Metroid Prime Review and Walkthrough 2024

Metroid Prime is a classic game from the early 2000s. It transitions the beloved 2D-scrolling formula into a thrilling first-person adventure. Metroid Prime has given us some nostalgia that we can not forget. If you are not from the early 2000s, you won’t understand the craze for this game.

Recently, Metroid released another game, Metroid Prime Remastered. Same content with upgraded graphics. But his game won’t give you the classic nostalgia feelings for the original Metroid Prime.

Right from the start, Metroid Prime will grab your attention with its amazing atmosphere. We never feel bored because of the amazing world exploration. You get to explore hidden pathways and secrets and acquire items.

Let’s not spoil anything for you and get started with our Metroid Prime Review.

Metroid Prime: Overview

Metroid Prime is a 3D action-adventure game from Retro Studios for Nintendo Switch Roms. It is the first game in the Metroid Prime series. It’s the spin-off of the long-running Metroid franchise. You will get physical copies of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime in vintage retro stores.

It is an innovative blend of 3D exploration, atmospheric storytelling, and challenging combat. We enjoyed the combat fights with meta matroids. It happens between the original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus. You get to control the bounty hunter Samus Aran. 

We experienced the first-person perspective mode. The first-person perspective gives us good control over characters. The game also focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. 

You can experience features like a lock-on targeting system. The lock-on system allows players to circle-strafe enemies while aiming. The graphics in this game were also impressive. We experienced detailed environments, character models, and lighting effects. It was remade for Nintendo Switch in 2023 with enhanced visuals, textures, and lighting.

Overall, Metroid Prime is a highly influential and enjoyable game. It offers a unique blend of atmospheric exploration. You will enjoy the challenging combat and rewarding puzzle-solving.

Metroid Prime: Storyline

Samus is the space hero in the Metroid Prime. She hears a call for help from an antagonist called Space Pirates. Their experiments turned on them. They accidentally created monsters and destroyed their ship.

Samus goes to check it out and fights monsters. While fighting, she learns about a strange, bad energy called Phazon. During the fight, there was an explosion which destroyed her suit. She escapes from the place quickly. 

She went to the nearby planet Tallon IV. On a new planet, she finds ruins of an ancient people called the Chozo. Phazon wiped out Chozo by failing a giant rock from space on them. To stop the Phazon from spreading, Samus needs to find special. These items are Chozo artifacts.

These artifacts were left by an ancient people (Chozo). She gathers them all, but her robot enemy tries to stop her. Robot-lizard Ridley is her old enemy. Lizard-Ridley shows up to fight but Samus also beats him.

She gets her powers back from Chozo and fights creatures. She has to fight with them in hot caves and snowy mountains. Finally, Samus faces the biggest enemy: Metroid Prime. Phazon fueled it.

After a big fight, Samus wins but loses her special suit. She escapes the exploding planet, but there’s a surprise for super-good players!

Metroid Prime: Characters

Protagonist

Samus Aran

Samus Aran is a legendary bounty hunter. The Chozo raised her after Space Pirates killed her parents. She is best at her skills and has a mighty suit. Samus Aran loves battling against Galactic Threats as well.

You will see her infiltrating Tallon IV to destroy the parasitic Metroid Prime. She has exceptional combat skills, advanced power suit weaponry, and determination. But, she can be vulnerable without her power suit.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Samus Aran	Powerful, has an arsenal of beam weapons, has abilities like Morph Ball, Space Jump, and Power Bombs, Highly skilled bounty, and has exceptional combat prowess.	Powerful, has an arsenal of beam weapons, abilities like Morph Ball, Space Jump, and Power Bombs, highly skilled bounty, and exceptional combat prowess.

Antagonists

Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime is the main antagonist of this game. It is a monstrous parasitic thing. It can absorbe Phazon. Phazon is a corruptive substance. Metroid Prime wants to consume Tallon IV’s Phazon and spread its influence.

It has immense power and the ability to manipulate Phazon. Metroid Prime can also transform into various forms.  But it can be vulnerable to specific energy types.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Metroid Prime	Shapeshifting ability, Possesses powerful Phazon-based attacks, Can absorb energy from defeated enemies, and grow stronger.	Shapeshifting ability: Possesses powerful Phazon-based attacks, Can absorb energy from defeated enemies, and grow stronger.

Ridley

Ridley is a recurring enemy of Samus and a high-ranking member of the space pirates. It is ruthless and has brute strength. In Metroid Prime, you will see him as a Metroid-infused Boss. 

It can do brutal physical attacks, fire breath, and flight. Ridley is the enhanced abilities in Metroid form. You can easily destroy Ridley with powerful weapons.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Ridley	Immense physical strength and razor-sharp claws, Powerful fire breath and aerial attacks, Highly intelligent and cunning strategist.	powerful beam weapons and freezing attacks weaken him, egotistical and overconfident.

