So I'm thinking of getting into Metroid....

[Myndnix]

As a dozen other people in this topic already said: play all of them.
Except Other M. Other M is bollocks.
Also, the original Metroid is good, but not really necessary to the overall experience.
Aaaaaaand I reccommend you start with Zero Mission, for the Gameboy Advance.

 

[Overusedname]

Honestly, everything but Other M. It's an amazing series with heavy atmosphere, great storylines, challenging fights and puzzles, and the Prime trilogy is the best trilogy I've ever played.

 

[Souplex]

Really every game barring Other M and Corruption is phenomenal.
Hell, even Hunters is better than Corruption and Other M.

How can you dislike corruption?!
Next thing you'll tell me you hate kittens and ice cream!

 

[Kroxile]

Metroid 2: Return of Samus was by and far the best in the series.

Something about hunting down metroids like rats made that game so appealing to me.

 

[JimB]

I second everyone's recommendation of Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid: Fusion (and they probably ought to be played in that order, too), but I can't get behind the advice to play Metroid Prime. I played it, I was bored out of my skull by it, and I only finished it because I'm compulsive that way.

Then again, I hate first-person shooters, so I'm biased.

(I've been playing Super Metroid on a friend's Wii off and on, and I tell you, the two Gameboy games people have been recommending blow Super Metroid right out of the fucking water. I can't even enjoy the game knowing how much better the sequels are, and have given up on it.)

 

[LG Jargon]

If you want to get into the old Metroid games, don't play Prime. I thought Prime was amazing, but there's such a big disparity between it and the 2D Metroids. I couldn't really get into them, though I am trying...

Hunters was a good one for people who preferred Prime's first-person exploration and shooting. I don't know what everyone's saying to avoid it; I thought it was fun for what it was (though the final boss is a little frustrating).

I never got through Prime 2; it just felt like too much of a slog. I'll try and get back into it...if I can tear myself away from Steam.

Captcha: Choose DISH. No, thank you, dish. Not interested. Though I am disappointed that you sold out. For shame, captcha.

EDIT: I think it's better if you played it on the GameCube, if you have the option. I don't know why, but I think the experience for you will just feel a bit more...well...better.

 

[Tallim]

Super Metroid and Metroid Prime were the two that really stuck in my mind and I will often replay them. Not that the others are bad as they are not (M excluded)

 

[DugMachine]

Metroid
fucking
fusion

That game was so awesome. Favorite Metroid game by far

 

[Palademon]

I'd say get the Prime Trilogy for Wii as you have suggested. Some of the msot atmospheric shit ever. It's the scariest game I ever played that wasn't trying to be.

I'd also say try Metroid Fusion.

 

[Lunar Templar]

snip

Fusion is currently 'the end' of the series, no games have been made past that point, only before. so keep that in mind

also, if you play Zero Mission, there's really no reason to play the NES Metriod cause ZM is just a retelling of that games events with more stuff added in.

other then that, Metriod 2 is also good and should be played, its also a pretty big step forward in terms of sprite quality, every thing just looks better by a long shot over the first game. which is saying a lot since it lacks ... >.> color

 

[Aardvark Soup]

also, if you play Zero Mission, there's really no reason to play the NES Metriod cause ZM is just a retelling of that games events with more stuff added in.

I disagree: while Zero Mission is supposed to be a remake of the original Metroid, it feels like a completely different game that just happens to have a similar map layout.

Zero Mission plays a lot Super Metroid and Fushion. If you liked either of those, you're also definately going to like this. I'd also say it's a good introduction to the 2D Metroids: while I think Super Metroid is somewhat better, Zero Mission might just be a little more friendly to newcomers.

The original Metroid, on the other hand, is very different from the modern entries in the franchise: there are no maps, so you'll have to draw them yourselves; it also throws you into the deep immediately and never really gives you any direction of where to go, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. This can be seen as a good or a bad thing, but it's definately not for everyone.

Metroid is also pretty damn hard: I'm currently playing through it and not doing very well. For a large part this is because, when you continue after dying, you only get 30 life (regardless of how many energy tanks you have) and enemy drops barely do anything to replenish it. This is a very annoying form of fake difficulty and a major design flaw that ruins most of the game in my opinion.

