User Reviews (1 - 11 of 155)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

All the fun of "Super Metroid" with great GBA advancements

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 25 / 27
Date: November 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The famed 'Metroid' series really hit its stride with the release of "Super Metroid" for the Super NES platform. It did away with the monotony of "Metroid II" and enhanced the gameplay and environment of the original "Metroid". The puzzles and challenges presented by this version captivated all kinds of gamers. It re-hashed the original story and gave it some extra kick. New weapons and abilities were introduced, as were more complex storylines. Having never played any of the 'Metroid' games before this one, it was quite a spectacular introduction.

Now, fast foward a few years. Knowing that the new GameBoy Advance System is making quite a profit out of porting old Super NES games for handheld, I was interested to see if Nintendo was going to put "Super Metroid" on the GBA. Well, they did, sort of. The game that ended up being developed for GBA was called "Metroid Fusion" and it resembles "Super Metroid" in many ways. However, there are several distinctions. For starters, this takes place AFTER "Super Metroid" and adds a new wrinkle to story by creating a new nemesis called 'parasite X' which was able to procreate after our hero, Samus, wiped out all of the Metroids on SR 388. This parasite is a menace to the entire universe and all traces of it on SR 388 and the orbital research lab must be destroyed. "... Fusion" takes place entirely aboard the orbital research lab and employs most of the same gameplay that "Super Metroid" did. It's still a side-scroller and it presents many of the same obstacles of its predecessor. There are numerous different types of doors that are sealed and unable to be accessed unless certain criteria are met. There are other access points and hidden entries that can only be discovered if you have the right weapons or know where to look. In addition, throughout the game, there are several different bosses Samus must defeat in order recover certain powers.

It's hard to truly describe how satisfying this game really is. You really need to play it yourself to see first hand. Rest assured, though. If you liked "Super Metroid", you're going to love this game.

4.5 stars - A solid entry in the Metroid series

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 13
Date: May 16, 2004
Author: Amazon User

See you next mission. Those were the words that video gamers got when they had finally completed 1994's Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo gaming console. Gamers were continually wondering just when that next mission would be. For years and years they waited... It took eight long years for the so-called "next mission" to arrive, but in late 2002, two new Metroid games were released. Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance, which would continue the side-scrolling action/exploration stylings of Super Metroid, and Metroid Prime for the Gamecube, which would bring the series into the twenty-first century, with a full 3D adventure. Read on for my review of Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance.

-IF YOU LIKED SUPER METROID, YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE THIS GAME. Super Metroid was the game that was the perfect fusion of action and exploration, and that won many a gamer over almost instantly. Metroid Fusion is likely to do the game. The game plays just like its old Super Nintendo counterpart.
-ALL THE CLASSIC ABILITIES YOU KNOW AND LOVE ARE BACK. The Wave Beam, Varia Suit, Gravity Suit, Morphing Ball, Bombs, and Plasma Beam have all returned for your gaming pleasure.
-IT'S ONE OF THE FEW METROID GAMES THAT HEAVILY EMPHASIZES THE STORYLINE THROUGH AND THROUGH - AND IT HAS A GOOD STORYLINE! Samus had finished eradicating a species of parasites called the X, or so she thought. One infected her suit, nearly killing her. Fortunately, she was saved through the usage of a Metroid-based vaccine. The X multiplied in a research-based space station, and now Samus must stop them once and for all. It's one of the best storylines in the series, and it is continually explored through the course of the game.
-THE GAME IS COMPATIBLE WITH METROID PRIME. If you use a GCN/GBA link cable, you can unlock special features, provided you have beaten one of the games. Beat Fusion and do this, and you unlock the original NES Metroid in Metroid Prime. Beat Prime and do this, and you'll unlock a new costume for Samus in Prime. Cool stuff.
-TONS OF HIDDEN STUFF. Like the previous Metroid games, this one has a good deal of things hidden through the layout of the space station - you'll need to find them all if you want to get a hundred percent rating when you complete the game.

CONS:
-THE PLAY CONTROL FALLS BELOW THE USUAL SERIES STANDARDS. You must hold down the R button to fire your missiles, and use the L button to aim diagonally. If you've got big hands like me, using the Game Boy Advance's shoulder buttons can be nightmarish. Still, this probably won't bother you much once you get into the game.
-THE GAME IS JUST TOO SHORT AND EASY. I completed the game initially in under four hours - and I didn't even need a player guide or an FAQ/walkthrough. If you go into battles fully armed, you're not going to have a lot of trouble winning. A few fights will challenge you, but for the most part you probably won't have a lot of trouble. Another thing that makes the game too easy is its linear nature. The game is essentially "holding your hand" all the way through, with computer stations offering you advice on how to win.