Meta Ridley

You will see something similar to Ridley called Meta Ridley in this game. It is Ridley’s cyborg form. It is even more resilient and has heavier weapons than its organic counterpart. Meta Ridley can increase its durability. But, it is vulnerable to EMP attacks. 

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Meta Ridley	Enhanced cybernetic modifications augment strength, speed, and resilience; powerful beam cannons and enhanced fire breath; highly aggressive and relentless foe.	Vulnerabilities remain similar to Ridley, which Relies heavily on cybernetic systems.

Metroids

Metroids are jellyfish-like creatures that absorb life energy. They are the primary antagonists in the Metroid Prime series. You will see these Metroids as enemies. They contribute to the planet’s Phazon infestation and drain life energy. 

However, Metroids can be vulnerable to specific stages of development. You can also kill them with heavy weapons.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Metroids	Drain life energy from their host, rapidly growing in size and power, Highly resilient to most conventional weapons.	Drain life energy from their host, rapidly growing in size and power, and Highly resilient to most conventional weapons, Lower intelligence compared to other enemies.

Space Pirates

Space pirates are also antagonists. They killed Samus Aran’s parents. They are very ruthless and dangerous. In Metroid Prime, they take over Tallon IV and try to exploit the planet’s resources.

They have lots of weaponry and vehicles.  But they are vulnerable to Samu’s Superior Skills and weaponry.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Space Pirates	Large and has diverse forces, uses advanced weapons and technology, Ruthless and efficient in achieving their goals.	Vulnerable to powerful beam weapons and coordinated attacks.

Mother Brain

The Mother Brain is a Malevolent Artificial Intelligence. It is residing within Tallon IV’s Chozo Ruins. Mother Brain is the recurring antagonist throughout the Metroid series. it often manipulates events from behind the scenes.

It has vast control of Chozo Ruins, advanced technology, and strategic manipulation. But, the Mother Brain can be vulnerable to specific energy types. 

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Mother Brain	strategic control and information processing, Can control Metroids and manipulate Space Pirates.	Relies heavily on technology and infrastructure, vulnerable to EMP attacks.

Supporting Characters

The Chozo

Chozo is an ancient bird-like civilization that once thrived on Tallon IV. Chozo ruins and artifacts throughout the game. They offer Samus upgrades and give insights into their advanced technology and peaceful nature.

They have advanced technology and knowledge (indirectly assisting Samus). But they are now an Extinct civilization. So Chooz can not directly aid Samus.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Chozo	Advanced civilization with vast technological and cultural knowledge, Created many artifacts and structures found on Tallon IV, Possessed powerful weapons and abilities, hinted at through lore.	Extinct, leaving behind only ruins and artifacts, Limited information available about their true strengths and weaknesses.

Melissa Bergman

Melissa Bergman is also known as MB in this game. Her adoptive mother, Dr. Madelien Bergam, was a result of the scientists of the bottle ship. They tried to make a copy of the original Mother Brain.

Originally, MB was a computer software unable to interact personally with the Metroid. Then, scientists decided to give her an artificial human body so that she could bond more with the Metroids.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Melissa Bergman	Advanced AI providing vital information and assistance to Samus, Analyzes environments and offers strategic advice, Can remotely activate doors and platforms for Samus.	Limited to verbal communication and AI capabilities, Cannot directly engage in combat or defend itself, Relies on Samus’ actions for its own survival.

Guardian AI

Guardian AI is a kind AI system protecting Tallon IV.  It is also assisting Samus with navigation and information. It has a Knowledge of the planet and the ability to guide and assist Samus. But, it is also limited to its programming and technological capabilities.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Guardian AI	Protects Chozo artifacts and ancient structures with powerful defenses, Can adapt to Samus’ tactics and utilize various attacks.	Vulnerable to specific weapon combinations and environmental manipulation.

Pirate AI

Pirate AI is an antagonistic AI system controlling parts of the Space Pirate base. It is also providing obstacles and challenges for Samus.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Pirate AI	Controls space pirate facilities and defenses, Can activate security measures and deploy reinforcements.	Controls space pirate facilities and defenses, Can activate security measures, and deploy reinforcements.

Baby Metroid

At the beginning of Super Metroid, Samus describes Metroid Larva hatching. The larva hatched and immediately thought Samus was its mother.

Samus brought the larva to Ceres Space Colony. Then, the scientists learned that they could harness its power. The search for Baby Metroid is the source of battle in this story.

