Note: The YouTube embeds featured in this article naturally contain footage of several boss encounters within Metroid Prime, including the final boss. If you haven’t played the game, take this as a spoiler alert.
(And you never played Metroid Prime!? *mumbling and shaking his head for a few minutes*)
of Metroid The series is famous for its fantastic locations such as Norfair, Ataria and Kraid’s Lair. When the series moved into his 3D realm in Retro Studios’ Metroid Prime, some of the franchise’s most iconic locations were introduced and are still beloved by fans to this day.
With the game celebrating its 20th anniversary, we thought it would be fun to take a look at all of Metroid Prime’s major locations and rank them from worst to best. Except here we have them all. Vote for your favorites in the poll at the bottom of the page and share your favorite memories of the game (and your thoughts on our personal rankings) in the comments section.
But enough stories. Set it to scan your visor and check out all the locations of the masterpiece that is Metroid Prime.
9: Magmoor Cave
Hmm, Magmoor’s Caverns… probably the only area within Metroid Prime that we actively dislike.
It’s pretty gorgeous to look at, but the serious downside of taking damage every time you touch lava is a huge pain behind the scenes. Instead, a boatful of Magmoor creatures rocks and unleashes copious amounts of fire. That said, blasting stalactites through the ceiling and landing them on your head is pretty funny. Plus the music is pretty great.
8: Temple of Artifacts
The Artifact Temple is one of the smaller locations in Metroid Prime, but one of the most important, if not particularly memorable.
Visually, it’s a bit of a cross between the naturalistic elements of Tallon Overworld and the architecture found in Chozo Ruins. It’s here that Samus faces off against the iconic meta-her Ridley after collecting all 12 of his chozohis artifacts, making him one of the coolest boss encounters in the entire game.
It’s a shame the area was small overall as I would have liked to have had more time to explore. Unfortunately, the current situation is limited.
7: Glacier One (Fendrana Drift)
Like the Artifact Temple, Glacier One is like a location within a location. Location receptionif you please. [Nah, you’re alright, ta. – Ed]
Located within Phendrana Drifts, it serves as a research facility for space pirates. Here you’ll encounter iconic Metroid foes for the first time, along with truly brutal space pirate foes.
It’s a great little place, but it’s pretty low on the list because it relies more on action than exploration. It’s essentially one major battle after another, with little room to breathe in between.
6: Talon Overworld
Tallon Overworld is the first “main” area within Metroid Prime and also one of the most beautiful showcases of the GameCube’s great visuals (at least back then). It’s essentially a gateway to other places in the game, serving as an excellent tutorial his area that introduces Samus to smaller, more docile enemies.
Unfortunately, there are no major boss encounters within Tallon Overworld. Unless, let’s be honest, he’s a minor sub-boss, not counting the Plated Beetle. Point reduction!
5: Impact Crater
The Impact Crater is Metroid Prime’s final main area, and while it’s also a relatively small area, it’s particularly memorable for us because it houses the incredibly titled final boss. There’s a lot of Phazon here, a radioactive substance that plays a central role throughout the Prime Trilogy, and its presence makes for a truly beautiful sight.
You’ll also encounter mutated Metroids known as Fission Metroids, which will really put your skills to the test. It’s a powerful ending to an epic game.
4: Phazon Mine
Phazon Mines shares much of the same visual style as the aforementioned Impact Crater, but unsurprisingly, it’s a much larger area, with three main levels to explore. Space pirates such as the elite pirates and the omega pirates are crowded together, making this area by far the toughest in the game.
However, once here, Samus is powered up to a great extent, making the exploration equally fun and challenging.
3: Chozo Ruins
Chozo Ruins is a desert-themed game with lots of sand lying around and lots of giant beetles. It’s a dense area, packed with secrets to discover, and the ever-funniest Morph his ball-rolling tunnel.
Chozo Ruins’ standout boss encounters are undeniably terrifying Flaahgra, but Hive Mecha proved to be more frustrating than fun.
Speaking of fun, here’s a fun fact: Chozo Ruins, especially the main square, was the first major area built for the game. we like this very much!
2: Space pirate frigate “Orpheon”
As the opening location of Metroid Prime, the Space Pirate Frigate is one of the most memorable areas of the entire trilogy.
Being able to control Samus jumping off the ship is amazing, not to mention the elaborate manipulation of the morph ball. Team up with visual narrative cues, from broken doors to the rotting corpses of space pirates.
Not too welcoming, it culminates in an epic boss battle with the Parasite Queen and a race against time to escape as the frigate shatters to pieces. What a great first place.
1: Fendrana Drift
Phendrana Drifts is arguably Metroid Prime’s best location. We rarely consider snow-themed areas to be our absolute favorites, but that’s great!
Much like the opening space frigate area, stepping into Phendrana Drifts for the first time is an unforgettable experience. Music, snow, lighting.it just beautifulIt’s also home to great creature and boss encounters like Sheegoth and Thardus, and a truly outstanding morph ball puzzle.
Honestly, we could have lived very happily here were it not for the fact that we would probably die within minutes.
