Metroid Fusion

Template:Nihongo footTemplate:Efn is a 2002 action-adventure game<ref name="Inverse-2023">Template:Cite web</ref> developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It is the fourth main installment in the Metroid franchise. Players control the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who investigates a space station infected with shapeshifting parasites known as X. Along with the GameCube game Metroid Prime, Fusion marked the return of the Metroid series after an eight-year hiatus following Super Metroid (1994).

Like previous Metroid games, Fusion is a side-scrolling game with platform jumping, shooting, and puzzle elements. It introduces mission-based progression that guides the player through certain areas. Fusion can be linked to Prime using the GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable to unlock additional content for Prime.

Fusion was acclaimed for its gameplay, controls, graphics and music, though its shorter length and greater linearity received some criticism. It received awards including "Handheld Game of the Year" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, "Best Game Boy Advance Adventure Game" from IGN, and "Best Action Game on Game Boy Advance" from GameSpot. It was rereleased on the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2011 as part of the 3DS Ambassador Program, the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2014, and the Nintendo Classics service in 2023. A sequel, Metroid Dread, was released in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.

Gameplay

A video game screenshot of a person in a powered exoskeleton firing a missile at a monster.

Samus Aran fights the Nightmare boss in its Core-X form.

Metroid Fusion is an action-adventure game<ref name="Inverse-2023" /> in which the player controls Samus Aran. Like previous games in the series, Fusion is set in a large open-ended world with elevators that connect regions, which each in turn contains rooms separated by doors. Samus opens most doors by shooting at them, while some only open after she reaches a certain point. Fusion is more linear than other Metroid games due to its focus on storyline; for example, Fusion introduces Navigation Rooms, which tell the player where to go.<ref name="manual2">Template:Cite book</ref>

The gameplay involves solving puzzles to uncover secrets, platform jumping, shooting enemies, and searching for power-ups that allow Samus to reach new areas. Samus can absorb X Parasites, which restore health, missiles, and bombs. Power-ups are obtained by downloading them in Data Rooms or absorbing a Core-X, which appears after defeating a boss.<ref name="manual">Template:Cite book</ref> New features include the ability to grab ledges and climb ladders.<ref name="gamespot" />

The player can use the GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable to connect to Fusion and unlock features in Metroid Prime:<ref name="mp-manual">Template:Cite book</ref> after completing Prime, they can unlock Samus's Fusion Suit,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and after completing Fusion, they can unlock an emulated version of the first Metroid game.<ref name="MP1Manual-PAL">Template:Cite book</ref> In Metroid: Zero Mission (2004), players can connect to Fusion using the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable to unlock a Fusion picture gallery,<ref name="MZM Manual">Template:Cite book</ref> which includes its ending images.<ref name="MZM Manual" />

Plot

Template:Metroid Story Order Bounty hunter Samus Aran explores the surface of the planet SR388 with a survey crew from Biologic Space Laboratories (BSL). She is attacked by parasitic organisms known as X. On returning to the BSL station, Samus loses consciousness, and her ship crashes. The BSL ship she was escorting recovers her body and transfers it to the Galactic Federation for medical treatment, who discover that the X has infected Samus' central nervous system. They cure her with a vaccine made from cells taken from the infant Metroid that Samus adopted on SR388.<ref name="prime_fusion_guide">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp The vaccine gives her the ability to absorb the X nuclei for nourishment,<ref name=manual />Template:Rp but burdens her with the Metroids' vulnerability to cold.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> Portions of Samus's infected Power Suit are sent to the BSL station for examination,<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> although the suit was too integrated with her body to remove entirely during surgery.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref>

When Samus recovers consciousness, she is sent to investigate an explosion at the BSL station.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> The mission is overseen by her new gunship's computer, whom Samus nicknames "Adam" after her former commanding officer, Adam Malkovich.<ref name=manual />Template:Rp Samus learns that the X parasites can replicate their hosts' appearances,<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> and that the X have infected the station with the help of the SA-X, an X parasite mimicking Samus at full power.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref>

