Metroid timeline

This is the generally accepted storyline timeline of the Metroid series according to developers, guides and interviews.

• Metroid (1986)
• Metroid Zero Mission (2004)
• Metroid Prime (2002)
• Metroid Prime: Hunters
• Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)
• Metroid 2: Return of Samus (1992)
• Super Metroid (1994)
• Metroid Fusion (2002)

As you can see, it's not the cleanest timeline, but not as shrouded in mystery as the Zelda timeline. It should be noted that Metroid and Metroid Zero Mission are nearly the same game - ZM is a remake. However, Zero Mission includes an extra area at the very end of the game not found in the original, which is why it's placed after Metroid.

The timeline was originally very orderly, with each game just being Metroid 1, 2 and 3. Once Retro Studios got into the series, however, they injected a prequel in between the first two games. While not initially a problem, once they were asked to make sequels & spin offs, they basically kept injecting prequels in that tiny little time frame between Metroid and Metroid II. They even injected prequels in between their own games for more retroactive continuity fun.

Who knew Samus saw so much action between the NES game & the Game Boy game, huh?