Metroid: Zero Mission is a Game Boy Advance remake of the original 1986 Metroid, developed by Nintendo R&D1 and published by Nintendo. It was released in North America on 9 February 2004 and in Japan on 27 May 2004. Yoshio Sakamoto directed and wrote it, Takehiro Izushi produced it, and Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano composed the music.
The remake retells Samus Aran's first mission with updated visuals and gameplay, and adds a new stealth sequence near the end in which Samus has lost her Power Suit. Finishing the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid, and linking the cartridge with Metroid Fusion opens Fusion's gallery illustrations.
The game later appeared on the Wii U Virtual Console between 2014 and 2016 and joined Nintendo Switch Online on 19 June 2024.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Metroid: Zero Mission | Game Boy Advance | Feb 9, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| NA | Metroid: Zero MissionVirtual Console | Wii U | Jan 14, 2016 | Nintendo | 1 |
| AU | Metroid: Zero Mission | Game Boy Advance | Mar 19, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| EU | Metroid: Zero Mission | Game Boy Advance | Apr 8, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| JP | メトロイド ゼロミッション | Game Boy Advance | May 27, 2004 | Nintendo | 2 |
| JP | メトロイド ゼロミッションVirtual Console | Wii U | Jun 19, 2014 | Nintendo | 2 |
| EU | Metroid: Zero MissionVirtual Console | Wii U | Mar 12, 2015 | Nintendo | 1 |
| WW | Metroid: Zero MissionGame Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online (Expansion Pack); announced in a Nintendo Direct on 18 June 2024 | Switch | Jun 19, 2024 | Nintendo | 1 |
Also known as: メトロイド ゼロミッション JP2
Box art by region
NA Metroid: Zero Mission 
EU Metroid: Zero Mission 
JP メトロイド ゼロミッション
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
-
ContentGBA (all regions)
Zero Mission remakes the 1986 Metroid with new visuals and adds a stealth sequence in which Samus, without her Power Suit, has to crawl through ducts.1
-
ContentGBA (all regions)
Finishing the game unlocks an emulated copy of the original Metroid. Even the Japanese release uses the overseas NES version, which saves progress with passwords.2
-
ContentGBA (all regions)
Linking the cartridge with Metroid Fusion by Game Link Cable unlocks Fusion's gallery illustrations.1
Where to play legally today
-
Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Reception
By February 2005 Zero Mission had sold more than 439,000 copies in the US, including 151,807 in its debut month, and more than 69,000 in Japan. It holds a Metacritic score of 89/100, and Famitsu gave it 34/40.1
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
Spotted a mistake? Write to atlas@old-games.net.