Concept: Metroid - The Classic Collection

With the release of Metroid Dread, the mainline story-arc of Samus’s thirty-five year history has come to a close. We feel that such a historic and important collection of adventures deserve to be brought together on one platform so that fans can explore the entire story ahead of the next installment, and Metroid’s fortieth anniversary.

Although most of these titles are now available to play on Nintendo Switch hardware, two of them are exclusive to the very expensive Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership tier, and one remains exclusive to Nintendo 3DS. We think that bringing all of these games together in a reasonably priced package similar to the Metroid Prime Trilogy in 2009, could be another opportunity to show the series some love.

Below is our concept for a Metroid Classic Collection for Nintendo Switch. To be clear, it is not confirmation or knowledge of an upcoming release.

Imagine this: a collection of every traditional side-scrolling Metroid title, from Samus’s first adventure on planet Zebes, to her final on planet ZDR. When you switch the game on, you will be greeted by a special Title Screen set in space, with images of moments from Samus’s previous adventures transitioning across the screen:

Once you’ve hit the A button, you are given the option to choose from Samus’s 2-D adventures, which would include Metroid, Metroid II: Return of Samus, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread. Beyond that, there will be an option to view special bonus content, achievements and complete credits for the collection, and for each individual game.

The Games

Each Metroid game will have several display options so you can play the game in whichever way is most comfortable. Games that were originally available on handheld systems (Metroid II, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid: Samus Returns) will have options to replicate the original console as a border on the screen. Speedrunners can also have a controller interface on screen with buttons highlighted as they are pressed, much like many online streamers do with their overlays.

The Enhancements

Metroid: A map has been added for the first time ever, and a standardised version of the game that makes saving possible (while retaining the password system), corrects the music using a wavetable sound channel, brings back the Samus Data Screen from the Famicom version showing the amount of times and days played, and fixes graphical glitches and lag for the smoothest experience with the original game that’s ever been possible.

Metroid Zero Mission: Randomiser and an option for HD graphics.

Metroid II Return of Samus: a ‘DX’ version with full color unlocked once the game is completed, and a map added, again for the first time ever. Graphical, sound and lag glitches have been fixed for the smoothest experience. You can also enable a Game Boy border interface and various filters so it appears in black and white or greenscale.

Metroid Samus Returns: Randomiser, and an “HD” version with the option to switch to the original graphics at any time. You can also enable a Nintendo 3DS interface.

Super Metroid: Randomiser mode.

Metroid Fusion: Randomiser mode, extra difficulties present in the Japanese version are now present worldwide, and the endings are included in a gallery on the Title Screen that unlocks as they are achieved.

Metroid Dread: Randomiser mode. The content from title updates (Dread/Rookie Mode and Boss Rush) is included in the Collection version of Dread.

The Extras

In Metroid: Samus Returns, Fusion Mode is unlocked after completing the game on Hard difficulty. The amiibo is no longer required, but can still be used to unlock it. You still have to complete the game once before you can play on it, however.

Art, music galleries, developer commentaries and behind the scenes content are unlockable for all titles, with original and never before released concept art for the original games.

Achievements

To mark the 40 years of Metroid, the Classic Collection will have 40 achievements.

Diorama Galleries

Metroid

1. The Starting Point in Brinstar
2. A Chozo Statue
3. The bubble shaft in Norfair
4. Samus fighting Kraid
5. Samus fighting Ridley
6. The Tourian access bridge
7. Samus fighting Metroids
8. Samus fighting Mother Brain
9. Samus escaping
10. The best ending with Samus in a bikini

Metroid: Zero Mission

1. The Starting Point in Brinstar
2. Samus morphed into an upright Chozo Statue
3. Kraid
4. Ridley
5. Mother Brain
6. Zero Suit Samus looking at the Space Pirate Mother Ship
7. Ruins Test
8. Samus hunting down Zebesians with her Legendary Power Suit
9. Mecha Ridley
10. Samus escaping

Metroid II: Return of Samus

1. The Landing Site
2. Samus fighting an Alpha Metroid
3. Samus fighting Arachnus
4. Samus fighting a Gamma Metroid
5. Samus fighting a Zeta Metroid
6. Samus fighting an Omega Metroid
7. Samus fighting the Queen Metroid
8. The birth of the baby
9. Samus leaving with it

Metroid: Samus Returns

1. The Landing Site
2. Samus fighting each of the first four Metroids at once
3. Samus fighting Arachnus
4. Samus being chased by the Diggernaut
5. Samus fighting the Diggernaut
6. Samus fighting the Queen Metroid
7. The birth of the baby
8. Samus fighting Proteus Ridley
9. Samus leaving SR388
10. Chozo Memory 11

Super Metroid

1. Samus fighting Ridley on Ceres
2. The Landing Site in Crateria
3. The Space Pirates attack in Tourian
4. Samus fighting Kraid
5. Samus fighting Phantoon
6. Samus fighting Draygon
7. Samus fighting Ridley
8. Samus fighting Mother Brain
9. The baby sacrifices itself for Samus
10. Samus escapes Zebes (with the animals also shown onscreen)

Metroid Fusion

1. Samus’s first encounter with the X
2. Samus’s surgery
3. Samus waking up in the Fusion Suit
4. Samus finding the X in the Quarantine Bay
5. The SA-X’s entrance
6. Samus fighting Nightmare
7. Samus escaping the Restricted Lab
8. Samus fighting the SA-X
9. Samus fighting the Omega Metroid
10. The destruction of BSL and SR388

Metroid Dread

1. Samus waking up in Artaria
2. Samus fighting a Central Unit and E.M.M.I.-02SM
3. Samus fighting Corpius
4. Samus fighting Kraid
5. Samus fighting Experiment No. Z-57
6. Quiet Robe’s conversation with Samus
7. Samus manifesting her Metroid powers
8. Samus rage-draining Raven Beak with her powers
9. Adam telling Samus she’ll drain the ship of its energy
10. Samus escaping ZDR

Other Extras

Closing

Every milestone that Metroid reaches proves the longevity of the franchise. As it has expanded since 1986 with the Metroid Prime sub-saga, and Metroid: Other M, it has continued to capture the hearts of players around the world. These are players who see themselves in Samus, who want an escape from their everyday problems, and who seek games that will challenge their instincts, reflexes and resolve. Metroid: The Classic Collection is the definitive experience for fans new and old, bringing together the entire 35 year story arc of Samus and the Metroids together from its beginning with Metroid in 1986, to the conclusion with Metroid Dread in 2021. See you next mission!

Written by Darren and Roy

Header image and additional graphics by: Irene