By gamingepicenter.com 
The Metroid series is a cornerstone of gaming, helping to define an entire genre alongside Castlevania, now known as “Metroidvania.” With its deep lore, complex timeline, and iconic protagonist, Samus Aran, the series has captivated players for decades. However, the chronological order of events in the Metroid universe can be confusing due to the non-linear release of the games. This guide will take you through the entire Metroid timeline, from Samus’s tragic origins to her latest mission in Metroid Dread. So grab your power suit, ready your arm cannon, and let’s explore the world of Metroid. Read more such articles on Gamingepicenter.com
Background: The Origins of Samus Aran
A Tragic Beginning
Samus Aran’s story begins when she is just three years old, living on the Earth colony of K-2L. Her peaceful life is shattered when space pirates, led by the fearsome Ridley, attack her home. In a horrifying event, Samus witnesses the death of her parents, her mother killed by Ridley, and her father sacrificing himself to destroy the pirate’s flagship. Orphaned and alone, Samus is rescued by the Chozo, an ancient and highly advanced alien race resembling birds.
The Chozo’s Gift
The Chozo take Samus to their home planet, Zebes, where they graft their DNA into her and give her a power suit to survive the planet’s harsh conditions. Under the guidance of Chozo elders like Old Bird and Gray Voice, Samus undergoes rigorous training, eventually surpassing human athletic capabilities by the age of 14. This training prepares her to join the Galactic Federation, where she becomes a formidable warrior, eventually setting out on a personal mission to eradicate the space pirates and the Metroid menace.
Metroid (Zero Mission)
The Beginning of a Legend
The original Metroid game, later remade as Metroid: Zero Mission for the Game Boy Advance, kicks off Samus’s battle against the space pirates. Tasked with infiltrating their base on Zebes, Samus must defeat Ridley and Kraid before confronting Mother Brain, the biomechanical leader of the space pirates. After successfully destroying Mother Brain, Samus escapes the self-destructing facility. In Zero Mission, the story is extended to include Samus’s escape from the pirates after being shot down, where she undergoes a trial to reclaim and upgrade her power suit, ultimately defeating Mecha Ridley and escaping the planet.
Metroid Prime
A New Threat Emerges
Metroid Prime takes place three years after Samus’s initial victory on Zebes. Responding to a distress signal from the space pirates, Samus discovers the mutagenic substance Phazon on Talon IV, a byproduct of a meteorite crash. The space pirates are experimenting with Phazon to enhance their forces. Samus battles through their ranks, ultimately facing and defeating the Omega Pirate, absorbing its Phazon suit, and confronting Metroid Prime—a monstrous creature born from Phazon. The battle results in the creation of Dark Samus, setting the stage for future conflicts.
Metroid Prime: Hunters
The Ultimate Power
In Metroid Prime: Hunters, Samus competes with other bounty hunters to claim an ultimate power in the Alimbic Cluster. Along the way, she discovers the history and prophecy surrounding the ancient Alimbic civilization and the monstrous creature Gorea. Samus ultimately defeats Gorea, securing the ultimate power and escaping the Alimbic Cluster, though the game raises questions about the true nature of the threat she faced.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Light and Dark Worlds
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes introduces Samus to the planet Aether, which is split into light and dark dimensions due to a meteorite impact. Here, she aids the Luminoth in their war against the Ing, dark creatures that inhabit Dark Aether. Samus must restore the planet’s energy by transferring it from the dark world to the light world. Along the way, she battles Dark Samus, who is revealed to be a significant antagonist. After defeating the Emperor Ing and Dark Samus, Samus restores the light of Aether and escapes the collapsing Dark Aether.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
The Phazon Crisis
Six months after Echoes, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption sees Samus joining forces with the Galactic Federation to stop the spread of Phazon, now revealed to be a galactic threat. Alongside other bounty hunters, Samus battles space pirates and the ever-present Dark Samus, who has become a powerful entity. Samus ultimately defeats Dark Samus and destroys the Phazon-infected planet Phaaze, ending the Phazon crisis once and for all. The game concludes with Samus reflecting on the losses she has endured, hinting at future adventures.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force
A New Perspective
Metroid Prime: Federation Force shifts focus to a group of Galactic Federation soldiers tasked with rescuing Samus and combating space pirates. The game explores the impact of Samus’s actions on the broader galaxy and introduces new characters and threats, including a reappearance by Sylux from Metroid Prime: Hunters. While not a mainline entry, Federation Force adds depth to the universe and sets the stage for future conflicts.
Metroid Prime 4
The Next Chapter
Metroid Prime 4 is the highly anticipated continuation of the Prime series. While details remain scarce, the game is expected to explore the aftermath of the Phazon crisis and further develop the rivalry between Samus and Sylux. Fans eagerly await the release to see how the story unfolds and what new challenges Samus will face.
Metroid II: Return of Samus / Metroid: Samus Returns
The Extermination Mission
Metroid II: Return of Samus and its remake Metroid: Samus Returns follow Samus on her mission to exterminate the Metroids on SR388, their home planet. As she descends into the planet’s depths, she encounters various evolved forms of Metroids, culminating in a battle with the Queen Metroid. After defeating the Queen, Samus discovers a Metroid larva, which imprints on her and becomes a key figure in the series. This mission sets the stage for the events of Super Metroid.
Super Metroid
A Return to Zebes
In Super Metroid, Samus returns to Zebes after Ridley kidnaps the Metroid larva from a research station. The game sees Samus battling through familiar environments and foes, ultimately confronting Mother Brain once more. The Metroid larva sacrifices itself to save Samus, giving her the power to defeat Mother Brain and escape the planet as it self-destructs. Super Metroid is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time, thanks to its atmosphere, gameplay, and emotional storytelling.
Metroid: Other M
The Bottleship Incident
Metroid: Other M delves into Samus’s past and her complex relationship with the Galactic Federation, particularly with her former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich. Investigating the distress signal from the Bottleship, Samus uncovers a conspiracy involving Metroid clones and a rogue AI named MB, modeled after Mother Brain. The game explores themes of identity, control, and loyalty, culminating in Samus confronting the remnants of the Metroid project and the Federation’s dark secrets.
Metroid Fusion
The X Parasite Threat
In Metroid Fusion, Samus is infected by the X Parasite while on a mission to SR388. The Federation saves her by using a vaccine made from Metroid cells, which also gives her the ability to absorb X Parasites for energy. Samus is sent to the Biologic Space Laboratories (BSL) station, where the X Parasites have run amok. She discovers that the X Parasites have replicated her suit, creating the dangerous SA-X, which hunts her throughout the game. After destroying the SA-X and the Omega Metroid, Samus sets the BSL station on a collision course with SR388, eradicating the X Parasites and the planet itself.
Metroid Dread
The Ultimate Test
Metroid Dread is the latest entry in the series, following Samus as she investigates the planet ZDR after reports of surviving X Parasites. Upon arrival, she is confronted by Raven Beak, a Chozo warrior who seeks to harness the Metroids’ power. Samus loses much of her power and must ascend from the depths of ZDR, battling reprogrammed E.M.M.I. robots and discovering the truth about her Chozo heritage. In a climactic battle, Samus fully awakens her Metroid powers and defeats Raven Beak, narrowly escaping the planet before it self-destructs.
Complete Metroid Timeline Explained: From Samus’s Origin to Metroid Dread Conclusion
The Metroid series has taken players on an incredible journey through space, with a timeline rich in lore and adventure. From Samus’s tragic beginnings to her latest battle in Metroid Dread, the series continues to captivate with its mix of exploration, combat, and storytelling. With Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon, there’s no better time to dive into the series and experience the full scope of Samus’s journey.
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Where should I start with the Metroid series?
Start with Metroid: Zero Mission for the origins of Samus Aran and then progress through the games chronologically to fully understand the timeline.
What is the significance of Metroids in the series?
Metroids are bioengineered creatures that play a central role in the series, often being used as weapons by space pirates and the Galactic Federation. They are also a key part of Samus’s own story.
How does the Metroid timeline connect the games?
The timeline connects Samus’s battles against the space pirates, her encounters with the Metroids, and her struggle against new threats like the X Parasites and Dark Samus, creating a cohesive narrative across the series.
Will Metroid Prime 4 continue the story from previous games?
Yes, Metroid Prime 4 is expected to continue the story from the Prime series, exploring the aftermath of the Phazon crisis and potentially the rivalry between Samus and Sylux.
Is Metroid Dread the final game in the series?
Metroid Dread is the latest game in the series, but there is no indication that it is the final entry. The Metroid universe is vast, and there are likely more stories to be told.
How does Metroid Fusion tie into the rest of the series?
Metroid Fusion follows the events of Super Metroid and Other M, continuing Samus’s story as she battles a new threat in the form of the X Parasites, linking back to her past encounters with the Metroids.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, the Metroid timeline offers a rich and thrilling experience that continues to evolve. With Metroid Prime 4 on the way, now is the perfect time to catch up on Samus’s adventures and prepare for what’s next in the saga.