One of the very first displays of the DS’s power was a demo that was sent out with initial shipments of the system at its launch. The demo, for Metroid Prime: Hunters, showcased the system’s graphical prowess and its potential as a viable platform for the First-Person Shooter genre. Now, after several delays, Metroid Prime: Hunters is now available for the DS. The game features innovative controls that take advantage of the DS’s unique touch-screen system, as well as great graphics, making it an excellent entry into the Metroid Prime series and rivaling the series’ critically acclaimed GameCube installments.

Metroid Prime: Hunters puts you back in the role of Samus Aran as she hunts down powerful artifacts left behind by an advanced civilization known as the Alimbics. However, Samus is not alone, as several other bounty hunters are out and about vying for the same power.

In the same vein as the previous entries in the Metroid Prime series, Hunters is played through the same first-person perspective. However, the game uses the stylus more efficiently (it almost feels like a mouse-and-keyboard scheme), and even feels more like an FPS than the GameCube entries, which handled a bit more like third-person shooters. You have complete control over Samus, aiming by sliding the stylus across the screen.

The game also offers a variety of different control schemes, as well, meaning that even lefties (like yours truly) can find something that feels comfortable. You can even nix the stylus altogether and play using the D-Pad and the face buttons, even though it’s not really recommended.

The game packs a remarkable amount of content onto the DS, with full levels and big enemies. The game has a fair amount of boss battles, as you’ll have to take on the rival bounty hunters several times each throughout the course of the game. The pacing is a little more linear than you’d find in the console iterations, but it’s still as cohesive and as deep an experience as you’ll find in any handheld game.

The multiplayer elements are also quite great. The game has a match-making service that instantly puts you into the action, and tracks your progress. For example, the game will know things like weapon preference and skill level, and match you up accordingly to people within your skill level. Each bounty hunter that you play as will have their own unique attributes and skills, such as melee proficiency and so on. The game ran very smoothly, as well, with little to no lag throughout the play session.

Graphically, the game looks great. If not for the lowered resolution due to the DS’s screens, it would be on par with the console versions. The character models and environments look great, and the game takes full advantage of the DS’s hardware.

The sound and music are also great, with a full-on score similar to the one in the original Metroid Prime on the GameCube. The sound effects are crisp with a minimal amount of “tinny-ness”.

Metroid Prime: Hunters is a phenomenal game that uses the DS to its fullest potential in terms of graphical ability and innovation.

Gameplay: 9.0
Hunters makes great use of the DS’s unique control scheme, presents a huge world, and feels like a full-fledged console experience in your hands.

Graphics: 9.0
The game is excellent graphically, with detailed environments and well-rendered character models.

Sound: 9.0
The game has great sound, with a rich soundtrack and sharp sound effects.

Difficulty: Medium

Multiplayer: 9.0
The game’s multiplayer elements are great, with robust features, including a match-making system, well-balanced online matches and minimal lag.

Concept: 9.0
Metroid Prime Hunters proves that the DS is a very capable machine when it comes to first-person shooters, and holds its own even amongst console games.

Overall: 9.0
Hunters is one of the best games for Nintendo’s handheld, and rivals most console first-person shooters in terms of content and gameplay.