What should have been a routine trip, becomes a nightmare for bounty huntress Samus Aran. Just returned from her last adventure on SNES?s Super Metroid, Samus? job was to check out SR388, home planet of the Metroid. The Metroid have left ages ago, but The Federation is currently studying this plamet, or should I say were studying...

Samus Aran went to collect several bio-samples for testing purposes, but she encountered a rare new organism called X.

The X seemed hostile and attacked Samus. Shortly after encountering the X, our heroine loses consciousness. The X have taken over most of her body and destroyed her suit. The only possible cure is a vaccine created from Metroid DNA. Samus is weakened, but alive. The only advantage is that Samus is now immune to the X parasite. An explosion on board of the spaceship makes Samus go investigate...

After a great opening-movie, it all up to you. You (playing as Samus) are weakened and your suit was mostly destroyed. This means no superstrong weapons or a lot of HP, just a weak gun.

For those who don?t know the Metroid games yet, it?s best compared to a futuristic version of Castlevania. A sideshown action-rpg-platform game with an extensive plot. The game is easy to pick up, no hard controls and easy to understand. For example, switching weapons is almost done by instinct. Pressing the R-button switches your gun with a rocket-launcher, releasing it will return your gun.

After a brief introductory level, you?ll encounter the true target of the game: SA-X. SA-X is the X?s version of Samus. Somehow, the X-parasites managed to create a copy of you, but with two slight differences: she?s not weakened and she?s evil.

Each time an objective is completed, the story unfolds. You?ll be following SA-X?s steps, trying to correct/solve the problems she leaves behind, while also trying to avoid her as long as possible. A confrontation with SA-X could result into a quick and painful dead.

I won?t spoil any more of the game?s plot, I?ll continue with the game?s characteristics. Graphically, Metroid Fusion is an upgraded version of Super Metroid. Great backgrounds, highly animated characters. 7 different sectors, each with its own set of textures, enemies and backgrounds. Summarizing, Metroid Fusion is an eye catcher!

Next to graphics, there?s always the matter of sound. Fusion?s sound isn?t to bad (understatement). Some classic tunes, all perfectly suited for that particular environment. Boss-themes are catchy and fast, as it should.
Sound effects are even better: echoing sounds of Samus walking through a hallway with a steel floor. No need to say more...

But you?re probably more interested in the replay value of the game. Honestly, Metroid Fusion isn?t the longest lasting game there is. Finishing the game in 4-5 hours is possible, but you?ll only have about 50% of all secrets by then. There?s the opportunity to continue your game after beating it, which will probably hold you busy for another 4-5 hours giving you the total 100%.

So it?s a total of 10 hours. Not much, but there?s more. There?s also a game called Metroid Prime (on GameCube). Finishing either of these games unlocks new opportunities on either side...

Clearing Metroid Prime allows GBA owners to play the original Metroid (NES version), while finishing Fusion allows you to see Samus in action wearing her new suit (from Fusion) in Metroid Prime.

The great part of the first (original Metroid), is that the developers have optimized it for GBA. I won?t spoil all, but I do want to say it includes a saving option instead of remembering passwords....

Reviewed by: Dennis