Metroid Prime

 GameCube
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1558 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,400 out of 1558
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 1558
  3. Negative: 104 out of 1558
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TheCatalyst
    Jan 18, 2018
    10
    95/100 one of the better games I've played. The atmosphere in this game is phenomenal. Even without twin stick controls for a shooter (more of an exploration game) it holds up well in the control scheme. I had one problem with a portion of the game toward the end, but still an amazing experience. Glad I jumped on this one and decided to it. A great game hidden in my backlog.
  2. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    8
    After 15 years since release graphics, music are stunning like they were, and great atmosphere and feel of loneliness are still there to amaze you. But game had some irritaiting stuff in it, like enemies that respawn over and over, when you are going form room to room and back and again, because game can be really confusing too. Also the post game quest is really nothing I needed in my life.
  3. Shlomo3006
    Apr 16, 2022
    10
    One of the best videogames ever made! The atmosphere is unmatched, the inmersive gameplay is magnificent.
  4. manute12
    Apr 10, 2021
    10
    Simply one of the best games of all time. Still a joy to play and holds up pretty well. 10/10
  5. B-Bog
    Jul 27, 2021
    9
    Great game overall, but the repeated backtracking can get pretty annoying in the late parts of the game. It's probably heresy to call for this in a Metroid game, but a fast-travel system would have come in really handy in these moments. It's just not that fun to traverse the same 30 rooms over and over and over again over the course of the game ( and deal with the quickly respawningGreat game overall, but the repeated backtracking can get pretty annoying in the late parts of the game. It's probably heresy to call for this in a Metroid game, but a fast-travel system would have come in really handy in these moments. It's just not that fun to traverse the same 30 rooms over and over and over again over the course of the game ( and deal with the quickly respawning enemies again every time), just to get around the map to the different regions.

    Speaking of enemies: The Lock-On system can be kind of finicky (I'm playing the Wii version), and the controls in general can be a little clunky and slow. Firing multiple Ice Beams in a row, charging up your Beams, firing a Super Missile, switching from missiles to Beams, everything takes just a little bit too long to do (and the Grapple Beam in general was pretty hit-or-miss for me). Which is fine for the most part because the game is pretty easy (really the navigation presents a bigger challenge than the enemies most of the time), but can be VERY annoying when fighting a certain type of late-game enemy.

    Oh yeah, and the fight against Meta-Ridley just goes on for WAY too long. My right pointer finger was already cramping up.

    But again, aside from these relatively minor criticisms, MP is an awesome and captivating game that still holds up surprisingly well in 2021. Graphics were stellar for the Gamecube, the framerate is at a consistent 60FPS, the music, atmosphere, and attention to detail are amazing, and the way the backstory gradually unfolds through logs is very intriguing. Also, let's not forget that this was the first 3D Metroid game EVER and appreciate what an outstanding job Retro Studios did at translating the DNA of a 2D side-scrolling platformer into a 3D First-Person game, all the while keeping the fundamentals of the series completely intact. Kudos!

