Originally released on the GameCube 20 years ago, Metroid Prime is a stunning achievement. It sits alongside Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as an expert example of how to properly translate a beloved 2D title into an incredible 3D game. It would've been enough if all developer Retro Studios did was give more people an opportunity to check out this classic, but Metroid Prime Remastered goes above and beyond our expectations with its beautiful, overhauled visuals and new, comfortable controls. It’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games, and a steal at just $39.99, earning it our Editors' Choice award and a rare five-star rating.

Metroid Prime Remastered's Story

The Metroid franchise clings to its lore a bit more than your average Nintendo series, but not by much. In fact, the original Metroid Prime barely connects to the mainline series, so if you've never played a Metroid game, Prime Remastered is a fantastic place to start. All you need to know is that you play as Samus Aran, an intergalactic bounty hunter raised by good aliens (the Chozo) to fight alien space pirates and their parasitic bioweapons (the Metroids).

If anything, going in knowing as little as possible is the right approach. Metroid Prime Remastered delivers a 15-hour narrative through moody atmosphere and interactive player discovery, not elaborate cutscenes. Isolated on planet Tallon IV, it’s up to you to figure out what’s happening, both on a story level and a gameplay level. The first-person perspective isn’t just for shooting; it’s for scanning the environment for clues. This gives you hints to solve puzzles, plus information about the various hostile flora and fauna that you encounter throughout the adventure. Like proper science fiction, Metroid Prime Remastered cares about ideas, not just action. As you explore, you'll unlock content, such as concept art and soundtrack galleries. 

Timeless Gameplay

Metroid’s gameplay is so iconic that there's an entire game genre—Metroidvania—named after it. Instead of completing a linear series of levels, Metroidvania games give you an open space to explore. However, that space is full of dead ends you can only overcome by discovering new abilities elsewhere, so you gain new insight on previous locales as you backtrack. Missiles blast through locked doors. Double jumping makes it a breeze to reach higher cliffs. A thermal visor reveals previously invisible switches.

The original Metroid innovated this formula decades ago on the NES, and the recent Metroid Dread proved that there’s still new ideas for a 2D series entry. But what makes Metroid Prime Remastered so genius is how flawlessly it translates Metroidvania design into 3D. Every inch in every room is packed with potential secrets as you hunt for the correct path forward. In her Morph Ball mode, Samus rolls through twisting tracks underneath, above, and all around the maze-like overworld. This may be the only game where first-person platforming isn’t a complete slog.

Metroid Prime Remastered isn’t a fully open-world game, but it's a single, interconnected space. For example, elevators mask loading screens and connect various colorful, spooky biomes, like the fiery Magmoor Caverns and snowy Phendrana Drifts. In addition, the first-person viewpoint adds a rich intimacy to your isolation, removing all barriers between you and your surroundings. Eerie, extraterrestrial synth music haunts your every step.  

What’s New in Metroid Prime Remastered?

Metroid Prime’s core gameplay design holds up extremely well compared with contemporary shooters, and the game's updated graphics look phenomenal. The rooms are small, so Retro Studios added a lot of extra detail, including high-resolution textures, new character and object models, and fresh lighting systems.

This isn't a full-on remake; it’s closer to The Last of Us Part I than the recent Dead Space. Still, Metroid Prime Remastered is doing far more than simply running the original game in HD. Despite the added visual flourishes, Prime holds at a steady 60 frames per second.

Metroid Prime Remastered includes gameplay tweaks, as well. The Casual difficulty reduces the damage you take, so tricky enemy encounters won’t get in the way of backtracking. More substantially, you have many control schemes at your disposal. If you liked the original game’s lock-on system, one that wouldn't let you freely move and aim at the same time, you can play that way. If you enjoyed the Wii version’s motion controls, the Pointer style replicates that, albeit with some gyroscope drift. However, the most exciting addition is the new Dual Stick style that finally makes Metroid Prime play like a traditional first-person shooter. The control scheme is fantastic, and makes it far easier to shoot and move at the same time. For more, check out our guide on Metroid Prime Remastered’s controls. 

When rumors of this remaster initially circulated, some people were disappointed that it would only include the first game—myself included. After all, the Nintendo Wii received the entire Metroid Prime Trilogy, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars includes three games, too. Obviously, I would prefer more games than fewer. But Retro Studios clearly put an appreciable amount of effort and attention into this project, attention that may have been spread thin if all three Metroid Prime games received the touch-up treatment.

It's Prime Time

If Metroid Prime Remastered is just a glorified commercial for whatever Retro Studios is planning for Metroid Prime 4, then we’re really in for something special when the sequel comes along. But even if that long-awaited title is a total bust, Metroid Prime Remastered will remain an outstanding game on its own, and well worth your time and money. It’s the best way to play one of the greatest games ever made, so we're giving it a perfect score and our Editors' Choice awards.

For more recommended Nintendo Switch titles, check out The Best Nintendo Switch Games and The Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids. 

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