SUPER METROID (SNES)
A direct sequel to Metroid II: Return of Samus in 1991, Nintendo published Super Metroid for the SNES console in North America today in 1994. The game continues to follow bounty hunter Samus Aran as she attempts to retrieve a Metroid lava stolen by a space pirate named Ridley. Considered by many critics to be one of the best video games of all time, the title focuses its gameplay on exploration. In finding power-ups, the player is able to access areas of levels previously unreachable. Super Metroid also features an inventory screen, an automapping facility, and the ability to fire in all directions; its own unique additions to the series at this time. It’s critical acclaim stemmed primarily from its atmosphere, gameplay, audio, and graphics. While it sold poorly in Japan, it was quite popular in both the North American and European markets. Its successes in design and gameplay influenced other titles in its wake, including Konami’s Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It also became one of the more popular titles for speedrunning. The game has been re-released a number of times, including for the Nintendo 3DS most recently in 2016.
FINAL FANTASY XI (XBOX 360)
Developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XI Online was the first MMO released in the Final Fantasy game series. Impressed by what western MMOs like EverQuest were able to accomplish, Square Enix decided to expand the Final Fantasy universe into lengths previously untouched. Initially released in Japan in May of 2002, it was released for the Xbox 360 console on this day in 2006. The title was the first MMORPG to offer cross-platform play, connecting the PS2, PC, and Xbox 360 versions of the game–all of which required a monthly subscription to play. Since it’s initial release, the title featured five expansion packs and six add-in scenarios. In March of 2015, Square Enix announced that the title would receive its last main scenario, spread out in three parts over the course of the year. The servers for the game on PS2 and Xbox 360 were only recently shut down in March of this year. It’s successor MMO entered the scene in 2010 as Final Fantasy XIV Online.
PORTAL 2 (PC)
I’m making a note here, huge success! On this day in video game history back in 2011, the sequel to the vastly popular Portal was released by Valve for PC. A wildly expanded version of the original title, Portal 2 offered a return to familiar gameplay elements, storytelling, and computer sass, while providing new features like tractor beams, lasers, lightbridges, and speed-changing gel-paints, all affecting how the player interacts with the portal puzzles. While some were concerned that it would be difficult to bring the gameplay and charm of the original Portal title into a full blown sequel, Portal 2 received vast acclaim, primarily due to its writing, pacing, and dark humor. While challenging, the learning curve to conquer the portal-puzzles was not insurmountable, and the title earned its place among the best games of 2011 (maybe even of all time). One might say, it’s hard to overstate our satisfaction with Portal 2.
Some other titles released on this day:
- Dig Dug II: Trouble in Paradise (Japan) – NES – 1986
- Capcom vs. SNK Pro (Japan) – PlayStation – 2002
- Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection – PSP – 2011
Images © Nintendo, Square Enix, and Valve
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