The original Metroid is almost impossible to play in the modern era. It’s interesting to explore as a relic of a bygone era. But that’s all it is: a relic. The remake for the Game Boy Advance, Metroid – Zero Mission, has all but made the original obsolete. Apart from a few niggles, this is how a game developer should approach a video game remake. Don’t simply upgrade the graphics and add a few bonus modes. Rebuild it from the ground up, modernize it to today’s standards (if it’s an older game, of course!), and add to the original experience whilst staying faithful to the spirit of the original.
I’ve heard the complaint that this remake holds your hand a little too tightly, unlike the original which didn’t even graze your hand. Whilst the game does direct you to the next objective sometimes in the guise of Chozo Statues, I feel there’s enough room to explore on your own most of the time. Also, it looks great. One of the major problems with the original is that the same level design is reused over and over again, causing confusion. However, each screen here looks different, memorable in it’s own way. The gameplay here is just as addictive (if not more so) than Metroid Fusion, because there’s more freedom here to explore.
This is almost the perfect remake, even adding an extra section after the final boss. Yes, the final boss may be very disappointing and a tad unnecessary, but it can easily be forgiven. It stays relatively faithful to the original, whilst embellishing upon it in innovative and interesting ways. Metroid – Zero Mission easily barges it’s way into competition for the top games of the Metroid franchise.
Hammy’s Rating: 4/5
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Click here for my Quick Review of Super Metroid (SNES)
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Click here for ‘Metroid : Samus Returns’ (3DS) And How Not To Do A Video Game Remake: Part I – Three And A Half Reviews of ‘Metroid II – Return of Samus’
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