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This is it. One of the best SNES games, one with amazing music, and the half-namer of "Metroidvania" games. I've been aware of this game for a long time and have tried to play it in years past (mostly getting stuck—I'm ashamed to say that at one point years ago I failed several times "defeating" Ridley and escaping from the space station).

It is the third Metroid in the series, but the opening text fills you in on what you need to know, with epic music. Try it with subwoofers.

There's so much to love about Super Metroid including trying new things (learn how to jump with your super-speed capabilities, and don't forget it in the end), or donning the Varia Suit for the first time gives your suit a new orangish-hue, something more familiar to the series than the plain yellow and red of the previous games, though a later suit takes it away in favor of light purple.

Probably the best thing about Super Metroid is the challenge level. Anyone with some video game chops can eventually find their way around (making or getting a map is highly recommended), but there's no "extra thing special" if you get all 100% in under 2 hours (except your pride): sorry, there's not going to be Samus posing in a bikini for you (I think, don't quote me on that). If you know what you're doing (that includes learning the controls, yes, I did get stuck on the "n00b bridge"), you can beat it in well under 12 hours with all of the items.

Is that necessarily a bad thing? No, while many games are longer, most of that isn't padded out with long jaunts across the overworld or getting lost in dungeons. And every hour is mostly fun. I know this is a very short review, but that's not a bad thing. Play it. It is one of the best SNES games (certainly in the top five, as there's lots of competition for that), and I would put it on the top ten list of best video/computer games, ever. If you have played it, you know how good it is.

January 13 2015

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