Two 'SWEET!'s and a 'Cool'.

Fox: When I first turned on Prime a few years ago' Wait. Why are we reviewing a game that was released back in '02?

Coon: 'Cause we want a job.

Fox: But it doesn't pay.

Dragon: Just shut up and keep reviewing the game.

Fox: Anyway, when I first turned it on, I was immediately blown away by the sleek visuals. And that was just the menu screen! Though the in-game graphics weren't as pretty, this game was the best looking Gamecube game of its time (Resident Evil doesn't count because of its mainly pre-rendered environments). When the game first starts, you, playing as our favorite space-girl Samus Aran, stop off at a severely damaged Space Pirate frigate to answer a distress beacon. Right there, you're introduced to the first cool feature of the game: your Scan Visor. This handy gizmo adds a helluvalot of detail to the game, allowing you to collect data on your enemies, surroundings, even some backstory concerning the Chozo and Space Pirates when you're later dropped off on the planet where the rest of the game takes place, Tallon IV. Not to mention stuff you can unlock via filling your logbook with your scan findings.

Dragon: It's just artwork.

Fox: Shut up! You can complain when it's your turn.

With the Scan Visor alone, I can see why Nintendo wanted to call this a First-Person-Adventure game, not a shooter. I was compelled to explore each new area I came across so I could read some tidbit of something, whether it was needed or not. And trust me, there's a lot of it.

Due to an explosion on the frigate, your suit loses most of its features, which you'll miss. Big time. But, at least you get them all back throughout the game, plus some other gizmos. Here lies the one drag in this game. You'll constantly backtrack through areas you've already explored for power-ups. I wouldn't have minded as much if I only had to go back a few rooms. Most of the time, the stuff you're told to find is on the opposite end of the world. The payoff is usually worth it. Usually.

Then again, that small help could prove most helpful against the increasingly aggressive inhabitants of the planet. Some of the wildlife on Tallon IV could be thought of as bosses, but they're just toys compared to the actual bosses. Simply scanning them may not be enough help to defeat them; you'll need to actually think. One wrong move can cost a lot of health.

If I had to describe this game using just two words' I'd say: 'Pure bliss.' The amount of detail put into this game, mixed with hours of exploration, and topped off with the best boss battles around, made this the best of 2002.

Dragon: Unlike my furry woodland creature friend here, I'd rather not spend a decent amount of my game time reading useless dribble. I only used that Scan Visor for boss battles and wherever else it was needed, which was more often than I'd hoped for. Instead of looking around for a little symbol in a huge room, I'd rather blast my way through.

Thankfully, there's enough action in this game to satisfy a dragon's needs. Creatures popping out of the ground and Pirates dropping from the ceiling made me wanna burst.

Fox: And he did. A lot.

Coon: Set off every smoke alarm we have.

Dragon: At least I didn't burn down the house.

Coon: Almost.

Fox: I'm just glad he plays his games in his room.

Dragon (with a puff of smoke): Humph. Like I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, this game has enough fast-paced action to make up for all of the time spent wandering aimlessly.

It controls pretty well, too. Although I wish turning was faster, and that you didn't have to be locked-on to a target in order to strafe. Otherwise, I have no complaints about control. Especially when you transform into the Morph-Ball. It's easy to use, and you get perfect camera angles to boot.

Another drawback for me is the lack of multi-player capabilities. At least they figured it out for the sequel.

Coon: Fox, you're tail's on fire.

Fox (grabs his tail; the tip is smoking): Holy' (runs out of the room)

Coon: The first thing that grabbed my attention was the opening music. There are few games where I can tell what they are by just listening to the menu music, or even remember that a certain tune came from certain game. Those few seconds before the title comes up will be forever etched into my personal ear-worm collection.

Dragon: Ear-worm?

Coon: It's what they call 'having a song stuck in your head'.

Dragon: Oh. (Fox appears in the room with a dark look in his eyes and a blackened tail tip.) Gotta run! (Runs from Fox, who chases him out of the room.)

Coon: Good. While they're beating on each other, I can go through my part of this review uninterrupted.

Among other First-Person games, this one stands out. First off, you can jump. You don't find this too often in this genre. Add in the double-jump and you've got it made. Next, I don't remember any games that let you scan your environment and enemies. And the Morph Ball, originality at its best.

Otherwise, I agree with what they said in moderation. The action is well paced; you don't wanna go from boss battle to boss battle without time to recharge. Exploring the world of Tallon IV was a blast, and I actually enjoyed looking for things to scan so I can unlock the artwork. I think it's long enough, but could've used an extra two to three hours.

I'm surprised that Fox forgot to mention the connectivity option (Dragon could care less about most special features). You can connect this game with Metroid Fusion for a couple of bonuses. The best of which is the ability to play the original Metroid game. You have to have beaten Prime to do that, though.

I think more things could've been squeezed in to be unlocked. Personally, I like the artwork, but other people will be disappointed to find out that's all they'll get. Maybe some cheats, like the basic big-head, or a preview for Prime 2, if they knew they were gonna make it.

I only mentioned the title screen music earlier. The rest of the game music is cool too, the boss battles being among the most memorable. It's a shame, however, that I had to turn off the in-game music to find the power-ups. You can still find them with it on, but if you rush through a room, you might not hear that faint sound of a power-up nearby. I pride myself with my perfectionism.

Dragon (from another room): GAAAAHH!

Fox (from same room as Dragon): Say it!

Dragon: No! ... GAAAAHH!

Fox: SAY IT!

Dragon: I'm gay for Charizard!

Coon: Play with fire, you get burnt.

Review by DragonFoxCoon (Kevin Hendricks / John Goodcard)