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|developer        = [[Nintendo]]<br> [[Intelligent Systems]]<br>[[Retro Studios]]<br>Team Ninja<br>[[Next Level Games]]<br>[[MercurySteam]]
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The '''''Metroid'' universe''' ({{ja|メトロイド|Metoroido}}, ''Metroid'') refers to the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series' collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from Nintendo's long-running series of science-fiction action-adventure games. Conceived and inspired by Western media, the ''Metroid'' series has garnered a notable following outside of Japan, with a large number of titles having also been developed by Western studios. The series has had twelve official games released thus far, with most of them being near-universally praised by critics and players alike. This series, along with {{uv|Castlevania}}, were the progenitors of a subgenre of exploration-based adventure games known as "Metroidvania". The series also has a compilation (''Metroid Prime: Trilogy'') and two enhanced remakes (''Zero Mission'' and ''Samus Returns''). The main series revolves around the space-faring bounty-hunting exploits of a woman named [[Samus Aran]] trying to stop the terrors brought about by the parasitic {{s|metroidwiki|Space Pirates}} and their monstrous commander, [[Ridley]], while the ''Prime'' subseries revolves around Samus stopping the sentient mutagen substance Phazon and its avatar [[Dark Samus]].
The '''''Metroid'' universe''' ({{ja|メトロイド|Metoroido}}, ''Metroid'') refers to the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series' collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from Nintendo's long-running series of science-fiction action-adventure games. Conceived and inspired by Western media, the ''Metroid'' series has garnered a notable following outside of Japan, with a large number of titles having also been developed by Western studios. The series has had twelve official games released thus far, with most of them being near-universally praised by critics and players alike, and it was the progenitor of a subgenre of exploration-based adventure games known as "Metroidvania". The series also has a compilation (''Metroid Prime: Trilogy'') and two enhanced remakes (''Zero Mission'' and ''Samus Returns''). The main series revolves around the space-faring bounty-hunting exploits of a woman named [[Samus Aran]] trying to stop the terrors brought about by the parasitic {{s|metroidwiki|Space Pirates}} and their monstrous commander, [[Ridley]], while the ''Prime'' subseries revolves around Samus stopping the sentient mutagen substance Phazon and its avatar [[Dark Samus]].


==Franchise description==
==Franchise description==
After the incredible success of ''[[Mario (universe)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' and {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} for the Famicom / NES, Nintendo wished to branch out and create a game with fast-paced action like the former, but with intricate exploration like the latter. Nintendo Research and Development 1 division led by Yoshio Sakamoto with producer Gunpei Yokoi were tasked with making this game a reality. The team took inspiration from Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi horror film ''Alien'' for both aesthetics and structure. Like ''The Legend of Zelda'' before it, the team wanted to hide permanent upgrades around the labyrinthine levels and encouraged backtracking to find new secrets with recently acquired upgrades. This game eventually released in August, 1986 as ''{{b|Metroid|game}}'', the name being a portmanteau of "Metro" and "Android."
After the incredible success of ''[[Mario (universe)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''{{uv|The Legend of Zelda}}'' for the Famicom / NES, Nintendo began work on ''{{b|Metroid|game}}'', an action game inspired by Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi horror film ''Alien''. Nintendo set the game in the labyrinthine, subterranean cave network of a science-fiction alien planet to help impress a feeling of desperation and solitude on the player, and attempted to set the game apart from other games by making it a nonlinear adventure-based game that required exploration and backtracking. Like ''Zelda'', ''Metroid'' helped pioneer the concept of acquiring permanent tools during the quest that would open up the way forward once the player returned to earlier areas. ''Metroid'' was also one of the first games to contain multiple endings, which were awarded based on how fast the game was completed; this had a hand in popularizing the concept of the "speedrun". Finally, ''Metroid'' was one of the first video games to feature a female protagonist - and this was initially presented to the gaming public as a concealed secret until the game was beaten in a fast-enough time.


The game tasked bounty hunter [[Samus Aran]] with a lone mission to hunt down and kill all [[Metroid (creature)|Metroid]]s on planet {{iw|metroidwiki|Zebes}}, and taking down anyone and anything that gets in the way of the mission. While initially starting out with little more than basic weapons, Samus eventually finds a multitude of upgrades that will help find and take down any adversary. The game received praised for its inventive gameplay structure and its atmosphere, reveling in the sense of isolation and fear of what comes next. ''Metroid'' was also one of the first games to contain multiple endings, which were awarded based on how fast the game was completed; this had a hand in popularizing the concept of the "speedrun". Finally, ''Metroid'' was one of the first video games to feature a female protagonist - and this was initially presented to the gaming public as a concealed secret, even using masculine pronouns when referring to Samus in promotional material and the instruction manual, until the game was beaten in a fast-enough time. Despite this praise, the game only sold modestly in Japan, starting a trend of the franchise never performing well in that region. However, the 1987 North American release sold much better, and the game was overall considered a success. Also, in retrospect, this seminal entry has not aged particularly well, including a total lack of help over where to go and clunky feeling combat, especially compared to modern standards. Though most of these complaints are offset by its historical and cultural significance.
For all these reasons and more, the August 1987 release of ''Metroid'' for the NES was another revolutionary and enormously successful release for Nintendo. ''Metroid'' had a palpable effect on the future of the video game industry, integrating what was technically several styles of gameplay that had already revolutionized the industry on separate prior occasions into a new formula that was married with a foreboding atmosphere. The revelation that the player-character, [[Samus Aran]] - appearing as a suited, mechanized soldier that the instruction manual referred to with masculine pronouns - was a woman underneath the armor plating was lauded as innovative for blowing away established norms of females in video games (like the damsels in distress in ''Mario'' and ''Zelda'').


A sequel was then put into productions for Game Boy, which this time released in North America first in August 26, 1991 as ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid II: Return of Samus}}''. While very similar to the previous entry in terms of gameplay, his sequel did something that very few Nintendo series attempted to do during this time frame: directly continue the story from the previous game. Samus is now tasked with exterminating the last known population of metroids on planet {{iw|metroidwiki|SR388}}, including the {{iw|metroidwiki|Queen metroid}} and all of her eggs. However, Samus hesitated and refused to kill the last remaining metroid egg, and later handed the baby over to the {{iw|metroidwiki|Galactic Federation}}. Despite its important narrative influence on the series, the game was considered a step down from its predecessor, mostly due to being much more linear and was overall an easier experience. This caused sales to drop significantly, and put the series in a precarious position.
Many retrospectives, however, find faults with some of the original game's design and layout in comparison to modern action-adventure standards, and these shortcomings were only partially addressed in the first sequel, ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'', released for the Game Boy in November 1991. This sequel did something that very few Nintendo series attempted to do during this time frame: directly continue the story from the previous game. The adventure was considerably linear, with the only goal being to track down and exterminate all of the [[Metroid (creature)|Metroid]]s on Planet SR388, but it served to lay the foundation for the gameplay and story to come.


