A classic Metroid adventure returns! (2025)

System: Nintendo 3DS Release date: 15/09/2017

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Brave the hostile terrain of an alien planet and hunt down a dangerous species in Metroid: Samus Returns, a complete reimagining of the 1992 Game Boy title Metroid II: Return of Samus, only on Nintendo 3DS family systems.

Suit up as the legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran and prepare for a classic 2D Metroid adventure rebuilt from the ground up. Navigate the vast labyrinths of planet SR388, gather new weapons and abilities to enhance your arsenal, and embark on a mission to terminate the Metroid menace once and for all.

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What’s new?

Experience the perils of planet SR388 with immersive, atmospheric 3D visuals, and explore updated and expanded locations. Get to grips with your surroundings at a glance by viewing a detailed map on the Touch Screen, and return to previously visited areas by stepping into one of the many new Teleport Stations.

Master a variety of new weapons and advanced tactics to overcome the planet’s vicious wildlife, and survive deadly boss encounters. Deflect incoming projectiles and defend against enemy attacks with a well-timed melee counter-attack, and fire in any direction with the 360-degree Free Aim Mode.

Discover a brand new set of game-changing abilities fuelled by a mysterious energy resource called Aeion. With Aeion abilities, you can reveal unexplored areas and item locations, unleash a barrage of fire against the enemy, and even slow down time.

Find out more about Aeion abilities

A galactic undertaking

A large infestation of deadly Metroids has been detected on planet SR388. Concerned by the increasing threat these alien lifeforms pose, the Galactic Federation sends Samus to hunt down and destroy the Metroids before they fall into the wrong hands.

Report for a full mission briefing in the Story section

The glorious past

Classic Metroid 2D gameplay is back! Enjoy side-scrolling, platforming action as you make your way through a labyrinthian world filled with secrets and hostile enemies. Upgrade your firepower by seeking out ancient technology, and harness your unique abilities to access new areas and overcome intense boss battles.

Suit up for action in the Gameplay section

amiibo support

You can tap amiibo (sold separately) to unlock items to help you on your mission! You can also tap amiibo to unlock additional content once you’ve completed the game.

See what else amiibo can do

Hunt down a dangerous species and eliminate a galactic threat in Metroid: Samus Returns, a classic 2D Metroid adventure, only on Nintendo 3DS family systems.

Looking for more Metroid? Visit our Metroid hub!

This description was provided by the publisher.

What you need to know

This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe SE. The payment will be made with Nintendo eShop funds usable through the Nintendo Account used to complete the purchase.

This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe SE, payable with Nintendo eShop funds usable through your Nintendo Account. The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.

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In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, a free launcher application or demo can be downloaded.

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In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, a free launcher application or demo can be downloaded.

Please make sure you have enough storage to complete the download.

The details of the offer are displayed based on the country settings of your Nintendo Account.

The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.

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A Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer (sold separately) is required to use amiibo on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS systems.

Please note: for games that support 3D images, you can only appreciate the 3D effect of Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL on the system itself. Game visuals display in 2D on Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 2DS XL. All screenshots and game footage on this site are captured in 2D mode.

Story

A deadly discovery

Deep within the planet SR388, a startling discovery was made by a Galactic Federation research team – the presence of floating, parasitic organisms known as Metroids. Hostile by nature, Metroids attack by latching onto their prey, draining them of their life force.

Mission accepted

Concerned by the threat the Metroids pose, the Galactic Federation mounted another expedition to investigate the species’ progress. The force was soon lost, but not before a small sample of data was sent confirming the presence of Metroids within the planet.

Charged by the Galactic Federation to eradicate the Metroids once and for all, bounty hunter Samus Aran is sent on an extermination mission to planet SR388.

Suit up for action in the Gameplay section

Gameplay

The hunt is on

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Take control of the legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran and explore the depths of planet SR338 in search of the Metroid menace. Explore a huge labyrinthine world crawling with twisted enemies, and build up your arsenal as you discover mysterious artefacts that allow you to reach new areas and combat any threats you encounter.

Expand your basic moves and abilities as you progress through the game by harnessing powerful, ancient technology. Stick to surfaces using the Spider Ball to uncover new areas, swing across gaps using the Grapple Beam, and bulk up your arsenal with bombs and missiles by seeking out hidden weapon upgrades.

