Metroid

Sci-fi exploration platformer — Samus Aran hunts space pirates through interconnected non-linear alien worlds.

🌤indoor

What is Metroid?

Metroid is a science-fiction exploration platformer series developed by Nintendo, launched in 1986. Bounty hunter Samus Aran explores vast interconnected 2D or 3D alien worlds where new abilities unlock previously-unreachable areas — the template for what fans call the 'Metroidvania' genre (Metroid + Castlevania). Highlights include Super Metroid (1994), Metroid Prime (2002) and Metroid Dread (2021).

Quick facts

Category

Video Games

Type

Individual

Players

1–1

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Estimated origin

1986, Nintendo R&D1 — the genre-defining 'Metroidvania' begins here

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified