Difference between revisions of "Metroid Prime"

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| publisher=[[Nintendo]]
 
| publisher=[[Nintendo]]
 
| genre=[[Action]]/[[First Person Shooter]]
 
| genre=[[Action]]/[[First Person Shooter]]
| system=[[Gamecube]]
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| system=[[Gamecube]], [[Wii]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]]
| release=US November 15, 2002<br>JP February 28, 2003<br>EU March 21, 2003
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| release='''Gamecube'''<br>US November 15, 2002<br>JP February 28, 2003<br>EU March 21, 2003<br>'''Wii'''<br>JP February 19, 2009<br />'''Switch'''<br />February 8, 2023 (digital)<br />US February 23, 2023<br />EU/JP March 3, 2023
 
| gallery=[http://www.gamehiker.com/gallery/index.php?cat=128 GH Gallery]
 
| gallery=[http://www.gamehiker.com/gallery/index.php?cat=128 GH Gallery]
 
| rating= ESRB: Teen
 
| rating= ESRB: Teen
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{{dablink|This article is about the game. For the creature of the same name, see [[Metroid Prime (Creature)]]}}
 
{{dablink|This article is about the game. For the creature of the same name, see [[Metroid Prime (Creature)]]}}
  
'''Metroid Prime''' was the first 3D [[Portal: Metroid|Metroid]] game and the first game in the series in eight years. Though some fans were worried about reviving the dormant franchise in the form of a first person shooter, the game was ultimately successful.
+
'''Metroid Prime''' is a 3D first-person action game that was released for the [[Nintendo Gamecube]] in 2002 (in the United States) and 2003 (in other regions). The first 3D ''[[Portal: Metroid|Metroid]]'' game, this game was developed by the American development studio [[Retro Studios]] as their debut game and launched its own subseries within the ''Metroid'' franchise. This game combines elements of a first-person shooter with the action, exploration and platforming elements of the traditional ''Metroid'' games.
  
 
=Story=
 
=Story=
  
The story is set between ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' and ''[[Metroid II: The Return of Samus]]''. [[Samus]] received a distress signal and followed it. It brought her to a space pirate frigate full of biological experiments orbiting [[Tallon IV]]. After killing the Parasite Queen, the ship began to self destruct. While escaping, Samus ran into [[Meta Ridley]] and lost most of suit while escaping.
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The story is set between ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' and ''[[Metroid II: The Return of Samus]]''. A distress signal leads Samus to pursue [[Space Pirates]] onto the planet [[Tallon IV]]. Along the way, she spots her enemy [[Ridley]], who has now been augmented into Meta Ridey. Samus begins exploring the planet in order to shut down its Space Pirate operation. Her journey leads her to explore the planet's [[Chozo]] ruins and to deal with a mysterious, deadly substance known as [[Phazon]].
  
Samus follows Meta Ridley to the surface of Tallon IV. There she finds the remains of an ancient [[Chozo]] colony and a mysterious substance called Phazon.
+
=Gameplay=
  
=Gameplay=
+
This game reinvents the ''Metroid'' formula in 3D, retaining the feeling of an open setting while translating Samus's abilities into three dimensions. The game is divided into six different areas connected by elevators, which are unlocked as the player progresses through the game and unlocks new abilities.
 +
 
 +
The first person style gameplay lends itself to several innovations. The player is able to lock-on to targets, similar to the Z-Lock system introduced in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''. Players can also use different visors to see differently. For example, the infrared visor is helpful when battling enemies that blend into their surroundings. There is also the scan visor, which can be used to identify enemies and log entries that are saved to Samus's Logbook.
  
The game is similar to previous games in the series in the fact that the player is in an open-ended world. The game is divided into six different areas connected by elevators. As the player uncovers new abilities, they are able to reach new areas.
+
If the player has a [[Game Boy Advance]] and a copy of ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', players can connect the two games. Connecting them can unlock the original ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' as well as the Fusion suit if the player has beaten one of the games.
  
