Great Moments In Video Games #1 - Super Metroid (an occasional series)

Super Metroid is the best game ever. Released back in, ooh, '93 or '94, it's massively superior to anything prior to it or since. Here's why:

The gameplay is perfect. Anyone with half a brain knows that gameplay is the only thing that matters in a game. Graphics, sound, story (god, I hate it when people say story is important. It might be. In a book...) aren't important. The controls are simple and effective, yet there's a great number of different actions you can make Samus do at the same time. You've got jump, fire, run and switch weapons. Using these, and various items you can pick up, you've got freedom of the entirety of Zebes.

So what the hell is the game about? Set as a sequel to Metroid (from the NES) and Metroid 2 (for the Game Boy - yes, the old one), you're sent to Zebes to recover a Metroid that's gone missing. Shaln't bother you with plot details, but it involves a lot more than just flying down and getting it. You're going to have to explore some massive levels, featuring at times Contra-style shooting action, Mario-esque jumps and Zelda-style item collection. Can't progress past a certain area? Chances are you're going to need to find something that will make it passable.

The game features some of the best levels and bosses that you'll see. The design is excellent, and it looks superb, with some of the best graphics you'll see on the SNES and a brilliant soundtrack (many tracks of which were remade for Metroid Prime on the 'Cube) which adds to the atmosphere of the game. They just suit each area perfectly.

The game isn't massively difficult, it's got a nice difficulty curve to it, but it's not so easy that it makes the game less than what it could have been (cf. Super Mario World). The only thing it lacks is a two-player mode, but Metroid's never been about multiplayer. There's plenty of replay value too. Complete the game, then try to beat your time and collect every item. Then try a speed run (it's possible to complete the game with every item collected in under an hour). Then see how far you can get without defeating any bosses. There's many possibilities. Play the thing now.