Fun fact: Fusion's translation was a bit borked. The original Japanese made sure to explain that the Federation is HEAVILY factionalized. The reason why there isn't much problem with Samus destroying the Metroid and X Parasite research program at the station is because the part of the Federation behind it is just one faction. The wider Federation have no real ill will toward her and the bad faction doesn't have enough sway to fuck with her. The English translation didn't get that explanation across which is why it seems like the plotline just vanished at the start of Dread.

If anyone's wondering how I achieved the GBA filter effect in the video. I actually turned the raw footage into a GBA-Video ROM that can run on actual hardware and then sent it back so it could be recorded in mGBA for a full loop. It's the second time I've done this little experiment for funzies.

I actually like Samus' inner monologues in the elevator: I get why they didn't bring it back for Dread, but I kinda wish they did

This was my first proper Metroid that I played when I was probably 9. I would also play Prime at a friend's house around the same time but this would be the Metroid that'd I'd spend the most time with for quite a while. While very linear and a bit long winded at points, Fusion is what a story focused Metroid should be and introduced a lot of cool elements that Other M would sadly botch in the future. Thankfully Dread would eventually pick up those pieces well enough. The X are hands down the best "force of nature" antagonist in the series (compared to Metroids and Phazon which while still good, don't go quite as far.) and they're also one of my personal favorite antagonists in fiction in general.

With the Metroid DNA “vaccine,” I’d think of it more like a gene edit and not an actual vaccine. The Metroid have a genetic characteristic that makes them immune to X-parasite infection. The funny thing is your mongoose snake example is a very apt analogy. Mongoose have a genetic mutation that makes them immune to snake venom and theoretically could be used in combination with a gene editor like CRISPR to give people immunity as well. Also the lore answer for the SA-X not being able to find Samus behind the wall is it cannot grab ledges due to the heavier suit, similar to Super Metroid. It’s also why the power grip is in Zero Mission.

Also, cool little detail: Ice X Parasite home towards you before you get the Varia suit, After you get and the first gets absorbed, they start fleeing like other X parasites.

18:18 to be fair, the Omega being weak to the Ice Beam could be one of those rare moments the Federation actually have a brain, since they could have deliberately added that just in case their homegrown Metroids got out of control

Fun fact: the SA-X can't chase you in the places you showed because it can't ledge grab.

I lost it when Johnny used "Forward and Back" again for the SA-X being dumb. 🤣

I find the linear, "go here next" structure is justified by the game being handheld. Imaging only getting to play 10 minutes or so at a time and then nothing for maybe a couple days. As a kid, I definitely appreciate that little yellow dot.

One of the best parts of Fusion's sound design imo is the Plasma Beam. "Crunchy" isn't quite the word for it, but how it just tears through enemies is conveyed really well purely from the shot sound and the buzzing it makes when it rips through them. It's so good.

The scariest Metroid imo. I loved the ambience in this game, the SA-X hunting you is always tense

YES!!! Nothing makes my day like Johnny reviewing a Metroid game!

In a way, I’m thankful that Fusion is as linear as it is. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t have lended itself to such unsettling setpieces and unique atmosphere that set it apart from its predecessors at the time. We wouldn’t have the SA-X encounters, for example, if the game wasn’t structured the way it is. I definitely wouldn’t want all the games to use it as a template, but as it’s own solitary experience, it’s a damn good game and it managed to shake up the formula even after following up Super, which was not an enviable task. The Fusion gameplay loop would later be expanded upon and refined in Zero Mission and especially Dread, but it was this game that laid the groundwork to begin with. Hell, we might not have even gotten Dread without it, seeing as Mercury Steam originally came to work on Samus Returns because of their Fusion remake pitch (their love of this game in particular definitely shows in Dread btw)

So a fun fact about the ending of Metroid Fusion: It was revealed recently, around when Dread was about to be/already released, the translation was actually over-simplified and omitted a lot of details. This included the mention of a splinter group within the Federation conducting illegal bioweapon experiments, and they basically wanted to stop Samus so they can keep their hands on those precious living murder machines. Absolutely nothing like what we got in the actual game where it sounded like Samus was going to be branded a Space Pirate. Don't worry, she was never going to be in trouble in the first place, there was just a lot of stuff lost in translation.

