Metroid: Zero Mission Joins Nintendo Switch Online With Unlocked Fusion Gallery Feature

Metroid: Zero Mission, the acclaimed Game Boy Advance remake of Samus Aran’s original adventure, has officially arrived on Nintendo Switch Online as part of the latest expansion of the platform’s retro library.

Debuting during a packed Nintendo Direct week, this addition reignites interest in one of the most celebrated entries in the Metroid franchise, drawing both longtime fans and new players to the digital storefront. Developed by Nintendo and released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, Metroid: Zero Mission reimagines the classic 1986 Metroid with enhanced visuals, refined gameplay, and new content that fleshed out Samus’ origin story.

Now accessible on the Nintendo Switch Online service, the game joins a growing collection of legacy titles, which recently expanded to include other fan favorites like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, and Perfect Dark. A standout feature of this latest Switch Online release is the pre-unlocked Metroid Fusion Gallery.

In the Game Boy Advance era, accessing this special gallery required not only copies of both Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion but also two separate GBA systems and a physical link cable—a considerable hurdle for most players.

Nintendo has built on its recent trend of making exclusive unlockables immediately accessible, similar to when Mario Tennis for Game Boy Color was released on the service with Nintendo 64 characters already available.

This move further lowers the barrier to enjoying classic extras that were once locked behind hardware restrictions. Multiple gaming outlets have emphasized that the streamlined access to legacy features represents Nintendo’s commitment to preserving gaming history and enhancing user experience for their expanding digital audience.

The company has consistently updated the Switch Online retro library, appealing to nostalgic fans while introducing classic franchises to new generations.

Metroid: Zero Mission’s critical acclaim is well-documented, praised for maintaining the core spirit of its NES predecessor while modernizing level design and story presentation. Metroid: Zero Mission is now available for all Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

This release not only adds value to the Switch Online service but also highlights Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to provide seamless access to iconic moments in gaming history without the limitations of original hardware.

With digital preservation and community accessibility rising as industry standards, players can now experience every corner of Samus Aran’s early adventures—no link cables required.

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