While I don’t recall the year, and it’s largely irrelevant (and probably a twenty-one-Xtey-six affair), Metroid actually does have a fairly straightforward timeline if you follow the info in the games. And keep in mind the remakes don’t change that order. The outset remains where you’d expect - the classic NES Metroid, or preferably it’s remake, Zero Mission. (Look, love the crusty old NES game but it didn’t age well. It stands as a learning experience to improve from. Play Zero Mission instead, better experience, more content, nuff said.) Following that are the events of the Prime Trilogy, which established right off the bat that it begins on a derelict Space Pirate frigate she followed from Zebes. After the conclusion of the Trilogy, the government is finally able to consider leftover business now that Phazon isn’t a threat, and conclude the best thing to do is wipe out the Metroids, sending the now reknowned Samus to do so. Metroid 2: Return of Samus, AM2R, or Samus Returns, all the same story. (Metroid 2, surprisingly ages better than Metroid, and has merits, but easily an experience that can be skipped.I can’t in good conscience tell anyone to play only AM2R or only Samus Returns though. They’re BOTH excellent remakes for different reasons. Obviously only the latter is official but AM2R is some of the best 2D pixel goodness I’ve ever played. I would see it honored.) Metroid 2 then leads directly into Super Metroid. Last, some time beyond Super lies Metroid Fusion at the end of the timeline. (Possibly the most linear, but it plays super well and has phenomenal atmosphere for a GBA game. Love it.) See? Simple enough. ... ... ... Okay, fine, I haven’t forgotten the black sheep, but anyone who loves Metroid largely would. Purely as gameplay? It’s fun. But the story is trash for many reasons I won’t rehash. The sticky bit is... TECHNICALLY it fits in after Super Metroid, before Fusion, but the same director that insisted on the hamfisted plot also seemed to begrudge Retro for being so successful with Prime - hypocritical, considering I seem to recall he had a considerable role advising on the world building aspects of the games. The common perception is something about Other M retcons the Prime games but... I don’t really recall anything that specifically did personally? Seems easy enough to gloss over. Seriously, though, while I respect the man for standing by his choices despite criticism, fans largely hope Nintendo goes with the flow and just drops the game from cannon or glosses it over in continuity. ...speaking of Retro, man, I hope they knock Prime 4 out of the park. I need my Metroid fix.