Metroid: Zero Mission

aka: Metoroido Zero Misshon, Mìtèluōdé: Língdiǎn Rènwù
Moby ID: 12061
Game Boy Advance Specs
Buy on Game Boy Advance
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Description official descriptions

Pirates have stolen an unknown life-form, recently discovered on the planet SR388. The life-form, called Metroid, is in a state of suspended animation and, according to analysis, was the cause of the complete destruction of SR388. If it ever got loose, the alien could destroy countless other systems.

The pirates have taken the being to the planet Zebes and are fending off the Galactic Federation's attacks. It is up to the space bounty hunter Samus Aran to find her way into the planet's core, destroy the pirates, and take back the alien before the pirates complete their plans of world destruction.

Zero Mission takes Samus back to her first battle with Mother Brain, expanding on the original story line and action from the original Nintendo classic, Metroid, with updated visuals, new puzzles to solve, and cut scenes filling in the personal story of Samus.

The player can perform moves taken from the original game, along with additions taken from the last GBA mission, Metroid Fusion, including the power grab. This game can also be linked to Metroid Fusion to unlock special extras.

Spellings

  • メトロイド ゼロミッション - Japanese spelling
  • 密特罗德:零点任务 - Simplified Chinese spelling

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Screenshots

Promos

Credits (Game Boy Advance version)

50 People (41 developers, 9 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 90% (based on 65 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 94 ratings with 6 reviews)

Keep'em coming, Nintendo!

The Good
The controls caught me on the most, and also the detailed graphics. The physics are a bit different from Metroid Fushion and goes back to original Metroid roots. I love how Samus always holds her gun with her right hand. I love how the enemies are perfectly balanced. I love the suspense around every locked hatch. Basically, I love everything about this game. Nintendo has made me proud, and it's a surefire thing that such a long expanding franchise won't die out.

The Bad
The gameplay is so addicting that it is beatable in a few days, so it is kinda short. Nothing else is wrong.

The Bottom Line
If you love Metroid games, the addiction is back. If you have a GBA, then by all means buy this now! Why are you wasting time reading this? Time for good ol' fashioned 2-D side scrolling shooter action!

Game Boy Advance · by Lad Holyman (3) · 2004

Metroid: The Director's Extended Cut - "Going Back To Where It All Started"

The Good
Metroid: Zero Mission is the second Metroid game I've beaten; I beat Metroid Fusion a while back and started Metroid Prime but got nowhere (need to pick that up and play it again sometime).

M:ZM is essentially a remake of the very first Metroid game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. However, it is more like a Director's Cut than a straight remake; a good example of another Director's Cut game would be the Gamecube version of the original Resident Evil. While the core game is intact, new locations, enemies, and bosses have been added to the game to extend the experience and provide more of a back story to your adventure.

Originally released in 2004, the graphics for M:ZM definitely stand up to the test of time. The majority of the time I played this game on my NES Edition Gameboy Advance SP; however, the graphics show up even better if you play it on the GameBoy Player that you can attach to your Gamecube. Colors are brighter, graphics are enhanced, and the music and effects sound clearer.

The gameplay is your typical Metroid style. You are thrown into an environment and have to go around recovering/acquiring various abilities in order to advance further through the area. Sometimes you will come across a locked door that you cannot even open without an ability you won't acquire until maybe a few more hours into the game. While this adds a certain level of longitivity to the game, it occassionally gives off a sense of artificially prolonging the game. However, completionists will delight in trying to achieve a perfect 100% collection score with a minimal time.

If you can complete the main mission, you will unlock a perfectly emulated version of the original Metroid for the NES, as well as a Hard mode that will definitely give you a challenge.

The Bad
While the Metroid series has never been known for its immersive story, it seemed that there was even less of a story than in Metroid Fusion. In M:F, cutscenes would occur more frequently, and you would constantly be getting updates from that computer personality.

The essential story of M:ZM seems to be 1- Destroy Mother Brain, and then 2-Destroy the Space Pirate ship. Not really much of a story, although I guess it's comparable to the "story" in the original Halo. However, it does get the job done; although it leaves us with a lot of questions, such as "Why was Samus raised on this planet by these creatures in the first place?"

One thing I appreciated about Metroid: Fusion was the directions your computer "friend" gave you, as well as good story reasons why you should go there. In Metroid: Zero MIssion, you are still prodded at times, but there is no reason as to why. Whenever you stumble across a Chozon statue, you will typically gain a new ability, and then be treated to a quick little shot of where you need to go next, without any reason as to why you should go there (other than you really can't go anywhere else).

I know a lot of fans of the series hated the prodding in the other game. They are disciples of the Super Metroid game where you have to find and discover everything for yourself. I am afraid I must disagree with them on this. Some motivation as well as direction is always a helpful thing in games, and is an evidence of good game design. Ever play a game where you have no clue where to go or do next? Not fun.

I beat the game just shy of 5 hours with a 76% completion rate. Obviously the game is a little on the short side. However, I'm thankful for the fact that I had already beaten another 2D Metroid game, because if I hadn't, and I hadn't used any guides or FAQs, it would probably have taken me much longer with a smaller completion rate.

The Bottom Line
A short action adventure title that can whittle away an afternoon or car ride, Metroid: Zero Mission is an excellent introduction to the series and is also a fun and enjoyable game for long term fans of the genre. I highly recommend it.

Game Boy Advance · by STU2 (52) · 2006

It's every bit as good as Fusion... perhaps better!

The Good
Having just completed Zero Mission, I can safely assure you that it is worth every penny. That's all you really need to know. While it is a remake of the first game, and feels a lot like the first game, it somehow at the same time feels like an entirely new chapter in the Metroid saga. For example, at one point Samus loses her suit and must rely on stealth tactics to retrieve it. This was a refreshing twist on Metroid gameplay. The graphics, sound effects, and musical score (which borrows much from the NES version) are all top notch. And, upon beating the game you unlock a Hard difficulty, and the original NES game!

The Bad
I have only one complaint, and it is the length. At roughly 4-5 hours to complete at Normal difficulty, it leaves you starving for more Metroid. Granted, the inclusion of the original game as an unlockable, and the Hard difficulty, certainly give the game some replay value, but the content itself is what I crave more than anything.

The Bottom Line
I would say to anyone with a GBA: buy this game now, without hesitation. If you don't absolutely love it, there's probably something wrong with you.

Game Boy Advance · by Michael Raymer (142) · 2004

[ View all 6 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Metroid: Zero Mission appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Endings

Like the rest of the Metroid games, it has a different ending image depending on how long it took the player to complete the game.

Extra Content

The original Metroid for NES can be played once the player has finished the game.

Awards

  • GameSpy
    • 2004 – #4 GBA Game of the Year
    • 2004 – GBA Adventure Game of the Year
    • 2004 – Game Boy Advance Game of the Year (Readers' Vote)
  • Joystick Game Awards

Information also contributed by glidefan and piltdown man.

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Kartanym.

Wii U added by Michael Cassidy.

Additional contributors: Guy Chapman, Opipeuter, Tiago Jacques, gamewarrior, Keeper Garrett, Cantillon, Patrick Bregger, FatherJack.

Game added February 10, 2004. Last modified December 30, 2023.