The Metroid series, developed by Nintendo and primarily featuring the iconic bounty hunter Samus Aran, is a deeply intricate saga that unfolds over multiple games, each adding layers to a complex and evolving storyline. Understanding the chronology of the Metroid series is crucial to grasping the full narrative scope, as the games were not always released in chronological order. The story begins on the planet SR388, where the parasitic Metroid species originally existed, and extends through various galaxies, exploring Samus's encounters with dangerous organisms, space pirates, and galactic threats. The timeline is marked by pivotal events such as the discovery of Metroids, the tragic fall of Samus’s family, and the battles against the malevolent Space Pirates led by Ridley and the biological nightmare known as Mother Brain.
The earliest events chronologically take place in Metroid Prime: Hunters, a game set before the original Metroid, where Samus is drawn into a competition across the galaxy for control over an ancient weapon. Although this title is somewhat tangential to the main storyline, it establishes some of the key conflicts and technological elements prevalent in the series. Metroid series chronology this is Metroid Prime, which dives deeper into the aftermath of Space Pirates’ experiments on the planet Tallon IV. Samus investigates the Space Pirates’ activities and their attempts to harness the power of Phazon, a dangerous mutagenic substance. The events of Metroid Prime are foundational, as they explore the origins of Phazon and set the stage for subsequent battles against corrupted creatures and the villainous pirate factions.
Continuing the chronological flow, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes follows directly, taking place shortly after the first Prime game. Samus travels to the dark planet Aether to confront a parasitic threat called the Ing and rescue a missing Galactic Federation team. This installment deepens the lore of alien lifeforms and the struggle between light and dark forces, with gameplay emphasizing the dual worlds of light and shadow. The next chronological title is Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, which culminates the Prime trilogy by portraying Samus’s fight against Phazon corruption spreading across the galaxy. This game not only pushes the story forward but also emphasizes Samus’s personal struggle as she battles internal and external corruption.
Parallel to the Prime trilogy’s storyline, the original Metroid game takes place early in the timeline, depicting Samus’s mission to the planet Zebes to eliminate the Metroid threat and stop the Space Pirates from using the creatures as biological weapons. This mission is a turning point, as Samus confronts Mother Brain, the biomechanical leader of the Space Pirates, in their fortress on Zebes. The game concludes with the destruction of the Space Pirates’ base and the eradication of many Metroids, but the conflict is far from over.