List of Metroid media

The cover boxes for all Metroid games released prior to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Metroid is a video game series published by Nintendo and primarily produced by the company's first-party developers, though second-party Fuse Games and third-party Team Ninja have also developed for the series. It debuted in Japan with Metroid (メトロイド, Metoroido^?) on August 6, 1986, and was later released in North America (August 1987) and PAL regions (August 1988). All Metroid video games have been developed exclusively for Nintendo video game consoles and handhelds, dating from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the current generation of video game consoles. The franchise consists of eleven video games, the latest of which is Metroid: Other M for the Wii. Comics and manga adaptations, and video game soundtracks released on audio CDs are also available.

The series revolves around Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy from the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of fictional organisms, especially the eponymous Metroids. The series' gameplay contains elements from shooter, platforming, and adventure games. It is known for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration. The 2D Metroid games are side-scrollers, and the 3D Metroid Prime series gives the player a first-person perspective, while Other M is a third-person shooter with the ability to switch to first-person view. Metroid is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises, with 14 million units sold, and all the games have received varying levels of critical acclaim.^[1]

Video games

Metroid series

Metroid Original release date(s): JP August 6, 1986[2] NA August 15, 1987[2] PAL January 15, 1988[3]	Release years by system: 1987 – Nintendo Entertainment System[3] 2004 – Game Boy Advance[4] 2007 – Virtual Console[5]
	Notes: First Metroid game Released in Japan for the Famicom Disk System, with a three-slot save system; internationally released as a Nintendo Entertainment System cartridge with a password system to continue progress.[1] Also an unlockable game by connecting Metroid Fusion to Metroid Prime using the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable,[6] or finishing Metroid: Zero Mission[7]
Metroid II: Return of Samus Original release date(s):[8] JP January 2, 1992 NA August 26, 1991 PAL May 21, 1992	Release years by system: 1991 – Game Boy[8] 2011 - 3DS Virtual Console[9]
	Notes: First handheld Metroid title Nintendo attempted to make a Game Boy Color version,[10] and considered a remake for the Game Boy Advance.[1]
Super Metroid Original release date(s):[11] JP March 19, 1994 NA April 18, 1994 PAL July 28, 1994	Release years by system: 1994 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System[11] 2007 – Virtual Console[5]
	Notes: Re-released for download over the Nintendo Power system in Japan[11]
Metroid Fusion Original release date(s):[12] JP February 14, 2003 NA November 17, 2002 PAL November 22, 2002	Release years by system: 2002 – Game Boy Advance[12] 2011 - 3DS Virtual Console[13][14]
	Notes: Japanese version had adjustable difficulty levels, international versions featured a single difficulty[15] Released simultaneously with Metroid Prime in North America
Metroid: Zero Mission Original release date(s):[16] JP May 27, 2004 NA February 9, 2004 PAL April 8, 2004	Release years by system: 2004 – Game Boy Advance[16]
	Notes: Remake of Metroid, with improved graphics, new gameplay features and areas to explore; also has the original game as an unlockable extra[17]
Metroid: Other M Original release date(s):[18] JP September 2, 2010 NA August 31, 2010 PAL September 3, 2010	Release years by system: 2010 – Wii[18]
	Notes: Developed by Team Ninja[18]

