Best Nintendo Consoles for Playing Every Metroid Game

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There is no Nintendo console that a cited official catalog proves can play every Metroid release by itself. For the broadest current coverage, start with Nintendo Switch 2: Nintendo’s January 19, 2026 catalog lists Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered, Metroid Dread, and Nintendo Classics versions of Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission, Super Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus, and Metroid Fusion. Add a Wii with Metroid Prime Trilogy if you specifically want the original Prime, Echoes, and Corruption releases in one package.

The short answer

Choose your hardware according to how complete your collection needs to be:

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Nintendo Switch 2 System	$499.00	Buy on Amazon
2		Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console	$339.00	Buy on Amazon
3		Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth	$617.98	Buy on Amazon

• Best single current starting point: Nintendo Switch 2. It combines three modern Metroid games with five Nintendo Classics entries listed by Nintendo.
• Best way to play the original Prime arc: Wii with the physical Metroid Prime Trilogy compilation. It contains Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
• Best collector choices for the earliest 2D games: Nintendo Classic Mini: NES and Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, although neither is a complete Metroid library.
• Best legacy Virtual Console route: Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS for documented releases of Metroid and Super Metroid. New purchases from their eShops ended on March 27, 2023, so these are now used-hardware or previously purchased-account options.

If “every game” means every title documented in the current Nintendo catalog plus the original Prime trilogy, plan on two systems: Switch 2 for the current catalog and a Wii with Metroid Prime Trilogy. If you only want the largest practical selection without collecting older hardware, Switch 2 is the sensible first purchase.

What “every Metroid game” can mean

The phrase is ambiguous because the series spans standalone releases, remasters, compilations, downloadable Classic versions, and older Virtual Console editions. Nintendo’s January 19, 2026 Switch 2 catalog confirms a substantial selection, but it does not establish that every historical Metroid release is available on Switch 2 or on any one console.

#1 Best Overall

Nintendo Switch 2 System

• The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
• One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
• Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
• Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
• GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play

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This guide therefore separates three kinds of access:

• Current Switch 2 games: modern or remastered releases sold as individual games.
• Nintendo Classics: older versions supplied through the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership. The catalog and service lineup can vary by region and can change over time.
• Legacy hardware releases: original discs, cartridges, Classic Mini systems, and Virtual Console software that require older consoles or previously purchased accounts.

That distinction matters when you care about physical ownership, original controls, collecting, or simply starting a game today. A title appearing in a Classics catalog is not the same as owning a cartridge, and a remaster is not the same product as the original release.

Coverage comparison

Nintendo Switch 2: the best current starting point

Modern games listed for Switch 2

Nintendo’s January 19, 2026 catalog lists three modern entries:

• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Metroid Prime Remastered
• Metroid Dread

These give a new buyer current-generation access to the latest mainline 2D entry, a modernized version of the first Prime adventure, and the newer Prime chapter. The catalog identifies them as Switch 2 options, but it does not say that they are bundled together, so treat them as separate game purchases unless the store page for your region states otherwise.

Classic 2D games listed by Nintendo

The same catalog lists these Nintendo Classics versions:

• Metroid (originally released for NES)
• Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance)
• Super Metroid (Super Nintendo)
• Metroid II – Return of Samus (Game Boy)
• Metroid Fusion (Game Boy Advance)

This is the strongest official concentration of classic 2D Metroid games in one current Nintendo ecosystem. Access depends on the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership, and Nintendo warns that service availability, storefront selection, and regional catalogs can change. Check the membership tier and the Classics application shown for your account before buying a Switch 2 solely for one older game.

What Switch 2 does not prove

The catalog does not establish that Switch 2 contains every historical Metroid release. In particular, it does not replace the Wii compilation as the documented package for all three original Prime games. It also does not make older physical cartridges, discs, or Virtual Console purchases transferable by default. The safe conclusion is “broadest current coverage,” not “complete historical ownership.”

Wii and Metroid Prime Trilogy

What the compilation includes

Nintendo describes Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii as one package containing:

Rank #2

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console

• 6.2” LCD screen
• Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
• Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
• Detachable Joy-Con controllers
• Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends

$339.00

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1. Metroid Prime
2. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
3. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

The first two originated as Nintendo GameCube titles, while Corruption was the conclusion of the Prime arc represented in the compilation. Nintendo’s product description says all three use Wii Remote and Nunchuk pointer controls and include enhancements such as widescreen support.

Why a Wii is still relevant

Switch 2 gives you Metroid Prime Remastered, but the Wii compilation remains the clearest documented way to obtain all three original Prime games in a single package. It also preserves the control design that Nintendo specifically associated with the Trilogy: aiming and interaction through the Wii Remote pointer, with the Nunchuk handling movement and auxiliary inputs.

This is a used-market purchase. Inspect the disc for authenticity and readable condition, confirm that the case contains the correct game disc, and verify that the Wii can read Wii software. A bargain copy that is counterfeit, badly scratched, or missing the required controllers is not a complete solution.

Wii setup checklist

1. Obtain a functioning Wii that accepts Wii discs and displays correctly on your television.
2. Buy a genuine copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii. Ask for photographs of the disc and label when buying remotely.
3. Use an original or compatible Wii Remote and Nunchuk, because the compilation’s documented control scheme depends on both.
4. Insert the disc, allow the Wii to recognize the title, and select the Prime game you want from the compilation menu.
5. Test pointer calibration and buttons before judging the game or the console; inconsistent cursor movement can indicate a controller or sensor-bar problem rather than a disc fault.

NES and SNES Classic Mini systems

Nintendo Classic Mini: NES

Nintendo’s original Metroid page lists NES, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U versions and states that the game was included with Nintendo Classic Mini: NES. This makes the mini-console a legitimate collector route to the first game, but it does not provide the later 2D titles or the Prime series.

Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo’s Super Metroid page lists Super Nintendo, Wii, Wii U, and New Nintendo 3DS versions and states that the game was included with Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is a convenient original-style package for Super Metroid, not a substitute for a complete library.

When these mini consoles make sense

• Choose one for display, collecting, or the original bundled hardware experience.
• Do not choose one expecting access to the complete 2D chronology.
• Check that the package includes its controller and required cables when buying used.
• Compare the total used-system cost with a Switch 2, because a mini console covers only one documented game in this series.

Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Nintendo’s official pages document Virtual Console releases of the original Metroid and Super Metroid on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS-family hardware. Those pages also state that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop purchases ended on March 27, 2023.

As a result, these systems are relevant mainly in two situations: you already own the software on an account that can still access it under Nintendo’s current policies, or you are buying used hardware with the software already associated with it. They are not straightforward new-purchase recommendations. Confirm what is installed, which account owns it, and whether the console can access the content before completing a second-hand transaction.

Game-by-game documented coverage

Which console should you buy?

Choose Switch 2 if you want one current system

Switch 2 is the right first purchase when you value current availability and want the largest documented mixture of eras without tracking down a Wii, cartridges, or discontinued eShop software. Budget separately for the standalone modern games and the Nintendo Switch Online membership required for Classics access.

Rank #3

Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth

• 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
• 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
• 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
• 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
• 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.

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Add a Wii if the Prime trilogy is essential

Buy or retain a Wii when playing all three original Prime games matters more than having a single modern console. The compilation is the only option in the cited material that puts Prime, Echoes, and Corruption together, and it preserves their Wii pointer-control implementation.

Choose Classic Mini hardware for collecting

The NES and SNES Classic Mini systems are sensible only when the bundled hardware itself is part of the goal. They offer documented access to Metroid or Super Metroid, respectively, but their narrow libraries make them poor choices as a first and only Metroid console.

Choose Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS only with a clear ownership reason

These systems make sense if you already bought the Virtual Console versions or specifically want a legacy digital setup. Since new eShop purchases ended on March 27, 2023, buying one solely to purchase those games today carries avoidable uncertainty.

Ownership, availability, and cost trade-offs

• Switch 2: Lowest hardware friction for a new buyer, but Classics access is tied to a qualifying membership and online service availability. Standalone games are separate purchases unless a regional listing says otherwise.
• Wii Trilogy: One physical package covers three Prime games, but total cost depends on used-market condition, authenticity, the Wii console, and the Wii Remote/Nunchuk combination. No current official price is established here.
• Classic Mini systems: Physical, self-contained collector hardware, with used-market pricing and completeness varying by seller. Each covers only a small part of the series.
• Wii U/New Nintendo 3DS: Digital legacy ownership can be useful for existing owners, but the ended eShops make new acquisition less predictable than Switch 2 or a physical Wii compilation.

For a complete documented setup, account for more than the console: membership requirements, controllers, display adapters or cables for older hardware, disc condition, and whether you want original releases or modern remasters.

A practical buying plan

1. Start with your must-play list. If it includes Prime 2 and Prime 3, put a Wii and genuine Metroid Prime Trilogy on the list immediately.
2. Use Switch 2 for the current catalog. Confirm your region’s listings for Prime 4: Beyond, Prime Remastered, and Dread.
3. Check the Nintendo Switch Online tier. Verify that the Classics application containing the five listed retro games is included before relying on it for Zero Mission, Fusion, or another specific title.
4. Decide whether original hardware is important. If not, do not add a Classic Mini or Wii U merely to duplicate games available through Switch 2.
5. For used purchases, verify ownership and condition. Test Wii disc reading, inspect Trilogy authenticity, check controllers, and confirm what software is actually installed on any Wii U or New Nintendo 3DS.
6. Keep expectations precise. Call the result “the broadest documented setup” rather than claiming that one console plays every Metroid release.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Assuming a remaster equals the original release

Metroid Prime Remastered is listed for Switch 2, while the original Prime release is documented in the Wii Trilogy. If original presentation, packaging, or Wii pointer controls matter, keep both options distinct.

Assuming Nintendo Classics means permanent ownership

Classics access depends on the applicable Nintendo Switch Online membership and the service catalog. It is different from owning a cartridge or disc, and the available games can change by region or over time.

Buying a Wii without the required control hardware

The Trilogy’s documented control scheme uses a Wii Remote and Nunchuk. A console without working controllers, a sensor-bar solution, or suitable display connections may require extra purchases before you can play.

Treating discontinued eShops as current stores

Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop purchases ended on March 27, 2023. Do not assume you can create a new purchase path after buying the hardware; establish whether the title was previously purchased and what access remains.

Final recommendation

Buy Nintendo Switch 2 first for the broadest current selection: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Metroid Prime Remastered, Metroid Dread, and five listed Nintendo Classics games. Add a Wii with an authentic copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy when you want the original Prime, Echoes, and Corruption in one package. That two-console combination is the most defensible route for broad documented coverage, while no cited source supports promising every historical Metroid release on one machine.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Nintendo Switch 2 System

The next evolution of Nintendo Switch; One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld

$499.00

Bestseller No. 2

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console

6.2” LCD screen; Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld; Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer

$339.00

Bestseller No. 3

Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth

$617.98

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.