History VideoGame / MetroidPrime

* * MotileVehicularComponents: Samus' Gunship has a quartet of articulated thrusters on its ventral (down-when-in-gravity) side that it uses as landing gear.

After destroying the SpacePirates' base on Zebes along with the Pirate leaders Mother Brain, Ridley and Kraid, Samus Aran continues to pursue the scattered fleeing survivors across the galaxy and ultimately tracks them to their fallback position on the planet of Tallon IV, located in the same star system as Zebes. There, the Pirates have set up a secret research base, where they have resumed Metroid cloning, started reconstructing [[ArchEnemy Ridley's]] heavily injured body, and are harvesting a new power for their own ends; a radioactive mutagenic substance called [[TheCorruption Phazon]], containing nigh limitless energy potential.

The story takes place some time after the events of ''VideoGame/Metroid1''/''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission''. After destroying the SpacePirates' base on Zebes along with the Pirate leaders Mother Brain, Ridley and Kraid, Samus Aran continues to pursue the scattered fleeing survivors across the galaxy and ultimately tracks them to their fallback position on the planet of Tallon IV, located in the same star system as Zebes. There, the Pirates have set up a secret research base, where they have resumed Metroid cloning, started reconstructing [[ArchEnemy Ridley's]] heavily injured body, and are harvesting a new power for their own ends; a radioactive mutagenic substance called [[TheCorruption Phazon]], containing nigh limitless energy potential.

''Metroid Prime'' is a 2002 [[FirstPersonShooter First-Person]] [[GenreBusting Adventure]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube. It is the fifth game in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series (released on the same day as ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion''), the first of the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'', and the first ''Metroid'' game to be in 3D. Timeline-wise, it's the second game in the franchise's chronology.

An UpdatedRerelease, ''Metroid Prime Remastered'', was announced and released digitally for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on February 8, 2023, with a physical version being released February 22 in North America and March 3 in other territories. Based on the ''Trilogy'' version of the title, ''Remastered'' updates the graphics and visual presentation, and has features such as a color assist option, a character model gallery, and a sound test. In addition, it offers multiple control schemes, from new dual stick controls (with or without gyro assist), pointer controls, the single-stick aiming scheme from the original [=GameCube=] release, and even the option to use an actual [=GameCube=] controller. It also offers the option to toggle the English narration on, off, or partially on, to match the original Japanese, North American, and European releases respectively.

** The Power Bomb Expansion in Security Cave can be reached using several difficult jumps. This will give Samus early Power Bombs and also enable early access to the Artifact of Spirit and other such items. Notably, this trick can be performed in the Metroid Prime Trilogy version of the game, despite the changes made to jumping. The Power Bomb Expansion in the Magma Pool can also be obtained early by using the infinite speed glitch. In the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube version, this requires the Boost Ball.

* DerelictGraveyard: The Frigate ''Orpheon'' has seen better days. By the time Samus arrives it to answer an emergency call, it's a wrecked vessel where all machinery is malfunctioning, and the two strongest creatures in it (Parasite Queen and Meta Ridley) are about to break free. Samus manages to defeat the former, but the latter flies and the vessel crashes into Tallon IV. Later in the game, its sunken remains can be visited.

''Please note that this page and links to it are meant to cover the first game only. The link titled VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy is for the sub-series as a whole.''

** Shadow Pirates posses an "active camouflage" type of cloak (appear to be translucent in the visible spectrum, but stick out like a sore thumb in IR).
** The Omega Pirate has a "Chameleon Manta" which lets him become invisible not only to the naked eye but also to infrared and X-ray vision. The only time he can be seen when it's activated is when he absorbs the highly radioactive Phazon into his body to regenerate his armor.

* ArtEvolution: While the original Gamecube/Wii version of the game looked graphically impressive already, the remastered version on the Switch completely revamps all the assets by giving them higher polygon counts and better textures, which makes everything pop out. The lightning and shadows were also improved on the Switch version, making the reflections on surfaces look quite impressive. Many of the assets and models were also updated, notably with Samus' Power Suit now resembling its design in the ''Prime'' sequels (albeit without the nub at the top of the visor) and her unmasked face now being even more realistic.

* BittersweetEnding: The corruption has stopped spreading on Tallon IV, but Samus' actions have created [[EvilTwin Dark Samus]]. She also mourns the destruction of the Chozo Temple, which was their last great work. The game ends with her just sadly staring at the smoking ruins of it.

** Project Titan, which was the Space Pirates' attempt at creating super soldiers from inanimate objects via Phazon. Absurd though it sounds, it worked, and it created Thardus, a massive rock monster noted for a very violent temperament that tries to kill anything that gets near and had to be quarantined. Since the beast is made from Phazon Ore, the precursor to Phazite, it's ridiculously durable, and it has no spinal cord, brain, or otherwise notable internal organ systems to targett. Basically, it's Phazon and rock and it hates and kills.

** Project Titan, which was the Space Pirates' attempt at creating super soldiers from inanimate objects via Phazon. Absurd though it sounds, it worked, and it created Thardus, a massive rock monster noted for a very violent temperament that tries to kill anything that gets near and had to be quarantined. Since the beast is made from Phazon Ore, the precursor to Phazite, it's ridiculously durable, and it has no spinal cord, brain, or otherwise notable internal organ systems to target to cheat. Basically, it's Phazon and rock and it hates and kills.

* OffModel: A minor example. When using the Fusion Suit, that suit's equivalent of the Phazon Suit has [[https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Omega_Suit?file=Phazon_Fusion_Suit_transparent.png a blue visor]] like the regular Fusion Suit and its upgrades. However, in ''Fusion'' proper, that suit has [[https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Omega_Suit?file=Mfend5.png a green visor]] like Samus's normal Power Suit.