History YMMV / MetroidOtherM

** [[AIIsACrapshoot MB]], aka [[TragicVillain Melissa Bergman]], was created as a clone of [[Characters/MetroidMotherBrain Mother Brain]] by Galactic Federation scientists on the BOTTLE SHIP in order to control their bioweapons, specifically the Metroids. Gaining emotions, the resulting attempt to reprogram her, as well as the [[EtTuBrute seeming betrayal of her "mother", Doctor Madeline Bergman]], sent her on a [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge rampage against the scientists, using the ship's creatures to slaughter them]]. MB then cultivated the bioweapons and sent the BOTTLE SHIP on a collision course with the Galactic Federation HQ, hoping to wipe it out. Meeting [[Characters/MetroidSamusAran Samus Aran]], MB successfully won her trust by pretending to be Madeline, sending the BountyHunter to die in Sector Zero at the hands of nigh-invulnerable Metroids. Her plans foiled and confronted by Samus and the real Madeline, MB almost surrendered peacefully with her mother's tearful apology, only dying while fighting against aggressive Galactic Federation soldiers.

** [[spoiler:Ridley's]] infant form is [[http://www.metroid-database.com/mom/choogle.jpg a creature]] that looks like either a furby with legs, or a cross between [[Franchise/FinalFantasy a Chocobo and a Moogle]]. Fans have nicknamed him "Choogle" or "Choogu". It also has an in-universe nickname: Little Birdie.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Samus' [[NeverLiveItDown infamous]] HeroicBSOD against Ridley mirrors what happened in the ''Manga/MetroidManga''. However, while the ''Other M'' encounter was trying to be a visual metaphor demonstrating how powerless and uncertain Samus has felt recently, the manga encounter is solely about Samus having traumatic flashbacks to Ridley killing her parents [[HarmfulToMinors when she was three]] and being unable to cope. In addition, while the manga encounter is the first time Samus had seen Ridley since she was a child, which lends the moment more drama, the ''Other M'' encounter is after Samus had already bested Ridley in battle countless times in other games ([[AllThereInTheManual none of which ever mention what he did to her as a child]]), making fans question why [[JokerImmunity a recurring foe]] was triggering such a visceral reaction.

* MinimalistRun: What Hard mode basically is; all item expansions (missles, energy, etc.) are removed.

** In regards to the Chozo, Samus considers him to be a father figure in this game, with no mention on how much of the series' supplemental material hammered home the fact that Samus was raised by the Chozo and sees them as family. In particular, she had two father figures in Old Bird and Gray Voice, the former having found her in the aftermath of her colony's destruction, and the latter being the source of her Chozo DNA and who trained her to become a warrior.

* ContestedSequel: Even among detractors, there are arguments as to whether anything ''Other M'' produced is good (or at least salvageable), and how its elements should be addressed in any future installments. As far as gameplay is concerned, future 2D entries would continue building on the fast combat, mobility, and melee ideas introduced here, and gain overall positive reception for doing so.

* MemeticMutation: See [[memes/{{Metroid}} the franchise page]].

** In addition to Anthony, none of the members of Adam's squad are given much exposure. [[spoiler:The Deleter's identity isn't even revealed in-game, only in external materials]].

** Samus' voice actress is, in fact, a skilled actress, as demonstrated when Samus interacts and responds to other characters. The detached and emotionless monotone used during the internal monologues was deliberate on Sakamoto's part, who took on the role of voice director despite not knowing English very well.

