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Choose Metroid Prime Remastered first if you want a first-person 3D adventure built around scanning, atmosphere and navigating an interconnected world. Choose Metroid Dread first if you specifically want modern side-scrolling action. If your priority is following the 2D story from its beginning, start with Metroid: Zero Mission (Nintendo’s retelling of the original) or try Super Metroid before Dread.
There is no objectively correct order. Prime Remastered begins the separate Prime subseries, while Dread is a later chapter in the 2D saga. Your preferred perspective, pace and access in your region matter more than a universal ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Metroid Prime Remastered - Compatible with Nintendo Switch | $47.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Metroid Prime Remastered Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WaOVAna-L._SL160_.jpg)
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Metroid Prime Remastered Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $39.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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NIN Metroid Prime Remastered 12 | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.82 | Buy on Amazon |
The short answer
| If you want… | Play first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-person exploration and environmental storytelling | Metroid Prime Remastered | Scan objects and enemies, read the environment and reopen routes as new abilities unlock paths through Tallon IV. |
| Side-scrolling movement and immediate action | Metroid Dread | It is the current 2D entry, presented as a side-scrolling adventure on a sprawling planet. |
| The 2D story from its beginning | Metroid: Zero Mission | Nintendo describes it as a retelling of the original Metroid. |
| A classic 2D experience before a modern game | Super Metroid | It is an alternative starting point for players who want a foundational classic rather than Dread’s later-saga position. |
These recommendations reflect format and story position, not a claim that one game is better. Nintendo describes Prime Remastered as a first-person adventure in interconnected regions, with scanning and ability-based progression. Nintendo’s current UK catalog describes Dread as Samus’s 2D adventure.
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Metroid Prime Remastered: first-person 3D exploration
Prime Remastered presents Samus’s adventure from a first-person viewpoint. You investigate the planet Tallon IV by looking closely at rooms, creatures and machinery. Scanning is part of the exploration loop: it supplies information while encouraging you to inspect the world instead of simply moving from one combat encounter to the next. Regions connect into a larger map, and abilities acquired during the adventure open routes that were previously inaccessible.
#1 Best Overall
- Become intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran and explore an alien planet in this critically-acclaimed first-person adventure.
- Use and upgrade abilities like the Morph Ball, Missiles, and an array of beams to survive the harsh environments and lethal creatures of the planet Tallon IV.
- Gain abilities and revisit areas to uncover the different routes and secrets hiding in a beautiful-yet-threatening interconnected world.
- Scan your surroundings to gather information about the planet’s history and the creatures that call it home or to reveal enemies’ weak points.
- Choose from multiple control options and experience revamped graphics, sound, and unlockable art in this remastered classic.
It is the first game in the Metroid Prime series, according to Nintendo UK’s January 19, 2026 catalog article. The remaster updates the presentation without changing that fundamental structure: explore, learn how the world works, gain an ability, then use it to reach another area.
This makes Prime a useful test of whether you enjoy deliberate environmental reading. A door, creature or machine is not merely scenery; scanning can turn it into information that helps you understand a room or your next objective. If you like pausing to observe and then making a plan, the first-person format supports that habit. If you want every encounter to move at side-scrolling speed, the same deliberate rhythm may feel less immediate.
Metroid Dread: modern 2D side-scrolling action
Dread uses the side-scrolling format associated with the 2D Metroid games. Its setting is a sprawling planet, and its design combines traversal, combat and route-finding on a horizontal and vertical plane rather than through a first-person camera. You still explore and revisit spaces, but the information you read is conveyed through a 2D map, visible platforms, hazards and movement challenges instead of scanning a room from Samus’s viewpoint.
Dread is not the beginning of the 2D story. Nintendo’s Metroid Dread Report search extracts identify it as the fifth game in the commonly named 2D Metroid series and place it later in a saga that includes earlier installments. The relevant Nintendo reports are Volume 3, Volume 4 and Volume 9. Those extracts establish the broad series context; they should not be treated as a complete chronology by themselves.
Therefore, Dread is a strong choice for a player who wants a contemporary 2D game, but it is a different recommendation from “start the franchise at its beginning.” You can enjoy its side-scrolling presentation first and fill in the earlier story later, or you can approach it after the earlier 2D installments if continuity is your main concern.