The first person style gameplay lends itself to several innovations. The player is able to lock-on to targets, similar to the Z-Lock system introduced in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''. Players can also use different visors to see differently. For example, the infrared visor is helpful when battling enemies that blend into their surroundings.
+
=Continuity Notes=
  
If the player has a [[Gameboy Advance]] and a copy of ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', players can connect the two games. Connecting them unlocks the original ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' as well as the Fusion suit.
+
*The game chronologically acts as a follow-up to the original ''Metroid''. The entire ''Prime'' subseries is set between the original two ''Metroid'' games. This game references the events of ''Metroid'', with the Space Pirates' logs retelling the game's story from their point of view. The game also explains [[Ridley]]'s survival following the events of ''Metroid''.
 +
*This game also notably follows the fate of the [[Chozo]], which was not addressed in past games, although ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' would later establish a different fate for the Chozo involved in Samus's life. Within ''Metroid Prime'', the Chozo Lore entries allude to their time raising Samus, which would be the first time this was directly mentioned within the games. However some continuity references such as this were changed in the PAL version.
  
==Legacy==
+
=Legacy=
  
===Sequels===
+
''Metroid Prime'' spawned its own subseries which had several spin-offs and sequels which are mentioned below. This subseries seemed to end in 2007 with the end of the main ''Prime'' trilogy, as Nintendo then reclaimed control of the franchise while Retro went on to work on other Nintendo properties, until ''Metroid Prime 4'' was announced a decade later.
  
''Metroid Prime'' has had two sequels: ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'' and later the third and final Metroid Prime game, "[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]", for the [[Nintendo Wii]]. It has also led to two spin-offs, ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''.
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==Sequels==
  
==Rereleases==
+
''Metroid Prime'' was directly followed by ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', and the trilogy ended on the [[Nintendo Wii]] with ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''. It has also led to two spin-offs, ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''. ''Hunters'' chronologically takes place between the first two ''Metroid Prime'' games, while ''Pinball'' retells the story of ''Metroid Prime'' through a pinball interface (with the unique ''Metroid'' conceit of Samus being trapped in [[Morph Ball]] form for the majority of the game).
 +
 +
==Ports and Remakes==
  
 
*A special version of ''Metroid Prime'' was bundled with the platinum [[Gamecube]] to promote ''Metroid Prime 2''. It included a second disc with a ''Metroid'' timeline, an art gallery, and a trailer and demo for ''Metroid Prime 2''.
 
*A special version of ''Metroid Prime'' was bundled with the platinum [[Gamecube]] to promote ''Metroid Prime 2''. It included a second disc with a ''Metroid'' timeline, an art gallery, and a trailer and demo for ''Metroid Prime 2''.
*In Japan, the game was rereleased with new Wii controls as part of the [[New Play Control]] series. However in North American and Eurupe, ''Metroid Prime'' will be rereleased with its sequels on the [[Nintendo Wii]] as ''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]''.
+
*In Japan, the game was rereleased with new [[Wii]] controls as part of the [[New Play Control]] series. Instead of that release, the Wii in North America and Europe received a bundle of all three ''Metroid Prime'' games known as ''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]''.
 +
*A remastered high-definition version of ''Metroid Prime'' was announced and released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in February 2023 with the simple title of ''Metroid Prime Remastered''. Aside from the updated visuals, this release featured multiple control options and unlockable art. Retro Studios worked on this remaster in collaboration with Iron Galaxy Studios.
  
