A 1986 side-scrolling action-adventure by Nintendo for the NES in which bounty hunter Samus Aran explores a planet's labyrinthine caves to stop space pirates.
Origin
Designed by Yoshio Sakamoto and Makoto Kano, Metroid combined non-linear exploration with action-platforming on the planet Zebes. The reveal at the end that the helmeted protagonist Samus was a woman became one of gaming’s most cited twists.
Gameplay
Players acquire abilities — the Morph Ball, missiles, varia suit — that unlock previously inaccessible corridors. Backtracking with new powers gave the genre its name: “Metroidvania.”
Legacy
Metroid established a template that influenced decades of exploration-driven action games. The franchise has produced numerous sequels and spin-offs, and Samus Aran is one of Nintendo’s most enduring characters.
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Metroid starts with M and ends with D. Browse other games along the same letter.
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