Metroid Fusion was released alongside the GameCube title Metroid Prime, which brought the series into 3D for the first time, but while Fusion stuck with the series’ trademark 2D action-exploration gameplay, it found ways to innovate. For starters, the game expanded on series lore by introducing a Samus infused with Metroid DNA, the shapeshifting X parasites, and Samus’ former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich.
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But what truly made the game memorable for a lot of fans was its creepier atmosphere punctuated by the SA-X, a parasitic clone of Samus that would stalk her through multiple sections of the game, armed with all of her usual abilities. This made the SA-X one of Metroid’s scariest bosses, and gave Fusion a tense, almost survival horror-esque vibe at times that’s still fondly remembered by fans to this day.
While it’s nice to see fans looking back on the game, it serves as a sad reminder that there hasn’t been an original 2D Metroid game since Fusion. Granted, Nintendo did follow it up with Metroid: Zero Mission in 2004 and Metroid: Samus Returns in 2017, but those were remakes of the first two games. At this point, most fans would agree that it’s time for Nintendo to make a brand new 2D Metroid, especially since it seems like the wait for the next 3D game, Metroid Prime 4, won’t be ending anytime too soon.
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