When coming to a series like that of Metroid, quality is expected, and it is delivered in Metroid Prime: Hunters. With great new controls utilizing the capabilities of the DS’s touch screen, new competition, and a great online component, Hunters will have you coming back for more.

Straying from the normal ways of Metroid, Hunters starts you off with everything you’ll need to kick some bounty hunter butt. This cuts down on the exploration and back tracking needed creating a much more linear and strait forward experience. Without the need to find equipment the main objective becomes finding the Octoliths before the other hunters and fending them off once you have them. These Octoliths are large crystals that, once all of them have been collected, decode the cryptic psychic message that had been broadcasted. There are four worlds that are visited twice to find the necessary 8 Octoliths to unlock the fifth and final world.  The story fits in nicely between the original Metroid Prime and Echoes both on the Gamecube. Much like these games and the new third installment Corruption, the hints and story comes from what you scan and read.

The gameplay is what we’ve come to expect from the 3D Metroid games with the normal puzzle/action fanfare, but it controls better than ever with the touch screen controls. Using the touch screen to aim as well as for inventory, and the top screen as Samus’ eyes. With this control scheme aiming is spot on much like the mouse and keyboard of the PC however, it can be quite awkward to hold it up and will have you writhing in pain after about an hour or so. If you just need to push more buttons those are four control setups accommodating lefties, righties, and anyone else.

Being a DS title graphics aren’t as good as they could have been on other handhelds, but for a DS title they are top notch. The 3D graphics look good and run smoothly but things such as character models are blocky and have clumsy animations. There is also very little, if any, variety in enemies between planets and bosses are recycled. Level design is well done, but you may find yourself lost occasionally, luckily there is a fairly comprehensive 3D map that may help out.

The Multiplayer offers the standard Timed and point based Deathmatch, along with team Deathmatch as well as many other modes like capture the flag and king of the hill. It allows for up to four players through local or wifi matches. Using wifi, and those infernal friend codes, you can voice chat with your friends but no one you meet in online matches. These friends can be added to a “Rivals” list and you will be informed when they are on and ready to play. For a handheld game the multiplayer is as full featured giving a great online experience.

Metroid Prime: Hunters is one of the most full featured, polished, and down right fun games on the DS or on any of the handheld systems. If you have wifi capabilities or any friends with the game already this should be a no brainer. Even without the online component, Metroid Prime: Hunters provides a great gaming experience for all kinds.