Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime was a big gamble that Nintendo took when it gave the responsibility of this franchise to a small known "TEXAS" based developer. The end result is nothing short of spectacular. People who "bash" this game for having no story or "cut scenes" are just the few (or many?) that are accustomed to having their stories played out for them "FINAL FANTASY" like and who are too lazy to read. The story isn't something that is playing out as you progress, but rather a history of the inhabitants of the planet and how it may tie to your character. The game layout is magnificent and the sound of the surrounding ambiance is a treat for the ears. The developers even threw in little details into the graphics that make you get a sense that the programmers really do care and they put a lot of effort into this game. I bought the game and had it sitting in my closet for over a year without ever playing it (I bought it because it was giving to me REALLY cheap). Once I picked it up, I smacked myself silly and asked myself over and over why I had waited so long to take a dive into this future classic. 9.5 out of 10.

Retro Studios and Nintendo have created a true masterpiece, once again setting standards and defining a genre all over again.

It's a massive title, too. The 30-hour mark is definitely something most gamers will hit. There's so much to it. Most impressive to me is that Tallon IV's seperate worlds -- lava, ice, water, etc -- are all connected. It's just like the old Metroids, and load times are nearly nonexistent; a truly amazing feat.

It is Super Metroid brought into 3D. All the naysayers who said it couldn't be done right -- including myself -- are completely wrong. I need some time to absorb it, but it's absolutely as great a game as Super Metroid, and perhaps...better.

When I say the game is amazing, I mean it. From level design, to rewarding the player for exploring, to power-ups, to the bosses, to the music, Metroid Prime is amazing.

Example: I'm in the Phendrana Drifts, the ice area, and I see a sheet of ice blocking a hole that leads downard. After scanning it, you realize it must be melted. It was a very long time before I returned to explore that pathway. This is one example of at least 100. You see so much -- grappling hooks, spiderball tracks, ice beam, etc, etc. -- that you realize you must return to later.

Like I said, the game is Super Metroid in 3D. There are even some extravagant vertical platforming areas. You won't believe how good the first-person jumping is. It's the best I've ever seen. It feels totally natural and not even remotely frustrating.

As for the music, that also made be very happy. It's stunning: very atmospheric, TONS of interactive audio cues that make SENSE, and lots of throwbacks to the tunes in Super Metroid.

The story is very involved. A lot more detailed and rad in a sci-fi way. It's really rewarding to read through the scans.

The difficulty is no slouch. It keeps you on your toes by ramping it up through the whole game. You will be frustrated -- for the better.

Graphics-wise, it's the best engine I've seen on GameCube. No loading, really. Brilliant texture diversity. Stellar architecture. Your jaw will drop. Most of all, it's the art direction that is stunning.

Everywhere you go to look is so pretty! Everything is a Kodak moment. The artists have to be some of the best in the industry.

Definite system-seller.

Absolutely my favorite on GCN.

Eight years. That is how long we have waited for a new Metroid game. Eight freaking years. The only game we had to remind us that there was a Samus Aran was Super Smash Bros. But still, eight years. Would the magic that made the original games an instant hit still be there. As I immediately popped the disc into my Gamecube, I hoped that this would be the title everyone was waiting for.

I was not displeased.

The game is one of Nintendo's best games in the past decade, like Zelda: OOT, Mario 64, or the original super nintendo hits. Yes there isn't too much of a story compared to Metroid Fusion, but it has everything that made the first three games classics. The exploration. The power-ups. And of course, the huge, terrifying bosses. The 3D graphics help put these in a new dimension. Oh, and the 3D graphics are also about the best for any game in existence. Yes, better than ANY other game. Oh, and the music? Don't get me started. I'll spend an hour discussing how perfect it is. The best thing about Prime, though? The seemless transition of the 2D side-scrolling elements to a 3D first-person view. It is absolutely flawless. At times, you'll actually feel like you're playing a side-scrolling Metroid. I could talk about Prime more, but let's just close the topic with: the best game in existence.

BOTTOM LINE: You need to own a Gamecube just for this title. No, not Mario, not Zelda, this one. You will thankful for doing so.

Evil waits below the surface. But first it must be found.

There's that mysterious music as the camera looks into the depths of space, pulls back, and reveals... a creepy space station sitting above Tallon IV. This vessel appears to be a space pirate frigate, and the Space Pirates have invaded Tallon IV mining Phazon and trying to collect artifacts.

Metroid Prime is a complex action/adventure game that weaves dark webs with story lines containing the dead Chozo race, the powerful Space Pirates, the mysterious element Phazon, and a beast only known as 'The Worm'. You are Samus aran, and you must find out how all these connect AND bring order to it! This is the best game to date. It contains a lot of action without being annoying. The graphics are stunning, and the boos fights are worth the wait. Metroid Prime takes you from the fiery tunnels of the Magmoor Caverns, to the beautiful snow land of Phendrana Drifts, to the rainy forest of the Tallon Overworld, to the barren shrine of the Chozo Ruins, and to the powerful mining base built by Space Pirates called 'Phazon Mines'. Prepare to have your mind blown, cause this game rocks! Evil waits below the surface. But first it must be found.

I'm absolutely in love. This game has knocked me off my feet. Having read all the early reviews and seeing it being touted as one of the greatest games of all time, I honestly did not know just how good it would be, were they overhyping it? Not at all -- this is perfection. Getting out of the water and seeing it stream down your helmet's faceguard is just such an amazing little touch that adds so much. Metroid Prime has things such as this in spades.

The controls were easy for me to pick up and after you've mastered them are a dream. The music, the graphics, the atmosphere -- it's all here, it screams Metroid goodness and the transition from 2D to 3D is absolutely flawless. Coming into the research facility, seeing the Metroids in the test tubes just sends shockwaves up and down your spine. Soon after that the lights of the whole place going out and you have no ice beam to freeze them... hearing the glass breaking all around you -- it's just pure and utter gaming bliss.

It is easily the finest effort on any system since The Ocarina of Time, which is without a doubt one of the 10 greatest ever. Panzer Dragoon Saga, Ocarina of Time and Skies of Arcadia are the only 16+ bit titles in my all-time top 10, but by the time I'm done with it, I'm guessing Prime will be assured a spot.