Search and Destroy

Game: Metroid II: Return of Samus
System: Nintendo Game Boy
Release date: November, 1991
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo

Of all the Metroid titles, Metroid II: Return of Samus is probably overlooked the most often; it simply doesn't compare to masterpieces like Super Metroid and Metroid Prime. What it isn't, however, is a mistake or a "black sheep" of the Metroid franchise. Metroid II is an excellent action-adventure game and one of the better Game Boy titles.

Set some time after the events of the original Metroid, Metroid II takes place on SR388, the home planet of Metroids, predatory, parasitic lifeforms whose very existence threatens the safety of the galaxy. Subsequently, the Galactic Federation sends several teams to exterminate the Metroid population. When none of the deployed teams succeed, the Federation sends in the galaxy's best bounty hunter, Samus Aran.

Unlike its predecessor on the NES, Metroid II features a single, huge world instead of several large regions. At the beginning of the game some areas of the world are blocked by corrosive lava; as Samus kills Metroids, earthquakes reroute the lava and open up previously blocked rooms. There are dozens of enemy lifeforms in the labyrinthine underground tunnels of SR388, but the most dangerous are Metroids. Samus encounters several dozen Metroids in different stages of mutation. A counter on the bottom right corner of the screen informs players how many Metroids remain on SR388.


Metroid II introduces several new power-ups for Samus which would become staples in later installments. Enhancements include the Plasma Beam, the Space Jump, and the Spider Ball, which allows Samus to use her morph ball mode to cling to surfaces, scale vertical walls and explore cave ceilings.

Metroid II also features save points scattered across the game world, removing the need for the password save used in the original Metroid.

Score: 90/100