Technical Information

Developer: Nintendo Research & Development 1, Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: March 19, 1994

Super Metroid is the sequel to Metroid II: Return of Samus.
The game takes place on the planet Zebes, where Samus Aran has the mission of recovering a stolen Metroid.

Final Considerations – Analyzing the Game as a Whole

Graphics and UI

It’s one of the few Super Nintendo Entertainment System games that still looks very beautiful today, full of details and without giving the impression of repetitive patterns.

I really like how each area on Zebes was created, each with its own biome, colors, and characteristic elements. It’s impossible to think of Maridia without remembering the water and sand. By the way, I’m certain one of the monsters there was inspired by Newtron from Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Mega Drive.

I think it’s very creative to show a mini-map in the top-right corner of the screen. It’s a very efficient solution that helps the player maintain a sense of orientation. Today this is quite common, but considering the time period, it was something well outside the norm.

I like the animations, but I don’t think they’re perfect. The bosses have somewhat stiff movements, which don’t feel very natural and sometimes seem a bit blocky.
Mother Brain, to be very specific, looks a bit crude in its animation.

The environments are lovely, full of details (and secrets), and they perfectly capture the atmosphere of an alien planet.

Soundtrack and Sound Effects

From the very beginning, the soundtrack immediately draws you into the adventure.
As soon as you leave your ship, the experience is guided by a heroic atmosphere. You instantly feel like you’re on a mission.

I love how everything was composed with a sense of suspense and epicness, an atmosphere clearly influenced by the film Alien (released in some countries as The Eighth Passenger).
It’s impossible to enter Brinstar or Norfair without remembering the music. In Norfair, the melody is exhilarating, has a dramatic tone, and even reminds me of a march. It’s a mix of very unique and unforgettable elements.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s one of my favorite soundtracks! <3

Gameplay

At first, the game feels very intuitive. As you explore new areas, the map expands and you obtain new abilities and upgrades.

However, after a certain point, it’s not always clear that there are secret areas hidden behind breakable walls. Some people might disagree with me, but I see these moments as puzzles, because they’re not very intuitive and you end up exploring through trial and error.

I remember when I first played the game (around 2011), I didn’t quite understand how to progress at the beginning. I had to watch some videos to understand what needed to be done to access certain areas.

During my most recent playthrough, everything went smoothly, except for Maridia. That section was a nightmare to complete. The paths and entrances are confusing, and getting stuck in the sand is extremely frustrating. I spent about three hours finishing that part and had to resort to a walkthrough to avoid wasting even more time.

The bosses have easy-to-learn attack patterns and aren’t particularly difficult. In my opinion, even Ridley is somewhat boring.

The map is huge (especially for a SNES game), and it’s a bit frustrating that there aren’t more fast travel points in key areas. This can make the game feel longer than necessary, especially if you don’t already know where to go. Depending on your location, you’ll end up doing a lot of backtracking.
But that’s understandable, we’re talking about a game from 1994! There weren’t many references for this genre at the time, and these mechanics were refined in later games.

Replayability and Game Retention

The first time I beat the game was in 2013, when I bought my physical copy.

Ten years passed before I finished it again. It took me a while, to be honest! It’s an amazing game, and I’m sure I won’t wait that long before playing it again.

For first-time players, here’s a tip: if you stay stuck for too long without knowing where to go, check a walkthrough. This can help reduce frustration and prevent you from giving up.

Super Metroid is a true classic, and it’s no exaggeration to say how excellent it really is.