Take aim

Fire in any direction with Free Aim Mode! Despatch any dangerous critters crawling above, below or even behind you by shooting in a 360-degree arc. Beware of incoming projectiles and encroaching creatures while using Free Aim Mode, though, as you’ll be rooted to the spot while it’s in use.

Counter-attack

Defend against onrushing enemies with the Melee Counter and leave them open to attack! Parry a charging foe to leave them stunned momentarily, then fire at will. You’ll automatically lock-on to an enemy after successfully performing a Melee Counter and initiate a grab sequence when facing a boss. Use this opportunity to inflict some serious damage!

Map your path

Use the detailed Touch Screen map to highlight points of interest, mark restricted areas and track down the location of nearby Metroids. Effective mapping is essential if you want to find every upgrade available.

Unlock the Chozo Seals

Built by an ancient civilisation to keep the Metroids trapped within the depths of planet SR388, Chozo Seals are located in rooms flooded with hazardous liquid that blocks your path. Each Chozo Seal can be activated by offering it strands of Metroid DNA. Once you’ve collected enough strands, the Chozo Seal will clear the pool of liquid, allowing you to move on to the next area.

Amazing Aeion

Discover a brand new set of abilities, powered by a mysterious energy resource called Aeion.

See how these unique abilities can help you on your adventure

Aeion abilities

Energy boost

Powered by a mysterious energy resource called Aeion, you can activate four new abilities to overcome obstacles, uncover secrets, protect against damage and defeat challenging foes. But watch out…these abilities won’t last long! Refill your Aeion Gauge once it’s depleted by destroying enemies and collecting the yellow glowing orbs they leave behind. You can also top up your Aeion Gauge by visiting various Chozo artefacts scattered throughout the planet.

Scan Pulse

Boost your sensors to detect unexplored areas of the map and reveal item locations using the Scan Pulse ability. Breakable blocks will also glow for a limited time, offering new exploration opportunities that you may have missed.

Lightning Armor

Activate the Lightning Armor ability to surround yourself with a protective force field. The electrical barrier deflects physical enemy attacks and negates damage. It also increases the range of the Melee Counter.

Beam Burst

Unleash a barrage of rapid fire with the Beam Burst ability. Use this powerful Aeion ability to make quick work of your adversaries!

Phase Drift

Slow down time using the Phase Drift ability. Scamper across bridges made of crumbling blocks before they break, and overcome time-sensitive obstacles.

Find out how amiibo can help you on Samus' latest mission

amiibo

amiibo (sold separately) can be used to unlock new items to help you on your mission in Metroid: Samus Returns. You can also unlock additional content once you have completed the game.

Samus Aran amiibo

By tapping the Samus Aran amiibo, you can unlock an Aeion Reserve Tank, which automatically restores a certain amount of Aeion energy should you run out. After completing the game, you can tap this amiibo to unlock Metroid II Art in the Gallery.

Metroid amiibo

With the squidgy Metroid amiibo, you can tap it to reveal the location of any Metroid nearby on your map. After completing the game, you can use this amiibo to unlock Fusion mode, an all-new difficulty level that comes complete with Samus’ Fusion Suit from Metroid Fusion.

Samus amiibo

You can tap the Samus amiibo to unlock a Missile Reserve Tank, which replenishes your missile supply should you run out. You can also use this amiibo to unlock exclusive Concept Art from Metroid: Samus Returns in the Gallery upon completing the game.

Zero Suit Samus amiibo

If you tap the Zero Suit Samus amiibo, you can unlock an Energy Reserve Tank, which restores a certain amount of energy should you run out. After completing the game, you can use this amiibo to unlock Music in the Gallery, which lets you listen to BGMs from Metroid: Samus Returns.

Using amiibo

If you own a New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL or New Nintendo 2DS XL, you can use amiibo on the NFC area on the bottom screen. You can also use amiibo on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS via the NFC Reader/Writer accessory (sold separately).

See compatible amiibo

Nintendo 3DS Game Card

System

Nintendo 3DS (European version)

Release date

15/09/2017

Age rating

PEGI 7

Languages

English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian

Download version (Nintendo 3DS)

System

Nintendo 3DS (European version)

Release date

15/09/2017

Age rating

PEGI 7

Languages

English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch

Download size

5455 blocks

How to download this title