    Bump the resolution on this bad-boy up to 1080p, upscale the textures, sharpen up the controls a little bit, and maybe introduce a late-game fast-travel feature, then put it on the Switch, and this game still wipes the floor with most modern releases, despite being almost 20 years old. Now that's a good game!    … Expand
  6. fortknox67
    Apr 17, 2018
    8
    The first time I ever played Metroid: Prime was on the original Gamecube release just before uploading this review, and this game is genuinely fun to play, even today. Of course, as to be expected from any older piece of entertainment it is not without it's problems. This is a very solid single player, first person shooter with impressive atmosphere (especially for the time) andThe first time I ever played Metroid: Prime was on the original Gamecube release just before uploading this review, and this game is genuinely fun to play, even today. Of course, as to be expected from any older piece of entertainment it is not without it's problems. This is a very solid single player, first person shooter with impressive atmosphere (especially for the time) and well-varied locales. However, the controls (amongst a few, more nit-picky things) are certainly in need of an update. When I first started the game after only having played a few of the 2D Metroid games I kind of enjoyed the tank controls, because it gave me a very similar feel to how Samus controlled in those 2D games (like how you had to stop moving to be able to aim in the 3D space in front of you), but as I continued I quickly realized that this control scheme does not work well for the type of game that Metroid: Prime is. It was incredibly annoying to have to stop in place to be able to look up to lock on to one of the massive bosses mid-battle or look down at the ground you are standing on so you can actually DO the first person platforming the game asks of you. The combat also suffers a bit from not having a way to easily aim in a 3D space while moving, which means you are essentially required to use the lock on feature if you want to be able to move while shooting your foe. Of course Retro did a fantastic job of still making the bosses fun and interesting despite giving themselves this constraint, so the combat is still rather enjoyable during boss fights, with the smaller enemies feeling like more of obstacles to be avoided. I have heard that the Wii remake addressed the problem with the controls by giving it motion controls that are, for the most part, better, but I would love to see a remake of this game with dual stick controls more than anything. Despite that one major problem, this game is still incredibly fun to play, and the place where it shines the most is in its atmosphere. The music and sound design in this game, compared with the unique and almost foreign visuals leave you feeling like you are actually all alone on a hostile alien planet. This game with it's 2002 graphics made me feel an intensity most games of TODAY can't make me feel, and certainly deserves a look. All in all I can see why this game is beloved by many, especially considering when it was released, but there are certainly improvements to be made. I hope that the next two in the trilogy address some of the issues the first had, and I cannot wait for Metroid: Prime 4.… Expand
  7. avoidingfern207
    May 10, 2018
    10
    one of the most realised and complete worlds in any game,ever. Outstanding graphics, music, gameplay and atmosphere
  8. Otisnemes
    Jul 8, 2018
    8
    A great game that can get on your nerves because of the awful, awful control and plataforming
  9. antenneone
    Oct 30, 2018
    9
    Toda la magia de super metroid ejecutada magistralmente en 3D. Un juego imprescindible. La segunda y tercera entrega me parecen mas flojas. Eso si, super metroid sigue siendo el mejor de la saga
  10. Skywardse
    Oct 30, 2018
    8
    Positives:
    + Visuals are great, especially for a GameCube game.
    + Reading about the world, the creatures and everything else through logs and scans is really interesting and lets people that don't care about story to easily skip the whole thing. + Soundtrack is fantastic and really adds to the already amazing atmosphere. + Boss fights are well made and fun. + Combat is solid and fun    Positives:
    + Visuals are great, especially for a GameCube game.
    + Reading about the world, the creatures and everything else through logs and scans is really interesting and lets people that don't care about story to easily skip the whole thing.
    + Soundtrack is fantastic and really adds to the already amazing atmosphere.
    + Boss fights are well made and fun.
    + Combat is solid and fun with the exception of the lock on-system.
    + Lots of interesting upgrades add a really nice feeling of progression.
    + Overall very polished game that runs in smooth 60 FPS.

    Negatives:
    - Controls are clunky. You can't manually aim while moving plus the lock-on system often times targets the wrong enemy. This makes even simply looking up a very slow and frustrating experience.
    - Saving is only possible at certain points which are few and far between in some areas.
    - Half of the game is just backtracking. I'd personally rather play a shorter game than go through the same generic halls and rooms 10 times because I constantly have to return for something on the other side of the map.

    Overall it's a great game and I'd definitely recommend it. But I don't see as some amazing masterpiece a lot of people claim it is.    … Expand
  11. RyanRetroGamer7
    Oct 13, 2020
    10
    If you have never played Metroid Prime, PLAY IT! It is the best game that I have ever played! No exaggeration! Get a copy, and play it!
  12. Protomario
    Jul 30, 2022
    10
    Metroid Prime might be the best and most perfect Metroid Game ever created, transforming Metroid from a side scrolling 2D platformer, to a story driven first person shooter set in a universe filled with lore.
    If anything, just look back on the multiple series that failed to make the jump to 3D properly. Even major series like Megaman and Castlevania had a bad time trying to jump to 3D.    Metroid Prime might be the best and most perfect Metroid Game ever created, transforming Metroid from a side scrolling 2D platformer, to a story driven first person shooter set in a universe filled with lore.
    If anything, just look back on the multiple series that failed to make the jump to 3D properly. Even major series like Megaman and Castlevania had a bad time trying to jump to 3D.
    But Metroid Prime did not just push the series to 3D, rather it springballed Metroid into perfection.
    This is the Metroid Prime retrospective.

