r/Metroid • • Sep 11 '26

Announcement New to Metroid? Start Here!

314 Upvotes

Welcome to the galaxy, bounty hunters!

With the recent announcement of the next installment of the franchise; Metroid Ravenous (Metroid 6), we are seeing tons of new players discovering the series. If you’re wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

What is Metroid?

The Metroid franchise basically invented the "Metroidvania" genre. It's all about exploration, feeling isolated on a hostile alien world, finding upgrades, and unlocking new paths. You play as Samus, using weapons and gadgets to traverse the map, battle cool bosses, and save the galaxy.

Here is the community consensus on the best ways to dive in.

Want the best 2D introduction? Play Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance / Switch Online Expansion Pack).

Want the best 3D introduction? Play Metroid Prime Remastered (Nintendo Switch).

Want to catch up on the story before Metroid Ravenous? Play Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch).

“I want to play as MANY games as possible before Ravenous, what does the order look like?”

We recommend playing all the 2D games in chronological order, as stated in the “The 2D Side-Scrollers (The Mainline Games)” section.

“I want to play as FEW games as possible before Ravenous; what do I need to play?”

As of right now, you likely don’t need to play anything! The game will possibly start with a brief recap of the story thus far, and the series is pretty easy to pick up any installment and play. However, if you are willing to play ONE game, go with Metroid Dread!

The Two Flavors of Metroid

The series is split into two distinct styles of gameplay. You don't need to play one style to understand the other.

1. The 2D Side-Scrollers (The Mainline Games)

These are the classic, fast-paced action-exploration games. If you want to play the main story in chronological order, here is the path:

  1. Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA / Switch Online): a modernized remake of the original 1986 NES game. It tells the origin story of Samus Aran and is highly accessible for newcomers. (Recommended Series Starting Point)
  2. Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS) OR AM2R (PC): Both games are remakes of Metroid II (available on Switch Online). They introduce the story of the Metroids and Samus’s most impactful mission!
  3. Super Metroid (SNES / Switch Online): The undisputed masterpiece of the 16-bit era. The controls take a moment to adapt to, but its world design, atmosphere, and boss fights are iconic to this day. Considered by many to be the definitive Metroid game.
  4. Metroid Fusion (GBA / Switch Online): A more linear and story rich game with a distinctive horror vibe. Samus is hunted by a shapeshifting parasite clone of herself.
  5. Metroid Dread (Switch): The modern Metroid game, with fluid movement, unique abilities, and quick traversal. Set after the events of Fusion and before the upcoming events of Ravenous.

(Note: You can safely skip the original NES Metroid and Game Boy Metroid II unless you wish to experience the classic retro gameplay and atmosphere. The remakes are beginner friendly.)

2. The 3D First-Person Shooters (The Prime Series)

Set between Zero Mission and Metroid II, the Prime series translates the exploration and isolation of the 2D games into a first-person perspective.

  • Metroid Prime Remastered (Switch): A visual overhaul of the GameCube classic. It is a masterclass in environmental storytelling. If you prefer immersive, slower-paced scanning and puzzle-solving over fast twitch-combat, start here.
  • Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Gamecube): The sequel to Metroid Prime and considered one of the most difficult games in the franchise. It currently requires original hardware, but there is a possibility for a Switch port in the future!
  • Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii): The third installment of the Prime story Features motion control gameplay and multiple planet exploration, as well as NPC’s.  It currently requires original hardware, but there is a possibility for a Switch port in the future!
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch/Switch 2): The most recent installment of the Prime series and tells the next chapter of Samus’s adventures during this period. Modern graphics and versatile controls.

The Golden Rules for New Players

If you are new to the genre, the games can sometimes feel frustrating. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Getting lost is the point. You will hit dead ends. You will forget where to go. This isn't a flaw; it's the core gameplay loop. When you get a new item (like Morph Ball or Missiles), check your map for doors or obstacles you couldn't pass before. Some games do offer subtle hints where to go, so keep an eye out.
  • Shoot every wall. Stuck in a room? Bomb the floor. Shoot the ceiling. Run against the walls. Hidden blocks are everywhere.
  • Don't use a guide unless you are truly desperate. The immense satisfaction of a Metroid game comes from that "AHA!" moment when you figure out the path forward yourself.
  • Use your map markers. In newer games like Dread, use your map pins to mark strange colored doors or blocks you don't have the upgrade for yet.

What is the Metroid timeline?

Here is the unified timeline of all canonical Metroid titles that tells Samus’s story from beginning to the end.

  1. Metroid (1986) OR Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) -Both games tell the same story with gameplay and graphic differences.
  2. Metroid Prime
  3. Metroid Prime Pinball *
  4. Metroid Prime: Hunters *
  5. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
  6. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
  7. Metroid Prime Federation Force *
  8. Metroid II (1991) OR Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) OR Another Metroid 2 Remake (2016) - All three games tell the same story with gameplay and graphic differences.
  9. Super Metroid
  10. Metroid: Other M
  11. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
  12. Metroid Fusion
  13. Metroid Dread

*These games are not as core to the series as the other games, and they do not follow many of the same gameplay conventions, but they are canon to the story

How long do these games take?

