Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Game review by Andrew Bub, Common Sense Media
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

A first-person shooter on the Wii with puzzles.

Nintendo Wii 2007
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 34 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this game is the third first-person shooter in the Metroid series of classic games. The motion control system provides a more immersive experience as players use the Wii remote to shoot. But the game is lighter on graphic content -- the aliens aren't shown bleeding or dying in agony. This game also focuses on puzzle-solving. It's possible to play this game online; Common Sense Media doesn't recommend online play for anyone under age 12.

Community Reviews

Steve Kanbara
Steve Kanbara Adult
June 1, 2014
age 11+

Is something missing?

I surprisingly like this game, but I highlighted swearing as a minor issue because of what Fleet Admiral Castor Dane says during the Ready "Briefing" Room cutscene. In short, he's the first character to utter a profanity in a Metroid game according to Wikitroid, the Metroid Wiki. However, the swearing only applies to the original NTSC version of Metroid Prime 3, as the PAL and Trilogy versions have the profanity changed to "No!" One more thing: the part with the blood wasn't accurately pointed out by Common Sense Media, as there IS blood in the game over sequences; (red blood in normal sequence and blue Phazon corrupted blood in Terminal Corruption sequence.) Overall, despite the violence, I like this game.

This title has:

Great messages
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
Too much swearing
dmind
dmind Adult
February 23, 2011
age 8+

Perfect for anyone if you don't mind some goo.

No gore. No language. No anything. Violence is minimal, playing experience is giant, has a good seventy hours or more of playing time. the only problem is that the bosses are a little creepy, and there is some goop once certain creatures are killed. My favorite Wii game, but that goes without saying.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 13 parent reviews

What’s It About?

METROID PRIME 3 is the first Nintendo-created first-person shooter. The story covers familiar ground to any seasoned Metroid veterans. Samus Aran is an intergalactic bounty hunter -- but she works primarily as an exterminator. The story line is about a mutagen infection and the gameplay focuses far less on shooting and killing than most games like this, and far more in puzzles and exploration.

Is It Any Good?

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the first title that lives up to the immersive potential of aiming and shooting with a remote control, while moving using the stick atop the nunchuk controller. How'd they do it? We're not sure because this is the same movement system that was panned for Red Steel (the nunchuk is used for movement, while moving the remote to the edge causes the character to turn). Nintendo seems to have refined the sensor to differentiate aiming and turning better. The result is a lot more trick shooting and precision, and a lot less aiming at the floor or ceiling by accident.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is rated "Teen," making it one of the milder shooting games, but the overall difficulty of some of the puzzles and shooting fights with superpowered Boss creatures makes for a game best recommended for more experienced gamers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the game has changed over the years (check Nintendo's Wii Shop for older versions of Metroid to try) and Samus' evolving storyline. Do the Wii's motion-sensitive controls make you feel more like you are shooting the aliens? How about the perspective? Do you feel more a part of the story? Does it make a difference to you that the violence is directed at non-human enemies?

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo Wii
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release date: August 28, 2007
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • ESRB rating: T for Animated Blood, Violence
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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