After waiting 8 years, Nintendo/Metroid fans finally received a new console Metroid in the form of Metroid Prime (Metroid Fusion also came out at this time for GBA). The game received many stellar reviews and is still ranked in the Top 10 games of all time to this day. Fast forward to 2004, and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes released as a direct sequel to Metroid Prime. The game didn’t score as high as Metroid Prime, but fans, including myself, still hold it in high regard. Then in 2007, Retro Studios released the final chapter in the Metroid Prime trilogy which now took full use of the Wii’s motion control capabilities.

And just a couple weeks ago, Nintendo/Retro Studios packed all three of these games into a one-disc Collector’s Edition for long time fans, as well as newcomers to the series. Rather than talk about each game separately (since all three are well documented as great games), I’ll talk about the merits and additions we see in Metroid Prime Trilogy.

Metroid Prime Trilogy features all three Metroid Prime games, but there are some key differences. First of all, both Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes have been Retro-fitted (pun intended ;) ) with Wii motion controls. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption already featured Wii controls so it’s unchanged for the most part. The controls for MP1 and MP2 though are a nice improvement and makes the gameplay a little quicker and feels more natural exploring environments. The controls are very similar to Metroid Prime 3—use the Wiimote to aim/shoot/jump and use the nunchuk for movement. You can also adjust a few buttons such as changing shoot to ‘B’ instead of ‘A’ or changing the button to switch visors/beams. There are also some sensitivity tweaks so you can get the right turning speed and aiming you prefer (this is all very similar to the options in MP3).

The gameplay for all three games is now much more unified since all three feature the same control scheme. I found myself moving through areas much quicker than I remembered in the Gamecube versions. And it wasn’t that I was trying to rush through, I was scanning everything, but it just felt a lot more natural using the Wiimote and nunchuk. I wouldn’t say that the new Wii controls are the only way to play by any means, but it definitely makes it easier for both combat and exploration. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better time on the Wii than these 3 games together! If you’re going for 100% on each of them, you’re looking at a good 60-80 hours of gameplay time!

Graphically, Metroid Prime Trilogy is heads and shoulders above the majority of Wii games currently available. And that’s even without taking into account some of the new graphical tweaks for the Gamecube Metroid Primes. The first 2 Metroid Primes were both done in Progressive scan on the Gamecube, but now they’re presented in 16:9 widescreen just like Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Retro Studios has said that many of the textures for the Gamecube Primes have been upgraded during development. It’s hard to tell in-game because everything looks fantastic. There are some minor tweaks that actually removed some effects. The ripples of the water appear to have been nixed for MPT and also some effects on the Ice Beam. Overall though, there not major issues, and you’ll find yourself marveling at everything else during your trek through the trilogy.

Metroid Prime Trilogy also features the multiplayer that was introduced in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The game still features the same levels and options, but it’s now been upgraded with Wii controls. This is really where the new control scheme pays off. The faster response time of the Wii controls makes multiplayer a lot more fun than before. It would’ve been nice to see some online support for this, but sadly, it wasn’t included. Other than that, Metroid Prime Trilogy features the same WiiConnect24 features that were introduced in Metrod Prime 3. So you can send vouchers to your friends and show them your stats as your progress.

Metroid Prime Trilogy is one of the best video game compilations of all time, period. The game takes everything that made the first 2 games great and made it better, then they threw in MP3 just for good measure, all for just $49.99. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to revisit Phendrana Drifts or mire through the Torvus Bogs of Metroid Prime 2, then Metroid Prime Trilogy is your ticket. If you’re a newcomer to the series, then there’s really no reason not to buy this great compilation. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to experience some of the best games of all time, all in one.

Metroid Prime Trilogy gets a 9.7/10