How Is Your SNES Gaming Going?

[dunpeal2064]

I finished Super Metroid for the first time last night!

I rented this when I was a kid, and got stuck in the Wrecked Ship. Had to return it, and went back next week hoping I could rent the same copy and continue my file, but it was not to be. So, I was very happy to finally score a cart of my own and get to really dig into this, some 20 years later.

Absolutely stunning game. I was a bit worried that, having played later games in the same style, that this one might not hold up as well, but damn if its not still one of the finest in its genre. It rides the line between linearity and exploration like no other, always making the player feel like they are finding all of these secrets on their own, but guiding the player along a path to make this happen. The game teaches the player so well without ever using tutorials, so that eventually you can spot a secret a mile away. Yet it somehow puts the carrot just out of reach, managing to surprise often even up to the end of the game.

I'm sure praise for this game is overdone at this point, but I was just blown away at how well paced and well designed this game is. It never stalls, it allows a huge amount of freedom, and from front to back it was just an amazing experience.

Since this game gives stats, I figure I'll share mine. This was my 2nd time playing (The first being 20 years ago), and my first time past the Wrecked Ship.

Time: 6 hours 25 Minutes
Completion Rating: 85%

Pretty bummed that I missed a miscellaneous power up, no idea what it was. Was also one Energy Tank short of max health, but I was too excited to see the conclusion to continue exploring.

This game has most certainly earned a spot on the shelf, a feat which for me means quite a bit, as I intend to only allow the most grand titles sit. (Nostalgia forgiving in the rare case).

[Xeogred]

Better late than never!

I'm really curious what power up you missed. Did you find the scanning ability? Maybe it was the triple beam in lower Brinstar? That one can be easy to miss. There are a few tricky missile tanks here and there throughout the game. Every time I replay it, I somehow manage to miss something and usually end up around 98% haha.

[dunpeal2064]

I definitely found the scanner, that was the only way I got the 85% I did Pretty sure I found all of the weapon types, the empty slot was in the "Miscellaneous" section. Unless there is a weapon-esk power up that goes there, in which case I may have missed that.

It went something like:

Scanner
High Jump Boots
Missing Power Up
Gravity Jump

[Exhuminator]

I bought and finished Super Metroid in 1994, and I still remember nearly every part of it. I can't say that for very many games I played in the early '90s. I think that says everything about its quality.

[alienjesus]

I definitely found the scanner, that was the only way I got the 85% I did Pretty sure I found all of the weapon types, the empty slot was in the "Miscellaneous" section. Unless there is a weapon-esk power up that goes there, in which case I may have missed that.

It went something like:

Scanner
High Jump Boots
Missing Power Up
Gravity Jump

Screw attack maybe? Or the Spring Ball, that was in Super Metroid iirc.

[dunpeal2064]

Ah, the Spring Ball is what I missed.

That explains why some of the morph ball stuff I had to do felt so ridiculous

[Xeogred]

You should play AM2R now.

[dunpeal2064]

You should play AM2R now.

Definitely want to, need to hunt down a copy, since I missed that 24 hour window before it was pulled.

[Xeogred]

I think v1.1 was the last release.

I replayed Fusion and Zero Mission around its release and I might even like AM2R more. It's staggering how amazing and authentic it is.

[Tanooki]

AM2R is easy enough to come by still isn't it?

If not I can toss it on some hosting for a small window for download. Screw Nintendo for shutting it down as it did absolutely no harm and was not for payment.