Best Metroid Prime Games, Ranked

Intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran took some time off after the events of Super Metroid, as Nintendo could not find a satisfactory way to bring her space-faring exploits to the N64. But, when it was finally time for Samus to return, Nintendo hired Retro Studios to develop Metroid Prime for the GameCube. It was unusual for Nintendo to license their property to other developers, but as games like Prime and The Minish Cap by Capcom have shown, the results tend to speak for themselves.

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The Prime series showcased exactly how one should go about transitioning a 2D franchise into 3D, as it retained all the class, spirit, and integrity of the side-scrolling games while propelling them into a new dimension. Over the twenty-plus years that have passed since Metroid Prime was first released in 2002, it has spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and a fourth entry that is slated to launch on Nintendo Switch in 2025.

7 Metroid Prime Pinball

DS Title Is A Competent Pinball Game And Not Much Else

• Platform: DS
• Developer: Fuse Games
• Release Date: October 24, 2005
• Genre: Pinball

The Prime brand was fairly popular in the aftermath of the first game's release in 2002, and the fact that one of Samus' most iconic abilities is being able to turn into a ball was perhaps too good to pass up, as Nintendo launched this underwhelming pinball game for the DS in 2005. Metroid Prime Pinball was conceived during the development of Metroid Prime Hunters, and they pitched the idea to Fuse Games, who had previously made Mario Pinball Land.

Metroid Prime Pinball isn't an entirely awful game — it's a competent pinball game on a platform that is a nifty fit for this type of experience. The boards look rather nice, and the connection of Samus' Morph Ball ability within the confines of a pinball machine is fun, but it's ultimately a novelty title that has remained largely forgotten as the Prime series released more titles.

6 Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Disappointing Co-Op Shooter Set In The Metroid Universe

During a time when fans were begging and pleading for a new Metroid game, Nintendo's response wasn't exactly what anyone was hoping for. Metroid Prime: Federation Force was announced at E3 2015 and launched on the 3DS a year later as a co-operative multiplayer shooter.

Unfortunately, Federation Force fell short of being either a fun Metroid game or an entertaining co-op shooter. It featured a harebrained plot and some questionable design choices — a shame, considering the prospect of a multiplayer shooter set in the Metroid universe is intriguing, but Federation Force didn't come close to achieving that promise.

5 Metroid Prime Hunters

Handheld Entry Keeps The Spirit Of Metroid Prime Alive On The DS

Metroid Prime Hunters was developed by an internal Nintendo studio, as Retro was busy with Echoes. Set between the events of Prime and Echoes, Hunters was as close as one could get to having this series on the go, and the finished product was rather impressive for a DS title.

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Hunters also makes use of the stylus for aiming, while movement is controlled with the d-pad. It works most of the time, and the brisk pace of the game helps to make up for any incongruity in the control scheme. In terms of the two handheld Prime games, the other being 2016's Federation Force, Hunters was able to translate the home console nature of the franchise the best.

4 Metroid Prime

Samus Returns In Spectacular First Metroid Prime Title

After years out of the spotlight during the 1990s, Samus returned in fine form via Metroid Prime, a surefire GameCube classic that propelled the bounty hunter into superstar status. It's still one of the most impressive and innovative titles of its generation — and the first game to put players directly behind Samus' visor to enter full-blown first-person shooter territory.

But, what really made Prime special was how it deftly transferred the game mechanics from Samus' 2D exploits into 3D, as this first-person adventure game features a brilliantly interconnected map, outstanding combat, and a sense of discovery that is unmatched. The deeper exploration of the Chozo mythology is also perfectly handled, as it delves deeper into Samus' roots. Seeing loose elements from previous 2D entries brought together into something cohesive is absolutely marvelous.

3 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Spectacular Third Entry Sees Samus Face Off Against Her Dark Counterpart

While the first two Metroid Prime games found a home on the GameCube, the third entry was made for the Wii and took full advantage of the innovative control scheme on offer. In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the player makes use of the Wiimote in order to aim and fire, tapping into the potential of the console more than perhaps any other game in the library.

Corruption sees the events of the previous game, Echoes, come to fruition as Samus battles not only a Phazon infection but also goes up against Dark Samus, who she briefly battled at the end of the second chapter. This incredible third chapter of the Prime series is still worth playing today, as the precise aiming of the Wiimote meshes perfectly with the pristine map design and pitch-perfect combat.

2 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Outstanding Sequel Introduces Dark Samus

In the wake of Metroid Prime's incredible success, Nintendo tasked Retro with developing a direct sequel. Set an indeterminate amount of time after the first game, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes sees Samus embark on a dark journey on the planet Aether, where she crosses between the dark and light worlds in order to progress.

Echoes also sees some of Samus' usual weaponry swapped out for an arsenal focused on light and darkness, as they are core elements of the game's design. Additionally, Echoes features a fun multiplayer mode, the first in the series to do so, and it is absolutely worth playing today. The slick visuals, precise combat, and dark story all meld together brilliantly as Echoes is one of the GameCube's finest hours.

1 Metroid Prime Remastered

Incredible Remaster Of First Prime Game Is One Of The Switch's Greatest Titles

As the long, agonizing wait for Metroid Prime 4 continues, Nintendo sought to find a way to bring fans up to speed with the series and remastered the first game for the Switch in 2023. The end result was nothing short of perfection, as this astonishing GameCube title was rebuilt for the Switch and showed just how wonderful the game always was.

Metroid Prime Remastered maintains all the awe and wonder of the original game, featuring remarkable visuals and the same snappy combat system. It is a perfect fit for the Switch and looks incredible either docked or in handheld mode. It also introduces some nifty accessibility options, a slew of bonus content such as artwork and soundtrack gallery, as well as a reworked HUD. It is the best way to play one of the industry's finest games — and the best game to date in the Metroid Prime series.

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