For the main story, play Metroid: Zero Mission → Metroid Prime → Metroid Prime: Hunters → Metroid Prime 2: Echoes → Metroid Prime 3: Corruption → Metroid Prime: Federation Force → Metroid: Samus Returns → Super Metroid → Metroid: Other M → Metroid Fusion → Metroid Dread. The original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus occupy the same story slots as their remakes, so choose either version of each opening chapter rather than counting both as separate events.
This is fictional chronology, not release order. Nintendo’s official story material firmly establishes the 2D sequence and groups the first three Prime games as a connected arc; the precise placement of Prime spin-offs and Other M reflects commonly used franchise timelines, but is not confirmed by the Nintendo sources cited here. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a Prime-series entry, but its position in the overall timeline is not established by the announcement cited below.
Metroid games in chronological order
The list below treats “every game” as released games bearing the Metroid name, including story-related spin-offs. It does not count a remake or compilation as an extra event in the fictional timeline. The main 2D sequence is supported by Nintendo’s story history; the placement of the Prime spin-offs and Other M is less firmly established in the official sources linked here.
- Metroid: Zero Mission — A remake and expanded retelling of the original Metroid. Samus attacks the Space Pirate base on Zebes and defeats Mother Brain. Nintendo’s story material identifies this opening chapter and the remake relationship (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8; Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1).
- Metroid Prime — The opening of Nintendo’s connected Prime story arc. Nintendo groups it with Echoes and Corruption in the Metroid Prime Trilogy (Metroid Prime Trilogy).
- Metroid Prime: Hunters — A Prime-era spin-off commonly placed between Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The Nintendo sources cited here do not establish its exact timeline position.
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes — The second game in Nintendo’s Prime trilogy and connected story arc (Metroid Prime Trilogy).
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption — The third game in the Prime trilogy. The trilogy collection presents these three games as the Prime story arc (Metroid Prime Trilogy).
- Metroid Prime: Federation Force — A Prime-era spin-off commonly placed after Corruption. Its exact timeline placement is not confirmed by the Nintendo sources cited here.
- Metroid: Samus Returns — A remake and expansion of Metroid II: Return of Samus. Samus is sent to SR388 to eradicate the Metroids; she returns with a hatchling that imprints on her (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8; Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1).
- Super Metroid — The Space Pirates steal the hatchling from a Federation research station, drawing Samus back to Zebes. The hatchling sacrifices itself to save her; Samus defeats Mother Brain and destroys Zebes (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8).
- Metroid: Other M — Commonly placed after Super Metroid and before Metroid Fusion. The Nintendo sources cited here do not substantiate that transition in enough detail to give a more specific story link.
- Metroid Fusion — Samus confronts the X parasite and the SA-X aboard the B.S.L. station. A vaccine made using cells from the Metroid hatchling gives her immunity; Nintendo’s summary describes the station’s destruction and the extinction of both the X and Metroids (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8).
- Metroid Dread — Set after Fusion, the game sends Samus to planet ZDR to investigate evidence that the X parasite may still exist. Nintendo calls it the conclusion of the 2D story arc (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8; Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1).
What order should you play the Metroid games in?
For the complete 2D story
Play Zero Mission, Samus Returns, Super Metroid, Fusion, then Dread. This follows the central Samus storyline without adding the Prime arc or optional spin-offs. Nintendo’s official account traces the original 2D saga through Metroid, Metroid II, Super Metroid, and Fusion, then places Dread after Fusion (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8; Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1).
#1 Best Overall
- It’s eat or be eaten! Survive against vicious assailants to escape labyrinthine ruins
- Take control of Samus Aran, a renowned bounty hunter ambushed by unknown attackers and marooned on an unfamiliar moon.
- Strike quickly and aggressively with beams, missiles, and more—lest you become the enemy’s next meal.
For the Prime arc too
Insert Prime, Hunters, Echoes, Corruption, and Federation Force between Zero Mission and Samus Returns, using the full chronology above. Nintendo confirms the trilogy connection among Prime, Echoes, and Corruption; the spin-off placements are commonly used rather than confirmed by the official sources cited here.
Should you play Zero Mission or the original Metroid?
Choose Zero Mission if you want a remake and expanded retelling of Samus’s first mission. Choose the original Metroid if you specifically want to experience the 1986 Japanese release (the North American NES release followed in 1987). They are alternate versions of the same story chapter, not two chronological events (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 8; Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1).
Rank #2
- Join bounty hunter Samus Aran as she escapes a deadly alien world plagued by a mechanical menace in Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch.
- Samus’ story continues after the events of Metroid Fusion when she descends upon planet ZDR to investigate a mysterious transmission sent to the Galactic Federation. The remote planet has become overrun by vicious alien lifeforms and chilling mechanical menaces. Samus is more agile and capable than ever, but can she overcome the inhuman threat stalking the depths of ZDR?
- Once DNA-extracting research machines, the imposing E.M.M.I. are now hunting Samus down. Tensions are high as you evade these E.M.M.I. to avoid a cruel death while finding a way to take them down. Find out what turned these robotic wonders into the scourge of ZDR and escape with your life.
- Acquire new and familiar abilities as you traverse the many environments of this dangerous world. Parkour over obstacles, slide through tight spaces, counter enemies, and battle your way through the planet. Return to areas and use your new abilities to find upgrades, alternate paths, and a way forward. Explore the sprawling map, evade and destroy E.M.M.I. robots, and overcome the dread plaguing ZDR.
Where does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond fit?
Nintendo announced Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as a new entry in the Prime series, but the announcement cited here does not specify its position in the overall chronology. Its exact slot should therefore be treated as unconfirmed rather than added to this numbered timeline (Metroid Prime 4: Beyond announcement).
Chronological order versus release order
The timeline above follows the fictional events, not the order players encountered the games. For example, Zero Mission and Samus Returns are later remakes of the first two 2D story chapters. The original Japanese Metroid release was August 6, 1986, while Super Metroid appeared in 1993 in its original release context, according to Nintendo’s developer report (Metroid Dread Report, Vol. 1). A full release-order list would be a different sequence; this guide prioritizes where each game’s story belongs.
Rank #3
- Explore a mysterious planet to find your way home
Is Prime part of the same Metroid timeline?
Nintendo describes Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption together as the Prime story arc. The chronology above places that arc between the first Zebes mission and Samus Returns, as commonly presented in franchise timelines. The sources cited here do not independently verify the exact placement of Hunters or Federation Force, so treat those positions as provisional rather than as a definitive Nintendo-published timeline.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Metroid Prime Pinball and other side releases
Metroid Prime Pinball is a spin-off adaptation rather than a separate main story chapter in this chronology. It is left out of the numbered saga because the official sources cited here do not establish a distinct place for it in the narrative sequence. Compilation releases such as Metroid Prime Trilogy likewise bundle existing games; they do not add a new event to the timeline.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Imported from Japan
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
