Metroid Zero Mission

Metroid Zero Mission
Full Title	Metroid Zero Mission
Developer	Nintendo
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Game Boy Advance, Wii U Virtual Console
Release Date	Game Boy Advance US February 9, 2004 EU April 8, 2004 JP May 27, 2004 Wii U Virtual Console JP June 19, 2014 PAL March 12, 2015 US January 14, 2016
Genre	Action/Adventure
Gallery	GH Gallery
Rating	ESRB: E

Metroid Zero Mission is a Game Boy Advance game that remakes the original NES title, Metroid. It features updated graphics and new content, including additional areas to explore.

Story

The Galactic Federation emerged in the year 2000 of the Cosmic Calendar. On an uncharted planet, researchers discover a new lifeform called Metroids. Before these researchers get far, the Space Pirates attack and steal the Metroids. Only one person is fit to take on this mission, the mysterious bounty hunter Samus Aran.

Samus Aran must infiltrate planet Zebes, destroy the Metroids, and defeat the Mother Brain. The mission won't be easy as Samus has to travel through the areas of Crateria, Brinstar, and Norfair. A variety of strange creatures await her, including both Kraid and Ridley. Infiltrating the planet won't be easy, so Samus will have to find whatever weapons and tools to aid in the mission.

Gameplay

The game is built on the engine from Metroid Fusion while using an expanded map from Metroid. The game follows a similar pattern of weapon and tool finding as the original. The layout of each area is mostly in tact, although new secret areas can be found, including the entire area of Chozodia. New items are also to be found, like the ability to grip ledges, an ability that was automatic in Fusion and not part of previous games. Some abilities from the sequels (such as ones from Super Metroid) were also added.

The graphics were also brought up to the level of Fusion as well. New cutscenes were added at different parts of the game to offer narration of the story, though it did not feature as much dialogue as Fusion. Additionally it included a map, something that the original Metroid lacked. It also had a more subtle hint system to clue players where to go, unlike the more direct and linear item collection in Fusion.

The most significant addition was an entire new chapter after defeating Mother Brain. While leaving the planet, Samus's ship is shot down by Space Pirates, and her Power Suit is deactivated. Armed with only a stun gun, she has to infiltrate a Space Pirate frigate, get through undetected as Space Pirate soldiers patrol the ship, and eventually reach an unexplored part of Chozodia to earn an upgraded Power Suit so that she can fight the Space Pirates on their terms and steal a ship to escape from Zebes.

Legacy

Ports/Remakes

• In 2014 (2015 for PAL and 2016 for America), it was released for download on the Wii U as part of the Wii U Virtual Console.
• In June 2024, it was added to the Nintendo Switch's digital library of Game Boy Advance games that were available to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack service.

Sequels

The next Metroid game to be released was Metroid Prime 2: Echoes on the Gamecube. Unlike Fusion with Metroid Prime, the two games had no connectivity together.

Over a decade later, the next Metroid game received a similar remake treatment in the form of Metroid: Samus Returns for the Nintendo 3DS in 2017.