Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Metroid builds on the hallmarks of the Metroid series with a sprawling, interconnected world that encourages exploration and experimentation. From the moment Samus Aran lands on Zebes, you’re given the freedom to chart your own course through caverns, ancient ruins, and high-tech corridors. There’s no rigid level progression—each ability and weapon you discover opens new doors, literally and figuratively, and backtracking with fresh powers reveals hidden shortcuts and secret rooms.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Item and ability progression is at the heart of the experience. Early on you’ll find missile expansions and the Morph Ball, allowing you to roll through tight passages. Later upgrades like the Grapple Beam, High Jump Boots, and the Varia and Gravity Suits transform previously impassable areas into thoroughfares. These power-ups not only ramp up your mobility and firepower but also serve as keys to unlock the non-linear puzzle of Zebes’s geography.

Combat is tightly balanced around resource management. Enemies respawn when you leave and re-enter rooms, so conserving missiles and managing your health tanks adds tension to every encounter. Boss battles—ranging from giant space worms to the cunning Ridley—test your mastery of movement and shooting mechanics, often rewarding exploration with new tactics or hidden missile caches.

Hidden passages are everywhere, often revealed only by firing at suspicious walls or experimenting with bombs in the Morph Ball form. Finding these secrets feels like uncovering a personal achievement, and they’re frequently packed with energy tanks or rare weapon upgrades that ease the challenge of Zebes’s more brutal gauntlets.

Graphics

Despite its 16-bit roots, Super Metroid’s visuals remain breathtakingly atmospheric. The game uses layered parallax backgrounds to convey depth and scale—soaring ceilings, distant lava flows, and shadowed alcoves all contribute to a sense of an ancient, living world. Each region of Zebes, from the moss-covered chambers of Brinstar to the molten caverns of Norfair, boasts a distinct color palette that instantly communicates danger or mystery.

Character and enemy sprites are finely detailed, with smooth animations that bring alien fauna to life. When Samus morphs into the Morph Ball or fires her charged Plasma Beam, the crisp pixel work and subtle particle effects reinforce the power and precision of her suit’s technology. Even minor enemies display visual flair, leaving behind weapon and health pick-ups that glint in the darkness.

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood. Flickering torches, glowing flora, and the pulsating core of Mother Brain’s lair evoke a sense of isolation and suspense. Transitions between bright, open caverns and claustrophobic tunnels are seamless, maintaining the game’s immersive flow without jarring load screens or abrupt cut-aways.

Overall, Super Metroid’s graphics stand the test of time, demonstrating how a limited color palette and carefully designed environments can create an epic, cinematic feel that draws players deep into Zebes’s mysteries.

Story

Super Metroid picks up immediately after the events of Metroid II. Having eradicated the Metroid threat on the SR-388 colony, Samus brings the lone Metroid larva to a research station with hopes of harnessing its unique energy for good. The premise is simple, yet it sets off a chain of tense, wordless storytelling punctuated by atmospheric cutscenes.

Disaster strikes almost instantly when a menacing dragon—later revealed as Ridley—raids the station, slaughters the researchers, kidnaps the larva, and escapes to the planet Zebes. From that moment, the game’s sparse narrative unfolds through environmental clues: blood-soaked corridors, echoes of alarms, and the distant droning of creatures lurking beyond closed doors. You piece together the tragedy without lengthy exposition, which heightens the sense of immersion.

While dialogue is minimal, Emile theme tracks and brief cinematic interludes bookend key moments, such as Samus’s reunion with the Metroid larva and the climactic confrontation with Mother Brain. The emotional resonance comes from seeing Samus’s stoic determination juxtaposed with the helpless vulnerability of the baby Metroid, making every step deeper into Zebes feel personal.

This pared-down approach to storytelling ensures that every discovery—whether a new power-up or a hidden log—carries weight. You aren’t just collecting upgrades; you’re reclaiming a stolen creature and unraveling the fate of those who came before you.

Overall Experience

Super Metroid remains a genre-defining experience that set the standard for “Metroidvania” games for decades to come. Its seamless blend of exploration, action, and environmental storytelling creates a level of engagement that few titles have matched. From the first scan of the map to the final showdown, the pacing is expertly tuned, alternating tense combat with moments of quiet discovery.

The replay value is immense. Speedrunners exploit sequence breaks to shave minutes off their time, while completionists hunt down every hidden item and secret passage. Newcomers will appreciate the intuitive map system, which logs visited rooms and marks unexplored corridors, guiding you gently without holding your hand.

Every element—gameplay, graphics, sound design, and story—works in concert to deliver an immersive journey. The haunting soundtrack underscores Samus’s isolation, while the challenge curve ensures that each new ability brings fresh thrills. Even now, playing Super Metroid feels like uncovering a hidden classic rather than revisiting an old favorite.

For anyone seeking a richly crafted, atmospheric platformer that rewards curiosity and skill, Super Metroid remains an essential purchase. Whether you’re drawn by its pioneering design or its timeless exploration mechanics, Zebes awaits with secrets that still captivate after all these years.

Retro Replay Score

8.8/10