 
{{Metroid Series}}
 
{{Metroid Series}}
  
[[Category: Gamecube Games]]
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[[Category: GameCube Games]]
 
[[Category: Metroid Games]]
 
[[Category: Metroid Games]]
 
[[Category: Player's Choice]]
 
[[Category: Player's Choice]]
 
[[Category: New Play Control Games]]
 
[[Category: New Play Control Games]]
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[[Category: Wii Games]]

Latest revision as of 23:24, 23 February 2023

Metroidprime.jpg
Metroid Prime
Full Title Metroid Prime
Developer Retro Studios
Publisher Nintendo
System Gamecube, Wii, Switch
Release Date Gamecube
US November 15, 2002
JP February 28, 2003
EU March 21, 2003
Wii
JP February 19, 2009
Switch
February 8, 2023 (digital)
US February 23, 2023
EU/JP March 3, 2023
Genre Action/First Person Shooter
Gallery GH Gallery
Rating ESRB: Teen

Metroid Prime is a 3D first-person action game that was released for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2002 (in the United States) and 2003 (in other regions). The first 3D Metroid game, this game was developed by the American development studio Retro Studios as their debut game and launched its own subseries within the Metroid franchise. This game combines elements of a first-person shooter with the action, exploration and platforming elements of the traditional Metroid games.

Story[edit]

The story is set between Metroid and Metroid II: The Return of Samus. A distress signal leads Samus to pursue Space Pirates onto the planet Tallon IV. Along the way, she spots her enemy Ridley, who has now been augmented into Meta Ridey. Samus begins exploring the planet in order to shut down its Space Pirate operation. Her journey leads her to explore the planet's Chozo ruins and to deal with a mysterious, deadly substance known as Phazon.

Gameplay[edit]

This game reinvents the Metroid formula in 3D, retaining the feeling of an open setting while translating Samus's abilities into three dimensions. The game is divided into six different areas connected by elevators, which are unlocked as the player progresses through the game and unlocks new abilities.

The first person style gameplay lends itself to several innovations. The player is able to lock-on to targets, similar to the Z-Lock system introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Players can also use different visors to see differently. For example, the infrared visor is helpful when battling enemies that blend into their surroundings. There is also the scan visor, which can be used to identify enemies and log entries that are saved to Samus's Logbook.

If the player has a Game Boy Advance and a copy of Metroid Fusion, players can connect the two games. Connecting them can unlock the original Metroid as well as the Fusion suit if the player has beaten one of the games.

Continuity Notes[edit]

  • The game chronologically acts as a follow-up to the original Metroid. The entire Prime subseries is set between the original two Metroid games. This game references the events of Metroid, with the Space Pirates' logs retelling the game's story from their point of view. The game also explains Ridley's survival following the events of Metroid.
  • This game also notably follows the fate of the Chozo, which was not addressed in past games, although Metroid Dread would later establish a different fate for the Chozo involved in Samus's life. Within Metroid Prime, the Chozo Lore entries allude to their time raising Samus, which would be the first time this was directly mentioned within the games. However some continuity references such as this were changed in the PAL version.

Legacy[edit]

Metroid Prime spawned its own subseries which had several spin-offs and sequels which are mentioned below. This subseries seemed to end in 2007 with the end of the main Prime trilogy, as Nintendo then reclaimed control of the franchise while Retro went on to work on other Nintendo properties, until Metroid Prime 4 was announced a decade later.

Sequels[edit]

Metroid Prime was directly followed by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and the trilogy ended on the Nintendo Wii with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. It has also led to two spin-offs, Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime Pinball. Hunters chronologically takes place between the first two Metroid Prime games, while Pinball retells the story of Metroid Prime through a pinball interface (with the unique Metroid conceit of Samus being trapped in Morph Ball form for the majority of the game).

Ports and Remakes[edit]

  • A special version of Metroid Prime was bundled with the platinum Gamecube to promote Metroid Prime 2. It included a second disc with a Metroid timeline, an art gallery, and a trailer and demo for Metroid Prime 2.
  • In Japan, the game was rereleased with new Wii controls as part of the New Play Control series. Instead of that release, the Wii in North America and Europe received a bundle of all three Metroid Prime games known as Metroid Prime Trilogy.
  • A remastered high-definition version of Metroid Prime was announced and released for the Nintendo Switch in February 2023 with the simple title of Metroid Prime Remastered. Aside from the updated visuals, this release featured multiple control options and unlockable art. Retro Studios worked on this remaster in collaboration with Iron Galaxy Studios.