    I streamed this game as it was and still is one of my favorite games of all time. I had not played it for many years though, so I wanted to see if it still held up today.
    The first thing that you will realize playing this game is how cool the presentation is. On the menu itself, it is the inside of a Metroid. And when the game begins, you the player are shown the graphical prowess of the Gamecube. A distress call, the vacuum of space, Samus’s ship appears, and bam, in all her glory, Samus. Gorgeous graphics and a stunning show for Metroid fans who waited many years for a new game. But due to the new nature of the gameplay and 3D space, players would have to get used to a new way to move and control Samus.

    One of the biggest critiques that can be leveraged against the game is the controls. Unfortunately, they are very archaic and they pre-date the use of dual thumb sticks that many First Person Shooters use today. The controls caused me many times to move in a direction I didn’t want to, and I constantly felt like they were tank controls. The controls would have been improved with a much faster turn rate, but they are still workable. The controls however offer the ability to manually aim, which is a massive improvement over Super Metroid’s 8-way direction. A lock on feature was included making it a breeze to battle, move, and dodge while shooting. Atop this, the controller is utilized with the heads-up display on Samus’s visor which then offers players no confusion when swapping weapons and visors.
    With that out of the way, as I was playing the game I was still in awe of the graphics. It’s hard to think this game came out 20 years ago. And though it can be seen, especially with the lack of smoothing and jagged edges. However, this game came out only 1 year after the GameCube had released. Every area looks fantastic and is immersive. In the initial space station, steam fogs Samus’s visor. The graphical effects were stunning, seeing huge dead mad scientist experiments, tubes filled with genetically altered creatures, and finally confronting a massive boss all contributed to the immersion.

    From the planet itself filled with foliage, water effects and waterfalls, Chozo Architecture, and overgrown temples. The Magma interior of the planet filled with Lava, tunnels, and fire-based creatures. The snow fields of Phendrana drifts, while snow falls and has the player crunching snow under their feet: fantastic. The space pirates research facility makes you feel claustrophobic while surrounded by botched experiments and any bit of lore you could want to learn about. The mines where operations are conducting appear industrial and the exact opposite of how the Chozo were living. And finally, the interior of the Meteor impact crater, which appears straight out of alien. And while exploring these fantastic looking areas comes fantastic ambient music. Most notably, Phendrana drifts, which is highly recommended in the video game ost world. Each area contains fitting musical tracks, some call backs to super Metroid, but all the music sounds fantastic and accompanies this massive adventure.

    All of the environments are a joy to explore, which is the name of the game. As I went through the game I made good use of the scan visor, which offers players the ability to scan things and learn more about them. From enemies to the most mundane of things, the visor assisted in learning lore that no Metroid fans had access to. But the game is truly about exploring and learning about new creatures.