Metroid Prime series

Metroid Prime Original release date(s):[19] JP February 28, 2003 NA November 15, 2002 PAL March 21, 2003	Release years by system: 2002 – Nintendo GameCube[19] 2009 – Wii[20]
	Notes: First 3D game in the series[1] Gameplay tweaks were added to the PAL, Japanese and Player's Choice versions[21] Re-released for the Wii in the New Play Control! series of GameCube remakes in Japan and as part of Metroid Prime: Trilogy internationally[22]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Original release date(s):[23] NA November 15, 2004 PAL November 26, 2004 AU December 2, 2004 JP May 26, 2005	Release years by system: 2004 – GameCube[23] 2009 – Wii[20]
	Notes: First game in the series with a multiplayer mode[24] Re-released for the Wii in the New Play Control! series of GameCube remakes in Japan and as part of Metroid Prime: Trilogy internationally[22]
Metroid Prime Pinball Original release date(s):[25] NA October 24, 2005 AU December 1, 2005 JP January 19, 2006 PAL June 22, 2007	Release years by system: 2005 – Nintendo DS[25]
	Notes: Remake of Metroid Prime in pinball form[26] Bundled along with the Rumble Pak[27]
Metroid Prime Hunters Original release date(s):[28] NA March 20, 2006 PAL May 5, 2006 AU May 25, 2006 JP June 1, 2006	Release years by system: 2006 – Nintendo DS[28]
	Notes: Preceded by Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, a multiplayer demo included as a pack-in (now discontinued) with the DS launch in all regions except Japan[29] First game in the series with online multiplayer[30] First Nintendo DS game to allow voice chat between players over the internet[31]
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Original release date(s):[32] NA August 27, 2007 PAL October 26, 2007 AU November 8, 2007 JP March 6, 2008	Release years by system: 2007 – Wii[32]
	Notes: The first Metroid game for the Wii First game in the series to include a preview accessible online via a console[33]
Metroid Prime: Trilogy Original release date(s):[34] NA August 24, 2009 EU September 4, 2009 AU October 15, 2009	Release years by system: 2009 – Wii[35]
	Notes: Contains Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3, all with Wii Remote controls.[36]

Soundtracks

Title		Release date	Length	Label
Super Metroid – Sound in Action		June 22, 1994[37]	58:49	Sony Records
Notes: Features music from Metroid and Super Metroid, in addition to four rearranged Super Metroid tracks Metroid music composed by Hirokazu Tanaka[38] Super Metroid music composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano[39]
Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks		June 18, 2003[40]	2:12:00	Scitron
Notes: Two-CD set; each disc contains the soundtrack of one of the games Metroid Prime music composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma[41] Metroid Fusion music composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara[42]

Printed media

Comic books

Game	Company	Publisher	Release date
Metroid	Valiant Comics	Nintendo Comics System, Issue #2	July 1990[43]
Notes: Consists of three short stories across one issue, themed after, but not directly adapting the game:[44] The Coming of a Hero (2 pages), by George Caragonne, James Brock, Bob Layton, Jade, Kathryn Bolinger Metroid (1 page), by George Caragonne, Mickey Ritter, Jan Harpes, Jade Deceit Du Jour (10 pages), by Mark McClellan and Bill Vallely, Vince Mielcarek, Bob Layton, Jade, Joe Q and The Gradations
Super Metroid	Nintendo	Nintendo Power, Issues #57–61	February–May 1994[45]
Notes: Four part-adaptation of the game by Benimaru Itoh[46]
Metroid Prime	Dreamwave Productions	Nintendo Power, Issues #164–166	January–March 2003
Notes: Two-part adaptation of game[47] Written by Kato Li (script), Sigmund Torre (art, with one page by Pat Lee), Gary Yeung and Alan Wang (colors)