[[File:RidleyMeleeCameo.png|thumb|Samus fighting her archnemesis, [[Ridley]], as depicted in the [[opening movie]] of ''Melee'' (based on ''Super Metroid'').]]
[[File:RidleyMeleeCameo.png|thumb|Samus fighting her archnemesis, [[Ridley]], as depicted in the [[opening movie]] of ''Melee'' (based on ''Super Metroid'').]]
Another sequel was planned immediately after development wrapped, this time for the Super Famicom/SNES. Many members of the team that were not involved in the Game Boy entry, including Yoshio Sakamoto, returned for this entry, which would release in 1994 as [[Super Metroid]]. Immediately after the events of ''Return of Samus'', the Galactic Federation is ambushed by [[Ridley]] and the {{iw|metroidwiki|Space pirates}} who steal the baby metroid and flee to planet Zebes. Samus gives chase and hunts down the Space pirates in an effort to get the baby back. With vastly refined combat, exploration mechanics, world design, and dialogue-free storytelling, the game garnered universal acclaim and is often labeled by official publications as not only one of the best games on the SNES, but also one of the best video games ever made. The greatest irony is that the American and PAL versions of ''Super Metroid'' sold well as a result of aggressive marketing by Nintendo that was spurred on by the game's poor sales in Japan. Analysts proclaim that the Japanese release of ''Super Metroid'' was poorly timed, not only because of more commercially successful games being released at the time like ''{{s|mariowiki|Donkey Kong Country}}'', but because of the launches of the next-generation systems Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn. This was a major contributing factor to what became a now-legendary eight-year hiatus for the series, which remained dormant despite Samus' appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' on the Nintendo 64, and Nintendo mentioning the possibility of an N64 installment which had never came to fruition.
By far the most significant evolution of the ''Metroid'' formula, however, was the seminal ''[[Super Metroid]]'', released on the SNES in April 1994. With vastly refined combat, exploration mechanics, world design, and dialogue-free storytelling, the game garnered universal acclaim and is often labeled by official publications as not only one of the best games on the SNES, but also one of the best video games ever made. The greatest irony is that the American and PAL versions of ''Super Metroid'' sold well as a result of aggressive marketing by Nintendo that was spurred on by the game's poor sales in Japan. Analysts proclaim that the Japanese release of ''Super Metroid'' was poorly timed, not only because of more commercially successful games being released at the time like ''{{s|mariowiki|Donkey Kong Country}}'', but because of the launches of the next-generation systems Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn. This was a big contributing factor to what became a now-legendary eight-year hiatus for the series, which remained dormant despite Samus's appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' on the Nintendo 64, and Nintendo mentioning the possibility of an N64 installment which had never came to fruition.


The franchise would continue its presence in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series as Samus reprised her role in ''Melee'', but no new core entry appeared to be on the horizon. This hiatus was broken in 2002 with two brand new entries released that year. The first was ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}'' for the Game Boy Advance, which continued the story after ''Super Metroid''. The Galactic Federation realizes that metroids were natural predators to the {{iw|metroidwiki|X Parasite}}, which have begun invading all parts of the galaxy. Around this time, Samus gets infected by and X Parasite and nearly dies. The only way she was saved was to surgically remove her power suit and graft metroid DNA into her, which gave her the side effect of being able to consume X Parasite. Her new task is to hunt down any X Parasite before they destroy all life in the galaxy. The game was praised for its presentation and more in-depth story that ties in all previous entries, though was criticized for being more linear than any previous entry with many blatant efforts of handholding.
The franchise would continue its presence in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series as Samus reprised her role in ''Melee'', but no new core entry appeared to be on the horizon. The rebirth of the ''Metroid'' franchise at the end of 2002 was arguably one of the most daring and ambitious for any video game franchise; two completely separate, high-profile ''Metroid'' titles were released on the same day in the Americas, on November 17, 2002. The first was ''Metroid Fusion'' for the Game Boy Advance, which was an all-new adventure based on the familiar two-dimensional sidescrolling formula of ''Super Metroid''. However the more noteworthy title of the two was ''Metroid Prime'' for the Nintendo GameCube, the series's inaugural transition into the third dimension, which was highly controversial prior to release. Not only was it being developed by a then-unknown company in the United States, the Texas-based [[Retro Studios]], but its presentation with a first-person perspective led to accusations of being a complete departure from the ''Metroid'' fabric for the worse. The released product ultimately allayed these concerns, to say the least; ''Metroid Prime'' garnered extremely enthusiastic acclaim from critics and fans for managing the task of faithfully transplanting the classic formula into three dimensions and using the first-person viewpoint to its advantage and became one of the GameCube's best-selling titles as a result, securing the franchise's place as a Nintendo staple for the foreseeable future.


The second release was ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime}}'' for [[Nintendo GameCube]], the series' inaugural transition into the third dimension as a first-person shooter. Set between ''Metroid'' and ''Metroid II'', Samus discovers that the Space Pirates were experimenting with a dangerous substance known as {{iw|wikipedia|Phazon}}, and must both learn how to harness and properly wield it, as well as defeat any creature corrupted by it. This entry was highly controversial prior to release. Not only was it being developed by a then-unknown company in the United States, the Texas-based [[Retro Studios]], but its presentation with a first-person perspective led to accusations of being a complete departure from the ''Metroid'' fabric for the worse. The released product ultimately allayed these concerns, as ''Metroid Prime'' garnered extremely enthusiastic acclaim from critics and fans for managing the task of faithfully transplanting the classic formula into three dimensions and using the first-person viewpoint to its advantage and became one of the GameCube's best-selling titles as a result, securing the franchise's place as a Nintendo staple for the foreseeable future.
[[File:Power Suit Samus - Brawl Trophy.png|thumb|Samus's [[Zero Suit Samus|Zero Suit]], worn beneath her Power Suit, was introduced in ''Zero Mission'' and replaced previous depictions of unsuited Samus. Trophy of [[Power Suit Samus]] from ''Brawl''.]]
Throughout the 2000s, the ''Metroid'' franchise settled into a more regular release schedule following ''Prime'' and ''Fusion''. ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', released for the Game Boy Advance in February 2004, was a top-to-bottom remake and expansion of the original NES ''Metroid'' that incorporated elements and design choices from future installments such as the control scheme, power-ups, and movement mechanics. The key difference from the original was that while the first game allowed Samus to be playable without her armor using a cheat code, ''Zero Mission'' established Samus' abilities when outside of the Power Suit, [[Zero Suit Samus|making Samus playable in the new "Zero Suit"]] as part of the narrative. ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', for the GameCube in November 2004, was a ''Prime'' follow-up that changed several concepts and was tuned to a much higher level of difficulty. ''Metroid Prime Hunters'' was an ambitious effort to present the graphically intensive ''Metroid Prime'' first-person formula on the restrictive hardware of the Nintendo DS in March 2006. Retro Studios concluded the ''Metroid Prime'' subseries (albeit temporarily) with the August 2007 release of ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' for the [[Wii]]. The final chapter in the original trilogy, this entry introduced immersive pointer controls to the series for controlling Samus and aiming her weapons, which were carried over to the Japan-only "New Play Control!" rereleases of the first two ''Prime'' games. In late 2009, all three games were compiled into one disc as the limited-edition ''Metroid Prime: Trilogy'' for Wii, bringing with it updated textures and slight difficultly revisions along with faster load times and a unified interface. The compilation eventually came to the Wii U Virtual Console in January 2015 after the physical version went out of print.
 
