{{Short description|2004 video game}} {{Good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox video game | image=Metroid -- Zero Mission (box art).jpg | alt = A person in a powered exoskeleton aims a weapon toward the viewer. | caption=North American box art | developer=Nintendo R&D1 | publisher=Nintendo | director = Yoshio Sakamoto | producer = Takehiro Izushi | designer = {{ubl|Takehiko Hosokawa|Masani Ueda|Ryuichi Nakada}} | writer = Yoshio Sakamoto | artist = Hiroji Kiyotake | composer = {{ubl|Kenji Yamamoto|Minako Hamano}} | series=''Metroid'' | platforms=Game Boy Advance <!-- Do not list Wii U or Switch here, per Template:Infobox video game#platforms; Virtual Console and Nintendo Classics are emulation --> | released={{video game release|NA|February 9, 2004|AUS|March 19, 2004|EU|April 8, 2004|JP|May 27, 2004}} <!-- Do not list emulated releases here (i.e. Virtual Console) --> | genre=Action-adventure | modes=Single-player }}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Metroid: Zero Mission'''''|メトロイド ゼロミッション|Metoroido Zero Misshon|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}<!-- See WP:JFN --> is a 2004 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It is a remake of the original ''Metroid'' (1986), with updated visuals and gameplay.
Like other ''Metroid'' games, the player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran. Samus travels to the planet Zebes after learning that the Space Pirates are experimenting with Metroids, hostile parasitic creatures, which they plan to use to take over the universe. The gameplay focuses on exploration, with the player searching for power-ups to reach previously inaccessible areas. The remake adds items, additional areas, mini-bosses, difficulty levels and a rewritten story that explores Samus's past.
''Zero Mission'' received praise for its new content, graphics, gameplay and improvements over the original, but criticism for its short length. ''Nintendo Power'' named it one of the best Nintendo games. It was named the best Game Boy Advance game by ''GameSpot'' and the ninth-best by ''IGN.''
As of February 2025, ''Zero Mission'' had sold over 439,000 copies in the United States and 69,000 in Japan. It was rereleased on the Virtual Console service for Wii U and the Nintendo Classics service for Nintendo Switch.
==Gameplay== [[File:Metroid and Metroid Zero Mission.png|left|thumb|300px|Samus faces off against Mother Brain. The scene from ''Metroid'' is shown on the left, while ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' is on the right.]]
''Metroid: Zero Mission'' takes place on Planet Zebes, a large, open-ended world with areas connected by doors and elevators. The player controls Samus Aran as she travels through the planet's caverns and environments, hunting Space Pirates. Along the way, the player collects power-ups that enhance Samus's armor and weaponry, as well as grant her special abilities. These abilities allow Samus to access previously inaccessible areas,<ref name=manual>{{cite book|url=https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_MetroidZeroMission_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6eX1jFmAz?url=https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_MetroidZeroMission_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Instruction Booklet |publisher=Nintendo of Europe |year=2004 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> so that the game can be played linearly or non-linearly. For example, the player may come across caverns that bypass certain sections, a method termed sequence breaking. To save their progress, players can enter either Save Rooms or Samus's ship on Crateria. As a remake of ''Metroid'', ''Metroid: Zero Mission''{{'}}s layout bears a resemblance to the original, and various powerups and items make reappearances from previous games in the series, with similar uses, effects, and appearances,<ref name=manual /> but it adds items, areas, and mini-bosses,<ref name=gamespot /> as well as a new area named Chozodia.<ref name=manual />
''Zero Mission'' is the first ''Metroid'' game to include a sequence in which the player controls Samus without her Power Suit. In this sequence, Samus is more vulnerable to damage, must crawl through ducts on her hands and knees without her Morph Ball mode, and her only weapon is a weak pistol that briefly stuns enemies. Samus retains all energy tanks she acquired previously.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/566746/page_10.html |title=''Metroid Zero Mission'' Game Guide {{endash}} Walktrough: Part Five |first=Alexis |last=Dunham |publisher=Ziff Davis |work=IGN |access-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205081816/http://guides.ign.com/guides/566746/page_10.html |archive-date=December 5, 2004}}</ref>
Completing the game unlocks an emulated version of the original ''Metroid''. ''Zero Mission'' allows players to unlock the ''Metroid Fusion'' picture gallery by linking between ''Zero Mission'' and ''Fusion'' cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.<ref name=manual />
==Plot== {{Metroid Story Order}} Space Pirates attack a Galactic Federation-owned space research vessel and seize samples of Metroid creatures. Dangerous floating organisms, Metroids can latch on to any organism and drain its life energy to kill it. The Space Pirates plan to replicate Metroids by exposing them to beta rays and use the Metroids as biological weapons to destroy all living beings that oppose them. While searching for the stolen Metroids, the Galactic Federation locates the Space Pirates' base of operations on the planet Zebes. The Federation assaults the planet, but the Pirates resist, forcing the Federation to retreat. As a last resort, the Federation decides to send a lone bounty hunter to penetrate the Pirates' base and destroy Mother Brain, the mechanical life-form that controls the Space Pirates' fortress and its defenses. Considered the greatest of all bounty hunters, Samus Aran is chosen for the mission.<ref name=manual />
