Metroid for the NES is another monumental title I thought we’d revisit, if only because I get to mention Gunpei Yokoi. His story begins happy but unfortunately it ends tragically. Gunpei Yokoi is the father of Metroid, but that’s not the only brain child he’d given to Nintendo. Every little portable Game and Watch Machine was thought up by Mr. Yokoi. Rememeber the old clunky grey box that played 8 bit cartridges? Yes, Mr. Yokoi was instrumental in creating the original Gameboy. Unfortunately, not all his ideas were that great.

Virtual Boy, Elaborate torture device

Well, at least they weren’t executed properly. The name Virtual Boy usually brings up bad memories to anyone who’s ever played one. They should have called it the Headache Machine 3000. It wouldn’t be as profitable in he Western World, but for some reason, I think it would be weird enough for Japan to fall in love with it. If I’m not mistaken, and I’m pretty sure I am, I believe our own government bought a ton of Virtual Boys to use as torture devices in Guantanamo. Luckily, we’re taking care of that problem.

The Virtual Boy brings Nintendo great dishonor, says Yamauchi

The absolute failure that was the Virtual Boy reflected terribly on Mr. Yokoi, and Nintendo’s old president Hiroshi Yamauchi took the “little portable that couldn’t’s” failures out on Mr. Yokoi. His past accomplishments were overshadowed, and he was effectively chastised from Nintendo, forever. It didn’t seem like things could become worse for Mr. Yokoi, but I 1997, he died in a car crash.

Sigourney Weaver, in ALIEN

Metroid was inspired by many different space themed movies like Alien, Yokoi even said that the Sigourney Weaver movies were the biggest influence when making Metroid. It could explain why the game is named after the very creatures you’re trying to destroy, instead of “Samus.” It could also explain why the game’s lead role was one of the first games headlined by a woman. It almost felt like we were being tricked. Some argued that in the first game she actually was a boy, due to a typo in the game’s instruction booklet. However, anyone who was as skilled to beat the game, will see Samus without her helmet, and be able to bask in her sexy 16 bit visage.

Metroid, the original that started it all

Metroid can even be credited as starting a videogame sub-genre. Metroidvanias (or Castleroids depending on who you ask), were started with Metroid. Explaining the genre is easy: the game is more or less one enormous level. You start the game with very basic abilities, and slowly gain some as the game progresses. As you gain new abilities (hi jump, screw attack, ice beam), you are able to reach new areas and even more abilities, until you finally reach the last boss and beat the game. Anyone that has played a Metroidvania can tell you just how fun it is.

You have tons of freedom. Anyone that has ever enjoyed one of the many side-quests that The Legend of Zelda offers, would be mighty pleased with the many hidden health and missile upgrades in Metroid. There are entire chunks of the games you can skip, Metroid and it’s sequels are pretty famous for speedruns.

Normally, this is the part where I look back and tell you how well Metroid stacks up today. In short, it doesn’t. I had never played the original until I bought a Wii. I downloaded it off the virtual console, and I found the game incredibly dated. Samus doesn’t really sing in 16 bits (or 8 bits for anyone unfortunate enough to play Meroid 2 on the Gameboy) the way she sings in 32 bits. That, and only having four or so buttons to work with on the NES control. And have you ever tried to play a Metroidvania without a map? Enjoy your homework assignment of a videogame. BUT, all is not lost.

See? Much Better.

In 2003, Nintendo released a glorious remake for the GBA, appropriately titled Metroid: Zero Mission. The game was pretty close to the original, though it took a few liberties. The graphics were what they should have been, 32 bit, and, perhaps the most important addition to the game, a map. After beating the main game, Nintendo delivered a little bit of fan service, and we finally got to play as Samus out of her Varia Suit. Easy there fellas, she still has clothes under her suit, albeit, they’re bright blue and skin tight. Playing as Zero Suit Samus, you trade in the exploration your used to, to send Ms. Aran on a stealth mission. All you have to protect you is a stun gun. It proves a challenge, but in the end, you’ll be rewarded handsomely (I don’t want to spoil how). Many protested Zero Mission  was too easy compared to the original, but those people probably haven’t tried the games hard mode. Can you say, “I give up?” Okay, try saying it 13 times.

Although the game is rather unplayable by today’s standards, Metroid and Samus are pretty mainstay Nintendo brand names, on the same league as Mario and Link. And more importantly, live on as Gunpei Yokoi’s babies. When it comes to discussing Mr. Yokoi’s life, I’m pretty sure he’s known more as “the guy who created the Gameboy and Metroid” than “that bastard that made the Virtual Boy.” For what it’s worth, thanks Mr. Yokoi.

Gunpei Yokoi 1941-1997

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