Sixteen years after it was first rumored,Metroid Dreadhas finally been announced. But the latest 2DMetroidgame won’t simply be adding another chapter to the saga of Samus Aran; producer Yoshio Sakamoto has stated the game will bring anend to a significant part of theMetroidstory.
As such, it stands to reason that many out there might want to catch up on the story so far leading up toMetroid Dread’sOctober release. The only problem is that not every 2DMetroidgame is particularly easy to play, as they were initially released across multiple generations of consoles, and have since seen no remasters, along with only limited re-releases. One can only hope that Nintendo will make playing the 2DMetroidsaga an easier affair at some point in the future, but until then, players will likely have to hop between a few different platforms to get caught up beforeDread.
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Metroid and Zero Mission
Unless one has a working NES, a functioning copy of the game, and a television compatible with the NES, playingMetroidon its original hardware probably isn’t the best route to go. Fortunately, the game that started it all is easily accessible via both the 3DS and Wii U’s Virtual Consoles.Metroidis also a part of the library of retro games included with a subscription to theNintendo Switch Online service.
However, it is worth noting that the originalMetroidwas later remade for the Game Boy Advance withMetroid: Zero Mission,which is a vastly superior game thanks to the steps it took to modernize the antiquated first entry. One might be inclined to play this take onMetroidover the 1987 release, but unfortunately, it’s a little harder to do that. Outside of its Game Boy Advance release, it was only ever re-released for the Wii U’sVirtual Console.
Metroid 2: Return of Samus and Samus Returns
The successor toMetroidwas released for the Game Boy in 1991 and has only ever ventured to one other platform: the 3DS' Virtual Console. However, like the original game,Metroid 2is best enjoyed through its remake,Samus Returns.
This 2017 remake ofReturn of Samusboasts several upgrades and quality of life improvements like fast travel and free aim, both of which were not previously featured in the Game Boy version, or any 2DMetroidgame for that matter. Suffice to say,Samus Returnsis not only the best version ofMetroid 2, but it might be one of the bestMetroidgamesin general. Tragically, it’s only available on the 3DS; there are no other ways to play this game.
Super Metroid
Perhaps the most iconic entry of the series, players shouldn’t run into much trouble trying to find a way to playSuper Metroid.Since the title debuted for the SNES in 1994, it’s been ported to both the 3DS and Wii U’s Virtual Consoles, as well as theNintendo Switch Online library.
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusionis the game directly preceding the soon-to-be-releasedMetroid Dread.It was the last original 2DMetroidto be developed beforeDread’sexistence was confirmed at E3 2021. The 2002 Game Boy Advance title, likeZero Mission,is only playable on its original hardware, or the Wii U’s Virtual Console.
Those who purchased a3DS prior to the system’s $80 price dropthree months into its lifespan were eligible to enter the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program, where early adopters of the handheld could get exclusive eShop games not available to the general public; one of these wasMetroid Fusion. However, almost 10 years later, the title still isn’t available on the regular eShop, making this route of playing the game impossible for many 3DS owners.
Metroid Dreadwill release on June 12, 2025 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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