Metroid

The original Metroid for the NES is a foundational action-adventure game that pioneered the genre of non-linear exploration, often referred to as “Metroidvania.” You take on the role of the galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, who is sent to the maze-like, alien planet Zebes to destroy the Space Pirate base and their leader, Mother Brain. Starting with only basic abilities, the core of the experience is a satisfying loop of traversing a vast, isolated world, discovering hidden power-ups like the Morph Ball and Ice Beam, and using those new abilities to access previously impassable areas and delve deeper into the planet’s cavernous biomes. While known for its challenging difficulty, punishing password system, and lack of an in-game map, this 8-bit classic is celebrated for its sense of isolation and discovery that defined an entire style of gaming.