Metroid : Zero Mission

Game Overview
Metroid: Zero Mission came out on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, developed by Nintendo R&D1. It was a time when the GBA was full of ambitious remakes and original adventures, and this one stood out as a thoughtful, complete reimagining of the very first Metroid game.

You control Samus Aran, a bounty hunter exploring the alien planet Zebes. Your objective is to destroy the Metroids and defeat the Space Pirates, which involves navigating a large, interconnected map room by room. Key mechanics include collecting power-ups like the Morph Ball to access new areas, and using missiles and bombs to uncover hidden passages. The pacing is deliberate, with backtracking essential once you acquire new abilities, and the difficulty is fair but demands attention to your surroundings. It feels like a polished, confident version of a classic adventure, where every new item opens up the world in a satisfying way.