Character Image	Name of the Character	Strengths	Weaknesses
	Baby Metroid	Absorbs Phazon, gaining energy and morphing into different stages, Forms a temporary bond with Samus, heals and protects Samus.	Vulnerable in its early stages, reliant on Samus for protection, Unpredictable nature and unknown long-term effects of Phazon absorption.

Metroid Prime: Gameplay

Metroid Prime is a 3D action-adventure game where you can control the protagonist Samus Aran. You can control her from a first-person perspective. This feature wasn’t available in the previous series.

The gameplay involves solving puzzles to reveal secrets, jumping, and shooting foes. You can shoot foes with the help of a “lock-on: mechanism. It will allow circle strafing while staying aimed at the enemy.

Collect power-ups like the Varia Suit to tolerate hot environments as you explore. Each upgrade opens doors to previously inaccessible regions. It will be rewarding exploration and progress.

Remember, some items are hidden and require specific beams or weapons to access, motivating thorough exploration. 

You have to rough the world of Tallon IV searching for twelve Chozo Artifacts. Those Chozos will open the path to the Phazon meteor impact crater.

Your helmet’s HUD displays vital information like a map, radar, health, and ammo. You must

swap visors to reveal hidden pathways (X-Ray). Then identify enemy weaknesses (Scanner), or navigate treacherous environments (Thermal).

Core Missions

• Defeating Bosses: Each area has a thrilling boss battle. It will test your combat skills and knowledge of their weaknesses.

• Unlocking Chozo Artifacts: Search throughout Tallon IV for Chozo Artifacts that grant Samus powerful upgrades. These upgrades can be the Power Beam and Space Jump. You must explore, solve puzzles, and defeat guardians to find them.

• Collecting Artifacts and Data Entries: Scan creatures, environments, and objects to unlock information.

• Exploring Diverse Environments: Each environment presents unique challenges. The challenges include exploring the heat of Magmoor Caverns and the watery depths of Phendrana Drifts.

Exploration and Hidden Challenges

• Secret Tunnels and Upgrades: Observe and scan to reveal hidden passages and upgrade expansions. You will get rewards through exploration.

• Environmental Puzzles: Use your new abilities to solve intricate environmental puzzles. It will often involve manipulating beams, activating switches, and platforming challenges.

• Lore and Artifact Completion: Scan all entries related to specific Chozo Artifacts. Scan creatures to unlock bonus lore entries and rewards.

• Enemy Lore Scan Completion: Scan every enemy type unlocks bonus entries expanding their lore and weaknesses.

Optional Challenges

• Hunter Mode (Removed in Remastered): Samus faced waves of enemies in this arena mode. It offers additional gameplay but is removed in the remaster.

• Time Attacks: Unofficially, players challenge themselves to complete the game. The challenge includes specific areas within set time limits for bragging rights and mastery.

• Low Percentage Runs: These self-imposed challenges restrict item collection. So, it forces clever gameplay and strategy using limited resources.

 Metroid Prime Trilogy Walkthrough

Metroid Prime Trilogy is a series of three Metroid video games. It is best for its immersive atmosphere, innovative gameplay, and challenging boss fight. Each game has unique mechanics and experiences. So it’s a rewarding journey for both Metroid veterans and newcomers alike. 

Metroid Prime (2002)

• Release Date: November 18, 2002 (North America)
• Key Differences:
  • Introduced first-person perspective to the Metroid series.
  • Features a lock-on targeting system for strategic combat.
  • Focuses heavily on atmospheric exploration and discovery.
• Challenging Fights:
  • Ridley: A classic enemy returns in a boss battle.
  • Metroid Prime: The battle against the titular enemy. You have to master all your collected upgrades.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)

• Release Date: November 15, 2004 (North America)
• Key Differences:
  • Introduces Light and Dark Worlds with unique mechanics and enemies.
  • Features Echoes, and doppelgangers of Samus with different weaknesses.
  • Has a more open-ended structure with multiple paths to explore.
• Challenging Fights:
  • Emperor Ing: A two-phase boss fight requiring strategic use of Light and Dark Beams.
  • Metroid Prime (Echoes): The final boss comes again. It will test your skill in both worlds’ mechanics.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)

• Release Date: August 27, 2007 (North America)
• Key Differences:
  • It features a corruption mechanic that infects enemies and grants Samus temporary abilities.
  • Introduces Hyper Mode for faster movement and combat.
  • Has a more linear story with set destinations to explore.
• Challenging Fights:
  • Meta Ridley: A corrupted and more powerful version of the classic enemy.
  • Metroid Prime Corruption: It’s the final boss. You need strategic use of Corruption abilities and Hyper Mode.

