Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance, 2004)

Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: TRC

I sum up this game as "Thumb Exercise 101".

In Metroid Zero Mission for the GBA you play as Samus going on a mission to destroy Mother Brain and all the Metroids.

Metroid Zero Mission is a great remake of the original Metroid from the NES.

This game has lots of cool stuff added, like a whole other level after you defeat Mother Brain.

This game is very addictive. My poor thumbs hurt and I still kept on playing till the very end. (6+ hours later)

The sound for this game was good, 8/10.

Graphics were greatly enhanced from the original game, 8/10.

Gameplay was fun and enjoyable. I only wish it was longer, 7/10.

Overall, this game gets a “my poor thumbs” 8/10.

From 2000-2004 not many people cared about the 8-Bit Metroid classic. When Zero Mission was released many thought it was a remake with some better GBA graphics. They were wrong. Zero Mission was like a whole new adventure based on the first Metroid game. With the much better graphics many Metroid players were drawn to Zero Mission just for that fact. The Speed Booster looked great on Zebes plus the introduction of a part after the destruction of Mother Brain on the Space Pirate Mother Ship. The ability to return to Zebes after regaining your suit to get some extra Tanks was something new. The ability to travel to Chozodia was also a great extra to Zero Mission. This game is nearly new with all the new items, enemies, beam combos, etc. but it still manages to stay true to the Metroid story featuring Kraid, Ridley, Mother Brain, Space Pirates, and of course the Metroids. Though this game can be easily beaten in under 1HR 15 MIN it is still interesting to screw around with the game and creating Sequence Breaks. If you're really itching for old school gaming the original Metroid can be unlocked by beating Zero Mission on any diffeculty.

This is so much more than a re-release of the original Metroid for NES that came out back in 1986. Of course, some of the most obvious differences you'll notice are the graphics and sound have been overhauled to make use of the technology available to GBA.

That aside there are some more significant differences in this release, and they can arguably affect the game as a whole and be subject to criticism. First youll notice, as a sign of different times, there are now save rooms and opportunities to recharge your energy and weapons in a similar fashion that was seen in Metroid Fusion. Another significant difference is the map aspect. You now can see more than just the word "Pause" when you hit start that brings up a subscreen also similar to Fusion with a map screen, status screen and a means of entering sleep mode. Also each section has a map room within it somewhere where you can download the respective area's entire map to make progression through areas more easily. This brings up the one major difference from the original, in that, in a similar fashion to Fusion, you will now be guided to your next objective at various points within the game. Anyone who may have played the original on NES or even the Game Boy sequel may remember thses features were non existing completely and required much more exploring and figuring things out on your own. Although its not entirely nonexistent here, its just not nearly the same.

Although these changes are as I said before, easily made targets for criticism of this game, let's not forget this is not an exact port of this game and nearly 20 years seperate the two games. And if all this wasn't enough the changes dont end there. In the original, your adventure may have ended after defeating the Mother Brain, but that is far from the case here. Your quest to save the universe quickly goes awry and becomes a quest to manage to survive.

Another benefit of technology recently is the ability to add replay value, which is actually needed in this game as even with the story that unfolds after defeating Mother Brain, it can all be completed in rather short time period, with even just a little practice, just over three hours for it all is not unrealistic. But don't let that be a deterrent. It's still an unforgettable experience for what its worth. Multiple difficulty levels and the unlocking of the true port of the original NES Metroid are all here once you've completed the game.

The mere fact that this game for the most part is based on the original game from the NES era may not make it the best Metroid by any means, but it is still far above average, and recommended for those fans of the Metroid series who may have missed the game the first time around or even have played it and would like to see it from a new perspective, and I would also recommend it for anyone who somehow isn't familiar with the series and is looking for a great side-scrolling action game you will enjoy for quite some time.

Here is another one that my son just had to have. For being a sci-fi, type video game this game has a great story line, if you follow it from the beginning, and the controls are easy to use. and your kids will love this one also.

I loved it very much. It came well packaged and i had a lot of fun playing it. I don't have anything to dislike about it. It's really a great game. The product is truly excellent.

Getting an item that has "Not For Resale" on it bugs me a little. But the game works well and the transaction was excellent.

I like everything about the game... i just wish they would come out with anouther one soon. I bought it because i used to play it like 3 years ago and i sold it. Now i bought it again because its just all around a fun game. Definitly a game you should have in your collection.

Metroid: Zero Mission is a remake of the original
8bit NES classic with a few added twists and turns.
This has everything a classic Metroid game should
have, great 2-D graphics, and challenging boss
battles. It's nice to see Nintendo put a new
dress in the old gal for the Gameboy Advance.
If you like classic old school side scrollers
this title is not to be missed.

Classic Metroid Action. This game is a re-telling of the original Metroid game, with a bonus mission at the end. Personally, I didn't care much for the second part, but the first part of the game is really good. The graphics and sound are both superb. The controls are perfect, and the game is fun to play. It is challenging without being unfair. If you are particularly daring, you can also try Hard mode, which is unlocked only after beating the game on Normal. The reason I don't give the game the highest rating is because the second part of the game is quite disappointing (though not horrible), and you have to complete it to finish the game. The original NES Metroid is also unlockable, a nice, though superfluous, bonus. Overall a very good game and highly recommended.

I bought this for my daughter who has been playing Metroid on the Game Cube and the GB Advanced SP. She really enjoyed it and completed the whole game in 1 day, whatever it means to complete the game.

Game plays pretty good. Like a remix to the original '80's Metroid. I like it. And I also like the fact that after you blast Mother Brain into next Tuesday, there's still a bit more to go. Game gets really crazy when you don't have the Power Suit...but unfortunately, once things get really interesting, the end credits show up. This game could've ben made a bit longer. Only complaint. Controls and music are almost like Metroid Fusion, so no problems there, and same with Graphics. Difficulty could use some help, but then again, once you beat it first time around, they up the ante. Hey if you have Metroid Fusion, pick this one up. Also for the casual gamer at heart.

Awsome game, its action packed and hard to put down, especially if you have played the original.If you like metroid games or just action games you cant go wrong with this one.

This is a remake of the original Metroid for the Nes. If you have played Metroid Fusion you know how great the 2d-graphic looks! Personally I like this better than Metroid Fusion because its more free exploring in this title. It+s using the great classic Metroid-formula. Explore and search for new upgrades to your suit that enables you to reach new areas and whip new bosses. Really, really great! And they made the game a little longer than the original, intersting twist at the end!

This is a very good game. Had lots of fun playing it. The graphics is great. You can play the first metroid if you go to the opinions menu. A+++

Metroid:zero mission is the best remake of a already great game.All the levels in the game have all been redesign.The game also has new power ups for Samus that where never in the first Metroid game.Plus there is a side mission in the game as well.But the best thing about the game is the music,it has been remastered and it is awesome.I bought this game because I'm a huge Metroid fan and I played almost every Metroid game that has come out.I would recommend this game for anyone that has a Nintendo SP or a Nintendo DS.

Another instant classic in the Metroid family. Combining elements of the Classic NES version and Metroid Fusion - this game has both old and new school appeal. Beat the game to unlock the Classic NES version. Enjoy!

Game cartridge and packaging in great condition; Game work great on Gameboy Micro. Only dislike, was long shipping time...

MAN, THIS GAME IS FUN !! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN !! GREAT BUY !!
IT IS FUN FOR EVERYONE AND KEEPS YOU INVOLVED ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

THIS WAS MY FIRST METROID GAME, SINCE THEN I PURCHASED 5 MORE !! NOW THAT'S A GAME !! I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS SPACE UNDERWORLD GAME. IT HAS ALOT OF LEVELS AND MONSTERS TO BEAT. IT HAS ALOT OF ACTION AND FIRE POWER AS A SHOOTER GAME.

A MUST HAVE BY ALL MEANS.

my son likes the graphics and color much better, than metroid fusion. very happy, challenging to him, even made him a little scared!!

Very good game, works well and the story is awesome, just what we expect from the old metroid series :D

I got nothing that dislike me about this item. I actually did not get it for me. It was a gift I gave to my brothers stepson, but he actually like it very much and he got alot of fun with this game. I also want to thank the seller for giving a reasonable price and a well description of this item.

I Definitely enjoyed this game, I finished in less than 3 hours on the Normal mode and then went and played through on Hard. also, after beating it I unlocked the original Metroid game for the NES. good game, highly recommend it!

Graphics : it's a GBA... little old, but for it's time it was the norm. 7/10
Gameplay : Great controls and all that, very solid stuff. no complaints 8.5/10
Sound : 8/10
Entertainment : Very enjoyable game! 8/10
Overall : 8/10

Great game, I only bought a GB Advance because of this game and never found it. It is very similar to the original but the graphics are alot better.

Metroid: Zero Mission has all of the familiar upgrades that Metroid fans are used to! The challenge, like always, is to use creative ways to discover them! If you like Metroid Fusion, you'll enjoy this game, too.