Samus avoids the SA-X and explores the space station,<ref name="prime_fusion_guide" />Template:Rp defeating larger creatures infected by the X to recover her abilities.<ref name="GTRetrospective">Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:Cbignore</ref> She discovers a restricted lab containing Metroids, and the SA-X sets off the labs' auto-destruct sequence while attacking the released Metroids, who also devour the SA-X. Samus escapes, but the lab is destroyed.<ref name="prime_fusion_guide" />Template:Rp The computer berates Samus for ignoring orders and admits that the Federation was secretly using the lab to breed Metroids. It also reveals that the SA-X has asexually reproduced, subsequently cloning itself. The computer advises Samus to leave the station.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref>

On her way to her ship, the computer orders Samus to leave the rest of the investigation to the Federation, which plans to capture SA-X for military purposes.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> Knowing that the X would only infect the arriving Federation troops and absorb their spacefaring knowledge to conquer the universe, Samus states her intention to destroy the station.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> Although the computer initially intends to stop Samus, she calls it "Adam", and reveals that Adam died saving her life.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> The computer suggests that she should alter the station's propulsion to intercept with SR388 and destroy the planet along with all X populations.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> Samus realizes that the computer is the consciousness of Adam, uploaded after his death.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> En route to initiate the propulsion sequence, an SA-X confronts Samus, who defeats it and sets the BSL station on a collision course with SR388. As Samus prepares to leave, she is attacked by an Omega Metroid. The SA-X appears and attacks it, but is destroyed; Samus absorbs its nucleus and uses her newly restored Ice Beam to destroy the Omega Metroid.<ref name="prime_fusion_guide" />Template:Rp Her ship arrives, piloted by creatures Samus rescued from the station's Habitation Deck. They escape before the station crashes into the planet, destroying it.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref>

Development

A video game screenshot of a person in a powered exoskeleton firing a beam.

Image from an early version presented at E3 2001

Nintendo confirmed a Metroid game for the Game Boy Advance in March 2001,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and showed early footage at the 2001 E3 convention under the name Metroid IV.<ref name="IGN-2001">Template:Cite web</ref> The footage showed Samus in a dark suit, running on walls and ceilings, with simpler, more "Game Boy Color-like" graphics.<ref name="nwr-preview">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Failed verification IGN wrote that the video was disappointing, describing it as "dark" and "muddy".<ref name="IGN-2001" /> At E3 2002, Nintendo demonstrated the game again, now under the title Metroid Fusion, with updated graphics. IGN awarded Metroid Fusion Best of Show and Best Action Game.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Metroid Fusion was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1 (R&D1), the same team that created the 1994 Super Nintendo game Super Metroid.<ref name="ign-handson">Template:Cite web</ref> The gameplay, screen layout, and controls mimic those of Super Metroid, with enhancements. The story is revealed through text and close-ups.<ref name="ign-handson" /> It was written and directed by the series designer, Yoshio Sakamoto, and produced by Takehiro Izushi.<ref name="Credits">Template:Cite video game</ref>

Sakamoto decided to create an original story instead of remaking a Metroid game because he wanted to do "something really unprecedented", and looked forward to the response.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fusion introduces gameplay mechanics such as a more direct, almost mission-based structure that supports the player to explore areas. Objectives are also flexible in how they can be completed, acting "more as a guide for what the player should do instead of giving a completely blank map and saying 'Here you go, figure out what to do and how to do itTemplate:'".<ref name="nwr-preview"/>

According to the lead programmer, Katsuya Yamano, Nintendo R&D1 did not consult previous Metroid games for programming techniques, and instead used their 2001 game Wario Land 4 as a reference. Samus's suit design was revamped; the canonical explanation is that this was because an X Parasite had attacked Samus and made her lose all her abilities. Missiles were expanded with two "upgrades", much like the various beam upgrades: the Ice Missile which has a similar effect to the Ice Beam, and the Diffusion Missile which greatly increases the blast radius. Other minor abilities were added to Fusion, such as climbing walls and ceilings. The health and missile drops are replaced by X Parasites released after defeating enemies.<ref name="StaffInterview">Template:Cite interview</ref>

The music was composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara.<ref name="Credits" /> According to Hamano, Sakamoto wanted her to create music in accordance with Adam's dialogue. Hamano aimed for "serious, ambient music rather than melody" because she did not want the exploration themes to be "annoying". She also rearranged jingles from Super Metroid for Fusion. As Nintendo of America wanted the developers to look for "Hollywood-like" voice actors, Hamano added a voice of an announcer. The developers planned to feature voice acting, but the voices were only used for warning announcements due to ROM cartridge limitations.<ref name="StaffInterview" />