The EMMI sections in dread were tense, but SA-X was straight up terrifying, especially when you first encounter it

15:51 actually, i think the first red flag is Nightmare. Adam explicitly states it’s a military bioweapon that’s powerful enough to destroy the BSL.

After hearing "forward and back" again we need an album.

Insane to think we’ve finally got a sequel to this game nearly 2 decades later .

14:02 I love that this is a recurring meme on this channel. You're the man John!

Remember when due to a mistranslation, we all thought that Samus would spend the game after as a fugitive on the run?

Had to drop EVERYTHING. Johnny reviewing my favorite game again is a priority. Also Johnny said he likes me what a time to be alive

To this day it’s my favorite Metroid game. The dialogue might not be to everyone’s taste, but every word Adam says is providing new information, or foreshadowing something to come later. It’s because of the writing that the X are so terrifying, as they continue to evolve and grow smarter as they take more and more drastic measures to stop Samus.

"If I got bitten by a snake I don't think a Mongoose dna injection would save my life." Maybe so, but if it was a Space Mongoose on the other hand...

John Carpenter's Metroid is my favorite game in the franchise.

Ah, love the call back to the SGB let's play when you mentioned injecting Mongoose DNA at 8:51.

Shout out to the original Fusion review for inspiring me to try the game and get into this series.

Watching this after having re-watched your original Fusion review in anticipation really highlights how much your writing has improved since then, definitely worth the wait.

I don't remember whether I finished this or Prime 1 first, but incidentally I ended up playing them both around the same time...like 10 years late. But like John said, after I bet this one I started slowly but surely making my way back through the rest! Although I played 2 next, so my order is all sorts of screwed up...

Recently replayed Fusion myself, I definitely agree it's a great time. The fact that MercurySteam actually wanted to remake this game before Sakamoto suggested remaking Metroid 2 instead has me intrigued. I don't think Fusion NEEDS a remake, but in this now post Dread world....I don't know, I'm starting to feel interested in the idea. I enjoyed Dread so much, I'd be pretty interested to see what a remake would do coming off of Dread. I wonder if they'll ever return to the idea of a Fusion remake?

Good retcon on the part of Samus Returns: the Ice Beam hurts Metroid Evolutions in that.

Yeah Zero mission was actually my real first experience of the Metroid series and I enjoyed it. Especially as I know exploration was everything, but having an idea of where you needed to go- desoite the path being linear. It doesn't limit the player to go and still explore around the areas, picking up upgrades you wouldn't even think you would grabbed along the way or get by accidentally sequence break to get. O recalled from faint memory of somehow grabbing the Super Missiles and Ice beam very early on in Zero mission by complete accident, which had me thinking those were the upgrades I needed for the area I was heading into. Only for me to aqcquiring more upgrades and missile tanks and whatnot, yet no where near my original objective or location I needed to go. Which made the game enjoyable; cause I can still sequence break and find these upgrades, while still having a direction to go too- yet I don't HAVE to head there. I am definitely in the minority of "Just give me a direction to go, and I will get there...eventually." mindset XD As yes I have a waypoint to follow, but I can always go there whenever I feel ready. Which I like as it gives me freedom to do what I want, and not forcing me to go there. But when it comes to important upgrades or something I NEED to progress through the game WITHOUT a waypoint? Then yeah...I am going be a bit annoyed if the game doesn't direct me to where this important upgrade is at. I don't mind exploration and finding things on my own. But if your not going to direct me to where an Important upgrade/item is at that requires me to move the plot or game forward? Then I am sorry but your going to get more frustration from the players than satisfaction. At least only for 'important items and upgrades.' At least have them ark and I can go there anytime I want, in case I have used up everything in my current hand and utensil that's preventing me from searching for more hidden items.

The Game Boy Advance was capable of pulling off some really fancy stuff, and Metroid Fusion, despite its more linear structure, is no exception. It's even got a nice little bonus if you connect Fusion to Prime 1.

Saddened that a Prime trilogy re-review will take a while but really excited for Johnny’s Metroid Dread review.

Fusion was the first game that legit scared me. Even this day, playing it is difficult. The atmosphere is just unsettling and perfectly crafted. And it's a GBA game for crying out loud.

