Just played this game after Super Metroid it's a bit different from it's predecessor, mainly the fast-paced gameplay (due to the limit of space in the different zones of the game) which offers a more fluid feeling of movement, and thus the backtracking wasn't really a problem for me this time.
One thing that you should probably not due if you're not playing on emulator, is to 100% this game, after a certain point some of those platforming sections are infuriating and almost impossible to do without save states (fuck the persons who designed some of those speed booster blocks)

Having a sort hub in a 2D metroid game is so helpful when you need to backtrack.
Same as ZM the limitations of the GBA offers a more fast-paced and frenetic gameplay.
Having another threat than metroids and pirates is a breath of fresh air.
And even tho we are in a space station, each of the zones feels unique enough.
This sequel doesn't break the formula a lot, but it's still a great experience on par with SM and MZM.

This might be the most repetitive Metroid game, which is not good for a metroid vania.
Having to fight the same bosses more than 4 times gets old.
Some of these new additions to Samus's arsenal are interesting and useful (such as the scanning or shield).
Graphically, it's such a downgrade to the timeless pixel art that started with super, nothing really stands out visually to feel interesting (probably a problem in the art direction too).
I can't really complain on the manual side because I played it on emulator (but if I had to, it doesn't flow the same and can feel slow at times).
So yeah, Samus Returns is not a bad game, but it doesn't achieve the same flair as the others.

This is without a doubt my favorite 2D Metroid !!
Dread is a big melting pot of new and old ideas and concepts, and perfected the formula in so many ways.
Graphically this is the best one by far, thanks to the art direction, the environments feel more alien than ever.
The progression feels natural and intuitive, you don't feel lost for the most part, and backtracking isn't a chore anymore.
Even tho you have an immense arsenal at your disposal, you are not lost in what to do, the controls and movements flow naturally.
Unlike some of the old games, the bosses don't throw some impossible attacks that you can't dodge (thinking about mother brain or ridley) here there is a real learning curve, you'll have to die to learn the patterns sure, but it adds to the feeling of satisfaction you when finally beat them !!
As for the plot and events of the game, this is the most ambitious 2D Metroid, it's not groundbreaking by any mean, but every installment of the series had a real impact on it's universe and Dread enhanced the continuity.
They amped the charisma and the coolness factor of Samus to 100 which adds a lot to the cutscenes.
Dread might be a top 5 Metroidvania for sure !!
(Also please Nintendo stop doing the shinespark puzzles nobody loves them, and it just feels like padding every single time)

Trying to 100% Majora's Mask was the worst mistake of my life.

Insane how this game is so punishing for no reason, like how in the second skutula house you need to clear it on the first day and not the second or third because if you did you're not going to get the rupee bag.

Or having to redo the Anju and Kafei quest, so you can have the mailman hat or a bottle.

And especially having to redo the bosses to trigger certain events or dungeon if you didn't get all the fairies on your entire 3 days cycle (well it's your fault on that one for not managing your time right, but still really punitive and hard on the player).

Why is this game like that ?? The 3 days system is a great idea but like the game is held back by some sadistic decisions like those, Majora's Mask is still an 8.5/10 because a good ass game is still a good ass game.

Like I said the 3 days system is fantastic, the schedules of the NPCs and trying to figure out who does what at a certain time is amazing, the 3 transformations adding a new kit to Link's moveset and totally changing the gameplay of your character, the bosses who can be cleared in many ways and not just in one and a bunch of other things that make this game amazing and one or if not the most unique Zelda game.

But still, why is it so punitive like that on the player, I thought Majora's Mask would be my 3rd favorite Zelda game but because of that it's actually my 5th, (behind WW HD, OOT 3DS, Link's Awakening Switch and TP HD) maybe with time it will change but for now MM is a bit of a frustrating experience for me.

(I changed my mind in retrospective, it's a 5/5 !!)

This game is not really fun imo ? The mechs gameplay is boring and take too much time, same with the emeralds hunting but even more boring and frustrating since it takes more time to find the pieces and omg the sonic/shadow gameplay is such a broken mess (even more than the two other types of gameplay).
When the gameplay of Sonic/Shadow is built around 3 things speed, the platforming and the spindash, well the 3 needs to be functional so that the level design can flourish but what would you know !! The spindash works half of the time. And associating that with the platforming/speed, it doesn't mesh well because of some infuriating boss and level gimmicks that just kills/hits you half of the time.
But when it works, this game works, and it's awesome with good levels, music and the best scenario of the franchise (for a Sonic game) this games still achieves to be great !!