* MemeticMutation:
** Anthony Higgs asking "Remember me?" in the E3 2009 reveal trailer, with the dopey expression he has on his face after lifting up his helmet becoming one in equal measure. Because of this, he became quite popular with the fanbase even before becoming considered the best supporting character in the game thanks to his friendship with Samus.
** There's a trend to {{lampshad|eHanging}}e the somewhat divisive "authorisation" mechanic, which is WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, ADAM HAS NOT AUTHORISED YOU TO READ THIS.
** Adam also has one useful word of advice: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE8RTKBFlBI&t=5m8s USE YOUR PLASMA BEAM!]]
** "The words he so obviously chose, MemeticMutation, pieced my heart."[[labelnote:Explanation]]Samus gets rather upset by Adam referring to her as an "outsider," and [[ThatMakesMeFeelAngry proceeds to tell the player about how she feels in a rather melodramatic manner]]. It's especially hilarious when you learn that Samus wasn't anywhere near as dramatic in Japanese during this scene, only stating that being excluded from the group "stung a little."[[/labelnote]]
** [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment the baby the baby the baby the baby the baby the baby the baby the baby]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]A bunch of fans weren't exactly fond of Samus ''only'' using this to refer to [[VideoGame/SuperMetroid the last Metroid]]. It is often joked that the plot of ''Other M'', or at least Samus's involvement, can be summarized by her repeating this ad nauseum.[[/labelnote]]
** The infamous [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpplIHaZuac "thumbs-down scene".]] [[https://tinycartridge.com/post/879604294/nintendo-will-preview-metroid-other-m-at This led to one hell of an advertising failure in Japan.]]

** [[spoiler:Ridley's]] infant form is [[http://www.metroid-database.com/mom/choogle.jpg a creature]] that looks like either a furby with legs, or a cross between [[Franchise/FinalFantasy a Chocobo and a Moogle]]. Fans have nicknamed him "Choogle" or "Choogu". It also has an in-universe nickname courtesy of Samus herself: Little Birdie.

** Little Birdie is a dangerous and intelligent creature, and Samus refers to it as a disgusting beast... but its design still makes it look UglyCute, which both concept art and the official guidebook emphasize, and Samus is the one who gives it the nickname of Little Birdie.

* OvershadowedByControversy: This game is known primarily for its controversial story, as well as its poor execution of a BagOfSpilling justification.

** Furthermore, [[spoiler: Phantoon's]] sudden appearance as the true final boss. It's never explained how he survived his death in VideoGame/SuperMetroid and why he's at the Bottle Ship. After he dies, Samus resumes her search for [[spoiler: Adam's Helmet]] as if nothing happened.

* {{Narm}}: Attempts at the game in trying to make a serious drama-fuelled game ends up falling flat with Samus' monotonous and melodramatic prosse, nonsensical plot, borderline character assasination, Anthony Higgs' dopey face and the much ''infamous'' "The Baby, the Baby, the Baby, the Baby" monologue.

** If you mash the D-pad enough, [[SuperReflexes SenseMove]] can leave you completely untouchable in any combat scenario. It also [[RuleOfCool looks sick as hell]]. You pretty much have to abuse this to survive Hard Mode, considering that enemies in that mode can [[OneHitKO defeat you in 1 hit]] due to the lack of energy tanks and missile upgrades.

* MemeticLoser: Samus in this game. She's seen by a decent number of fans as rather underwhelming, and it isn't uncommon for parodies of ''Other M'' to depict her as overly weak and/or moody, obsessing over "The Baby" at all times.

** Samus’ HeroicBSOD upon Ridley’s clone showing up is easily the most well known, and reviled, scene in the game due to it being extremely out of character for Samus and making absolutely no sense (she has seen Ridley revived and defeated him without incident multiple times at this point in the timeline).
** The section where Samus runs through superheated parts of Sector 2 without the Varia suit due to Adam not authorizing it is almost as infamous, and is usually brought up as the apex of everything wrong with both the authorization system and Samus and Adam’s characterization/relationship.

** Samus’ HeroicBSOD upon Ridley’s clone showing up is easily the most well known, and reviled, scene in the game due to it being extremely out of character for Samus and making absolutely no sense (she has fought Ridley almost 10 times at this point in the timeline).

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
** Among those who liked the ideas of detailing Samus' backstory, introducing new human characters and bringing back Ridley, many believe the game should have been a {{Prequel}} to the entire series, it would have actually made more sense to depicts Samus as weaker and her traumatic flashback at the sight of Ridley much more understandable if it happened prior to her journey leading up to her becoming a badass.
** Of the four major narrative threads (Samus' military background and connection with Adam, the conspiracy with the Deleter and corruption within the Federation, Samus overcoming Ridley's apparent reappearance, and [[GoneHorriblyRight the disaster around MB]]), it's generally thought that none of them are given enough development despite each having enough material to drive the plot of their own games. Samus herself doesn't seem to have much impact on the overarching plot either, taking a passive role in most of the game's major events.