The worst part about checking another Metroid game off the list is it leaves you with fewer Metroid games to experience for the first time.
I had a good enough time with Fusion earlier this year, and Prime 4 is a much better experience than some people want to admit, but neither game reminded me of that fact in the same way Zero Mission did. I was sad to see it end.
The game’s shorter length probably contributed to that — it had no chance to overstay its welcome.
But beyond never getting bored with it, I enjoyed Zero Mission’s pace of unlocking, the way it innovates on the original Metroid while staying true to it, and the storytelling it does.
Among 2D Metroids, this one is currently No. 3 for me behind Dread and Super. It’s a damn fine game.