Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt is a game demo that was released along with the first few batches of the Nintendo DS. It was a preview of what the Nintendo DS could offer, while at the same time being a preview for the upcoming game: Metroid Prime: Hunters.
This demo features a very short single-player level to play through, along with a training area for brushing up on your skills in Morph Ball mode. In addition, you'll find a few multiplayer maps that can be played deathmatch style with others who own a copy of the game.
Game Modes
There are 3 different modes of play (not including Multiplayer mode) you can choose from in Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt:
Regulator
In Regulator, you have 10 minutes to complete a level based in what appears to be a laboratory of some sort. Like Metroid games of times before, you'll find yourself surrounded by enemies out to kill you. The end of the level features a boss battle with a Samus 'clone'.
Survivor
Survivor mode throws you into a large room where you must defeat never-ending waves of enemies. You simply have to kill these enemies to increase your score and as a result, survive. Enemies will constantly regenerate after a few moments, and you repeat the process all over.
Morph Ball
In Morph Ball mode, you must traverse a specially built course and collect blue balls while staying in Morph Ball mode. The blue balls create a path that you must follow all the way to the end of the course.
Controls
There are multiple control methods you can choose from in the 'Options' menu of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. While most of the controls differ from method to method, the following control remains same throughout:
- Start - Pause the game
In addition to the Start button, the touch screen features 4 different touch-sensitive buttons that you can press to switch between your available weapons, and to switch between Normal and Morph Ball Modes.
Control Type S - Stylus
- Up: Move forward; pressing Up twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Down: Move backward; pressing Down twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Left: Move left
- Right: Move right
- L: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- R: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- A: Move right
- B: Move down
- X: Move up
- Y: Move left
- Drag across the screen to move the aiming cursor/look around
- Double tap on the touch screen to jump
Control Type DR - Dual
- Up: Move forward; pressing Up twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Down: Move backward; pressing Down twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Left: Move left
- Right: Move right
- L: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- R: Jump
- A: Look right
- B: Look down
- X: Look up
- Y: Look left
Control Type DL - Dual Mirror
- Up: Look up
- Down: Look down
- Left: Look left
- Right: Look right
- L: Jump
- R: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- A: Move right
- B: Move backward
- X: Move forward
- Y: Move left
Control Type TR - Touch Shoot
- Up: Move forward; pressing Up twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Down: Move backward; pressing Down twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Left: Move left
- Right: Move right
- A: Switch weapon to Missiles
- B: Switch between Morph Ball and Normal modes
- X: Not used
- Y: Switch weapon to Power Beam
- R: Not used
- L: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- Tap the touch screen to fire your weapon or to set a Morph Bomb (while in Morph Ball mode)
Control Type TL - Touch Shoot Mirror
- Up: Changes Samus between Morph Mode and Normal Mode
- Down: Not used
- Left: Goes into Power Beam Mode
- Right: Goes into Missile Mode
- L: Not used
- R: Fire weapon/Use Morph Bomb
- A: Move right
- B: Move backward; pressing B twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- X: Move forward; pressing X twice while in Morph Ball mode will initiate a speed boost
- Y: Move left
- Tap the touch screen to fire your weapon, or to set a Morph Bomb (in Morph Ball mode)
Items
Weapon Energy
This item looks like 3 batteries grouped together. Collect to add 100 energy units to your reserves.
Double Damage
When collected, this item (which slightly resembles a 'biohazard' warning icon), gives your weapon double the damage.
Weapons
Bombs
When in Morph Ball mode, you can set bombs that will detonate after a few seconds. With a carefully placed and timed bomb, you can propel yourself upward.
Power Beam
Samus' default weapon; the Power Beam fires ball-shaped bursts of energy. Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt uses an ammunition system, so when you run out of energy, you must find items to restore it.
Missiles
Missiles are slightly slower than the Power Beam, but pack a punch. You can destroy a single target without any trouble, or damage multiple targets with a carefully targeted missile.
Electro Lob
The Electro Lob is only available in multiplayer mode, on the Assault Cradle and Trooper Module maps. This weapon creates a green ball that will damage enemies within it's area of effect. In addition, the Electro Lob will temporarily distort the screen of anyone (including yourself) caught within its area of effect.
Multiplayer
Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, supports wireless, multi-card, LAN play for up to 4 players. This means that up to 4 people can connect to a single game, but each person must have their own Game Card (which was included with the first batch of Nintendo DS hardware units).
All the multiplayer options are available from the Multiplayer menu.
- To start/create a game, choose 'Create New Game'. Choose one of the maps, and then tap 'Start' when everyone has joined.
- To join a game, choose 'Join Other Game'. Then select from the list of games (if available).
Multiplayer Maps
There are three different maps available for use during multiplayer play: Ancient Vestige, Trooper Module, and Assault Cradle.
Ancient Vestige
The Ancient Vestige is a small area, and includes an open area and a track for those for Morph Ball mode. At either end of the open area, you'll find a device that propels you up to some ledges where there are a few power-ups.
- Time Limit: 5 minutes
- Map Size: Small
Trooper Module
The Trooper Module is a circular room, with a number of walls and shields placed in a square pattern. There is also an outside track area that can be accessed in Morph Ball mode.
- Time Limit: 5 minutes
- Map Size: Medium
Assault Cradle
The Assault Cradle is the largest of the available maps. It is a ring-shaped arena with a good amount of debris that makes it difficult to move and locate enemies. There is also an outside area where you can hide, but be careful, as you can fall off the area to your death.
- Time Limit: 7 minutes
- Map Size: Large
Unlockables
Special Movie
After earning a high score in all 3 game modes, you'll unlock a video preview for the game Metroid Prime Hunters. You can then re-watch the movie again by tapping the small flashing dot on the title screen.