Metroid secretly has one of the most confusing timelines in video games, and the confusion stems from the fact that Metroid games didn’t come out chronologically. Trying to navigate the Metroid series timeline is almost as difficult as navigating Zebes without missiles. Luckily, we’re here to provide you with the definitive order of the Metroid series timeline.
Related: All Metroid games, in order of release
The Metroid series in chronological order
Metroid/Mission Zero
Image via Den of Geek
Fortunately, the first Metroid game is also the first game chronologically. The original NES Metroid details Samus’ initial search for the planet Zebes to stop the Space Pirates from using the parasitic organisms known as Metroids to conquer the galaxy. The first Metroid featured all of the franchise’s major concepts and introduced the franchise’s main characters such as Samus, Ridley, and Mother Brain.
The manga adaptation of the original Metroid covers Samus’ backstory, revealing that she was the sole survivor of a space pirate attack on her colony, led by the dragon-like alien Ridley. Metroid Zero Mission is a remake of the original Metroid on GameBoy Advance and incorporates new story content beyond the original Metroid endpoint.
metroid primer
Gamepur screenshot
Metroid Prime was released after Metroid II and Super Metroid, but since Super ends with the apparent destruction of the last Metroid, the entire Prime series takes place before Metroid II. The story of the first Prime game tells the story of Samus chasing the Space Pirates and Ridley to the mysterious Tallon IV, where strange experiments are taking place. She discovers a mutagenic substance called Phazon and encounters the dangerous creature Metroid Prime.
Metroid Headhunters
Picture via Nintendo
Metroid Prime Hunters is a spin-off title from the mainline Prime series and was released for the original Nintendo DS. In Hunters, Samus battles six other bounty hunters to investigate a telepathic message on various planets. Hunters introduced several new bounty hunters to the series, including Sylux, and was the first game to establish online multiplayer.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Picture via Nintendo
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes picks up where the first Prime game left off, with Samus now traveling to a mysterious new planet called Arther. In Aether, there is a mirror version of the planet called Dark Aether, where Samus faces hideous creatures called Ing. She also encounters more Phazon energy, enemy space pirates, and her enigmatic clone called Dark Samus.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Picture via Nintendo
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption concludes the original Prime trilogy, with Samus facing off against her evil doppelganger, Dark Samus, for the final time. The Phazon corruption has spread to multiple planets and Samus is infected with a Phazon disease. He must battle his evil doppelganger, the Space Pirates, Ridley, and other corrupt bounty hunters to end the Metroid Prime menace once and for all.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Picture via Nintendo
The Galactic Federation Force directs the military organization within the Metroid universe, often monitoring other planets and ensuring the security of the universe. Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a multiplayer first-person shooter featuring the members of the Federation instead of Samus herself. The title takes place after Samus eradicates the Phazon mutagen from the galaxy.
Metroid II: Return of Samus/Return of Samus
Picture via Nintendo
The Federation has decided to end the Metroid threat by sending bounty hunter Samus Aran to the Metroid homeworld of SR388 and eradicating the entire species. Metroid II: Return of Samus covers Samus’ adventure on SR388 and her attempts to locate all Metroids on the planet. The 3DS remake of Samus Returns adds more story elements, including video diaries covering the creation of Metroid and a final boss fight with Ridley.
super metroid
Image via Wikitroid
Super Metroid picks up right where Metroid II leaves off, with Samus sparing a baby Metroid and taking him to the Federation for safekeeping. The last Metroid is quickly kidnapped by Ridley and the Space Pirates, forcing Samus to pursue them in order to save the Metroid and protect the galaxy.
Metroid: Otro M
Picture via Nintendo
Metroid: Other M follows the events of Super Metroid, with the shadow of the baby Metroid’s death hanging over Samus’ mind. The Galactic Federation sends Samus to investigate a space station. At the train station, he meets his former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich, and a strange little creature who transforms into the reborn Ridley. There is also a mysterious scientist at the station, who has his own agenda.
Metroid Fusion
Image via naswinger on YouTube
Metroid Fusion picks up where Super Metroid left off, but takes place after Other Mr. Samus contracts a parasitic organism known as X, turning her into an alien-human fusion. Metroids were the only organisms capable of subduing X, but without Metroids, X can now thrive and spread its infection throughout the galaxy. X begins to spread on a Federation space station, and Samus is the only one who can stop the infestation.
Metroid Terror
Gamepur screenshot
Metroid Dread is a spiritual successor to Super Metroid, and the story picks up where Samus Returns and Metroid Fusion left off. Samus is sent to the planet called ZDR to investigate the reappearance of Parasite X. On ZDR, she encounters robots called EMMI, who have been reprogrammed to see her as hostile and track her across the planet. He also encounters a malevolent being known as Raven Beak, which is the same species of bird that raised Samus after her parents died.
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