The Switch, A flawed Masterpiece

Source

When Nintendo announced the Switch last year many people were skeptical. At first glance it seemed like a continuation of the Wii-U. A sequel to a very mediocre product. Now six months after the Switch launched we all can see how wrong this assumption was. The console is sold out nearly constantly.

It offers a small but excellent library of games and what's more important has cultivated the image of a product that people want to own. And while supply constraints and a conservative sales approach by Nintendo won't allow for the console to achieve Wii levels of success, it can be already said that the Nintendo Switch is a successful console. Still the only way I could describe the Switch was as a flawed masterpiece. They did nearly everything right this time. So today let us take a look at the flawed greatness of the Nintendo Switch.

Play your games everytime, everywhere:

The best thing about the Switch, apart from Zelda, is, of course, the fullfilled promise of a home console to-go. When the rumors about the concept first surfaced I found it hard to believe, but when I saw the first trailer I was sold. Now the only thing Nintendo had to do was to keep that promise they've shown us. It would've been desastrous if there was one game that you couldn't play on the go because it needed the Switch to be docked. Luckily everything played out just perfectly. Being able to grab your Switch and seamlessly switch (har har) from TV- into Portable-Mode is a huge deal. Even if it's only because you have to go to the toilet. The concept of no longer being bound to a specific place to enjoy your console games is just huge. And Nintendo marketed i perfectly. Every spot for the Switch has been great so far. They perfectly show the freedom you have when owning the product.

Source

This is why the lack of any other features except games is that much more baffling. Just let us take a look at one of the Switch commercials. Let's use the the latest Switch commercial.

Source

As you can see it does a great job of selling the appeal of the console to the customer. It truly shows that the console allows you to play games however you want. And wherever you want. Still that's all there is to it. Games. And even though the Switch has some of the greatest games currently on the market in it's library, is it really enough? Now don't worry this wont become a rant about the lack of games on the systme. Because I think there is no lack. The Switch has a pretty healthy library already with lots of different titles for all genres. Of course many of these are Indie games, but that's not the point. The Point is that the Switch is clearly positioned as hip and cool. Not unlike an I-Phone for example. Because of that it targets mostly young adults (aparft from Nintendo fans like us of course). Now you have to ask yourself are games really enough for those people to keep them satisfied in the long run? Maybe you already guesse what I'm talking about. Yes it's the lack of other software on the system. Not games, but things like a Youtube app, a web browser or Netflix. Things that even the Wii-U got. And here we are nearly seven months after the launch of the console and none of those things are even announced. And don't get me started on the virtual console.

This just feels like wasted potential to me. Just imagine being able enjoy Netflix on the go. Or maybe bring it to a friends place, who doesn't own the service. There are so many possibilities to position the Switch as a great entertainment product.

Of course I know that Nintendo always says their consoles are just that. Video game consoles. And I agree. They shouldn't change that. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't at least try to adapt a little. Adding Netflix, Amazon Prime and other similar apps would further increase the appeal of the system.

Play your games everytime, everywhere... if you can get a system:

Stock issues... that's a whole world of pain right there for any Nintendo fan. And don't worry I will talk about this in the future in more detail, but right now let us focus on the Switch. Where I live it's relatively easy to get one, but I've heard and read enough reports already where people drive hundreds of kilometers in search of a Switch. Or take Japan for example, where you can participate in a lottery for the chance of being allowed to buy a console. That's insane, there is no other way of putting it. Now the current situation can't be helped. After the failure of the Wii-U Nintendo was very cautios to not overship their product. After all there were just as many people predicting the console to fail as there were believers.

Source

In the end the Switch proved to be a huge success. Too huge for Nintendo. Even seven months after launch we regularly hear about shipping problems. Now this isn't a failure of the console itself, but of the company behind it. Still it damages the Switch. If you can't get the product of your choice for several months chances are high that you'll turn towards one of the competitors. After the fifth or sixth fruitless visit to your local electronics shop those PS4 may start to look rather tempting. Why wait for a console when you can have another with a bigger library for a cheaper price? In Japan this proves to be true as some reports suggest that several potential buyers have already lost interest in the Switch because of the stock issues.

Hopefully Nintendo is already ramping up the production for the holiday season. Because there is nothing more disheartening than not getting what you want on christmas. If the stock issues persist through November and Decemer this could really hurt the Switch as many potential customers may instead choose the competition and don't come back because one console is enough.

Overall these complaints are very minor, but they shouldn't be ignored. Because a small tripwire can lead to the fall of even the biggest juggernaut.  

