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Metroid II: Return of Samus

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Metroid Release Date Super Metroid
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption / Metroid Prime Trilogy Metroid Chronology Super Metroid


Metroid II: Return of Samus
Metroid II: Return of Samus

Metroid II: Return of Samus North American Cover Art

Publisher Nintendo
Developer(s) Nintendo R&D1
Platform(s) Game Boy
Released

North American release August 26, 1991
European release May 21, 1992

Japanese release January 2, 1992

Genre Action Adventure
Ratings ESRB: K-A (Player's Choice release)
Modes Single-player
Media 2-megabit cartridge
Input D-pad, face buttons
Theme Title theme
Walkthrough and Guide at Strategy Wiki

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Metroid II: Return of Samus is the second game of the Metroid franchise, and is the original sequel to the 1986 NES title Metroid. It was released for the Game Boy in 1991. Chronologically, its events follow those of the Metroid Prime: Trilogy and precede those of Super Metroid. A remake for the Nintendo 3DS titled Metroid: Samus Returns released in September of 2017.

Story continuity[edit | edit source]

Although Return of Samus was originally intended to be a sequel to Metroid, several newer games take place between the two titles. The entire Metroid Prime series takes place between Metroid and Return of Samus, placing the game sixth in the timeline.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Samus lands on the desolate planet SR388, the Metroid home world. Her mission is to eliminate every Metroid on the planet. Inside the labyrinthian cave system of the planet, she encounters many different hostile life forms, such as Hornoads and the Metroids. Alpha Metroids, Gamma Metroids, Zeta Metroids, and even Omega Metroids. As Samus proceeds deeper into the planet, she is forced to eliminate every Metroid. Throughout the planet, Samus finds ancient Chozo ruins that contain upgrades for her power suit. When she finally reaches the farthest depths of the caverns and she finds a giant Queen Metroid. After a difficult battle with the Queen, Samus continues to search for the last remaining Metroid, only to discover a Metroid Hatchling. Rather than attacking her, it follows her, believing Samus is its maternal figure. Seeing the potential for scientific discoveries, Samus decides not to terminate it. She returns to her ship by way of a cavern that is cleared out by the baby Metroid.

After Samus's mission on SR388 is over, she brings the last surviving Metroid to the Ceres Space Colony to have scientists harness its power. After it is stolen by Ridley, Samus returns to Zebes to find it. This story is told in the 1994 SNES title Super Metroid.

Gameplay[edit | edit source]

Metroid II's gameplay set the stage for many of its sequels. New additions include crouching and aiming and shooting downwards in the air. Crouching is used by tapping down on the D-pad once. Tapping a second time while crouching will use the Morph Ball. Shooting downwards in the air is just like shooting upwards. The Spider Ball made it's first appearance in Metroid II. It can stick to any wall in the game, provided it is not covered with spikes. The Space Jump made its debut in Metroid II. Unlike the GBA games such as Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion, you can only engage the Space Jump just after Samus's spin jump peaks. Super Metroid shares this trait. The Spring Ball also made it's first appearence in Metroid II. It enables the player to jump in Morph Ball form. Another difference from the original Metroid is the lack of color. The game is entirely monochrome, which ironically led to the redesign of the Varia Suit. The lack of color also forced the developers to make unique sprites for enemies.

Endings[edit | edit source]

Based on the amount of time in which the player beats the game, there are three different possible endings while the credits play.
The possible endings are:

  • 5 or more hours: Samus keeps running.
  • Between 3 to 5 hours: Samus curls into a ball, jumps, and lands.
  • Under 3 hours: Samus curls into a ball, jumps, and lands wearing a bikini.

Credits[edit | edit source]

See Credits: Metroid II: Return of Samus for more information.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Box art and media[edit | edit source]

Artwork[edit | edit source]

Screenshots[edit | edit source]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Metroid II: Return of Samus is the only main Metroid game not to have an exclusive game page on the official Nintendo press site.
  • Metroid II: Return of Samus is also the only 2D game that was not developed by Metroid director Yoshio Sakamoto.
  • A remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus was stated to be in development by the German magazine, Club Nintendo, in a similar vein to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, but was dropped for unknown reasons.[1]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Metroid Recon's Complete Map of Metroid II's SR388

References[edit | edit source]

Ridley from Metroid: Zero Mission Metroid Games Samus from Super Metroid
2D Games
3D Games
Other Games