- published: 02 Nov 2015
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Metroid (メトロイド, Metoroido?) is a series of science fiction action-adventure video games by Nintendo. It chronicles the missions of bounty hunter Samus Aran who protects the galaxy from the depredations of the Space Pirates and their attempts to harness the power of the eponymous Metroids. It is noted for having one of the first female protagonists in a video game and for its nonlinear gameplay. Metroid combines the platforming of Super Mario Bros. and the exploration aspect of The Legend of Zelda with a decidedly darker atmosphere.
As of 2011, the Metroid series consists of eleven games, with releases on every Nintendo home and portable console except the Nintendo 64 (not counting Super Smash Bros) and the Virtual Boy. As well as being one of Nintendo's most financially successful franchises with over 16 million games sold, it is also one of the company's most highly acclaimed series, with a GameRankings average score of 85% across all eleven titles.
The Metroid series contains gameplay elements from shooter, platformer, and adventure games. The series is notable for its non-linear progression and solitary exploration format where the player only controls Samus Aran, with few or no other characters to interact with. The series has been a 2D side-scroller in all its incarnations until the Metroid Prime series changed the perspective to a first-person perspective, leading to a new first-person shooter element. The player gains items and power-ups for Samus's cybernetic suit by defeating alien creatures through real-time combat with her arm cannon, which enables further exploration. A recurring upgrade is the Morph Ball, which allows Samus to curl into a ball, roll into tight places and plant bombs.