If you can’t play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond because you don’t have a Switch 2—or you’re like me and can’t find your right JoyCon for your OG Switch—but you’re itching to get into Samus’ boots (because, let’s face it, who isn’t?), then allow me to recommend a game to help quench that thirst—Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Why not Prime 3 or the original Prime? Well, in my opinion, Prime 2 might actually be my favourite from the original trilogy. 

Taking place on the planet Aether, Echoes has you once again take on the Space Pirates, who have made a base on this planet for the purpose of collecting Phazon (I swear, these Pirates and their Phazon. Did they not learn from Tallon IV?). What you and the Space Pirates don’t know, however, is that Aether has a dark history. The planet’s energy was split in two due to a meteor, creating a dark alternate dimension—an alternate dimension whose beings are ruthless and intend to kill its inhabitants, the Luminoth, and anything that stands in their way—you, of course, are one of those anything’s.

The narrative of Echoes grips you from the get-go and is so brilliantly implemented in the environments throughout the world. Speaking of which, just like all of the Prime games, the world design in Echoes is captivating and atmospheric. The duality of the light and dark Aethers creates a fascinating visual aesthetic. Gameplay-wise, this is classic Metroid Prime and all of its goodness, but with the added twist of having to flip-flop between the light and dark worlds for both traversal and combat. This adds an engaging layer that pushes you to think about which version of the world you need to be in to either access an area or fight an enemy.

Echoes is often the forgotten middle child from the original trilogy, but in my opinion, it’s the quintessential Metroid Prime experience.