When Metroid Prime launched on the Gamecube in 2002, I personally missed out on the opportunity to play it. The Gamecube, unfortunately, had to compete against one of the most popular consoles of all time: the PlayStation 2. As much as I wanted to own both consoles, my parents were reluctant even to let me buy one console for my birthday that year, so there was no way I could have both (first-world problems, am I right?). Going with what was popular, I chose the PS2 and ultimately missed out on this classic. But enough about my regrets; here is my unfiltered first-time perspective of Metroid Prime: Remastered.
When Metroid Prime was remastered for the Switch, I knew I had to grab a copy of one of the most critically acclaimed games ever. I had missed my chance at playing it the first time around, and the Gamecube became a rare and, therefore, an expensive commodity, so playing it this way was not a viable option. A lingering thought stuck in the back of my mind before purchasing; ‘would a game from more than twenty years ago still be enjoyable today, even with a remaster?’ Usually, people can be blinded by their nostalgia goggles and sometimes give too biased a review for things from the past that don’t always stand the test of time. Despite my reservations, I dove in for my first-ever playthrough, and I can confidently say that Metroid Prime is still an absolute masterpiece in 2024.
The graphics are absolutely stunning. The remaster does a great job of making the scenery look almost lifelike, and it is probably one of the prettiest games on the Switch. Phendrana Drifts, a snowy frozen area in the game, is a breathtakingly picturesque environment that mesmerized me. The water on Talon IV (the planet that Samus lands on) looks crystal clear and lifelike. The fire and lava of the Magmoor caverns is bright and beautiful. Samus looks sleek and sharp in all of her bounty hunter suits, and the Space Pirates (the game’s main enemy) look detailed and well-designed. The Gamecube was already a graphical powerhouse for its time, but the remaster truly brings the presentation up to modern standards and is an aesthetically exquisite treat.
The combat in Metroid Prime is fantastic. Samus starts with her rudimentary arm cannon to begin with and then eventually acquires further upgrades such as missiles, flamethrowers, electric charges, the ability to morph into a tiny ball and drop bombs, and my personal favorite, the ice beam, which can turn enemies into blocks of ice. Each combat scenario calls for a different weapon, making enemy encounters fresh, exciting, and challenging. In addition, there’s a range of enemies that are a lot of fun to fight, and each boss fight is exciting and engaging; without spoiling too much, the penultimate boss in the game is very rewarding when you finally beat it.
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The story and its presentation are also top-notch. Metroid is known for being less about story and more about lore. Players are tasked with using Samus’ visor to scan the environment for information on the world around them and to discover all of the story’s details at their own pace. This concept is neat since it allows players to choose how the story is delivered. Maybe you’re a nerd for lore, and you want to soak up as much about the world Samus is on as you can, or perhaps you don’t care for lore and story that much, and you just want to shoot and blast your way through the game. Maybe you want a bit of both; Metroid delivers.
It’s challenging to think of even a single negative point. Metroid Prime is almost flawless in every aspect. One minor quibble I will mention about the game is that despite being a remaster and graphically updated to modern standards, the gameplay may seem a little too difficult to navigate for most modern gamers. In this day and age, most video games spoon-feed you what to do and where to go. This is not the case with Metroid at all. Players will have to constantly check the map, use Samus’ visor to scan the environment for clues, and make sure that they explore every nook and cranny of each level to find all the upgrades and gear needed to complete the game. So, if you’re more accustomed to handholding, Metroid Prime may be a little complicated for you. If you’re the type of gamer who embraces a challenge and wants to figure things out by yourself, then there’s no problem here. Games are much more accessible in modern times; kids these days will never understand the struggles of older gamers and the torture that older games use to put us through (again, first-world problems).
Metroid Prime is a timeless classic and still a masterpiece in 2024. To first-timers to the Metroid franchise, the remaster is a perfect entry point into the series and a must-play. If you’re hesitant that maybe this game is a little outdated, then hesitate no more.