Metroid was released in North America in 1987. Nintendo launched the original game for the Nintendo Entertainment System after its earlier debut in Japan on the Famicom Disk System.
The Japanese release arrived on August 6, 1986, while North America received the NES version in August 1987. Europe followed in January 1988. These regional dates are the source of a common mix-up: 1986 is the game's original release year, but it is not the year of its North American release.
Developed by Nintendo R&D1 and Intelligent Systems, Metroid combined shooting, platforming, and open-ended exploration. Players guided Samus Aran through the hostile planet Zebes, collecting upgrades that opened previously inaccessible areas. Its interconnected design later helped inspire what became known as the “Metroidvania” style.
The game was also notable for revealing that its armored bounty hunter protagonist, Samus Aran, was a woman. That surprise ending became one of the most memorable character reveals in early console gaming.