February 2018 Game of the Month: Metroid

lilbud

This game was picked by @LiveFastCyYoung

Metroid

Developers: Nintendo R&D1,Intelligent Systems

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: NES

Despite having 4 hit games up until this point, Nintendo felt that they needed one more franchise to neglect. They created Metroid, a game shows that even Space Jellyfish are evil. Our hero, Samus Aran, fights the Space Pirates and their leader, Mother Brain. Exploration is done in a non-linear map with many twists and turns. This game sparked off an on-going but neglected franchise and a rabid fan base who will get angry at any period of time between releases, but enough about Earthbound. Lets get back to Metroid.

Relevant Links:

Manual

Now here is a link to the G.O.T.M Art Pack™. This includes custom box art for ES/Kodi or whatever you use. A launching image for the runcommand menu, and an Overlay for in game.

Game of the Month Challenge

The Achievement this month is It's a Girl. You must beat the game in under 5 hours to unlock the achievement and reveal Samus' identity.

obsidianspider

Great choice! I've never played this more than a few minutes, but it's a Classic that I've been meaning to give more time to.

lilbud

THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES ARE THE 2018 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

meleu

Yeah! I'll join this round, for sure!!!

A Former User

Been insanely busy at work this week but I’m giving a go at my first run this weekend.

meleu

Do you guys also feel like getting the Wave Beam (and leaving behind the Ice Beam) isn't a good thing?

obsidianspider

I've given this a few hours and still can't quite figure out what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm guessing it's a maze, but man, this is confusing.

lilbud

@obsidianspider Have you tried the GBA remake? Its better

obsidianspider

@lilbud I haven't yet, but I'll give it a shot.

mediamogul

@obsidianspider

You're witnessing the birth of a style of game design known as "Metroidvania". Although the Castlevania series wouldn't actually begin using this style until 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night', it's been a cornerstone of the Metroid series from the beginning. The lack of linear direction is supposed to evoke a sense of exploration and progression depends entirely on finding your way to the next power-up, that will in-turn help you move to the next power-up and so on.

'Metroid' is one of my all-time favorite NES titles, but the formula has indeed been favorably refined over the years and I imagine to newer eyes, this original game can seem a little rough around the edges. Arguably, the biggest improvement over time has been a map mechanic that doesn't betray the the core concept of the series, as it starts off blank and fills itself in as you explore, making it not only useful for retracing your steps, but also serving as yet another reward for your efforts.

lilbud

Super Metroid > Metroid

Discuss amongst yourselves

mediamogul

@lilbud

Overall, I believe you're right, but comparing the two is somewhat unfair. 'Super Metroid' benefits from almost a decade of experience in game design on Nintendo's part. The original broke ground on a whole subgenre of gaming and although certain elements would be improved, it still got everything right the first time out.

meleu

@lilbud said in February Game of the Month: Metroid:

@obsidianspider Have you tried the GBA remake? Its better

It would be cheating, wouldn't it? :)

Oh, talking about cheating, how about using a map? I'm using this one here:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/nes/519689-metroid/faqs/35362

lilbud

@meleu said in February Game of the Month: Metroid:

It would be cheating, wouldn't it? :)

My thread, My rules. If I want to break them, I can :)

obsidianspider

@lilbud Can I play the FDS version? ;)

lilbud

@obsidianspider If ya want

Triquick

@obsidianspider Check out some of the hacks on Rom Hacking https://www.romhacking.net/games/805/

There are a couple of enhancements to the original Metroid that provide a mini map, save (instead of the password system) updated sprites but keep the feel of the original release.

A Former User

Just had my first go around. Died once I reached Hideout I. Had the ice beam, long shot, 1 energy pack and had just got my second missile pack.

The only thing I’d change about this game is the slowdown. God it’s brutal when there are a couple enemies onscreen.

A Former User

Sometimes I feel like this game could have easily been called Metroid: Missile Management Simulation. Until you get 15 or so missile capacity, you are constantly juggling between having and not having enough to open red doors.

meleu

@livefastcyyoung you can get a bunch of them at Norfair. When you go down to Norfair with the elevator, go all the way to the right and then go up and enter the second door on the left. There are 3 missiles powerups there. ;-)