Nintendo. (2002). Metroid Prime [Video game]. Retro Studios.

Metroid Prime is a 2002 action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It marks the series' transition into 3D and a first-person perspective, distinguishing itself by emphasizing exploration over combat, leading Nintendo to describe it as a "first-person adventure" rather than a shooter. Players control bounty hunter Samus Aran on the planet Tallon IV, aiming to thwart Space Pirates and their Phazon experiments. The game is set between the original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus.

The gameplay involves navigating interconnected regions, solving environmental puzzles, platforming, and combat. Samus's visor provides a head-up display with radar, map, and health indicators. Players can switch between different visors, including thermal and x-ray, to uncover secrets and interact with the environment. A lock-on targeting system facilitates combat and exploration, allowing for complex maneuvers like circle-strafing.

A key feature is the acquisition of power-ups that enhance Samus's abilities, enabling access to previously unreachable areas. Notable upgrades include the Morph Ball, allowing Samus to roll into tight spaces; the Varia Suit, granting resistance to extreme heat; and various beam weapons and missiles. This progression system encourages backtracking to explore new paths in earlier areas, a hallmark of the Metroidvania genre.

The game received critical acclaim for its atmospheric world, intricate level design, and seamless integration of gameplay mechanics. It sold over 2.8 million copies worldwide and won several Game of the Year awards. Metroid Prime was followed by two sequels, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and was later re-released as part of the Metroid Prime: Trilogy for the Wii. A high-definition remaster for the Nintendo Switch, Metroid Prime Remastered, was released in 2023, introducing updated visuals and control schemes to a new generation of players.