Following the Wii compilation's original release, Retro Studios would shift its focus to revitalizing another dormant Nintendo franchise in ''[[Donkey Kong (universe)|Donkey Kong Country]]'', leaving them preoccupied for the time being. After the conclusion of the ''Prime'' trilogy, ''Metroid: Other M'' was introduced in August 2010 for the Wii, developed by Team Ninja of ''Ninja Gaiden'' fame. Its new third-person action-adventure gameplay aspects were generally well-received; however, some reviewers criticized its strikingly linear approach to level design, approach to characterization of Samus, the voice acting and dialogue (with the English dub directed by the non-English-speaking Yoshio Sakamoto), and the game's methods of telling a cutscene-heavy story, with these aforementioned elements causing a high degree of fan controversy and backlash. This, combined with the game's poor sales outside of Japan, dealt a critical blow to the series's success streak and marked the beginning of a second hiatus for the franchise.
 
Five years later at E3 2015, a new game in the series was announced for the Nintendo 3DS, ''Metroid Prime: Federation Force'' by [[Next Level Games]], a spinoff of the ''Metroid Prime'' series due for release in 2016. The game is a cooperative first-person shooter, where the player assumes the role of a faceless Galactic Federation Marine and featuring gameplay elements similar to that of ''Metroid Prime Hunters''. The game also featured a side mode called "Blast Ball" in which two teams of four Federation troops blast a large soccer ball to the other team's goal. Much like ''Other M'' before it, the game was met with a highly polarized reception, though ''Federation Force'' was lambasted for its change in graphical style, heavily reduced focus on Samus, focus on combat over exploration, and its overall departure from the series's general tone. Further criticism was aimed at the fact that the first ''Metroid'' game announced after the franchise's five-year hiatus was a spin-off title and not a core entry in either the 2D series or the ''Prime'' series, particularly for the franchise's 30th anniversary. On release, ''Federation Force'' sold poorly and was generally met with lukewarm reviews, now being considered "dead on arrival" to critics and fans.
 
With the controversy surrounding both ''Other M'' and ''Federation Force'', as well as the five-year hiatus between them, the early-to-mid 2010s marked a period of uncertainty surrounding the state of the ''Metroid'' series. However, two new mainline ''Metroid'' titles were announced during E3 2017 - ''Metroid Prime 4'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], and ''Metroid: Samus Returns'' for the Nintendo 3DS. The latter of the two is an enhanced remake of ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' developed by MercurySteam, who previously handled the ''[[Castlevania (universe)|Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' games. ''Samus Returns'' would release in September of that year and the reveal of these two games marked the true end of the main series' hiatus and, together with a new sub-line of ''Metroid'' [[amiibo]], signaled the return of ''Metroid'' as one of Nintendo's flagship franchises.
 
While ''Samus Returns'' saw incredibly positive reception from fans and critics for bringing the series back to its roots despite lukewarm sales (which can be partly attributed to the waning lifespan of the 3DS), information on ''Metroid Prime 4'' was hazy at best. Shortly after the game's teaser announcement, it was confirmed that longtime developer Retro Studios would not be returning for the new entry. Instead, it would be handled by an unspecified new development team. Roughly two years later, even after the series saw an increase in representation in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', it was announced in January 2019 that the game's development would be restarted from scratch. Shinya Takahashi cited development struggles under the new team to meet the quality standards of the previous ''Metroid Prime'' titles and the expectations of series fans. As a result, series producer Kensuke Tanabe would restart the game's development, but with none other than the original developer of the ''Metroid Prime'' series - Retro Studios. Meanwhile, producer Yoshio Sakamoto would continue working with MercurySteam to develop ''Metroid Dread'' for the Nintendo Switch, the first proper continuation of the ''Metroid'' storyline since ''Fusion''.
 
Overall, the ''Metroid'' series is often held up as one of Nintendo's greatest classic franchises and maintains a dedicated fanbase, particularly in the West. ''Super Metroid'' and the ''Metroid Prime'' trilogy in particular have garnered significant praise from fans and reviewers. Samus herself, while not achieving the same level of recognition as [[Mario]] or [[Link]], is widely praised as one of Nintendo's most iconic heroines and a groundbreaking example of proactive female protagonists in gaming.
 
The ''Metroid'' series stars Samus Aran, a battle-hardened, one-of-a-kind professional bounty hunter raised by a now-extinct race of bird-like humanoids named the Chozo and sporting a powered suit imbued with fantastic Chozo technology. With an arm-grafted cannon that can shoot a variety of projectiles seemingly without limit, and a suit function that affords Samus the seemingly superhuman ability to transform into a perfectly spherical metal ball that can self-navigate tight quarters, Samus is regularly called upon by the primary known sovereign government of the ''Metroid'' setting, the Galactic Federation, to go on infiltration missions into planets and compounds occupied by races of alien Space Pirates. The series' namesake is a floating, jellyfish-like lifeform called a Metroid, which has the seemingly supernatural ability to siphon life energy out of its victims; Space Pirates seek to breed and harness these creatures, so it is up to Samus, seemingly the only individual with the upgradeable weaponry capable of killing them, to explore Space Pirate-occupied worlds and destroy their operations down to the core. Each primary ''Metroid'' title adds to a chronology of canonical games, which is laid out below:
 
*'''Metroid''' / '''Metroid: Zero Mission''': Samus' first mission is is to infiltrate the formerly Chozo-inhabited planet Zebes, since overtaken by Space Pirates, and destroy their standing forces and their stable of Metroids. Along the way, Samus battles the foremost "enforcers" of the Space Pirates - the colossal reptilian [[Kraid]] and the dragon-like [[Ridley]] (likely named after ''Alien'' director Ridley Scott) - and ends up battling the organic artificial intelligence helping dictate Pirate operations, [[Mother Brain]]. Immediately after a seemingly successful mission, however, Samus runs into some bad luck during her escape attempt, and is forced to find a way off the planet in just a [[Zero Suit Samus|light blue body suit]] while equipped with a [[Paralyzer|stun gun]]. After successfully escaping, Samus is able to harness the power of the ancient Legendary Power Suit (which more closely resembles her usual design) by proving herself at the Chozodia temple. With her newfound power, she tears through the Space Pirate mothership, destroys a giant robot shaped in Ridley's likeness, and narrowly escapes the planet intact.
 
