Metroid Prime Remastered Review

It was a formidable feat to be an aficionado of Nintendo in a school swarming with pupils brandishing their PlayStation 2 and Xbox gaming consoles.

My peers repeatedly dismissed the releases for the GameCube as ” infantile, ” but I was convinced that I could win them over with my prized possession- Metroid Prime. The enthralling sci-fi adventure set in a world of decay, where every life form and mysterious puddle of liquid sought to end your existence, was sure to capture their hearts.

However, my hopes were dashed when I was told, “This is just a pathetic imitation of Halo.”

You may ponder why I still reminisce over this casual remark made by a childhood friend two decades ago. To some extent, it is because I have unresolved emotional baggage. But mostly, it is because I was and still am convinced that Metroid Prime is one of the greatest video games of all time. After replaying the remastered version on Nintendo Switch, my conviction remains unwavering. The remastered version of Metroid Prime is the ultimate way to experience this timeless classic.

In 2002, developer Retro Studios pulled off something truly remarkable: they transformed the 2D labyrinths of Super Metroid into a massive, interconnected 3D world filled with ancient ruins, rain-drenched jungles, and treacherous caverns. Many gamers were skeptical, doubting that it could work. But boy, were they wrong!

Metroid Prime may have appeared to be another first-person shooter, but it was much more. At its core, it was a game of exploration, where players slowly uncovered the mysteries of the world, one piece at a time. With each new item or suit upgrade, previously inaccessible areas became meaningful, and the pacing was impeccable. Players were constantly given new tools and abilities, so they never felt stuck for too long. And while blasting aliens with your arm cannon was always a blast, the real thrill was discovering and documenting the strange, alien world of Tallon IV.

The world itself was a masterpiece. Thanks to clever tricks, players could explore the massive planet without a single loading screen, which was an amazing feat for a GameCube game. The world felt organic, as players traveled from an alien mining rig to a lava-filled cavern to a frozen tundra, and it never felt like they were moving between levels. The game’s haunting score and stunning visuals only added to the immersive experience, and even today, the visuals hold up.

The remastered version of Metroid Prime on the Nintendo Switch is a must-have for fans, and it’s just as special as the original. Nintendo brought back Retro Studios to work on the remaster, and they did an amazing job. The controls, which were a bit clunky in the original, have been updated, and the visuals have been overhauled to make the game look even better. But don’t worry, if you prefer the original GameCube control scheme, it’s still available in the options menu.

The remastered version of Metroid Prime is so much more than just a straight port. The improved textures, lighting, and character models are beyond what I expected from a remaster. The opening level alone was enough to blow me away on my OLED Switch, but it wasn’t until I docked it and saw it on my TV that I was truly amazed. I can’t remember the last time a Nintendo game had that kind of impact on me.

The little details that made Metroid Prime so incredible back in 2002 are just as impressive now. Samus’ visor fogs up with condensation when she runs through steam, and rain drips down her arm cannon when she looks up at the sky. It’s without a doubt, the best-looking game on the Switch. After games like Pokémon Scarlet and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 showed that the hardware is getting older, it’s refreshing to see Retro use Metroid Prime to show us that the little console can still blow us away.

The controls, which were one of the only weak points in the original game, have been greatly improved in the remastered version. In the GameCube version, Samus had to stop in her tracks to aim freely, but instead used a lock-on system to shoot while moving. Although the original game wasn’t meant to be a run-and-gun shooter, the new dual-stick system in the remastered version is a game-changer. Samus can now aim and look around as she moves, making random encounters, backtracking, and exploration feel smoother than ever before.

For those who prefer the original control scheme, it’s still available as an option. And for those who like motion controls, they feel much more precise in this remastered version than they did in the Wii version.

Metroid Prime Remastered on the Nintendo Switch is the game I’ve been waiting for since the console was launched in 2017. The surprise release has exceeded all of my expectations, and it’s the perfect version of one of the few truly perfect video games. I hope that everyone who wrote it off as a clunky fps or Nintendo’s answer to Halo will give it another chance and discover how truly amazing it is.