Super Metroid
Super Metroid is a 1994 action-adventure developed by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo, following bounty hunter Samus Aran as she returns to planet Zebes to recover a stolen Metroid hatchling from the Space Pirates and their leader Mother Brain. The vast, interconnected world rewards careful exploration and backtracking as Samus gradually gains new abilities.
The game perfected the formula of gating progress behind upgrades such as new beams, the Grapple Beam, Space Jump, and Screw Attack, encouraging players to revisit earlier areas to uncover hidden paths, secret item caches, and shortcuts. Its atmospheric isolation, moody music, an in-game map system, and tight controls made it a defining work of the genre later dubbed Metroidvania, culminating in an emotionally resonant finale with the hatchling.
Super Metroid is consistently ranked among the greatest games ever made and remains hugely influential on exploration-driven design and the speedrunning community. It has been re-released on numerous Nintendo platforms and is readily available through official services.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Super Metroid, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axiom Verge Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Hollow Knight Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps | € 29,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, Xbox, Switch |
| Metroid Dread | € 59,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
| Metroid Prime Remastered | € 39,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
Axiom Verge Indie
€ 19,99A one-developer indie Metroidvania directly inspired by Super Metroid.
Axiom Verge runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Hollow Knight Indie
€ 14,99A sprawling indie Metroidvania praised for its exploration and atmosphere.
Hollow Knight runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
€ 29,99A gorgeous exploration platformer with ability-gated backtracking and superb movement.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps runs on PC, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation.
Metroid Dread
€ 59,99The modern 2D Metroid continuing Samus's side-scrolling exploration saga.
Metroid Dread runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
Metroid Prime Remastered
€ 39,99The first-person Metroid, remastered, keeping Super Metroid's isolation and scanning-driven discovery.
Metroid Prime Remastered runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
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