For a complete ranking, the original Metroid, Metroid II and Super Metroid have to be included—even though Metacritic’s 13-game score list omits them because they predate the service. This ranking covers released, substantial games: mainline 2D entries, the first-person Prime games, remakes and remasters, plus major spin-offs. It treats remakes and remasters as distinct releases, but not ports or compilations as separate games.
The order is an editorial judgment, not a definitive measure of quality. Metascores help show critical reception, but they are review aggregates, not user scores or objective verdicts. The ranking weighs exploration, pacing, combat, atmosphere and how well each game uses its format.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Metroid™ Ravenous | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective: The Official Art and Making of Metroid Prime 1–3 | $46.08 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Amiibo Metroid (Metroid series) Japan Import | $44.80 | Buy on Amazon |
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How this ranking works
Metroid has two main identities: the side-scrolling exploration of its 2D games and the first-person world exploration of the Prime series. The spin-offs add still different experiences, including pinball and cooperative combat. Comparing them means asking what each game does with its own format—not expecting every entry to deliver the same kind of adventure.
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Metacritic ranks 13 releases, including remakes, remasters and spin-offs, but excludes the first three games because they predate the service. Its displayed Metascores are useful context, not a complete ranking. For example, GamesRadar+ puts Super Metroid first in its curated top ten, while Metacritic’s highest-scored entry is the original Prime. Those rankings reflect different editorial choices, not a factual disagreement. Metacritic’s list and scoring context; GamesRadar+’s best-games list.
#1 Best Overall
- It’s eat or be eaten! Survive against vicious assailants to escape labyrinthine ruins
- Take control of Samus Aran, a renowned bounty hunter ambushed by unknown attackers and marooned on an unfamiliar moon.
- Strike quickly and aggressively with beams, missiles, and more—lest you become the enemy’s next meal.
Every Metroid game ranked
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Metroid Prime: Federation Force
This cooperative first-person spin-off is the least compelling fit for what many players seek from Metroid: solitary exploration and the gradual mastery of a strange world. Its focus on squad-based missions gives it a distinct identity, but that identity makes it an outlier rather than a strong series showcase. Metacritic’s score is 64.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Beyond has the difficult job of continuing a beloved first-person branch while appealing to newcomers. Metacritic’s reviewers noted concerns about hand-holding that can blunt discovery, a core pleasure of the series. Its 78 Metascore is a snapshot of critic reception, not a final judgment on how every player will respond.
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Metroid Prime Pinball
A pinball game built around Prime imagery and themes is an inventive detour, but it cannot provide the layered exploration, navigation and combat of a full adventure. Its value is novelty and a compact change of pace, not a substitute for the series’ defining experiences. Metacritic gives it a 79.
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Metroid: Other M
Other M takes a more action-oriented approach to 2D movement and combat, but its story presentation is a major liability. Metacritic’s summary notes criticism of its characterization and lengthy unskippable scenes, which interrupt play and weaken the sense of momentum. Its Metascore is 79.
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Metroid II: Return of Samus
The original Game Boy sequel established the hunt for the Metroids as a central structure: the player explores a world while reducing the creatures’ numbers. Its monochrome screen and limited guidance make it less immediately approachable than later entries, but its mood and foundational ideas matter. It predates Metacritic and has no score in that service’s list.
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Metroid (1987)
The NES original introduced the series’ essential loop of exploration, upgrades and backtracking through a hostile labyrinth. Its sparse signposting and dated presentation can make it a demanding starting point today, but the sense of isolation is already present. Metacritic excludes it because it predates the service, so it has no score in the ranking.
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Metroid Prime Hunters
Hunters adapts first-person Metroid to a handheld format and puts more emphasis on combat and rival bounty hunters. That makes it a notable portable experiment, though its focus is less aligned with the slower, more atmospheric exploration that defines the strongest entries. Its Metascore is 85, tied with Samus Returns; that tie alone does not make the games equivalent.
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Metroid: Samus Returns
This 2017 remake of Metroid II rebuilds the Game Boy adventure for a modern handheld, adding a counter-focused combat approach and more detailed presentation. It gives the original’s structure a clearer, more action-driven form, though the emphasis on fighting can make the journey feel less mysterious. Metacritic’s score is 85, the same as Prime Hunters.
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Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Corruption brings the first-person trilogy to a more directed, cinematic conclusion. Its campaign offers striking locations and satisfying combat, but the greater guidance and broader cast make it feel less like being alone in an unknown place than the best Prime games. Metacritic gives it a 90.
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Metroid Fusion
Fusion is the most guided of the major 2D entries, using its story and mission structure to keep the player moving. GamesRadar+ praises its narrative; that emphasis creates urgency and character, but leaves less room to wander than in Super Metroid. Its tighter pacing and memorable threat make it one of the series’ strongest handheld adventures. Its Metascore is 92.
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Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Echoes takes the exploration of the first Prime into a more oppressive, divided world. Its atmosphere and layered environments are a high point, while its tougher difficulty can frustrate players who want a gentler return to the series. Metacritic’s summary notes reviewer concerns about that difficulty. Its Metascore is 92, tied with Fusion.
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Super Metroid
Super Metroid remains the clearest expression of the series’ 2D design: a large, interconnected world that trusts players to notice clues, experiment and find their own route. Its deliberate pacing and the possibility of getting lost are not flaws to be corrected; they are central to its atmosphere. GamesRadar+ ranks it first in its best-games list. It predates Metacritic and has no score there.
Rank #3
Amiibo Metroid (Metroid series) Japan Import- Imported from Japan
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Metroid: Zero Mission
This remake of the original Metroid preserves the core journey while adding a more polished, tightly paced version of its world. GamesRadar+ highlights that expanded approach, which makes Zero Mission an especially inviting way to experience the first game’s foundations. Metacritic’s score is 89.
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Metroid Dread
Dread brings the 2D series into modern form with crisp movement, high-pressure encounters and boss fights that demand learning attack patterns. Its punishing difficulty will not suit everyone, but the challenge serves its pursuit-driven tension and keeps the action sharp. Metacritic gives it an 88.
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Metroid Prime Remastered
This remaster refreshes the original Prime for a newer platform generation without changing the strengths of its design: environmental storytelling, careful navigation and the satisfaction of opening up a world through new abilities. It ranks above the original release here for its updated presentation and accessibility, while remaining the same foundational adventure. Metacritic’s score is 94.
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Metroid Prime
The first Prime makes the strongest case for the series’ move into first person. It translates the pleasure of reading a 2D map into a richly realized 3D world, where exploration and observation matter as much as combat. GamesRadar+ also places it near the top, while Metacritic lists it as its highest-scored entry at 97.
Where to start playing
The best starting point depends on whether you want a modern introduction, the classic 2D experience or first-person exploration:
- For a modern 2D game: choose Dread for fast movement and demanding action, or Zero Mission for a more guided introduction to the original adventure.
- For the most open-ended classic: play Super Metroid if you want to explore at your own pace and are comfortable finding your own way.
- For first-person exploration: begin with Metroid Prime Remastered; it is a refreshed version of the series’ landmark 3D adventure.
- For a story-led handheld entry: try Fusion if you prefer clear objectives and narrative momentum over freeform exploration.
Current Nintendo Switch availability
Nintendo UK’s guide, published 19 January 2026, lists Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Dread among Switch-family games, and notes that classic titles are available through Nintendo Classics for Nintendo Switch Online members. That is UK-specific availability information; platform compatibility, subscription requirements and catalogues can vary by region. Check Nintendo UK’s current guide and your local Nintendo service for details.
Quick Recap
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