The series is known for its isolated atmosphere, featuring few non-player characters. Players battle hostile alien enemies and obtain power-ups as they progress through the game world. and the exploration of The Legend of Zelda with a science fiction setting and an emphasis on nonlinear gameplay. Metroid combines the platforming of Super Mario Bros. After another hiatus, developer MercurySteam helmed the return of 2D Metroid with Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) for the handheld Nintendo 3DS, followed by Metroid Dread (2021) for the Nintendo Switch. Metroid: Other M (2010), developed by Team Ninja for the Wii, received weaker reviews.
The first 3D Metroid game, Metroid Prime (2002), was developed by Retro Studios for the GameCube, followed by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004) and the Wii game Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007). After a hiatus, Metroid Fusion (2002) and Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) were released for the Game Boy Advance.
It was followed by Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991) for the handheld Game Boy and Super Metroid (1994) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The first Metroid was developed by Nintendo R&D1 and released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. The player controls bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic Metroid creatures. Metroid is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo.