After intercepting a distress signal from a frigate orbiting Tallon IV, Samus Aran discovers a Space Pirate laboratory where experiments are being conducted with a mutagenic substance known as Phazon. She encounters Meta Ridley there before pursuing him to the planet's surface. Isolated on Tallon IV, Samus must then explore the remains of the Chozo civilization, follow the Space Pirates' research and uncover the origin of the corruption transforming the wildlife and threatening the entire planet.
Video game
2023
Action
Adventure
Science fiction
FPS
Platformer
Metroid Prime Remastered
On Tallon IV, Samus explores a world corrupted by Phazon where every new ability opens a path toward its secrets.
Details
- Type
- Video game
- Release
- 2023-02-08
- Genres
- Action, Adventure, Science fiction, FPS, Platformer
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Engine
- RUDE
- Game modes
- Single player
Synopsis
Metroid Prime Remastered
Trailer
Watch the trailer
Overview
Presentation
Metroid Prime Remastered modernizes the first Metroid Prime, the entry that translated the series' exploration principles into 3D and a first-person perspective. Samus Aran finds herself on Tallon IV, a planet made up of interconnected environments where the Space Pirates are exploiting the mysterious Phazon for their experiments.
Exploration sits at the heart of the adventure. Chozo ruins, frozen regions, volcanic caverns and Pirate facilities form a labyrinthine world where certain routes remain inaccessible until Samus recovers the necessary equipment. Gaining a new ability regularly encourages players to return to previously visited areas in order to uncover passages, items or secrets that were out of reach before.
The Scan Visor plays an essential role. It allows Samus to analyze creatures, mechanisms and inscriptions, while gradually reconstructing the history of Tallon IV and the Chozo. In combat, it can also reveal useful information or weaknesses against certain enemies.
Samus regains several iconic abilities from the series, including the Power Beam, missiles, Morph Ball, different beam types and visors, as well as suit upgrades suited to the harshest environments. These tools are used for combat, puzzle solving and exploration alike.
Combat takes place in first person and revolves around using the right parts of Samus's arsenal against the creatures of Tallon IV, the Space Pirates and Metroids altered by Phazon. The action remains closely tied to progression, where observing and understanding the environment matters just as much as shooting.
This remastered version preserves the structure, story and core systems of the original game while rebuilding its presentation for Nintendo Switch. The visuals and audio have been reworked, while several control schemes allow players to use modern dual-stick controls, motion inputs or layouts inspired by the GameCube and Wii versions.
Key points
- A remaster of the first Metroid Prime.
- A single-player adventure centered on Samus Aran and the planet Tallon IV.
- First-person exploration through an interconnected and labyrinthine world.
- The Scan Visor is used to analyze the environment and uncover the planet's history.
- Progression built around acquiring new abilities.
- The return of the Morph Ball, missiles and multiple beam types.
- The Space Pirates use Phazon in their experiments.
- Meta Ridley is among the major threats Samus encounters.
- Fully modernized visuals and audio.
- Several control options, including a modern dual-stick scheme.
Conclusion
Metroid Prime Remastered preserves the structure of the original game rather than reinventing it. Tallon IV remains a world built around methodical exploration, revisiting previously explored areas and gradually discovering new possibilities through Samus's equipment.
The Scan Visor also gives observation and understanding of the world a distinctive importance, while combat and puzzles rely on the same evolving arsenal.
The remaster mainly modernizes presentation and controls, allowing players to experience the first Metroid Prime without altering its core foundations.
Good to know
Metroid Prime Remastered is based on the original game developed by Retro Studios and is published by Nintendo.
The digital version was released for Nintendo Switch on February 8, 2023, immediately following its announcement during a Nintendo Direct. The physical release followed a few weeks later in Europe.
The original Metroid Prime was released for Nintendo GameCube in 2002 and marked Samus's first 3D adventure in the Prime series.
The remaster includes high-definition visuals, reworked audio, several control options and bonus content such as artwork galleries, 3D models and music.
It is a single-player experience and not a narrative remake: the story, regions and progression correspond to the original Metroid Prime.
On Nintendo Switch 2, the game runs through backward compatibility and does not have a dedicated Switch 2 Edition comparable to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
This entry focuses on the main campaign and core systems of Metroid Prime Remastered, while distinguishing technical improvements from content inherited from the original game.