Video Game Review: Metroid Prime – Remastered

Platform – Nintendo Switch

Developed By – RetroStudios

Published By – Nintendo

Released – February 8, 2023

Genre – Action-Adventure

During a Nintendo Direct presentation on Feb. 8,  a remaster of one of the most critically acclaimed Metroid titles was announced and released for the Nintendo eShop. This came as a huge surprise to Metroid fans, as they were anticipating information about the upcoming Metroid Prime 4 rather than a remastered version of the first Metroid Prime game. 

The Intergalactic Story

Metroid Prime’s story takes place in between Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid: Samus Returns. 

The game begins with Samus receiving a distress call near a planet named Tallon IV. Here, a band of space pirates are experimenting with Phazon, a dangerous substance capable of mutating anyone who comes into contact with it. Samus must now find a way to prevent the space pirates from obtaining it. 

Samus will explore the vast regions of Tallon IV in search of the space pirates and their leader, Meta Ridley, while also discovering the Chozo, an alien species known for starting major plot elements in the series, have inhabited the planet at one point. 

Most of Metroid Prime’s story is conveyed through Samus’ log book, where she uses the scan visor to learn more about the story behind Phazon and the planet as a whole. 

Metroid Prime Gameplay

Metroid Prime is a first-person action-adventure that revolves around Samus exploring the planet of Tallon IV searching for collectibles. Such collectibles include major upgrades for her power suit, expansions for energy and missiles and 12 Chozo Artifacts which can be used to access the final boss. 

In order to explore deeper into the planet, Samus must obtain certain upgrades, like the beams, to access different rooms and doors throughout the game. In total, Samus will obtain four beams she can switch between with relative ease. 

Samus can also obtain many of the iconic Metroid series upgrades, such as the Morph Ball, Space Jump and Varia Suit. In addition, Metroid Prime introduces new upgrades Samus can use, such as different visors or the boost ball. 

Metroid Prime Remastered takes most of its aspects from the Metroid Prime Trilogy rerelease of Metroid Prime, meaning some aspects of the game are different from the original GameCube release. However, these differences mostly affected only speedrunners, as it disabled the ability to access certain items too early in the game. 

Metroid Prime Remastered grants players with four options for controlling Samus: Dual Stick; which is the default and mirrors the more modern layouts of first-person shooters, Pointer controller; which controls exactly like Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Nintendo Wii, Hybrid controller, and finally, classic controls, which mimic the original Gamecube release’s controls. 

Graphically, Metroid Prime Remastered improves every aspect of the original game’s graphics by making environments more detailed, incorporating better lighting and providing a smooth 60 frames per second. However, the soundtrack was not altered for the remaster, leaving the atmospheric and memorable pieces from the original intact .  

Currently, Metroid Prime Remastered is only available on the Nintendo Switch eShop for $39.99, but it will be released physically on February 22, 2023. Longtime fans of the series are once again able to enjoy Metroid Prime on Nintendo’s current console while they anticipate the release of Metroid Prime 4, and new fans can finally enjoy one of the GameCube’s best selling games.