Source

So what are your thoughts on the Switch so far? What things do you think Nintendo should primarly work on to improve? Or are you completely satisfied by the console. Anyways let me know your opinion in the comments.

and as always

thanks for reading

Top 5 atmospheric Games on Nintendo Consoles

Happy and colorful. That is the image that Nintendo has cultivated over the years. And that's the way they are seen by the general public. Just take a look at their two latest big new IPs, Splatoon and ARMS, and you'll see it for yourself. Now of course there is nothing wrong with that, and that's the last thing I would want to imply. But this image, as true as it is, leads to one simple problem. At least in my eyes. People tend to see Nintendo as just that. It's just a kids and family company. And this will and should always be Nintendos main identity. But to say Nintendo is just that is very, very wrong.

When I say to you, think of a typical Nintendo title, most of you probably going to have a very specific picture in mind. But what people tend to forget, when thinking of Nintendo games, is that there is more than just the Happy and colorful fassade. There are countless games for Nintendo consoles with thick atmosphere. Of course this doesn't exclude happy and colorful ones, but most people tend to forget that. When you think of an atmospheric game you probably think of something dark and brooding. Which is a damn shame because atmosphere can come in all shapes and colors. So today I'd like to focus on this topic. I hope you'll enjoy my little collection of atmospheric Nintendo games.

5: Xenoblade Chronicles X

Source

For me this game is still one of the best games on the Wii-U and it's a damn shame that so few people have played it. Luckily Xenoblade Chronicles 2 looks just as promising, so maybe this time around more people get to enjoy the creative worlds that Monolith tends to create. Because if there is one thing that this studio excels at, then it's creating imaginative worlds with rich atmosphere. And while the original Xenoblade had some really cool areas, which has to be expected of a game set on two gigantic titans, Xenoblade Chronicles X really took the cake for me. Becaues it was one of the few games that managed to create truly alien feeling areas. While venturing through Sylvalum or Noctilum I never had the feeling that something like this could exist on earth. Together with the genius music this created an alien atmosphere that has yet to be replicated by another game for me.

Source

There is hardly anything comparable to the feeling of soaring through the Noctilum with your Skell. The titanic beasts and awe-inspiring enviroments just suck me in. Or the contrast between the calm serenity of Sylvalum and the deadly beasts that inhabit it. The other three continents int the game, Oblivia, Cauldros and Primordia, don't manage to live up to that standard fully, but they are just as beautiful. Especially at night.

Sadly that rich atmosphere is sometimes interrupted by the gameplay. I'm not talking about battles or the like, but things like collectibles being small blue crystals floating on the overworld instaed of actual things. Picking up an actual plant from the ground or simply driving over a bluy crystal symbolizing it, is a huge difference. Especially in the atmosphere department. Still the awe-inspiring enviroments will (hopefully) let forget about such minor hiccups.

4: Zombi U

Source

Everytime I mention this game I praise it. But it's simply that good. Especially for being a launch title on the Wii-U. Coming from a time when Ubisoft still was fully behind Nintendo this game sought to do what Red Seel on the Wii couldn't. Showing of the new unique capabilities of the console and create a good title in the process. What we got is still one of the best Horror titles on any console. Ubisoft managed to do the unthinkable and make Zombies menacing again. And they did it with one simple trick, which also was responsible for the great atmosphere of the title. The perrfect use of the Wii-U gamepad. I have already talked countless times that Zombi U used the problem of competing screens to it's advantage. By not pausing the game when you open the inventory and forcing the player to look onto the gamepad they create a threatening atmosphere where you never can relax. Just how a Horror Game should feel.

Zombi U is the perfect example that you don't need the latest tech and best graphics to create an atmosphere that sucks you into the game. It uses the limitations and possibilities of it's hardware perfectly. That's also the reason why the port of the game for X-Box, PlayStation and PC didn't truly work in my eyes. Zombi U only works fully on the Wii-U, but here it creates a horror atmosphere that doesn't allow you to relax even one second.

3: Metroid Prime

Source

You can't talk about atmosphere without mentioning one of the most atmospheric game series of all time. Even with it's limited tools on the NES and SNES Metroid always managed to suck you into it's alien worlds. The feeling of isolation mixed with the greatness of Samus Aran truly created an unique atmosphere. So when the series made the jump to 3D enviroments it continued to do exactly that. Metroid Prime was a huge risk for Nintendo. Not only was the series on a more than seven year hiatus, but the preceding game also was one of the greatest of all time. So could Talon IV keep up with the creepy and alien atmosphere of Planet Zebes?

To answer this question quickly. Yes it could. Retro masterfully reimagined Metroid as First-Person title, and while Talon IV may not feel as alien as Zebes at first glance, it is an absolutely stunning and atmospheric place to visit. Even now more than a decade later.

The one thing Retro absolutely nailed on their first try with the Metroid Series was the feeling of lonelyness. Exploring Talon IV always feels dangerous, but never out of your league. After all your Samus Aran.