8:50 Interestingly enough that whole putting mongoose DNA into after getting a Cobra bite is actually the origin of the Marvel Superhero the Whizzer, who is a low leveled speedster and was one of the many fake parents of the scarlet witch and quick silver.

The results screen ost for fusion really is a haunting melody.

johny saying hes willing to play Metroid Prime Hunters again for us, as a fan of this channel since 2013, i felt that

Fusion was my first Metroid. I remember picking it up at a friends house when I was like 5. The game scared me shitless constantly, but I loved how around every corner there was always some new event or crazy boss to keep me going, and the linear scturcture helped with that, as I never got lost and never wanted to stop playing because of it. Fusion is a very important game for me, love it to bits.

Dread is a better Fusion, but Fusion does some stuff really well. The SA-X is well implemented, as it’s a dark representation of what the player usually is by the end of the game. It’s like facing Red by the end of Pokémon Gen 2.

Real fun to finally hear how Johnny feels about Fusion, also was surprised at the bits of FFXIV that appeared

That "Mongoose DNA" joke doesn't ENTIRELY work if we're being honest. The mongoose itself is immune to the snake venom and eats snakes, but it doesn't feed off of snake venom. The X-parasite itself is a group of parasite organisms that latch onto another organism, and feed off of it. The Metroid is not only immune to the X-parasite, but also eats the Parasites as they attempt to attack like they're the venom, in the only way they can. With that said, the reference to the SGB playthrough, where Greg made the same joke, put a smile on me.

4:05 Ah yes, Johnny without glasses and with hair. How times have changed.

I fucking love this game. Nearly twenty years old, and it's not aged a day. IMO, despite the linearity, this has the best bosses, pacing, story, and atmosphere of any 2D Metroid game, and definitely my favourite. (pre-2021, that is. Still not fully made up my mind on Dread)

The more I think about it, the more Fusion feels like an anniversary title, referencing almost every element from older games in some way. That's one of the most amazing parts of Fusion in my opinion

A million people are gonna bring this up regarding Fusion's localization but it should be clarified that the ones cloning the Metroid for research are said to be a rogue faction of the Galactic Federation. That detail is only in the Japanese version and was lost in translation. Will it matter in the grand scheme of things? Probably not since the Feds are pretty dumb, but I feel that needs to be pointed out. I recommend watching this video regarding the localization of Other M since it too was pretty bad (which was still Sakamoto's fault just to make a distinction here), and the Fusion bit is mentioned here which is how I'm even aware of it. I'm not trying to change your mind. Other M deserves a lot of criticism, but I feel this needs to be signal boosted so a conversation can be had. Oh and the infamous Ridley scene wasn't supposed to be a PTSD attack but one step at a time here. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gbqlgMmkvN3IYHk.html

Always puts a huge grin on my face when Johnny does another Exponential Entropy bit :D

Firmly in my top 5 favorite games of all time, so glad to see you cover it once again. Also the reference to Greg's Mongoose DNA bit was a great touch

Played this game a year or two ago and I absolutely loved it! Found a couple of bosses hard, like Nightmare, and I found certain techniques to be kinda screwy, but I had a fun time despite the linearity. It was somewhat refreshing to see not just how they implemented Super’s formula into the GBA but also new threats that, you know, weren’t Metroids. Also, if Johnny somehow reads this, I kinda wanted to apologize from that one comment on that one Game Theory video. Not only did I keep saying to myself about the theory itself, “That can’t be right. There’s no way at all that it’s even possible,” without yet playing the game, but I also but that connotation of seeing you as “the Sonic guy,” which wasn’t right.

The wait for this was more painful than it was for Dread.