Metroid games, especially the older ones, are not very long. It varies from game to game, but expect an average between 5 - 20 hours of gameplay.  

Helpful Community Links


r/Metroid • • Sep 09 '26

Announcement Metroid Ravenous Official Trailer

Thumbnail
youtu.be
1.6k Upvotes

The Official (English) Trailer for Metroid Ravenous. Scheduled for release January 28, 2027 for the Nintendo Switch 2.


r/Metroid • • 8h ago

Art Samus by The Monster wolf!

Post image
790 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 4h ago

Art Samus Back, Art by me (Metakazz)

Post image
353 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 13h ago

Art The baby’s been naughty

Post image
1.1k Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 5h ago

Art This ship is precious. Do not let it disappear!

Thumbnail
gallery
186 Upvotes

Hello fellow Metroid fans! Just a post about this popular ship between Samus and Nora Armstrong from Metroid Prime 4. I really like the more fun side of the Metroid community and I have to say that... seing artists making these drawings with Samus and Nora is really wholesome. Samus has so much pain and tragedy in her official lore so seeing her happy with a girlfriend is great. Congratulations to the artists for those great fan arts!


r/Metroid • • 9h ago

Photo Concept art of a strange, dark and mechanical Phazon Suit

Post image
282 Upvotes

It looks closer to what would become Dark Samus, but this style of Phazon Suit seems to have been entirely scrapped.


r/Metroid • • 18h ago

Art Hand painted Samus in Metroid armor (Dread)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1.3k Upvotes

As far as I remember I’ve always been a metroid fan.. I was playing super metroid at 5yo and played every single game of the saga. Recently I’ve been collecting figurin from various universes, metroid included, but I wanted one that was « handmade » so I printed a great model from andersonbastos3d and painted it. Behold Samus in her unleashed metroid form!


r/Metroid • • 2h ago

Photo found this going thru old boxes of games

Thumbnail
gallery
41 Upvotes

this came with my new 2ds xl. its an AR card of samus. never tried it out…looks like its the varia suit from smash 3d.


r/Metroid • • 9h ago

Art Legacy III [maxkayart]

Post image
123 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 12h ago

Meme What did she do?

Post image
174 Upvotes

Art print by u/datcravat (wanted poster template separate)


r/Metroid • • 9h ago

Video Lead Engineer On Metroid Prime Trilogy Reviews Metroid Prime 4!

Thumbnail
youtu.be
65 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 7h ago

Merchandise Metroid Famicom Shirt from Japan!

Thumbnail
gallery
43 Upvotes

Cool little Samus sprite on the shirt sleeve


r/Metroid • • 2h ago

Discussion How do you all personally rank the Prime games?

10 Upvotes

Newer fan here. I played most of the 2D games and have been playing through the Prime series since the beginning of this month. I’m curious to see how everyone ranks Prime 1-4 + Hunters. So far, my ranking is:
1. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube)
2. Metroid Prime Remastered (Switch)
3. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (PrimeHack, just started yesterday)


r/Metroid • • 5h ago

Video Prime 4: What Sgt Duke Says

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

15 Upvotes

Having a casual play through MP4 when this happens. Without a doubt, it's the most hilarious thing Duke says. I know it's situational, but two hours after capturing this clip, I'm still howling!!


r/Metroid • • 22m ago

Photo Getting ready to get Ravenous, so I conquered Dread mode. AMA

Thumbnail
gallery
• Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 6h ago

Discussion Now I know why we call this genre METROIDvania

Post image
14 Upvotes

(Warning this will be a long one)

Alright this game is something. I came to it expecting so little especially that it is around 24 years old and a lot more considering that it is a remake of a much older one.

Don't understand me the wrong way, I DID expect it to be good but it was way more than good, for better or worse this game proved to be unforgettable and quite crazy to be honest.

Everything has a beginning and our story begins with a rant.

My friend, let's call him Jack, was having a long rant about how those new MVs succeed at making the player feel weak at the start but fail at making them feel powerful at the end.

I nodded in agreement.

He kept mentioning metroid as a good example of a game that really gives you that overpowered feel at the end.

So I asked him if he could recommend one metroid game I should play and he recommended metroid zero mission. On the same day I started my play through and now I am going to talk about my experience.

I have heard of metroid before (shocking I know) and to be honest, I honoured its legacy more than its value as a game. I thought it was bland but I immediately perished those stupid ideas when I first played metroid zero mission.

The unique thing about this game is the vibe, it is literally alien.

I can say that Metroid is confident in itself and in what It is doing. This game demands respect the moment you start playing. It shows that it is a lot more than you think it is.

Music, animation, sound effects, vibes, art direction, menus, controls everything has a meaning and a reason. It doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary crap. Every little detail is carefully put to enhance the experience.

I divide video games in general into three distinct types.

first, the ones you respect.

Second, the ones that you have a soft spot for.

