Metroid (NES) or Metroid: Zero Mission?

[the7k]

There are some games that have aged very well, such as Super Mario Bros.

Then there are games that, because of progress in its genre and how primitive it is in comparison, have aged terribly. In my opinion, the original Metroid is one of those games.

[reina]

Reina used the color code for white (hexadecimal FFFFFF) for the text. The trick works on the default white background forum theme - many of the forum users use a dark background theme for the forums as they were used to that before the forum change and it will appear that Reina forgot to do anything to the spoiler text.

Ivo.

Opps!? What can i do anyways?

[noiseredux]

I find with games that I had when I was younger, I can't really enjoy the remakes as much. For instance with Final Fantasy Adventure, I really wanted to find that game again. I was lucky enough to get a CIB copy of Sword Of Mana, which of course looks beautiful. But it just didn't fulfill the nostalgia.

In the instance of Metroid, I did look at Zero Mission's screens, but ultimately decided to get the Classic NES version for GBA as I really feel like the NES version should look like the NES version.

[Flashman85]

First the original, then the remake.

Also agreed. If you're any kind of Metroid or retro game fan, playing the original is a requirement, but I find it to be extremely unforgiving, inelegant to control, and too repetitive, especially if you get lost. I've played it once or twice, but I'll play Zero Mission over the original any day.

Then there are games that, because of progress in its genre and how primitive it is in comparison, have aged terribly. In my opinion, the original Metroid is one of those games.

Also in agreement there.

Zero Mission has all the complexity, diversity, and range of controls that Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion have; honestly, the only true similarities between Zero Mission and the original are that the general look and layouts of the locations (Brinstar, Norfair, etc.) are more or less the same, the enemies/bosses look and behave more or less the same, and the weapons are the same. But you could say that about half the Mega Man games.

Oh, and they both star Samus Aran. But you knew that.

[Edit:] Forgot to mention that the music has all the same melodies, but of course the sound and graphics got a huge overhaul. Really, Zero Mission is more like a reboot than a remake. It's not like the difference between the original Final Fantasy and the version in Dawn of Souls, which are basically the same game--sure, there are additions and changes, but you can effectively use the same walkthrough for both games and hardly notice a difference.

The difference between the original Metroid and Zero Mission is more like the difference between the 1960s Casino Royale movie and the version with Daniel Craig as James Bond, though that's perhaps a bit too extreme. Going back to Mega Man, it's a little like the difference between the original Mega Man and the New Style mode of Mega Man: Powered Up for the PSP. Different games altogether with some striking similarities.

Anyhow, I'm just rambling because they don't let me out of the house often, and I rarely get to talk Metroid with anybody.

[bigcheese]

Wow, thanks everybody. I'm going to play the NES original first. And then I can play Zero Mission and enjoy the differences. I'm looking forward to it

[Ivo]

Wow, thanks everybody. I'm going to play the NES original first. And then I can play Zero Mission and enjoy the differences. I'm looking forward to it

This was a question I had myself and I had reached the same conclusion - play original first, then the "remake".

Ivo.

[MrHealthy]

Ummm, wouldn't it be easier to play Zero Mission first? That way he only needs to buy one cartridge, as the Original Metroid gets unlocked once you beat Zero Mission.

[Limewater]

One thing people have failed to mention is that Zero Mission includes the original Metroid as an unlockable. I think it becomes available the first time you beat the game. Due to this, I wouldn't buy the NES Classics Series version of Metroid.

I will say, though, that I much prefer Metroid on an actual NES than on the GBA, and things don't scale down quite right onto the GBA's lower resolution.

[RadarScope1]

I love, love 2D Metroid, but I will say that the original game has not aged as well as some other games of the era. If you have the time and inclination, it would be great to play the NES version first and then check out ZM. If do play the original, you'll find it to be better on your TV screen than a GBA screen. Yes, it's an unlockable in ZM but as others have said if you play it immediately after it will feel very dated. I unlocked it and could not play it for long following ZM.

ZM is a great re-make as I recall. Very true to the original look, feel and world map but with updated controls and style. I personally really enjoyed it.

[MrPopo]

I will say, though, that I much prefer Metroid on an actual NES than on the GBA, and things don't scale down quite right onto the GBA's lower resolution.

That's the main reason I would recommend getting Metroid on the NES/Wii/Metroid Prime GBA connectivity bonus.