Samus lands on the surface of Zebes and explores the planet, traveling through the planet's caverns.<ref name=manual /> She comes across Kraid, an ally of the Space Pirates, and Ridley, the Space Pirates' commander, and defeats them both. Samus finds and destroys Mother Brain. While Samus leaves the planet in her ship, it is attacked by Space Pirates, causing it to crash back onto Zebes, near the Space Pirate Mothership.<ref name=game /> With both her ship and Power Suit destroyed, Samus infiltrates the Mothership, leading her to Chozodia, where a Chozo Statue offers her a trial. Upon passing the trial, Samus is rewarded with a new fully upgraded Power Suit. Continuing to explore the Mothership, Samus reaches the Mecha Ridley,<ref>{{cite book|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Metroid: Zero Mission: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide |location=Canada |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |page=97 |date=2004 |isbn=1-930206-48-8}}</ref> a robot built in the likeness of Ridley. After defeating it, Samus escapes the planet using one of the Space Pirate's shuttles, while the Mothership self-destructs.<ref name=game>{{cite video game |title=Metroid: Zero Mission |developer=Nintendo R&D1 |publisher=Nintendo |date=February 9, 2004 |platform=Game Boy Advance}}</ref>
==Development== thumb|left|upright|Yoshio Sakamoto in 2010 ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' was directed by Yoshio Sakamoto, who had worked on every ''Metroid'' game but ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' (1991).<ref name="gspy-talks">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/metroidzm/ |title=Metroid Creator Talks Zero Mission |last=Lee |first=Justin |date=February 2, 2004 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=September 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226053610/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/metroidzm/ |archive-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref> He was the only member of the original ''Metroid'' (1986) team to work on ''Zero Mission''.<ref name="roundtable">{{cite web |author=Harris |first=Craig |date=January 30, 2004 |title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'' Director Roundtable |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488084p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305194808/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488084p1.html |archive-date=March 5, 2005 |access-date=July 9, 2005 |work=IGN}}</ref> While working on the concept for the next ''Metroid'' game after ''Metroid Fusion'' (2002),<ref name="roundtable" /> one of the developers suggested porting ''Super Metroid'' (1994) to the Game Boy Advance, but Sakamoto decided to port the original ''Metroid'' instead.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=102290 |title=Nintendo on Metroid Zero Mission! |work=2004-03-10 |archive-date=February 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211012009/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=102290 |url-status=live}}</ref> The development team decided to return to the roots of ''Metroid'' gameplay by creating a game based on the NES original. Sakamoto, noting that ''Fusion''{{'}}s gameplay and structure were drastically different from previous games, wanted to "show people who had never played a ''Metroid'' game prior to ''Fusion'', the roots of the ''Metroid'' franchise, that this is what ''Metroid'' is, this is the style of gameplay that Metroid sprang from [...] at the same time, retell the story of Samus's original mission".<ref name="roundtable" />
The team originally used a cuter visual style to evoke the original NES graphics, but reverted to a more realistic style after Nintendo of America said it would harm sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=メトロイド ゼロミッション』開発スタッフインタビュー |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0406/1_2/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920042933/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0406/1_2/index.html |archive-date=20 September 2013 |access-date=10 October 2025 |website=Nintendo |language=Japanese}}</ref> One of the biggest challenges that the developers faced was adding enough elements to make ''Zero Mission'' feel new, while keeping the spirit of the original ''Metroid''. ''Zero Mission'' uses a rebuilt version of the game engine used for ''Fusion.''<ref name=roundtable /> ''Metroid Fusion'' had offered connectivity with ''Metroid Prime'' on the GameCube, and ''Zero Mission'' was planned to offer similar functionality with ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', but these plans fell through. Sakamoto explained that because there was not enough development time for ''Zero Mission'', compounded by the fact that both of their release dates were too far apart, the team was prevented from doing so. They did, however, manage to include the ability for ''Fusion'' to connect with ''Zero Mission''.<ref name=gspy-talks />
''Zero Mission'' introduces cinematics to push the story forward. Sakamoto believed in the importance of having a story to complement a game. He found it particularly difficult to convey the plot in a way that the player can understand, because of the sparse use of dialogue in the ''Metroid'' series. The story for ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' was rewritten to explore Samus Aran's backstory more than in the original ''Metroid''. Cinematics are used to show Samus' memories to move the story forward and to keep the plot open for interpretation. Sakamoto said this was intended to expand the original story while retaining some mystery. The game is the first in the series to let the player choose a difficulty level at the start; each of three levels varies in the amount of damage caused by enemies with the third option only unlocked after finishing the campaign once.<ref name=roundtable /> The battle with Mother Brain marked the end of the original ''Metroid'', but ''Zero Mission'' offers an extra story segment featuring Samus in her blue Zero Suit.<ref name=gspy-talks />