Third, the ones that make you scream.

Metroid MOSTLY felt like the type of game you would respect and for me it was Also the kind I had a soft spot for cause playing it felt intriguing and close to the heart.

I was honestly surprised, Metroid's minimalistic and clever design never failed to impress me, the great ost and sound effects were amazing and the controls even though they were simple they felt perfect.

I couldn't criticise it, I respect it so much, it feels like I am trying to correct a scientist which is stupid.

This game from the start to A CERTAIN POINT was a spectacle but mentioning that certain point, do you remember Jack? yeah my friend whose entire rant was about how new MVs fail at making you feel powerful.

(Now I will be angry but not hateful, this isn't a criticism but a skill issue)

ANYONE who has ever played this game knows that I am a fking liar.

Did I say that this is the kind of game you would respect and have a soft spot for, yeah that would be true if I only played 80% of it.

Now let us talk about the last 20%

I reached Tourian, This is when metroid turned into the absolutely Unforgettable states.

This game was a cake walk compared to the absolute horror that is Tourain. Can someone...... Can anyone explain why this game suddenly turned into a bullet hell?

Playing against mother brain felt like chess if it was racist, as if I was playing with an Atari controller while it was playing with a turbo controller.

I was at half the health and half the ammunition with no fucking place to resupply. Who designed this shit!!

I am not kidding, this boss comboed me to my coffin and six feats under, I died a lot.

Poor Samus, the girl was back shouted, front shouted and diagonally shouted so many times if not for logic, she would have produced enough kids to conquer the entire universe.

The boss blasted me into the edge of the very small platform for me to be hit me with the same beam to be hit with a stray projectile to be fucking thrown to the lava and the cycle continues.

But.... But, in the end, I did one of the greatest comebacks and defeated the freaking thing with no damage in record time.

I threw away the controller, celebrating my victory against mother brain to be hit with one of the worst mechanics in this game which is the countdown.

I can't explain the horror, I can't even remember... I didn't even understand what I was doing... I kept falling and falling... Again and again... and the cycle continues....

After I beat brain mother and escaped the planet. I foolishly thought that the game was over only to be hit again with despair.

I fell to the ground; now with no suit, no dignity and very little honour I ventured forth. Playing against the space pirates (which I believe to be the very first smart ass enemy in the game which was even better/s )

I had to hide in the cracks, escape bullets and hide behind closed corners.

The same damned day I met him (MY FRIEND)... But, Jack isn't my friend anymore.... Actually he isn't anyone's friend anymore.... May his majestic spirit rest in eternal peace.

I explored further escaping from the pirate ship, going around the ruins I found the mirror boss, it was confusing at the start but I managed to beat it and what is that? The suit is back!! With more upgrades!

Hmmm, double jump.... How could that be useful?

wait..... it is not a double jump, not a triple and not a quadruple jump... so what is it?

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

COME AT ME SPACE SMART ASS ALIENS, YOU MAYBE ABLE TO OUTSMART ME BUT NO ONE CAN OUTSMART ANCIENT BALLS.

I still died a lot but at least I died with honour and dignity attached.

So I reached mecha Ridley; oho.... aha .... oha... ahhhhhhhhhh.... ahhhhhhh......

......................ANOTHER COUNTDOWN........................

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

so yeah, amazing game... And since my friend is no longer capable of sharing his thoughts, can you share your thoughts about what I should play next?


r/Metroid • • 1d ago

Art Not Ravenous, but Parched! (@yasaikakiage)

Post image
403 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 2h ago

Merchandise Kinda love the Metroid amiibos…including customs :)

Post image
6 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 6h ago

Discussion Fyi Metroid dread has settled if you have not go buy it

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 13h ago

Discussion 19 years ago today, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption released in Europe.

Post image
42 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 16h ago

Art Made my own Metroid Ravenous glass

Post image
67 Upvotes

I did a sandblasting experience and was able to freely draw any design I wanted so I decided to make a glass for Metroid Ravenous.

I am aware it is not perfect but it can be surprisingly difficult to do not to mention time consuming


r/Metroid • • 1d ago

Question Any word on if there will be stock available in store day of release?

Post image
331 Upvotes

r/Metroid • • 1d ago

Discussion Samus is a strong and kind-hearted woman warrior just like Ripley from Alien

Thumbnail
gallery
843 Upvotes

Hello fellow Metroid fans! This time I wanted to talk about this part of Samus personality. We are all very excited to see her Metroid mutation in Ravenous. It's an exciting part for her journey but for now I wanted to do a a little post about how much I like the fact that Samus is not just the typical warrior but is also a kind-hearted woman who's like protecting children and animals. I know that some people just see Samus as a cold warrior or just an avatar of the player but for me, she's such an interesting character who had such tragedies in her life but still remain strong and keep going, not for herself but for everyone. I think that the character have a lot of inspiration drew from Ripley for Aliens. What do you think?


r/Metroid • • 1d ago

Art Spooky Samus Aaron

Post image
239 Upvotes