How the exploration feels different
| Exploration question | Prime Remastered | Dread and the 2D approach |
|---|---|---|
| What is your viewpoint? | First-person 3D; you look around each space directly. | Side-scrolling 2D; your position, platforms and routes are visible in the playfield. |
| How do you learn about the world? | Scan objects and enemies for information and clues. | Read the environment through movement routes, map layout, hazards and encounters; the material reviewed here does not establish a matching scan system. |
| How does progression work? | New abilities open paths through interconnected Tallon IV regions. | Exploration and action take place across a large planetary environment; exact progression details vary by the 2D installment. |
| What makes backtracking meaningful? | Returning to earlier regions after acquiring abilities can reveal newly reachable routes. | Revisiting areas is part of the 2D exploration tradition, but the cited material does not support a like-for-like comparison of map rules or traversal speed. |
Pick Prime if you enjoy stopping to inspect a door, creature or piece of machinery and deciding what its details mean. Pick Dread if you prefer reading a route through movement: finding a ledge, opening a passage and reacting immediately to what appears on screen. Both games use exploration as a central idea, but they ask your attention to work in different ways.
The distinction also affects how you handle uncertainty. Prime’s first-person view asks you to look around a three-dimensional room and remember how spaces connect. Dread puts more of the route in front of you at once, so the challenge is often interpreting platforms, passages and hazards while moving through them. Neither approach is automatically simpler; they reward different kinds of concentration.
Which game is the better story starting point?
If you want the Prime subseries in order
Start with Prime Remastered. Nintendo identifies it as the first Prime game, so it is the straightforward entry point for that first-person branch. You do not need to complete the 2D games before beginning it; the Prime recommendation is about subseries order and format, not a prerequisite checklist.
If you want the 2D saga in order
Dread is a later chapter, not the chronological opening. Start with Zero Mission if you want Nintendo’s retelling of the original Metroid, then move through the earlier 2D installments as your time and access allow. Super Metroid is another strong classic starting point if you would rather begin with a landmark older game than a remake-style retelling.
The exact order of every 2D title is more involved than the choice between Prime and Dread. The important decision here is whether you want to enter that saga near its beginning or jump to its modern fifth chapter. Starting with Dread will give you a contemporary 2D game, but it will not give you the complete opening context of the 2D storyline.
If story order is secondary
You can choose entirely by controls and presentation. Prime Remastered and Dread are different expressions of the same broad exploration DNA, so a newcomer who prefers first-person games can begin with Prime without feeling that they have made a wrong chronological choice. A player who mainly wants side-scrolling action can begin with Dread and return to earlier games later.
A split approach is also reasonable: play the title that matches your preferred controls now, and treat chronology as a second project. The games are separate entry points rather than a single purchase that must be completed in one uninterrupted sequence. This is particularly useful when your local catalog offers one game immediately but places the older 2D titles behind a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Rank #2
- Become intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran and explore an alien planet in this critically-acclaimed first-person adventure
- Use and upgrade abilities like the Morph Ball, Missiles, and an array of beams to survive the harsh environments and lethal creatures of the planet Tallon IV
- Gain abilities and revisit areas to uncover the different routes and secrets hiding in a beautiful-yet-threatening interconnected world
- Scan your surroundings to gather information about the planet’s history and the creatures that call it home or to reveal enemies’ weak points
- Choose from multiple control options and experience revamped graphics, sound, and unlockable art in this remastered classic
Controls, difficulty and presentation
Prime Remastered’s options
Nintendo’s US product page lists modern dual-analog controls, nostalgic alternative control schemes, remastered visuals and remastered audio. It also lists multiple difficulty options, including Casual difficulty, which reduces incoming combat damage. That combination makes Prime Remastered a flexible first-person entry: you can use a contemporary control layout or select an older style, and you can lower combat pressure without changing the recommendation’s exploration focus.
The page lists a February 8, 2023 release date for the Nintendo Switch version. It also states that the game is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 and behaves consistently there. Compatibility and catalog information can change by territory, so treat the US listing as evidence for that platform behavior rather than as a guarantee about local retail or eShop terms.
What is and is not established for Dread
The current official material used here highlights Dread’s 2D format and a free demo on Nintendo UK’s catalog page. It does not provide a like-for-like control or difficulty comparison with Prime Remastered. Do not choose Dread on the assumption that it is officially easier or harder; choose it because you want side-scrolling play, then use the demo where it is offered to confirm that the movement and presentation suit you.
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Where you can play them now
Availability depends on your country, Nintendo account region, edition and subscription tier. Nintendo UK’s January 19, 2026 catalog page lists Prime Remastered and Dread for Nintendo Switch and lists classic Metroid games through Nintendo Classics for Switch Online members. The page is UK-specific, while the Prime product page cited above is from Nintendo of America.
| Game or route | Official information available | What to verify locally |
|---|---|---|
| Metroid Prime Remastered | Nintendo’s US store lists the Switch release, February 8, 2023 release date and Switch 2 compatibility. | Your regional eShop, physical edition availability and local pricing. |
| Metroid Dread | Nintendo UK’s January 2026 catalog lists the Switch game and links a free demo. | Whether the demo and game are offered in your country and account region. |
| Metroid: Zero Mission | Nintendo UK lists it in the Nintendo Classics section and describes it as a retelling of the original. | The required Switch Online membership, catalog tier and regional availability. |
| Super Metroid | Nintendo UK lists it in Nintendo Classics for Switch Online members. | Whether the title is included in your territory and subscription tier. |
| Other classic entries | Nintendo UK also lists Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus and Fusion in its Nintendo Classics section. | Local catalog, language, membership and platform terms. |
Do not infer a universal subscription catalog from the UK page. Check your local Nintendo store before buying a membership or planning a play order. Likewise, the cited material does not establish current physical stock or prices, so those details should be checked separately for your region.