===Release=== Nintendo revealed ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' at the E3 convention in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/402/402234p1.html |title=E3 2003: First Screens: Metroid: Zero Mission |publisher=IGN |date=May 13, 2003 |author=Harris, Craig |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305200916/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/402/402234p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It was released in North America on February 9, 2004,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/440/440188p1.html |title=Samus Gets a Date |publisher=IGN |date=November 12, 2003 |author=Harris, Craig |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422203650/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/440/440188p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> in Australia on March 19,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |title=She's Back!|publisher=Nintendo Australia|date=February 5, 2004|access-date=August 9, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040402135949/http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |archive-date = April 2, 2004}}</ref> in Europe on April 8,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/metroidzeromission/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215042949/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/metroidzeromission/similar.html?mode=versions |title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'' Release Summary |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=GameSpot |url-status=dead}}</ref> and in Japan on May 27.<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1307 |script-title=ja:メトロイド ゼロミッション [GBA] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Kadokawa Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223323/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1307 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Zero Mission'' was the best-selling Game Boy Advance game in the United States in its debut month, selling 151,807 units, and was the third-bestselling game across all video game systems in that month.<ref>{{cite journal |date=February 2004 |title=Software Sales |journal=NPD Group}}</ref> By May, sales dropped to seventh among Game Boy Advance games, with 31,619 copies sold and $938,681 in revenue.<ref>{{cite journal |date=May 2004 |title=Software Sales |journal=NPD Group}}</ref> By February 2005, it had sold over 439,000 units in the United States and 69,000 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Game Boy Advance titles database |url=http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~hokora/gbadb04j.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050225220534/http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~hokora/gbadb04j.html |archive-date=February 25, 2005 |access-date=January 14, 2008 |publisher=Shrine of Sales Data |language=ja}}</ref> ''Zero Mission'' was released on the Wii U Virtual Console in Japan on June 19, 2014.<ref name="NWR eShop Japan">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/37819/metroid-zero-mission-free-wii-u-games-pokemon-art-academy-more-hit-the-eshop-in-japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222141917/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/37819/metroid-zero-mission-free-wii-u-games-pokemon-art-academy-more-hit-the-eshop-in-japan |title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'', Free Wii U Games, ''Pokémon Art Academy'', More Hit the eShop in Japan |first=Danny |last=Bivens |work=Nintendo World Report |publisher=NINWR, LLC. |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by the release in Europe on March 12, 2015,<ref name="NL eShop Europe">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/03/nintendo_download_12th_march_europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082002/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/03/nintendo_download_12th_march_europe |title=Nintendo Download: 12th March (Europe) |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |work=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in North America on January 14, 2016.<ref name="IGN VC">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/13/metroid-zero-mission-coming-to-wii-u-virtual-console-tomorrow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113215459/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/13/metroid-zero-mission-coming-to-wii-u-virtual-console-tomorrow |title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'' Coming to Wii U Virtual Console Tomorrow |first=Alex |last=Osborn |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was released for the Nintendo Classics service for Nintendo Switch on June 19, 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |title=Metroid, Perfect Dark, Zelda, And Turok Come To Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Today |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2024/06/18/metroid-perfect-dark-zelda-and-turok-come-to-nintendo-switch-online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618155826/https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2024/06/18/metroid-perfect-dark-zelda-and-turok-come-to-nintendo-switch-online |url-status=live |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=2024-06-19 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews |1UP = A<ref name=1up>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3118637&p=19&sec=REVIEWS |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Game Boy Advance Review Index |date=February 9, 2004 |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=May 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716134322/http://www.1up.com/reviews/metroid-zero-mission |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> |EuroG = 9/10<ref name=eurogamer>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=55161 |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Review |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=April 16, 2004 |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=May 28, 2008 |archive-date=June 30, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630002316/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=55161 |url-status=live}}</ref> |Fam = 34/40<ref>"30 Point Plus: メトロイド ゼロミッション." ''Famitsu''. No.1284. Pg.45. July 25, 2013.