Nintendo has a lot to offer in 2023, with the likelihood increasing that this will be the farewell year for the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime Remastered is a prime example of bringing a classic game to a modern platform. While it is being sold as a remaster, there is so much that has been upgraded that it would be more accurate to classify it as a remake. It is a significant improvement over the simple ports of Nintendo Wii U games that were sold at full price with barely any new content or visual upgrades.
Metroid Prime is a classic series that has long been hailed as one of the best games of all time, and this is no exaggeration. When Rare brought the original Metroid formula from 2D to 3D, they hit all the right marks. It doesn’t matter if you are a fan of first-person shooters or not, this is a classic Metroid game at its finest.
The remastered version of Metroid Prime boasts upgraded visuals, overhauling every aspect of the game from character models to level design. There are also modern touches, such as updates to the controls, making it a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch, whether played with JoyCon or a Pro controller. The lock-on controls are now easier to use, making aiming and moving around in the game world a breeze.
If you missed the original Metroid Prime, now is the time to check it out. The new controls work well, making the game a joy to play, and the updated visuals bring it closer to its modern counterparts like Metroid Dread. The game takes place on the planet of Tallon IV, where Samus must escape after exploring a space pirate ship, where she discovers her arch-nemesis, Ridley. In typical Metroid fashion, she loses her powers in the Varia suit and must explore the planet to regain them while uncovering new mysteries surrounding the Metroids.
Metroid Prime Remastered is the pinnacle of the Metroidvania genre. No one could have predicted that the 2D Metroid games would translate so well to 3D. The shooting feels natural, the enemy design is true to the series’ roots, and the exploration and level design are some of the best in the series. The remastered version adds even more content, from artwork to an amazing soundtrack, making it a fanboy’s dream come true.
The modern control schemes work well for dual-analog stick gameplay, but an old control scheme is still an option. The enhanced controls are crucial for the shooting and platforming sections in this massive game, which has a huge map fully seen in 3D. The backtracking in the game is extensive, but it never feels like a chore in Metroid Prime Remastered. The loading sections when moving between areas can feel repetitive, but this is a necessity for the slower hardware of the Nintendo Switch and will hopefully be improved in time for Metroid Prime 4.
Metroid Prime Remastered is full of rich lore and is set between the third and fourth entries in the franchise. The boss fights are a mix of challenge, clever platforming, and fun first-person shooting. Exploration and level design are always the highlights of the game, and this is one of the most expansive games in the series. Every time a new power is discovered, multiple paths need to be backtracked and explored, making it always exciting to search for new items and power-ups.
While I consider it to be a perfect game, the scanning sections can get a bit tedious. It’s easy to switch between scanning and shooting mode, but there are plenty of things to scan and most of them are necessary to unlock new elements in the game.
Overall, I would consider Metroid Prime Remastered to be one of the finest games of 2023 and a contender for one of the best remakes from Nintendo. In my opinion, it surpasses The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. I highly recommend checking it out, especially given its budget price of $40. It’s an amazing deal to experience the definitive version of one of the greatest games of all time.
Disclaimer: This review was conducted with a review copy provided by Nintendo UK.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a must-play for fans of the series and those who appreciate well-made remakes. It offers a great experience with its updated visuals, modern control schemes, and extra content.