For a purchase decision, separate the game choice from the access route. Prime Remastered and Dread are individual Switch releases, while the classic options may require an active Switch Online membership and the appropriate catalog tier. A membership can be useful if you intend to sample several listed classics, but the value depends on your territory and whether those specific games are included. No reliable universal price comparison is available, so avoid treating one route as cheaper without checking your own store.
A decision framework for first-time players
Choose Prime Remastered when most of these statements fit
- You want to see the world through Samus’s first-person visor.
- You enjoy scanning objects and enemies for information.
- You prefer a slower loop of observation, route planning and revisiting connected areas.
- You want the first entry in the Prime subseries.
- You value dual-analog controls, alternative classic control schemes and a Casual option that reduces incoming combat damage.
- You are comfortable beginning with a 3D branch of the franchise rather than the 2D saga’s opening chapter.
Choose Dread when most of these statements fit
- You specifically want side-scrolling 2D action.
- You prefer movement and route-finding presented directly on the screen rather than through a first-person camera.
- You want a current 2D game and can accept entering a later point in that saga.
- Your regional Nintendo catalog offers the game or its demo, allowing you to check the format before committing.
Choose Zero Mission or Super Metroid first when these statements fit
- You want to understand the 2D storyline from an earlier point.
- You would rather begin with Nintendo’s retelling of the original than with Dread’s later chapter.
- You are interested in a classic 2D game and have the relevant Nintendo Classics access in your region.
Use this 60-second checklist
- Choose a viewpoint. If first-person 3D is the appeal, select Prime Remastered. If side-scrolling is non-negotiable, select Dread or an earlier 2D title.
- Choose a story position. Prime Remastered starts its own Prime subseries. Dread enters the 2D saga later. Zero Mission and Super Metroid move you closer to the beginning of that 2D line.
- Choose your desired pace. Prime emphasizes scanning, observation and connected-region navigation. Dread emphasizes direct 2D traversal and action.
- Check access before paying. Verify your regional Nintendo listing, any demo, physical or digital edition, and the Switch Online tier required for classic games.
- Use flexibility where available. Prime’s dual-analog, classic schemes and Casual option let you adjust the first-person experience. Dread’s UK listing includes a free demo, but availability must be confirmed locally.
This process avoids a common mistake: asking which title is “best” before identifying what you want from the first session. The correct first game is the one whose viewpoint, saga position and access conditions line up with your priorities.
Three sensible play orders
The modern-format sampler
- Play Prime Remastered to experience the first-person exploration branch.
- Play Dread to experience the modern side-scrolling branch.
- Return to Zero Mission or Super Metroid if the 2D format or story history interests you.
This route lets you compare the two perspectives immediately without requiring a long back-catalog commitment.
The Prime-first order
- Begin with Prime Remastered.
- Continue through other Prime entries only if you want more of that subseries.
- Start the 2D line separately with Zero Mission or Super Metroid, then reach Dread later.
Use this order when first-person exploration is the main reason you are interested in Metroid.
The 2D-story order
- Begin with Zero Mission, Nintendo’s retelling of the original.
- Use the classic catalog to explore earlier 2D installments that are available to you, including Super Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus and Fusion.
- Play Dread as the later 2D chapter.
- Try Prime Remastered separately when you want the 3D first-person interpretation.
This is the most coherent route for a reader whose priority is the 2D saga rather than a quick comparison of formats.
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The access-first order
- Check your local Nintendo catalog and identify which of Prime Remastered, Dread, a Dread demo or classic titles is immediately available.
- Start with the available game that matches your preferred perspective.
- Use a Switch Online classic catalog only after confirming the necessary membership and regional tier.
- Revisit the other branch when it becomes accessible, without treating the first purchase as a permanent commitment to one format.
This order is sensible when regional availability, an existing membership or a current demo matters more than a theoretical ideal sequence.
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Common mistakes when choosing
Assuming “2D” means “beginning of the story”
Dread’s side-scrolling format does not make it the first 2D installment. Nintendo’s report extracts identify it as the fifth commonly named 2D game. If chronology matters, start earlier with Zero Mission or another available classic.
Treating Prime as a completely different kind of Metroid
The camera and controls change, but Prime still centers exploration, ability-gated routes and learning an interconnected environment. Choose it for its presentation, not because you expect the exploration DNA to disappear.
Using one region’s access information everywhere
The January 2026 catalog evidence is from Nintendo UK, while the Prime store details are from Nintendo of America. Demos, classic catalogs, membership tiers, physical editions and prices can differ by territory. Confirm your local Nintendo listing before relying on any access route.
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The cited official material documents Prime Remastered’s Casual option but does not establish a comparable Dread difficulty judgment. Avoid choosing solely on an assumption that one game is officially easier.
Confusing a subseries order with a franchise-wide order
Prime Remastered being first in the Prime series does not make it the first 2D story installment. Conversely, Dread’s place as a later 2D chapter does not prevent it from being a perfectly reasonable first Metroid game for someone who wants modern side-scrolling action. Keep those two kinds of order separate.
Assuming a listing confirms price or stock
The official pages establish platform and catalog information, not a universal current price, physical inventory or retailer promotion. Check your local eShop and retailers for those details, and do not assume a UK membership catalog or a US store listing applies to your account.
Frequently asked questions
Is Metroid Prime Remastered the first Metroid game I should play?
It is the clearest first choice if you want first-person 3D exploration. Nintendo identifies it as the first entry in the Prime series. It is not required that you play earlier 2D games first.
Is Metroid Dread the first 2D Metroid game?
No. Nintendo’s Dread Report extracts identify it as the fifth commonly named 2D Metroid game. Choose Zero Mission for Nintendo’s retelling of the original, or choose Super Metroid as an alternative classic starting point.
Can I play Dread before the earlier 2D games?
Yes, if your priority is modern side-scrolling action. You will be entering a later point in the saga, however, so players focused on story context should begin with an earlier available title.
Do I need to play 2D Metroid before Prime Remastered?
No prerequisite is established for starting Prime Remastered. It begins the Prime subseries and can be approached as its own first-person branch.
Which game has scanning?
Prime Remastered explicitly uses scanning of objects and enemies as part of its exploration and information loop. The material available for Dread supports its 2D exploration format but does not establish a matching scan system.
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Which game is easier?
Do not make a universal comparison from the available official descriptions. Prime Remastered offers multiple difficulty options, including Casual, which reduces incoming combat damage. The cited Dread information does not provide a like-for-like difficulty judgment.
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- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Can I play these on Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo’s US Prime listing says Metroid Prime Remastered is compatible with Switch 2 and behaves consistently there. Confirm the current listing for your region and check the local information for Dread and classic titles.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online for Prime Remastered or Dread?
The cited catalog lists Prime Remastered and Dread as Switch games. Nintendo UK lists classic titles such as Zero Mission, Super Metroid, Metroid, Metroid II – Return of Samus and Fusion through Nintendo Classics for Switch Online members. Membership, tier and availability vary by territory.
Is a physical copy or a digital copy better?
No universal recommendation follows from the cited information. Check your regional eShop, physical availability and price, then choose the format that suits your account and collection. Current stock and pricing are region-dependent.
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For a first-person adventure with scanning, atmosphere and interconnected 3D exploration, play Metroid Prime Remastered first. For modern side-scrolling action, play Metroid Dread. For the 2D story from an earlier point, begin with Zero Mission or choose Super Metroid as a classic alternative. None of these choices is a mistake: they answer different questions about how you want to enter the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metroid Prime Remastered the first Metroid game I should play?
It is the clearest first choice if you want first-person 3D exploration. Nintendo identifies it as the first entry in the Prime series, and you do not need to finish the 2D games first.
Is Metroid Dread the first 2D Metroid game?
No. Nintendo’s Dread Report extracts identify it as the fifth commonly named 2D Metroid game. Zero Mission retells the original, while Super Metroid is another classic starting point.
Can I play Dread before earlier 2D games?
Yes, if modern side-scrolling action is your priority. It is still a later chapter, so players who want more story context should begin with an earlier available 2D title.
Which game includes scanning?
Prime Remastered explicitly uses scanning of objects and enemies to provide information during exploration. The cited Dread material establishes its 2D format but not a matching scan system.
Which game is easier?
Prime Remastered offers multiple difficulty options, including Casual, which reduces incoming combat damage. The available official Dread description does not support a direct easier-versus-harder comparison.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?
Prime Remastered and Dread are listed as Switch games. Nintendo UK lists classic games such as Zero Mission and Super Metroid through Nintendo Classics for Switch Online members. Confirm your territory and subscription tier.
Can I play Prime Remastered on Switch 2?
Nintendo’s US listing says Prime Remastered is Switch 2 compatible and behaves consistently there. Verify current regional information before purchase.
The Bottom Line
Start with Prime Remastered for first-person exploration and scanning, Dread for modern 2D action, or Zero Mission/Super Metroid for an earlier 2D story entry. Check your regional Nintendo catalog, demo availability and Switch Online terms before buying.
Quick Recap
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.