One of the main reasons for the great atmosphere of the title is, without a doubt, the switch to first-Person. This creates a much stronger connection with the game. Metroid Prime manages to make you forget your surroundings and completely sucks you into it's alien world. And any game that still manages that more than a decade after it's release deserves a place on this list.

2: Resident Evil 4

Source

In 2002 Capcom announced the Capcom 5. Five exclusive titles for the Nintendo Gamecube. Among those was one game in particular that created a lot of buzz. Resident Evil had been a PlayStation exclusive series up until then. But after releasing the excellent Remake on the first title on the GameCube the wind seemed to change. And so the excellent Resident Evil 4 was created from the ground up as GameCube exclusive. (Ironic because nowadays nearly each available platform on the market got a port of this game.)

After the third title in the series and the spin-off Code: Veronica the Resident Evil franchise was in a tight spot. The games, great as they were, had started to feel stale. Because of that game creator Shinji Mikami decided that the gameplay of the series needed a rework. The result was, and still is, one of the greates horror titles ever.

So what is so great about the atmosphere in Resident Evil 4? Well I could talk about how great the game sill looks or how the varied and detailed enviroments or rural spain suck you in. But the thing that truly creates the great atmosphere, at least for me, are the enemies. No longer are you fighting brainless Zombies, but infected villages and cul people. And while the Las Plagas parasite has made them obedient towards the cult, it hasn't turned them into mindless Zombies. They behave quite dynamically and adjust to your strategy. And that's what makes this game so atmospheric.

1: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Source

Never ever before have I lost myself to such an extent in a virtual world. Only Skyrim and my first time playing World of Warcraft in 2005 come close to the feeling that Breath of the Wild created. When the game was first introduced in 2014 I couldn't completely believe Nintendos promise of a truly open game, where you could tackle problems from any possible angle. But I happily admit how wrong I was. Not only did Breath of the Wild create the most ''open'' Open world so far, but it also has showed me the limitations other, similar, games have. Awkwardly jumping up a mountain in Skyrim now feels so much worse after experiencing the climbing system in BotW.

To me the game is the complete package where presentation and gameplay perfectly work together to create the single best atmosphere in any game I've played so far.

An important factor in that is the genious muscial score, that is praised far to less when talking about the game. Yes the score is very withdrawn, but that's exactly the idea. It is only there to emphasize the world. Take the Hebra Mountains as an example. The sparse music there serves to pull you in and emphasize the feeling of cold- and lonelyness that these mountains emit. Also when the Score wells up from time to time it feels that much more intense and special.

If you've never played Breath of the Wild it's hard to describe but the ability to go wherever you want simply changes everything. When playing Breath of the Wild I don't have the feeling that I'm playing a game, instead it truly feels like an adventure. An Adventure everyone should experience for themselves.

So what games manage to suck you in with their atmosphere? Which games let you forget the fact that you're playing a game? I really love to hear your answer. So let me know in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading

5 old Nintendo titles that deserve a remake

Have you all been busy playing Samus Returns? The Remake of the original Metroid 2 for GameBoy had me shackled to my 3DS screen for the whole weekend. I think calling it just a remake doesn't do the end result justice. Nintendo and Mercury Steam did more than that. They took the original and build a completely new game on it's foundation. Not only did they improve the graphics, but they added story, new areas and the amazing melee counter feature. Metroid: Samus Returns truly is the ultimate version of the original Metroid 2.

But this remake has had me thinking. What other games of the past deserve the same treatment?

There are lots of Nintendo classics out there which were held back by the limitations of their time. Not to say that they are bad games, but looking at what they created out of Metroid 2 with Samus Returns it makes you wonder what possibilities other titles hold.

We now live in the world of remasters, HD remakes and ports, so seeing an actual remake, built from the ground up, is an exciting prospect. And it's something I would love to see more off.

5: Kid Icarus

Source

The original Kid Icarus often gets overlooked when talking about great Nintendo games. It launched only a little more than four months after Metroid in Japan and in the EU and US it even launched before Samus iconic first adventure. Because it used the same basic formula it is often called a clone, but even though the games might be similar tha doesn't diminish the fact that Kid Icarus is an excellent title. Pit got a little bit more atention in the past couple of years via his inclusion in Smash Bros. and he even recieved a new title in 2012. But after that the series once again went into hibernation.

A remake of the first game would be a good way to gauge interest for a continuitation of the series. The artstyle of Uprising could be used for that job creating a familiar feel for anyone who played the 2012 entrance of the series.

Kid Icarus would also make sense because of it's genre. In recent times the Metroidvania genre has grown in popularity thanks to excellent indie titles like Hollow Knight. Because of that there is now a pretty big demand for such games and as one of the pioneers of that genre Kid Icarus would surely attract some attention. Also with all the enhanced backstory that Uprising introduced adding new parts to the original is definitely possible. And lastly with a release more than 30 years ago you can't accuse Nintendo of cashing in on the IP by re-releasing a title from last year or so.

4: Links Awakening

Source

You always remember your first and have fond memories of it. That's why I'll always consider Link's Awaking among my favourite Zelda titles. It also helps that it is a damn good game. It's always amazing to see how much the developers got onto the GameBoy. It's the full Zelda experience with eight dungeons, side objectives and even a trading sequence. Also it's definitely the most ''loose'' of all the Zelda games with things like Goombas appearing as enemies or a Mario lookalike turning into a Tanuki. Thins you wouldn't expect in a Zelda title.

Of course being my first Zelda title I will always have a soft spot for the original Links Awakening. Especially when talking about the original German translation and all the raunchy humor it contained, but by using the Link between Worlds Engine and adapting the title for the 3DS you could open up one of the darkest Zelda stories for a whole new audience.

Unlike Kid Icarus or Metroid Zeld doesn't need this remake. It's not a series that has been slumbering for the past couple of years, but instead saw the biggest release in franchise history earlier this year with Breath of the Wild. But just like Breath of the Wild was a bold new step into a completely new direction for the series, a remake for Links Awakening could be a great and cost effective way to give players a more traditional Zelda experience. Also it would allow one of the more obscure Zelda titles to shine instead of A Link to the Past (which would also be a great candidate for a remake)

3: Wario Land 4

Source

This won't be the only time we get to see Wario on this list, but more on that later. He may have started as a villian, but Nintendo seemed to realize that Marios greedy evil clone was the perfect anti-hero. And so the next game after his first appearance in Mario Land 2 was in his own game titled Wario Land. From this came a long and successfull series of great Jump'n'Run games which, in my opinion, peaked with Wario Land 4 for the GameBoy Advance.

Not only did this title sport some of the most imaginative level designs of the series, but also added several mechanics that truly created an unique Jump'n'Run experience. The core of the Wario Land series has always been the collection of different treasures and as many coins as you you could. Even in the first this unlocked several endings in which Wario either owned a Bird House or a full blown Planet at the end. Wario Land 4 took this concept and build one of the best portable Jump'n'Runs on this foundation.

Levels in Wario Land 4 always consist of two parts. Your first goal is to find a Keyghost, which will open the door to the next level. For this you progress normally through the level, avoiding obstacles and collecting hidden treasure. But there is a twist. The Ghost can only be accessed after setting of a bomb, which will blow up the whole level. So now your goal is to escapce as fast as you can. This makes every level a mixture of exploration in the first part and a frantic speed run back in the second.

Wario Land 4 also offers a second quest like Hardmode, which is a rarity in most Jump'n'Run games.

So with all this in mind the game would be a welcome change of pace in todays market. Also if they could use the artstyle of The Shake Dimension i could die happily.

Source

2: Donkey Kong Land series

Source

Now I may bend the rules a little bit with this one, but hey it's my list after all. When Rare introduced the World to the Donkey Kong Country games all were blown away by the graphical power they showcased. Of course some voices of dissent suggested that without the fancy graphics the games wouldn't be half as good. So what did Rare do to prove them wrong? They released the Donkey Kong Land series of games.

I think especially the first deserves a mention. Because while 2 and 3 were heavily inspired by their respective Country conterparts the first one was truly his own game, even featuring a City as final world. The Story was that Kranky, unsatisfied by DKs showcase in the first Country, hired King K. Rool to steal all bananas again. Talk about a nonsense plot. But the level design can't be disputed. It proved that Rare could create great games, no matter the technical limitations.

Donkey Kong Land still stands the test of time gameplay wise, but the yellowish graphics on the first Gameboy really are hard to watch nowadays. Reworking these titles for the 3DS, using the Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D engine, or the Tropical Freeze one on the Swithc (one can dream) would be a great way of giving us Fans some more Donkey Kong, without involving Retro. (They should work on a differen project)

1: Super Mario Land 2: The Six Golden Coins

Source

When I talked about Wario Land 4 earlier I mentioned that he would appear once again on this list. Most of you probably guessed that it would be this title. Especially since I praised it loudly in another post of mine. But it's just a simple fact that Super Mario Land 2 is this good. After the first adventure of the worlds most favourite (Ex-)Plumber successfully transfered the Mario experience onto the Handheld. Even though there were some hiccups. Still it was a solid Mario game.

The sequel, however, blew the first one out of the water in every aspect. Not only the graphics got massively improved, but we also got a overworld map and free level selection. Honestly the game much more seemed like a portable Mario World than a sequel to the first one. Also it featured some very unique enemies and levels, unlike anyhting seen before and after in other Mario games.

