
  • Five-part adaptation of the game by Benimaru Itoh.[60]
Metroid Prime Dreamwave Productions Nintendo Power, Issues #164–166 January–March 2003
Notes:
  • Two-part adaptation of game.[61]
  • Written by Kato Li (script), Sigmund Torre (art, with one page by Pat Lee), Gary Yeung and Alan Wang (colors).

Manga[]

Game Publisher Release date
Metroid Wanpakku Comics 1986
Notes:
  • 195 page Manga/Strategy Guide, released only in Japan.[62]
Super Metroid Shounen Oh Game Comic, Issue #1 August 1994
Notes:
  • 18-page adaptation, consisting of comedic strips with four panels.[63]
Metroid Magazine Z November 2003[64]–May 2004[65]
Notes:
  • Two-volume manga, tells the backstory of Samus Aran, written by Kouji Tazawa (script) and Kenji Ishikawa (art).[64][65]
  • The first two chapters of Volume 1 received an online version with color and sound effects.[66][67]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Comic Bom Bom July 2005–January 2006
Notes:
  • Adaptation of the game, written by Hisashi Matsumoto across seven issues of the magazine.[68]
Samus and Joey Comic Bom Bom
Notes:
  • 5 part manga involving the adventures of Samus Aran and a boy called Joey from a frontier planet.[69]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Japanese: メトロイド, Hepburn: Metoroido
  2. ↑ Japanese: メトロイドプライム2: ダークエコーズ, Hepburn: Metoroido Puraimu Tsū: Dāku Ekōzu

