In the world of Nintendo, many characters like Mario or Link have a consistent look. Samus Aran of Metroid fame, however, gets a fresh makeover with every new game, altering her suit's design quite drastically. In celebration of Metroid Fusion’s 20th anniversary, we delve into the evolution of Samus’s default suit designs as seen on the box art of each mainline series game and rank them from least to most favored.
Starting with number eight, Metroid II: Return of Samus sports what’s considered the "classic" design—with its massive shoulder pads and skeletal torso—this suit has a rather indented helmet that appears a bit off, lacking the finesse seen in later designs. However, its place in the hearts of fans can't be ignored despite its quirky proportions.
Coming in at number seven is the original Metroid for the Famicom/NES, where Nintendo first nailed Samus’s design. It introduces the base Chozo Suit, and while it lacks the shoulder pads that later became iconic, this design has an alien appeal, with lighter coloring that may be an artistic choice.
Number six is occupied by Super Metroid, where Samus's suit is nearly identical to its predecessor but refined; the helmet indentation is gone, the suit looks imposing, and the muted colors enhance the appeal. This is the design where Samus started hitting the gym and it shows in her figure.
Fly up to number five, and there's Metroid: Other M—with its sleek design, reducing extraneous bumps and ridges on the shoulder pads. The green visor adds a burst of color, which makes this suit stand out and has become a favorite, as it inspired her look in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Metroid Prime Trilogy lands at number four, with Retro Studio's realistic approach requiring a suit that felt real yet made no artistic compromises. The pointed shoulder pads, the colors, and seeing Samus's face brings out a well-loved and iconic suit design.
Number three bestows extra-large shoulder pads and a futuristic helmet to Metroid: Samus Returns. This design deviates significantly from the original Game Boy version, giving Samus a more abstract and startling look.
The second-best suit is from Metroid Fusion, where Samus’s encounter with the X parasite on planet SR388 fuses parts of the parasite with her suit, creating an insectoid and organically beautiful design. This suit distinguishes itself with vibrant colors but features a softer helmet indentation, not as sharp as in earlier designs.
Crowning the list at number one is the suit from Metroid Dread. It perfectly marries the mechanized and organic elements, pulling in unique colors from Fusion and adding its flair with shots of white and green. The slimmed-down helmet visor, with an added indent giving an avian touch, sets this suit apart as a masterpiece from developer MercurySteam and a fantastic addition to the Metroid suit pantheon.
The evolution of Samus's suit reflects a franchise that isn't afraid to innovate and evolve with the times, adapting to the technological advancements and artistic shifts within game development. While each new game offers a different default suit design, they all maintain a core identity: Samus Aran, the formidable bounty hunter of the Metroid series. Each design reflects the ever-evolving universe she inhabits and the countless adventures yet to be experienced.
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