Either way, you can unlock the original Metroid by beating Zero Mission, so just buy that one.

 

[000Ronald]

well I mean I already have...kind of

I played super Metroid (but didnt finish) some time ago (and for someone who usually cant stand anything retro it blew me away)

I also played Metroid prime 3 (didn't finish) on the Wii which I absolutely loved

so I'm thinking of digging out my dusty old Wii and starting over from the prime trilogy

aside from super Metroid what other games are worth playing? I hear theres a few on the gameboy advance...and I knoe other M is probably best avoided

and are those games playable without using the gameboy/handheld? doesn't the Wii have a store for this kind of thing? does it still exist? (does it accept paypal?) or is emulation the only options? (am I even allowed to discuss that?)

Mmm...I haven't played any Metroid games except the Prime series[footnote]I thought the first one was the best and most original FPS I've ever played; the second one was good, but nothing to write home about, really. I never played the third one, sorry.[/footnote], but I'm told their gameplay is similar to some newer entries in the Castlevania series, which I have played.

I bring this up only because I would recommend them to you, if you like Metroid.

 

[Brendan Stepladder]

I like Fusion more than Zero mission, but that's just because of the more open environments and IMO better toys at your disposal, specifically the Space Jump. The spider boss is also loads of fun, you'll have a smile on your face every time you get horribly mangl- I mean, get to have a great time.

 

[crazyrabbits]

I would recommend (if you're doing a marathon) Zero Mission, Super and Prime Trilogy.

ZM is a lot more polished than the original game, which (if you're playing without a map or a walkthrough) can be a nightmare. Return of Samus hasn't aged particularly well, and lacks the fluidity and speed of the later games (and it's reiterated in Super anyway). Fusion is decent, but I think it's way too linear.

The less said about Other M, the better.

 

[Darren716]

I have played all of the Prime titles on Wii and certainly think you should get Metroid Prime Trilogy. I played Other M and for my money that game has more problems than pixels so avoid it like it's the plague. I don't have much experience with the 2D metroids but from what I hear they are all fantastic but the original apparently hasn't aged too well.

 

[Bitcoon]

I second everyone's recommendation of Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid: Fusion (and they probably ought to be played in that order, too), but I can't get behind the advice to play Metroid Prime. I played it, I was bored out of my skull by it, and I only finished it because I'm compulsive that way.

Then again, I hate first-person shooters, so I'm biased.

(I've been playing Super Metroid on a friend's Wii off and on, and I tell you, the two Gameboy games people have been recommending blow Super Metroid right out of the fucking water. I can't even enjoy the game knowing how much better the sequels are, and have given up on it.)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Super Metroid isn't that great. I mean, it's Metroid, and it's good... but Zero Mission and Fusion (both for different reasons) are significantly better.

 

[Olas]

Play Metroid Prime, it is the greatest game thing ever. (IMO) It was what made me a Metroid fan. I've only played it on the gamecube though so I can't comment on whether it's better with Wii controls.

Also, Other M is bad, but not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Just plug your ears every time Samus starts talking. The rest of the game is actually somewhat decent, not good, decent.

 

[suitepee7]

and are those games playable without using the gameboy/handheld? doesn't the Wii have a store for this kind of thing? does it still exist? (does it accept paypal?) or is emulation the only options? (am I even allowed to discuss that?)

not sure about the discussion on emulation, but if through whatever means you happen to be able to play zero mission and fusion, they are both pretty awesome titles. i have played them for a bit on an android phone (my friend is into emulation) and they seem to run pretty fine, just the shoulder buttons are a tad fiddly. still enjoyable though after those titles, check out metroid 2: the return of samus. i haven't played that one in years, but from what i remember it was much more open ended. still awesome though

 

[Phlakes]

If you can get your hands on all of them (except for Other M unless you're feeling adventurous) then definitely do that. Every one of them is great, and Prime 1, Super, and Fusion are the most great.

Even Prime Pinball is great.

Pinball.