Nintendo giving NES Metroid away

By Robert Purchese Published 13 August, 2009

To Metroid Prime Trilogy owners.

Nintendo has 5000 copies of Metroid (NES, Virtual Console) to give away.

To be eligible, you must be one of 5000 people to register a copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy on the European Club Nintendo website. You must also have previously registered Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes or Metroid Prime 3: Corruption there.

Those are the three games that make up Metroid Prime Trilogy, which arrives on one Wii disc on 4th September. The two GameCube entries now support Wii remote controls and wide-screen displays, plus Nintendo has added some in-game rewards.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (57) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • matrim83 #1 3 years ago

    NES metroid was the weakest of the series. SNES Metroid would have been sooo much better.

  • Fodder #2 3 years ago

    Didn't NES metroid come with one of the Prime games anyway? I'm sure it was an unlockable.

  • adamskidunc #3 3 years ago

    Just to get this straight. Register MP 1,2,3 and the trilogy to get a game which is 400points on the virtual console. I fail to see the deal here.

  • siro #4 3 years ago

    adamkskidunc: I'm sure the article says MP1,2 or 3. Not "and". If you bought one of the old games and now get the trilogy, you'll get the VC download.

    The alternative would be to not get anything. Which is worse imo. :)

  • black2 #5 3 years ago

    @Fodder

    That was the GBA game.

    I don't feel well represented here - I've got all three MP games yet I because I haven't bought the remix edition on disc I don't qualify! Ninty is a strange beast indeed.

  • rogueJT #6 3 years ago

    5,000 copies of a NES game for VC, IF you satisfy all sorts of conditions.

    Sorry Nintendo, awful deal.

  • muscleblade #7 3 years ago

    You need to own the game called Metroid Prime trilogy of course not the three separate games. Easy to understand imo.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #8 3 years ago

    European Club Nintendo site? Not really; Nintendo even cancelled the stars program in various countries that had the stars for years.

    Nowadays it's the UK only Club Nintendo site.

  • LowEnergyCycle #9 3 years ago

    @Fodder

    Yes, actually it did, on Prime 1. It is fairly bad in comparison to the rest though, and I found it nigh-on unplayable with the Gamecube pad. Also, I'm not sure how you unlock it because I'm fairly certain I cheated with an ActionReplay code. I think you need to link up with a GBA or some-such nonsense.

    The Zero Mission update for GBA would be a faaaaaar worthier freebee under these bizarre "limited-edition" conditions. I mean, who the hell is gonna race to the prize for 5000 free copies of an ancient, shitter game, that is already (presumably) included on the Trilogy disc with Prime 1?

    Stupid, I say.

  • insincere_dave #10 3 years ago

    "already (presumably) included on the Trilogy disc with Prime 1? "

    It won't be, they've totally changed the in-game rewards and this will have been stripped out since it's now available to buy on the Virtual Console. The days of getting free NES games bundled with the likes of Animal Crossing are over now that Nintendo are able to "monetise" these via paid downloads.
    Edited by 1 at 13/08/09 @ 13:19

  • spekkeh #11 3 years ago

    Ah yes, this reminds me of the great Star Points deals, where you had to buy 30 Nintendo published games to be eligble for a small plastic figurine that would be sold out immediately. Luckily you could rebate the star points for 500 wii points, with which you could get a single NES ROM, after spending about a thousand Euros on Nintendo stuff.

    I love Nintendo's customer lose..loyalty program.

  • kinky_mong #12 3 years ago

    You could get the original (nigh on unplayable) Metroid by linking Metroid Fusion to Metroid Prime, or by completing Metroid: Zero Mission if I remember correctly. So I agree, this is an appalling "deal".

  • cerebralbored #13 3 years ago

    @LowEnergyCycle

    "Also, I'm not sure how you unlock it because I'm fairly certain I cheated with an ActionReplay code. I think you need to link up with a GBA or some-such nonsense."

    If I remember correctly, you needed to use the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable, a GBA (or GBA SP), and a copy of Metroid Fusion. Not only does it unlock the original NES game, but it also allowed you to play Prime 1 with the Fusion suit.

    Speaking of the Fusion suit, does anyone know if it's possible to use the Fusion suit in Metroid Prime Trilogy as well?

    Edit: kinky_mong beat me by a minute.
    Edited by 1 at 13/08/09 @ 13:41

  • Ranger101 #14 3 years ago

    So let me get this straight... Metroid Prime Trilogy is a game consisting of Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3. You also needed to have registered one of these seperately. And then you need to be in the first 5,000 to do so.

    So you need to be a dedicated enough Metroid fan to potentially buy a game(s) you had twice, and then quick enough to do so, and then you get NES Metroid for free.

    If you're THAT dedicated, you've already got Metroid NES. Guarenteed.

  • kinky_mong #15 3 years ago

    What's amazing is this isn't the biggest pisstake Nintendo have done with the original Metroid. About a year or two after Fusion came out on the GBA they released the "Nintendo originals" series and it cost about £15 to get the original game. Then it was a hidden extra in Zero Mission a year later.

    None of these avoids the fact that the original Metroid was pretty awful.

  • Santino #16 3 years ago

    i dont own nes metroid as i much prefer zero mission, although i have been tempted a few times for completions sake, glad i didnt now tho as i'll get it for free! soon i'll have every metroid game on one system, which is pretty damn great i reckon.

    apart from the gba ones obviously...i wish they would sort that out actually.
    Edited by 1 at 13/08/09 @ 13:55

  • Canyarion #17 3 years ago

    So... I need to have registered MP1 or 2 for the Cube, or MP3 for the Wii... and now I have to buy all 3 over again as MPT... And if I am among the first 5000 to do that, I get a game I already own 3 times??

    Great deal Nintendo!! And wait, that's not all... we don't even know if this works for the Dutch Club Nintendo.

    I own the NES cartridge, I have it on Metroid Prime 1, and on AGB (found it for €5). I beat the game on the AGB (I think I used a map, but I'm not sure). It's a decent game, but way too hard for comfort.
    Edited by 1 at 13/08/09 @ 14:06

  • superfurry #18 3 years ago

    Somehow I don't see that 5,000 limit being hit anytime soon. What a terrible deal. "We know you bought our games already, but buy the sames one again and we'll give you a ROM."

  • cherryuk #19 3 years ago

    This is poor!

  • Malek86 #20 3 years ago

    Crappy deal. Would it really have hurt them to give it away to those who simply registered the Trilogy?

    But I've already registered Metroid Prime years ago. If it's still valid, I guess there's no harm in registering the Trilogy too. That will net me a free VC game. Free stuff is always good, even if it sucks (let's face it, the first Metroid is possibly one of Nintendo's worst-aged games).

    Though actually, I'm still on the fence for Trilogy. I didn't like MP1 all that much, it felt a bit too slow, even for Metroid standards. Are MP2 and MP3 more fast paced?

  • dr_faulk #21 3 years ago

    "You must also have previously registered Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes or Metroid Prime 3: Corruption there."

    Fuck off, Nintendo.

  • Cloud-Strife #22 3 years ago

    NINTENDO STOP TRYING TO PAWN OFF NES METROID ON US!!!

    Sheesh there's like 60 different versions of it by now...and it was already an unlockable on prime ffs

  • Paulie_P #23 3 years ago

    Why don't they remake Metroid 2 with updated graphics. The original's identikit caverns made it easy to get lost.

    I tried playing through the original Metroid when I unlocked it on Prime 1 - I got up to Kraid then had my ass handed to me.

  • shotgun44 #24 3 years ago

    Seems a bit excessive for what you get out of it... hardly makes me want to run out and buy 4 games to get a game I probably have in a box in my wardrobe...

  • Oddly #25 3 years ago

    I can't believe how many people are complaining about Nintendo giving away a freebie. It seems to have got to the stage that if they included a £50 note in the box everyone would be saying it was ridiculous that they hadn't put £100 in.

  • spekkeh #26 3 years ago

    Hey whats the bad thing about getting something extra with your purchase, at least you get something for it, it may be mostly crap but hey its an extra

    Cause it feels like you get a turd with your large purchase.

    I know, I know, don't look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. But getting stars 'just for registering and visiting their website' is of course not free, they get your e-mail and get you to see lots of ads. Besides, a customer loyalty program should be some kind of incentive to be a loyal customer, but the stuff they give out is just not worth the hassle. All the time it took me to register those VIP cards, the money I spent on their games, the times I've been F5ing the horribly broken Stars shop only to find it empty after the site finally loaded... I make A LOT more money at work in an hour than the reward I got for the registering and as a reward for being a loyal customer.

    After a while I just couldnt be arsed to register the VIP points anymore, that's all. When Nintendo has a special gift for fans, they should do something people actually want, or don't bother at all.

  • spekkeh #27 3 years ago

    It seems to have got to the stage that if they included a £50 note in the box everyone would be saying it was ridiculous that they hadn't put £100 in.

    Oh yes, a free ROM, which probably hardly sells on the Wii shop, a copy of a twenty year old game, which costs them absolutely nothing, they give it to the first 5000 sods who've actually bought their game twice, that's almost like they're giving away a 50 pound note.

  • MiniAmin #28 3 years ago

    What are Nintendo thinking? Giving away this boring old game. This sucks. Who hasn't played...

    *Remembers that Activision exist - accordingly changes tone*

    Great deal Nintendo thanks :)

    Edited by 1 at 13/08/09 @ 16:46

  • smelly #29 3 years ago

    >This is poor!

    How the fuck is it poor?

    They're releasing 3 great games which few people bought in one box set with enhancements for the cost of a single game, and if you're the first 5000 people to buy it you also get a free copy of the original game?

    Only a complete fucking dumbass (or a fanboy of another machine) would say that was "poor".

  • smelly #30 3 years ago

    "they give it to the first 5000 sods who've actually bought their game twice,"

    And you'd do that WHY exactly?

    If you're stupid enough to buy the same game twice then that's your problem.
    If you want to buy it again because its a great game and you want the enhancements - then thats your choice and you're getting something extra.
    If you do want to buy it again - and let someone who never played the original games buy it - then what's the issue there (as you say, you dont want the original freebee?)

    So whichever way.. What EXACTLY are you fucking moaning about?

  • malexous #31 3 years ago

    You give them your money and you just might get NES Metroid. Can you really call it free?

    There is still no need for the complaining.

    I haven't played any Metroid game apart from a few hours on Prime 3. I'm looking forward to the Triogy set.

  • Oddly #32 3 years ago

    @Spekkeh

    What I was saying, and what you helpfully provided me with further supporting evidence for, is that these days some people would complain no matter what Nintendo do.

  • K-Project #33 3 years ago

    Jeesus! Generous fucking Nintendo!

    Way to win over those free-spending new fans. A free old game they'll probably have already off some warez site and lost interest in after the first two minutes!

    Smelly, I'm a massive Nintendo fan, but...this is poor. So nyahh.

    ;)

  • oerhoert #34 3 years ago

    I love NES metroid, it's hardcore and sometimes unfair, but like the old Zelda games, it has more pure wonder than the newest entries because the limitations of the game world are less obvious.

    However, as has been pointed out, this is not the best of PR moves. They should have just included it on the disc. I can see how Super Metroid is still worth money, but this is a commodity and it wouldn't cost them much to please the hardcore.

    I mean, I own all three Primes already, and I'm still considering Trilogy. I'm the one Nintedo should try to please with this.

    It's not that they're cheap, it's just that with the condititions given, it's bad PR. Something we haven't seen from Nintendo for a while, perhaps Wii Music/Animal Crossing notwithstanding.

  • electrolite #35 3 years ago

    Bloody hell Nintendo. I could overlook that it's not exactly generous but limiting it to 5000?! Come on.

  • owl #36 3 years ago

    remember getting ocarina free with wind waker?

    aaaahh, them were the days.

    although the complete prime trilogy in one box with added (awesome) motion controls is a pretty sweet deal to start with!!

  • spekkeh #37 3 years ago

    @Spekkeh

    What I was saying, and what you helpfully provided me with further supporting evidence for, is that these days some people would complain no matter what Nintendo do.

    O RLY. Read the part where I said I bought over a thousand euros of Nintendo published games (so that's not counting third party games) since (or mostly confined to, since I stopped entering VIP numbers) the gamecube era? I've been an N-tard since the NES came out, owned every console (except the virtual boy obviously), but MAYBE being a loyal customer I'd expect Nintendo's loyalty customer program to actually mean something.

    I wouldn't be moaning if they gave away the game to the first 5000 people to buy MPT, but only to people who already own at least one of the games, really?

  • spekkeh #38 3 years ago

    remember getting ocarina free with wind waker?

    Yes, that was awesome.

  • smelly #39 3 years ago

    >Smelly, I'm a massive Nintendo fan, but...this is poor. So nyahh.

    But you just said you wouldve gotten this game anyhow? So the "free" nes game (if you get it) is a bonus?

    I *REALLY* dont understand the complaining. I'm buying the trilogy soley because i never completed the first one, never bought the 2nd.. and want the online play... If i got the nes game - i'd give it away to a friend (via the gifting feature) as i already have paid for it on wiiware.

  • smelly #40 3 years ago

    "I wouldn't be moaning if they gave away the game to the first 5000 people to buy MPT, but only to people who already own at least one of the games, really?"


    it's to say "i know you've bought game x already.. but now you're buying xy & z together.. thanks.. here's a gift for your support".

    I own MP3 - I dont own the other 2 (owned the first one years ago but sold it - as i didnt like cube controls)... I'm all for an extra something for nothing.

  • Malek86 #41 3 years ago

    "They're releasing 3 great games which few people bought in one box set with enhancements for the cost of a single game, and if you're the first 5000 people to buy it you also get a free copy of the original game? "

    Correction: not just Trilogy, you also need to have registered one of the previous MP games.

    See, that's the part that bugs me. If it were a promotion for the release of Trilogy, they should have just given it to those who registered their copy. That would have been fine enough, I guess. Nevermind that it sucks, it's still a freebie. But for some reason, they also need you to have bought and registered one of their previous games.

    What's the point?

  • electrolite #42 3 years ago

    What online play?

  • robson_wii #43 3 years ago

    If you have not tried MP, Echoes or Corruption then it is well worth it. Dark, moody, some exceptional game play (maybe a little dated) and some great bosses. Should make the winter evenings fly by.

  • Rufus #44 3 years ago

    I'm sorry, but as a big Nintendo fan, this is worse than taking the piss.

    And as some of you have said, if youre a fan of Metroid, chances are you wouldve played the original anyway. I unlocked it on Zero Mission and I STILL don't play on it.

    If it were a free download of Fusion, then yes.

    And I hope you can unlock the fusion suit this time without fannying around with cables.

    /stops saying things which have already been said 1000 times better.


    FWIW, every year at E3 there's only one thing I want to see: A new 2D Metroid. Christ, Konami have been churning out Castlevania games left right and centre, surely Ninty can pass a new DS Metroid game out of its sand-ridden urinary tract. Rant over.

  • smelly #45 3 years ago

    >What online play?

    Im pretty sure Metroid prime 2 had online play.. (feel free to correct me) as I never played it.. So I presume (or HOPING) its coming with the wii version.

    >I'm sorry, but as a big Nintendo fan, this is worse than taking the piss.


    I *REALLY* dont see the problem?!?

    If you were going to be buying the trilogy anyways - what's the problem? It's just that, if you were going to be buying the trilogy anyways, but already own one of the other games.. you now get a free nes game.

    Probably not worth having. But it's more than you wouldve gotten before today.

    If I'm planning on buying (i dunno) a godfather trilogy next week. Then tomrorrow sony says "if you buy the godfather trilogy next week, and already own a god father dvd - we'll give you a crap gift".. I dont have a godfather dvd.. but i was going to buy the trilogy anyways.... No big deal. If i own a godfather dvd - but wanted the trilogy in a boxset... yay.. I get a free gift!!! Either way, i'm not moaning.


    This is definately a case of "stupid forum gamer logic" (tm) as far as i can see.. a lot of you are either moaning because the free gift isnt enough (when you were going to buy without the free gift before).. Or you're moaning because you already own the games and weren't going to buy the trilogy anyways... in which case.. erm..duh!


    Forum gamers really do confuse/worry me sometimes.

  • smelly #46 3 years ago

    "every year at E3 there's only one thing I want to see: A new 2D Metroid. Christ"

    You DID see this year's E3 which had the player playing on a 2d plane didnt you?

  • waggy79 #47 3 years ago

    So Smelly, you REALLY dont understand why people are complaining? Then i'll kindly spell it out. (just for the record i own all 3 consoles). Youve already registered one or more of their previous games, and will also be purchasing their new game. You will recieve a 400 point, terrible game that no-one is buying and has been released multiple times in different forms.

    If you believe this is a good deal and anyone who thinks otherwise is a fanboy, then you are a retard.

  • Meho #48 3 years ago

    I guess it has to do with the limit to 5000 copies, which makes no sense at all given that we're talking virtual wares here. It doesn't exactly sound like "here's a reward for your loyalty". It's more like "make SURE you race to the store on day one and get a trilogy, even though you already own at least one of the games, and we'll maybe give you a copy of a really crappy old game that used to come free with previous games anyway". This is why it sounds ike a bum deal to me. Granted, not something to stomp anyone's feet about but still a crappy promotional strategy. If you want to make loyal customers feel special, you give them something of actual worth. If you want to give away crappy old software as an incentive/ thank you note, than give it away to eveybody. But making it look exclusive (only the first 5000!!!) and it being crappy (relatively speaking, of course) is the one-two punch combo that pisses people off...

    Not that I personally care too much. I will buy the trilogy and I already have MP3 but I can't really be arsed about this...

  • spekkeh #49 3 years ago

    you got 5 points per day for logging onto there web site, not much but built up nicely.

    But there's the whole rub, logging into their website, is helping them. Rushing to get to the store quickly, and registering purchases on the website, is too.

    But meho summed it up nicely, I'll leave it at that.
    Edited by 1 at 14/08/09 @ 11:10

  • KDR_11k #50 3 years ago

    You could also buy Metroid for the GBA for 20€ standalone (or just get it with Zero Mission), not that that game is still worth playing. Metroid 1 is shit. It's completely unbearable today.

    waggy: You wouldn't consider it a bad deal if they didn't give it away at all.

  • Rufus #51 3 years ago

    Meho: +1

    @ Smelly,

    "You DID see this year's E3 which had the player playing on a 2d plane didnt you?"

    Yes, and I'm excited about it, but what you failed to quote was that I was hoping for a 2D DS Metroid. And 'Other M' isnt fully 2D anyway.

    At the end of the day, all freebies are good, but its the fact that you have to had bought and registered one of the previous Prime titles along with the Trilogy in order to get it i.e. buying the same game twice.

    Not having a go at you though Smelly :)


    Edited by 1 at 14/08/09 @ 12:03

  • smelly #52 3 years ago

    "So Smelly, you REALLY dont understand why people are complaining? Then i'll kindly spell it out. (just for the record i own all 3 consoles). Youve already registered one or more of their previous games, and will also be purchasing their new game. You will recieve a 400 point, terrible game that no-one is buying and has been released multiple times in different forms. "


    You really are a retarded f-wit arent you?

    You're getting soemthing for fucking nothing.. something you werent getting a week ago.

    Tell you what.. why dont you just buy the trilogy and not accept the free gift if you dont want it?

    FFS.

    And they say gaming is dumbing kids down!

  • smelly #53 3 years ago

    "Not that I personally care too much. I will buy the trilogy and I already have MP3 but I can't really be arsed about this... "

    See.. someone talking sense!

    But if you DID somehow get the free gift - you wouldnt be complaining?

  • smelly #54 3 years ago

    "At the end of the day, all freebies are good, but its the fact that you have to had bought and registered one of the previous Prime titles along with the Trilogy in order to get it i.e. buying the same game twice. "


    it's a small - albeit crap thanks to anyone who did buy the same game twice but wanted the trilogy.

    I own metroid 3, i'll be buying the trilogy. If i get something free.. great.. if not.. who cares - i was buying the trilogy anyhow..

    I *REALLY* dont get the moaning.

  • AnusMcphanus #55 3 years ago

    Wait, the original Metroid Prime already had Metroid one in the game! OK you needed a GBA and link cable to play it (I think) but surely that means that the wii-make of Metroid Prime should have Metroid one in it!

    If it was a free download of Super Metroid, then we'd be talking!

  • Tarpey #56 3 years ago

    For those people defending the crappy NES 'gift' that NOE decided to bestow upon a lucky 5000 of us with; consider the gifts being given to the US with MP Trilogy - Metal Case, Artbook, Poster and T Shirt. They don't give a crap whether you had the original games - just get a preorder in.

    What do we get? a badly dated NES game that has already had a bajillion more incarnations than anyone needs. If you believe this is a a good reward then you probably deserve this treatment.

  • Benraiben2k #57 2 years ago

    It is a good deal for me! I haven't played the original..I have registered MP3 and traded it in for close to what I bought it for ages ago... and I am getting trilogy and not played the 2nd before. All good for me.