*'''Metroid Prime''': Samus tracks remnants of the Space Pirates to another outpost on the planet Tallon IV, and she discovers that they are experimenting on augmenting their capacity for warfare with a mysterious mutagenic substance called Phazon, which was brought to the planet by an enigmatic meteor strike long ago. She destroys the Space Pirates' research and standing forces once again, but along the way inadvertently allows for the incidental birth of a dark opposite to herself - the sentient Phazon entity [[Dark Samus]].


[[File:Power Suit Samus - Brawl Trophy.png|thumb|Samus's [[Zero Suit Samus|Zero Suit]], worn beneath her Power Suit, was introduced in ''Zero Mission'' and replaced previous depictions of unsuited Samus. Trophy of [[Power Suit Samus]] from ''Brawl''.]]
*'''Metroid Prime Hunters''': When the Galactic Federation receives a mysterious telepathic message that the key to the "ultimate power" resides in the Alimbic star system, Samus is sent to investigate and possibly retrieve it, but six other rival bounty hunters from different alien species are also competing for the same goal.
Throughout the 2000s, the ''Metroid'' franchise settled into a more regular release schedule following ''Prime'' and ''Fusion''. On the console front, ''Metroid Prime'' would receive two direct sequels. the first was ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}'' in 2004 for GameCube, which sees Samus fight a Phazon corrupted version of herself known as [[Dark Samus]], as well as restore the balance of light and dark energy among several planets. This game was well received, but ultimately seen as not a major step up to the formula. The second was ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}'' in 2007 for [[Nintendo Wii]], which sees Samus corrupted by Phazon, and thus having to team up with other bounty hunters to defeat the returning Dark Samus and keep the Phazon under control. While the story was seen as nothing special, the brand new pointer controls were seen as revolutionary for a streamlined way to aim and shoot. The first two games games were then remastered in 2009 for Wii in Japan under the "New Play Controls" line, and these entries were then released internationally as a collection for Wii as ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime: Trilogy}}'', with major changes being updated textures and all games sharing the pointer controls setup. Physical copies of this game are now considered rare and valuable due to their limited run.


On the handheld front, ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}'' released for the Game Boy Advance in February 2004. This is a full remake of the original ''Metroid'' with enhanced presentation, some gameplay improvements, and a new epilogue that would better tie this entry into the rest of the series. This entry was also the proper introduction of the [[Zero Suit Samus|Zero Suit]], which would become an iconic design for Samus. In 2005, the series debuted on the {{uv|Nintendo DS}} with ''{{iw|wikipedia|Metroid Prime Pinball}}''. While not a canon entry to the series, the game loosely retells the story of ''Metroid Prime'' in the form of a pinball game, with Samus as the ball. Then in 2006, also for the Nintendo DS, the game ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Hunters}}''. Set between ''Metroid Prime'' and ''Metroid Prime 2'' the game sees Samus team up with other bounty hunters to defeat the Space Pirates. The game is essentially a first person shooter on the Nintendo DS. While praise was given for its ambition and excellent display of what the Nintendo DS is capable of, criticism was given to not all of its ideas landing.
*'''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''': The Galactic Federation loses contact with a Federation marine vessel that engages a Space Pirate vessel near another Space Pirate outpost planet named Aether, and Samus is sent to investigate. She discovers the planet was struck by a similar Phazon meteor in its past, which has split the planet into light and dark dimensions. Samus must not only separately contend with the Space Pirates and Dark Samus itself, but even more threatening shadow creatures from the dark dimension, the Ing, who threaten the peaceful Luminoth race.


Following the Wii compilation's original release, Retro Studios would shift its focus to revitalizing another dormant Nintendo franchise in ''[[Donkey Kong (universe)|Donkey Kong Country]]'', leaving them preoccupied for the time being. After the conclusion of the ''Prime'' trilogy, the original visionaries like Yoshio Sakamoto would return for a console entry for the first time since ''Super Metroid''. Sakamoto would collaborate with Team Ninja with full creative freedom to make the Metroid game he always wanted to make. This game would release as ''Metroid: Other M'' in August 2010 for the Wii Taking place between ''Super Metroid'' and ''Metroid Fusion'', the game saw Samus team up with old friend from the Galactic Federation to figure out the cause of a distress signal, and in turn discover the horrific experiments on the ship that sent the signal that the Federation was partially responsible for and is trying to cover up. Its new third-person action-adventure gameplay aspects were generally well-received; however, some reviewers criticized its strikingly linear approach to level design, approach to characterization of Samus, the voice acting and dialogue (with the English dub directed by the non-English-speaking Yoshio Sakamoto), and the game's methods of telling a cutscene-heavy story, with these aforementioned elements causing a high degree of fan controversy and backlash. This, combined with the game's poor sales outside of Japan, dealt a critical blow to the series' success streak and marked the beginning of a second hiatus for the franchise.
*'''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''': With the Space Pirates' Phazon-based operations now in disarray from Samus' meddling, the Space Pirates turn to a rejuvenated Dark Samus for aid, and allow themselves to get indoctrinated by the entity. Dark Samus seeks to corrupt the galaxy with Phazon and has the Space Pirates launch simultaneous attacks on separate Federation planets, and Samus herself gets her suit corrupted during the struggle. Granted new technology that allows herself to harness her own suit's Phazon corruption, Samus goes on a planet-hopping quest to end the Phazon menace forever, even as her fellow bounty hunters become corrupted and turn against her. Along the way, Samus realizes the truth about the origin and nature of the Phazon-filled "living meteors" called Leviathians. Samus reactivates the Valhalla and takes the fight to the planet Phaaze, the source of all Phazon and home of Dark Samus. After a hard-fought duel against both her dark doppelgänger and a corrupted Aurora Unit, Samus ultimately prevails and Dark Samus is destroyed for the last time, along with the entirety of Phazon and the planet Phaaze. Thus, the war on Phazon concludes - though not without a mysterious follower tracking Samus's gunship through the stars.