I already mentioned the worldmap. Unlike the one on Mario World, which still was offering a straightforward progression path, the Island in Mario Land 2 was completely open. What I mean by that is that you could tackle each of the six worlds the game offered in any order you wanted. Got stuck on a level in the Pumpkin Zone? Just head over to the Turtle Zone and enjoy some excellent water action.

Generally speaking Super Mario Land 2 offered an incredible ammound of diversity for a GameBoy game. From szenery to mechanics. How often do you see Mario wearing a space suit and jumping around on the moon with low gravity? Or have him shrunk to microscopic Size and battle ants in their hive?

Mario Land 2 is the perfect candidate for a Remake, not only because it is a great game, but also an unique one. Something that hasn't been seen in the Mario Universe since then. Also I want to see how the Jason Vorhees Masks with knives in their heads look like after a graphical overhaul.

So this was my selection for five older Nintendo titles, which deserve the remake treatment Samus Returns got. What games would you like to see getting a complete graphical overhaul? Let me know in the comments

and as always

thanks for reading

5 times Nintendo dropped the Ball with Metroid

This week it's finally time. Seven years after the last ''proper'' release in the series we're getting a new Metroid game. Of course it's not completely new, but ''just'' a remaster of Metroid 2 for the Gameboy, but if you compare both games directly it's like night and day. Metroid: Samus Returns is not just a remaster with better graphics, but a true remake build from the foundation that was Metroid 2. With new areas and more story this game will be worth it even if you know the original in and out. Or at least that's what I hope. The definitive answer will arrive on the 15^th of September when the game finally launches.

Still in the past Metroid fans didn't have it easy. Even though Samus is often considered as one of the big three Nintendo figures, together with Link and Mario, she is by far the character with the fewest appearances. Also Nintendo hasn't been handling her all to well in the past. And while I'm sure that Samus Returns and the upcoming Prime 4 will be a return to form for her, it can't be denied that Nintendo has had several missteps in Metroids long and storied history.

So before we, hopefully, return to a positive outlook for the Metroid series let us delve one last time into the dark pits that was the Metroid series in the last couple of years. Hopefully by looking back at the darkness behind us the light at the end of the tunnel will shine even brighter.

So without further ado here are the five times Nintendo has dropped the Ball with Metroid.

5: Metroid Prime Pinball

Source

Metroid is a series that has a very unique atmosphere. No matter which game you play all perfectly translate the feeling of being alone in space perfectly to the player. So what is the natural idea for the first Spin-off game in the series? If your answer is a Pinball game because of Samus Morph Ball then I think I hate you. Metroid Prime Pinball was released in 2005 in NA (or 2007 in Europe) for the Nintendo DS. It was a commercial failure selling only 6,228 copies during it's first month, but more importantly this was the first proper Spin-off game the Metroid series recieved. Not only that but it felt more like a cheap cash in, than a full fledged game. Nearly all reviews criticized the lack of variety and content.

Not to say that the game was bad, but a series with such a long history clearly deserved more. Metroid Prime Pinball is a perfect example on how to cheaply cash in on a huge IP. In todays market it would probably be a phone game, created to make a quick buck. Still some of the redeeming qualities the game has, are the fact that it's actually a pretty good pinball game and fans of the Metroid series will recognize many details on the different tables.

Still the fact remains that the first proper Spin-off the Metroid series recieved should have been something more thematically appropriate. A stealth based game where you play a Federation Spy or maybe a team based shooter with some federation forces.... which brings us to...

4: Metroid Prime Federation Force

Source

Hach Metroid Prime Federation force... you were so young and innocent. But you were also delivered to us at the worst possible time. You just can't hope that Fans, who have been waiting for a new game in a franchise, will take lightly to a spin-off game using a completely different art style and having little in common with the main line entries. Federation Force has been doomed from the start, which is a pity because the game wasn't that bad. It's not great by any means, but it is a solid team shooter. It was a solid Spin-off and certainly more thematically fitting than a Pinball game.

Then why is it higher on this list? The answer is simple. When Metroid Prime Pinball was released it was between Prime 2 and 3 during one of the best peroids for being a Metroid fan. As a result the game was mostly ignored or accepted as a fun oddity. When Federation Force released it had been six years since the last proper Metroid title. And that title was Other M.

So the first Metroid title after a full console cycle was a game where you didn't even play Samus. And while I did say that the game wasn't half bad there is one glaring flaw, which I simply can't ignore. Earlier I said that Metroid is a game series with a strong and rich atmosphere. And that is the one thing that Federation Force is severly lacking. The Chibi Artstyle they chose for this adventure simply doesn't mix well with the idea of a Metroid title.

So in conclusion the game came at the worst possible time and with the worst possible art style. Which is a damn shame because otherwise I'm sure it would've been a success. So in the end Nintendo is to blame for the fall of Metroid Prime: Federation Force

3: Not celebrating the 25^th anniversary

Source

2011 was a huge year for Nintendo. During e3 they celebrated 25 years of Zelda with a live orchestra and later that year Skyward Sword, the biggest Zelda releas up to that point, came out for the Wii. And Nintendo really went all out to make the 25^th anniversary of the Zelda series as big as possible.

Another series that celebrated it's 25^th birthday during that year was Metroid. Of course you wouldn't know because Nintendo did absolutely nothing to remind you of that fact. No concerts, no release, not even a sale of older titles on the e-shop.

Hey Samus thanks for 25 years of service and staring in several of the most critically aclaimed video games of all time. Here's a friendly handshake. Now back into the closet with you.

Metroid is often ranked among the most important Nintendo franchises. Even though it doesn't sell huge quantities of games it has an extremely high standing among the more hardcore gamers. A demographic in which Nintendo doesn't have the strongest standing. Metroid is one of the few possibilities to garner the attention of that crowd. By not celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Metroid series Nintendo let a perfect opportunity got to waste to promote their brand as something more than just a casual paradise.

2: Metroid Other M

Source

Metroid Other M started with a bold vision. Giving Samus a voice. But along the way it seems like Nintendo forgot that she also has to say something with that voice. When Other M was released Voice Acting was still a novelty in Nintendo titles. Metroid Prime: Corruptoin had been the trail blazer three years earlier. Samus, however, had remained silent during the course of that game. And looking back this was the right decision.

Before Other M we never knew what Samus was thinking. So we had to fill that with our own imagination. Luckily her actions did speak for her. We got to know Samus as a badass bounty hunter, who gets the job done. Even when faced with immense danger she never backed down, but instead bravely faced it head on.

Well now we know she proabably was haunted by self doubt during all those encounters. Other M has many problems, but by far the biggest has to be Samus characterization in that game. I get that they intended to maker her a flawed character for a more engaging story. After all it's hard to connect with a superhuman, but they overshot that goal by a long mile. Other M currently sits nearly at the end of the Metroid canon. When the game takes place Samus not only had been a soldier in the galactic federation, but also an accomplished bounty hunter and hero for several years. She has survived two encounters with Mother Brain, exterminated the Metroids and defeated Dark Samus. And still one meeting with her old superior turns her back into the insecure and, to be honest, dumb girl she was many years ago?

To say Metroid Other M has been pretty damaging to Samus character would put it lightly. At this point everything about that game should be forgotten and burried.

1: Not doing enough with (and for) the franchise

Source

Between Super Metroid and Metroid Prime were nearly 8 years and between Other M and Federation Force still 6 years. And if you count Metroid Prime 4 as the next ''true'' Metroid game then it's even more. As you can see Metroid has always been a series with ups and downs. Which is a huge shame considering the great potential it offers.
It's often said that Nintendo lacks appeal for more mature audiences. It even goes so far that some people love to suggest transitioning games like Zelda into a game for adults. I think a darker Zelda is always among the top of wishes when a new game in that series is announced.

What people tend to forget is that Nintendo already has a franchise with a dark atmosphere and the possibility for a deep story. And they just ignore it.

Even though there lies so much potential in the Metroid series. Not only in the mainline games, but also in spin-offs and merchandise. Of course Samus is no Mario, so seeing her go cart racing or having a nice Boardgame with Ridley would not fit into the tone of the series, but games like Federation Force, ill recieved as it was, prove that there are great possibilities for Spin-Off games in the series. And not only that. Metroid would be a great fit for adaptiation in a different Medium. Expanding the backstory of the galactic federation in a series would be interesting to see.

Generally speaking the lack of Metroid in all of Nintendos merchandise is just baffling. While you see Mario around every corner and each GameStop has at least two copies of Zelda Monopoly in store you're hard pressed to finde any trace of Samus outside her own games. And that is a damn shame.

Where do you think Nintendo dropped the Ball with Samus? What would you do differently? Let me know in the comments

and as always

thanks for reading

Top 5 Metroid Games

Metroid Fans didn't have it easy the last couple of years. The last real game in the series we got was 2010 Metroid: Other M, which was mechanicaly fine, but really put a dent into Samus image as badass bounty hunter. Or to say it bluntly. The Gameplay was good, but the story really sucked. Apart from that the only other Metroid Title, apart from Virtual Console releases of older games, was the universally lambasted Metroid Prime: Federation Force.

I've already talked lots about this game in the months leading up to its release. While it was an okayish game in the end, it was released (and announced) during the most unfavorable timeframe imaginable. But the failings of Other M and Federation Force aren't todays topic. Today we're going to focus on the good parts.

Like I said at the beginning the last couple of years haven't been easy for Metroid Fans. Luckily this changed during this years e3. Not only did we get the conformation that Metroid Prime 4 is in development for the Nintendo Switch, no we also get a classic 2D Metroid for the 3DS. Given it's only a remake of Samus first mobile adventure on the GameBoy, but it looks like it's greatly enhanced.

