Metroid (NES) or Metroid: Zero Mission?

[frankdux]

I just played through the original for the very first time about a month ago. Also, I drew my own maps.

Overall, the game is amazing. I don't know how any retro gamer could say otherwise. My only gripe would be that there isn't a quicker way to fill up your energy aside from killing the bugs that come out of the pipes. they should start you off with full energy every time you start over. That would have made up for the lack of a save feature.

[MrPopo]

For those who want to play the original with some modern convenience:

http://www.neillcorlett.com/metroidlua/

[Seandood]

Zero Mission is obviously prettier to look at, but I'd still say that the original Metroid has its place. For starters, it's definitely a more challenging experience. I think it also boils down to preference of 8-bit vs. GBA enhancements.

Glad you decided on the NES version first. I've made the error of playing an enhanced remake a few times before, and cheated myself out of the authentic experience.

I completely agree with this, and also think it's best to try the first before Zero Mission if you can. Like Anapan said, it makes things more authentic -- even though the whole password thing gets tedious.

[flamepanther]

I think Zero Mission kinda goes beyond a "remake." The games presented in Super Mario All-Stars were remakes. Zero Mission is more like a "re-imagining" of the original Metroid that brings the gameplay and story more in line with the modern games in the series. In that sense, it's totally different game that just happens to occupy the same "slot" in the series chonology--much like Castlevania IV relates to the original Castlevania. All the more reason to play both games!

Unlikely, but if you get the chance, FDS is the best authentic platform for playing the original Metroid. For one thing, the sound is much better, and oh yeah--you can save your game instead of writing passwords! There's virtually no text past the title screen, so you won't need a translation.

[CFFJR]

For those who want to play the original with some modern convenience:

http://www.neillcorlett.com/metroidlua/

Ooh, now that's cool.

[Xeogred]

They're BOTH awesome and different enough that any fan should play both. Just like I'm going to start saying about Tactics Ogre and the PSP remake, very, very different stuff down to the core honestly.

That said, as much of a diehard Metroid fanatic as I am, I think Blaster Master tops the original. Quite a bit more advanced and even more ahead of its time than Metroid was.

[flamepanther]

That said, as much of a diehard Metroid fanatic as I am, I think Blaster Master tops the original. Quite a bit more advanced and even more ahead of its time than Metroid was.

I hate to agree, but I have to. Have you played any of the Blaster Master sequels? I thought Blasting Again and Overdrive were pretty cool.

[Xeogred]

That said, as much of a diehard Metroid fanatic as I am, I think Blaster Master tops the original. Quite a bit more advanced and even more ahead of its time than Metroid was.

I hate to agree, but I have to. Have you played any of the Blaster Master sequels? I thought Blasting Again and Overdrive were pretty cool.

Heh, just can't beat Blaster Master.

Blasting Again is a real hidden gem for sure. I remember when it came out it released brand new for $10, on the edge of the PSX's life and was a budget title right out the door. But seriously, I see so many Mega Man Legends fans around here and for those people especially I couldn't recommend this game enough. It's got kind of the same feel with the dungeons and all, although as always Blasting Again also has a strong Metroid vibe with the whole game taking place underground in caverns, dungeons, etc. I remember it being quite long though and never finished it. I need to replay it someday.

Overdrive looked a bit awkward. I watched most of a LP of it on youtube, but someday I'll probably get it myself when I get a Wii again. I just noticed the sound effects were really overpowering and loud, and the level design was very flat and boring, it was just like palette changes for every zone or whatever lol.

There's also the Genesis game, but it's pretty weird. The Jason stages outside of the tank are sidescrolling as well, so it plays really differently. Music isn't too amazing either from what I remember. Sounds like a messy situation, it was made by some American developer I believe and when the original Japanese team heard about it, they decided to not make a sequel themselves. That kind of sucks.

Enemy Below on the GBC I haven't played much either, but it seems pretty interesting. Kind of like a remix of the original game or something. I haven't played much though so I'm not sure how much is really different.

I also love how supposedly the original Japanese storyline is Jason fighting intergalactic space aliens to save the world, when in the US release it seems like he's just falling into a huge hole in his backyard to save his pet frog.

[Sideroller]

I've played the original on a few occasions through the Prime/Gamecube unlockable feature. I'll preface my main point by saying I am HUGE metroid fan - but the original Metroid really has not aged well as others have said.

If you do play it you need to be in the right mind. Forget the conveniences of the newer titles - pretend those never happened. Bring with you all the patience you can muster as you die and must completely refill your life gauge until you have honed your skills fine enough to deftly maneuvers through rooms of erratic enemies, and navigate the underground caves with paper map at your side!

Then...and only then..may you call yourself a true Bounty Hunter.


One thing I find pretty ironic is how incredibly EASY Metroid Prime is compared to Super Metroid and the original. I can beat that game on Hard difficulty in no time, though maybe me beating 10 plus times has something to do with it.

[flamepanther]

There's also the Genesis game, but it's pretty weird. The Jason stages outside of the tank are sidescrolling as well, so it plays really differently. Music isn't too amazing either from what I remember. Sounds like a messy situation, it was made by some American developer I believe and when the original Japanese team heard about it, they decided to not make a sequel themselves. That kind of sucks.

I never cared for Blaster Master 2, personally.

Enemy Below on the GBC I haven't played much either, but it seems pretty interesting. Kind of like a remix of the original game or something. I haven't played much though so I'm not sure how much is really different.

I enjoyed but did not finish it. It was too similar to the original to hold my interest.

I also love how supposedly the original Japanese storyline is Jason fighting intergalactic space aliens to save the world, when in the US release it seems like he's just falling into a huge hole in his backyard to save his pet frog.

And then they published a short novel based on the pet frog story!

Ah, Metafight. I don't know too much about the story except that Jason is called something else, there's no pet frog, and "Sophia 3rd" is actually the designation of the planet you're on (3rd planet of the Sophia system).