</ref> |GI = 9.5/10<ref name=gameinformer>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200402/R04.0217.0909.59311.htm?CS_pid=914560 |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Review |last=McNamara |first=Andy |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=March 19, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422034914/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200402/R04.0217.0909.59311.htm?CS_pid=914560|archive-date=April 22, 2009}}</ref> |GamePro = 5/5<ref name=gamepro>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/33408.shtml |title=Review: Metroid: Zero Mission |author=Stardingo |date=February 6, 2004 |magazine=GamePro |access-date=May 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709043054/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/33408.shtml |archive-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> | GameZone = 9/10<ref name=gamezone>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22327_GBA.htm |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Review |publisher=GameZone |date=February 15, 2004 |author=Zacarlas, Eduardo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102043423/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22327_GBA.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=November 2, 2008}}</ref> | GRadar = 89%<ref name=gamesradar>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=29440&subsectionid=1608 |title=Metroid: Zero Mission |publisher=GamesRadar |date=April 8, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820151647/http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=29440&subsectionid=1608 |archive-date=August 20, 2004}}</ref> |GSpot = 8.5/10<ref name=gamespot>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/metroidzeromission/review.html |title=Metroid: Zero Mission for Game Boy Advance Review |author=Kasavin, Greg |publisher=GameSpot |date=March 5, 2004 |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225070620/http://www.gamespot.com/metroid-zero-mission/reviews/metroid-zero-mission-review-6087505/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |GSpy = 4/5<ref name=gamespy>{{cite web|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/metroid-zero-mission/494166p1.html |title=GameSpy: Metroid: Zero Mission Review |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |publisher=GameSpy |date=February 6, 2004 |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515113347/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/metroid-zero-mission/494166p1.html |archive-date=May 15, 2008}}</ref> |IGN = 9/10<ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/490/490521p1.html |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Review |author=Harris, Craig |publisher=IGN |date=February 6, 2004 |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204065215/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/490/490521p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |NWR = 9.5/10<ref name=nwr>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=4172 |title=Metroid: Zero Mission Review |last=Metts |first=Jonathan |date=February 8, 2004 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=May 28, 2008 |archive-date=April 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428230012/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=4172 |url-status=live}}</ref> |XPlay = 5/5<ref name=xplay>{{cite web |url=http://www.g4tv.com/articles/574/metroid-zero-mission-gba-review/ |title=No zero |work=X-Play |access-date=May 28, 2008 |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102052532/http://www.g4tv.com/articles/574/metroid-zero-mission-gba-review/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |GR= 90.19%<ref name=gr>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914982-metroid-zero-mission/index.html|title=Metroid: Zero Mission Reviews |publisher=Game Rankings|access-date=January 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012359/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914982-metroid-zero-mission/index.html|archive-date=December 9, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |MC = 89/100<ref name=metacritic>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-zero-mission/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|title=Metroid: Zero Mission Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913044109/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/metroid-zero-mission|archive-date=September 13, 2020 |url-status=live|access-date=April 13, 2008}}</ref> }}
''Metroid: Zero Mission'' received "generally favorable reviews", according to Metacritic.<ref name=metacritic /> Several reviews named it one of the best Game Boy Advance games. The Japanese magazine ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of 34 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu" /> ''X-Play'' and ''GamePro'' enjoyed the game; ''X-Play'' said it was "perfect for blasting space pirates on the go",<ref name=xplay /> and ''GamePro'' was "constantly surprised" by it.<ref name=gamepro /> ''GameZone'' said it surpassed the "style and addictive action" of ''Metroid Fusion''.<ref name=gamezone /> ''Nintendo World Report'' called the game a masterpiece and the perfect example of a ''Metroid'' game, saying it mixed all the best elements from the other games and layered them on top of the original ''Metroid'' level design and concepts.<ref name=nwr /> ''Eurogamer'' appreciated every minute of the game and said it was one of the best games for the Game Boy Advance.<ref name=eurogamer />
A number of reviews were pleased with the content added to ''Zero Mission''. ''Game Informer'' appreciated the new material, and believed that fans of the ''Metroid'' series would "absolutely adore" ''Zero Mission'', which they considered one of the greatest games in history.<ref name=gameinformer /> ''1UP.com'' considered ''Zero Mission'' one of the "most ambitious, comprehensive and successful" remakes for a game such as ''Metroid'', feeling it expanded on its source material with refined control, gameplay ideas retrofitted from its sequels, new plot elements for later games, and innovations which add complexity to the series.<ref name=1up />
Criticism focused on the short length. ''IGN'' felt ''Zero Mission'' said it "looks, sounds, and plays absolutely wonderfully", but was too short and too easy.<ref name=ign /> ''Eurogamer'' was also critical of the length. ''GamesRadar'' liked the game but felt it should have been longer.<ref name=eurogamer /> ''GameSpot'' was disappointed with the length, but blamed the captivating quality that compelled them to complete the game in a few sittings.<ref name=gamespot /> ''GameSpy'' said ''Zero Mission'' was "stale" and that players less familiar with ''Metroid'' games would get more enjoyment from it.<ref name=gamespy />
