Super Metroid
The last Metroid is in captivity, the galaxy is in peace. So begins Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. What follows that simple phrase is one of the greatest and most challenging gaming experiences that I've ever had. Super Metroid was even voted Best Super Nintendo Game of All Time by Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine, and I'll tell you why.

Graphics:

The graphics in Super Metroid are far superior to those of most other SNES games. The game, in plain and simple English, looks gorgeous. From the opening cutscene to ending of the game, you're sure to be impressed by the looks of the game. While the game takes place on the same planet as the original, Planet Zebes, the environment isn't just re-used. Instead, it was totally re-built from the ground up, making it more visually stunning and graphically enhanced than the original. It may be the same planet, but it looks a lot better in this game that it did in the original.

Sound and Music:

The music is the game is exceptionally well done. A lot of tunes from the original game are re-used, but they sound a lot better. The game even has a tiny bit of voice acting, in which a computer voice states the line "The last Metroid is in captivity, the galaxy is at peace." in the opening of the game. The game sounds good no matter what you are doing, whether it is running, shooting, or simply opening a door. It's hard to find even the slightest complaint about the sound or music in the game.

Storyline:

After destroying the evil Metroid Queen on planet SR388, the last Metroid remaining was taken to the Space Science Academy where it could be studied. The Science Academy scientists soon found out that the energy-producing properties of the Metroid could benefit humankind. Their report suggested that the Metroids may have originally been created for peaceful purposes. Just when it seemed peace and order had been restored, Samus received an emergency directive from the Galactic Federation. The Space Science facility had been attacked, everyone killed, and the last Metroid taken back to a rebuilt Planet Zebes, where a revived Mother Brain plans on using it for evil. You must now play as Samus, and once again destroy the threat that Mother Brain and the Space Pirates pose. The storyline is fairly simple. The bad guys have returned and it is yet again up to you to stop them. However, even though it is fairly weak, it is far superior to the storylines of most other side-scrolling shooter games.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in Super Metroid is the same as the gameplay in all the other Metroid games, with the exception of Metroid Prime. You will move from room to room, shooting down bad guys, collecting weapon and health upgrades, and fight bosses as you progress throughout the game. The gameplay hasn't changed at all over the years, which is a good thing, because it is the addicting and undeniably fun gameplay that makes Metroid games so great.

Controls:

If you thought the controls of the original Metroid couldn't get any easier, then you are wrong. The controls in Super Metroid are even better. This is due to the L and R buttons, which allow you to aim up or down at an angle to efficiently take out bad guys with ease. The D-pad is of course what moves you around, X fires your weapon, A allows you to jump, and you can run while holding down B. The select button cycles through special weapons, while the Y button cancels the weapon selected if you decide you don't want to use it. Pretty simple right?

Replayability:

This category is what tends to lower the final score of all Metroid games. All they allow you to do are collect any missing weapon and health upgrades, or beat the game in a certain time limit to have Samus take her suit off and reveal her bikini underneath in the final cutscene. As always, you can also play through the game over and over again. I'm sure many fans of the game will too, seeing as how it is such a great game.

Overall, Super Metroid is on the same level as Metroid Prime. While Metroid Prime was the best, and only, Metroid game in first person, Super Metroid is hands down the best side-scrolling Metroid game to date. Even as more side-scrolling Metroid games are released, I am highly doubtful that any of them will be able to surpass the high standard the Super Metroid has set for future titles in the series.
Graphics: 9.8/10
Sound and Music: 9.9/10
Storyline: 9.6/10
Gameplay: 9.9/10
Controls: 10/10
Replayability: 9.0 /10
9.7
Out of 10