E3 2002Metroid Fusion impressions

While the focus at Nintendo's E3 press conference was predominantly on Metroid Prime for the GameCube, the audience also got a first look at the next 2D Metroid game--Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance. Metroid Fusion shared much of the same visual style and appeared technically similar to Super Metroid for the Super NES.

Samus will be able to collect all the classic weapons and find a number of new items and elements never before seen in the series. From footage we saw, we were able to observe Samus traversing dangerous floor areas by moving hand-over-hand using overhead handles and even hanging from one arm as she shot with the other. Samus' morphing ball and dashing-run abilities were also shown, which implies that players will have access to the bounty hunter's entire repertoire from Super Metroid.

Apparently, Metroid Fusion gives players the opportunity to save Samus from the repercussions of having a metroid bonded with her gravity suit, giving the character new items, animations, and a new appearance. Metroid Fusion also introduces the X species, a new enemy that Samus will be able to battle after taking the Metroid vaccine.

Metroid Fusion is being developed by the team responsible for the original Metroid games, and it looks to be shaping up as the true progression of the original game series. We'll have hands-on impressions of the game from the show floor.