We recently launched our 1:6 scale META RIDLEY statue and fans of the franchise are ecstatic that the day has finally arrived after more than two years since the 2016 Christmas reveal. However, some of you may have never touched any of the 14 Metroid games before and are curious as to what the hype is all about.

Casual and hardcore gamers alike may have heard of the term Metroidvania genre before, a portmanteau of the game series Metroid and Castlevania. A plethora of games today take inspiration from and aim to be classified as a Metroidvania, which is a testament to just how iconic the Metroid series is in the gaming industry. That alone is reason enough to at least give any of the Metroid games a try. For today, we would like to do things a little differently. Instead of giving you reasons to play the series, we present you three reasons why the Metroid series left such an impact on the gaming industry that persists to this very day.

1. Non-linear exploration

Metroid (1986) wasn't, by any means, the first game to incorporate non-linear exploration into its gameplay, but it is the first game to do so that implemented this feature exceptionally. To say that the planet of Zebes is massive is an understatement and there are more ways than one to go about exploring each zone of the map. But, why the Metroid (1986) exploration stood out during its time is how it all unfolded itself to the players, which now brings me to my next point.

1. Upgrades done right

Not all rooms are as easily accessible as the next. Some even require brain work to figure out how to proceed. There are secrets scattered all over Zebes that, if found, nests permanent upgrades that may help players advance to new areas they otherwise couldn't have accessed without them. Even some bosses such as the mighty Ridley, for example, are too formidable that if unequipped will be as if running into a brick wall or will take patience to surpass. Exploring to find permanent upgrades to continue exploring to reach the end goal sums up the brilliance that is Metroid.

1. Turning a 2D classic into a 3D masterpiece

There was always some form of underlying fear and challenge to turn any 2D classic into a 3D masterpiece because the expectations from fans to feel that nostalgia as if playing the original are quite high. It would be a disaster to have disappointed any fandom, and many have fallen short of expectations, but Metroid Prime—the first 3D game in the Metroid series—was not one of them. Metroid Prime was a critically-acclaimed success across the globe and is arguably the series's most commercially successful title to date. The developers exceeded the public's expectations and came up with a masterpiece they can truly be proud of. As such, the game won numerous accolades and sold millions of copies worldwide and is considered a gold standard for anyone that wishes to follow in its footsteps.

Well, that is all we have for now. Hopefully, this convinces some of you to jump onto the Metroid hype. Our META RIDLEY statue is still open for pre-orders until the 22^nd of February 2019, and our VARIA SUIT statue is still open for waitlist. That still gives you plenty of time to try the series out yourselves. For more Metroid and First 4 Figures news and updates, please join our First 4 Figures Official Collectors Club Facebook group.