I wanted to play Metroid again, and having a handheld capable of playing all classic games in one, I wanted to give it a go!
Metroid 1 was done with Zero Mission. I played and beat NES Metroid and can confidently say it’s not my cup of tea. Love Zero Mission and love replaying it.
Metroid 2 was done with AM2R. This was my first time playing and beating AM2R, and a handheld is the right way to play it. Might try to beat the original and the 3DS remake… eventually but it’s not my favorited Metroid.
Super Metroid. I have the snes game, I played it here and… it’s a love hate relationship. I played and beat it before, but not in a long time. And coming off of 2 fusion clones, the controls are way too floaty and watered down for my poor muscle memory. I also got lost… a lot. And it took my 4 hours of game time. About 2 weeks of on and off play time. Ultimately I like it, but this is the oldest I can recommend anyone going back in Metroid.
Metroid Fusion. My personal fav since it was my first game (the save battery died in my original game as a kid and I can beat this game on 2 AA before they die). Snappy fast smooth and I just love this game and replaying again for the untenth time.
I did a similar thing earlier this year too! Except without AM2R since I was just playing on NSO.
It was my first time playing ZM and Fusion, and my first time completing any of them.
Loved Zero Mission. I think it’s now my favourite besides Prime. Super Metroid was as fantastic and deeply atmospheric as I remembered from my childhood, but I found myself missing the QOL improvements from ZM - especially the map. The fact both games use the same map was lovely and deepened the experience for me.
By comparison, I enjoyed Fusion, but found it far too linear. The annoying computer shuttles you from objective to objective and it felt like a disappointing deviation from the open exploration of the other games. Definitely the weakest of the three because of that, IMO. But as you say, it was your childhood fave and you can’t argue with those memories haha
Which handheld is that? Looks nice.
Not OP but I’m 99% sure that’s the Anbernic RG35XXH
I don’t think I’ve finished any of those. Played through like 2/3ds of a couple? Maybe I should try, I am a chronic game-not-finisher. When I get near the end of a game, I stop. It’s a weird psychological thing with me.
I’m glad you enjoyed them! I have AM2R but I haven’t played it yet. My favourite game in the series is Metroid 2, followed by Super, and then the original Metroid for NES.
It’s funny how you mention getting lost. I love getting lost in games and trying to find my way out. I love that the first 2 games in the series don’t have a map. A lot of people really seem to hate that though.
I disagree!
Metroid prime 1 is number 4(to me at least, I didn’t have a gba until late)
Chronologically, it’s just after 1, starting right after Samus’s escape from Zebes. She doesn’t even leave Zebes’s star system.
When the other Prime games take place is not clear though. It would be weird to cram all of that before 2 but I don’t think there is any other hint pointing at when they could happen compared to the 1-5 series, including Prime 4.
If someone wanted a full main canon run, they’d have to insert that Other game between 3 and 4. Seriously, though, nobody deserves that punishment.
Zero Mission, AM2R, Super & Fusion is basically the perfect run of games. I do agree that Super Metroid is the best and if you can only play one that’s the one to go with.
If you’re able Metroid Dread on the Switch is the perfect continuation.
Also did you play AM2R on that device? I thought it only ran on Windows.
There are translation layer utilities now that allow x86 code to run on ARM architecture.
Glas you enjoyed them!
I wish I could get into it. I liked Prime, and fell in love with Prime Hunters. It just feels too “clean” for being in space.
Nice looking handheld!
Try to play them in real hardware or FPGA with SNAC and a CRT. Old games are a lot more difficult today because we are adding lag (input and/or screen). I remember to play Super Metroid in emulation and the jump to wall thing was so hard because the lag. I love 2D Metroids, the 2D one in Switch is cool too.
Most of these were GBA, which I have and honestly the emulation of mGBA is spot on. SNES9x didn’t feel off from an SNES either. At least not enough to make chaining the space jump easier.
I heard from one of the reviewers that the Pocket Nova’s input lag is the same as the consoles because of the custom horizontal screen
According to this vídeo https://youtu.be/usQQ42egzus the nova has 12 frames of latency with run ahead enabled. For me thats too much lag for some retro games, like plataformers or shmups for instance.
