Metroid Database.com

25 years ago today (and about 14 hours earlier for those in Japan), the original Metroid was released to the world on the Famicom Disk System. August 6, 1986. 25 years ago today, kids in Japan were walking into the store to pick up one of the most unique titles from Nintendo. To think that 25 years have passed since then is truly incredible! I was just a kid and didn't have much inkling of what videogames were at that time (in 1986 America, the videogame was not a household object and a rite of passage for kids everywhere). It's also crazy to think that 25 years ago, some of the series' most loyal fans weren't even born yet!

So what can Samus do now that she's 25? Well, she had to register for the selective service when she turned 18, she's got a driver's license (and more specifically, her flyer's license) and she's been able to drink since she was 21... Well, Samus can now legally rent a starship. Yup, that's the big thing you can do when you hit 25.

Ok, so while the big two-five isn't a major coming-of-age event in our culture, but turning 25 is a milestone that's absolutely huge for something like a videogame. For a series to survive 25 years is incredible - especially if it has been pushing out titles on a fairly regular basis for all of those 25 years. That is more than we can say for the series' cousin, Kid Icarus, and is rather astonishing, considering the industry will turn 40 next November. It is a testament to not only the quality of the games but also to the loyalty of the fans.

Which brings me to the video you've seen above! This 25th Anniversary tribute to Metroid video was compiled by the great folks over at Shinesparkers and the Metroid Headquarters, which are also busily celebrating the series' 25th! You should REALLY check them out if you haven't already! And of course, it was all made possible through all the great fans who contributed, from the creators of the series and developers who have been influenced by it to people like you who are reading this right now! It's such a wonderful experience to see the faces of people who have been our friends on the forum for the past decade helping celebrate the greatest videogame series out there. I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to the video to make it as spectacular as it is, and a big round of applause to Darren for making the whole thing happen. There's no one else out there who could have done it, and we're all proud to have you as a friend and a fan of the series.

And, of course, a toast to Yoshio Sakamoto, Hiroji Kiyotake, Hirokazu Tanaka, Gumpei Yokoi, and the rest of the original Metroid team for making this happen, as well as to our girl, Samus. Here's to you, and to another 25 years of great games!

Now let's break out the Metroid party hats and enjoy the day!

Until next time...
Captain Commando