AM2R

A while ago, I bought a 3DS and Metroid: Samus Returns (the most recent official Nintendo 2D, well 2-1/2 D, Metroid). It didn't (really, still doesn't) hold my interest like Super Metroid (for the SNES).

imo, AM2R looks much more true to the Metroid IP roots and it's probably a better overall game (compared to Samus Returns). That might be another reason why Nintendo fought so hard to take it down, besides being IP theft.

Samus Returns isn't a bad game. It just doesn't measure up, because Nintendo got so much right with Super Metroid (especially the excellent gameplay). Samus Returns has some unnecessary, complex gameplay mechanics (the 1st and most obvious being a melee attack). Also, the controls of SR are kinda twitchy (by comparison to other 2D Metroid games), or maybe its gameplay is just too fast/good for the 3DS hardware/controller (which is evidently designed for the smaller hands of kids).