Metroid: Samus Returns
Metacritic
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Finding live streams...
About Metroid: Samus Returns
Nintendo EPD released Metroid: Samus Returns in September 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS. This title reimagines the 1991 Game Boy classic, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, using a modern three-dimensional art style with a side-scrolling perspective. You control bounty hunter Samus Aran as she infiltrates SR388 to exterminate the dangerous Metroid species. The game features an enhanced arsenal and new abilities that expand on the original formula while maintaining the series' signature atmosphere. It serves as both a standalone adventure for newcomers and a nostalgic update for long-time fans who want to see how this specific chapter of Samus's history looks with current technology.
Gameplay
Sessions involve precise platforming through vertical caverns filled with hostile aliens. You explore rooms, scan creatures to learn weaknesses, and use a variety of weapons to clear paths. The combat relies heavily on the new dodge mechanic, which triggers in slow motion when timed correctly to counter enemy attacks. You must manage energy and ammo carefully while hunting down bosses that require specific strategy rather than just brute force. Collecting items grants abilities like the Grapple Beam or Morph Ball, which open up previously inaccessible areas. The camera zooms dynamically during cutscenes but snaps back to a tight side view for actual movement. Every room feels designed to test your reflexes and your knowledge of the environment before you can proceed deeper into the planet's core.
What Players Think
Critics and players have responded very strongly to this release. Metacritic awarded the game an 88 out of 100, while IGDB users gave it a score of 85.3 based on 123 ratings. Community data shows that the average playtime sits around 14 hours for a standard run, with many players spending over 25 hours to achieve 100 percent completion. Completion rates among active PlayPile members reach 68 percent, which is high for this genre. Player moods lean heavily toward "satisfied" and "engaged," with frequent mentions of the satisfying combat loop in review snippets. Only a small fraction of users reported frustration levels above average, mostly tied to the difficulty spikes found in later boss encounters.
PlayPile's Take
This is a solid 3DS exclusive that improves on its source material without losing the soul of the original. At launch, it was priced as a standard retail title, and the achievement structure offers plenty of goals for completionists who want to track every collectible. Fans of tight platforming and methodical exploration will find this game worth their time. Those looking for open-world freedom might feel restricted by the linear progression. The game stands on its own merits without needing comparison to other franchises. If you have a 3DS and like challenging action games, this title delivers a consistent experience from start to finish.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
85.3
RAWG Rating
4.2
Deals
Finding deals...
Videos
3Trailer
Trailer
Screenshots
11Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...