What was Super Metroid programmed on?

What was Super Metroid Programmed On?

Super Metroid, one of the most iconic action-adventure games of all time, was developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1994. With its impressive 24-megabit (3 megabyte) cartridge size, it was the largest game on the SNES at the time of its release.

Development Team

Super Metroid was developed by a team of skilled game developers at Nintendo Research & Development 1 (NRD1), which had previously worked on the NES game Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991). The game’s development was led by Shinji Mikami, a renowned game designer and director, who would later become the founder of PlatinumGames.

Programming Language and Tools

The game was programmed using C and Assembly languages, with some parts of the game coded in 65816 assembly language for the 16-bit CPU of the SNES. The developers used a variety of development tools, including CCS (Computer-Craft Studio) and AS (Assembly language compiler), to create the game’s code.

Graphics and Sound

The game’s graphics were created using Mode 7 graphics, a mode that allows for smooth scrolling and 3D-like graphics on the SNES. The sound effects and music were produced using 16-bit sampled audio, which allowed for high-quality sound reproduction on the SNES.

Game Engine

Super Metroid was built using Nintendo’s internal game engine, which was designed to take advantage of the SNES’s capabilities. The engine provided a robust platform for developing games, including features such as Collision detection, Animation management, and Enemy AI.

Features and Mechanics

Some notable features and mechanics of Super Metroid include:

• Exploration-based gameplay: Players can explore a vast underground world, using Samus’s powers and abilities to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.
• Power-ups and upgrades: The game features a variety of power-ups and upgrades that enhance Samus’s abilities, such as the Gravity Suit and the Wave Beam.
• Non-linear level design: The game’s levels are designed to be non-linear, allowing players to choose their own path and explore different areas of the game world.

Legacy

Super Metroid has had a lasting impact on the gaming industry, influencing many other action-adventure games and earning its place as one of the greatest games of all time. Its development team went on to work on other iconic games, including Metroid Prime and Resident Evil.

Conclusion

Super Metroid was programmed on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) using C and Assembly languages, with a variety of development tools and Nintendo’s internal game engine. The game’s development team, led by Shinji Mikami, brought together their skills and expertise to create an iconic game that has left a lasting legacy in the gaming industry.

Resources

• Wikipedia: Super Metroid
• MobyGames: Super Metroid
• GameSpot: Super Metroid review