''Nintendo Power'' named ''Zero Mission'' the 46th-best game for any Nintendo system in 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=NP Top 200 |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=200 |date=February 2006 |pages=58–66}}</ref> In their March 2010 issue, they named ''Zero Mission'' the eighth-best game released on a Nintendo console in 2010s.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Best of the Decade |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=252 |date=March 2010 |pages=68–77}}</ref> ''Zero Mission'' was voted ''IGN''{{'}}s Game Boy Advance Game of the Month for February 2004,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/495/495465p1.html |title=GBA Game of the Month: February 2004 |publisher=IGN |date=February 27, 2004 |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422014411/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/495/495465p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''IGN'' staff named it the best Game Boy adventure game of 2004<ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 3, 2009 |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2004/handhelds/2.html |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time |publisher=IGN |author=Harris, Craig |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122064340/http://bestof.ign.com/2004/handhelds/2.html |archive-date=January 22, 2009}}</ref> and the ninth-best Game Boy Advance Game.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 14, 2009 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p4.html |title=IGN Game Boy Best of 2004 Awards: Best Adventure Game |date=March 17, 2007 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827013819/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p4.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' also named it the best Game Boy Advance game of February 2004,<ref name="gotm">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040904091730/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090209/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090209/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review for February 2004 | date=March 2, 2004 | author=Staff | work=GameSpot | archive-date=September 4, 2004 | url-status=dead}}</ref> and nominated it for the year-end "Best Game Boy Advance Game" award.<ref name="bestworst2004">{{cite web |author= |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Best and Worst of 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |archive-date=March 7, 2005 |work=GameSpot}}</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' also named it the best handheld game of 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electronic-gaming-monthly-and-computer-gaming-world-announce-the-best-games-of-2004-54005327.html|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly and Computer Gaming World Announce the Best Games of 2004|publisher=Ziff Davis Media|date=February 8, 2005|access-date=January 14, 2009|archive-date=October 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015105202/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electronic-gaming-monthly-and-computer-gaming-world-announce-the-best-games-of-2004-54005327.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences named ''Zero Mission'' "Handheld Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=229 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Metroid: Zero Mission |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225074636/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=229 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, ''Official Nintendo Magazine'' ranked the 94th-best Nintendo game.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=March 12, 2009 |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7356 |title=100 Greatest Nintendo Games - The Complete List |work=Official Nintendo Magazine |date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=March 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309044958/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7356 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nintendo Power'' ranked it the best Game Boy Advance game in its August 2011 issue.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best Game Boy Advance games |magazine=Nintendo Power |date=August 2011}}</ref> In 2020, ''IGN'' named ''Zero Mission'' the fifth-greatest video game remake.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 September 2020|title=The Best Video Game Remakes|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-video-game-remakes|access-date=20 January 2021|website=IGN|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118101708/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-video-game-remakes|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== ;Notes {{Notelist}} ;Citations {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{MobyGames|id=/metroid-zero-mission|name=''Metroid: Zero Mission''}} * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100413103146/http://metroid-database.com/mzm/ ''Metroid: Zero Mission'']}} at the Metroid Database
{{Portal bar|2000s|Japan|Video games|Space|Speculative fiction}} {{Metroid series}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2004 video games Category:Action-adventure games Category:Game Boy Advance games Category:Game Boy Advance-only games Zero Mission Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games Category:Single-player video games Category:Stealth video games Category:Video game remakes Category:Video games about pirates Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games featuring female protagonists Category:Video games scored by Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1964) Category:Video games set on fictional planets Category:Virtual Console games Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U Category:Metroidvania games Category:Video games set in outer space Category:Nintendo Classics games