Metroid II: Return of Samus

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, Playtronic

Aug 26, 1991

Visual

8-Bit
pixel
side scroll

Structure

ability gated
exploration
interconnected map
item gated
Semi-Linear

Combat

action
contact damage
Ranged Combat

Features

multiple endings
no map

Themes

isolation
Sci-Fi

Sub-Genre

proto-Metroidvania

Summary

A Sinister Planet Threatens the Galaxy!

Battle through a sprawling underworld, seeking out every last Metroid, and build up your arsenal by discovering mysterious artefacts.

Enjoy new abilities like the Spider Ball, and powerful new weapons like the Plasma Beam, as you attempt to eradicate the Metroids once and for all.

Last updated August 12, 2026

Where to play

Nintendo
- Switch
- 3DS
- Game Boy

Resources

Links

Maps

Wikis

Metroid Wiki

Romhacks

ROMHacking.net

Metroid

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, Playtronic

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- contact damage
- Ranged Combat
- multiple endings
- Sci-Fi
- no map
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- non linear
- utility gated
- boss gated
- gothic
Super Metroid

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, Playtronic

1994

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- multiple endings
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- non linear
- boss gated
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, Playtronic

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- Semi-Linear
- no map
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- boss gated
- Has Overworld
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- top down
- Zelda-like
Metroid Fusion

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, iQue

2002

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- contact damage
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
- Differences
- utility gated
- boss gated
- chase scene
- equipment
- horror
- map markers
Metroid Prime Hunters

Developer / Publisher: Nintendo

2006

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- item gated
- action
- Ranged Combat
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
- Differences
- 3D
- first person
- discrete levels
Metroid: Zero Mission

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo, iQue

2004

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- remake
- non linear
- utility gated
- difficulty options
Metroid Prime Remastered

Developer: Nintendo, Retro Studios

Publisher: Nintendo

2023

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- action
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- remake
- non linear
- utility gated
- realistic
- boss gated
- difficulty options
- 3D
- first person
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Developer: Nintendo, Retro Studios

Publisher: Nintendo

2025

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- item gated
- action
- Ranged Combat
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
- Differences
- realistic
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- story gated
- companion combat
- equipment
- 3D
- first person
Wario Land 3

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Gradiente, Nintendo

2000

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- ability gated
- exploration
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- Semi-Linear
- Differences
- boss gated
- no combat
- fantasy
- time bending
- puzzle heavy
- discrete levels
- Metroidvania Lite
Metroid Dread

Developer: MercurySteam, Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

2021

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- side scroll
- action
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- non linear
- utility gated
- 2.5D
- boss gated
- post game
- chase scene
- parry
- stealth
- boss rush
- difficulty options
- equipment
- horror
- map markers
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Developer: Nintendo, Retro Studios

Publisher: Nintendo

2009

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- interconnected map
- action
- Ranged Combat
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- non linear
- utility gated
- Has Hub
- equipment
- map markers
- 3D
- first person
Metroid: Samus Returns

Developer: MercurySteam, Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

2017

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- side scroll
- action
- contact damage
- Ranged Combat
- isolation
- multiple endings
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
- Differences
- remake
- utility gated
- 2.5D
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- parry
- difficulty options
- map markers

Metroid II: Return of Samus

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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