History VideoGame / MetroidIIReturnOfSamus

''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' is a Creator/{{Nintendo}} action-adventure game developed for the Platform/GameBoy, and the second entry in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series. A sequel to [[VideoGame/Metroid1 the original NES game]], the two games chronologically bookend the entirety of the later ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'' sub-series. The game first released in North America in November 1991, and release in Japan and Europe the following year. In 2017, it would receive a TwoAndAHalfD [[VideoGameRemake remake]] for the Platform Nintendo3DS, titled ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns''.

''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' is a Creator/{{Nintendo}} action-adventure game developed for the Platform/GameBoy, and the second entry in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series. A sequel to [[VideoGame/Metroid1 the original NES game]], the two games chronologically bookend the entirety of the later ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'' sub-series. The game first released in North America in November 1991, and release in Japan and Europe the following year. In 2017, it would receive a TwoAndAHalfD [[VideoGameRemake remake]] for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, titled ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns''.

* ArtEvolution

* ColorWash: When played on a UsefulNotes/SuperGameBoy, the game defaults to using a red, black, green, and yellow palette, befitting the "alien" nature of [=SR388=]. Because this game was released before the Super Game Boy started development, however, this default palette is precoded into the SGB's hardware (as with numerous other pre-SGB games), and does not feature any of the more advanced color trickery seen in SGB-optimized titles.

* DepthPerplexion: Remember how getting the more aggressive [[PaletteSwap green]] Metroids stuck on bits of scenery was viable tactic in the first game? This time around it's turned against you, as several enemy types can pass through material Samus is hindered by, including the Metroids, who are all immune to your fancy shoot-through-walls weaponry. Although larval Metroids are not among them; it seems they are still required to play by Samus's rules until they grow up a little.

''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' is a Creator/{{Nintendo}} action-adventure game developed for the UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the second entry in the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series. A sequel to [[VideoGame/Metroid1 the original NES game]], the two games chronologically bookend the entirety of the later ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'' sub-series. The game first released in North America in November 1991, and release in Japan and Europe the following year. In 2017, it would receive a TwoAndAHalfD [[VideoGameRemake remake]] for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, titled ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns''.

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/metroid2_boxart_6802.jpg]]

* DoomedTacticalTeam: The backstory of the game describes how the Galactic Federation sent a special team of Galactic Federation Police after losing contact with a research team on the planet. After this team is also wiped out, they opt to send [[OneManArmy Samus Aran]] to take care of matters.

* DoomedTacticalTeam: The backstory of the game describes how the Galactic Federation sent a special team of Galactic Federation Police after losing contact with a research team on the planet. After this team is also wiped out, they opt to send [[OneManArmy Samuc Aran]] to take care of matters.

* BatOutOfHell: Seerook sprites look like bats that don't flap their wings, though official art makes them look like Samus's visor, [[GraphicsInducedSuperDeformed the "ears", "wings" and "teeth" all being spikes]]. Drivel sprites look even more like bats given they do flap their wings, although official art makes them look much more alien. By contrast, gulluggs do have bat like wings in their official art, but not their sprites, which look like mosquitoes. ''Samus Returns'' give them models that are even more batty.

* BattleThemeMusic: The game plays different music for the evolved Metroid battles (also, unrelated to Villain and Boss, regular monsters that are more dangerous get an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cWbLagjxbA ominous theme]]). Arachnus, which is unrelated to the Metroids, has its own battle theme as well.

* BatOutOfHell: Seerook sprites look like bats that don't flap their wings, though official art makes them look like Samus's visor, [[GraphicsInducedSuperDeformed the "ears", "wings" and "teeth" all being spikes]]. Drivel sprites look even more like bats given they do flap their wings, although official art makes them look much more alien. By contrast, gulluggs do have bat like wings in their official art, but not their sprites, which look like mosquitoes. ''Samus Returns'' give them models that are even more batty.

** Others cause KnockBack, serving to get in the way of particularly intrepid explorers. Some of these are destructible but most can only be avoided

* TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: The nest of the Queen Metroid.

* WallCrawl

* ConvectionSchmonvection: One of only two games to play it straight, the other being the original Metroid--''if'' that damaging liquid in the main tunnels is lava. [[AllThereInTheManual The manual never calls that liquid "lava", only a "hazardous liquid"]], so for all we know it could be HollywoodAcid instead. This is actually supported by the [[VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns 3DS remake,]] which has a deadly purple liquid in its place.

* TrickBoss: After you've destroyed 33 Metroids, you'll need to traverse a looping tunnel and fight a Metroid in the middle in order to clear the lava blocking off progress. The Metroid in question is just a simple Alpha Metroid. After destroying it, the usual earthquake occurs, but upon returning to the main tunnel, you'll discover that instead of sinking, it has instead risen, trapping you in the looping tunnel. Backtracking to where you fought the Alpha Metroid, you end up having to battle the first Omega Metroid in the game before you can progress for real.

* OhCrap: When you enter the final area and the Metroid counter starts going back ''up''.

* {{Railroading}}

** Speaking of the Omega Metroid, here it is only slightly taller than Samus, able to fly, and depicted with a hairy mane in official artwork. In ''Fusion'' and ''Samus Returns'', the Omega Metroid is giant, unable to fly, and completely hairless.

* SequenceBreaking: Not to the extent of the original game due to this game's more linear nature, but there are some spots in the game where you can pull this off due to some useful tricks:

* SpikesOfDoom

* BigBad: The Queen Metroid.

* BlackOutBasement: In Phase 7, you gain access to one that has a missile expansion, although given that it's in the roof, it's really more of a Blackout Attic. The manual claimed Samus' Power Suit was equipped with an infrared ray scope that would allow Samus to see in the dark, but no such ability existed until ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime''.

* {{Fireballs}}: Wallfires puff these at Samus, though they seem to use some sort of slow burning flammable substance, as they can be frozen with the ice beam.
* FireBreathingWeapon: Automs have flame throwers of the [[VideogameFlameThrowersSuck sucky video game variety]]. They can't do much damage to Samus, especially not with the Varia Suit, but are still best avoided.

* IBelieveICanFly: At least half of the creatures encountered in this game can fly, including all but ''maybe'' one type of Metroid, even those with legs. Samus herself gets a flight mode of sorts in the space jump.
* InsectoidAliens: Pincher Flies, Glow Flies, Gulluggs are also vaguely mosquito looking, although they don't suck blood(or don't attempt to such blood from an armored being). Yumbo sprites look like flying chainsaws but official art makes them look like mosquitoes with feathers. Motos have beetle-like sprites but official art makes them look more like mask-wearing reptiles. Mumbo sprites look like blobs but official art makes them look like insectoid versions of Samus's helmet. Skorps look like scorpions with two buzz saws where they head should be, in official art anyway.

!Spoilers for this game will be marked as usual. However, since this game is a sequel to ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' (as well as its remake) and takes place after the ''{{VideoGame/Metroid Prime|Trilogy}}'' trilogy chronologically, all spoilers for those games will be left unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned!

* GottaKillThemAll: An ever-present counter shows how many Metroids are left to kill. This becomes more disconcerting as the Metroids start to mutate, resulting in a mini-boss encounter with each one. At one point, the counter [[OhCrap jumps from one to nine]] (The fourty-seventh and final Metroid is, of course, the dreaded Queen). [[spoiler: Ironically, the game concludes with Samus adopting a Metroid hatchling; rather than snuff out the hated race once and for all ("[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E4GenesisOfTheDaleks Have I the right?"]]), Samus takes it under her wing and begins a peaceful climb back to the surface.]]

!All spoilers for ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' (as well as its remake) and the ''{{VideoGame/Metroid Prime|Trilogy}}'' trilogy will be left unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned!

An often overlooked entry in the series, ''Metroid II'' introduced a number of elements that would go on to be series mainstays: the round metal shoulders on Samus's Varia Suit to differentiate it from her Power Suit[[note]]since both looked similar on the Game Boy's limited greyscale display, the developers needed a new way to differentiate them[[/note]], abilities such as the Space Jump, Samus Aran's gunship, and [[SavePoint Save Stations]] (which replace the password system from the first game).

** Tsumuris are Zoomers in function, only you see their profile rather than their mugshot. Official art makes them more snail like.

* GottaKillThemAll: An ever-present counter shows how many Metroids are left to kill. This becomes more disconcerting as the Metroids start to mutate, resulting in a mini-boss encounter with each one. At one point, the counter [[OhCrap jumps from one to nine]] (The fourty-seventh and final Metroid is, of course, the dreaded Queen). [[spoiler:Ironically, the game concludes with Samus adopting a Metroid hatchling; rather than snuff out the hated race once and for all ("[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E4GenesisOfTheDaleks Have I the right?"]]), Samus takes it under her wing and begins a peaceful climb back to the surface.]]

* InsectoidAliens: Pincher Flies, Glow Flies, Gulluggs are also vaguely mosquito looking, although they don't suck blood(or don't attempt to such blood from an armored being). Yumbo sprites look like flying chainsaws but official art makes them look like mosquitoes with feathers. Motos have beetle like sprites but official art makes them look more like mask wearing reptiles. Mumbo sprites look like blobs but official art makes them look like insectoid versions of Samus's helmet. Skorps look like scorpions with two buzz saws where they head should be, in official art anyway.

** Autracks do not move on tracks, nor do they track Samus's movement. Although official art does give them tank-like treads, they are almost totally stationary in game, only extending their necks to attack.

* NothingIsScarier: Most of the game, you aren't even fighting the Metroids. Instead, you're completely isolated on the abandoned planet [=SR388=], fighting the sporadic local wildlife or just working through the environment and ruins. And most of the music is surprisingly atmospheric for a Game Boy game--a lot of the tracks rely on ambience or scrambling alien like sound effects in lieu of any familiar melody. And on top of all that, you have no map, so for all you know, a Metroid could literally be lurking just around the corner. It adds a lot of suspense and tension between the battles. [[spoiler:And then you get to the final area with the standard Metroids, and before you even encounter them, the player will notice the entire area is almost completely devoid of enemies (save a handful of flying platform creatures), a [[ShowDontTell visual red flag]] that it's a hot spot for the life-sucking parasites.]]

* NothingIsScarier: Most of the game, you aren't even fighting the Metroids. Instead, you're completely isolated on the abandoned planet [=SR388=], fighting the sporadic local wildlife or just working through the environment and ruins. And most of the music is surprisingly atmospheric for a Game Boy game--a lot of the tracks rely on ambience or scrambling alien like sound effects in lieu of any familiar melody. And on top of all that, you have no map, so for all you know, a Metroid could literally be lurking just around the corner. It adds a lot of suspense and tension between the battles. [[spoiler:And then you get to the final area with the standard Metroids, and before you even encounter them, the player will notice the entire area is almost completely devoid of enemies (save a handful of flying platform creatures), a [[ShowDontTell visual red flag]] that its a hot spot for the life-sucking parasites.]]