Although Metroid Prime is taking the series into 3D, I would argue that Metroid Fusion revolutionizes this beloved franchise even more. The core gameplay is practically untouched from Super Metroid, but almost everything else has been reworked. And I like it. Actually, I love it.

First and foremost, Metroid Fusion definitely feels like a Metroid game should. The control is absolutely perfect, and the button layout for the GBA is excellent. Instead of scrolling through various weapons and items as in Super Metroid, now you simply hold down R to fire missiles. Obviously, this makes shooting missiles easier than ever before, and that turns out to be a key theme in Fusion’s gameplay. Lots of missiles. Whereas I often felt timid about using missiles in past Metroid games, Fusion practically requires you to incorporate them into even minor combat situations.

Jumping is as tight as ever, and the new ability to grab ledges makes the platforming even more natural and fun. You’d think it would make some jumping parts too easy, but it really only takes away frustration with minor jumps; the big ones are still challenging. Wall-jumps seem a little harder to pull off than in Super Metroid, but as an optional move, I can’t complain. I’ve still managed to find hidden rooms and other goodies using the wall-jump, and it shouldn’t take too long for veterans to get used to the slightly different timing of it.

Although it seems like a huge change at first, the new Fusion suit and accompanying gameplay tweaks are not really a big deal, at least in terms of gameplay mechanics. The X viruses left behind by enemies serve the same function as energy pellets and missiles did in past games. The only difference here is that you’ll sometimes need to chase down your health and missiles, but it didn’t take long for me to learn to jump at enemies as they die to grab the goods before they get away.

In fact, the biggest difference Fusion brings to the table is its story. This is by far the most plot-heavy Metroid game yet (though I hear Prime is big on story too). The game opens with a rather lengthy introductory cut-scene that explains how Samus became infected with X and was then saved by the Metroid DNA. The ship’s computer, “Adam”, will explain some things in more detail and fill you in on the ship’s status and a mysterious infiltrator roaming around. Samus will comment on how things are going when you enter new areas, and there have already been several short cut-scenes that show this infiltrator blowing stuff up and just generally causing headaches for you. If you’re really into the whole mythos of this series, you’re going to go nuts with how much new information and mystery Fusion provides.

After reading Rick’s review, I was worried that the new mission-oriented game design would take away from the legendary Metroid exploration theme. Thankfully, this is simply not the case. The computer will practically hold your hand for the first couple of sections, but it wasn’t long before it directed me to a certain sector of the ship and just turned me loose. Eventually, the computer’s role boils down to showing you which sector the next power-up is in; it’s up to you to explore that sector thoroughly and get what you need. And boy, these sectors are big. I’m guesstimating that Fusion’s spaceship setting is about the same size as Zebes was in Super Metroid. The way the ship is laid out, it seems like you’ll just clear out one sector, then move on to the next, rinse and repeat. Oh no. I’ve already had to backtrack and open up new areas in an earlier sector, then skip ahead several to get a certain upgrade. You cannot know how happy this makes me.

On top of being incredibly fun and challenging so far (I’ve died at least four or five times, and gotten “stuck” just as many), Metroid Fusion is one of the slickest GBA games yet. The graphics are dark and stylish, but not hard to see. All of the sprites that I thought looked horrible back at E3 have been completely redrawn, including the various X viruses. Samus animates beautifully and ever so smoothly, and her enemies are just as detailed. Wait until you see the wild bosses, each of which incorporates the ability you’ll eventually absorb from it. It’s like a little token of Mega Man love from Intelligent Systems.

The sound is just as impressive, with plenty of new music to go with the obligatory remixes. The soundtrack is almost always low-key and ambient, just like you’d expect from the series. Sound effects are fantastic, especially all the creature sounds. My only gripe with the sound is a short pause, almost sounds like a glitch or something. It occurs in the familiar “boot-up” tune after you load a saved game. Whether the pause is intentional or not, it sounds bad and breaks up a much cherished musical phrase.

Regardless, I’m nothing less than thrilled with the new 2D Metroid on Game Boy Advance. It’s everything you love about the classic Metroid games, but with plenty of fresh new ideas and a surprisingly deep and interesting plot. This is clearly the GBA game to own this year.