Reviews from

in the past


this went by really fast. its a complete breeze, yeah its a little linear and some bombable tiles blend in with the rest of them, but it's okay. Combat was snappy and cool, the animations are also really awesome (U can hold onto the ledge and aim and shoot. Tell me that isnt the most badass thing ever!! :D) The movement options are pretty fun but i never really got a hold of them lol. I also think this is the first instance of a stealth part of a non stealth game that i actually really enjoyed. Also wanted to give a shoutout to the metroids for being insane in this game. In metroid prime they're not much other than a nuisance but in this they're genuinely terrifying and intense when you fight them. More than one? omg. And then there was one part where i messed up and I had 5 on me at the same time? and I CAME OUT ALIVE!! WOOHOO!! it felt like doom eternal down there man. Yea, fun game and i am prob gonna play am2r next. cus the other options are either old or i have to go to a store and buy a 3ds game... yuck

Um ótimo remake do primeiro Metroid!
Zero Mission tem uma gameplay expandida em relação ao primeiro jogo, com várias novas áreas e conteúdos novos - e ainda assim é um dos Metroids mais rápidos de terminar.

A gameplay do Zero Mission é concisa, estável e agradavelmente equilibrada em suas mecânicas básicas, sendo uma experiência muito prazerosa de jogar. O mapa, mesmo que buscando ter uma construção geral mais simples que o do Super e do Fusion, ainda é riquíssimo e - como é comum na série - possui uma atmosfera fenomenal!

É uma gameplay obrigatória para todo fã de Metroid - além de uma forte recomendação para todos que gostam de plataforma e exploração.

An amazing experience that feels like it could have come out today. i did-int even have to use save states or emulation cheating to beat it. the art music and game-play are all top notch, its definitely worth checking out.

I think I can safely say that this game will be the only game that ive played that truly stands itself out as a Remake and is a hundred times better than the original.

The original game is the one on the NES, and almost nothing outside of the Metroidvamia aspect, some of the layouts, and the weapons you get are similar. Its like a perfect blend of Super Metroid and The first one along with great fantastic music and good controls---- its just perfect.

The fact that theyve even made the game longer and added more lore into it just goes to show how theyve deepenex the Metroid lore altogether.


The expectations were high, since I already had played a little bit from the original game, and boy... This remake's certainly the complete package. Without delving too much into the story: Samus is selected by the Galactic Federation to an important mission: infiltrate planet Zebes, defeat those damn Space Pirates, the mechanical life-form, Mother Brain, and exterminate all Metroid organisms.

The story's fine, giving enough interest to know more of the lore, but I'm here for the gameplay: Top!! If you compare to the counterpart, from running, jumping and shooting, everything is smooth/responsive and feels like in the right place, while the original (from 1986) shows a real need for an 'update' and this really accomplished. Gamers like me that are more used to the modern Metroidvanias should be really happy with this one (a wonderful GameBoy Advance game, might I say). They added some QOL features, the map being the most important in my opinion, didn't felt very lost playing, the soundtrack is great and the atmosphere is perfect, giving the creepy vibe, that you are by yourself against all the crazy monsters. Didn't find the boss battles that hard, just a couple of tries and nailed the strategy, would like if they added more bosses to this version.

The Metroidvania aspect is almost perfect, by the end of the game I felt like a God and the upgrades just made sense and giving a sense and purpose to backtrack and get some hidden collectibles (in which I add: was not the best to find some of them) A fast travel option between areas would be appreciated but this is a 2004 game and could affect the game's exploration since it's a short one, just saying this because I died some times and would be playing for 30 min and make zero progress due to save point being far back, but more like a me problem that didn't take much enjoyment off.

My pros for the game are the gameplay, atmosphere and power-ups and fast travel options and more content (while that new area was so cool and different) would be my improvements needed. I really enjoyed the game, would love more incentive to keep playing it post game, the images (if you know, you know) didn't make me want to play it more, aside from some areas that I will reach using the new powers to get to them, don't have interest to 100% or do those crazy requirements to complete the gallery.

