Metoroido

This is by far the best video game to have come out, ever. I know that's a heck of a sweeping statement, but it is. The play is fantastic, the objectives and goals of the game are extremely well thought out, and it actually requires skill! Even with the new, fancy shmancy video game systems out there with the far better graphics capabilities, I've yet to see one game since the original Metroid that actually meets the goals of video games: fun! As far as I'm concerned, Metroid shows that impressive graphics and sound don't make the game.

Beginning of the Space Saga This is one of my favorite video games of all time and one of my favorite games of the NES console. It's also no doubt the game that begin or helped begin the Metroid Vania genre which just like this franchise is still going strong today. Sure, there have been plenty within that genre but to me the Metroid franchise is the one and still the best in my book. It's true that this NES game might seem a tad dated compared to some of the later entries in the franchise along with Metroidvanias, which is why this game is a little lower on my list, it's sometimes that fundamental factor even with the movie franchise like with the Bond films. But it's still fun to play for its retro goodness and just to see where it all began.

Not a whole lot I can say that hasn't already been there is so much to like about it from the graphical presentation where it was dark and gothic. In a way it was sort of a haunted house but in space and instead of a giant mansion it was caverns on an Alien planet. The game was different as it wasn't the linear point A to B, but actually nonlinear where you had to actually explore, figure out and map out where certain things are and where you need to go. I'll admit that was part of what hooked me on the game as there were always so many more places yet to explore, I always wondered what was behind that door that has yet to be penetrated or what's beyond the cavern channel I'm exploring.

I'll admit the only misfire of the game is that you don't have a map to track down your movements which can make the game a little troublesome as it can mean some pain in the butt backtracking or even just being plain lost. Which is why when you play this game you might have to watch a visual guide to figure out where to go next.

Gameplay is very solid it's the typical platform action as well as action RPG action as your character collects some items and weapons to make yourself stronger than before. Also each of the cavern channels and section you explore are always a different challenge and surprises, so make sure your well-armed because you never truly know what's behind that next door and cave. Yeah, I know all this is commonplace, but you must understand this game was in the 80's none of these things were commonplace, so it's easy to see how anyone back in that decade was blown away by this game; I know as I was a kid from the 80's.

You have a good variety of enemies to fight as they consist of aliens that are all weird and cool looking at the same time. Like those dreaded alien porcupine crawlers, not much of a threat depending on where their placed and how many there are. Missile bats that just drop right down on you. But of course the most memorable is the head honcho Mother Brain, really like that you have an antagonist that is female and inhuman as she's just some evil alien brain that's all messed up and just want to kill you and take over the universe, all you need to know.

And of course, you have a protagonist Samus whom was one of the first female video game protagonists and one of my first fictional character crushes. I always thought that was cool as even as a kid strong female protagonists I've always had the biggest crush on as they not just could kick ass but are actually interesting characters.

And of course, it was the 80's where strong female protagonists and characters were on the rise like Ellen Ripley from "Aliens" which was one of the partial inspirations for this game. Scarlett, Lady Jaye and Cover Girl from "G. I. Joe", martial arts now academy award winning actress Michelle Yeoh, you name it they were everywhere and here to stay.

She was just cool from that power armor suit she was in, the color scheme of it were just the colors of a hero. But also, how that armor had capabilities that put you one step ahead in the game and a step above your enemies, I wanted power armor suit of my own. You could say it sort of a big homage to the sci-fi genre mainly the book "Starship Troopers" which had armored power suits. And of course, just seeing what she looked like without the armor which was a mind-blowing surprise at the time, and I leave that to you if you ever beat the game, but I'll just say it didn't disappoint me.

Just like the constellations in the sky, Metroid is a vintage classic that stays forever.

Rating: 4 stars.

