Metroid II: Return of Samus follows the first game and shifts the setting back to SR388, Samus’s homeworld mission to exterminate the remaining Metroids, who have become a serious galactic threat. This game expands the lore surrounding Metroid biology and their lifecycle, showing Samus as a relentless hunter determined to stop their spread. The destruction of most Metroids in this title sets the stage for the discovery of a Metroid hatchling that imprints on Samus, which becomes a key narrative element in the next game.
The next chapter in the timeline is Super Metroid, widely regarded as a masterpiece in storytelling and atmosphere. Here, Samus is drawn back to Zebes when the Space Pirates kidnap the Metroid hatchling she spared in the previous game. The mission is Metroid series chronology intensely personal, with Samus battling through the remains of the Space Pirate base to rescue the hatchling, often referred to as “Baby Metroid.” The game reveals much about the emotional depth of Samus and her connection to the Metroids, while also further establishing the threat posed by the Space Pirates. The climax of Super Metroid features a dramatic battle against Mother Brain, reinforcing the ongoing conflict between Samus and the Pirates.
Years later in the chronology, Metroid Fusion presents a darker, more narrative-driven experience. After being infected by the X parasite, a deadly organism capable of mimicking other lifeforms, Samus undergoes a risky operation involving Metroid DNA to survive. This game explores themes of identity, trust, and survival as Samus battles the spread of the X parasites aboard a research station. The story here also introduces the Galactic Federation more prominently, along with their complicated relationship with Samus, who is no longer simply a lone bounty hunter but a key player in galactic security.
Another critical point in the series timeline is Metroid: Other M, which fits between Super Metroid and Fusion chronologically. This game focuses on Samus’s past and psychological struggles, exploring her relationships with other characters and providing insight into her motivations. It is notable for its unique narrative style, combining third-person exploration with cinematic storytelling. Other M delves into Samus’s vulnerability and backstory, including flashbacks that reveal events after the original Metroid but before her fusion with Metroid DNA.