Metroid II - Return of Samus hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released on the Game Boy, this retro classic from its publisher is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
It follows the bounty hunter Samus Aran on her mission to eradicate the Metroids from their home planet, SR388, before the Space Pirates can obtain them. The first Metroid game for a handheld game console, it was released in North America in November 1991 and in Japan and Europe in 1992.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| A | Z | Right face |
| B | X | Left face |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
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The Story Behind Metroid II - Return of Samus
Metroid II was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1 (Nintendo R&D1), and produced by Gunpei Yokoi; they both also worked on the previous Metroid game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game features enhancements from its predecessor that include easier controls which allow Samus to crouch while firing at the same time, and jump while shooting straight down to attack anything below her. Metroid II was released in North America in November 1991.
It was released in Japan on September 28, and in North America and Europe on November 24. It was re-released through the Nintendo Power service in Japan on March 1, 2000. Wily's Revenge, and several others were released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service in 2011.
How Metroid II - Return of Samus Plays
The player is given a detector that displays the number of Metroids remaining in the area. Players advance through the game by using Samus' weapons to kill a fixed number (47) of Metroid creatures. Metroid II features save modules located around the planet, which allow players to save their progress and continue in another session.
The Metroid creatures are encountered in different evolution stages of their development cycle: original, Alpha, Gamma, Zeta and Omega. The more developed the organism is, the stronger its attack. Samus can only equip one beam at a time, but she can switch between them by returning to where they are first found.
Why Players Still Load It Up
Retrospectively, Brett Weiss of Allgame felt that Metroid IIs controls were tight. It was rereleased on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service in 2011 and on the Nintendo Classics service in February 2023. In the first Metroid, Samus Aran foiled the Space Pirates' plans to use the newly discovered lifeform known as Metroids.
IGN found the music "strange", but its lack of aesthetic detail boosted the games atmosphere. IGN felt the sprites overall looked far better on the Game Boy Color, and recommended that it be played there instead. The reviewer in Video Games said the atmosphere of the game did not come across well through the Game Boy hardware.
Metroid II - Return of Samus — Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Metroid II - Return of Samus?
Metroid II - Return of Samus was developed by its developer and published by its publisher.
Where can I buy the original Metroid II - Return of Samus?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.
What console was Metroid II - Return of Samus released on?
Metroid II - Return of Samus was released for the Game Boy in .
Can I save my progress in Metroid II - Return of Samus?
It does — with a free account you can snapshot the game at any point using save states, then pick it up later from exactly that spot.