Nintendo fans have patiently waited for a 2D Metroid experience to land on either Wii U or 3DS, and their prayers will be answered on Sept. 1 when Axiom Verge is released for Wii U. While Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to enjoy Metroid Prime: Federation Force later this week, it will be Wii U owners that get to experience the classic 2D gameplay and exploration of a Metroid-inspired title early next month. Axiom Verge saw release for PS4 and other platforms in 2015, but the Wii U version of the game will have exclusive features – thus making it the best version.
What makes the Wii U version of Axiom Verge the best version can be attributed to several key factors. The first being that it is the only console version to support leaderboards for the dedicated Speedrun Mode. Secondly, the Wii U GamePad will have the world map viewable at all times. Lastly, players can play the entire game on the GamePad, courtesy of Off-TV Play.
It has been a number of years since Nintendo released a 2D Metroid title. The last original 2D Metroid being Metroid Fusion – also known as Metroid 4, for the Game Boy Advance. The title released in November of 2002 and is widely considered by many to be one of the best entries to the franchise. In 2004, Nintendo followed up by releasing a remake of the original Metroid game for the GBA – aptly named Metroid: Zero Mission.
Both Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion are available on the Wii U eShop.