This is one of the most immersive games you'll find anywhere in any year.
The story takes place right where Metroid 2 left off. The last metroid is delivered to the galactic federation for studies on it's energy sources. But unfortunately. it's kidnapped by the leader of the space pirates, Ridley, and taken back to Zebes where it all started. Samus goes after it to find out what the pirates are going to do now. The story starts off in a chilling style with a cutscene explaining the previous events leading up to this point, featuring the first time Samus ever uses text to "speak". But once again, the plot twists don't really occur 'til the end and they good considering the whole plot itself. It hasen't really been a series focusing on story lately and we can aprecciate that. You will want to play it again after the seeing the climax, though. Once again, there are multiple endings.
The graphics are absolutely stunning. Who knew 2D side-scrolling was going to get detailed like anything like this? All the sections of Zebes are colorfully detailed and some you could never get tired of looking at. From the great outdoors when you leave your ship to the rocky underground of Tourian to the volcano-like wasteland of Norfrair to the water filled Maridia, Nintendo really went all the way and further with their resources. The enemies you can clearly see this time, especially the space pirates. (Finally!) They really make you feel entrapped on this strange planet and not really clausthrophobic anymore but free and wanting to explore more of this. Their are not so many more powerups but the good ones from the last game make their retrurn and simply look better. Missles and bombs get upgraded forms, making them more powerful and the beams now combine making them more powerful as well and they don't have to give tradeoffs.
The gameplay does improve due to the updated controls that let Samus shoot in all eight directions while running. Another that sets this apart is that a map if finally introduced which makes tracking your progress much easier than before and an inventory screen that lets you equip certain items and upgrades on Samus so you no longer have to go all the way back to Chozo statue to get back a special type of beam because you figured out it won't work the boss in the next room. Save rooms make their return along with useful save slots but the rooms are usually far from your goal and the harsh sections will only get tougher so become expert quick is the best advice I can give. Also, the boss fights are another thing to be commented on. Since this game takes on more style, the boss fights which the series is well known for trade run-and-gun powerhouse combos for more strategic ways to defeat your opponent. Their 13 of them and they're all ready to give you a hard time. And you won't be able to wait for he next one. They look scary, sound even more scary and you'll really get an adrenline rush figuring out their weak spots and offing them afterwards. One of them, Kraid, takes up 2 screens and one my favorites, Crocomire, can't be killed by firing barages of missles into his mouth. You have to keep pushing him until he falls into the acid. (To those who haven't figured it out and are going without sleep. :)
The entrire game makes you feel like you're really there in the suit, (Figuratively speaking) on Zebes. The music is one of the best game scores to date that goes from building tension in an empty room to being just plain chilling, you won't be able to stop listening to any on of the tracks. But now the only bummer is that you'll probably be overwhelmed by the massive complexity in the smallest sections. There are just so many hidden places to find items that are mandatory to finish. You might find them all and you might not but thank Nintendo that the map marks everywhere you go. But nonetheless you'll be occupied for a long time, especially the first time. If you own an SNES, buy this. Period.
And if you don't... Get an emulator. Nothing'll change but the controls.
THE GOOD: -Immersive atmoshpere from start to finish
-Massive planet to explore
-A lot more helpful features are finally added, like a map and inventory screen
-Best boss fights in the series. And this series has epic battles
-Graphics are beautiful for a 2D game
-Will keep you occupied for a long time becuase you feel compelled to play it again after you finish it
THE BAD:-Save rooms usually set in far places that might stray you off course
-Might be overwhelming how much there is to the game. If you're a Zebesian.