Manga

Game	Publisher	Release date
Metroid	Wanpakku Comics	1986
Notes: 195 page Manga/Strategy Guide, released only in Japan.[48]
Super Metroid	Shounen Oh Game Comic, Issue #1	August 1994
Notes: 18-page adaptation, consisting of comedic strips with four panels[49]
Metroid	Magazine Z	November 2003[50] - May 2004[51]
Notes: Two-volume manga, tells the backstory of Samus Aran, written by Kouji Tazawa (script) and Kenji Ishikawa (art).[50][51] The first two chapters of Volume 1 received an online version with color and sound effects.[52][53]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes	Comic Bom Bom	July 2005 – January 2006
Notes: Adaptation of the game, written by Hisashi Matsumoto across seven issues of the magazine[54]
Samus and Joey	Comic Bom Bom
Notes: 5 part manga involving the adventures of Samus Aran and a boy called Joey from a frontier planet [55]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} McLaughlin, Rus (August 15, 2007). "IGN Presents The History of Metroid". IGN. http://retro.ign.com/articles/815/815011p1.html. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Release Information for Metroid". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/metroid/release-info. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/nes/action/metroid/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
4. ^ "Classic NES Series: Metroid Company Line". GameSpot. August 18, 2004. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/famicomminimetroid/news.html?sid=6105190. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Casamassina, Matt (August 10, 2007). "Metroid Classics for Wii". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812102p1.html. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
6. ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (October 25, 2002). "Metroid Prime, Fusion connection revealed". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/metroidprime/news.html?sid=2895768. Retrieved April 10, 2007. 
7. ^ "Metroid Zero Mission Game Guide: Secrets". IGN. http://guides.ign.com/guides/566746/page_6.html. Retrieved January 13, 2008. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid II: Return of Samus Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gameboy/action/metroid2/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
9. ^ "任天堂の3DSバーチャルコンソールサイト" (in Japanese). Nintendo of Japan. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/eshop/vc/index.html. Retrieved 2011-11-02. 
10. ^ "The MDb Interviews Dan Owsen". The Metroid Database. http://www.metroid-database.com/index.php?g=features&p=owsen. Retrieved June 29, 2006. 
11. ^ ^{a b c} "Super Metroid Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/snes/action/supermetroid/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
12. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Fusion Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/metroidfusion/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
13. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (2011-07-29). "Nintendo's 3DS Ambassador Program: Behold Your Rewards". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/118/1184922p1.html. Retrieved 2011-08-20. 
14. ^ "Nintendo Power Vol. 271". Future. 2011-08-31. 
15. ^ "Hints and Secrets - Metroid Fusion". GameSpy. http://metroidrecon.planets.gamespy.com/metroid4/secrets.php. Retrieved January 27, 2009. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid: Zero Mission Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/metroidzeromission/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
17. ^ Lee, Justin (February 2, 2004). "Metroid Creator Talks Zero Mission". GameSpy. http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/metroidzm/. Retrieved February 16, 2009. 
18. ^ ^{a b c} McElroy, Justin (2009-06-02). "Team Ninja collaborating with Nintendo on Metroid Other M". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/team-ninja-collaborating-with-nintendo-on-metroid-other-m/. Retrieved 2009-06-02. 
19. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Prime Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/metroidprime/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
20. ^ ^{a b} Tanaka, John (October 2, 2008). "First Look: Wii de Asobu Pikmin". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/915/915529p1.html. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
21. ^ "Metroid Prime 2 EGM Afterthoughts". 1UP.com. November 30, 2004. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3136903. Retrieved February 11, 2008. 
22. ^ ^{a b} Tanaka, John (October 10, 2008). "First Look: Wii de Asobu Pikmin". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/915/915529p1.html. Retrieved January 25, 2009. 
23. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/metroidprime2/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008-. 