OVERALL:
Overall, this is not a perfect game, and it's not as good as Super Metroid (it's doubtful the series will ever top THAT masterpiece.) But nonetheless, Fusion is a solid entry in an excellent series, and if you're a Game Boy Advance owner who likes games of this sort, you'll be doing yourself a real favor by purchasing it.

Stellar, a true return to form for Samus Aran

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: May 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

After an abnormally long wait and rumors that were flying about, Samus Aran finally returns, this time on the Gameboy Advanced in the game "Metroid Fusion." All the original creators of the series are back to bring you the next chapter of the Metroid saga.

And boy, did they succeed. What an involving game. The storyline is pretty good (Samus getting infected by the X-Parasite and must destroy it while dealing with the parasite's fusion to her) and the graphics are actually outstanding. It's not perfect, but they brought back the original style of "Super Metroid." They also improved the wall jump. The world map is a little more linear than Super Metroid, but so what? It's good nonetheless.

Looking at the reviews on Amazon, I cannot believe how much Prime is regarded over this. Fusion may not hold a candle to many of the classics, but considering today's video game market being dominated by ultra-cool graphics and cinema scenes, THIS GAME IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. If anything, this proves that an old school game can survive in this day and age. Gamers tend to forget the reason why games are awesome in the first place: GAMEPLAY. This game has it.

If you have a Game Boy Advanced, I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU PICK THIS UP. This has classic written all over it and you should not be without this game, especially if you are a fan of the series. This is a worthy sequel to Super Metroid. So what are you waiting for?!

Not the Super Metroid I was wanting, but comes close.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: January 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I'll level with you... this game is fun. It's got style, and a story line that doesn't quit. But do I feel it's on par with it predesessors?

Let me answer that by saying this:

1. The animated story sequences improve the game by a long shot, and it's needed for the Game Boy Advance's small screen. However some of these animated sequences I found to be annoying, especially when the computer just simply HAS to tell you what to do next. Don't go into this game thinking it's Super Metroid (SM), because it's not. There is no free exploration, at least not in the sense of SM. The computer tells you to enter certain areas and in doing so limits you from entering other areas by locking doors respectively.

2. The map layout is not on par. It's structure is very simple. At first all the different sections are distinctly seperated and not connected, although very late in the game they do become connected, but those passages are a nuisance when compared to anything in SM. Also the level layouts are not as advanced as SM. The puzzles are simpler, and not as much thought has been put into some of the redundant passageways. I must admit a few of the puzzles are tricky, but overall they don't conjure up as much problem solving.

3. The X. The X have replaced the normal health replenishment from earlier games. Anytime you defeat an enemy you must chase down your powerups to regain health. It can be annoying, but it's cool to see the X taking over parts of the ship. When you come back to that part of the ship later, you discover some have metamorphosed into bigger badder creatures. My own feeling is that the X was only created to make the elusive character SA-X, a clone of your character from SM (w/same suit!). It is VERY COOL to see SA-X romping around and you almost blundering right into it. I can recall at one point where I was dangling from a ledge being very quite and motionless, as SA-X was walking below me searching... listening... wanting to destroy something! It was awesome.

4. The bosses are pretty good. Although none are as rememberable as earlier incarnations of Metroid, or Super Metroid. The coolest boss that comes to my mind was the Gravity Phantom. Your missiles at one point literally get dragged to the floor. But besides that boss most are just generic unoriginal rehash. But their strategies on defeating them aren't bad, mind you. And another point, Metroid Fusion regurgitates a boss in this game. The second time around this boss is very annoying, and challenging. Well challenging isn't the right word. But you will need a lot of patience for the boss the second time around, let me just say it involves timing of your missiles and/or plasma wave beam.

My overall feeling? Well I'm glad I played the game.. it WAS fun. But it does not have the replay value such as that of a classic. I could see myself playing this game again in another year. But beyond that, I wouldn't bother with it. Oh and surprise surprise..... If this game is about the X, then why don't they call it X Fusion? (Of course it's the name of the series, but..) Well I'll just end this with: The Metroids are back again, albeit late in the game. ...

