While the actual games have an inconsistent quality level, this is a great collection that finally got me to play Prime.
So this begs the question: Why did I ignore Metroid Prime upon its release? I had been drooling over the prospect of a new, 3D Metroid the entirety of the N64's lifespan. Yet for some reason, something bugged me when I saw the game. Was it just a first person shooter? Why can't I look around? Is there really THAT much backtracking? I was a fool, and for about 6 years, I let the game slip me by. Yet as I was browsing my game store, I saw this limited edition on sale. I had just bought my Wii - and I loved the packaging. I was a sucker for the metal casing, and I figured it would complete my collection of Metroid games. So I bought it.
I spent an entire week with the package, and it was kind of an odd rollercoster of an experience. Metroid Prime was one of the most incredible experiences I had ever played, it was thrilling and it was everything I had prayed a 3D Metroid would be. It wasn't just a first person shooter... it was a Metroid game, through the eyes of Samus. Everything that made Super Metroid great was there; the exploration. The adventure. Even some of the genuine chills and thrills of the incredibly atmospheric environment. I wanted to smack myself for denying this experience for so long.
But then as I was climbing in expectation and anticipation for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, I expected it to launch me down the Rollercoaster in a screaming fit of excitement - much like the first game had. Instead? The rollercoaster got to the top, and stopped. It was there for hours. Many hours that I turned into days. I'm sorry... I hate Metroid Prime 2. Yes, it was "More" of Metroid Prime which should NOT have been a bad thing; but their concept of "More" was double it, without trimming the excess fat. The backtracking was atrocious and even the graphics were muddier and less appealing, and it was a total snoozer and a downer.
I had little hope for Metroid Prime 3. But I pushed on, and thankfully - the Rollercoaster got going again. It probably threw me for the biggest loops, but it wasn't as memorable as the ride the first game provided. It was a little closer to the "FPS Metroid" fears I had for Metroid Prime 1 back in the day, and it ultimately felt like the game equivalent of a Popcorn movie: It was fun as hell, visually stunning, and yet after it I pretty much forgot about it and just thought back to how amazing #1 was. I would definitely replay it, but to date - I have played through Metroid Prime 1 twice more; and MP3 doesn't reel me back in the same way. I restarted it, but I was too attracted to restart the first game too. I even gave the second game a few jabs - but it still did very little to impress me.
Arguably one of the nicest elements of this package, and what I assume is an upgrade from the Gamecubes Lock on mechanism is that the controls in each game are buttery smooth and help add to the immersion of each game. When it comes to first person controlled games, I'm a mouse and PC guy but Ieven I admit - when the Wii actually has GOOD first person controls, it is the bees knees. The ones in Metroid Prime Trilogy are consistently perfect. The first game also is surprisingly impressive visually for a game that came out so long ago, and Metroid Prime 3 is one of the best looking games I've seen on the Wii. I don't know if MP2 was just not shown the same love or if for some reason it was already a step down from the first game, but it appears muddier, grainier, and somehow much worse - adding yet another sting to the games unfortunately poor quality.
Still, despite the inconsistencies - I'm glad I finally caught up to the original Masterpiece, and that I have now played every Metroid game and have them nicely lined up on my shelf. It is a shame that this was such a limited print, though apparently you can get the enhanced version of Metroid Prime and if you really want it - Metroid Prime 2 a little easier on separate remastered Wii discs. If that is the case, you may not want to shell a ton out for this expensive package (It is double the price now I paid for it when it first came out, and that was already around 40 pounds.) unless you are a serious collector. But the bonuses, the breadth of the content - no matter how inconsistent - makes this a real treat for hardcore Metroid fans.