Metroid (NES) or Metroid: Zero Mission?

[Sideroller]

I love Metroid II. However, the more games in the series you play before II, the less you will probably be able to appreciate it.

@Sideroller: Doesn't the Prime trilogy take place between Metroid I/Zero Mission and Metroid II?

That's true actually - but I figured he wanted to play the classics first. Plus Prime isn't really integral to the plot of Metroid II and Super Metroid.

I'd still highly recommend it though, since I love the Prime series the most probably.

[flamepanther]

That's true actually - but I figured he wanted to play the classics first. Plus Prime isn't really integral to the plot of Metroid II and Super Metroid.

Yeah, they really are sort of a "gaiden" type of affair.

I'd still highly recommend it though, since I love the Prime series the most probably.

I like the trilogy a lot, and the series develops well from each game in its own terms--but each game in the set seemed progressively less Metroid-like to me. Metroid Prime was the game that seemed closest to Super Metroid out of any other Metroid games--but by the time they get to Prime III, I almost feel like Other M was a more like a conventional Metroid game.

[Sideroller]

Prime 3 is the only one I haven't played actually since I don't own a Wii, but from game footage I've seen it looks really cool (and also like you said the least metroid like, and more sort of Haloish). There seems to be less isolation to it which is sort of a staple to the franchise. I think the Prime series took the formula of the original Metroids and ran with it in it's own sort of style/direction.

I obviously haven't played Other M either, but from what I hear about the plot and it's portrayal of Samus, it seems like the most removed to me. When I watched gameplay of it though - it seemed just like a remake of Fusion just with lots of cutscenes and a slightly different plot.

[flamepanther]

Prime 3 is the only one I haven't played actually since I don't own a Wii, but from game footage I've seen it looks really cool (and also like you said the least metroid like, and more sort of Haloish). There seems to be less isolation to it which is sort of a staple to the franchise. I think the Prime series took the formula of the original Metroids and ran with it in it's own sort of style/direction.

Pretty much spot-on. It's an amazing game, but it's pretty much what everyone was worried the original Metroid Prime would be--a regular old FPS with Samus and some Metroid-like elements rolled into it. Still a really solid game, and well worth having a Wii.

I obviously haven't played Other M either, but from what I hear about the plot and it's portrayal of Samus, it seems like the most removed to me. When I watched gameplay of it though - it seemed just like a remake of Fusion just with lots of cutscenes and a slightly different plot.

It is intentionally a lot like Fusion--although also not. All I can say is do yourself the following two favors when you play it:

1) Keep an open mind and give yourself time to get used to the way it plays.
2) Read the Metroid Zero Mission prequel manga first! It might improve your perception of the Other M story tremendously.

I'm serious about the second point. Other M takes the stories of Super Metroid, Fusion, and the manga, and ties them all together. Most of us outside of Japan are automatically missing 1/3 of the context.

[Sideroller]

Hm, interesting. I think I remember reading part of the manga online a while back but don't remember much of it. I might go back and read it all.

[BurningDoom]

Why does Nintendo have to make the timelines of their game series so confusing? Zelda is the same way.

[Sideroller]

I always figured Zelda's time-line was sort of irrelevant - kind of like Mario. Each one is sort of set in it's own universe - you know? I don't play that much Zelda though, so I don't know really.

[BurningDoom]

I always figured Zelda's time-line was sort of irrelevant - kind of like Mario. Each one is sort of set in it's own universe - you know? I don't play that much Zelda though, so I don't know really.

From what I understand, all games are set on the same world, in the same universe, but their all set in different time periods. The only games that were truly sequels were Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and LoZ: Link's Awakening. From what I understand.

***SPOILERS FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T PLAYED LoZ: LINK'S AWAKENING***

And Link's Awaking is all a dream so it never really happened.

[flamepanther]

Metroid's timeline is pretty straightforward compared to Zelda's:

Metroid: Zero Mission prequel manga
Metroid Zero Mission / Classic NES Metroid
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Metroid II: Return of Samus
Metroid III: Super Metroid
Metroid: Other M
Metroid IV: Metroid Fusion

Most of the games clearly indicate where they fall in the timeline of events, either through contextual references, or through direct flashbacks to the previous stories. It's much easier to keep track of than, say, Castlevania.

The Zelda chonology, on the other hand, is a total cluster***k. Just for starters, Nintendo of Japan and Nintendo of America don't agree on what order the Zelda stories are supposed to go in. Not a good start. If that's not bad enough, the official Japanese timeline splits into two paralel universes! Then on top of that, you've got the Game Boy classic/color and Broadcast Satellaview games--while generally considered canon, even the people in charge of the Zelda story line admit they have no idea when most of these are supposed to take place!


SPOILERS:

And Link's Awaking is all a dream so it never really happened.

Except that the Wind Fish still seems to still be around at the end, so maybe it sort of did happen, somehow, sort of... don't you hate when they do that?

[Xeogred]

I'm replaying Metroid by the way (need a little break in between FFIII, plus that was making me crave some more NES fun!) ... loving it all over again. Creepy game, I just love the dark visuals and that item room theme is so creepy. If I remember right I think you have to get the Ice Beam a second time if you get it early like I just did though, lol. I think I remember getting the upgraded suit once too early on, if you can get that one enemy that hovers up and down a lot to go up through that secret path, then you can freeze it for a stepping stone to the door I think... eh, anyone who's played the original might know what I'm talking about.

Here's a video though of that room:

Gonna play more tonight.