Metroid Prime Trilogy Impressions

Last year Nintendo and Retro Studios released Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Nintendo Wii, a compilation of all three Metroid Prime games, Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The first two games in the series were released on the Nintendo GameCube while the last game was released early in the life cycle of the Wii. All three games are packaged into one DVD in a slick metal box with a hard plastic sleeve, a rarity for Nintendo games to be given special treatment. The trilogy retails for $49.99, though it could probably be found at a cheaper price at this point.

Why would I be excited about a set of games that are re-releases, the oldest of which is nearly 10 years old? Simply put the Metroid Prime series is one of my favorite series of games with the original game being one of my favorite individual games ever. Retro has adapted the Wii remote functionalities into the two older games as well as shorter load times, upgraded and altered visual effects, added bloom lighting, and wide screen capability. While none of these new additions make for a new experience of the original two games, it does make for a better experience to two already nearly flawless experiences.

I began playing the first game in the series, Metroid Prime, on Monday. I'm about 30% complete thus far and I'm enjoying the game as much as the previous three times over the years that I've completed it. While the graphical updates are subtle and the game does show its age, the control upgrades are outstanding. With Metroid being a first person shooter/adventure game, the inclusion of the Wii remote and nunchuck functionality is brilliant. In spite of all the other "upgrades" to the series of games, the reason to be playing this version is because of the responsive controls.

Not to be missed for Metroid Prime fans and most definitely recommended to those who never had a chance to play the first two GameCube games. An excellent value considering that you're basically getting three games for the price of one.

Is anyone else playing anything of interest at the moment?