This was a very cool one and I rate it 9/10, next stop: Samus Returns!

What can I say? It’s Metroid! I decided to play this after taking a little break from Baldur’s Gate 3 due to playing that for 80 hours straight and burning myself out.

I had a lot of fun with this one, albeit I was annoyed by the last section. It was conceptually cool but man was it frustrating. When you get the fully upgraded suit it was cathartic so I guess if that’s Nintendo’s intention then they nailed it lol.

I also love how after you beat the game you get access to the original nes version. The difference is insane, I definitely prefer Zero Mission lmao

Short as hell, but great. Probably one of the best remakes of all time. Unless you have high tolerance for extreme NES jank, I don't think anyone should rightfully play the original over this.

I will say though, that stealth segment is a pain and getting 100% is awful due to the speed boost puzzles. They went crazy with those.

pretty much the perfect first metroid game
really fast paced and just really good in general
not really much to say but i like it a bunch

Metroid: Zero Mission is a masterful remake of the original Metroid, retelling Samus Aran's first mission with stunningly updated visuals, smoother gameplay, and expanded areas. It retains the core atmosphere of exploration and isolation while adding new power-ups and story sequences that flesh out the world of Zebes. While a bit on the short side for seasoned Metroid veterans, Zero Mission is an excellent way to experience this iconic adventure, both for newcomers to the series and those looking for a nostalgic revisitation.

More nes games need this treatment, I wish I could enjoy the original Zelda like this

my favorite game of all time is either this or Metroid Dread. just depends on which one i played last

It’s fun and probably ahead of its time but I don’t think it holds up as well compared to recent metroidvanias. thats probably an unfair comparison since Metroid spawned the genre but I find it hard to go back in time. The beginning is easy to follow but then I needed a guide starting with the mid-game.

if you’re a person with limited game-time in your life and k my want to play the best games, I think you can skip this one.

This review contains spoilers

Zero Mission was the only Metroid I had played prior to starting this marathon, so I was really excited to revisit it and see how it feels within the wider context of the series. Turns out a good ass game is still a good ass game, although I do think I have a greater appreciation for why that is now. It’s a really seamless blend of Super Metroid’s power and exploration with the speed and movement of Fusion, leading to Samus’s most comfortable, accessible adventure yet. This is such a fun game to pick up and just GO, you can really blast through it and it’s incredibly satisfying to do so. I definitely see why this was the Metroid that initially got me hooked.

There really isn’t a ton I have to say about Zero Mission on its own. It’s a pretty baseline Metroid, all the features and iconography you’d expect are here, wrapped up in a lovely high-contrast art style and some excellent controls. It’s simple, but sometimes that’s all you need. It’s a bit easier and more handhold-y than I’d prefer (aside from the Mother Brain fight, which is still dookie ass 18 years later) but considering that this is clearly intended as an entry-level Metroid, it’s the kind of thing I can easily look past. Short, sweet and engaging all the way through.

If I did have any gripes it’s that while I still think Zero Mission is a great game, I’m not sure it’s a great remake. The tone here is just too fun and bombastic to feel like a suitable replacement for the harshness of the NES original. That was a very punishing, often unintuitive game, but that’s precisely what lent it such an oppressive feel. You felt genuinely outmatched on a hostile alien world, something Zero Mission’s heightened player empowerment and abundance of Chozo-signposting can’t replicate. The bright backgrounds and adventurous score lend the game a compelling atmosphere of its own, but it’s not the same atmosphere as the stark black voids and unsettling chiptunes that surrounded the Zebes of old. Not to mention than in its attempts to tie more closely to Super Metroid, it ends up spoiling a lot of what that game does (most obviously with Samus’s final upgrades, but more upsetting to me being how it totally botches Super’s tiny Kraid fakeout). Zero Mission is a much more enjoyable, less tedious game than its 1986 predecessor and for most that will be enough. But for me, this is just not an equivalent replacement for that original experience, janky though it may be.

Oh yeah, before I forget: Chozodia rocks! From what I understand that section is pretty love-it-or-hate-it among fans but I think it rules. Works for all the reasons the SA-X encounters worked, just more fleshed out. Glad to see that even a game as action-packed as this has room for something so uncomfortable and tense. It’s the one area of the game that captures a similar feeling as the NES classic, and I think it kicks ass. The whole game kicks ass. Fuck yeah, Zero Mission!

The definitive way to play the original Metroid.

The most vanilla "Metroidvania experience".

Started with this game to metroid franchise and all I can say that this game is... exists. It's not a full hate or love situation. It's the kind that after you played it kinda goes away (except it's epilogue part that I am going explain at the end) kinda similar to my zelda ocarina of time experience.

So this game is the Remake of Metroid 1 From Nes with the abilities that included from Metroid fusion with some little tweaks from what I understand. Not just that it does have new expanded areas and new bosses. It's a great look at first glance.

But problem is this is the remake of Metroid 1. What I mean is new additions really doesn't change your experience entirely most of the time. For example fusion's added powers rarely used for main progression, they are mostly for side collectibles (that demands pixel perfect timing from you for some reason? And that makes me unable to fully complete this game).

Even the added bosses feels... inconsequential. The bosses are like... here I am I guess? Then you obliterate them in seconds because they really are not balanced for your new power ups for some reason.

Not just that map feels a bit uninspired. Here is your lava zone, grass zone, sand zone etc. I barely remember any of them except the epilogue and that's not a good sign in my opinion.

Also it's quite linear. Not as much as the fusion but it's still is with the chozo statues marking your map so you can progress (I know you can get past them with some glitches but I am talking about the vanilla experience). I guess that's because they do this to make sure people on the right path because sometimes that marked locations can be completely opposite part of the map that you can't have any idea to check. But they could make it more organic rather than this... easy way out.

After beating the mother brain with almost sleep walking throughout in the whole game suddenly a new part kicks in that is exclusive to this game. The "epilogue".

It's a quite a linear part that challenges you with "stealth" after taking all of your powers. But unlike the main game it actually does something different and it's certain that all of the development went to this part because there is actually things to get excited about and getting actually challenged.

Just for this epilogue part reason I don't give this game 2 stars with the comment that you can skip this one, I mean you can still skip it if you want with looking up the epilogue but it's your decision. Anyway even with the epilogue I can't say I had a fully good time as a whole and for that reason I ended up with this thoughts.

But I can say this.. next remake that I had played created by a fan includes much more interesting things than this game. That's all I can say.

I got recommended to play Super before Zero Mission, which I would suggest against. ZM it's pretty much on par, but more accessible, less clunky, and shorter. And in terms of gameplay, I think it's just as fun, even though easier. But what I'm missing is the unique atmosphere of Super and the little moments that added to the story and overall impact of the game (like Crocomire and a certain cute interaction at the end). So overall, I don't have much to say about ZM. It's a decent Metroid, but not as memorable for me.

Probably my favorite Metroid. Though the original trilogy outdoes this one in both atmosphere and the exploration side of things, I find Zero Mission infinitely replayable and probably the most palatable of the series for a single-day run through. I want to give Super my full attention when it's on, and Metroid II is so oppressive that I feel like to casually sit down with it sort of doesn't allow it to breathe. Zero Mission strays on the easy side of things but it's sheer fun to go through while you're there. Incredibly well paced, showing off new ideas every beat of its ~3 hour runtime. And the original game is there as a bonus - which should be the standard for remakes like this. Not a replacement for the original, but a bold re-imagining that strikes a different, but well-deserved chord.

Another metroid, another banging game, does this series miss? (Apparently Other M doesn't exist). Also just a great all round remaster that knows how to rebuild a classic game from 1986 and modernise it to make it a more enjoyable and quality game, game design had come a long way from 86 to 2004 and this game accounts for that and makes tons and tons of great quality of life changes and adds hours of new content to make the original feel like a properly fleshed out experience.