Metroid Prime Remastered Walkthrough

Metroid Prime Remastered was released in February 2023. It also features a first-person adventure game from 2002. You will experience a graphical upgrade in Metroid Prime remastered. The entire experience has been meticulously refined. 

Metroid Prime Remastered Gameplay

Immersive First-Person Exploration: You can be the Samus Aran as you explore the vast and interconnected world of Tallon IV. This feature will allow you to scan your surroundings to reveal secrets.

Masterful Combat: You can battle thrilling battles against Space Pirates, Metroid parasites, and otherworldly creatures. Each enemy requires different strategies and weapon configurations. So the combat will be fresh and engaging.

Classic Metroidvania Progression: Get new abilities like Morph Ball, Space Jump, and Power Bombs to go unreachable areas. These areas were restricted before. But with these abilities, you can explore those places and uncover hidden secrets.

Metroid Prime Remastered Technical Overview

Stunning Visuals: The game offers high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting effects, and improved shadows. Tallon IV has vibrant environments, from the lush Chozo Ruins to the scorching Magmoor Caverns.

Smoother Performance: Enjoy silky-smooth 60fps gameplay, ensuring a responsive and engaging experience. Aiming and movement feel incredibly fluid, making exploration and combat even more enjoyable.

Enhanced Controls: The Switch’s control scheme has been fine-tuned. It offers both traditional and modern control options. You can choose between using the Joy-Cons Pro Controller or the Classic Controller Pro for a more authentic GameCube experience.

Metroid Prime: Technical Overview

Graphics

• Engine: We loved that Nintendo developed a custom engine for Metroid Prime. The engine can have real-time 3D environments with lighting, textures, and animation.

• Resolution: It features a 480i progressive scan. As a result, we got the highest video resolution available on the GameCube.

• Texture: The textures were pre-rendered at high resolutions. Then it was compressed for use on the console’s limited memory.

• Anti-Aliasing: We didn’t see any anti-aliasing hardware there. However, the clever texture filtering techniques helped mitigate the aliasing issues.

The performance was also better than the other game we tried. The game generally maintained a smooth frame. But we also experienced some occasional dips in demanding areas. 

The draw distance was impressive for its time. We are talking about 2002 when the game first released. For that time, this game gives better expansive views and seamless transitions. 

Dolby Pro Logic supports surrounding sound for an excellent audio experience. Every music dynamically changes based on gameplay context and location. We also loved the full voice acting for Samus and other key characters. It added depth to the narrative.

But we also experienced some shortcomings in the technical point. Compared to modern titles, the graphics and performance are naturally dated. We also saw some noticeable pixelation in some areas. It happens because of the lack of anti-aliasing.

Overall, the technical overview was average for us. 

Metroid Prime vs. Metroid Prime Remastered: Which One is Better?

Metroid Prime vs. Metroid Prime Remastered is a classic debate for gamers. So, we tried both to give you an authentic review.

Metroid Prime Remastered was released 21 years after the first Metroid Prime. Which means comparing them can be unfair. The graphics and technology of 2002 were far less advanced than this generation. Still, we will compare them in terms of challenges and other factors.

One benefit of playing Metroid Prime is the Nostalgia factor. You won’t get that nostalgic vibe from the Metroid Prime Remastered. However, Metroid Prime Remastered has better graphics and smoothness.

In terms of price, Metroid Prime is more affordable than Prime Remastered. So, if you have a tight budget then choose Metroid Prime. The content of both games is the same. But the Remastered version has slightly changed the content.

Besides that, their characters and gameplay technologies are the same. So, both Metroid Prime and remastered have the same gameplay experience. It’s just the price and technology that upgraded the Remastered.

Even the challenges are almost similar in both Prime and Prime Remastered. Some enemy placements and the removal of Hunter Mode have changed in the Prime Remastered.

Metroid Prime: Our Overall Experience

Metroid Prime always stands out for its immersive atmosphere, engaging exploration, and innovative gameplay. We loved the boss battle and the weapons of the Hero. Some aspects might feel dated because it was from the early 2000s. 

Apart from that, We enjoyed exploring the world of Tallon IV. The hidden pathways were interesting. We also enjoyed solving environmental puzzles. It gave us a fresh brainstorm in the game. The transition of the Metroidvania formula to first-person was seamless.

Final Thoughts

Did you like our Metroid Prime Walkthrough? We spent over 20 hours to finish the game. Overall, Metroid Prime is a classic game that you should not miss. The visuals and performance might not match modern standards. But the core gameplay, atmosphere, and world-building hold up remarkably well. 

Moreover, it’s an excellent game for budget-friendly people. You don’t have to spend tons to play Metroid Prime. So, if you prioritize affordability, nostalgia, and the pure 2002 experience, this game will give you everything.

Metroid Prime FAQs