Super Metroid

About This Game

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay of the Metroid series Super Metroid is a 2Dside-scrollingaction-adventure game, which primarily takes place on the fictional planet Zebes from the original game—a large, open-ended "Linearity (computer and video games)") world with areas connected by doors and elevators.–19 The player controls Samus Aran as she searches the planet for a Metroid that has been stolen by Ridley, the leader of the Space Pirates "Space Pirate (Metroid)"). Samus can run, jump, crouch, and fire a weapon in eight directions; she can perform other actions, such as wall jumping—jumping from one wall to another in rapid succession to reach higher areas. The "Moon Walk" ability, named after the dance move of the same name "Moonwalk (dance)"), allows Samus to walk backwards while firing or charging her weapon.–9 Throughout the course of the game, the player can acquire power-ups that enhance Samus's armor and weaponry, as well as grant her special abilities, allowing them to gain access to areas that were previously inaccessible. The Morph Ball allows Samus to curl into a ball and roll into tight places; in this form, she can plant bombs once the Bomb power-up is acquired.

History

Super Metroid was developed by Nintendo R&D1 with a staff of 15 managed by Gunpei Yokoi. It was written and directed by Yoshio Sakamoto, and produced by Makoto Kano "Makoto Kano (video game designer)"). Intelligent Systems, who co-developed the original Metroid with R&D1, handled the programming. The opening was narrated by Dan Owsen, a Nintendo of America employee. Super Metroid was released almost a decade after the original Metroid. Sakamoto said: "We wanted to wait until a true action game was needed. [...] And also to set the stage for the reappearance of Samus Aran". It took half a year for Nintendo to approve the project, and two further years to develop. The developers' primary goal was to make a "good action game".