Metroid Database.com

I don't read too many blogs, so I didn't know about this until today. Starting at the end of last month, Jeremy Parish, former EIC of 1-up.com (and also owner of Metroidvania.com) has dedicated some recent posts on his blog into deciphering the nuances and subtleties of the first Metroid on the NES. His posts go into great detail on subjects like level design choices, item placement and importance, and enemy designs, proving that Metroid is clearly a game that doesn't get nearly as much credit as it deserves, and is seemingly overshadowed by its SNES sister, considered by many to be a masterpiece of game design.

As this is a series called "Anatomy of a Game," Jeremy has written 4 posts so far and plans on writing many more. They're truly great reads; and I recommend to anyone interested in critically studying game design.

• Anatomy of Metroid I: Welcome to Zebes
• Anatomy of Metroid II: Shafted
• Anatomy of Metroid III: Set up us the Bomb
• Anatomy of Metroid IV: Ugh, wrong way, slick

Looking forward to reading more, Mr. Parish.

--Infinity's End