I’ll start this post with an honourable mention for a Switch game I’ll be buying this month: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.
The game I will be highlighting here is a remake of a Game Boy title originally released in 1992. The game is aptly titled, as a certain heroine makes a very welcome return.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a remake of the Game Boy title Metroid II: Return of Samus. In the game, Samus is dispatched to the planet SR388 to eliminate the threat of the Metroids.
When the game kicks off, you are tasked with hunting down 40 Metroids. Samus will encounter Metroids at various stages of their life cycles as she hunts them down, each with different abilities.
Once you have defeated enough Metroids, you will be able to advance even deeper into SR388.
Metroid: Samus Returns may be a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus, but with the graphical overhaul and new abilities within the game, it’s not too unreasonable to consider it a new entry into the series.
One new addition to the game are Aeion abilities. These provide a set of new powers for Samus, such as revealing breakable blocks or protecting her from physical damage whilst the Aeion energy lasts. There are others besides those two, but part of the fun of a Metroid game is discovering those things for yourself.
Another new addition is the melee counter move. When an enemy charges at you, a well-time press of the X button will see Samus counter with a melee attack – I’m sure the name gave that away. The melee counter will stun your enemy, and it also provides a great chance to blast your foe. The melee counter isn’t necessary at all, but it is a very useful tool – especially against the various Metroids you will be encountering. It also happens to be very effective against frozen foes…
Samus is also able to use free aim to aim in a 360 degree arc.
Those who played the original Metroid II: Return of Samus will find plenty of familiar items here – after all, that is the nature of a Metroid game. You progress, find an item, backtrack and use that item to access a new area. The Morph Ball, Spider Ball and Ice Beam a few examples of familiar items that appear once more. However, there are also some items from other Metroid titles that have managed to make their way into the game – such as the Grappling Hook.
Your usual capacity upgrades are present as well.
There are also secrets to be found, some which apparently tie into the past of Planet SR388.
Two new Metroid series amiibo were released alongside the game: one of Samus Aran, and one of an actual Metroid. The Metroid is notable, as it is squishy.
The aforementioned two amiibo, plus the Super Smash Bros. series Samus and Zero Suit Samus amiibo, can all be used to unlock content for the game. Tapping them after completing the game will also get you additional content.
Samus’ return is a welcome one, and MercurySteam has done her great justice with this remake. I look forward to delving into the depths of Planet SR388 once again in order to eliminate the threat of the Metroids.
Rory Muses 
Might give this a go because I never played the original Metroid 2. I much prefer Samus’ 2D outings over the FPS ones.