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Metroid Prime Hunters is a first person shooter (FPS) released on March 20, 2006 on Nintendo DS, developed by NST and published by Nintendo. This episode of the famous Metroid saga is in line with the Metroid Prime games. Chronologically Metroid Prime Hunters takes place between Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, both released on GameCube.

We take control of the beautiful Samus Aran always hidden under his impressive armor. This time, our bounty huntress is sent by the Galactic Federation to the Tetra galaxy in order to retrieve the relics of the Alimbics, an extraterrestrial civilization that has disappeared long time ago. However Samus will not be the only one bounty hunter who wants to find the hidden power that contains these relics. So she will meet and confront 6 other bounty hunters that came from all over the cosmos. As powerful and experienced as the heroin, Noxus, Spire, Sylux, Kanden, Weavel and Trace will put spokes on Samus' wheels throughout her adventure.

The game makes full use of two screens of the console and of the stylus. Thus the top screen is used to the classic first person view of the game, and the bottom screen, which is tactile, can display the radar, and is used to direct the aim of Samus' weapons with the stylus. The touch screen can also perform many other actions, such as changing weapons, the activation of the analysis system which provides information about elements of the environment and the enemies, or the transformation into morphing ball in order to pass through narrow passages. However, it is possible to disable the touch functions if you prefer the old gameplay using the buttons.

In solo mode the progression in the game is quite similar to the GameCube episodes. We move through 3D levels by eliminating monsters and collecting new weapons and special skills, such as the Grapple, in order to gain access to new areas. We can move by using the four-way digital cross and shoot with the main weapon by giving small pulses on the touch screen with the stylus.

Metroid Prime Hunters has also a multiplayer mode in which 2 to 4 players can compete in closed environments. The multiplayer game can be done by connecting several Nintendo DS consoles and creating a local network, or via internet through the online gaming system called Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. On this mode, the players have the choice to embody, in addition to Samus Aran, the other 6 bounty hunters. Each character has its own characteristics (such as invisibility, the ability to climb on walls, ball morphing, etc.). However, in order to be selectable, these bounty hunters have to be confronted and defeated in the solo adventure.

Metroid Prime Hunters doe honor to the series started on Gamecube by proposing a game of quality, with beautiful graphics and a gameplay well optimized taking into account the features of the DS. The game also shines especially with its very interesting, and free multiplayer mode via internet.

Metroid Prime: Hunters reviews