The Metroid Trilogy: A Nerd's Retrospective

This source provides a **critical review** of the first three *Metroid* video games: *Metroid* (NES), *Metroid II: Return of Samus* (Game Boy), and *Super Metroid* (SNES). The reviewer **details the evolution of the franchise**, highlighting its **groundbreaking elements**, such as non-linear exploration and atmospheric design, while also **pointing out significant flaws** like the lack of in-game maps, frustrating gameplay mechanics, and archaic save systems in the earlier titles. The review ultimately **praises *Super Metroid* as a masterpiece**, acknowledging its improvements in controls, map functionality, and cinematic storytelling, contrasting it with the perceived shortcomings of its predecessors.