After being represented exclusively in cameos and crossovers throughout the 2010s, ''Metroid'' would suddenly return at E3 2015, with a new game in the series was announced for the Nintendo 3DS, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Metroid Prime: Federation Force}}''. Developed by Next Level Games as a multiplayer based spinoff of the ''Metroid'' series, released in 2016. The game is a cooperative first-person shooter, where the player assumes the role of a faceless Galactic Federation Marine and featuring gameplay elements similar to that of ''Metroid Prime Hunters''. The game also featured a side mode called "Blast Ball" in which two teams of four Federation troops blast a large soccer ball to the other team's goal. Much like ''Other M'' before it, the game was met with a highly polarized reception, though ''Federation Force'' was lambasted for its change in graphical style, heavily reduced focus on Samus, focus on combat over exploration, and its overall departure from the series' general tone. Further criticism was aimed at the fact that the first ''Metroid'' game announced after the franchise's five-year hiatus was a spin-off title and not a core entry in either the 2D series or the ''Prime'' series, particularly for the franchise's 30th anniversary. This was essentially the wrong game at the wrong time. On release, ''Federation Force'' sold poorly and was generally met with lukewarm reviews, now being considered "dead on arrival" to critics and fans.
*'''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''': After Samus' elimination of the Phazon menace, the Space Pirates continue to serve as a threat in their own right. In response, the Galactic Federation initiates "Operation Golem" and trains an elite task force of Federation Marines in large mech suits in order to eliminate the remaining Space Pirates, henceforth known as the Federation Force. A significant Space Pirate presence is detected in the three-planet Bermuda System and the Federation Force are sent to eradicate them, with some occasional assistance from Samus herself. After their success, a mysterious figure infiltrated their base containing a Metroid egg, which the figure then prematurely hatched. He presumably stole it under the noses of the Federation troops.


With the series once again in a rocky position, Nintendo surprised everyone with two new installments announced at E3 2017 - ''Metroid Prime 4'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], and ''Metroid: Samus Returns'' for the Nintendo 3DS. The latter of the two is an enhanced remake of ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' developed by MercurySteam, who previously handled the ''[[Castlevania (universe)|Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' games. ''Samus Returns'' would release in September of that year and the reveal of these two games marked the true end of the main series' hiatus and, together with a new sub-line of ''Metroid'' [[amiibo]], signaled the return of ''Metroid'' as one of Nintendo's flagship franchises.
*'''Metroid II: Return of Samus''' / '''Metroid: Samus Returns''': The Galactic Federation has deemed the Metroid species too great a threat to be allowed to live, and so tasks Samus to cull every individual specimen off the surface of the Metroid homeworld, SR388. Samus destroys Metroids that have matured into advanced, more monstrous forms, and squares off against the Metroid Queen itself, but at the end of her mission, she spares a lone hatchling and donates it to the Federation's research division on the Ceres space station.


While ''Samus Returns'' saw incredibly positive reception from fans and critics for bringing the series back to its roots despite lukewarm sales (which can be partly attributed to the waning lifespan of the 3DS), information on ''Metroid Prime 4'' was hazy at best. Shortly after the game's teaser announcement, it was confirmed that longtime developer Retro Studios would not be returning for the new entry. Instead, it would be handled by an unspecified new development team. Roughly two years later, even after the series saw an increase in representation in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', it was announced in January 2019 that the game's development would be restarted from scratch. Shinya Takahashi cited development struggles under the new team to meet the quality standards of the previous ''Metroid Prime'' titles and the expectations of series fans. As a result, series producer Kensuke Tanabe would restart the game's development, but with none other than the original developer of the ''Metroid Prime'' series - Retro Studios.  
*'''Super Metroid''': A revived Ridley promptly raids the Ceres station and takes back the Metroid hatchling by force, prompting Samus to return to Zebes on another mission to thwart the Space Pirates' last efforts to preserve and harness the species. She infiltrates the Space Pirates' reconstructed subterranean base on Zebes, and discovers and once again battles each of her classic foes - Kraid, Ridley, and the Mother Brain - before detonating the entire planet and achieving the extinction of the Metroid species.


Meanwhile, producer Yoshio Sakamoto would continue working with MercurySteam to develop a new 2D entry into the series. This would manifest in 2021 as ''Metroid Dread'' for the Nintendo Switch, a project 15 years in the making and the first proper continuation of the ''Metroid'' storyline since ''Fusion''. This game sees Samus travel to planet {{iw|metroidwiki|ZDR}}, only to be attacked and left stranded by a somehow living {{iw|metroidwiki|Chozo}}. Trying to find a way off the planet and investigate what this Chozo wants, Samus will learn long forgotten parts of galactic history, as well as her own past and heritage. The game was universally praised for being the culmination of the 2D ''Metroid'' formula with excellent controls, level design, and a good balance of exposition and environmental storytelling. This caused the game to sell over 3 million copies and become the best selling single release in the series, breaking its curse of each entry having relatively low sales.
*'''Metroid: Other M''': Samus follows a distress signal towards a "Bottle Ship" floating near a Federation vessel, and discovers some of her companions from her days in the Federation militia, including her former commanding officer Adam Malkovich, on board in the middle of a mission he does not tell Samus about at first. After Adam begrudgingly allows her to cooperate with the platoon, they discover the first signs of a darker side to the Federation.


A remaster of the first ''Metroid Prime'' game would release in early 2023, featuring a large graphical overhaul along with a more modern control scheme. Release to rave reviews, ''Prime Remastered'' would ensure the series' continued presence from there on. The game is also an indication of what directions ''Metroid Prime 4'' will take, though nothing about the game would materialize until June 2024, where first look at gameplay would finally be shown off in a Nintendo Direct. It is currently scheduled for a 2025 release.
*'''Metroid Fusion''': While leading scientists on a Federation-sanctioned survey across SR388, Samus is attacked by a native parasitic lifeform, the X Parasite, that was originally kept in check by its natural predator, the Metroids. Samus survives, but becomes permanently bound to a "fusion" form of her suit. The research station floating above the planet later becomes infested with X Parasites that mimic other organisms. Thus, Samus, whose new form is immune to the infestation, is sent on a mission by the Federation to fight and wipe out the creatures, or at least that is what she was led to believe her mission is about before discovering that the Federation is using the remaining Baby Metroid cells to clone new Metroids for their own purposes. Samus fights her way through the X Parasites, the newly cloned Metroids, and a terrifying X Parasite clone of herself, the SA-X, before destroying the ship and setting off for the unknown.


Overall, the ''Metroid'' series is often held up as one of Nintendo's greatest classic franchises and maintains a dedicated fanbase, particularly in the West. ''Super Metroid'' and the ''Metroid Prime'' trilogy in particular have garnered significant praise from fans and reviewers. Samus herself, while not achieving the same level of recognition or even marketability as [[Mario]] or [[Link]], is widely praised as one of Nintendo's most iconic characters and a groundbreaking example of proactive female protagonists in gaming.
*'''Metroid Dread''': Some time after the events of ''Metroid Fusion'', Samus receives an unknown signal informing her that the X Parasites still live on. She follows this signal to the remote planet ZDR and finds herself relentlessly pursued by a series of invincible Federation robots called the E.M.M.I., narrowly keeping one step ahead of the contraptions as she uncovers more and more of the uncharted planet. This title is planned to be the conclusion of the storyline of the intertwined fates of Samus and the Metroid species.


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
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===Fighters===
===Fighters===
{{image|Needs Samus/Zero Suit Samus Icon.}}
*<!--[[File:SamusZeroSuitSamusIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Samus/Zero Suit Samus]]-->'''[[Samus/Zero Suit Samus]]''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Unique to ''Brawl'', Samus can transform into Zero Suit Samus. Unlike other transformations, the player can switch between the two via [[Final Smash]] rather than their [[down special]] (or in Samus' case, also by a series of [[taunt]]s). While only Samus is shown on the [[character selection screen]], the player can start the match as Zero Suit Samus by holding down a certain button depending on the controller when selecting Samus.{{clr}}
*<!--[[File:SamusZeroSuitSamusIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Samus/Zero Suit Samus]]-->'''[[Samus/Zero Suit Samus]]''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Unique to ''Brawl'', Samus can transform into Zero Suit Samus. Unlike other transformations, the player can switch between the two via [[Final Smash]] rather than their [[down special]] (or in Samus' case, also by a series of [[taunt]]s). While only Samus is shown on the [[character selection screen]], the player can start the match as Zero Suit Samus by holding down a certain button depending on the controller when selecting Samus.{{clr}}
:*[[File:SamusIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Samus (SSBB)]]'''{{SSBB|Samus}}''': Shown in trailers as a returning character for ''Brawl'', Samus Aran has been visually touched up to look like her more detailed incarnation in the final sequence of ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', but otherwise plays similar to her ''Melee'' incarnation. Her Final Smash, the {{b|Zero Laser|Samus}}, is a huge beam that literally blows off her own armor to become a pile of throwable [[Power Suit Piece]]s and renders her as a new playable character, [[Zero Suit Samus]].{{clr}}
:*[[File:SamusIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Samus (SSBB)]]'''{{SSBB|Samus}}''': Shown in trailers as a returning character for ''Brawl'', Samus Aran has been visually touched up to look like her more detailed incarnation in the final sequence of ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', but otherwise plays similar to her ''Melee'' incarnation. Her Final Smash, the {{b|Zero Laser|Samus}}, is a huge beam that literally blows off her own armor to become a pile of throwable [[Power Suit Piece]]s and renders her as a new playable character, [[Zero Suit Samus]].{{clr}}
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===Stages===
===Stages===
*[[File:Icon-brinstarmelee.gif|right|link=Brinstar]]{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''[[Melee Stages]]: [[Brinstar]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): One of the few stages to return from the previous game, it is mostly unchanged from ''Melee''.{{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-norfair.gif|right|link=Norfair]]'''[[Norfair]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A new stage set in the fiery depths of [[Zebes]], this stage, like previous ''Metroid'' stages, features rising lava.  In addition to this, lava can come from the sides of the screens too, as well as in an enormous wave from the background that forces players to fight to stay inside a temporary safe zone to avoid damage.{{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-norfair.gif|right|link=Norfair]]'''[[Norfair]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A new stage set in the fiery depths of [[Zebes]], this stage, like previous ''Metroid'' stages, features rising lava.  In addition to this, lava can come from the sides of the screens too, as well as in an enormous wave from the background that forces players to fight to stay inside a temporary safe zone to avoid damage.{{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-frigateorpheon.gif|right|link=Frigate Orpheon]]'''[[Frigate Orpheon]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Set in the opening area of the first ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', which contains the Parasite Queen, this stage has an interesting twist. When the warning siren sounds, the stage flips, and what was once above the players becomes the new platforms to fight on.{{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-frigateorpheon.gif|right|link=Frigate Orpheon]]'''[[Frigate Orpheon]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Set in the opening area of the first ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', which contains the Parasite Queen, this stage has an interesting twist. When the warning siren sounds, the stage flips, and what was once above the players becomes the new platforms to fight on.{{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-brinstarmelee.gif|right|link=Brinstar]]'''[[Melee Stages]]: [[Brinstar]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): One of the few stages to return from the previous game, it is mostly unchanged from ''Melee''.{{clr}}


===Item===
===Item===
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*[[File:ZeroSuitSamusIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Zero Suit Samus (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Space Warrior Samus Aran as she appears in the eponymous {{s|metroidwiki|Zero Suit}} from ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''. She was confirmed to return during the dedicated April 2014 Smash Bros. Direct. Like {{SSB4|Fox}} and {{SSB4|Marth}}, Zero Suit Samus has a composite design that combines elements from several titles, including ''Zero Mission'', ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}'', and ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''. Uniquely to ''Smash'', Samus is equipped with a pair of Jet Boots that emphasize buffs made to her kick-based attacks and jumps. Like the Grapple Beam, the [[Plasma Wire]] of her [[Paralyzer]] has been significantly improved as a tether. No longer bound to her Varia Suit, Zero Suit Samus summons her [[Gunship (Final Smash)|Gunship]] and fires powerful beams for her [[Final Smash]].{{clr}}
*[[File:ZeroSuitSamusIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Zero Suit Samus (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Space Warrior Samus Aran as she appears in the eponymous {{s|metroidwiki|Zero Suit}} from ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''. She was confirmed to return during the dedicated April 2014 Smash Bros. Direct. Like {{SSB4|Fox}} and {{SSB4|Marth}}, Zero Suit Samus has a composite design that combines elements from several titles, including ''Zero Mission'', ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}'', and ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''. Uniquely to ''Smash'', Samus is equipped with a pair of Jet Boots that emphasize buffs made to her kick-based attacks and jumps. Like the Grapple Beam, the [[Plasma Wire]] of her [[Paralyzer]] has been significantly improved as a tether. No longer bound to her Varia Suit, Zero Suit Samus summons her [[Gunship (Final Smash)|Gunship]] and fires powerful beams for her [[Final Smash]].{{clr}}


