Slip into your Power Suit and charge up that Arm Cannon, as we're about to battle through the Metroid games and rank them from worst to best. Samus’ adventures have been gracing Nintendo consoles for nearly 30 years now, and it's a series space games fans shouldn’t miss out on.
Over the years, there have been both 2D and 3D Metroid games. Most fans of the series have a preference, but you should definitely experience Metroid in both 2D and 3D. Each of the Metroid games is equally important for understanding the full Metroid universe and its lasting impact across several game genres, which also led to the birth of the massive 'Metroidvania' subgenre and modern classics like Hollow Knight.
While Samus Aran's 2D side-scrolling adventures might be more rewarding and easier to navigate at first glance, the first-person Prime saga is one of the most refreshing takes on the FPS formula – it's an impressive adaptation of nearly all of Metroid's uniqueness when it comes to 3D world and combat design. Nowadays, you can even find much of its DNA in big IP games like the Star Wars Jedi titles.
After such a long wait, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may not have been everything we’d hoped for, but it’s still a trip worth embarking on. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as we have other Metroid entries to go through first. Hopefully, we’ll have to update this ranked list many more times in the future with new 2D and 3D installments. (We’d take a Fusion remake too.)
Spoilers ahead for the entire Metroid series.
12. Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Platforms: 3DS | Developer: Next Level Games
Federation Force just wasn't a good spin-off game. While we appreciated the effort to expand the Metroid universe beyond Samus' adventures, this wasn't the right way to do it, especially during a time when the larger series was confused about its future, and fans were still recovering from Other M's letdown.
The best thing we can say about it is that the Prime storyline was moved forward following the destruction of all the Phazon in the galaxy. Space Pirates are still roaming around despite that major blow to their plans, so the Galactic Federation responds with the mass production of marine-piloted advanced mechs to destroy the villainous Pirates once and for all.
It wasn't a bad jumping-off point, but the tone was off, the art direction was a terrible mismatch, and the FPS mechanics weren't engaging. Pass on this one unless you're a hardcore completionist, and just watch the post-credits scene that sets up Metroid Prime 4 (yes, really).
11. Metroid Prime Hunters
Platforms: Nintendo DS, Wii U | Developer: Nintendo Software Technology
Unlike Federation Force, Metroid Prime Hunters is an actually okay video game. Why is it low on our list, then? Because the rest of the Metroid series is just better.
Starring Samus and six opposing bounty hunters — Trace, Weavel, Noxus, Spire, Kanden, and Sylux — Prime Hunters sees the rivals racing to a distant star system to secure 'ultimate power'.
It was a fun enough adaptation of the Prime formula, utilizing the Nintendo DS's capabilities, but it was also hampered by the handheld's many limitations, making gameplay feel a bit awkward. These days, you can only access it via a second-hand DS copy or a Wii U and the Virtual Console re-release. A better game might be worth that hassle, but an 'okay' one isn't.
10. Metroid: Other M
Platforms: Wii | Developer: Team Ninja, Nintendo SPD
Metroid: Other M is an odd one. It's a third-person action game that doesn't follow the key design rules of the other non-first-person entries. With full 3D movement and a bigger focus on plot and characterization, there were many reasons to be optimistic about Team Ninja's vision for the series, but the end result could've been better.
The gameplay shakeup was refreshing enough, acting as a nice bridge between Prime and the mainline saga, but it felt a little scattered and half-baked. The story was such a retread of trite and overdone tropes that it felt borderline insulting.
With that said, the exploration and Wii remote-centric combat weren't too bad. As far as experiments with renowned properties go, there have been far worse ones, but that's textbook damning with faint praise.
9. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 1/2 | Developer: Retro Studios
It took 18 long years, but Metroid Prime 4 finally arrived and… well, let's call it divisive. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a return to 3D Metroid worth celebrating or one of the biggest fails of Nintendo’s recent output.
The stellar presentation and performance, especially on the Nintendo Switch 2, were celebrated by everyone, and the moment-to-moment gameplay feels great. So, what was the issue? Long story short: the story. Even by Metroid standards, the plot was incredibly basic and led to no satisfying payoffs or even a compelling final boss fight.
More importantly, the structure, which is why most people fall in love with ‘Metroidvania’ games, was shockingly linear and lacked most of the wonder you’d expect from a Prime game.
And we can't forget the truly awful central desert map, which served no purpose but to pad out the game’s thin length with dull motorcycle-riding. Instead of a memorable return to form, Metroid Prime 4 was just an okay traditional first-person shooter.
8. Metroid II: Return of Samus/Metroid: Samus Returns
Platforms: Game Boy, 3DS, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Nintendo R&D1, MercurySteam, Nintendo EPD
With the SNES already out, players were stuck with a Metroid follow-up that looked muted and sounded messy on the colorless Game Boy. Metroid II's story and gameplay improvements were notable, yet the general sentiment was that the Game Boy wasn't the right fit.
This explains why 2017's gorgeous 3DS remake, Metroid: Samus Returns, was such a huge success, bringing Samus's second adventure out of the darkness. It also arrived at the perfect time, revitalizing interest in the series ahead of new entries like Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Not every new gameplay feature was celebrated, but, for the most part, Metroid: Samus Returns is a great way to experience a good game that didn't reach its full potential the first time around.
7. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Platforms: Wii | Developer: Retro Studios
Metroid Prime 3 was an explosive finale with solid payoffs to several conflicts and mysteries set up in the other two Prime entries. It's not without flaws, though; the plot beats were a bit repetitive, and some fans weren't too fond of the linear gameplay.
As for the Wii Nunchuk and remote controls, you either love them or hate them. With the hype around motion controls long gone now, we have to admit that this was one of the better showcases of the Wii's capabilities back in the day.
If you're okay with that, then pull the trigger and play this game. Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed and hope that in the future, Metroid Prime 3 gets the remaster treatment.
6. Metroid/Metroid: Zero Mission
Platforms: NES, GBA, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
Whether you choose the original 1986 NES version or the Zero Mission (2004) remake for Game Boy Advance, the original Metroid shouldn't be skipped. Both are available on the Switch Online service, so you won't have to dig up old copies.
The former was an excellent side-scroller that made great use of the NES hardware and holds up to this day. The latter is one of the finest examples of how to remake a classic and improve on everything that made it special.
The lore and story tying the combat and exploration together were surprisingly complex for the simple type of game that Metroid truly was. Then, with the Zero Mission remake, writer and director Yoshio Sakamoto made sure to add new areas, items, mini-bosses, and even new plot beats that expanded on Samus' past. Now that's how you do it.
5. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Platforms: GameCube, Wii | Developer: Retro Studios
Metroid Prime: Echoes 2 was the sort of ideal sequel we received regularly back in the early 2000s.
While not a lot changed between the first game and Echoes, technologically, the game and level design were more ambitious, and most systems and mechanics were successfully iterated on. Some players and critics found certain enemies and areas too harsh and confusing to navigate, though, so watch out for difficulty spikes.
The story has Samus looking into the planet Aether after communication with the ship G.F.S Tyr is lost. To the surprise of no one, something has gone terribly wrong. There's a nice sci-fi twist that greatly affects how both the narrative and the gameplay develop.
If you're not afraid of demanding adventures, then this one's a certified banger.
4. Metroid Dread
Platforms: Nintendo Switch | Developer: MercurySteam, Nintendo EPD
MercurySteam's second Metroid game is the final game of the timeline (for now), set right after Fusion (despite arriving 19 years later). Embracing the series' side-scrolling roots, Metroid Dread went on to become the best-selling Metroid game of all time.
The game's defining trait is doubling down on spookier moments of Fusion. This creates distinct gameplay sequences that have Samus hiding and running away from the deadly E.M.M.I. robots, all while investigating disturbing reports of a new X parasite alive on a remote planet.
This is 2D Metroid at its best and makes us really hopeful about the future of this franchise.
3. Metroid Prime
Platforms: GameCube, Wii, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Retro Studios
Some fans might disagree and go with 2 instead, but we still believe Metroid Prime's best entry is the original... in its remastered form.
If you can get your hands on it, the 2002 release works wonders, but the 2023 remaster (which almost counts as a remake) is just sleeker. It handles much better without losing any of the charm and identity of the moody classic.
Technically, this is the second entry in the Metroid chronology, so you can dive right in after the original side-scroller if you're planning on playing all the Metroid games in order. We must underline, however, that Metroid Prime stands wonderfully on its own.
So, if you're feeling drawn to only the first-person games, then feel free to jump right into the Switch remaster. The only problem with that plan? You might find it so good that you'll want to play the other two chapters, which aren't available for the Switch in any shape or form (yet).
2. Super Metroid
Platforms: SNES, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
Super Metroid could receive a remake at some point, and we're sure it'd be really cool, but it's pretty much perfect in its original SNES form.
'Metroidvania' games don't get much better, and experts often cite it as the big inflection point that helped shape that subgenre into something recognizable alongside Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997).
Features like the inventory screen and an 'automap' made exploration much easier. Moreover, Samus gained the ability to fire in all directions. Add an eye-catching color palette, and you've got an all-timer that has barely aged a day.
Perhaps the biggest negative is that, as suggested by its name, the story feels almost like a full reboot of the original title despite some late-game twists and turns.
1. Metroid Fusion
Platforms: GBA, 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Nintendo R&D1
If we put 1990s nostalgia aside and consider the 2D side of the series more important than the Prime saga, it's easy to see Metroid Fusion as the absolute peak of the entire thing.
Killer gameplay and controls? Check. Memorable setting and thick atmosphere? Check. Beautiful 2D sprites and music? Double check. Releasing this awesome side-scroller alongside Metroid Prime was incredibly impressive, even for Nintendo.
Fusion also drops the Metroid and Pirate-centric storylines and instead focuses on the X parasite without ignoring the series' past. As the direct result of the Metroids' recent extermination, the X parasites have grown in numbers, and Samus is soon attacked and infected.
It's a weighty setup that pushes the universe forward and feels like a consequence of past games instead of a retread. It also establishes a fearsome new threat that turns some sequences into survival horror sections no one was prepared for.
If you're a sci-fi game lover, you should also check out our rankings of all the Borderlands, Doom, Halo, and Half-Life games. Then take it easy in between with some slower-paced, relaxing space exploration games.