One superior game!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: July 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The problem with so many games for the Game Boy Advance is that they are repackaged SNES games. Metroid Fusion is a completely new sequel to Super Metroid. The graphics for this handheld game are simply amazing. Very few games look THIS good. You can even see Samus's new organic suit pulsate when she stands still if you look really closely. Not only that but it looks good while sounding equally good. The music is rich and there are no lack of sound effects. The story is the best by far. While you hunt the X virus cores your old X-infected suit (at full power) hunts you and your ship's compter is busily betraying you to your own government to help them keep a dirty secret about the space station. Many have complained that the computer giving out missions makes the game too linear and easy. Don't believe them! While this game is more focused, there is still plenty of exploration between mission rooms other than the objectives. Also to note, yes you can "beat" the game within 5 hours the first time through, but to get the best ending requires a complete mastery of the game which will take many many trips through and require you to explore every corner of the space station. And this station is so beautiful, mysterious, and interesting that it begs to be explored. Overall, this is one of the best games for the Game Boy Advance.

A furious button basher!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

'm not really that familiar with the Metroid series. The only other one I have ever played so far is Metroid Pinball, so I'm totally not clued-up on the original that appeared on the NES back in 1986. But I did go for this one because I heard that the original Turrican game was based partly on Metroid.

And while the similarities are plentiful this is still a great game in it's own right. Old-fashioned 2D platformers are always brilliant and it's one of my fave genres. Fusion involves lots of running around in a huge, abandoned space-station, visiting my departments and sub-departments, blasting away at alien scum and trying to figure out what happened to everyone. The level designs are awesome, with loads of hidden extras and secret passageways. You'll still be able to memorise your way around though.

The graphics and sound effects are dead cool but the generic music is a bit of a let-down. Some of the bosses are unbelievably hard and you'll end up having to stop yourself from smashing your Nintendo against the wall. Fight the urge, there is always a way, always a pattern to follow to kill them. But it's finding the courage to face it for the 86th time that really matters.

Definitely one of the best games on the GBA, but perhaps a bit too short. I would have liked to have kept going and gaining more and more and MORE power-ups. But hey, it's still worth the money.

Graphics A
Sound B
Gameplay A-
Lasting Appeal B+

A new cast of enemies, new plot, good Metroid fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: November 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

For those who have not played a Metroid before, it's a side scrolling sci-fi adventure that takes you through an incredible world and the way you get through this world is with your gun that can be powered up by missiles, charges and bombs. For those who have played a Metroid game before, Samus (Metroid's heroine) has been infected by a parasite. A parasite that has now infected everything onboard a space lab! A lab is not exactly a world; in fact it is blatantly divided into eight levels. Samus is lucky though, because she is already infected, so every mutated monster that she reverts to its normal self (by shooting it), the parasite leaves the body, where Samus can catch the parasite for energy or a replenishment of missiles, but if she does not, the parasite can fly around to find another creature to mutate. Basically enemies can indeed come back to life. There are an entirely new cast of enemies, monsters and bosses, but the most interesting enemy is a clone of Samus that follows just a step behind! The game is very straight forward, there are many features for Gameboy Advance, such as save points are everywhere, there are places to fill up your energy all the way, and everything is easy to find because of navigation rooms that make a map and mark where you should go, so that way it keeps the game moving forward. Its great Metroid fun with an entirely new cast of enemies, a new mission, blatant levels of the game, but still with Metroid secrets.

Metroid and Samus... Any Question?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: December 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Every once in a while, a game comes along, which redefines very essence of gaming and sets a standard for all other games to follow. It could be graphic, game play, music, innovation, originality, and experience. When I play a game, the most important factor I see and cherish ultimately comes down to experience. I can pick only three games; Ico, the masterpiece which shouldn¡¯t be missed by anyone, and Metal Gear Solid, another masterpiece where everything was masterfully controlled. Lastly, I pick Super Metroid for SNES, which literally made me cry for 3 hours, and almost, almost made me to determine to never play video game again back in college years. So you see how much I¡¯ve been anticipating for true sequel of Metroid. Now the question is does this fourth ¡®true¡¯ sequel of Metroid lives up to its legacy? Now just finishing Metroid Fusion for the first time (you will get goosebump all over when you hear that classic Metroid title music, SERIOUSLY). I can¡¯t help but being immersed in this world of, you tell me, like world of exceedingly wonderful mood-

This very sequel, Metroid Fusion, will mesmerize you with the time-tested foundation of previous Metroid games with enhancement on every aspect. Graphic looks so vibrant and vivid that you will literally go WOW, seriously. Music wise, I would say they sort of took out that out-in-the-space atmosphere more and inserted more of movie score like, making it feel like more of movie. You know, that¡¯s true because previous Metroid games had almost one objective, like destroy the Space Pirate, or exterminate Metroid, and that was it. However, Metroid Fusion contains many objectives, as part of story line, and yet they don¡¯t feel like an individual objective, which would cut the flow of story, but it makes it like a well-made movie. You know, that was really nice addition because not only you are playing this classic of classics with all the great element intact but also with great story line like a sci-fi movie. Really, you will see what I mean. There¡¯s this one aspect, a great aspect of the game which will be revealed toward the end of the game, which elevate this already a great game into something good enough to compete with games like Ico and Metal Gear Solid.

