Product details

Abstract

Everyone's favorite heroine, Samus Aran, is back! Packed to the gills with exploration, creative power-ups, and wicked enemies, Metroid Prime is a first-person adventure worthy of the Metroid stamp.

ESRB rating

Violence

Full description

Samus Aran makes her GameCube debut in a title that finds the sci-fi series evolving from a side-scrolling game to a first-person shooter. The evil Space Pirates are up to their old tricks again, this time on a remote planet called Tallon IV, so Samus must embark on another adventure through uncharted territory. While the perspective has changed from 2D to 3D, Metroid Prime still features many of the same elements found in the previous three games on the NES and Super NES.

Samus can outfit her space suit with new weapon upgrades found along the journey, including old favorites such as the Wave Beam and Freeze Beam, allowing her to more effectively battle creatures as well as uncover new areas. Gameplay still emphasizes exploration over non-stop action, but there are still confrontations with boss characters spanning multiple screens in height and puzzles to solve using the right combination of equipment.

Samus' visor can also be upgraded in the same manner as her weapons, and players will need to effectively use the visor's thermal, combat, X-ray, and scanning abilities in order to advance through the game. Once activated, the thermal display can be used to isolate weak points on an enemy or detect them hiding under the cover of darkness. Samus can also use her morph ball ability, which automatically switches the perspective behind the hero as she rolls along hallways and tunnels to escape danger or to break through barriers.

The technology offered by the GameCube allowed developer Retro Studios to create a world with detail not present in earlier versions of the series. Each environment offers effects such as billowing gasses, electrical interference, sparks, explosions, and real-time weather designed to make the planet come alive with activity. As a bonus, Metroid Prime supports the GameCube -- Game Boy Advance Cable for connection with Metroid Fusion, allowing players to activate secrets intended to enhance both titles.

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Samus first stopped the evil Space Pirates and Mother Brain from amassing an army of Metroids on the planet Zebes. Then she was called on to finish the job on SR388, ultimately ridding the universe of all but a single Metroid larva. In Super Metroid, for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Samus thwarted Mother Brain's attempt to snatch the captive Metroid larva from the scientists on Ceres. Now, Samus is once again called to investigate Space Pirate activities on the unexplored Tallon IV. Her adventure begins as she enters a mysterious derelict spaceship. Traverse a crippled spaceship and explore the vast worlds of Tallon IV in an all-new first-person perspective! Take advantage of Samus's many powers using new suits that enable her to gain new abilities and revisit earlier worlds to uncover many hidden secrets. Master Samus's combat, scan, and visors -- elements crucial to your success. Explore each area to find many familiar weapons, such as the Wave Beam and Freeze Beam, and some all-new ones as well. Choose the right weapon or ability carefully for the situation at hand. Samus will need to use all of the suit and visor abilities as well as many specialized weapons to navigate deadly Tallon IV!

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Special features

The return of Samus Aran and the Metroid franchise

3D first-person adventure game with third-person elements

Morph into a ball and navigate small tunnels, ride half-pipes, magnetic tracks and more

Use bombs in ball mode to gain access to otherwise unattainable areas

Traverse a crippled spaceship and explore the vast worlds of Tallon IV

Take advantage of Samus's many powers using new suits that enable her to gain new abilities and revisit earlier worlds to uncover many hidden secrets

Master Samus's combat, scan, and visors -- elements crucial to your success

Explore each area to find many familiar weapons, such as the Wave Beam, Ice Beam, and some all-new ones as well

Advanced 3D engine draws beautifully detailed worlds with massive geometry, crisp textures, lighting and particle effects and more at 60 frames per second

Flawless camera system blends first- and third-person views in-game

In-game cut-scenes highlight the action

Totally immersive, focused on single-player game

Traditional Metroid style adventure with numerous boss figures and power-ups

Supports progressive scan for HDTV users

Runs in Dolby Pro Logic II with capable stereo setup

No widescreen setting

Connect to GBA's Metroid Fusion to unlock extra goodies

Unlock art galleries, difficulty settings, and more

25+ hours of gameplay