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Review : Metroid : Zero Mission for Gameboy Advance
Lately I have been playing lots of Gamecube and NeoGeo Pocket but I have been neglecting my Gameboy Advance so I could not resist getting a copy of the new Metroid Zero Mission.
I have been almost psychotically devoted to the Metroid games by Nintendo since the original NES Metroid game back in 1985. Metroid was yet another mid 80s Nintendo Gunpei Yokoi andShigeru Miyamoto classic that featured an incredible 2d action adventure game with nonlinear travel, secret locations to discover and intense 2d action. In past interviews with Shigeru Miyamoto he has stated that the 16-bit SNES Metroid game and Metroid 2 for the Gameboy were because of the fanatical devotion by the American video game market. They like them in Japan but hard core US Nintendo gamers freaking love Metroid games. I do enjoy the 3d FPS Metroid Prime game on the Gamecube but it was the new old school Metroid Fusion game on the Gameboy Advance that really was a freaking blast to play.
Fast forward to 2004. Metroid : Zero Mission is a remake of the original 8-Bit NES game but with new and improved Gameboy Advance graphics and sound. The layout of the game is an updated theme of the original game but it is not an exact 32-bit revamp of the same maps from 1985. All the same game play, music, weapons, puzzles, action and baddies are there but it is a brand new game. The gameplay is greatly enhanced by the ample save rooms and mapping feature. It is really a remake of the classic 1985 Metroid game but it incorporates game play innovation from Super Metroid, and Metroid Fusion. I am going to have a great time playing this game on my GBA SP and my Gameboy Player on my Gamecube and will try to beat it as fast as I can with out using any hints of cheats. Once you beat the game you unlock a the original 1985 Metroid NES game on the freaking game. Now that is a good reward for finishing the game.
I will probably will delay my Smackdown and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles intake until I work my way through this instant classic. Instant classic can be a bit of a cliche but this really is one in ever definition of the phrase.
Jake at February 22, 2004 
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Comments
I just finished Zero Mission this weekend, one obsessive week of playing after my girlfriend got it for me for Valentine's Day. It seemed a bit too quick & easy to me, but then I've played every rendition of Metroid and I played this one incessantly. Much to my surprise, I saw a 'hard' mode unlocked after finishing it the first time.
So... back I go to play it over, this time trying to get a 100% and maybe <2 hours in order to unlock more of the game. Also, classic NES Metroid on a handheld is thing of beauty.
Posted by: l.m.orchard at February 23, 2004 4:16 AM
You know, initially I was put-off by the shortness of the game (then again, it might have seemed short because I'm a Metroid veteran) and by some of the later parts of the game. But then I played through the game, in its entirety, THREE more times (on my fourth time now trying to do a 15% run -- I made some mistakes and finished it on 19% instead :\)... and I realized that this wouldn't have been possible -- that I wouldn't have gotten so much replay value -- had the game NOT been short.
So basically, in about a week and a bit, I've played through Metroid ZM more times than SM, MF, and MP combined.
Easily the best GBA game ever, for me. Arguably, the best in the series.
Posted by: nowak at February 23, 2004 5:15 AM
Actually, Gunpei Yokoi and his R&D1 team were far more involved and influential in the development of Metriod than Shigeryu Miyamoto was. They basically spawned the concept of labrynthine games with multiple paths, a la Kid Icarus and Metriod.
Posted by: Chris at February 23, 2004 7:05 AM
Right I forgot about Gunpei. Let me update it.
Posted by: Jake at February 23, 2004 10:24 AM
Great game, more true to the series roots than Fusion in my opinion.
Posted by: Trapp at February 25, 2004 6:26 AM
Wow. My video gaming prowess was just put to shame. It took me about 4 days and a total of just under 8 hours to beat Metroid: Zero Mission and I thought it was much harder than any of the previous Metroids. As far as finding all of the extra tanks and such (or being able to access them, more accurately). And Mother Brain seemed much more difficult this time around than last. I am actually afraid to try Hard Mode!
Posted by: Mici at February 28, 2004 11:33 AM
Yeah Mici, I understand what you mean. It took me 7 hours and these people are talking about under 2 hours! I guess it might be easier the second time around when you know everywhere to go and stuff, but still, 2 hours!
Posted by: Matt at March 9, 2004 6:51 PM
i cant figure out how to break the big block that a a cat like symble on it it looks like a cat head to me at least some one plaes help
Posted by: nick at March 26, 2004 11:20 AM
Nick you can read several free game guides to this at ( http://www.Gamefaqs.com/ )
That is where I check when I am stuck at a game.
Posted by: Jake at March 26, 2004 11:22 AM
