The Metroid Trilogy: A Nerd's Retrospective

This source provides a critical review of the first three Metroid video games: Metroid (NES), Metroid II: Return of Samus (Game Boy), and Super Metroid (SNES). The reviewer details the evolution of the franchise, highlighting its groundbreaking elements, such as non-linear exploration and atmospheric design, while also pointing out significant flaws like the lack of in-game maps, frustrating gameplay mechanics, and archaic save systems in the earlier titles. The review ultimately praises Super Metroid as a masterpiece, acknowledging its improvements in controls, map functionality, and cinematic storytelling, contrasting it with the perceived shortcomings of its predecessors.