    Going backwards in time 20 years this game was a fantastic joy to play yet again, and even with an archaic control scheme it was still not only playable but greatly enjoyable. I loved re-exploring Metroid Prime, re-learning the lore, encountering challenging bosses, and enjoying the music along with the areas of the alien planet.
    Is it perfect? No, but is it a Masterpiece, absolutely.    … Expand
  13. TJ_of_Carolina
    Jan 10, 2019
    10
    An immersive experience of being alone on an alien planet, exploring the planet and picking up suit upgrades. Wonderful sound track, the controls are even better if you're playing the Wii version, which allows physically pointing at the screen to aim your gun. Even though the game is technically first person shooting, the focus is more on exploration and your weapons are used for puzzlesAn immersive experience of being alone on an alien planet, exploring the planet and picking up suit upgrades. Wonderful sound track, the controls are even better if you're playing the Wii version, which allows physically pointing at the screen to aim your gun. Even though the game is technically first person shooting, the focus is more on exploration and your weapons are used for puzzles and other non combat things. The game is worth playing even for people who don't like FPS games because of this. Collecting power ups is satisfying and the player becomes stronger over the course of the game thanks to their efforts. Scanning is very satisfying and lets the player see the lore and worldbuilding if they so please… Expand
  14. Crazy_Diamond
    Apr 21, 2020
    9
    After years of hearing about how classic this game is, I finally decided to check out the hype, and I was not let down. Great gameplay, puzzles, exploration, combat, all of it is great. And for the Gamecube, the graphics are a marvel. Anyone saying the controls are bad clearly doesn't understand why the c stick isn't used for aiming, and it's because it's used to switch guns. No, thisAfter years of hearing about how classic this game is, I finally decided to check out the hype, and I was not let down. Great gameplay, puzzles, exploration, combat, all of it is great. And for the Gamecube, the graphics are a marvel. Anyone saying the controls are bad clearly doesn't understand why the c stick isn't used for aiming, and it's because it's used to switch guns. No, this isn't Halo, and it's not an average FPS, it's an adventure game, and you need to make the most of every button on your controller.… Expand
  15. Fransu_YT
    Mar 10, 2020
    8
    One of the most enjoyable and unique gaming experiences to date. Metroid Prime's amazing atmosphere is built up with so many different elements that just absolutely nail the feeling of being a lone bounty hunter on a wasteland of a planet. I know, I know, I'm beating a dead horse by saying it really *feels* like you're playing Samus, but there's no other way to properly say it. TheOne of the most enjoyable and unique gaming experiences to date. Metroid Prime's amazing atmosphere is built up with so many different elements that just absolutely nail the feeling of being a lone bounty hunter on a wasteland of a planet. I know, I know, I'm beating a dead horse by saying it really *feels* like you're playing Samus, but there's no other way to properly say it. The magnificent environments, the visor effects when you're near vapor, water or electricity, the great world building that the Scan Visor offers, one of the best video game soundtracks of our generation and so much more make this game feel absolutely timeless to play (especially on the Trilogy version!).
    The minus points come from some of the tedious backtracking and from recycling some of the ideas from Super Metroid (but making them better in my opinion, though).    … Expand
  16. CharlesJohnson
    Mar 9, 2019
    10
    This is certainly one of the best games I've ever played. I didn't play it when it came out and only played it recently. I think it is the second best game on the GameCube (second only to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker). My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that I thought Samus moved a little too slowly.
  17. MXChampagnepapi
    Jun 25, 2019
    10
    A game whit an incredibly atmosphere and a little bit creepy ambientation, this New game from samus results in a turnover from the Nintendo games, in less words a masterpiece
  18. RSB
    Jun 13, 2020
    9
    Incredible and well thought out well design, beautiful graphics for its time, and perfectly composed soundtracks that set the mood correctly for the game. Worthy to hold the Metroid name as all Metroids before this were side steppers.

    This is a true masterpiece and a worthy candidate to one of the greatest games ever made with my only con being since the world gets unforgivingly large    Incredible and well thought out well design, beautiful graphics for its time, and perfectly composed soundtracks that set the mood correctly for the game. Worthy to hold the Metroid name as all Metroids before this were side steppers.

    This is a true masterpiece and a worthy candidate to one of the greatest games ever made with my only con being since the world gets unforgivingly large you will sometimes struggle to know where to go next and the victory lap collection at the end was completely unnecessary.

    9.5/10    … Expand
  19. Mallakai
    Jul 23, 2019
    10
    For me? Simply the best game ever created. its a shame nintendo dont bring a switch version.
  20. MYP
    Jun 18, 2021
    9
    Metroid prime isn't perfect but it offers great music and atmosphere, brilliant level design, interesting enemies, Fascinating puzzles and an adventure that will stick with your for the rest of your life. It's flawed but i'll take it. For me Metroid prime was the killer app for the Nintendo gamecube.
  21. MatthewDavisMed
    Aug 8, 2020
    10
    Jumping from a 2D side scroller to a first person shooter seems to be a risky move. Until it came it just for it to become possibly the best in the series, even to this day. BRING ON METROID PRIME 4!
  22. Aidanator
    Mar 22, 2022
    10
    Metroid Prime is not only my favorite GameCube game but also one of my favorite games of all time. The atmosphere is absolutely dripping with polish. Every area is beautiful looking, and not only that, they all play really well (excluding Phazon Mines, that area needed a bit more time). The music is absolutely stellar and lends itself to the world extremely well. The combat is the onlyMetroid Prime is not only my favorite GameCube game but also one of my favorite games of all time. The atmosphere is absolutely dripping with polish. Every area is beautiful looking, and not only that, they all play really well (excluding Phazon Mines, that area needed a bit more time). The music is absolutely stellar and lends itself to the world extremely well. The combat is the only area where the age of this game starts to show a little bit, but even then it's still a lot of fun. The story works extraordinarily well, as you get both environmental storytelling and storytelling through your scan visor.

