People who have played the game before will remember different areas of the game.

Nintendo continues with its port/remake tradition, when they announced earlier this week that Super Metroid, what many consider to be the best game in the Metroid series, will be coming to the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo says that the game will not be under the Super Metroid title, but a different one, similar to how they changed the title of their most recent Metroid remake, Metroid: Zero Mission. It has been stated that the game will be available in stores around the same time as Metroid Prime 2, a sequel to GameSpot's game of the year. The time for both releases will be early in November, 2004.

It isn't all good news for some, who have fond memories of playing on their SNES. They say that remaking a title like this could be bad news for the series. Says one fan upon hearing about the release, "The game was made for the SNES and no other system. Thats how it began and that is how it should remain." There are many who agree, although at the time it seems most are delighted to hear about this. The release on the Game Boy Advance allows for a new generation of gamers to enjoy the title. Even though it may not be on the original system, the quality of gameplay will be as good as ever, if not better.

Some will recognize enemies that only made appearances in this game.

The graphics engine needs no improvement, as any first glance can show. Because of this fact, Nintendo was able to begin production faster than most games. All who have seen this game recognize it as one of the greatest looking 2D games of all time, and putting it on the Game Boy Advance isn't going to change that at all. The sound quality of this game is also very amazing. Nintendo has even gone on to talk about the control scheme, which some fans worry about. This is because there are more buttons on a Super Nintendo controller than there are on a Game Boy Advance. All Nintendo has to say about this for right now is, "We think those who have played the original version will be in for quite a surprise when they see the control scheme..."

The gameplay will be very similar to the original version of the game, with the exception of the controls. With the addition of only one new area (which so far we know nothing about), the length of the game will be the same, at about 12 hours for the average player. The story so far is the same old one that all have come to know and love. Many will be glad to see the hatchling Metroid again, which was found by Samus Aran at the end of Metroid II. It is said that the hatchling will play a slightly larger part in the story than it originally did, although we do not know how this will be incorporated into the story.

A classic game makes its triumphant return.

You may have noticed by now that we have spoken of this game as a remake and not a port. This is because there will be several new things. Some of them were mentioned above, but there are many more to be announced and discovered. Another new feature Nintendo has let us in on is the addition of a time attack mode. Originally, this was going to be in Metroid: Zero Mission, but was removed at the last minute. They will be using this feature to hold a contest in December, 2004 through January 2005. Little is known about this contest as Nintendo is planning on keeping the details a secret until then.

We already know a lot, and there is still much to be told. There is going to be more information presented at this year's E3, which will also have more on Metroid Prime 2. So far it seems this game is already shaping up to be one of the greatest Game Boy Advance titles of all time. This is a definate must have for any Metroid gamer, and even some who have never played a Metroid game before. Look for it this November in a store near you.

By Alex Stein, GameSpot  [POSTED: 04/01/04 03:49 PM]