Before I get labeled as an N64 Hack reviewer, I decided to go old skool and play a NES ROM Hack.
At first, I was very confused. The copyright on the title page messed with my head. Could I really have missed a sequel to one of my favorite classics?!
A quick search of the game title confirmed it was a ROM Hack, not an official nintendo game.
This particular Hack is basically just a custom map, but it's very well done. The screenshot below is the start of the game. The red spheres are all over the game. You can shoot them and they re-appear after a few seconds. You can also jump on them.
If you grew up with an NES, you have the map of Metroid etched into your subconscious.
Playing the same game with a completely different map was not easy.
As if the game wasn't confusing enough, the powerups are totally out of order. The powerups are found in the red spheres, so they are easier to miss. [Some of them are in the statues like the original game]. If you play this ROM hack, shoot out every red sphere just in case you miss something.
It took me a while to find the first checkpoint. I was very worried that I didn't find the bombs you can drop when you roll around. I might have to go back. This game is similar to the original in the sense that you need to do things in a certain order.
At one point I got trapped. There's this block you need to bomb [I assume], but you can just shoot it. Once on the other side, I was stuck [below]. Luckily I could shoot out the sphere with the powerup and just stand there and take a bit of damage.
If I wasn't able to commit suicide, I would have has to restart the game. I have to assume this is a flaw in the map design ... this is the sign it's a ROM hack and not an official game. 😂🤣
Overall, I would give this ROM Hack a 7/10. Despite a few flaws, the redesigned map is very playable and cool looking. 😎 Like the real Metroid game, this hack will take me a while to beat. NES Metroid has a notoriously complex map. Like other NES games [Contra, TMNT] you are a legend if you beat Metroid, especially without a guide. Metroid Deluxe is no different.
