DEVELOPMENT
How it was made
Nintendo R&D1 developed the game with support from Intelligent Systems. Gunpei Yokoi produced it, Satoru Okada and Masao Yamamoto directed it, and Hirokazu Tanaka created its sparse, atmospheric music.
EDITORIALLY VERIFIEDGAME00000004
1986
Metroid
メトロイド
Metroid is a side-scrolling science-fiction action-adventure built around solitary exploration, hidden upgrades and gradual mastery of a maze-like world. Its atmosphere and non-linear structure distinguished it from most action games of its era.
THE GAME ALMANACM
Metroid
1986
FranchiseMetroid
GenreAction-Adventure / Metroidvania
ThemeScience Fiction / Alien World
PerspectiveSide-scrolling
ModeSingle-player
Still holds upYes
THE RECORD AT A GLANCE
What defines Metroid?
Navigate interconnected zones, fight alien creatures, locate hidden upgrades and use new abilities to access previously unreachable paths.
GOLD STANDARD EDITORIAL
The complete Almanac record
The workbook’s long-form editorial fields are presented here as a readable feature rather than a wall of database cells.HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
Why it matters
Metroid helped establish ability-gated exploration as a major design approach. Together with later Castlevania games, it became one of the roots of the style now commonly called Metroidvania.
RECEPTION
How it was received
It was praised for atmosphere, exploration and music, though its lack of an in-game map, repeating rooms and limited guidance can make the original release challenging for modern players.
LEGACY
What it left behind
It introduced Samus Aran and the exploration-upgrade loop that later games such as Super Metroid and Metroid Prime refined. Its influence can be seen throughout modern exploration-focused action games.
SALES
Commercial record
This editorial field is not yet populated.
NOTES
Almanac notes
Original Famicom Disk System release: 6 August 1986. Nintendo R&D1 was supported by Intelligent Systems; Gunpei Yokoi served as producer. Directors and composer checked during Editorial Pass 001.
CONNECTED HISTORY
One game, many pathways
Every node links back into the live game browser, already using the relationships imported from the spreadsheet.PEOPLE
Creators and credits
Gunpei YokoiProducer
Hirokazu TanakaComposer
AWARDS
Recognition
Frequently cited as one of the most important NES/Famicom Disk System releases and a foundational work in the Metroidvania lineage.
RELEASE RECORD
Famicom Disk System
Release information is imported from the workbook’s relational release and platform tables.Release date1986-08-06
RegionJapan
EditionStandard
FormatPhysical
MediaDisk Card
Display240p / 60 Hz
LIVE WORKBOOK IMPORT