====Boss====
*[[File:Ridley Portrait (SSB4).png|right|120px|link=Ridley]]'''[[Ridley]]''': The captain of the {{s|metroidwiki|space pirate}}s and Samus's arch nemesis. This incarnation of Ridley comes from ''Metroid: Other M'' and serves as the [[stage boss]] of Pyrosphere. Unlike [[Yellow Devil]] and [[Metal Face]], Ridley's moveset is similar to that of a playable character; it is just on a much larger scale. He swipes at opponents with his claws and tail and fires balls of flame from his mouth. If he is accumulates enough damage, he can fight alongside one of the players. He can also be launched, and players earn points for KOing him. He appears on the [[Smash Tour]] board as well in a dedicated "[[Boss Battle]]" triggered by the first player to make contact with him. The victor is awarded a huge boost in stats. Files left in the 3DS version suggests that he was intended to appear in Smash Run in some unknown capacity.


===Stages===
===Stages===
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====''for Wii U''====
====''for Wii U''====
*[[File:PyrosphereIconSSB4-U.png|75px|right|link=Pyrosphere]]'''[[Pyrosphere]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A spacious arena within the [[metroidwiki:Sector 3 (Pyrosphere)|lava-filled sector]] of the ''{{s|metroidwiki|Bottle Ship}}'', the setting of ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''. The primary platform is Pyrosphere's Geothermal Power Plant. Secondary floating platforms flank the Power Plant, making the stage similar to [[Pokémon Stadium 2]]. The main gimmick of the stage is that Ridley resides here as a stage boss. Otherwise, [[Joulion]]s and [[FG II-Graham]] units appear as enemies that will attack nearby opponents. {{b|Zero|Metroid}}s also appear but are harmless. They can be picked up and tossed at opponents. Pyrosphere is large enough to accommodate [[8-Player Smash]], but Ridley does not appear and the background lava is removed. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 2 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Zero Suit Samus. Its [[Ω form]] is a spacious floating platform like [[Final Destination]].{{clr}}
*[[File:NorfairIconSSB4-U.png|75px|right|link=Norfair]]{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''[[Norfair]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Staged in a [[metroidwiki:Norfair|magma-filled cavern]] deep within Planet Zebes. Like Brinstar, the volatile magma sea rises and falls, often covering the lowermost platforms. Rushing waves of magma periodically engulf the stage's platforms and can only be avoided by entering the protective safe zones. The magma glows more intensely than it did in ''Brawl''. Norfair is large enough to accommodate [[8-Player Smash]], but the magma does not rise. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 6 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Samus. Its [[Ω form]] is a spacious floating platform like [[Final Destination]].{{clr}}
*[[File:NorfairIconSSB4-U.png|75px|right|link=Norfair]]{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''[[Norfair]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Staged in a [[metroidwiki:Norfair|magma-filled cavern]] deep within Planet Zebes. Like Brinstar, the volatile magma sea rises and falls, often covering the lowermost platforms. Rushing waves of magma periodically engulf the stage's platforms and can only be avoided by entering the protective safe zones. The magma glows more intensely than it did in ''Brawl''. Norfair is large enough to accommodate [[8-Player Smash]], but the magma does not rise. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 6 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Samus. Its [[Ω form]] is a spacious floating platform like [[Final Destination]].{{clr}}
*[[File:PyrosphereIconSSB4-U.png|75px|right|link=Pyrosphere]]'''[[Pyrosphere]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A spacious arena within the [[metroidwiki:Sector 3 (Pyrosphere)|lava-filled sector]] of the ''{{s|metroidwiki|Bottle Ship}}'', the setting of ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''. The primary platform is Pyrosphere's Geothermal Power Plant. Secondary floating platforms flank the Power Plant, making the stage similar to [[Pokémon Stadium 2]]. The main gimmick of the stage is that Ridley resides here as a stage boss. Otherwise, [[Joulion]]s and [[FG II-Graham]] units appear as enemies that will attack nearby opponents. {{b|Zero|Metroid}}s also appear but are harmless. They can be picked up and tossed at opponents. Pyrosphere is large enough to accommodate [[8-Player Smash]], but Ridley does not appear and the background lava is removed. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 2 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Zero Suit Samus. Its [[Ω form]] is a spacious floating platform like [[Final Destination]].{{clr}}


===Item===
===Item===
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==Media with elements appearing in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
==Media with elements appearing in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
The ''Metroid'' universe has media represented throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series with a total of 14 games and media. The latest game represented in this universe is ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Dread}}'', released on October 8, 2021.
The ''Metroid'' universe has media represented throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series with a total of 16 games and media. The latest game represented in this universe is ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Dread}}'', released on October 8, 2021.


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid|game}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid}}''===
:''Main article: {{b|Metroid|game}}''
:''Main article: {{b|Metroid|game}}''
*Playable characters:
*Playable characters:
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*Stickers:
*Stickers:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Stickers of Energy Tank, Ridley, and Samus are based on artwork from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Stickers of Energy Tank, Ridley, and Samus are based on artwork from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} A {{iw|metroidwiki|Chozo Statue}}, Kraid, the Morph Ball, a Metroid (as two stickers) and Mother Brain appear as stickers in ''Brawl''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} A {{iw|metroidwiki|Chozo Statue}}, Kraid, the Morph Ball, a Metriod (as two stickers) and Mother Brain appear as stickers in ''Brawl''.
*Spirits:
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Geemer, Chozo Statue, Kraid, Metroid, and Mother Brain appear as spirits.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Geemer, Chozo Statue, Kraid, Metroid, and Mother Brain appear as spirits.
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**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''[[Victory theme#Metroid Villains Victory Theme|Victory! Metroid Villains]]'''": A remix of "Item Acquisition Fanfare"<!--translated name from "Sound in Action"--> from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''[[Victory theme#Metroid Villains Victory Theme|Victory! Metroid Villains]]'''": A remix of "Item Acquisition Fanfare"<!--translated name from "Sound in Action"--> from this game.
*Misc:
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} ''Metroid'' can be seen in Samus' [[List of character profiles|character profile]].
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} Ridley appears on ''Melee''{{'}}s opening.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} Ridley appears on ''Melee''{{'}}s opening.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} ''Metroid'' is available as a masterpiece in ''Smash for Wii U''.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} ''Metroid'' is available as a masterpiece in ''Smash for Wii U''.


