Metroid is a video game series published by Nintendo and primarily produced by the company's first-party developers, though second-party Fuse Games and third-party Team Ninja have also developed for the series. It debuted in Japan with on August 6, 1986, and was later released in North America (August 1987) and PAL regions (January 15, 1988). All Metroid video games have been developed exclusively for Nintendo video game consoles and handhelds, dating from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the current generation of video game consoles. The franchise consists of eleven video games, the latest of which was released in 2021. Comics, manga adaptations, and soundtracks have also been released.
The series revolves around Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy from the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of fictional organisms, especially the eponymous Metroids. The series' gameplay contains elements from shooter, platforming, and adventure games. It is known for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration. The 2D Metroid games are side-scrollers, and the 3D Metroid Prime series gives the player a first-person perspective, while Other M is a third-person shooter with the ability to switch to first-person view. Metroid is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises, with over 17 million copies sold by September 2012. The games have received varying levels of critical acclaim.
Video games Metroid series
Metroid Prime series
Soundtracks Title Release date Length Label Super Metroid – Sound in Action June 22, 1994 58:49 Sony Records Notes: Features music from Metroid and Super Metroid, in addition to four rearranged Super Metroid tracks. Metroid music composed by Hirokazu Tanaka. Super Metroid music composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano. Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks June 18, 2003 2:12:00 Scitron Notes: Two-CD set; each disc contains the soundtrack of one of the games. Metroid Prime music composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma. Metroid Fusion music composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara.
Printed media Comic books Game Company Publisher Release date Metroid Valiant Comics Nintendo Comics System, issue #2 July 1990Notes: Consists of three short stories across one issue, themed after, but not directly adapting the game: The Coming of a Hero (2 pages), by George Caragonne, James Brock, Bob Layton, Jade, Kathryn Bolinger. Metroid (1 page), by George Caragonne, Mickey Ritter, Jan Harpes, Jade. Deceit Du Jour (10 pages), by Mark McClellan and Bill Vallely, Vince Mielcarek, Bob Layton, Jade, Joe Q and The Gradations. Super Metroid Nintendo Nintendo Power, issues #57–61 February–May 1994Notes: Five-part adaptation of the game by Benimaru Itoh. Metroid Prime Dreamwave Productions Nintendo Power, issues #164–166 January–March 2003Notes: Two-part adaptation of game. Written by Kato Li (script), Sigmund Torre (art, with one page by Pat Lee), Gary Yeung and Alan Wang (colors).
Manga Game Publisher Release date Metroid Wanpakku Comics 1986Notes: 195 page Manga/Strategy Guide, released only in Japan. Super Metroid Shounen Oh Game Comic, issue #1 August 1994Notes: 18-page adaptation, consisting of comedic strips with four panels. Metroid Monthly Magazine Z November 2003–May 2004Notes: Two-volume manga, tells the backstory of Samus Aran up to the events of Metroid. Written by Kouji Tazawa (script) and Kenji Ishikawa (art). The first two chapters of Volume 1 received an online version with color and sound effects. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Comic Bom Bom July 2005–January 2006Notes: Adaptation of the game, released across seven issues of the magazine. Written by Hisashi Matsumoto. Samus and Joey Comic Bom BomNotes: 5-part manga involving the adventures of Samus Aran and a boy called Joey from a frontier planet.
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References
External links Official Metroid website