So to honor the return of the first female badass of video games I plan on focusing on the Metroid series this month. I won't dub September Metroid Month because I'm not sure if I'm going to repeat it next year (unless Metroid Prime 4 releases during that timeframe), but at least for this year the month of September will mostly be dedicated to Samus Aran.

And what better way to start this exciting Metroid Celebratin than with a list of the five best Metroid titles.

5: Metroid

Source

Every game which names a complete genre deserves a spot on such a list. Couple this feat with the introduction of a female protagonist (huge news at that time) and you have one of the most influantial games of all time. Metroid didn't only convince the Metroidvania genre, but also it got everything right about it on it's first try. Of course if you play it today you'll dearly miss some of the quality of life improvements implemented in later titles of the genre, but the building blocks are all there and function perfectly. A huge, hostile world that opens up piece by piece as you aquire new weapons and abilities. The feeling of isolation and lonelyness that defines Metroid.

Generally speaking the atmosphere is one of the strong points of this game. Of course it can't compare to later entries in the series, but if you compare it with other games of that time the first Metroid oozes atmosphere. The obvious inspiration the developers pulled from Alien is obvious, but if you take one Science-Fiction Movie as model, then there is nothing wrong with choosing one of the best and most iconic ones out there.

Also one thing I just have to mention when talking about the first Metroid is the fact that Samus is a women. Of course this is basic knowledge nowadays, but in 1986 (or 1987/88 in the US/Eu) this was still a huge revelation. Even more so because it was only revealed to the player after you beat the game in under five hours of playtime. A fact that further improved the replayability of the title.

Today the original Metroid may seem a little bit antiquated, but luckily Nintendo released an excellent remake for the GameBoy Advance, called Zero Mission. It contains the same game layout but improved the graphics by a lot and enhanced the backstory further. So if you want to experience the best version of the game I would recomment Zero Mission, but the original also still works today.

4: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Source

By the time the Wii was announced Retro Studios was already seen as a new Rare for Nintendo. And while the Austin,TX based developers weren't creating titles in the quantity that Rare did for the N64, they nailed the quality part. After shocking the world by taking Samus in a completely new direction with Metroid Prime they intended to end their trilogy with a bang. And what a bang it was. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption has his rightful place among the best games for the Nintendo Wii, even though it was released during the first year of the Wiis existance.

The amazing thing about this is that Corruption absolutely nailed motion control. It showed how a shooter had to work on the Wii. After games like the first Red Steel were pretty lackluster this was the first time that the Wii showed that Motion Controls could work outside of casual titles. The transition from Gamepad to Wii-Mote wasn't without hiccups. Complexity had to be reduced. For example, Corruption didn't offer different beam weapons anymore, but Retro managed to wipe away this flaw by doubling down on the core strengths of the Prime Series.

Metroid Prime 3 was designed to be the end of the Prime series and this is a fact that you at each corner. Everything feels bigger, more urgent and generally more important. For the first time in the series there is voice acting. Altough Samus herself remains silent. (A good decision as we have seen through Other M) This time she isn't saving one planet by herself, like in Prime and Prime 2, but working together with other bounty hunters and the galactic federation to save a whole star system and win a war.

And while the classic Metroid atmosphere is weakened by this, it still comes through. During your infiltration of the Space Pirate homeworld and especially on the G.F.S Valhalla, which is the closest the series has ever come to the Alien Movie franchise.

Generally speaking Corruption was a fitting end for a trilogy. On it's own it may be slightly weaker, but after playing through the other two Prime games it is the great ending for a great trilogy of games and a fitting fourth place on this list.

3: Metroid Fusion

Source

After 8 years Samus finally returned in full glory with this game. The time between Super Metroid in 1994 and the release of this title and Prime also wasn't easy for fans. The only appearance Samus had on the N64 was her role in Smash Bros.
So excitement for the first proper Metroid title in 8 years was pretty high. Even more so because it was developed by R&D 1 the original developers of the series.And still to this day it marks the final release in the series, chronologically speaking.

Like Other M Fusion offered on a more linear manner of exploring the space station and focused more on it's story. But unlike Other M here it worked. In many cases Other M often feels like a weaker version of Fusion. In both games you explore a space station with different biomes, but in Fusion the exploration, while still beeing guided, simply feels more natural.

