Release OrderRecommended
0 / 13 playedThe order the games came out, and the recommended play order. Remakes replace the 1986 and 1991 originals throughout.
2D saga
- 1 Super Metroid
- 2 Metroid Fusion Released alongside Prime in 2002. Story finale of the 2D line until Dread.
- 4 Metroid: Zero Mission Remake of Metroid (1986). Play this version instead of the original.
- 8 Metroid: Other M Set between Super Metroid and Fusion in story terms.
- 10 Metroid: Samus Returns Remake of Metroid II (1991). Play this version instead of the original.
- 11 Metroid Dread Modern entry point. Direct sequel to Fusion.
Prime saga
- 3 Metroid Prime Play the Prime Remastered (2023) version on Switch.
- 5 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- 6 Metroid Prime Hunters Handheld side story between Prime 1 and 2. Optional.
- 7 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- 9 Metroid Prime: Federation Force Multiplayer spinoff with no Samus campaign. Safe to skip.
- 12 Metroid Prime Remastered Remaster of Metroid Prime (2002). This is the version to play.
- 13 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Latest release. Launched December 4, 2025 on Switch and Switch 2.
Chronological Order
0 / 12 playedThe in-universe story order. The Prime saga sits between the first two 2D games, and Beyond is placed after the trilogy pending confirmation.
- 1 Metroid: Zero Mission
- 2 Metroid Prime
- 3 Metroid Prime Hunters Handheld side story. Optional.
- 4 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- 5 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- 6 Metroid Prime: Federation Force Multiplayer spinoff. Safe to skip.
- 7 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Timeline spot unconfirmed. Listed after the trilogy pending word from Nintendo.
- 8 Metroid: Samus Returns
- 9 Super Metroid
- 10 Metroid: Other M
- 11 Metroid Fusion
- 12 Metroid Dread
About Metroid
Metroid follows bounty hunter Samus Aran across two lines: the 2D saga of isolation and exploration, and the first-person Prime saga. New players should start with Metroid Dread (2021) for a modern entry point, then go back to Super Metroid and the Prime games.
Release order is the recommended play order. The 2D story runs Zero Mission to Samus Returns to Super Metroid to Other M to Fusion to Dread, with the whole Prime saga set between the first two, which the second list lays out. Play the Zero Mission (2004) and Samus Returns (2017) remakes instead of the 1986 and 1991 originals.
Good to know
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched December 4, 2025 on Switch and Switch 2, so it closes both lists. Its exact timeline spot is unconfirmed, and it is placed after the Prime trilogy pending word from Nintendo. Federation Force (2016) is a multiplayer spinoff that is safe to skip. Other M (2010) divides fans but sits in the main 2D line between Super Metroid and Fusion, so it stays listed.
