Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Greatest GameCube Game to Date!
Samus Aran has finally returned after a eight year hiatus and boy, was the wait worth it.
Metroid Prime is a first-person adventure game. Don't get it confused with a game like Halo or other first-person shooters because the emphasise of this game is on exploration, like in all Metroid games. Yes, you'll still be shooting at things but you'll also spend an equal amount of time running through the interiors and exteriors of the world of Tallon IV, which brings me to my next point. A game such as Metroid Prime wouldn't be as convincing if the game didn't have surreal graphics. Guess what? It does. The graphics are extremely detailed and the texture work is crisp and clear, which is a good thing as the game will pull you out of reality and into the world of Tallon IV. The sound in Metroid Prime is extremely well done as well. Although it lacks voice acting, the game makes up for that through the intense sound effects. Everything from the changing of weapons to the enemies on-screen is eerily convincing. Also, the music in the game is done by the original Nintendo development team that worked on the original Metroid games, which means that the music will definately live up to the Metroid name. Many people believe that graphics make up a game but I stand with the others that believe that gameplay does. Metroid Prime has excellent gameplay mechanics and the controls are easy to learn too. No, the controls are nothing like typical FPS games which require you to manipulate two joysticks at the same time. This game uses a control scheme similar to that of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This control scheme is really effective for an adventure game such as this. Metroid Prime is the game to get for Nintendo GameCube! It packs about 20 hours of gameplay on the disc, and that's just the amount of time you'll spend beating the game. Add on top of that the special features that become available when you have both Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance and link them up. Get this, one of the extras is the original Metroid game... The original that started the whole Metroid saga. Metroid Prime is a really great game and it doesn't hurt that it's also one of the highest rated GameCube games out now. One should not miss the chance to own this for its appeal has no age limitations.
Five Stars!
Rating: - A must-have masterpiece for the GameCube
Presentation -
Metroid reborn in 3D, and an impressive sci-fi fantasy to boot. Awesome menus. Design is great from concept to execution. Few games are this polished.Graphics -
A stunning art vision that deserves major recognition, jaw-dropping world architecture, and volumes of pretty textures. At 60 fps with progressive scan support, there are few that compare. Sound -
The original Nintendo composer delivers another opus and fantastically designed sound effects compliment the mood with Dolby Pro Logic II support. Gameplay -
A true masterpiece; an accomplishment that will be recognized for years. It is Super Metroid in 3D, and it's as complex and wonderful as any gamer could want. Any self-respecting gamer must own it. Lasting Appeal -
30+ hours to average completion. Requires much longer to earn 100%. Unlock art galleries, difficulty settings, and connect to GBA for extras. No multiplayer, but like Zelda, do we need it? Metroid on the NES was one of the first epic games I ever experienced. My brother and I, at the age of about seven, spent weeks and months questing through the password-enabled adventure. It had a certain charm to it, and even if I couldn't describe it then it made an impact on me. Then along came Super Metroid in 1994, and I was totally blown away by how brilliant it was. It was a perfect videogame in my mind. It was edgy, home to a fantastic power-up system, full of awesome bosses, and the gameplay style was a soul mate to me.
Needless to say, I have an unhealthy obsession with the franchise. So, when Metroid Prime was finally announced I was both thrilled and frightened to see how it would turn out. But after several years of very hard work, Retro Studios and Nintendo have translated the same genius of Super Metroid into 3D with very few casualties. Because of that, Metroid Prime has not only become my most beloved title on GameCube, but also one of my most treasured games of all time. I'm not sure where I place it, but it's very high on the list. If I had to make one personal observation, it would be that the change to first-person perspective was brilliant for its move to 3D, but not perfect. I felt comfortable (even in awe) 90% of the time, but there are a few boss fights where it can frustrate. It's extremely rare, but something you should be aware of going into it. It's nothing that sours the overall quality, though. That said, I would recommend Metroid Prime as an absolute buy -- skip the renting facade -- for every owner of a GameCube. It's a real collector's item. You'll want to keep this one even after your done spending 30+ hours with it. (By the way, please note that Prime's timer does not count down when you're looking at the map, reading scan data, examining your research log, or viewing cut-scenes. So, while your clock my read closer to 20 hours at completion, you will have in fact played much more.) The only reason one would avoid it is if action/adventures are not part of your narrower taste in games. If you fall into that category, you have no idea what you're missing out on. Metroid Prime is an instant classic that you will use to measure forthcoming software by.
Rating: - Metroid Prime.
Metroid Prime is simply one of the best games out yet on the 'cube. The graphics are stunning, the level of detail is simply jaw dropping, and the level design is some of the best ever seen since banjo kazooie. The world is huge, but even though you have to backtrack many times, it never get tedious, you will often find that you are at your destination before you know it. The map seems confusing at first, but after a while reading it (and using it) becomes second nature. The helmet effects are great, if its raining droplets will splatter on your visor. When jumping out of water, it will run down your screen. Some enemies might splatter on it when destroyed, and if you look close, you will see the refection of Samus' face if there is a bright flash near by. The visor has many modes, you have the basic combat visor, the scanning visor, and you can even find thermal imaging, and x-ray visors for your suit. There are many weapons, and upgrades, and eventually you can combine different beam weapons, and missile attacks into extremely powerful special moves. Metroid prime isn't a classic FPS (first person shooter), though it is mostly from the 1st person mode, and there is lots of combat, its really more of an adventure/exploration game. Unlike many FP games, In Metroid Prime you can jump, which is pulled of very well. It actually FEELS like you are jumping, the distance, and trajectory are done right. I would recommend this game to anyone who owns a game cube, and it's a good reason for you to GET one if you don't.
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