Its the same sort of gameplay style as super metroid and particularly metroid fusion, albeit the movement is slightly different and there's abilities you have to unlock that are just a normal thing in many other metroid games like ledge grabbing, high jumping and being able to shoot full screen. Its just a game I was guaranteed to enjoy and I did, especially because it comes with a share of its own little surprises, the ost is actually pretty damn good for a metroid game and there's a whole post-game 'chapter' that follows on where the original metroid ends and the game becomes metal gear solid for a while which is dope as fuck. Then the moment you recover all of your abilities and then some has some great, albeit relatively small lore implications and then you become this unstoppable force, it serves as a reminder of just how powerful samus gets when she's at full strength, love it!

My only gripes are that norfair is a bit of a maze and very easy to get stuck in which happened to me and I spent like 40 minutes circling the whole place until I found one very discreet wall I had to screw attack. The mother brain fight, though it did receive some small updates, is largely unchanged and is very annoying since its basically bullet hell and its a kind of dps check since you need a ton of missiles to get through it which you may not have, but at least you can go back a screen and farm them for a few minutes. But the game more than makes up for it with the new final boss, which I thought was great, that whole section in general is just a ton of fun since you're mowing enemies down and blasting through the space pirate mother ship. Though not as compelling narratively (not even close) and in its overall vibe as super metroid or fusion, in many ways this is even more fun to play and a bit more 'arcadey' in its action which I like a lot. Banger!

The best version of the first Metroid improves everything. Makes a great intro for Metroidvanias for those new to the genre, while also giving a great experience for veterans. And its short length makes speedrunning easy and fun

probably my least favorite 2d metroid game, but that doesn't say much as all of the one I've played are fantastic. it does have one of my favorite sequences in all of gaming (getting the fully powered suit just chef's kiss).

A really great game that has stood the test of time. While it has a few hiccups(some of the bosses and a notable temporary difficulty spike during the midgame), Zero Mission is a fun and engaging game.

Jogo bem gostosinho de jogar, é bem fluído e rápido de se movimentar, ainda mais depois de pegar o upgrade de correr. Bem que falam que essa franquia é bem legal, e é cheio dos segredinhos esse jogo, tive que ver vídeo pra pegar alguns tanques de HP e etc, tem momentos que você vai perder muita vida, então veja um detonado só pra ter o suficiente pra poder jogar sozinho. Dito isso, fique atirando que nem doido em todas as direções. Infelizmente eu zerei em 5H e 31 minutos, não consegui pegar a Samus de biquíni T-T

Nunca fui exatamente o maior fã da série, mas acabei dando uma jogada nesse sem compromisso só de teste

... eu finalizei o jogo semanas depois, é maravilhoso! Algo nele me chama muito mais atenção do que Super Metroid até, é um jogo incrível indispensável pra qualquer biblioteca do GBA

Zero Mission is what Samus Return should've been. A remake with a lot of charisma which enhances the original experience without introducing stupid gimmicks. One of a kind.


Dopamine from collecting items is so cool

I wish missiles were real

Where it Shines:
Level Design - 7/10
Music - 6/10
Pixel Art - 8/10

The Good:
I think the GBA metroid titles are some of the best in the series. Zero Mission is not as good as Fusion, but it still is a great game. There's not much to say here other than if you like 2D metroids but don't want to play a super long chonky one, this is a good one to try.

The Bad:
A tad short, and the end sequence is a bit weird.

Summary:
This one aint winning any awards but it's a solid entry in the franchise.

****note on my ratings:
half ⭐: hot trash garbage
⭐: below average, needs work
⭐⭐: average
⭐⭐⭐: pretty good
⭐⭐⭐⭐: excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: all time favourite
half star ratings between those mean it's slightly better or worse than stated in this list.
*

Idk man. I totally respect this game and wanted to love it so bad (I mean I went out of my way to spend $70 just to play it) but I just don't think my pea sized brain likes Metroid. I played about 5 hours and just got so lost, even guides couldn't help. Maybe someday I'll try it again. I just be stupid and dumb and stupid dumb right now.