Five years ago today, Samus Aran returned to remind us why Metroid is still one of Nintendo’s greatest franchises.
Released on 08 October 2021, Metroid Dread brought the series back to its side-scrolling roots, combining classic exploration with modern visuals, slick combat, and the relentless pursuit of the E.M.M.I. robots.
I was lucky enough to get the special edition with the game, a limited steelbook, artbook, and game cards from a friend shortly after release, and it’s a great addition to the collection.
But for all the improvements in graphics, gameplay, and technology, nothing will ever quite match the thrill of playing the original Metroid on the NES. Exploring Zebes, getting hopelessly lost, discovering new abilities, and slowly figuring out where the hell I was supposed to go next. That was something special.
Metroid Dread was a great return to form, but the original NES adventure still holds the crown for me.
Behind Nintendo’s gold seal stood a lockout chip, restrictive contracts, and a legal department ready to fight. The story of the publishers, retailers, and players who pushed back.