Release

Metroid Fusion was released in North America on November 18, 2002,<ref name="gamespot-handson">Template:Cite web</ref> in Europe on November 22,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Australia on November 29,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Japan on February 14, 2003,<ref name="Famitsu">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and China on March 2, 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Using a GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable, Fusion can be connected to Metroid Prime for the GameCube released on the same day as Fusion in North America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A two-disc soundtrack album, Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks, was published by Scitron on June 18, 2003. The second disc contains tracks from Fusion, along with an additional track arranged by Shinji Hosoe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Metroid Fusion was released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in December 2011 as part of the "3DS Ambassadors" program, one of ten Game Boy Advance games for those who purchased their 3DS consoles before a price drop.<ref name="Ambassadors">Template:Cite web</ref> Metroid Fusion was among the first three Game Boy Advance games to be released on the Wii U Virtual Console in April 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was released on the Nintendo Classics service in March 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A sequel, Metroid Dread, was released in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.<ref name="dread">Template:Cite news</ref>

Reception

Fusion received "universal acclaim" according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref name="metacritic" /> The Japanese magazine Famitsu gave it 34 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu" /> X-Play said it was a "pleasure to play", and praised its "beautiful" graphics and audio.<ref name="xplay" /> IGN praised it as an "outstanding achievement on the Game Boy Advance".<ref name="ign" /> GamesRadar and GamePro felt it was too short, but "love[d] every minute of it", finding the hidden secrets and new power-ups "sublimely ingenious".<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="gamesradar" /> GameSpot was disappointed that the game ended so soon, but said that Metroid fans would enjoy it.<ref name="gamespot" /> Nintendo World Report and Eurogamer called it the best 2D Metroid game and the best Game Boy Advance game so far.<ref name=eurogamer /><ref name=nwr /> Game Informer agreed, describing it as "everything you could want from a Game Boy Advance game" from beginning to end, giving it a perfect review score.<ref name=gameinformer /> Play described it as a "magnified, modified, and improved" version of everything great from Metroid and Super Metroid.<ref name=play />

GameSpot thought that Fusion offered Super MetroidTemplate:'s best qualities packaged in a new adventure.<ref name=gamespot /> Scott Pelland of Nintendo Power heralded it as a return to the classic Metroid action gameplay.<ref name=np>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The "perfect" controls were praised by Electronic Gaming Monthly.<ref name=egm /> Fusion did not feel new to GameSpy, which complained that even the final enemy encounter draws heavy inspiration from Super Metroid.<ref name=gamespy /> GameZone felt that the small screen of the Game Boy Advance was a poor environment in which to play Fusion, but they found it an exciting game.<ref name=gamezone />

Fusion received several accolades. It was awarded "Handheld Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences at the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was also chosen as "Best Game Boy Advance Adventure Game" by IGN<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and "Best Action Game on Game Boy Advance" by GameSpot,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which had named it the handheld's best game of November 2002 earlier in the year.<ref name=gotm>Template:Cite web</ref> It was a runner-up for GameSpotTemplate:'s annual "Best Sound", "Best Graphics", "Best Story" and overall "Game of the Year" awards among Game Boy Advance games.<ref name=bestworst2002>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine called Fusion "sleek, slick and perfectly formed", ranking it the 62nd-best Nintendo game.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Sales

Fusion sold over 1.6 million copies worldwide.<ref name="whitepaper">Template:Cite book</ref> In its debut week, it sold more than 100,000 units in North America.<ref name=100k>Template:Cite web</ref> It finished the month of November 2002 with 199,723 copies sold in the United States alone, for total revenues of Template:USD5,590,768, making it the third best-selling Game Boy Advance game that month,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and the tenth best-selling game across all platforms.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It sold 940,000 copies by August 2006, with revenues of Template:USD27 million. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, in the United States it was the twenty-first highest-selling game for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable.<ref name="nextgensales">Template:Cite web</ref> As of November 2004, Fusion had sold 180,000 copies in Japan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

External links

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