LogFAQs > #949608423

64. Metroid Fusion (GBA, 2002)

Only one off of a true crossover with Nee here for same game, same spot. Metroid Fusion is probably the most divergent Metroid game from the standard formula outside of Hunters (which sucks) or the spin-offs. Fusion has you progressively obtaining power-ups that let you travel to new places, yes, but actively blocks off large portions of the world map at a single time and has you following the instructions of a spaceship computer on where to go and what to do. It's fairly linear outside of a few sections that require you to find a hidden door the game refuses to tell you about, or the hidden pathways between spaceship sectors that you can use to get powerups in old areas that you'll never even encounter if you're just following along with the game. There are a wide array of boss fights, most of em pretty good, though the final couple boss encounters are pretty straightforward and underwhelming.
The main unique selling point of Fusion is its narrative, which starts with Samus tracking unexplained disturbances and explosions on an abandoned spaceship, building up to being actively hunted by a full-powered Samus clone (SA-X) across the ship. This plays out over a handful of "chase scenes" where you're suddenly dropped into an area with the SA-X's presence and have to hide or run away. These help add to the sense of tension and pseudo-horror-game fear that is unlike any other Metroid game, and they're excellent.
The game is super solid, has tight controls, a lot of hard replayability options (like 1% item runs) and is a fluid and engaging experience. It just never hits the highs for me of the best Metroid games and is far more linear and restrictive than most, which knocks it down a little bit. Still an excellent game, and representative of a really clever way to twist the series' formula.

63. Pikmin 3 Deluxe (Switch, 2020)

Almost undoubtedly the premier Pikmin experience. Game #3 streamlines the controls by making it easy to sort out Pikmin by color, lock onto enemies, and manage tasks by automating movement of your trio of captains. The cute and enjoyable storyline provides you with clear gameplay objectives while giving you the freedom to explore the multiple huge regions to find secrets. Fighting enemies and bosses has never been more satisfying - the aforementioned control options make it a lot easier to avoid catastrophic mistakes destroying your Pikmin horde. And the main bosses are quite varied, testing different kinds of management skills from chucking bomb-rocks to whistling Pikmin to safety to chucking the appropriate color Pikmin on a boss's weak spot. And the Pikmin colors themselves are easily best-balanced here, there are no colors that feel almost entirely pointless or way too overpowered.
Basically everything about Pikmin 3 was really good; it's a game that's incredibly easy to jump back into and play through for a few hours. I didn't end up playing this one until the Switch release, so I'm just including that version, which includes some extra missions and side-modes and consolidates the Wii U touch-pad controls into the on-screen interface. Ultimately, for whatever reason, I never found myself totally engrossed in the experience the way I was with the original when it first came out. I think all three Pikmin games absolutely have their merits and weaknesses, and while 3 is the most balanced and the strongest of the bunch, it didn't end up quite being the highest on this list.

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it's an underwater adventure ride