Also we shouldn't forget about the hidden star of the game. The primary antoganist Samus-X or simply called SA-X. A doppelganger created when the X parasite infected Samus Varia suit. It is an enemy with all the same capabilities that Samus has at her prime, but noe of the moral concerns of a human. In other words it's a damn frightening bastard. And it's hunting you. The encounters you have with SA-X are among the most terryfying and intense moments I've experienced in Video Games so far. It let's you feel your utter helplessness. Something that is new for Samus. So far she had been the Hunter. And while there were many challenging encounters in her past, she was always powerful enough to handle them. But this time you're completely helpless. SA-X is you at your peak. Something that samus is far removed from during this game.

Metroid Fusion ranks among the best GameBoy Advance games and even though you may see it a the first step that lead to Other M this has nothing to do with the fact that Metroid Fusion is a great game and one of the best examples of the Metroidvania genre.

2: Super Metroid

Source

Talking about great examples from the Metroidvania genre. Her is the best one. It's no wonder that Super Metroid can often be found towards the top of best games of all time lists. Generally called the best SNES game by many the 23 years since its release in 1994 have done absolutely nothing to hurt this title. It's still as damn good as it was then.

During Metroids entry I said that the game got the concept of a great Metroidvania game right on it's first try. Well if the original Metroid introduced the concept then Super Metroid perfected it. I would go as far and say that even after 23 years this game is still the best of it's genre.

There are several factors at play to achieve that status. First and foremost it's Planet Zebes. The main base of Space Pirate operations is a beautifully crafted horrific world. It's dangerous and deadly around every corner. The enviroments are oozing with atmosphere and the great Sprite work secures that this is still as true today as it was in 1994. For me only one other game manages to create a better feeling of isolation and dread, while still maintaining a wish to explore every nook and crany of this alien world.

So Zebes is a dangeorus and hostile world, but luckily you're Samus Aran. I think this is the game that fully cemented Samus as one of the greatest female characters in gaming. And it did it without her uttering a single word. It did it fully through gameplay. The way Super Metroid allows you to approach the world and it's monsters. The tools it gives you to survive in this enviroment. All this forms Samus and how you see her. Even though she is alone on a world full of enemies she is fearless. Super Metroid shows Samus as what she is. The best Bounty Hunter in the Galaxy.

Now we have talked about the great gameworld Zebes and the great Character Samus, but don't worry I have saved the best for last. The Gameplay. And what more can I say except it's freaking great. During Fusions entry I said that the game focused on a more linear way of exploring the gameworld. Well Super Metroid is the complete opposite. Yes the world still opens up piece by piec via the acquisition of new power ups, but how you combined those pieces is completely up too you. That is one of the reasons why Super Metroid is still the Go-To game for speed running. The order in which you go for the necessary upgrades is a puzzle that you have to solve before even starting your run. Simply said Super Metroid is a game that you can play again and again and still find a new path.

1: Metroid Prime

Source

I said that only one game creates a better feeling of isolation and dread than Super Metroid. Well this is this game. When Metroid Prime came around it had been 8 years since the last proper Metroid Game. The series had been pretty dead up until then. With Metroid Fusion another classic Metroid was already in the makes for the Advance, but for the GameCube the series needed the next step. A new evolution. Luckily Nintendo found a small development company located in Austin,TX, which was wiling to take on the risk of guiding the franchise into the age of 3D. And the end result was not just good. It was good enough to spark an eternal war. Which is the better Metroid game? Super or Prime?

And while I would say that there is no right answer to this question for me it's pretty easy. I started with Prime and apart from Galaxy, The Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild no other game has been able to blow my mind like Prime did.

Atmosphere is a big part of the Metroid experience to me and no other titles does this better than Prime. The Planet of Talon IV is of of the greatest video game worlds of all time. A world that was annihilated by a catastrophic event many centuries ago. Forgotten by time and filled with hostile beasts. And Samus is completely alone.

The biggest part in creating such a perfect feeling of lonelyness is without a doubt the switch into first-person view. It made everything more intense. When you walk through the frozen wasteland of Phendrana Drifts, listening to the eerie music, it's easy to imagine yourself as the person looking through the visor. Metroid Prime is a game that further build Samus character because now you can imagine firsthand how she must feel.

But First-person view didn't only bring a dramatic increase in immersion and atmosphere, it also shook up the gameplay quite a bit. Of course the corner stones remained. The World gradually opens up piece by piece via the acquisition of new Power-Ups, but combat and and exploration got much more intense. Also with the introduction of different visors and beam types the battles gained a new strategy component.

Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. These two titles often get called the parents of 3D gaming because the showed how to perfectly transfer a 2D title into the three dimensional sphere. In that case I would call Metroid Prime the prodigial son. It's often overlooked, but just like the other two titles it is the perfect application of a great 2D concept in a 3D world. And now if you excuse me I think it's time to play through the Prime Trilogy on my Wii again.

Metroid is one of Nintendos most storied franchises. Sadly it often get's overshadowed by others. So tell me what great memories do you have of the series? What are your favourite games? Let me know in the comments.

And as always

Thanks for reading