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An exhaustive setup therefore means combining current hardware with at least one legacy option. The right combination depends on whether you value the newest games, the Prime trilogy, physical ownership, or the broadest documented access to older 2D entries.
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The short answer: which console should you buy?
Choose Nintendo Switch 2 first if you are starting today. Nintendo’s January 19, 2026 Metroid catalog lists Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Dread, alongside Nintendo Classics versions of Metroid, Metroid Zero Mission, Super Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus and Metroid Fusion. That is the strongest current combination of modern and classic Metroid software documented by Nintendo.
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#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
NES and Super NES Classic hardware can provide original-era entries, but they are collector products rather than complete Metroid systems. Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console releases document additional legacy access, yet new eShop purchases ended on March 27, 2023.
What “every Metroid game” really requires
The phrase can mean two different things. Some players want every game that Nintendo currently makes straightforward to obtain. Others want every historical release, including titles tied to discontinued stores, older cartridges or a specific physical disc. Those goals produce different recommendations.
Current convenience
Switch 2 is the practical modern option. One system gives you the current games named in Nintendo’s catalog and the listed NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Super NES Classics. You can keep one contemporary console connected to your television and use the same account environment for the Classics service and separately sold games.
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Historical completeness
No cited Nintendo source establishes one machine that contains the entire Metroid catalog. A historical collection therefore requires a combination of systems. The most important addition is a Wii and an authentic copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy if you want Prime, Echoes and Corruption together with their enhanced Wii control scheme.
Ownership versus access
Switch 2 Classics are service access tied to the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership, and availability can vary by storefront and region. Standalone Switch 2 games should be treated as separate purchases. Older Virtual Console software may depend on hardware and account history rather than a new transaction. Physical Wii, NES Classic and Super NES Classic ownership avoids a subscription requirement, but condition, authenticity and collector-market availability become important.
Nintendo Switch 2: the best current starting point
Nintendo’s January 19, 2026 catalog lists the following Metroid software for Switch 2:
Rank #2
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Metroid Prime Remastered
- Metroid Dread
- Metroid through Nintendo Classics
- Metroid Zero Mission through Nintendo Classics
- Super Metroid through Nintendo Classics
- Metroid II – Return of Samus through Nintendo Classics
- Metroid Fusion through Nintendo Classics
This list covers modern 3D and 2D releases as well as historically important NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Super NES entries. It is broad enough to make Switch 2 the default recommendation for a new player, but it should not be marketed as an all-release solution.
How to set up the Switch 2 library
- Check your region’s Nintendo catalog. Confirm that the games and Classics applications listed above are offered in your storefront. Nintendo notes that storefront and service availability can change.
- Choose the relevant Nintendo Switch Online membership. The Classics versions require the applicable membership. The exact tier and availability should be checked in your region before subscribing.
- Open the Nintendo Classics application. Search the NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Super NES libraries for the five listed classic titles. A title appearing in the catalog does not mean it is a separately owned cartridge.
- Buy modern games separately when needed. Treat Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Dread as standalone game products unless your regional store explicitly states otherwise.
- Record what you own. Keep a simple list separating membership-based Classics access from individually purchased games. This prevents confusion if a membership lapses or a storefront listing changes.
Switch 2 strengths
- The broadest current mix documented by Nintendo.
- Access to both modern releases and several classic 2D entries without maintaining multiple older consoles.
- A practical starting point for players who want Dread, Prime Remastered or Prime 4: Beyond first.
- Less dependence on used hardware than a legacy-only collection.
Switch 2 limitations
- The cited catalog does not prove that every historical Metroid release is present.
- Classics access depends on the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Storefront, region and service availability may change.
- Membership access and standalone purchases are different forms of ownership; do not assume a subscription grants permanent individual ownership.
Wii with Metroid Prime Trilogy: the best Prime solution
Nintendo describes Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii as one package containing the original Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. All three use Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls, and Nintendo lists widescreen and other enhancements. If your priority is playing the original Prime story arc in the version designed for Wii, this is the key legacy purchase.
What the package covers
| Game | Included in Wii Trilogy? | Control information |
|---|---|---|
| Metroid Prime | Yes | Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls |
| Metroid Prime 2: Echoes | Yes | Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls |
| Metroid Prime 3: Corruption | Yes | Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls |
The compilation is especially useful because it avoids tracking down three separate original releases. It also gives the first two GameCube-era games the Wii control treatment used across the package.
Buying a used copy safely
Nintendo’s current catalog information does not state a new retail price for the Wii compilation, so any price you see is a used-market figure and can change. Condition and authenticity matter more than a seller’s claim that the disc is complete.
- Confirm that the listing is the Wii version of Metroid Prime Trilogy, not an unrelated single-game release.
- Ask for clear photographs of the disc, case and label.
- Check that the disc surface is readable and free of deep scratches.
- Verify that the seller accepts returns if the disc fails to load.
- Include an original or compatible Wii Remote and Nunchuk in your setup budget.
- Do not assume a digital replacement is available if a used disc is defective.
Setting up the Trilogy
- Connect the Wii to a display using the cables supported by your television and the console.
- Pair a Wii Remote and connect a Nunchuk before launching the game.
- Insert the authentic Metroid Prime Trilogy disc and allow the Wii to read it.
- Choose the desired game from the compilation menu.
- Configure the display for widescreen if your television and setup support it, then verify pointer sensitivity and button response in a safe area before beginning a long session.
A Wii plus Metroid Prime Trilogy does not replace Switch 2 for Dread, Prime 4: Beyond or the listed Classics. It is a complementary system for the three-game Prime arc.
NES and Super NES Classic systems
Nintendo’s original Metroid page lists NES, Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U versions and states that the game was included with Nintendo Classic Mini: NES. Nintendo’s Super Metroid page lists Super Nintendo, Wii, Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS versions and states that Super Metroid was included with Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Rank #3
- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
These mini consoles make sense for collectors who want dedicated original-era hardware. They do not form a complete Metroid library. The NES system contributes the original Metroid; the Super NES system contributes Super Metroid. Neither addresses the full range of Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, modern 2D or Prime releases listed for other platforms.
Collector buying considerations
- Official inclusion of a game does not guarantee that every bundle or regional edition contains the same software.
- Used mini-console prices are not stated in Nintendo’s cited material and may vary considerably.
- Inspect the console, controller, power supply and packaging for authenticity when buying second-hand.
- Choose these systems for collection value or original-era presentation, not as the cheapest route to a complete series.
Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Nintendo documents Virtual Console releases of Metroid and Super Metroid on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS-family hardware. These pages are useful evidence that the older games had official digital releases beyond their original consoles.
However, Nintendo states that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop purchases ended on March 27, 2023. New buyers should therefore treat these systems as used-hardware options or as access points for accounts that already purchased the software. They are not a dependable way to begin building a new digital library from scratch.
When legacy Virtual Console hardware is worthwhile
- You already own the console and purchased the games before the eShop closure.
- You prefer the original Virtual Console presentation over a subscription-based Classics application.
- You are collecting official legacy hardware and want documented releases of Metroid or Super Metroid.
If you do not already have the hardware or purchase history, Switch 2 is generally the simpler current starting point for the classic titles Nintendo lists in its Classics catalog.
Coverage comparison
| System or setup | Documented Metroid coverage | Current access picture | Ownership and risk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Prime 4: Beyond, Prime Remastered, Dread, plus five listed Classics titles | Current catalog dated January 19, 2026; Classics depend on applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership | Mix of standalone purchases and membership access; region and service availability can change | Most players starting now |
| Wii with Metroid Prime Trilogy | Prime, Echoes and Corruption in one package | Requires Wii hardware and a physical compilation copy | Used-market condition and disc authenticity matter; price not stated | Original Prime story arc and Wii pointer controls |
| Nintendo Classic Mini: NES | Original Metroid | Collector hardware; included game documented by Nintendo | Used-market availability and authenticity vary | NES-era collecting |
| Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System | Super Metroid | Collector hardware; included game documented by Nintendo | Used-market availability and authenticity vary | Super NES-era collecting |
| Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console | Documented releases include Metroid and Super Metroid | New eShop purchases ended March 27, 2023 | Used hardware or previously purchased-account access | Existing owners and legacy collectors |
Build the right setup for your goal
You want the simplest modern entry point
Buy Switch 2, check the regional Nintendo Classics catalog and obtain the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership. Add the standalone modern games you want. This delivers the broadest currently documented selection with the fewest consoles.
You mainly want the Prime trilogy
Prioritize a Wii, an authentic copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy, a Wii Remote and a Nunchuk. Add Switch 2 later if you also want Metroid Prime Remastered, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or the listed Classics.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
You want classic 2D Metroid games on current hardware
Start with Switch 2 and verify the Nintendo Classics titles available in your region: Metroid, Metroid Zero Mission, Super Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus and Metroid Fusion. Remember that this is membership-based access, not the same as owning separate cartridges.
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Combine Switch 2 with a Wii Trilogy setup and whichever Classic Mini systems interest you. Buy used hardware patiently, inspect discs and accessories, and keep receipts or return protection where available. Collector value is not a substitute for software coverage: the NES and Super NES minis each contribute only the specifically included game.
You already own Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS software
Keep that hardware if the Virtual Console releases are part of your collection. The March 27, 2023 eShop purchasing cutoff means an existing account and device may be more useful than searching for a new digital transaction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming Switch 2 has every release
The Switch 2 list is broad, but no cited source establishes a complete historical catalog. Treat it as the best current starting point, then add legacy hardware for games or versions not documented there.
Confusing Classics access with ownership
Write down which titles come through Nintendo Switch Online and which are standalone purchases. A membership requirement, regional storefront and changing service availability make these categories materially different.
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Buying the wrong Prime product
Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Prime Trilogy are not the same product. The Trilogy is the Wii package containing Prime, Echoes and Corruption; Remastered is the separately listed modern release.
Best Value
- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Ignoring Wii controls
The Trilogy uses Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls across all three games. A console without the required controllers is not a complete purchase.
Paying collector prices for incomplete coverage
NES and Super NES Classic hardware can be desirable, but each covers only its included game. Compare the software you actually need before paying a premium for boxed hardware.
Planning a new Wii U or 3DS digital purchase
Nintendo’s documented cutoff was March 27, 2023. Treat these systems as used or previously purchased-account options rather than assuming the eShop will sell the games to a new buyer.
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For nearly everyone, buy Nintendo Switch 2 first. It has the strongest current Metroid mix documented by Nintendo as of January 19, 2026, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered, Metroid Dread and five Nintendo Classics entries. Add a Wii with an authentic copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy when the original Prime arc is essential. Add NES or Super NES Classic hardware only for collecting or original-era access, and keep Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS systems when you already own their Virtual Console purchases.
That two-system combination—Switch 2 for current and Classics access, Wii for the complete three-game Prime compilation—is the most defensible way to approach an all-encompassing Metroid collection without claiming that one console contains every historical release.
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