You know, I can¡¯t help but to make a comparison with this recent game, Castlevania :H of D for GBA. Actually Castlevania implemented the concept from Metroid starting from PS version, Symphony of the Night (or may be back in NES time), which forces you to obtain certain item in order to proceed to next area. Not only Metroid Fusion kept that tradition, but also they threw in lot of secret passages. Seriously, as I was playing, I got really stuck and thought of it as bug. But there is always way to get out and proceed with the game. One thing I sort of didn¡¯t like about Navigation Room was that it does somehow take away that full sense of exploration since it literally tells you where to go, unlike Castlevania. Ok, going back to the comparison, without a doubt, the Metroid Fusion really shines compares to Castlevania: H of D when it comes to boss fight. Yes, in Castlevania, boss fight wasn¡¯t that hard because you literally have countless potion to heal yourself. However, in Metroid Fusion, you will have to either defeat them or you will be defeated. This really distinguishes Metroid Fusion apart from rest of games out there because you will have to really try hard, not only just trying hard but also maneuver Samus quickly and cleverly. You can¡¯t just beat the boss by jumping and shooting some missiles without putting any thought into it, you will actually have to decide your move carefully. You see, in previous Metroid games, when you have, let¡¯s say, 8 Energy tanks, you are like undefeated, right? THAT¡¯S SO WRONG in Metroid Fusion because trust me, even if you have 10 Energy Tanks, the way they balanced your health/energy point is almost insane, one hit will take away more than half of your whole energy tank, not just boss but also regular enemies. So there¡¯s this constant tension, even if you are walking with 10 Energy tanks with 150 missiles because just ¡®mere¡¯ enemies can inflict tremendous damages, mark my word.

The very first game I played for Nintendo was Metroid, and it really showed me what an excellent video game is all about. After defeating that Mother Brain, and evacuating the planet within limited time to see ¡®another¡¯ Samus, it gave me this sense of ¡®fulfillment¡¯. When I finished Metroid 2 for GBC (I personally consider Metroid 2 as the best GBC game along with Zelda DX), I was left with this sense of ¡®completeness¡¯ with brilliance of Metroid game. When I finished Super Metroid, I was crying like a baby for 3 hours (seriously, you gotta play for yourself to really ¡®experience¡¯ the experience) with sense of ¡®Emotion¡¯. Now, you have Metroid Fusion, which will give you the sense of fulfillment, completeness, and ultimately emotion.

Like this one review of Metroid 2 said, ¡°IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE BRILLIANCE OF NINTENDO, PLAY METROID"

DON¡¯T MISS IT. REALLY.

Awesome for a linear game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: April 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is my fourth GBA game (first Metroid game), and it's the best one in my collection.
The graphics are okay. The background, cutscenes are in great detail. Samus herself is one of the worse ones, but you can't expect too much in a small screen like that.
The gameplay is great compared with my other games, but you have to collect all your powerups BEFORE your last mission, or your CO will lock all the sectors up. It's also a bit short than what I had expected, but the variety of arsenals and suits you can get makes up for it.
The controls get annoying at times (esp. space jumping), and for some of the boss battles and puzzles you'll have to need pixel-perfect movements to win or achieve.
The sound effects are great, but the music is not. You would usually like to turn the volume to zero, as it's dodgy.
As the powerups are just too well-hidden, and that there are five endings, there is high replay value. I only got a 51% completion for the first time, and it's not with a help of a walkthrough did I get 100%.

Graphics 16/20
Gameplay 36/40
Control 10/15
Sound 7/10
Replay Value 13/15

Total 82/100

Metroid 4

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: November 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is the fourth metroid game that followed the highly acclaimed super metroid. This was my first metroid game and I was very pleased. The game has great level design, grapics are fantastic, and the sound isn't bad. There were some pretty difficult puzzles, a lot of secret passages that get very annoying and the whole game takes place on a space lab. But the levels vary dramaticaly, from arctic habitats to volcanic, giving variation. There's the find a new weapon, backtrack use it, and advance sort of pattern. It's about every time you defeat one of the many bosses that you get an awesome powerup, like stronger weapons; plasma beam, space jump, etc. The bosses are huge, and the graphics are amazing. But the main problem with this game was that it was short. All good things have to end right? But it took me 6-8 hours first time through, it recorded 4:30 but it doesn't count the superb cutscenes, map, pause, etc. I'm pretty much now a metroid fan, this will please anyone willing to pay for quality, but don't expect a very long adventure.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions