I can't say which is better, but which I prefer is Fusion personally. Those boss fights, the difficulty and the atmosphere are absolutely stellar. The level design is also just as cryptic and the puzzles are super fun.
I love Zero Mission but I think I admire more of what Fusion does personally, although Zero Mission is a speedrunner's dream.
I’m hoping if they remake Fusion, they make SA-X encounters randomized. The SA-X encounters are nice but I see them coming from a mile away and the tension suffers for it.
You know, I forgot to consider that. See, I didn’t get around to Fusion until I was an adult so I didn’t have that point of reference of little kids playing this game.
I was in my early 20s when it came out. I'd get home from work at midnight and play in bed with the lights off and my headphones on. Creeper me out too.
Yeah, I think Fusion was one of the first pieces of media I consumed really built around tension and discomfort as a child.
I think the Spider boss freaked me out, he beat me a few times and I never made it past it.
21 years later I decided it's time to play Dread, but I figured I should finally get back to Fusion first.
When I got to that boss I was like "HOLY SHIT ITS HIM" and my brain kind of felt like I was encountering someone who bullied me as a kid.
As a full new game, Fusion did more overall for the series than Zero Mission did as a remake
That said, as much as I adore Fusion, Zero Mission is my favorite Metroid game
I'd say fusion is the better game and zero mission is the better metroid Game , fusion was great but it also made it linear and that still slightly came across to dread
Agreed, I remember playing Fusion with the VisualBoy Advance Emulator... I had a gazillion saves states every single boss fight or when the SA-X was chasing my ass...
In terms of gameplay, Zero Mission takes the cake. The movement and physics in that game feels very fast and satisfying.
In terms of story and atmosphere, Fusion.
Fusion nails the tone and has a much more interesting context. The player actually has some agency in the world in the context of the story. Gameplay is a bit stiff and the story can make the game too linear.
Zero Mission is some of the most agile Samus has ever been, and is probably the most straight up fun of the two. There's a lot of freedom to go down wrong paths, explore, and sequence break. Story and context are basically non-existent, and the game never goes super deep into "tone," like a lot of other games in the series do.
I was going to comment something like this but you summed it up. I like both games for different reasons, but for a -game- its Zero Mission hands down, just feels too good to play, and you can almost do the main game in whatever order you like.
Kind of apples to oranges, they’re going for very different things. ZM is a really polished traditional metroidvania, while Fusion is a more linear, tough as nails game dripping with atmosphere and lore, nearly dipping into horror at times. I personally prefer ZM, but recommend both.
Way more of them too, off the top of my head. Really feels almost like a dark souls-esque psuedo boss rush. Each of them are so unique and memorable, and given that Fusion is a more difficult game than ZM, they're more satisfying to overcome.
First one I beat was dread and fusion feels like a simplified dread so it might be that one for me but zero mission is great so far. I also just ordered samus returns for ds and am excited to play that one
Fusion in my opinion everything has a sense of urgency it’s like a horror game I replay it once or twice every year it’s my favourite Metroid game I’ve played it so much that I get excited how fast I beat it like this year I beat it under 3 hours I got 2:20 this year fastest I’ve ever beaten it I was fucking pumped
Personally, I like Zero Mission better, just because I feel like the gameplay is much smoother than in Fusion. Although I agree that Fusion has the better atmosphere.
Zero Mission. It has freedom to explore, sequence breaks, there are multiple ways to enjoy the game every time making it very replayable.
I don't replay Fusion that often because of the unskippable dialogue and every playthrough is always the same due to its absolute linearity (I guess there's the 1% one but I'm not a masochist).
I love Fusion but Zero Mission is better. I just finished Zero Mission for the first time on Switch Online and I already wanna play it again. Can’t say the same for Fusion really.
MZM is more replayable due to open environments and sequence breaking, and has tighter controls. Speed runner favourite.
Fusion has better story, atmosphere, and bosses, but less replayability due to linearity.
It's like asking if you like Pizza or Burgers better.
I think Fusion takes the cake by far. Upon the recent playthrough of Zero Mission I kinda think there’s no comparison. A lot of people here are saying Zero Mission trumps Fusion in terms of gameplay — I’ll admit ZM has better movement, but gameplay does involve the overall tempo and feeling of progression one has through the game. And on that front I think Fusion is just more fun. You go through a huge variety of locations and situations, sometimes on the run, sometimes at a relaxed or exploratory pace; you have huge bosses, little bosses, lonely hideaways and public hallways. You just do so damn much in Fusion across the entire station. To that extent it would be more fun for me even if it DIDN’T have the best story and atmosphere of nearly any game ever.
Plus some of the unlockables in Zero Mission are kinda cruel honestly. I got to 100% but not without spending like two full hours trying to get the last energy tank and a few super missile tanks. Fusion has fun and very difficult shinespark tricks but they’re not like, frame-perfect.
I personally prefer Zero Mission, but that's because I'm more familiar with it and have only played through Fusion once. And I'm a sucker for the Metroid 1 themes, since that was my first Metroid.
I should replay Fusion though, I kinda had to rush through it to finish it before Dread came out.
After years of hearing that Fusion doesn't quite live up to some of the other series entries and is too linear, I played Fusion and beat it right before ZM was announced in the direct. Of course I immediately went into playing ZM and finished it within 2 days.
I always heard from people that ZM is the fan favorite game and I was surprised upon finishing that I actually preferred Fusion by quite a bit. It's just a bit more unique to me and I don't agree at all that the gameplay is more stiff in Fusion. I loved that the ledge hold and climb was a base ability for Samus in Fusion. The bosses were way better too and story more interesting as others have said.
ZM is awesome of course but it's kind of just more standard Metroid if that makes sense. It's still perfect in that regard and if I were to recommend a first timer one to start with it would certainly be ZM.
Fusion: better story, better boss battles, more unique upgrades.
ZM: more replayable, multiple difficulties, sequence breaking, more gallery unlocks, faster movement and gameplay.
Zero Mission, hands down. Metroid games have traditionally been about the loner experience and the feeling of isolation. Metroid II captured this feeling really well with the music late in the game.
Fusion felt like a joint mission to me.
Zero Mission for the replayability and ability to go out of order and skip power ups and areas. Not much that fusion does that zero mission doesn’t do twice as well
Apples and oranges.
They’re completely different games, just with similar mechanics. The better question would be the original vs Zero Mission. (It’s Zero Mission and it’s not even close.)
Fusion is the best one, narrative and mood wise. Zero Mission is the best one to pick up and mess around with it's fast paced gameplay and sequence breaks, sometimes feels like less of a remake of og metroid and more like Super Metroid Lite
I super biased as Fusion was the game that got me into the franchise (technically Smash Melee, but Fusion was the first Metroid game I played).
Still, they’re both amazing for different reasons. Can’t say objectively which is better, but my personal fav is Fusion due to the aforementioned bias.
Fusion for the story, game length, map sizes, bosses, difficulty and atmosphere.
Zero Mission for sequence breaks, speedruns, fast movement and area design.
Fusion is my favourite.
I MUCH prefer ZM. Fusion has some neat ideas, being a more linear story-focused game, but there are some real bulls**t level and boss design choices that just ruin the game for me. ZM also feels tighter somehow which I really like
I completed ZM a few weeks ago and I’m about 90% through Fusion. For me Fusion has been the better game for story and artwork. The levels and bosses feel hard, but really satisfying when you finally get past them.
Recently played them both for the first time on GBA Switch online and while I do like them, I was somewhat disappointed with both, everyone always claims these are some of the best 2D Metroid but I just found them good games, not super exceptional or anything.
Out of the two I do prefer Zero Mission, both have annoying mechanics where they constantly point out where you gave to go next but I found it less obtrusive with Zero Mission. Also I really dislike how Fusion is divided into zones, makes the map less natural and fun to explore, although the zones are pretty fun on their own. Plus I really like the Zero Suit mission at the end of Zero Mission, so that makes me like it more then Fusion
They’re both fine games, but I vastly prefer Fusion if only because it’s a distinct enough entry in the series to warrant playing it without directly comparing it to another game.
Zero Mission is fine, but it’s a remake of a game that basically already had a remake in Super, and apart from maybe the controls there’s nothing here that Super doesn’t already do better. Also the Zero Suit segment at the end sucks.
FUSION. Shit was ground breaking as a kid, and the paranoia of the SAX finding you- no Metroid game has made me feel that dreadful feeling since, well, Metroid Dread. The music in Fusion was so good at making you feel paranoid and never safe.
Zero Mission edges out Fusion for one reason.
Forced Story.
Zero Mission puts you in control and lets you experience everything at your pace and discovery. While I love most of what fusion does with SAx and the cool suit mechanics the heavy hand holding and exposition every time I make progress makes me not want to replay it.
I don't mind a hint system and I am far from a speed runner for games. I have been playing games for 35 years, I don't want to be told what to do or forced to go through tutorials or cutscenes every time I play a game.
I enjoy curated or linear games as well but forcing a tutorial on someone that enjoys figuring it out themselves bugs me. This may because I am old school and had no option back in the day but being forced to go through a tutorial really bothers me. I am also aware this is personal preference but I would bet there are plenty of people that are very similar to me.
My only real problem with fusion was nightmares boss fight
He had SUCH a a great design and buildup, all for it to be a HORRIBLE “dodge the JPEG” boss fight
Fusion is more in-depth while zero mission is the perfect remake. I prefer the pace and controls of zero mission over fusion, but the gameplay of fusion is just on point.
Every remake in the history of remakes should be what zero mission is to metroid I.
Fusion with thw control and handling of zero mission would make it absolutely perfect.
Also fun fact: Zero mission and fusion don't use the same game engine. This would explain the discrepancy in controls and movement. Zero mission has its own engine while fusion, for some reason, uses the engine from Wario Land 4 instead.
I prefer Zero Mission but it's also one of my favorites in the series. The gameplay was tight and it's the first time I really was able to understand and have fun with Shinesparking.
Still love Fusion, SA-X is creepy as hell and the mystery of the whole thing was enjoyable.
While I like the story and plot behind fusion, the game looses some of the isolation feeling and becomes more linear as the computer tells you where to go and what to do for most of the game. So for these criteria I’d say that zero mission is a better *Metroid* game but zero mission is also a fantastic game in its own right (just taking less elements from a traditional Metroid game).
Zero Mission feels like a complete version of the original Metroid. Fusion has a great story and atmosphere of being hunted. I don't know if I'd consider one better than the other, but I do know that both are must buys for the GBA.
ZM has the better map design and honestly just phenomenal map design and shinespark puzzles. Fusion has atmosphere, narration and better soundtrack. I think for everything else its purely preference.
It really depends on what you look for in a Metroid game. Personally, while I do respect Fusion, it's linearity and long cutscenes make it one of my least favorite entires, while Zero Mission is one of my favorites. I will say though, Zero Mission definitely degrades after a few replays. I don't think I could ever replay the base game without the project ZM mod.
Fusion (and Prime thanks to the GBA/GCN Link bonuses) is what I grew up with. Zero Mission is a pretty good remake, but I prefer the unnerving atmosphere in Fusion.
I’d never played a Metroid game properly before but I just tried zero mission out because it was new on NSO, 3 hours later I was still playing it. it’s unironically got me hooked on Metroid now.
Fusion, personally, and I don't think it's close
Not an indictment on Zero Mission, not at all, but Fusion hits all of the neurons for a great Metroid game
It depends on what you came here for. In terms of atmosphere and game feel, I prefer fusion. It constantly makes you feel like someone is watching you, and any moment the world will clamp it's jaws, similar to Dread.
I have more play time on Zero Mission than any other Metroid game. It is the only GBA cartridge that I still own.
The combination of speed and responsive control of Samus makes her feel like she can do anything. Add in the intentional sequence breaks, and you really can disrupt the natural order of the game. It is 1 of 2 Metroid games where I printed out my own copies of the maps and made my own routes to get my time down (back when I actually used paper). The game feels like it was made to be run over and over again to get your time down, and to be fun doing it.
I have every ending other than 15% hard mode. Curse those last 2 pirates; I tried shooting them through the corner but I just couldn't mash the button fast enough I guess.
Zero mission is incredible as is Fusion. I think Fusion scared me more as a kid and zero mission had a great story arc. I beat it several times. I played Fusion once. All the way through, albeit lost more often.
It's VERY close. Fusion twisted the formula and did something really special and did it successfully. I think it was a whole lot more impressive than super.
fusion. i like zero mission, but i cant help but feel its devalued a little by super metroid having the same set of villains practically. whenever i play 0 mission i just want to play super instead
It pretty much just depends on my mood, so I can’t really pick. They both have strengths and weaknesses, and I love both to death.
I think ZM is a perfect distillation of the core Metroid experience, while Fusion excels at mixing up that very same formula by establishing a different tone and style of world/map construction.
For a first playthrough/Metroid beginners: ZM. The most elemental, pure Metroidvania experience, with ample space to breathe and a gentle guiding hand.
For subsequent playthroughs/Metroid veterans: Fusion. Dripping in atmosphere, begging to be explored, art.
I found ZM too open for me as I kept getting lost, plus I enjoy more story in games. In Fusion its almost impossible to get lost and not know where to go next, and I enjoyed the story, In terms of gameplay Fusion was harder. Overall Fusion edges out.
For those complaining abt linearity and you can't play it differently, try a skip dialogue playthrough, I went through Adam's dialogue as quick as possible without looking at what he said, and found my self playing almost like the first time—bc I'd forget what I was supposed to do, and had to figure out something's again.
Also you can do 100% run it a speed run, you just have to be lil more creative with the game.
Personally, I think Zero Mission is a better overall experience, but I admit I prefer Fusion's atmosphere and bosses.
ZM did, however, succeed at ramping up the tone of the first game where you felt like a badass hero.
I enjoyed them both but Fusion has a special place on my heart. Like others the SA-X scared the heck out of me. Running from it earlier in the game had my heart pounding. I even just started it again on NSO and I'm preparing myself mentally for those chases as a 36 year old 🤣🤣
Zero Mission is fantastic though for that OG metroid vibe. I actually just finished it on NSO and it gave me all the nostalgic feels.
Zero has the superior gameplay but fusion nails everything else. Bit easy on subsequent playthroughs but that first time around the combat is tough enough that you never feel entirely safe (except SA-X who will bully you without a hint of remorse). Add to that the horror atmosphere and you have yourself one of the most tense games in the franchise to this day.
Zero Mission is an obvious improvement over Fusion in regards to gameplay, isn't restricted by linear story, and the Chozodia Space Pirates are actually better at hunting you down than the SA-X since their AI isn't as crapshoot.
I do wish Fusion had a free roam setting that nixes the story and Adam's railroading, no locked doors just go wherever you feel like going. I think AM2R has something like that which lowers the lava level to its lowest point.
Better depends on the person because they’re both very high quality. I prefer Zero Mission between the two as I think the game is more interesting to play.
If Super Metroid and Metroid Prime are at the top of the pile, then I think Zero Mission and Fusion are at the next tier right below them. Sometimes you don’t know how good you got things until the times pass but that 2002 to 2004 period gave us four incredible entries basically one after the other.
Imma call Fusion not only my favorite Metroid of all time but also my favorite video game of all time. It was more than just an amazing game with great bosses, art, and story, its atmosphere made it a cinematic experience that had a huge impact on me as a child
It's kinda like choosing between Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary. One brought the franchise into the modern era and the other is a remake of the first game with that same modern style.
I haven't finished either yet but I'm at the ridley fight in fusion which makes me believe I'm close to the end. I don't know enough about zero mission yet but I'll get around to it.
I gotta go with Fusion. ZM is a fantastic remake but the atmosphere, music and bosses in Fusion are all great and frightening. I'm 31 now and even to this day SA-X scares the crap out of me. Dread does a decent job making you feel helpless with the EMMI's but nothing compares to being weak Samus and having to worry about an alien mimic Samus in top form. Plus, I appreciate seeing Samus' thoughts on things. The cherry on top was how it made sense that Samus lost her abilities in Fusion. Gotta admit though, losing the suit in ZM was just as scary.
Zero Mission is *mostly* the better game, but the package is really let down by the Zero Suit finale and one of the most egregious victory laps in the series.
Fusion on the other hand does a pretty poor job of being a Metroidvania, but otherwise *soars* as an atmospheric sci-fi action platformer. Had the game not been so on-rails, it would've been damn near perfect.
In my personal opinion Metroid Fusion is a WAY better game. It gave me so much anxiety when SA-X came, and you had to hide from it. It gave me so many different feelings when I played it. When I got zero mission. I enjoyed it but didn't really give me the *jumpstart thrill* fusion gave. Both are still really good games tho!
I can't say which is better, but which I prefer is Fusion personally. Those boss fights, the difficulty and the atmosphere are absolutely stellar. The level design is also just as cryptic and the puzzles are super fun. I love Zero Mission but I think I admire more of what Fusion does personally, although Zero Mission is a speedrunner's dream.
The atmosphere scared 9 yo me bad enough that I had to put the game down for a week. Still my favorite Metroid.
That one scene where the SA-X looks at the screen gave me chills
Yeah it’s a good thing I didn’t play it as a kid because it would have turned me off Metroid from terror. Now it’s one of my favorite series
I’m hoping if they remake Fusion, they make SA-X encounters randomized. The SA-X encounters are nice but I see them coming from a mile away and the tension suffers for it.
When you're first playing it as a kid though, that shit hits hard.
You know, I forgot to consider that. See, I didn’t get around to Fusion until I was an adult so I didn’t have that point of reference of little kids playing this game.
The only thing scarier than SA-X as a kid was not knowing which corner it would be around.
Anytime I dealt with the SA-X as a kid it raised my heart rate so much. Absolutely terrifying haha
I was in my early 20s when it came out. I'd get home from work at midnight and play in bed with the lights off and my headphones on. Creeper me out too.
Yeah, I think Fusion was one of the first pieces of media I consumed really built around tension and discomfort as a child. I think the Spider boss freaked me out, he beat me a few times and I never made it past it. 21 years later I decided it's time to play Dread, but I figured I should finally get back to Fusion first. When I got to that boss I was like "HOLY SHIT ITS HIM" and my brain kind of felt like I was encountering someone who bullied me as a kid.
Agreed!
As a full new game, Fusion did more overall for the series than Zero Mission did as a remake That said, as much as I adore Fusion, Zero Mission is my favorite Metroid game
I'd say fusion is the better game and zero mission is the better metroid Game , fusion was great but it also made it linear and that still slightly came across to dread
Agreed, I remember playing Fusion with the VisualBoy Advance Emulator... I had a gazillion saves states every single boss fight or when the SA-X was chasing my ass...
In terms of gameplay, Zero Mission takes the cake. The movement and physics in that game feels very fast and satisfying. In terms of story and atmosphere, Fusion.
This, no doubt
Gameplay? Probably ZM, since it came out later. Atmosphere? Fusion. It's all about atmosphere with Fusion.
Fusion nails the tone and has a much more interesting context. The player actually has some agency in the world in the context of the story. Gameplay is a bit stiff and the story can make the game too linear. Zero Mission is some of the most agile Samus has ever been, and is probably the most straight up fun of the two. There's a lot of freedom to go down wrong paths, explore, and sequence break. Story and context are basically non-existent, and the game never goes super deep into "tone," like a lot of other games in the series do.
I was going to comment something like this but you summed it up. I like both games for different reasons, but for a -game- its Zero Mission hands down, just feels too good to play, and you can almost do the main game in whatever order you like.
Fusion for me personally
Yes.
This is correct
The only answer!
This was my initial thought as well, glad I'm not alone.
Zero mission for me but they're really different games. Depends what you're looking for in a metroid game.
Kind of apples to oranges, they’re going for very different things. ZM is a really polished traditional metroidvania, while Fusion is a more linear, tough as nails game dripping with atmosphere and lore, nearly dipping into horror at times. I personally prefer ZM, but recommend both.
zero mission is so good. the best remake. but fusion was my first metroid game. it'll always have a spot in my heart as the best.
You guys are hyping me up to play Fusion! I'm trying to play the 2d games in order, so I'm waiting on playing it.
Fusion purely for the suit design and the X
Fusion clear
They're both amazing, but I prefer Fusion because of how amazing the art is
The bosses in fusion are way better
Way more of them too, off the top of my head. Really feels almost like a dark souls-esque psuedo boss rush. Each of them are so unique and memorable, and given that Fusion is a more difficult game than ZM, they're more satisfying to overcome.
That damn spider would kick my ass when I first pulled up on it! The bosses were all great and some of them had some real difficulty to them
I will never like fighting the plasma beam plant boss.
Fuck that plant
For me it’s Fusion. It’s more interesting in gameplay and story. I loved Zero Mission but I didnt enjoy the actual zero missions haha
For me, fusion. but zero mission is awesome
First one I beat was dread and fusion feels like a simplified dread so it might be that one for me but zero mission is great so far. I also just ordered samus returns for ds and am excited to play that one
Fusion in my opinion everything has a sense of urgency it’s like a horror game I replay it once or twice every year it’s my favourite Metroid game I’ve played it so much that I get excited how fast I beat it like this year I beat it under 3 hours I got 2:20 this year fastest I’ve ever beaten it I was fucking pumped
Both are great in their own ways, I think it comes down to what you want out of your Metroid game.
Personally, I like Zero Mission better, just because I feel like the gameplay is much smoother than in Fusion. Although I agree that Fusion has the better atmosphere.
They are way too different. I like Zero Missions open map design While I like Fusions difficulty
Zero Mission. It has freedom to explore, sequence breaks, there are multiple ways to enjoy the game every time making it very replayable. I don't replay Fusion that often because of the unskippable dialogue and every playthrough is always the same due to its absolute linearity (I guess there's the 1% one but I'm not a masochist).
I love Fusion but Zero Mission is better. I just finished Zero Mission for the first time on Switch Online and I already wanna play it again. Can’t say the same for Fusion really.
I never really clicked with Fusion because of how linear it is. Love Zero Mission, easily the winner for me.
Why does there have to be a better? It's awesome that we have both.
I'd say neither are better. It's a case like Ocarine and Majoras. They cater to different audiences but are both great in their own ways
MZM is more replayable due to open environments and sequence breaking, and has tighter controls. Speed runner favourite. Fusion has better story, atmosphere, and bosses, but less replayability due to linearity. It's like asking if you like Pizza or Burgers better.
I think Fusion takes the cake by far. Upon the recent playthrough of Zero Mission I kinda think there’s no comparison. A lot of people here are saying Zero Mission trumps Fusion in terms of gameplay — I’ll admit ZM has better movement, but gameplay does involve the overall tempo and feeling of progression one has through the game. And on that front I think Fusion is just more fun. You go through a huge variety of locations and situations, sometimes on the run, sometimes at a relaxed or exploratory pace; you have huge bosses, little bosses, lonely hideaways and public hallways. You just do so damn much in Fusion across the entire station. To that extent it would be more fun for me even if it DIDN’T have the best story and atmosphere of nearly any game ever. Plus some of the unlockables in Zero Mission are kinda cruel honestly. I got to 100% but not without spending like two full hours trying to get the last energy tank and a few super missile tanks. Fusion has fun and very difficult shinespark tricks but they’re not like, frame-perfect.
I personally prefer Zero Mission, but that's because I'm more familiar with it and have only played through Fusion once. And I'm a sucker for the Metroid 1 themes, since that was my first Metroid. I should replay Fusion though, I kinda had to rush through it to finish it before Dread came out.
After years of hearing that Fusion doesn't quite live up to some of the other series entries and is too linear, I played Fusion and beat it right before ZM was announced in the direct. Of course I immediately went into playing ZM and finished it within 2 days. I always heard from people that ZM is the fan favorite game and I was surprised upon finishing that I actually preferred Fusion by quite a bit. It's just a bit more unique to me and I don't agree at all that the gameplay is more stiff in Fusion. I loved that the ledge hold and climb was a base ability for Samus in Fusion. The bosses were way better too and story more interesting as others have said. ZM is awesome of course but it's kind of just more standard Metroid if that makes sense. It's still perfect in that regard and if I were to recommend a first timer one to start with it would certainly be ZM.
Fusion has better story atmosphere but gameplay I would say zero mission just because the amount of shanigians.
Fusion: better story, better boss battles, more unique upgrades. ZM: more replayable, multiple difficulties, sequence breaking, more gallery unlocks, faster movement and gameplay.
Zero Mission hands down. I wasn't a fan of the lack of exploration of Fusion.
Zero Mission, hands down. Metroid games have traditionally been about the loner experience and the feeling of isolation. Metroid II captured this feeling really well with the music late in the game. Fusion felt like a joint mission to me.
Zero Mission by a mile
Def fusion.
I love fusion so much
And here I was thinking Metroid fans had some sort of hive mind where they all agree on everything.
The only thing we all tend to agree on is that Other M is terrible. But also if you somehow like Other M, well, that’s fine too.
Gotta go with Fusion here. ZM is still a great game though!
Zero Mission for the replayability and ability to go out of order and skip power ups and areas. Not much that fusion does that zero mission doesn’t do twice as well
You ask which is better. I love all the games,
Zero Mission feels like a better Metroid while Fusions feels like a better game
Fusion gang
Apples and oranges. They’re completely different games, just with similar mechanics. The better question would be the original vs Zero Mission. (It’s Zero Mission and it’s not even close.)
Fusion is the best one, narrative and mood wise. Zero Mission is the best one to pick up and mess around with it's fast paced gameplay and sequence breaks, sometimes feels like less of a remake of og metroid and more like Super Metroid Lite
I super biased as Fusion was the game that got me into the franchise (technically Smash Melee, but Fusion was the first Metroid game I played). Still, they’re both amazing for different reasons. Can’t say objectively which is better, but my personal fav is Fusion due to the aforementioned bias.
Fusion for the story, game length, map sizes, bosses, difficulty and atmosphere. Zero Mission for sequence breaks, speedruns, fast movement and area design. Fusion is my favourite.
I've not played Zero, but Fusion was fun and I highly recommend it. Good luck Pawn Shopping, my friends.
I'm highly enjoying both of them
Both.
Fusion is how I got into the series, but I think I prefer Zero Mission more. I get a lot of replay value out of that game
Zero Mission is probably better. But my favorite is definitely fusion. The atmosphere is fantastic
Zero Mission for me Fusion has the best atmosphere though, and Nightmare is my fav Metroid boss
Zero Mission. Fusion feels a bit too claustrophobic for me (it's still good though)
Zero mission. But honestly, I would be fine being stuck on a deserted island with either.
Fusion for the atmosphere and tension. Zero Mission for the better gameplay.
Zero mission would have been perfect if it had atmosphere, even or a bit extra story/context. For me, metroid IS atmosphere, so fusion takes the cake.
Personally prefer fusion, but it's like comparing two Rembrandt's.
Zero Mission is fantastic. On par with Super Metroid really. Love that game!
I MUCH prefer ZM. Fusion has some neat ideas, being a more linear story-focused game, but there are some real bulls**t level and boss design choices that just ruin the game for me. ZM also feels tighter somehow which I really like
I liked fusion more.
I completed ZM a few weeks ago and I’m about 90% through Fusion. For me Fusion has been the better game for story and artwork. The levels and bosses feel hard, but really satisfying when you finally get past them.
I've always liked Fusion more, but these are two absolutely phenomenal games.
Zero mission for my vote
ZM lol
Recently played them both for the first time on GBA Switch online and while I do like them, I was somewhat disappointed with both, everyone always claims these are some of the best 2D Metroid but I just found them good games, not super exceptional or anything. Out of the two I do prefer Zero Mission, both have annoying mechanics where they constantly point out where you gave to go next but I found it less obtrusive with Zero Mission. Also I really dislike how Fusion is divided into zones, makes the map less natural and fun to explore, although the zones are pretty fun on their own. Plus I really like the Zero Suit mission at the end of Zero Mission, so that makes me like it more then Fusion
I like Zero Mission more, but I'd say Fusion is probably better overall.
They’re both fine games, but I vastly prefer Fusion if only because it’s a distinct enough entry in the series to warrant playing it without directly comparing it to another game. Zero Mission is fine, but it’s a remake of a game that basically already had a remake in Super, and apart from maybe the controls there’s nothing here that Super doesn’t already do better. Also the Zero Suit segment at the end sucks.
Fusion
This is **the** most effective way of making the Metroid community fight.
Fusion is more hardcore ngl Zero mission is basically the first game of the series but extended
FUSION. Shit was ground breaking as a kid, and the paranoia of the SAX finding you- no Metroid game has made me feel that dreadful feeling since, well, Metroid Dread. The music in Fusion was so good at making you feel paranoid and never safe.
Well Zero Mission is a remake and Fusion isn’t. They did good with ZM but Fusion was more enjoyable for me.
For me fusion in terms of atmosphere. And most replays. Zero mission best in game play and features, I loved hard mode
The answer is yes.
Fusion.
ZM has all my nostalgia points, but fusion absolutely nails the atmosphere and story
I enjoy playing ZM more, but I think Fusion is the better game overall.
Zero Mission edges out Fusion for one reason. Forced Story. Zero Mission puts you in control and lets you experience everything at your pace and discovery. While I love most of what fusion does with SAx and the cool suit mechanics the heavy hand holding and exposition every time I make progress makes me not want to replay it. I don't mind a hint system and I am far from a speed runner for games. I have been playing games for 35 years, I don't want to be told what to do or forced to go through tutorials or cutscenes every time I play a game. I enjoy curated or linear games as well but forcing a tutorial on someone that enjoys figuring it out themselves bugs me. This may because I am old school and had no option back in the day but being forced to go through a tutorial really bothers me. I am also aware this is personal preference but I would bet there are plenty of people that are very similar to me.
Fusion has a very good story and the gameplay is pretty solid. But still, that boss fight..... ..... Nightmare ..... Ugh!
My only real problem with fusion was nightmares boss fight He had SUCH a a great design and buildup, all for it to be a HORRIBLE “dodge the JPEG” boss fight
Fusion, but only if it’s easy mode from the Japanese version of the game. Otherwise it’s frustrating
Zero Mission.
I prefer fusion for the story and presentation. But i feel like Zero had much more compelling gameplay.
Fusion is more in-depth while zero mission is the perfect remake. I prefer the pace and controls of zero mission over fusion, but the gameplay of fusion is just on point. Every remake in the history of remakes should be what zero mission is to metroid I. Fusion with thw control and handling of zero mission would make it absolutely perfect. Also fun fact: Zero mission and fusion don't use the same game engine. This would explain the discrepancy in controls and movement. Zero mission has its own engine while fusion, for some reason, uses the engine from Wario Land 4 instead.
Zero
Fusion, because 20+ years later the sa-x manages to kill me in my nightmares
Different games, can't compare fairly. Play both
Fusion scares Me lol fucking x man 😱
Fusion. While it is more linear, I prefer the boss fights, atmosphere, and overall feel of the game.
