Super Metroid Dependence is one of those SNES games that just sticks with you. You start off in this eerie, quiet space station—no hand-holding, just you and the hum of machinery. The atmosphere is thick, and within minutes, you're jumping, shooting, and rolling into a ball like some kind of intergalactic armadillo.

The level design is ridiculous in the best way. You'll backtrack through zones you thought you knew, only to realize you missed a hidden missile upgrade tucked behind some breakable blocks. And the bosses? Brutal at first, but so satisfying when you finally figure out their patterns. That first encounter with Ridley still gives me chills.

It’s not just about blasting aliens, though. The way the story unfolds through the environment—abandoned labs, cryptic Chozo statues—makes the world feel alive. If you’ve never played a Metroid game before, this one’s a perfect mix of challenge and that "aha!" moment when everything clicks.