Metroid: Zero Mission (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2004)

Not to knock on Metroid Fusion's direction or anything, but it sure is great to see Samus back in her classic suit again. Metroid: Zero Mission is Nintendo's attempt to solidify the popular and successful Metroid series with a stunning, more coherent-but-mysterious storyline that fits what the company worked in for Metroid Prime. The gameplay remains as strong as it's always been, never straying far from what's already been established in past Metroid game. But also like most Metroid games released, Zero Mission seems to end far sooner than it should, and its lighter difficulty level unfortunately helps it end even quicker. Even so, the game is a worthy follow-up that sticks with what made the franchise such a success on every Nintendo console.

Features

Three difficulty levels
Classic NES version unlockable
Link up with Metroid Fusion to unlock extras
Cartridge save: three slots
We definitely have to start this review off right: Metroid: Zero Mission is not a remake of the original Metroid released on the Nintendo Entertainment System nearly 20 years ago. Instead, team members have taken situations, locations, and enemies from the 8-bit NES adventure, and reformulated an entirely new game design. So while you may recognize some elements in Zero Mission from start to finish, the techniques involved in getting through situations in Zero Mission could never be mirrored in similar areas of the original game. If Samus' first mission was a written tale, the original Metroid is the Cliff's Notes to Metroid: Zero Mission's novel. And even that isn't too apt an analogy, since Zero Mission has significantly more going on after the NES game ends.
Zero Mission is rooted firmly in what Nintendo has already established in past Metroid games. So firmly, in fact, that there's not much new to this "fresh" Metroid experience. Players again take control of Samus at her most basic abilities. She can run, jump and shoot through the alien infested areas, but that's pretty much it right from the start. Luckily, waiting for players at the start of the game is the Metroid staple: Samus' Morph Ball technique. With this ability, players can crouch into a sphere and roll through narrow passages, leading into deeper portions of the alien planet. As Samus gets further into the adventure, she'll earn stronger firepower and more useful skills; the power grab, for example, makes a return from Metroid Fusion and gives players the ability to latch onto ledges. This ability is used for many of the platform challenges in Zero Mission, several of which are used in combination with her Morph Ball, so, like in Fusion, players can pull themselves up from a ledge into ball mode to access those tight nooks and crannies.


Much of the game's challenge, as usual for the Metroid franchise, comes from simply having a keen eye. If there's a spot in an area where you seem stuck with no way out, the graphics will generally indicate how to escape. Some are subtle, like little cracks in the tile that show a destroyable platform. Others require players to blast tiles to reveal the clue to destroy them; some can only be removed with missiles. Or a morph ball bomb. Or a dash attack. Many of these tiles block access to portions of the planet, so without the specific technique in your abilities, it's a good indication that you'll have to make a return trip.
The payoff towards the end of Metroid: Zero Mission is a much more rewarding experience than Fusion's conclusion.

This is so much more than a re-release of the original Metroid for NES that came out back in 1986. Of course, some of the most obvious differences you'll notice are the graphics and sound have been overhauled to make use of the technology available to GBA.

That aside there are some more significant differences in this release, and they can arguably affect the game as a whole and be subject to criticism. First youll notice, as a sign of different times, there are now save rooms and opportunities to recharge your energy and weapons in a similar fashion that was seen in Metroid Fusion. Another significant difference is the map aspect. You now can see more than just the word "Pause" when you hit start that brings up a subscreen also similar to Fusion with a map screen, status screen and a means of entering sleep mode. Also each section has a map room within it somewhere where you can download the respective area's entire map to make progression through areas more easily. This brings up the one major difference from the original, in that, in a similar fashion to Fusion, you will now be guided to your next objective at various points within the game. Anyone who may have played the original on NES or even the Game Boy sequel may remember thses features were non existing completely and required much more exploring and figuring things out on your own. Although its not entirely nonexistent here, its just not nearly the same.

Although these changes are as I said before, easily made targets for criticism of this game, let's not forget this is not an exact port of this game and nearly 20 years seperate the two games. And if all this wasn't enough the changes dont end there. In the original, your adventure may have ended after defeating the Mother Brain, but that is far from the case here. Your quest to save the universe quickly goes awry and becomes a quest to manage to survive.

Another benefit of technology recently is the ability to add replay value, which is actually needed in this game as even with the story that unfolds after defeating Mother Brain, it can all be completed in rather short time period, with even just a little practice, just over three hours for it all is not unrealistic. But don't let that be a deterrent. It's still an unforgettable experience for what its worth. Multiple difficulty levels and the unlocking of the true port of the original NES Metroid are all here once you've completed the game.

The mere fact that this game for the most part is based on the original game from the NES era may not make it the best Metroid by any means, but it is still far above average, and recommended for those fans of the Metroid series who may have missed the game the first time around or even have played it and would like to see it from a new perspective, and I would also recommend it for anyone who somehow isn't familiar with the series and is looking for a great side-scrolling action game you will enjoy for quite some time.

From 2000-2004 not many people cared about the 8-Bit Metroid classic. When Zero Mission was released many thought it was a remake with some better GBA graphics. They were wrong. Zero Mission was like a whole new adventure based on the first Metroid game. With the much better graphics many Metroid players were drawn to Zero Mission just for that fact. The Speed Booster looked great on Zebes plus the introduction of a part after the destruction of Mother Brain on the Space Pirate Mother Ship. The ability to return to Zebes after regaining your suit to get some extra Tanks was something new. The ability to travel to Chozodia was also a great extra to Zero Mission. This game is nearly new with all the new items, enemies, beam combos, etc. but it still manages to stay true to the Metroid story featuring Kraid, Ridley, Mother Brain, Space Pirates, and of course the Metroids. Though this game can be easily beaten in under 1HR 15 MIN it is still interesting to screw around with the game and creating Sequence Breaks. If you're really itching for old school gaming the original Metroid can be unlocked by beating Zero Mission on any diffeculty.

Game plays pretty good. Like a remix to the original '80's Metroid. I like it. And I also like the fact that after you blast Mother Brain into next Tuesday, there's still a bit more to go. Game gets really crazy when you don't have the Power Suit...but unfortunately, once things get really interesting, the end credits show up. This game could've ben made a bit longer. Only complaint. Controls and music are almost like Metroid Fusion, so no problems there, and same with Graphics. Difficulty could use some help, but then again, once you beat it first time around, they up the ante. Hey if you have Metroid Fusion, pick this one up. Also for the casual gamer at heart.

Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: TRC

I sum up this game as "Thumb Exercise 101".

In Metroid Zero Mission for the GBA you play as Samus going on a mission to destroy Mother Brain and all the Metroids.

Metroid Zero Mission is a great remake of the original Metroid from the NES.

This game has lots of cool stuff added, like a whole other level after you defeat Mother Brain.

This game is very addictive. My poor thumbs hurt and I still kept on playing till the very end. (6+ hours later)

The sound for this game was good, 8/10.

Graphics were greatly enhanced from the original game, 8/10.

Gameplay was fun and enjoyable. I only wish it was longer, 7/10.

Overall, this game gets a “my poor thumbs” 8/10.