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The Evolution of Samus Aran

The article on game aesthetics brings up some interesting insight on how current technologies effect the development and final versions of so many games. I think that the Metroid series is a great example of such a trend, and like Zelda and Mario, has made the successful transition from 2D to 3D. The Metroid series had huge obstacles to overcome by moving into 3D without lo features like already difficult jumps and of course the morph ball. The 3D approach has been to use first-person shooter for the majority, and transitions to third-person for ball mode, Screw Attacking, and some puzzles. This offers a great dynamic in gameplay, although the game still "feels" predominately like a first-person shooter. The latest release in the series, coming out this summer is going to cross the classic 2D style into the new game engine, and looks awesome. I think I might be getting a Wii!

Metroid(1986, NES)

Metroid II: Return of Samus(1991, Gameboy)

Super Metroid(1994, SNES)

Metroid Prime(2002, Gamecube)

Metroid: Other M(2010, Wii)




Samus Aran from original NES game's instruction manual...


Samus aquiring the Screw Attack in the NES classic.



The newer rendition of Samus from Metroid II: Return of Samus(still essetially the same up till today!)



A nice 3D Samus from Metroid Prime.





A screen shot from the new game coming out this summer, Metroid: Other M




And the trailer...

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aamagic2 said…
I would have considered Mario a better example of how technology defines the aesthetic of a character and game. Originally , Mario (or Jumpman) features were only defined to show that he had other features (or not to animate extra parts). For example, the mustache was to show that Mario had a nose and had facial features.
As time moved on, they emphasized those features and started showing more aspects about the character, till he is what we see him of today. So what began as constraints due to the processing power of the computers, are now converted to distinguish who the character is and what he looks like.
April 1, 2010 at 3:03 AM
aamagic2 said…
I would have considered Mario a better example of how technology defines the aesthetic of a character and game. Originally , Mario (or Jumpman) features were only defined to show that he had other features (or not to animate extra parts). For example, the mustache was to show that Mario had a nose and had facial features.
As time moved on, they emphasized those features and started showing more aspects about the character, till he is what we see him of today. So what began as constraints due to the processing power of the computers, are now converted to distinguish who the character is and what he looks like.
April 1, 2010 at 3:03 AM
Minh-Tam Le said…
I do agree that the character of Mario has evolved greatly throughout the decades. However, I would just like to comment about the beauty of the video posted. Games and movies like the new Samus Aran and Final Fantasy provide for consumers, like myself, a world so close to reality. It is so fascinating and horrific at the same time. I once read this novel about a boy who somehow brings a character in his computer to life. The cyber boy appears friendly at first, but in towards the end, he started dating the protagonist's older sister. To get rid of him, he and his grandfather tricked the cyber boy into a puddle of water, which leads to his electrocution. The artwork of games like Samus Aran is breathtaking and makes the fear of such fictions more realistic. The sound effects enhances consumers' involvement in the game even more. I don't know how much this has already increased game play and the idea that socialization outside technology is not necessary necessary.
May 21, 2010 at 12:25 PM
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