NES Best way to play Metroid?

[MaxKopf]

I have never beaten Metroid on the NES. So what is the best way to play this game with a ROM HACK or several rom hacks that "improve" the game, add quality of life stuff. I have heard the famicom disk system version is superior to the NES version, are there certain rom hacks for it as well?
Really help me out here please Vanilla Metroid for NES does not do it for me.

 

[Ikagura]

I'd say Zero Mission on the GBA improves in almost every ways but if you really want the NES aestheti there's also Metroid Planets which is a fanmade remake like AM2R but doesn't try to remake the graphics to be like the GBA ones.

I have heard the famicom disk system version is superior to the NES version, are there certain rom hacks for it as well?

It has a save system but it also means you cannot have the Justin Bailey code so no Leotard Suit Samus for you.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I'd say Zero Mission on the GBA improves in almost every ways

I had come here to say exactly this.

It really is night and day.

 

[Glimbo]

As far as romhacks go, I like Metroid mOTHER with the addendum.
https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/1988/
https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3640/

If that's not enough, I also suggest Metroid Planets.

 

[Ikagura]

I had come here to say exactly this.

It really is night and day.

I understand people saying that the ambience in the NES game is superior

Because sometimes less is more and technical limitations makes things creepier (alongside the vast void from backgrounds).

But I'd still take the improvements of the GBA game over the fact you start at 30 energy, cannot stack the ice and the wave beam, cannot aim diagonally, cannot recharge energy so you have to farm enemies, unroll from the Screw Attack when you reach less than one block above the ground, cannot aim downward, cannot crouch among other things that sadly made the NES Metroid archaic compared to the sequels (even Metroid II on the Gameboy felt much more flexible thanks to the mere ability to crouch and shoot downward while jumping).

PS: I understand that the game expected the players to draw the maps themselves back then (like many dungeon crawlers) but the mini-map from Super onwards was one of the best addition to the franchise.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I understand people saying that the ambience in the NES game is superior

Because sometimes less is more and technical limitations makes things creepier (alongside the vast void from backgrounds).

But I'd still take the improvements of the GBA game over the fact you start at 30 energy, cannot stack the ice and the wave beam, cannot aim diagonally, cannot recharge energy so you have to farm enemies, unroll from the Screw Attack when you reach less than one block above the ground, cannot aim downward, cannot crouch among other things that sadly made the NES Metroid archaic compared to the sequels (even Metroid II on the Gameboy felt much more flexible thanks to the mere ability to crouch and shoot downward while jumping).

PS: I understand that the game expected the players to draw the maps themselves back then (like many dungeon crawlers) but the mini-map from Super onwards was one of the best addition to the franchise.

I can definitely agree with the NES version being scarier because they really did do a good job of it — those fuzzy, isolated sound effects do a lot for me... But the GBA version simply plays better, and videogames ain't movies you watch.

 

[Ikagura]

I can definitely agree with the NES version being scarier because they really did do a good job of it — those fuzzy, isolated sound effects do a lot for me... But the GBA version simply plays better, and videogames ain't movies you watch.

This makes me wonder something: how hard would it be to make a romhack of Zero Mission with the original OST and remove the background (or just one plain colour depending of the area type)?

Either ways Planets is a fan game that really adds the improvements from "modern" (well, Super/Fusion/ZM) Metroid into the NES aesthetic so that's not necessary.

 

[Elwiwi]

The best way of playing Metroid 1 is to not play it and go instead after the remake

 

[ZEGA ZONICZEGA ZONIC's icon]

Zero Mission is a good choice.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

The best way of playing Metroid 1 is to not play it and go instead after the remake

No, play it with Power Glove.

 

[MaxKopf]

This makes me wonder something: how hard would it be to make a romhack of Zero Mission with the original OST and remove the background (or just one plain colour depending of the area type)?

Either ways Planets is a fan game that really adds the improvements from "modern" (well, Super/Fusion/ZM) Metroid into the NES aesthetic so that's not necessary.

Do you have a download link for that? All I could find was a forum thread with a level editor and downloads for older builds where stuff did not work yet. I just played it in my browser and the jump button would not work at some point and I ended up in lava. Super annoying.

I have played Zero Mission years ago and I think I beat it as well but I want the NES retro vibe, this is why I am asking. I also want to play it on the go on my nintendo switch that is also why I asked. So Planets wont do but still I would like to give the latest build of planets a try.

I had come here to say exactly this.

It really is night and day.

The best way of playing Metroid 1 is to not play it and go instead after the remake

Zero Mission is a good choice.

haha I know. I have already played this and beaten it and I like it but it is not the same game. I want the NES charm.

dendum.

I have no idea what that means. But the one link you posted
>This is an addendum to the Metroid mOTHER patch by dACE, which adds the functionality of the Metroid99 patch by Maximum Potion. By patching this on top of Metroid mOTHER, you will start the game with 99 health, and any energy tanks will be refilled.

I think this is exactly what I want. I just played Metroid Planets and I was surprised that I had 99 lives. I think the original NES version does not and I die super super quickly in there. Just having 99 lives is already all I needed to make things better and than a mini map. exactly what I have been looking for. thanks. I do not need the sprites to be changed. i want the OG graphics.

 

[Ikagura]

It's there as far as I've seen: https://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php/topic,4952.0.html

Spoiler

DOWNLOAD: For Windows - [zip] 43mb - Version 1.27g
Older version, but supports Novus.

DOWNLOAD: For Windows - [zip] 88mb - Version 1.33
Latest version with new features for Zebeth and Enigma and Connect, but temporarily lacks Novus.

You can find a detailed readme and changelog bundled with the game.

 

[WokiBakoki]

The best way to play any Metroid is by taking the cartridge or rom, putting it somewhere you won't ever find it, and slowly walking away... Walking away to your PSX or Duckstation to play Symphony of the Night instead.

 

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

Just play Zero mission

 

[Ikagura]

The best way to play any Metroid is by taking the cartridge or rom, putting it somewhere you won't ever find it, and slowly walking away... Walking away to your PSX or Duckstation to play Symphony of the Night instead.

I know that this may be for the joke but Castlevania is much more like a RPG and is set in a fantasy world. I prefer Metroid because I prefer Sci-fi over fantasy and I also prefer having a blaster over swords.

PPSSPP with the Dracula X Chronicles and the revised dialogues are a good way to experience the game as well.