When I was little, I loved Metroid, and I still do, every single one of them. Now, I think Samus Aran is a great role model for girl gamers, much better than Lara Croft or any of those slutty Final Fantasy heroines. Samus Aran stands up for what she thinks is right, and that's an important message for females to learn. She also teaches us female gamers that they don't have to be quiet, docile, and perfectly proportioned. Sure, Samus is very curvy and proportioned, but that's not all she is, unlike other heroines geared toward little girls. She actually wears *gasps* armor usually when going out to battle, unlike most game heroines whom fights in leather thong bikinis or Las Vegas stripper showgirl outfits.

If you want a great series of games by Nintendo besides Mario and Zelda, Metroid is a great treat.

In Metroid you are the famous bounty hunter Sammus Aran. You've been hired to deal with the pirate on planet Zebes. The pilots have stolen a mysterious lifeform called a Metroid from the research team on planet SR388.

The challenge factor of this game is extremely high. The bosses are tough, items are well hidden and the Mother Brain and Metroids are lethal. Another item adding to the challenge is a password save system (one password even allows you to play as Sammus without the armor!). Fortunately for you, Sammus is wearing a power suit, a special type of armor that can be easily upgraded with the items you find on Zebes. You have 3 types of weapons, your laser that has several beams: The Regular beam, it's just a laser, The Ice beam (freezes enemy) and Wave beam (shoots shots that go in wave motion). Missiles that do great damage against bosses and open sealed door. Bombs can only be used when you are rolled up into a ball.

The big surprise in the game is no well-kept secret anymore: Sammus is a woman! She has been holding her own in the gaming world longer that Lara Croft of the Tomb Raider series. Not that I'm knocking Lara, it's just that the Metroid series is a really captivating one, despite an overall lack of plot development. The basis of the game is exploration and the action and conquering your foes (a lot easier in the sequels). Players will find themselves searching and exploring the labyrinths for most of the game. Please note however, that the monsters are no wimps, for the most part.

Overall this is a highly challenging and enjoyable game, with good graphics and is just plain fun to play. Be warned though, some parts are very frustrating. I give it a full 10!

Yes, this one came in the iconic gray box that generally featured game play footage. Mario was in a black box, but this one and Kid Icarus I know were in the gray boxes. This one, and Kid Icarus were two of the early games that really had some length to them, The Legend of Zelda as well. Meaning, it took some time to traverse the game and win it. By today's standards, it isn't all that long, but back then it felt like a grand adventure. Of course, a lot of people remember this game for its twist at the end, but these days it is apparently the only twist a company like Disney seems to know how to do...

The story? You are Samus, a bounty hunter who must stop space pirates from releasing Metroid into the universe. A Metroid is a deadly parasitic alien that attaches itself to its host and drains them dry. Granted, maybe the space pirates should have cultivated those indestructible worm things that go back and forth and train them to attack, then they would have an invincible army! Samus must explore the planet in search of armor upgrades and to find the mini bosses that stand in the way of you getting to the head of the operation, The Mother Brain! Though, Ridley and Kraid are no pushovers and getting to them is a chore as their lairs feature particularly tough creatures.

The game play is fairly standard these days as it incorporates a side scrolling world where you can go to higher and lower levels. It features exploration and often times you need to have the correct upgrade to get you to a certain level. You collect missiles and energy tanks to increase your capacity for both and you get freeze beams, high jump shoes and other things to help you get through the world. Fighting can be difficult, but it must be done in order to increase your life energy as you always start out with a small amount when you die and revive. The only way to get more energy is to kill enemies and hope they leave some behind or grab an energy tank which are few and far between.

So, a fun game, I just won it again recently and it holds up alright. I plan on playing the games in order so I think a Game Boy version is after this one. Then the one that is always raved about, Super Metroid. I only played it one time, so I am looking forward to replaying it again and seeing how it holds up. I remember it having really cool music. This one was fun and I managed to get through it, but only able to get her helmet off. I swear, the first time I played this thing I got the full out of armor ending, but I do not think I have gotten it since...