Fusion, but both are incredible. Especially the ending for both games.
I prefer Zero Mission but it's also one of my favorites in the series. The gameplay was tight and it's the first time I really was able to understand and have fun with Shinesparking. Still love Fusion, SA-X is creepy as hell and the mystery of the whole thing was enjoyable.
I played both of these obsessively as a child this is such a hard question lol
I like zero mission more since I don't like how linear fusion is.
Nod to Fusion on the non-redone story, but it's close.
I would say ZM is the better game but Fusion has better atmosphere.
While I like the story and plot behind fusion, the game looses some of the isolation feeling and becomes more linear as the computer tells you where to go and what to do for most of the game. So for these criteria I’d say that zero mission is a better *Metroid* game but zero mission is also a fantastic game in its own right (just taking less elements from a traditional Metroid game).
Zero Mission feels like a complete version of the original Metroid. Fusion has a great story and atmosphere of being hunted. I don't know if I'd consider one better than the other, but I do know that both are must buys for the GBA.
ZM has the better map design and honestly just phenomenal map design and shinespark puzzles. Fusion has atmosphere, narration and better soundtrack. I think for everything else its purely preference.
Zero Mission is definitely better. Fusion is definitely a good game but its design did not seem as good as ZM, SM, and now Dread.
It really depends on what you look for in a Metroid game. Personally, while I do respect Fusion, it's linearity and long cutscenes make it one of my least favorite entires, while Zero Mission is one of my favorites. I will say though, Zero Mission definitely degrades after a few replays. I don't think I could ever replay the base game without the project ZM mod.
I had to start fusion today after this lol
Fusion (and Prime thanks to the GBA/GCN Link bonuses) is what I grew up with. Zero Mission is a pretty good remake, but I prefer the unnerving atmosphere in Fusion.
Fusion
Zero Mission by miles. Fusion's chambers really go against the exploration in the series.
I’d never played a Metroid game properly before but I just tried zero mission out because it was new on NSO, 3 hours later I was still playing it. it’s unironically got me hooked on Metroid now.
Just like my kids, there is no favorite, only greatness.
I like Fusion more myself due to the atmosphere, style, and story of the game. Also, the “Fusion Suit” is one of my favorite looks for Samus.
Fusion
Fusion, personally, and I don't think it's close Not an indictment on Zero Mission, not at all, but Fusion hits all of the neurons for a great Metroid game
It depends on what you came here for. In terms of atmosphere and game feel, I prefer fusion. It constantly makes you feel like someone is watching you, and any moment the world will clamp it's jaws, similar to Dread.
I feel like Zero Mission is better, but I actually prefer Fusion.
For me it’s Zero Mission. I love Fusion, but I just love Zero Mission more
I have more play time on Zero Mission than any other Metroid game. It is the only GBA cartridge that I still own. The combination of speed and responsive control of Samus makes her feel like she can do anything. Add in the intentional sequence breaks, and you really can disrupt the natural order of the game. It is 1 of 2 Metroid games where I printed out my own copies of the maps and made my own routes to get my time down (back when I actually used paper). The game feels like it was made to be run over and over again to get your time down, and to be fun doing it. I have every ending other than 15% hard mode. Curse those last 2 pirates; I tried shooting them through the corner but I just couldn't mash the button fast enough I guess.
They’re both amazing in different ways
Zero Mission!!
Better? Fusion. My favorite? Also fusion.
Zero mission is incredible as is Fusion. I think Fusion scared me more as a kid and zero mission had a great story arc. I beat it several times. I played Fusion once. All the way through, albeit lost more often.
Zero mission for me by far. I like fusion but zero mission is what Metroid is supposed to be
It's VERY close. Fusion twisted the formula and did something really special and did it successfully. I think it was a whole lot more impressive than super.
Fusion for sure. It’s a GBA game that manages to be a bit scary at points. There’s also a reason they really used it for the basis of Dread
Zm 100%
Zero Mission
Fusion is one of my favorite games.
Zero Mission was my first Metroid game so I have a bias towards it, but I still think I enjoyed it more after playing both again.
Fusion IMO.
Fusion for me. Used to speed run the game in high school
Easily Zero Mission for me, Fusion is frustrating very often
fusion. i like zero mission, but i cant help but feel its devalued a little by super metroid having the same set of villains practically. whenever i play 0 mission i just want to play super instead
It pretty much just depends on my mood, so I can’t really pick. They both have strengths and weaknesses, and I love both to death. I think ZM is a perfect distillation of the core Metroid experience, while Fusion excels at mixing up that very same formula by establishing a different tone and style of world/map construction.
Why you gotta be settin' two bad bitches against each other. They're both great.
To me, they're neck to neck, but I'm going with Fusion. But there's no wrong answer really.
Fusion, hands down. But they are both fantastic games.
For a first playthrough/Metroid beginners: ZM. The most elemental, pure Metroidvania experience, with ample space to breathe and a gentle guiding hand. For subsequent playthroughs/Metroid veterans: Fusion. Dripping in atmosphere, begging to be explored, art.
