Metroid II - Return of Samus

Metroid II: Return of Samus is an action-adventure game and the first portable entry in the Metroid series. The story follows bounty hunter Samus Aran, who is sent to the planet SR388 by the Galactic Federation after their troops disappear there. Her mission is to exterminate the Metroids at their source, preventing the Space Pirates from using them. The gameplay requires finding and killing a fixed number of Metroids to progress deeper into the planet's tunnels. As she hunts the creatures, Samus encounters them in various evolutionary stages, from simple jellyfish-like forms to powerful Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, and the final Omega, including the Queen Metroid. The game introduced iconic series staples, including the Space Jump, Spazer Beam, Spider Ball, and the round-shouldered Varia Suit design.

Game Boy

Released in North America in November 1991 and worldwide in 1992, this title was developed by Nintendo R&D1 and produced by Gunpei Yokoi. It was praised for its dark, claustrophobic atmosphere and compelling mission structure. The game marked a milestone for handheld gaming, featuring detailed graphics that rivaled 8-bit home consoles and a battery-backed memory for saving progress. However, critics were divided, with some criticizing the monochromatic graphics and repetitive Metroid encounters. Despite this, the game was a commercial success, selling 1.72 million copies worldwide. Its story would directly set the stage for the classic Super Metroid on the SNES. The game was later re-released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online.