I feel like the reason there's so many Power Bombs in this game is because Super Missiles might've been planned to be their own separate slot like before, but it was cut and just changed to an upgrade, but they didn't wanna get rid of all the rooms they had planned for it, so they just decided to make all of them Power Bombs.

one detail i absolutely love in this game is the Ice Xs. At first they attack you kamikaze style to hurt you with their cold temperature, but once you get the armor upgrade and they begin heal you... well, the cool thing is that at first they keep ramming into you, but after a bit they realize it's not working anymore and start behaving like regular x's... But the cool part is that the longer you keep avoiding them the longer they take to realize it's not working. That makes them so reactive to what you do, it's so cool

This is an awesome game, it is my favourite game in the Metroid series and may be my most favourite game of all time. I remember the first time I played it I got lost and then put it down, then one day I picked it back up again and found out where to go. From then on I was hooked and completed the whole game that week. That feeling of finding out your next destination is always amazing in Metroid games and does it so well here even though it shows you where to go, it's still amazing

This game was my very first Metroid game I played. I have a soft spot for the design of the Fusion Suit; especially the arm cannon and spikes on the other arm

I remembered when as a kid, I, for some reason, thought the SA-X had a chance to show up in any sector if I took too long in it. Man, that was a rush.

Even though it’s been a while since I last played it Fusion was my favourite & one I’d always go back to. The graphics, music, atmosphere & controls just clicked with me.

8:52 I don’t know what’s more ridiculous; the fact that “getting injected with mongoose DNA to treat a snake bite” is the actual backstory of a Marvel character named The Whizzer, or the fact that I can recite that information off the top of my head.

My first Metroid game, and it scared the pants off me! Finally got passed that one SA-X chase when my mom was driving me home in broad daylight. Game almost seemed silly in that moment, but playing alone at night with the sound up, that part had me shaking in my boots! To this day Fusion is my go to example of how to make a sequel linear and take advantage of it. If you're not gonna open the game up, then use the strict path to craft set pieces and pull the rug out on the player every step of the way. Fusion does that masterfully in my opinion. My second favorite in the series behind Super. Love this game.

Along with Metroid Dread, now we can play Metroid Fusion on March 9th, 2023 on the Nintendo Switch, as well as Metroid Prime Remastered which is an incredible remaster. But you probably already knew that...

Metroid Fusion was not my first Metroid game, but is my absolute favorite. I love everything from the design to the sound to the world building. It's truly the creepiest game, and I love that everything about it seems like a nightmare. If it wasn't for Dread I would be happy to believe the Fusion didn't actually happen and instead was some purgatory/coma nightmare that Samus was having.

I always figured it was implied that BSL installed an AI with Adam's virtual consciousness on Samus' ship on purpose, sorta like it was the only federation person who had a relationship with her so it was the only AI that would make sense to give to her.

I remember when I watched the SGB Review for Fusion almost 10 years ago, and decided to give it a go with keyboard controls, my hands hurt like hell. Went back to it later with a controller and yeah, this is definitely in my top 3 Metroid games. The atmosphere and tone are just so on point, and the game is very kinetic and fun. Playing this game is what got me to play the original Metroid, and now the rest of the series, and now I'm a genuine Metroid fan. So thanks for reviewing the game back then, otherwise I might've never gotten into this series.

Been watching through some old Johnny Vs videos- now I have a new one! Perfect timing

Hearing Johnny describe how the Adam scene happened just made me think of Taming from OneShot

Was pretty gratifying playing Dread about 2 hours right after beating Fusion

Man, these X Parasites are scary. Good thing we never have to face then again, right? Right?

I *LOVE* Metroid Fusion's atmosphere. And the music and sound design. All the bosses SCREAMING at you at all times are straight out of horror, but it also sounds like so much furious agony from you hitting them so fast and hard. Except for Nightmare. Fuck that thing. I have not played Samus Returns or Dread yet, but Fusion is right now my favorite 2D Metroid. Wasn't my first, but definitely my favorite. Ridley's scream still sets my hairs straight up. And the SA-X's foot falls haunt me. Love it so much.

Oh, nice timing, just as I get home from work and open youtube to look for something to watch, this pops up! My favorite KZfaqr talking about my favorite Metroid!

I literally just finished this for the first time yesterday. I loved it

"I'll be saving my Metroid Prime revisit for when Metroid Prime 4 gets it's confirmed release date." Soooo... never then

To add to this, the composers are Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara. Fusion was Fujiwara's first time composing (in fact, he went on to compose music for Super Princess Peach), but Hamano was involved with Link's Awakening before she worked on Super Metroid with Kenji Yamamoto (before going on to Zero Mission and Prime 3, and sound coordination with Dread). She composed the ambience for the research station, the wrecked ship, maridia, the boss battle themes, tourian's theme and the ending theme. In Fusion's case, I believe these two composed every song in this game together. Edit: additional possibly needless details.