24. ^ Casamassina, Matt (November 11, 2004). "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes review". IGN. http://cube.ign.com/articles/565/565908p1.html. Retrieved November 16, 2008. 
25. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Prime Pinball Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/metroidprimepinball/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
26. ^ Harris, Craig (October 21, 2005). "Metroid Prime Pinball review". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/660/660466p1.html. Retrieved January 1, 2009. 
27. ^ Harris, Craig (August 22, 2005). "Metroid Pinball Rumbles". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/644/644175p1.html. Retrieved January 1, 2009. 
28. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Prime Hunters Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/dsmetroidprimehunters/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 16, 2008. 
29. ^ Harris, Craig (September 21, 2004). "Metroid a DS Pack-in". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/549/549979p1.html. Retrieved December 30, 2008. 
30. ^ The History of Metroid: Part 4. GameTrailers. July 7, 2007. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23700.html. Retrieved February 17, 2009. 
31. ^ Harris, Craig (February 9, 2006). "Metroid Gets Voice Chat". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687241p1.html. Retrieved February 17, 2008. 
32. ^ ^{a b} "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Release Summary". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/metroidprime2/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
33. ^ Lindemann, Jon (August 10, 2007). "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview On Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo World Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14207. Retrieved August 10, 2007. 
34. ^ "Metroid Prime Trilogy at Nintendo". Nintendo. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/7y8SXfbq4nlR_ZO15BY3yHdKL7erLAnk. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
35. ^ Balicki, Lukasz (2009-05-22). "Nintendo Announces Metroid Prime Trilogy". Nintendo World Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18491. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
36. ^ "IGN: Metroid Prime Trilogy Preview". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/985/985793p2.html. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
37. ^ "Super Metroid – Sound in Action". Play-Asia. http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-nj-49-jp-70-j7r.html. Retrieved January 5, 2009. 
38. ^ Nintendo R&D1. Metroid. (Nintendo). Nintendo Entertainment System. (August 6, 1986)
39. ^ Nintendo R&D1. Super Metroid. (Nintendo). Super Nintendo Entertainment System. (March 19, 1994)
40. ^ "Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks". CD Japan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SCDC-276. Retrieved February 28, 2009. 
41. ^ Retro Studios. Metroid Prime. (Nintendo). GameCube. (November 15, 2002)
42. ^ Nintendo R&D1. Metroid Fusion. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (November 15, 2002)
43. ^ "Nintendo Comics System Comic Books". Valiant Comics. http://www.valiantcomics.com/Valiant/title.asp?tc=ovncs&u=4. Retrieved February 17, 2009. 
44. ^ "Metroid Checklist". Valiant Comics. http://www.valiantcomics.com/valiant/nintendo/pag/lismet.html. Retrieved February 1, 2009. 
45. ^ Itoh, Benimaru (February–May 2004). "Super Metroid". Nintendo Power (57–61). ISSN 1041-9551. http://www.metroid-database.com/reader.php?d=sm/np_comics. 
46. ^ Oxford, Nadia (September 30, 2004). "Funny Pages: Games as Comics, Past and Present". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3135108. Retrieved January 25, 2009. 
47. ^ "Metroid Prime". Nintendo Power (Dreamwave Productions) (164–167). January–March 2003. ISSN 1041-9551. http://www.metroid-database.com/index.php?g=mp&p=comics. 
48. ^ Metroid (メトロイド). Wanpakku Comics. 1986. http://www.metroid-database.com/?g=m1&p=manga. 
49. ^ "Super Metroid (スーパーメトロイド)". Shounen Oh Game Comic. Shounen Oh Comics (Kobunsha). August 1994. http://www.metroid-database.com/reader.php?d=sm/manga/english&m=m. 
50. ^ ^{a b} "Part 1" (in Japanese). Kodansha. http://shop.kodansha.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3491722. Retrieved February 4, 2009. 
51. ^ ^{a b} "Part 2" (in Japanese). Kodansha. http://shop.kodansha.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3491439. Retrieved February 1, 2009. 
52. ^ "Part 1" (in Japanese). Kodansha. http://kodansha.cplaza.ne.jp/e-manga/club/manga/metroid/vol01. Retrieved February 4, 2009. 
53. ^ "Part 2" (in Japanese). Kodansha. http://kodansha.cplaza.ne.jp/e-manga/club/manga/metroid/vol01. Retrieved December 23, 2008. 
54. ^ "Metroid Prime (メトロイド プライム)". Comic Bom Bom (Kodansha). July 2005 – January 2006. OCLC 38107748. http://www.metroid-database.com/index.php?g=mp2&p=manga. 
55. ^ url=http://www.metroid-database.com/manga/listing.php?vid=7

External links

• Official Metroid website