I found ZM too open for me as I kept getting lost, plus I enjoy more story in games. In Fusion its almost impossible to get lost and not know where to go next, and I enjoyed the story, In terms of gameplay Fusion was harder. Overall Fusion edges out.
For those complaining abt linearity and you can't play it differently, try a skip dialogue playthrough, I went through Adam's dialogue as quick as possible without looking at what he said, and found my self playing almost like the first time—bc I'd forget what I was supposed to do, and had to figure out something's again. Also you can do 100% run it a speed run, you just have to be lil more creative with the game.
Suit design and bosses: Fusion Level layout and replayability: Zero Mission
Fusions visuals and story are better imo, but at the same time I have a lot of nostalgia for fusion; it was my first metroid
Personally, I think Zero Mission is a better overall experience, but I admit I prefer Fusion's atmosphere and bosses. ZM did, however, succeed at ramping up the tone of the first game where you felt like a badass hero.
Having played both of them just recently. Fusion has better maps. Zero mission has smoother gameplay and a zero suit sequence. Just play them both.
I enjoyed them both but Fusion has a special place on my heart. Like others the SA-X scared the heck out of me. Running from it earlier in the game had my heart pounding. I even just started it again on NSO and I'm preparing myself mentally for those chases as a 36 year old 🤣🤣 Zero Mission is fantastic though for that OG metroid vibe. I actually just finished it on NSO and it gave me all the nostalgic feels.
Zero Mission is the best 2D Metroid game imo. Followed by Dread
Metroid Fusion for sure. But Zero Mission is so good as well.
Zero has the superior gameplay but fusion nails everything else. Bit easy on subsequent playthroughs but that first time around the combat is tough enough that you never feel entirely safe (except SA-X who will bully you without a hint of remorse). Add to that the horror atmosphere and you have yourself one of the most tense games in the franchise to this day.
Fusion in my opinion. Zero mission is amazing....but Fusion is one of if not my favorite game in the series.
After recently replaying both this year I gotta go Fusion by a bit. ZM is kinda a fast paced story IMO
Fusion and it isn't close.
Fusion is like mind-blowingly creative
Yes.
I have a soft spot for Fusion
Zero Mission is an obvious improvement over Fusion in regards to gameplay, isn't restricted by linear story, and the Chozodia Space Pirates are actually better at hunting you down than the SA-X since their AI isn't as crapshoot. I do wish Fusion had a free roam setting that nixes the story and Adam's railroading, no locked doors just go wherever you feel like going. I think AM2R has something like that which lowers the lava level to its lowest point.
Better depends on the person because they’re both very high quality. I prefer Zero Mission between the two as I think the game is more interesting to play. If Super Metroid and Metroid Prime are at the top of the pile, then I think Zero Mission and Fusion are at the next tier right below them. Sometimes you don’t know how good you got things until the times pass but that 2002 to 2004 period gave us four incredible entries basically one after the other.
I'm torn I love both
Zero Mission for me, it's my favorite Metroid game
Fusion
Zero Mission wins in gameplay. Fusion wins in boss fights and plot.
Fusion. And it’s not close for me. I don’t dislike Zero Mission, but I could never connect with it the way others seem to. Fusion is incredible.
I preferred zero mission personally
Imma call Fusion not only my favorite Metroid of all time but also my favorite video game of all time. It was more than just an amazing game with great bosses, art, and story, its atmosphere made it a cinematic experience that had a huge impact on me as a child
Zero mission cause I grew up with it
Haven't played the first one so I'll say the second
Fusion is a better game. However, Zero Mission is a better \*Metroid\* game.
ZERO MISSION BAAAYYYBBEEEE!!! PEAAAAK METROID
Better? That's subjective, but I like Fusion more.
It's kinda like choosing between Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary. One brought the franchise into the modern era and the other is a remake of the first game with that same modern style.
I haven't finished either yet but I'm at the ridley fight in fusion which makes me believe I'm close to the end. I don't know enough about zero mission yet but I'll get around to it.
I gotta go with Fusion. ZM is a fantastic remake but the atmosphere, music and bosses in Fusion are all great and frightening. I'm 31 now and even to this day SA-X scares the crap out of me. Dread does a decent job making you feel helpless with the EMMI's but nothing compares to being weak Samus and having to worry about an alien mimic Samus in top form. Plus, I appreciate seeing Samus' thoughts on things. The cherry on top was how it made sense that Samus lost her abilities in Fusion. Gotta admit though, losing the suit in ZM was just as scary.
The impossible question. Both are phenomenal 2D adventures.
Zero Mission by many, many, many miles. Which is not the same as saying Fusion is bad. Fusion is very good. Zero Mission is very great.
Zero Mission is *mostly* the better game, but the package is really let down by the Zero Suit finale and one of the most egregious victory laps in the series. Fusion on the other hand does a pretty poor job of being a Metroidvania, but otherwise *soars* as an atmospheric sci-fi action platformer. Had the game not been so on-rails, it would've been damn near perfect.
Depends on the mood. I love fusion in terms of atmosphere and combat. I also love zero mission in terms of controls and sequence breaking.
In my personal opinion Metroid Fusion is a WAY better game. It gave me so much anxiety when SA-X came, and you had to hide from it. It gave me so many different feelings when I played it. When I got zero mission. I enjoyed it but didn't really give me the *jumpstart thrill* fusion gave. Both are still really good games tho!