The Metroid series is a legendary franchise known for its atmospheric exploration, non-linear gameplay, puzzle solving, power-ups, and the iconic bounty hunter, Samus Aran. Here is a list of every Metroid title, in both production and chronological order.
The Metroid Series in Production Order
1. Metroid
| Initial Release Date | August 6, 1986 |
| Developer | Nintendo R&D1 | Intelligent Systems |
| Platform(s) | – Famicom – Arcade – NES |
Metroid (1986) introduces players to Samus Aran, one of gaming’s first female protagonists. Set on the hostile planet Zebes, Samus is tasked with infiltrating the Space Pirate base to stop their plans of weaponizing the dangerous Metroids—parasitic alien creatures.
2. Metroid II: Return of Samus
| Initial Release Date | November 1, 1991 |
| Developer | Nintendo R&D1 | Intelligent Systems |
| Platform(s) | – Game Boy |
Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991) serves as a direct sequel to the original Metroid. In this game, Samus Aran is sent to SR388, the homeworld of the Metroids, with a mission to exterminate the species before they can be weaponized by the Space Pirates.
3. Super Metroid
| Initial Release Date | March 19, 1994 |
| Developer | Nintendo R&D1 | Intelligent Systems |
| Platform(s) | – SNES |
Super Metroid (1994) is the direct sequel to Metroid II, following Samus Aran as she returns to Zebes to retrieve the last surviving Metroid, which has been stolen by Ridley and the Space Pirates.
4. Metroid Fusion
| Initial Release Date | November 18, 2002 |
| Developer | Nintendo R&D1 |
| Platform(s) | – Game Boy Advance |
Metroid Fusion (2002) serves as a direct sequel to Super Metroid. After being infected by the deadly X Parasite on SR388, Samus Aran is saved by a vaccine derived from the last Metroid’s DNA. Now part Metroid herself, she is sent to investigate the Biologic Space Laboratories (BSL) station, which has been overrun by the X Parasites.
5. Metroid Prime
| Initial Release Date | November 18, 2002 |
| Developer | Retro Studios |
| Platform(s) | – GameCube – Wii |
Metroid Prime (2002) marked the franchise’s transition into 3D first-person gameplay, while still maintaining the exploration-based structure of classic Metroid titles. Set between Metroid and Metroid II, the game follows Samus Aran as she tracks Space Pirates to Tallon IV, a planet corrupted by the mysterious substance Phazon.
6. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
| Initial Release Date | November 15, 2004 |
| Developer | Retro Studios |
| Platform(s) | – GameCube – Wii |
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004) is the direct sequel to Metroid Prime. This time, Samus Aran is sent to Aether, a planet caught in a war between the peaceful Luminoth and the dark, parasitic Ing. She must navigate between two parallel dimensions—Light Aether and Dark Aether—to restore balance and stop Dark Samus, a dangerous Phazon-powered entity.
7. Metroid Prime Hunters
| Initial Release Date | March 20, 2006 |
| Developer | Nintendo Software Technology |
| Platform(s) | – Nintendo DS |
Metroid Prime Hunters (2006) takes place between Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Samus Aran responds to a mysterious telepathic message from the Alimbic Cluster, which hints at the existence of the “Ultimate Power.“ As she investigates, she encounters six rival bounty hunters, each seeking the power for themselves.
8. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
| Initial Release Date | August 27, 2007 |
| Developer | Retro Studios |
| Platform(s) | – Wii |
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007) serves as the final chapter of the Metroid Prime trilogy. The game follows Samus Aran as she joins the Galactic Federation in their battle against Dark Samus, who has taken control of the Space Pirates and is spreading Phazon corruption across the galaxy.
9. Metroid Prime Trilogy
| Initial Release Date | August 24, 2009 |
| Developer | Retro Studios |
| Platform(s) | – Wii |
Metroid Prime Trilogy (2009) is a compilation of action-adventure games from the Metroid franchise and includes Metroid Prime (2002), Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004), and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007). The first two titles were updated to include the motion control system introduced by the Wii and a credits system supported by the WiiConnect24 internet service.
10. Metroid: Other M
| Initial Release Date | August 31, 2010 |
| Developer | Team Ninja | Nintendo SPD |
| Platform(s) | – Wii |
Metroid: Other M (2010) serves as a direct sequel to Super Metroid. The game follows Samus Aran as she investigates the mysterious Bottle Ship, a Galactic Federation research facility overrun by bioweapons, including Metroid clones and a new Ridley incarnation. Along the way, she reunites with Adam Malkovich, her former commanding officer, and uncovers dark Federation secrets.
11. Metroid Prime: Federation Force
| Initial Release Date | August 19, 2016 |
| Developer | Next Level Games |
| Platform(s) | – Nintendo 3DS |
Metroid Prime: Federation Force (2016) takes place after Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Instead of playing as Samus Aran, players control a squad of Galactic Federation Marines as they combat the Space Pirates across multiple missions in the Bermuda System.
12. Metroid: Samus Returns
| Initial Release Date | September 15, 2017 |
| Developer | MercurySteam | Nintendo EPD |
| Platform(s) | – Nintendo 3DS |
Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) is a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus. It follows Samus Aran’s mission to exterminate the Metroid species on SR388 with modernized gameplay and mechanics.
13. Metroid Dread
| Initial Release Date | October 8, 2021 |
| Developer | MercurySteam | Nintendo EPD |
| Platform(s) | – Nintendo Switch |
Metroid Dread (2021) is a direct sequel to Metroid Fusion, marking the conclusion of the main Metroid storyline. Samus Aran is sent to Planet ZDR to investigate the mysterious reappearance of the deadly X Parasite, only to find herself hunted by the unstoppable E.M.M.I. robots.
14. Metroid Prime Remastered
| Initial Release Date | February 8, 2023 |
| Developer | Retro Studios |
| Platform(s) | – Nintendo Switch |
Metroid Prime Remastered (2023) is an enhanced version of the original Metroid Prime. It brings modernized visuals, updated controls, and improved performance while staying faithful to the classic experience.
The Metroid Series in Chronological Order
Here is the Metroid franchise in order of the overall plot and story chronology.
- Metroid / Metroid: Zero Mission
- Metroid Prime
- Metroid Prime: Hunters
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Metroid Prime: Federation Force
- Metroid II: Return of Samus / Metroid: Samus Returns
- Super Metroid
- Metroid: Other M
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid Dread