Metroid Super Zero Mission is one of those fan-made SNES hacks that somehow feels like it could’ve been an official release. It takes the tight controls and exploration of Super Metroid and remixes everything—new areas, tweaked power-ups, even a few surprises I won’t spoil. The first time I played, I got lost in some weirdly familiar-but-different corridors, and that’s when it clicked: this isn’t just a reskin.

You still start with the basic arm cannon, but the pacing’s different—some upgrades come earlier, some paths branch in ways that’ll throw off veterans. And the sprite work? Honestly impressive for a ROM hack. Little details, like how the charge beam particles look or the way enemies explode, make it feel polished. Just don’t expect it to go easy on you—some of those late-game bosses hit like a truck.

If you’ve ever wanted more Super Metroid but with a few fresh twists, this is worth the download.