Metroid Fusion is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo R&D1 and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It came out in North America on 18 November 2002, and the Japanese version followed on 14 February 2003. Yoshio Sakamoto and Takehiko Hosokawa directed it, Takehiro Izushi produced it, and Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara wrote the music.
Samus Aran investigates a space station infested by shapeshifting X parasites and is hunted by the SA-X, an X copy of herself at full power. A vaccine made from Metroid cells saves her life but leaves her vulnerable to cold. Sakamoto wanted an original story rather than a remake, and the team used Wario Land 4 as a programming reference.
The later Japanese release is the most complete one: it added a children's text mode and an Easy difficulty. The game has since returned on the 3DS Virtual Console through the 2011 Ambassador Program, on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2014 and on Nintendo Switch Online in 2023.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Metroid FusionJapanese Wikipedia gives 15 November 2002 for the overseas release | Game Boy Advance | Nov 18, 2002 | Nintendo | 1 |
| EU | Metroid Fusion | Game Boy Advance | Nov 22, 2002 | Nintendo | 1 |
| AU | Metroid Fusion | Game Boy Advance | Nov 29, 2002 | Nintendo | 1 |
| JP | メトロイドフュージョン | Game Boy Advance | Feb 14, 2003 | Nintendo | 2 |
| CN | —iQue release in China | Game Boy Advance | Mar 2, 2006 | iQue | 1 |
| JP | メトロイドフュージョンVirtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program (owners who bought the 3DS before the August 2011 price cut) | Nintendo 3DS | Dec 16, 2011 | Nintendo | 2 |
| JP | メトロイドフュージョンVirtual Console | Wii U | Apr 30, 2014 | Nintendo | 2 |
| WW | Metroid FusionVirtual Console | Wii U | April 2014 | Nintendo | 1 |
| WW | Metroid FusionGame Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online (Expansion Pack); Japanese Wikipedia cites 9 March 2023 | Switch | March 2023 | Nintendo | 1 |
Also known as: メトロイドフュージョン JP2Miteluode Ronge CN3
Box art by region
NA Metroid Fusion 
EU Metroid Fusion 
JP メトロイドフュージョン
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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TextGBA (JP)
The Japanese version adds a children's text mode written mostly in hiragana and katakana, with terms explained in brackets, next to the standard text. Its illustrations are based on a manga about Samus's past serialized in Monthly Magazine Z.2
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DifficultyGBA (JP)
The Japanese release adds an Easy difficulty missing from the earlier overseas versions; Hard mode unlocks after a Normal clear.2
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GameplayGBA (JP)
According to TCRF, the later Japanese release received some extra polish compared with the overseas versions.3
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Reception
Metroid Fusion sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide, including about 940,000 in the US by August 2006 and 180,000 in Japan by November 2004. It holds a Metacritic score of 92/100, Famitsu gave it 34/40, and it won Handheld Game of the Year from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.1
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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