    TL;DR: Metroid Prime is an absolute must-play for everyone. Even if you don't particularly enjoy the Metroidvania sub-genre, you should still at least try this game. It's an absolute masterpiece, and I'm so glad that Retro Studios is continuing the series with Metroid Prime 4.    … Expand
  23. marcelskerps
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    esse jogo é demais!!!quando joguei super metroid não acreditaria que um dia sentiria toda aquela atmosfera , foi quando joguei metroid prime, musicas ótimas , jogabilidade , exploração , ambientação , está tudo ali, jogo perfeito
  24. tukumalu
    Jun 13, 2020
    9
    Just how could they transition from a 2D game design to this masterpiece of a first person adventure with great suspense, perfect mechanics and breathtaking scenery. Backtracking is a pain though.
  25. SaltyChan
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    Astounding journey from start to finish. Great controls and fantastic world building make exploring the foreign planet captivating, and a neat scan system offers sometimes gruesome details that worked around the gamecube limitations to offer one of the most memorable gameplay experiences of my entire life. Too much to say outside of how timeless this masterpiece is, and how revolutionaryAstounding journey from start to finish. Great controls and fantastic world building make exploring the foreign planet captivating, and a neat scan system offers sometimes gruesome details that worked around the gamecube limitations to offer one of the most memorable gameplay experiences of my entire life. Too much to say outside of how timeless this masterpiece is, and how revolutionary it was in its day.… Expand
  26. Nekocotier
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    Le meilleurs fps d'aventure que j'ai pu faire. Une vrai claque graphique pour l'époque, les effets sur la visière de Samus, les environnements, la direction artistiques, toute est magnifique. L'atmosphère, l'ambiance et le sentiment de solitude est parfaitement maîtrisé. J'en dirais pas plus, sa réputation est déjà faite. Un jeu culte à faire dans sa vie au moins une fois.
  27. Spootnik
    Mar 16, 2020
    10
    Best, game, ever. Period. The way we were disappointed how it became an fps back then seen screenshots on magazines. Then playing the actual game... how can you not cherich this game, that turned out to be the perfect transition to 3D for Metroid ❤
  28. GregLobstery
    Jul 15, 2020
    10
    The first 3D Metroid is simply amazing with breathtaking atmospheres, intriguing gameplay, and a vast world to explore. This is not a review please help this website runs so badly I love Metroid Prime but dear god this website is so bad for 2020 please help.
  29. CrusaderJP
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    A one of a kind game, that could be defined as first-person adventure. It's the incredible adaptation to the three dimensions of a legendary saga, just like Ocarina of Time was in the previous generation.
  30. longtimegamer00
    Apr 5, 2020
    10
    The best 3d space adventure you'll ever have. Everything about this game is perfect, it lives up to the hype. The sequels ( 2and 3) aren't quite as good but this game is just amazing on its own.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best GameCube Game of 2002
1
#1 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
1
#1 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. GamerFeed
    90
    It looks fantastic, it plays fantastic (the best usage of the GameCube controller to date), it sounds fantastic, and darn it, it is just fun to play.
    Read full review
  2. GameNow
    100
    It doesn't matter if you've never played a Metroid game before - Prime will kick your ass and unrelentingly own you. [A+; Jan 2003, p.62]
  3. Into Liquid Sky
    100
    It oozes with so much addictiveness that the storyline plays second fiddle and reminds you of a time when gameplay was an integral part of gaming. Put simply, this is one of the best games I have played in a long, long time. [Grade = A+]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »