Have to pick Prime. Since you can't pick for each game style.

Super Metroid for all the reasons that were already listed. I'd say that Zero Mission is a close second, it's an awesome remake. It still feels like the original Metroid but it's better in every way especially the level design and controls.

The new area was also nice and it's fun to do multiple playthroughs whether you're doing a speedrun or just sequence breaking.

I don't mind being challenged I just don't like lines like:

"It's incredebly imperceptive to say there were no signs of what the Metroid universe were back then."

"You may not have a problem with poorly written garble. Most people do."

And I don't like those lines just for one reason: they're completely skippable, but you use them to highlight your opinion in front of mine. They are not arguments really, just comments to make your arguments look bigger than mine. And maybe they're actually, but that's just pretentious. And I don't like that. It has nothing to do with being oversensitive.

Probably the BEST metroid is the first Prime. The story, scope, level design, graphics (for their time) and puzzle-solving were incredible. My actual favorite was Prime 2, though. It took everything I loved about the first Prime and made it darker, grittier, and more "cosmic."

That being said, as someone who grew up on the 2d metroids, I will always love Super Metroid and the rest of them. I just think the Primes are better games overall.

I am not, which is why I specifically referred to Prime 1.

I didn't use them to highlight anything. It was absolutely imperceptive of you to say that there were no signs of what the Metroid was back then. There were signs. Not seeing those blatant signs shows an incredible lack of perception and insight. Perception. The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something present. Insight. The capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of something. So I pointed that out. I wasn't highlighting anything.

You yourself admited the manga was poorly writen. The characterization of Samus in ZM, OM, and Fusion are all birthed from that poorly written narrative. If the manga is poorly written, everything written from the same building blocks are poorly written. These games didn't retcon the manga, they transported that garbage to game form. It the same bad writing. You said you didn't have a problem with that same bad writing. Most people do, because it's bad writing, and most people take issue in consuming that quality of writing. That's not highlighting an opinion. That's challenging your opinion, even when taken out of context the way you just did, they are merely challenging your opinion. When put in context, they aren't merely challenging your opinion, but concluding my argument.

I don't care if you think it's pretentious. I supported my arguments. I've earned that pretention. Earn yours and stop being oversensitive about being challenged. Challange back.

This is why I'm not cut out to be a mod, Star.

That was me saying that shots were fired. I haven't played AV, so I don't have an opinion on it.

I mean, I doubt it's better than Super, but who am I to argue against you?

Love Axim Verge, but no. It's not better than Super Metroid. Not even close.

As for my choice - Super Metroid - the music is haunting me, probably the most athmospheric game I have played. Lovely game.

For me, it's Metroid Prime.

From its masterful opening, with the wrecked frigate Orpheon filled with dead and dying Pirates whose injuries your visor describes in gruesome clinical detail, (I mean, you gun down enemies who have broken legs and can't escape, or who can't aim back at you properly due to brain damage. That's dark stuff) the game is a tour de force of atmosphere and immersion.

There are just so many masterful little touches, like condensation misting your visor as you pass a steam vent, your X-Ray visor revealing the bones in your hand inside your arm cannon, or the way that that electrical interference causes static. Seeing the world through Samus's eyes makes for one of the most immersive gaming experiences I've ever had.

The storytelling is also a stroke of genius; by conveying its narrative through well written scan logs, the story is never heavy handed or forced upon the player, yet those who choose to explore are rewarded with a rich backstory told from the perspective of both your allies and your enemies. In particular, hearing your enemies speak of you fearfully is immensely empowering.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that its audio-visual design is top notch, and it all glides along at a slick 60fps.

The end result is a masterclass in game design, the likes of which is seen only a handful of times in each generation of gaming.

Can't compare 3D and 2D... it's not even possible.

Best 2D Metroid is Super Metroid.

Best 3D Metroid is Metroid Prime 1.