First video I watched on your channel was the SGB review of fusion when it was months old. Here we are now. It’s great to have been on this journey with you Johnny. Keep playing Metroid forever. You are the best on KZfaq when it comes to it. Thanks for being a great creator for over ten years 🙏

In some ways, it's a good thing your taking your time getting to the Dread review. I just finished my Second play-through, and I'm Still finding out new things about it that the community is just being Awesome about. And Speedruns? Damn You all are talented. ...I'm gonna have to do a speedrun myself for completion sake. oooo boy.

14:01 For those wondering how much of a FF14 fan Johnny is. Absolute perfection! XD

This was my first metroid game. I loved it so much for the atmosphere and dynamic movement. Like you said, it got me hooked.

Hearing Experimen explain how early GBA games handled RGB values and Gamma correction might explain why we havent gotten GBA games on Nintendo Switch Online yet

The "Because I like you" part gave me some real AVGN Superman 64 vibes.

The Wii U is the best way to play Fusion. And Zero Mission. And the Prime trilogy. And basically most of the Metroid franchise. The Wii U is massively underrated.

Something cool about the varia fusion suit is that it is the same color scheme of the baby metroid before it takes its last hit from mother brain in SM.

Ah the Metroid game that got me into series as I got it via buying the 3DS early & getting the free ambassador games

I'm starting my first ever Metroid playthrough because of this marathon. I'm exciting to see the review of Zero Mission!

8:45 I don’t think it’s weird at all. Let’s say a Metroid was asleep, and an X parasite was attempting to infect it. The Metroid’s immune system would keep it from getting infected. Plus, this is Sci-Fi, the same type of Sci-Fi that would later give us Cave Johnson talking about Mantis Men after test subjects got injected with Mantis DNA. I don’t question this stuff, period.

Man, nothing is better than going on youtube and seeing a new Johnny vs. video being recommended to you.

Fusion is still my favorite Metroid title. While I think I did have the NES original first, this was the game that really hooked me. It was the first game I got with my GBA, and I enjoy it on a regular basis to this day. Well spoken, Johnny, you did it justice.

I always assumed that Mr. X in RE2make must have been inspired by the SA-X. I mean, they both share the concept of being chased by an unstoppable terminator. Hell, both instill fear and trauma into you with just their footsteps.

I still remember watching your AM2R and Federation Force reviews years back and i always wanted to try the metroid series but never knew where to start. It wasn't untill you recommended Zero Mission and Fusion for newcomers, so i got my GBA emulator and a rom of Fusion because it was the one that poke my interest the most out of the 2. And here i am years later, and im very happy to say this is my favorite title by a long shot. So i thank you John, for getting me curious and into an amazing series.

Thank you for bringing "Forward and Back" Back lol. That was hilarious!

One thing I really missed from Fusion in Dread is bosses changing colors the more you damage them. Not only was it a great detail to give you a sense of the fight's progression, but damn was it grotesque and terrifying in the best way possible.

This has been my favorite Metroid game for years but Dread is making a good argument for that spot.

And we're finally back to my first metroid game. So many memories with this one, I think this one was pretty great as a starting point.

FFXIV Alexander's forward and back song made me smile.

The game that introduced me to video games, and GBA SP was my first ever console that's also portable.

I literally just finished replaying through this game on my old GBA SP today, and I can confirm, this game feels wonderful on an actual handheld. Would highly recommend.

I NEED the forward and back thing to be a reoccurring meme. It's so fucking good and it gets me Everytime.

Cruise Chaser reference in my Metroid video! Classy as ever Jon.

"two more games before Dread". Oh-oh, he's gonna cover Other M.

I really want to play this after seeing its influence on Metroid Dread (just finished a 100% run).

alright this is my favorite Metroid outside of Dread, and the fact that you put Cruise Chaser music with it makes it even better, I love it xD

Love the mongoose joke being referenced from the SGB lets play

The first Metroid game I ever finished, still one of my favorite games of all time.