Super Metroid (Super Nintendo) Second Opinion Review

Sprite-based games hold up graphically much better than polygonal and, as a result, the single modern negative of this game is pretty easily forgiven. Everything is clear and clean, and doesn't look much worse than any platformer on 3DS or PS Vita. With the one negative out of the way, allow the merits to be explained.

First, the atmosphere in Super Metroid is rarely reproduced in other games; the feeling of isolation is ever-present. The settings range from fiery lava areas to green jungles, and the player feels it all. From the plants and grasses of the Brinstar jungle, to the near instant death of Norfair's lava until the right suit is acquired, there is a general atmosphere that really takes hold.

The musical score is so popular and good that it has entire followings that produce remixes of fairly skilled production. Considering this was on the SNES, the music is still a pleasure to listen to even now; for example, the track "Brinstar - Red Soil Swampy Area" captures the feeling of a jungle world with dark, dangerous wonder.

One thing Super Metroid introduced, which was a huge boon, was an auto-map feature, along with save points scattered everywhere. It was not the nightmare of the original that essentially had to be beaten in one go, and the long slog gives the feeling of how epic of a journey this is. The map is good for beginners, while it doesn't show secret areas that some of the more hardcore fans will spend a long time finding.

The growth from a weak character to this super charged one is a very good progression. There is little story per se in terms of dialogue or text, but the feeling of it still gives a 'story' of wonder, creating questions as to how the original space station was destroyed and whether the ancient ship on the planet was related. Of course, without spoiling anything to those who have not played it, there is a very sad moment that occurs near the end that has a surprising impact given that there is never a single word of dialogue in the entire game between the two characters. It is things like this that are sometimes forgotten in modern gaming, and why this stands up even now.