Samus is back from her 1980 classic, and she's ready to roll into action on your GBA.

User Rating: 8.5 | Metroid: Zero Mission GBA
The first game of this epic sci-fi series aptly named "Metroid" was released back in the 1980s, on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was one of the first video game systems on the television set that met with remarkable success, despite the North American video game crash of 1983. Among the NES titles were fun little (and notoriously hard) games that soon became legends of the modern day. Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid were the three main titles that have left a legacy in the hearts of old-school gamers.

The aforementioned games got remakes, but Metroid received a whole new and different treatment-it received a whole new makeover, with added features and new weapons, and was aptly renamed "Metroid: Zero Mission."

If you're an old school gamer of the NES Days, you'll find everything nearly similar to the NES classic title. Familiar corridors and enemies will await you, but don't think that you won't be in for surprises. New upgrades await, vicious new enemies lurk and wait for their moment to strike you, and completely new areas are at your disposal for exploration. But if you're the hard-bitten gamer from those old days where they had to face daunting challenges (no save points, tough enemies) you'll be eased off here. If you find this game too easy, there's always speedruns and the hard mode difficulty.

Newcomers will also enjoy this game-if you beat the game, you'll get to see what the 1980s looked like-the original NES Metroid will be unlocked and will await for you to play at will. If you have been spoiled by the graphics of the modern day, you may not find an interest in it. But if you still appreciate the good ol' days, the unlockable feature is a nice treat.

If you are looking for a game with plenty of exploration and some time to kill, Metroid: Zero Mission is a definite buy. However, if you have played the NES Metroid by heart and rather have longer, tougher and more challenging scenarios, then I would think a bit before picking up this game. But this doesn't mean that you shouldn't buy it. It's worth your gaming time to check out in the end, because of the nostalgia factor.