Metroid
The original Metroid game was released in August of 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It introduced us to a bounty hunter named Samus Aran, whose entire body has been surgically enhanced with a powerful suit, created by an extinct race known as the Chozo. Knowing that the Space Pirates fear the Chozo suit, she is sent to their hideout on Planet Zebes to kick some alien butt.

Graphics:

The graphics in the game are like those of any other NES game. What I'm really going to judge here is the level design. Planet Zebes is practically a giant maze, and there is no doubt in my mind that you are gonna get lost at least once or twice. Just about everything looks the same, the only different in areas being the color of the blocks that make up walls. The graphics accomplish what they are trying to do, which is to make you get lost and confused as to where they heck you are.

Sound and Music:

All the themes in this game are still used in the newer Metroid games, so what does that tell you about the music? Personally, it tells me that music in the original Metroid are so good, that they just had to continue to use them in order to please the fans. This is true, because the music in this game is great. Each different area of Zebes has its own music, which can become repetitive over time. However, if it does become repetitive, it's probably because you've been wandering around lost for the past hour. The sound in the game is as equally well done. Bombs sound good when they explode, and so do the bad guys when they are hit by Samus' gun.

Storyline:

It is now the year 20X5, and something terrible has happened. Space pirates have attacked a deep-space research spaceship and seized a capsule containing an unknown life-form that had just been discovered on Planet SR388. The researchers from the Galactic Federation had named it “Metroid”, and were bringing it back to Earth when it was stolen. As a last resort, after many failed attempts to break through the Space Pirates’ base on their own, they have decided to hire a bounty hunter to penetrate the center of the fortress and destroy the Mother Brain. This is where Samus Aran comes in. She is regarded as the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy, and has completed various other missions in which many thought were impossible. It is now up to you to destroy the evil Mother Brain and retrieve the stolen Metroid before it is too late. The storyline is better than what you would see in most games that came out during its time. It gives you great background information, which helps create a strong environment for the game to move on. However, if you want the entire story of Samus, you’re going to have to play all the other Metroid games in the series.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in Metroid is fairly linear. You move from room to room blasting bad guys and collecting weapon and health upgrades. You'll have to fight bosses every once in awhile, which is always fun. It may not sound like much, but it is very addicting once you begin playing it. After all, it is the gameplay element that made the Metroid series so popular, which is why many feared the idea of Metroid Prime being first-person.

Controls:

It's a NES game people, how hard can the controls be? Use the left or right buttons on the D-pad to move, up makes you aim up, down allows you to curl into a ball, A makes you jump, B makes you shoot, and you can use the select button to pick which weapon you want to shoot. Simple aren't they?

Replayability:

The game offers the same replay as any other Metroid game. You can go back and collect all the weapon and health upgrades you missed, or you can start a new game and try to achieve the fasted time limit. If you beat the game in less than three hours, Samus will take off her Chozo suit in the end and reveal that she was wearing a bikini underneath. The game has no other replay than what is stated above.

Metroid was a great game back in the 80's, and it still is today. If you have beaten Metroid Prime and Fusion, link them up and you will receive a copy of this game that is playable on your Gamecube. If not, you can always look on eBay if you are interested in owning it. Bringing about four sequels up to this day, and even more to come, Metroid is one of those great games that will be talked about for years and years to come.
Graphics: 9.0/10
Sound and Music: 9.5/10
Storyline: 9.0/10
Gameplay: 9.5/10
Controls: 10/10
Replayability: 9.0/10
9.0
Out of 10