What Came Out First: Metroid or Zelda?
The Metroid and Zelda series are two of the most iconic and beloved franchises in the world of video games. Both series have been entertaining gamers for decades, with their unique gameplay mechanics, engaging storylines, and memorable characters. But have you ever wondered which series came out first? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of both franchises and answer the question once and for all.
A Brief History of the Metroid Series
The Metroid series was created by Yoshio Sakamoto and developed by Intelligent Systems, a Japanese video game development company. The first game in the series, Metroid, was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game follows the story of Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is tasked with infiltrating a space station to rescue a group of humans from the clutches of the Space Pirates.
The Metroid series was known for its non-linear gameplay, where players could explore a vast open world, fight enemies, and collect power-ups to upgrade their abilities. The series has since grown to include numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, including Metroid II: Return of Samus, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, and Metroid Prime.
A Brief History of the Zelda Series
The Zelda series was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo, one of the most iconic and beloved video game companies in the world. The first game in the series, The Legend of Zelda, was released in 1986 for the NES. The game follows the story of Link, a young hero who is tasked with rescuing Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon.
The Zelda series was known for its open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat mechanics. The series has since grown to include numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, including Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and Breath of the Wild.
The Answer: Metroid Came Out First
So, which series came out first? The answer is Metroid. The first Metroid game was released in August 1986, while the first Zelda game was released in February 1986. Although the two games were released in the same year, Metroid came out slightly later.
Here’s a table comparing the release dates of the two games:
| Game | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Metroid | August 6, 1986 |
| The Legend of Zelda | February 21, 1986 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Metroid series came out before the Zelda series. Although both series have been entertaining gamers for decades, Metroid has a slight edge in terms of release date. However, both series have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and fans of both franchises continue to enjoy playing their favorite games to this day.
Additional Fun Facts
- Both Metroid and Zelda were released for the NES, which was a popular console in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Metroid was developed by Intelligent Systems, a Japanese video game development company, while Zelda was developed by Nintendo.
- Both series have had numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs over the years, including games like Super Metroid and Ocarina of Time.
- Metroid is known for its non-linear gameplay, while Zelda is known for its open-world exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics.
References
- Nintendo.com
- Intelligent Systems
- Zelda Wiki
- Metroid Wiki
I hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of the history of both the Metroid and Zelda series. Let me know if you have any questions or comments!