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**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Chozo Statue appears as a Spirit using its artwork for this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Chozo Statue appears as a Spirit using its artwork for this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Gunship and {{iw|metroidwiki|Queen Metroid}} appear as spirits.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Gunship and {{iw|metroidwiki|Queen Metroid}} appear as spirits.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' can be seen in Samus' [[List of character profiles|character profile]].
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Super Metroid}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Super Metroid}}''===
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**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Magmoor Caverns - Metroid: Samus Returns}}"''': A remix of the Lower Norfair theme from this game which is directly taken from ''Metroid: Samus Returns''.
**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Magmoor Caverns - Metroid: Samus Returns}}"''': A remix of the Lower Norfair theme from this game which is directly taken from ''Metroid: Samus Returns''.
*Misc:
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} ''Super Metroid'' can be seen in Samus' [[List of character profiles|character profile]].
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} A clip of the ''Melee'' introduction features Samus and Ridley fighting in a 3-D re-enactment of their fight on Ceres at the beginning of ''Super Metroid'', with Ridley holding the baby in his talons.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} A clip of the ''Melee'' introduction features Samus and Ridley fighting in a 3-D re-enactment of their fight on Ceres at the beginning of ''Super Metroid'', with Ridley holding the baby in his talons.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Super Metroid'' is available as a masterpiece in ''Brawl'' and ''Smash for Wii U''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Super Metroid'' is available as a masterpiece in ''Brawl'' and ''Smash for Wii U''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Super Metroid'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].
===''Super Metroid [[Nintendo Power]] Comic''===
*Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} The backstory referenced in the descriptions of the Samus (classic) and Samus Unmasked trophies are first mentioned in this comic adaptation.


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}''===
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*Music:
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Sector 1}}'''": A remix of "Sector 1 (SRX)"<!--name from "Samus Archives Sound Selection"--> from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Sector 1}}'''": A remix of "Sector 1 (SRX)"<!--name from "Samus Archives Sound Selection"--> from this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Fusion'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime}}''===
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**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Vs. Meta Ridley}}'''": The theme played while fighting Meta Ridley, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Vs. Meta Ridley}}'''": The theme played while fighting Meta Ridley, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Vs. Parasite Queen}}'''": A new arrangement of the Parasite Queen battle theme from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Vs. Parasite Queen}}'''": A new arrangement of the Parasite Queen battle theme from this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Prime'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''===
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**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} A Geemer and Mother Brain appear as Spirits using their artwork for this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} A Geemer and Mother Brain appear as Spirits using their artwork for this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Ridley's Fighter Spirit uses his artwork for this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Ridley's Fighter Spirit uses his artwork for this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}''===
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*Music:
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Multiplayer - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}'''": The "Hunters" multiplayer theme, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Multiplayer - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}'''": The "Hunters" multiplayer theme, sourced from this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt}}''===
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} This demo can be seen in the [[Chronicle]] in non-Japanese versions.


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Pinball}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Pinball}}''===
*Music:
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Brinstar (Brawl)}}'''": While based on "Brinstar" from ''Metroid'', this is more specifically an extended version of the remix heard on the Pirate Frigate pinball table in this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Brinstar (Brawl)}}'''": While based on "Brinstar" from ''Metroid'', this is more specifically an extended version of the remix heard on the Pirate Frigate pinball table in this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Prime Pinball'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Hunters}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Hunters}}''===
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*Music:
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Psycho Bits}}'''": The Psycho Bit battle theme, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Psycho Bits}}'''": The Psycho Bit battle theme, sourced from this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Prime Hunters'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]].


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}''===
*Playable characters:
*Playable characters:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Dark Samus's design in ''Ultimate'' comes from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Dark Samus's design in ''Ultimate'' comes from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Zero Suit Samus's design in 'Brawl' comes from this game.
*Assist Trophies
*Assist Trophies
**{{GameIcon|SSB4}} Dark Samus's design and attacks as an Assist Trophy are based on her boss fight.
**{{GameIcon|SSB4}} Dark Samus's design and attacks as an Assist Trophy are based on her boss fight.
*Spirits:
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} {{iw|metroidwiki|Gandrayda}} and {{iw|metroidwiki|Omega Ridley}} appear as spirits.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} {{iw|metroidwiki|Gandrayda}} and {{iw|metroidwiki|Omega Ridley}} appear as spirits.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' can be seen in the [[Chronicle]] in non-Japanese versions.


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}''===
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===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime: Federation Force}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime: Federation Force}}''===
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Main Theme - Metroid Prime: Federation Force}}'''": The title screen theme, sourced from this game.
*Spirits:
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Mech appears as a spirit.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} The Mech appears as a spirit.
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Main Theme - Metroid Prime: Federation Force}}'''": The title screen theme, sourced from this game.


===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Samus Returns}}''===
===''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Samus Returns}}''===
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*''Metroid'' was the first franchise in ''Smash'' history to have female characters represented in any form as {{SSB|Samus}} debuted as a fighter in the original game.
*''Metroid'' was the first franchise in ''Smash'' history to have female characters represented in any form as {{SSB|Samus}} debuted as a fighter in the original game.
*''Metroid'' and {{uv|Xenoblade Chronicles}} are the only universes with more than one playable character to have more female than male playable characters.
*''Metroid'' and {{uv|Xenoblade Chronicles}} are the only universes with more female than male playable characters.
**It is also the only universe to have a female villain, not counting Wendy due to being an alternate costume for [[Bowser Jr.]]
**It is also the only universe to have a female villain, not counting Wendy due to being an alternate costume for [[Bowser Jr.]]
*''Metroid'' is one of four universes to have more than one playable character who has often served as an antagonist, the others being the {{uv|Mario}}, {{uv|Donkey Kong}}, and {{uv|Kirby}} universes.  
*''Metroid'' is one of three universes to have more than one playable antagonist, the others being the {{uv|Mario}} and {{uv|Kirby}} universes.  
*Of the Nintendo-created universes, ''Metroid'' is the only one to have a character (being [[Dark Samus]]) created by a wholly-owned Nintendo subsidiary (being Retro Studios).
*Of the Nintendo-created universes, ''Metroid'' is the only one to have a character (being [[Dark Samus]]) created by a wholly-owned Nintendo subsidiary (being Retro Studios).
*Every playable ''Metroid'' character, with the exception of Zero Suit Samus in ''Brawl'', utilizes some form of laser for their [[Final Smash]].
*Every playable ''Metroid'' character, with the exception of Zero Suit Samus in ''Brawl'', utilizes some form of laser for their [[Final Smash]].
*''Metroid'' is the only veteran franchise in ''Ultimate'' to introduce multiple new fighters in the base game.
*''Metroid'' is the only veteran franchise in ''Ultimate'' to introduce multiple new characters in the base game.


==External links==
==External links==

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