Unlocking the Enigma: Decoding the Epic Metroid Saga in Chronological Order

Highlights

Metroid Dread's release revived the Metroid franchise and advanced its narrative for the first time in nearly two decades, bringing new life to the series.

The Metroid Prime series, which includes Metroid Prime 1, 2, 3, Hunters, and Federation Force, is set between the first and second games of the series and is widely considered to be canon, although there may be debates within the fan community.

In terms of chronological order, the Metroid series unfolds as follows: Metroid, Zero Mission, the Metroid Prime series, Metroid 2/Returns, Super Metroid, Other M, Fusion, and Metroid Dread. The placement of Metroid Prime 4 in the timeline remains unknown.

Currently, Metroid fans eagerly await the next installment in the series. Although development for Metroid Prime 4 has been relatively quiet, the releases of Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered have brought new life to the beloved franchise on the Nintendo Switch. In addition, the availability of various Metroid titles through Nintendo Switch Online has contributed to the overall improvement of the Metroid franchise, surpassing its previous state from just a few years ago.

This revival is a welcome sight, considering that the Metroid series is one of Nintendo's most important first-party franchises. Fans were concerned that the story had come to an unfortunate end following the release of Metroid: Other M on the Nintendo Wii. For a decade, the only Metroid games to be released were the spin-off Federation Force and the Metroid 2 remake, Metroid: Samus Returns. While the announcement of Metroid Prime 4 was significant for the community, it wasn't until the release of Metroid Dread that the narrative truly felt alive once again. Despite the gameplay-focused nature of the Metroid series, it maintains a cohesive storyline, and fans were thrilled to see Dread progress it for the first time in nearly twenty years.

The Metroid series' chronological order is as follows:

Metroid

Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime Hunters

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Metroid 2: Return of Samus/Samus Returns

Super Metroid

Metroid: Other M

Metroid Fusion

Metroid Dread

Metroid's Beginning and the Prime Era

The story of Metroid begins in a prequel manga, but the games themselves start with the first Metroid title. Metroid: Zero Mission expands upon Samus Aran's first major battle against the Space Pirates. The same can be said for Metroid 2: Return of Samus and its remake Samus Returns, although there is another series to cover before the events of the second game.

The entire Metroid Prime series, including Metroid Prime 1, Metroid Prime Hunters, Prime 2: Echoes, Prime 3: Corruption, and Metroid Prime: Federation Force, take place between Metroid 1 and 2. Whether the Prime series is considered canon with the other games has been a subject of debate, with some official timelines omitting it. However, Metroid Prime's inclusion is supported by Ridley's appearance as the final boss in Samus Returns, wearing the Omega Ridley armor from Metroid Prime 3. The Prime series is ultimately considered canon, although the timeline placement of Metroid Prime 4 is still unknown.

The Rest of the 2D Metroid Games

Metroid: Samus Returns effectively establishes the foundation for the subsequent installments in the series, as its fresh narrative elements are directly connected to later games. In Super Metroid, Ridley makes a comeback to snatch the remaining living Metroid from Metroid 2, prompting Samus to once again pursue the Space Pirates. This title concludes with the baby Metroid sacrificing itself to aid Samus in annihilating Mother Brain, which then leads directly into another significant conflict within the Metroid canon. While Metroid: Other M, an entry disregarded by certain fans due to its writing and gameplay decisions, marks the final involvement of the Space Pirates in the Metroid canon, it is later referenced in Metroid Dread through unlockable art.

The last two games in the chronological order of the Metroid series are Metroid Fusion and Metroid Dread, which form a connected tale that revolves around the X Parasites. Samus' earlier extermination of the Metroid species triggers an uncontrolled multiplication of their main predators, known as the X Parasites. During an expedition to their planet, Samus becomes infected. A vaccine derived from the last Metroid cures Samus, but she must now halt an outbreak of the Parasites originating from her former Power Suit. Metroid Dread continues directly from the plot of Fusion while also paying off the new storyline elements introduced in Samus Returns. With the myriad of developments and revelations in Metroid Dread, the Metroid timeline now concludes in a satisfying state.

Metroid Prime 4 is in development.