Now I know that some of you may see this as an “older” game. But, that doesn’t stop me from thinking it to be the best Gameboy Advance game released to date. Pure Metroid fun, this is a game that definitely shows how great the GBA is and can be.

Moving along… In the beginning, you have your normal Metroid sequences, where you’re more powerful than you are in the continuing sectors; then you go against your first boss. Pretty simple since you’re really strong. Then you move on to find that it’s much different than the first sector that you encountered. Ah, pure Metroid goodness. This is where new gamers get a taste of just how beautiful the previous Metroid games were, with all the side-scrolling glory and I couldn’t have asked for any other way of presenting it.

The gameplay in Fusion is very person friendly; it almost literally has no problems about it at all, none at least that are noticeable and none that I could pick out precisely while playing this masterpiece title. Metroid Fusion is perfect for kids and adults of any age; as long as they know how to read then they’re set for a couple hours of pure fun. However, I can see where some young kids may get confused, giving it a more adult feel.

Fusion is also very story-oriented, set right after Super Metroid for SNES and at first seeming pretty empty and uneventful, you’re taken back to Planet SR388, only later to introduce you to the X Parasite, who then attacks. At this point it becomes quite frustrating, making you think that Samus is done for good, until a Metroid DNA vaccine is given. After that you continue to go on your platformer side-scrolling adventure with Samus, exploring the Research Station to destroy the parasite that’s out to get her.

One of my favorite attributes of Metroid Fusion though is the music. Playing Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion side by side is always interesting, because you hear the same music most of time with different remixes, which sounds in my opinion, awesome together. If you have played some of the older Metroids as well, you’ll notice the same thing… The music does sound the same, yet with different tunes, and in every Metroid game I’ve picked up and played, the music has always been great.

Graphics in this game resemble that of any other old school Metroid with 2d side-scrolling, who can go wrong with that? Many things throughout the game are highly detailed, and the small movies that are displayed are very intriguing to watch, as well as appealing to the eye. What I have noticed with some 2d side-scrollers is that the pixilation becomes irritating, causing some headaches; luckily this game does not. Everything dealing with graphics and eye-catchers are great in Fusion, and I really doubt anyone could ever have a problem with it.

More that makes this game completely worth the mere $30.00 is that it has a very high replay value. You just can’t get enough of it, and I continually play this masterpiece over and over again, each time finding and seeing new things. Really – There’s not much more I can say about it other than this game is a definite must for any GBA owner. And to be quite honest; I wouldn’t be surprised if some said it belonged in the $50.00 range with the bigger consoles, either way… It would be worth it.

In conclusion, if you don’t already own it - buy it. While I may see some having issues with difficulty at some spots, I’m sure that the majority will get over it and have continuous fun for hours on end with Metroid Fusion.