10 Best Metroid Games of All Time, Ranked

Metroid games have been throwing players into creepy alien danger zones since 1986. Every game packs upgrades, secrets, and Samus in her iconic power suit. She’s also one of the most iconic Nintendo heroes. Some titles shine bright, but others feel weaker. Still, all of them left a mark. The bosses hit hard, the worlds feel massive, and the mysteries keep you guessing. Ranking them is tough, so some games clearly tower above the rest. Let’s count down the best Metroid adventures, from the lower though solid picks to all-time absolute legends.

10. Metroid (1986)

The start of everything. The pioneer of all Metroid games. Metroid hit NES players with the freedom they hadn’t seen before. Upgrades like the Morph Ball and bombs changed platforming forever. Ridley, Kraid, and Mother Brain all debuted here. The password save system was clunky, and no map left for players who lost. Controls felt stiff, yet the music and mood still hit hard. The ending twist, revealing Samus as a woman, shocked everyone. The game feels rough today, but without it, nothing else exists on this list.

9. Metroid: Samus Returns (2017)

MercurySteam took Metroid II and rebuilt it for the 3DS. Samus Returns added modern moves like the melee counter, so combat felt sharper. Aeion powers gave new tricks like scanning walls or slowing time. Boss fights became more dynamic and exciting. Chozo lore is tied directly to Metroid Dread. Visuals looked solid for handheld, although not on a console level. It set the stage for Dread. The remake kept the heart of the original but gave it energy for a new generation.

8. Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991)

The Game Boy didn’t hold back here. Metroid II had Samus hunting every Metroid on SR388. The Spider Ball showed up here first, letting Samus roll up walls and ceilings. The mission was clear. Wipe out 40 Metroids. Each one grew deadlier as you moved forward. Passwords at first made saving rough, although later carts fixed that issue. The big finale mattered most. Samus spared the baby Metroid, showing a softer side. That choice shaped later games. It may be outdated now, but the foundation it set still echoes across the series.

7. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)

Nintendo games undoubtedly aimed high with this one. Corruption took Samus across several planets, each with unique threats. Motion controls handled aiming, and for many, it worked well. Combat felt snappy and precise. The new Hypermode, powered by Phazon, added huge power but with health risks. Go too far, and Samus burned herself out. The bosses stood tall, especially Rundas and Dark Samus. The story leaned cinematic, while cutscenes made Samus look like a galactic legend. Some players missed the lonely vibe of the older games, yet Corruption closed the trilogy with style.

6. Metroid Zero Mission (2004)

The NES original got a full makeover here. Zero Mission remade the classic, but modernized everything. Controls were tight and smooth, while the map helped players avoid aimless wandering. Visuals popped with bold color. Bosses got fresh twists, and Samus felt faster than ever. Also, after Mother Brain, you played as Zero Suit Samus in a stealth section. That flipped the whole vibe. The twist made the game feel new even for veterans. For newcomers, this version is the best way to start the series. The old-school vibes mixed perfectly with new tricks.

5. Metroid Fusion (2002)

The GBA packed a horror punch with this one. Fusion told a tighter story, and the X Parasite threat brought creepy enemies. The SA-X clone chased Samus like a nightmare. Every encounter put you on edge, while the AI computer Adam gave orders that kept missions structured. Some fans didn’t like the linear style, but the pacing stayed sharp. Samus’ new animations looked smooth and quick. Diffusion Missiles and the Screw Attack made late-game chaos fun. The tension stuck with players long after finishing. Finally, Fusion set the stage for Dread years later.

4. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)

Nintendo doubled down on the challenge here. Echoes gave players two worlds: Light Aether and Dark Aether. The dark side drained your health nonstop, so survival felt brutal. Exploration had higher stakes than ever. The story leaned on the Luminoth, a race locked in war. Boss fights hit way harder, too. Quadraxis, a massive walking tank, still shocks players today. Ammo limits for beam weapons frustrated some, but mastering them added depth. The multiplayer mode wasn’t huge, although it added a fun twist. Hardcore fans swear it’s the hardest 3D Metroid.

3. Metroid Dread (2021)

Nintendo brought back 2D Metroid after years of silence. Metroid Dread gave Samus her fastest moves yet. Sliding under gaps made movement smooth, while parry counters spiced up fights. Planet ZDR felt dangerous but fun to explore. The EMMI robots added pure horror. Each chase had your heart racing, so players stayed on edge. Bosses demanded skill, not button-mashing. Story moments hit harder than older games, too. Samus’ calm, cold attitude in cutscenes showed she was unstoppable. New players finally got a slick entry point. 

2. Super Metroid (1994)

Gamers still call this the peak of 2D action. Controls felt buttery smooth, and movement stayed sharp. Wall jumps, shinesparks, and quick shots gave players tons of freedom. Boss fights like Kraid and Mother Brain became instant classics. The escape scene at the end made gaming history. The soundtrack is pure fire. Brinstar’s theme still gets stuck in your head, while Norfair cranks tension higher. Exploration rewarded curiosity because hidden energy tanks and missiles hid behind sneaky walls. Nothing guided you by the hand. The story hit hard, too. The baby Metroid sacrifice still makes fans tear up.

1. Metroid Prime (2002)

Retro Studios kept the soul of Metroid but flipped the view into first-person. Exploration on Tallon IV felt alive. Snowy Phendrana Drifts looked stunning, while Magmoor Caverns burned with tension. The Morph Ball rolled perfectly in 3D. Grapple Beam swings felt slick. Every upgrade just clicked. Boss fights with Meta Ridley and Omega Pirate were pure chaos. Even the scanning system added lore without slowing you down. Fans feared 3D would ruin Metroid, but Prime became one of the best games ever. Speedrunners still break it apart with wild skips. Therefore, no question. This one rules the top.