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 McLaughlin, Rus (August 15, 2007). "IGN Presents The History of Metroid". IGN. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  2. ↑ Cabral, Matt (February 24, 2010). "Metroid: Other M: A Change of Perspective". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  3. ↑ Guinness World Records 2013: Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records Ltd.. 2012. p. 154. ISBN 9781904994954. 
  4. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (May 25, 2011). "Dial Other M for Murder: Is the Metroid Series Dead?". 1UP.com. News Corporation. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Release Information for Metroid". MobyGames. Retrieved January 7, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  6. ↑ "Metroid Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  7. ↑ "Classic NES Series: Metroid Company Line". GameSpot. August 18, 2004. Retrieved January 7, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Metroid Classics for Wii". IGN. August 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  9. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (October 25, 2002). "Metroid Prime, Fusion connection revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved April 10, 2007. {{cite web}}:
  10. ↑ "Metroid Zero Mission Game Guide: Secrets". IGN. Retrieved January 13, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Metroid II: Return of Samus release data". GameFAQs. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 19, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  12. ↑ Sora Ltd.. Super Smash Bros. Brawl. (Nintendo). Wii, (v1.0). Level/area: Nintendo Chronicle. (March 9, 2008) "Game Boy — 11/1991 Metroid II: Return of Samus"
  13. ↑ "Game Boy (original) Games" (PDF). Nintendo of America. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2012. {{cite web}}:
  14. ↑ TJ Rappel. "The MDb Interviews Dan Owsen". The Metroid Database. Retrieved June 29, 2006. Dan: Well, since R&D 1 was involved in the development of Game Boy color, I think they were able to put a special "Metroid palette" in the GBC hardware. This makes Metroid II look really, really nice on Game Boy Color. In fact, it looks a lot like the NES game on GBC {{cite web}}:
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Super Metroid release data". GameFAQs. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 19, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  16. ↑ Sakurai, Masahiro (January 25, 2008). "Masterpieces". Smash Bros. Dojo!!. Retrieved April 17, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Metroid Fusion Release Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  18. ↑ Thomas, Lucas M. (July 29, 2011). "Nintendo's 3DS Ambassador Program: Behold Your Rewards". IGN. Retrieved August 20, 2011. {{cite web}}:
  19. ↑ Nintendo Power Vol. 271. Future. August 31, 2011. 
  20. ↑ Hinkle, David. "Wii U Virtual Console gets first Game Boy Advance games in April". Joystiq. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  21. ↑ "Hints and Secrets - Metroid Fusion". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Metroid: Zero Mission Release Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  23. ↑ Lee, Justin (February 2, 2004). "Metroid Creator Talks Zero Mission". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 McElroy, Justin (June 2, 2009). "Team Ninja collaborating with Nintendo on Metroid Other M". Joystiq. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  25. ↑ Pereira, Chris (June 13, 2017). "E3 2017: Metroid 2 Remake Samus Returns Announced For 3DS". GameSpot. Retrieved June 13, 2017. {{cite web}}:
  26. ↑ Byford, Sam (June 13, 2017). "Nintendo brings back 2D Metroid with Samus Returns for 3DS". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/13/15793896/metroid-samus-returns-nintendo-3ds-e3-2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Metroid Prime Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Tanaka, John (October 2, 2008). "First Look: Wii de Asobu Pikmin". IGN. Retrieved January 7, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  29. ↑ "Metroid Prime 2 EGM Afterthoughts". 1UP.com. November 30, 2004. Archived from the original on March 17, 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Tanaka, John (October 10, 2008). "First Look: Wii de Asobu Pikmin". IGN. Retrieved January 25, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  32. ↑ メトロイド プライム2 ダークエコーズ オフィシャルサイト [METROID PRIME2 DARK ECHOES OFFICIAL SITE] . Nintendo. Retrieved March 1, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  33. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (March 4, 2005). "Metroid Prime 2 Dated in Japan". IGN. Retrieved July 27, 2011. {{cite web}}:
  34. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (November 11, 2004). "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes review". IGN. Retrieved November 16, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  35. ↑ Marrow, Mark (November 4, 2004). "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - 60Hz Only". PALGN. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Metroid Prime Pinball Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  37. ↑ Harris, Craig (October 21, 2005). "Metroid Prime Pinball review". IGN. Retrieved January 1, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  38. ↑ Harris, Craig (August 22, 2005). "Metroid Pinball Rumbles". IGN. Retrieved January 1, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Metroid Prime Hunters Release Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  40. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 21, 2004). "Metroid a DS Pack-in". IGN. Retrieved December 30, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  41. ↑ The History of Metroid: Part 4. GameTrailers. July 7, 2007. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23700.html. Retrieved February 17, 2009. 
  42. ↑ Harris, Craig (February 9, 2006). "Metroid Gets Voice Chat". IGN. Retrieved February 17, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved December 26, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  44. ↑ Lindemann, Jon (August 10, 2007). "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview On Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo World Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14207. Retrieved August 10, 2007. 
  45. ↑ "Metroid Prime Trilogy at Nintendo". Nintendo. Retrieved May 22, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  46. ↑ Balicki, Lukasz (May 22, 2009). "Nintendo Announces Metroid Prime Trilogy". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved May 22, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  47. ↑ "IGN: Metroid Prime Trilogy Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  48. ↑ "Metroid Prime is Returning in the Weirdest of Ways". Kotaku. June 16, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015. {{cite web}}:
  49. ↑ "The Verge: The next Metroid Prime is coming to Nintendo 3DS next year". The Verge. Retrieved June 16, 2015. {{cite web}}:
  50. ↑ Webster, Andrew (June 13, 2017). "Metroid Prime 4 is coming to Nintendo Switch". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/13/15782806/metroid-prime-4-nintendo-switch-announced-e3-2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017. 
  51. ↑ "Super Metroid – Sound in Action". Play-Asia. Retrieved January 5, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  52. ↑ Nintendo R&D1. Metroid. (Nintendo). Nintendo Entertainment System. (August 6, 1986)
  53. ↑ Nintendo R&D1. Super Metroid. (Nintendo). Super Nintendo Entertainment System. (March 19, 1994)
  54. ↑ "Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks". CD Japan. Retrieved February 28, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  55. ↑ Retro Studios. Metroid Prime. (Nintendo). GameCube. (November 15, 2002)
  56. ↑ Nintendo R&D1. Metroid Fusion. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (November 15, 2002)
  57. ↑ "Nintendo Comics System Comic Books". Valiant Comics. Retrieved February 17, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  58. ↑ "Metroid Checklist". Valiant Comics. Retrieved February 1, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  59. ↑ Itoh, Benimaru (February–May 2004). "Super Metroid". Nintendo Power (57–61). ISSN 1041-9551. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090709172042/http://www.metroid-database.com/reader.php?d=sm%2Fnp_comics. 
  60. ↑ Oxford, Nadia (September 30, 2004). "Funny Pages: Games as Comics, Past and Present". 1UP.com. Retrieved January 25, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  61. ↑ "Metroid Prime". Nintendo Power (Dreamwave Productions) (164–167). January–March 2003. ISSN 1041-9551. http://www.metroid-database.com/index.php?g=mp&p=comics. 
  62. ↑ "Manga/Strategy Guide". Metroid (メトロイド) (Wanpakku Comics). 1986. http://www.metroid-database.com/?g=m1&p=manga. 
  63. ↑ "Super Metroid (スーパーメトロイド)". Shounen Oh Game Comic. Shounen Oh Comics (Kobunsha). August 1994. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090709064635/http://www.metroid-database.com/reader.php?d=sm%2Fmanga%2Fenglish&m=m. 
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 "Part 1" . Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "Part 2" . Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  66. ↑ "Part 1" . Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 4, 2003. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{cite web}}:
  67. ↑ "Part 2" . Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 4, 2003. Retrieved December 23, 2008. {{cite web}}:
  68. ↑ "Metroid Prime (メトロイド プライム)". Comic Bom Bom (Kodansha). July 2005 – January 2006. OCLC 38107748. http://www.metroid-database.com/index.php?g=mp2&p=manga. 
  69. ↑ "Comics & Manga Listing". Metroid Database. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016. {{cite web}}:

External links[]

Metroid
Main series Two-dimensional Metroid (Zero Mission) • II: Return of Samus (Samus Returns) • Super • Fusion • Dread
Three-dimensional Prime • Prime 2: Echoes • Prime 3: Corruption • Other M • Prime 4
Spin-offs Prime Pinball • Prime Hunters • Prime: Federation Force
Compilations Prime Trilogy
Organizations Galactic Federation • Space Pirates • Ing Horde
Characters Samus Aran • Ridley • Metroids • Mother Brain
Races Chozo • Metroid • X Parasite • Luminoth • Ing • Human
Universe K-2L • Aether (Dark Aether) • Zebes • SR388 • Earth • ZDR • Biologic Space Labs • Power Suit • Samus's Gunship
Other media Nintendo Comics System • Metroid Prime comic • Manga (Samus and Joey)
People Yoshio Sakamoto • Hirokazu Tanaka • Kensuke Tanabe • Kenji Yamamoto • Gunpei Yokoi • Makoto Kano • Hiroji Kiyotake • Hiroyuki Kimura • Mark Pacini
Companies Nintendo (R&D1 • NST • SPD • EPD) • Retro Studios • Intelligent Systems • Fuse Games • MercurySteam • Next Level Games • Team Ninja
Related articles AM2R • Captain N: The Game Master (Kevin Keene) • Galactic Pinball • Metroidvania • Nintendo Land • Super Mario Maker • Super Smash Bros.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
Advertisement