Rewinding time and enjoying Metroid 1986 and Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991)
So recently I’ve been playing the very first Metroid Games.
(UH OH BACKSTORY!)
(Idk why. I’m sure there’s something I watched recently that motivated me to do so. All I know is I was without internet one day and decided to finally finish the Nintendo games on my phone. Hopped on Diamond and Pearl and then Ocarina. Then I was like eh how about we download the Metroid games? Here I am now)
It’s been very tough but also very fun. Old/Retro games can be absolutely brutal. Newer games are so easy it’s not even funny, it’s boring. I have to play new games on harder difficulty’s otherwise I get bored. Though the difficulty in the newer games is understanding the story.
How I knew about Samus
It’s embarassing. If you are turned off by inappropriate stories then don’t read this part. All I’ll say is that I somehow looked up “sexy samus” on Google as a 13 year old and the rest was history. Despite viewing that art, throughout it all I thought she was an interesting character.
I did play Super Smash Bros Melee so maybe that’s how I found out. (Though Fox was my fav)
Growing up around videogames I also eventually came across “Metroidvania” which rewards you if you’re the gamer who likes to explore every nook and cranny. I also love Sci-Fi. Alien, Predator, Star Wars, etc. So this was right up my alley.
Are the games worth playing in 2026?
- Metroid 1986? Not really unless you’re like me and you have an irresistible urge to play and finish it just to prove to yourself that you can do it, which I did. Almost quit in the beginning but I made a map of the game too. (Here it is 🙂) The game has no map, so you must figure out where to go by yourself. Bosses are difficult but manageable. If you get the best ending Samus takes off her helmet for you, or more..
- Metroid 1991? Also no, but it has the best screw attack sound effect so far (I’m on Fusion rn). Her movement is really good here, but the gameplay is samey and the story isn’t told very well, until you fine the cute baby Metroid that is. Ok the map looks a lil messy but it’s pretty linear compared to the rest.
The Renegade Art (just call me Josh. I made that username when I was 12 cuz of Tron Uprising)
‘Till next time folks. This is my first post like this. Too long? Too short? Let me know! I am doing something new here. I just had this massive urge to post my thoughts SOMEWHERE. I am lonely, and it’s hard after leaving my old social media group who has disbanded now. I already finished Super Metroid but I didn’t want to make this post too long. That map is..not pretty.
This is a great video on the first Metroid and one of the best Retrospectives on YouTube if not the best one I’ve seen.