I like when 80s artists had to basically guess what characters were suppose to look like. Here's Sumi Arisaka's depiction of Samus that predates her official designs. From: Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order (メトロイドゼーベス侵入指令 (Part of the Famicom Game Book Series.) - ThreadSky

kennylauderdale.bsky.social • 4 days ago

I like when 80s artists had to basically guess what characters were suppose to look like. Here's Sumi Arisaka's depiction of Samus that predates her official designs. From: Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order (メトロイドゼーベス侵入指令 (Part of the Famicom Game Book Series.)

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Comments

jojodartist.bsky.social•4 days ago

This one would have definitely hit kids back then with an unironic "METROID IS A GIRL?!" Like completely it's completely unambiguous here, lmao 😂

japoniano.bsky.social•4 days ago

unicorn04.bsky.social•3 days ago

it seems that nintedo looked at this and said "nah that's not what we are doing here."

unicorn04.bsky.social•4 days ago

Now i don't mean to be rude but it sure seems like someone saw this design and said. "Very nice now do the opposite of that"

punkboyparadise.bsky.social•4 days ago

The Captain N comic spin off(known for butchering alot of video game character designs and depictions) actually was spot on for her. Don't know which year this came out but the fact it's from a third party of a third party speaks some merits.

andrewambrose.bsky.social•3 days ago

I think they managed to get Samus's design correct for the comic since she was the one Nintendo hero that *didn't* appear in the TV show.

safior-scribe.bsky.social•4 days ago

She looks cooler than the official design.

didntcmecumin69.bsky.social•4 days ago

I always thought that Ralph Bakshi was brilliant especially back in that time period?

davemaru.bsky.social•4 days ago

She feels Kurumada (Saint Seiya mangaka) coded somehow. Love the random sword!

lithobolos.bsky.social•4 days ago

Before she was wounded by mustard gas.

chibiufo.bsky.social•3 days ago

Reminds me of Valis

pixast.bsky.social•4 days ago

thats rad

jtothe.bsky.social•4 days ago

That's kinda boss, has that Saint Seiya feel to it.

professorramses.vtubers.social•4 days ago

Yeah, and a bit of the Normal Suits in Zeta and Double Zeta

lionpatriot.bsky.social•4 days ago

Someone should make a modded skin of this design in Smash Ultimate for Samus

kurisu7885.bsky.social•4 days ago

Huh, I kinda dig it.

senrikitty.bsky.social•4 days ago

It’s like Arisaka played Metroid… and then immediately played Valis before drawing Samus. 😂

chriswgates.bsky.social•3 days ago

yup, this rules

rpg-hacker.de•4 days ago

These are such a vibe!

crow202.com•4 days ago

While it's not Samus's iconic look, the second picture is pretty neat in its own way. Sword-swinging samurai Samus? Spectacular! Summon serious sketchers, scribble several sequential series superbly.

dungeonchill.bsky.social•4 days ago

Samus holding that sword makes me wish for a Metroid: The Dark Ages kind of game.

doomedmarine.bsky.social•4 days ago

Ridley is a space dragon (sorta), so it's fair to assume that Samus should get medieval with him.

superrainboom.bsky.social•4 days ago

Never forget the 1989 Mario anime movie where Luigi wasn't in his iconic Green suit. Instead wearing Blue and Yellow. (From what I recall, this was based on Mario bros. Arcade since this was made kinda before Super Mario bros came out.)

purplecometattack.bsky.social•4 days ago

I think it was even referenced in Smash ultimate. Can't say for sure if the alt was based on it, but it always looked like it to me

kingfox7777.bsky.social•4 days ago

She kind of looks Like Nico Robin from one piece

kyrtuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

Yeah, because 8-bit videogame graphics were far from detailed.

kennylauderdale.bsky.social•4 days ago

It should be noted that's a fan coloring. Here's what the cover looks like. (December 1986)

sentient-entity.bsky.social•3 days ago

It's pretty close!

punkboyparadise.bsky.social•4 days ago

God I love classic sci-fi attire. Plate armor over baggy space cloth.

spacepoliceman.bsky.social•4 days ago

Making her look like a Metal Hero is also a great choice

axelegend.bsky.social•4 days ago

I remember I was really mad whenever the games had Samus instantly change into her armor, a lot of old fanfic put emphasis on transporting and donning the bulky power armor like you see in Halo or Starcraft. Whole chapters dedicated to it sometimes.

Then I got into Tokusatsu and was like "Oh."

spacepoliceman.bsky.social•4 days ago

Haha yeah! I think it's pretty neat actually to have something like an armor suit, etc, be matter condensed and be able to reformat into wearable form!

shino1.bsky.social•4 days ago

I mean, Chozo have mastered turning matter into energy and vice versa. I think it's implied that's how Morph Ball works. So it'd be silly if they couldn't do that to the power suit.

worldoffoo.bsky.social•4 days ago

Super Sentai Metroid

tymoarts.bsky.social•4 days ago

It probably wouldn't happen, but the manga design would be a really cool, unlockable skin/suit for a future game

professorramses.vtubers.social•4 days ago

Ey yo?! Is this low-key sick?

drawnder.bsky.social•4 days ago

It's...fabric???

grouchomanx.bsky.social•4 days ago

Either that or she’s elderly and those are just her thighs.

Don’t @ me either, anybody. I’m in my 50’s and I see where things are going 😂 😭

robbsterklaw.bsky.social•4 days ago

New transition goal unlocked

torinnkimbatuul.bsky.social•4 days ago

Clearly this just means they need to make a medieval version of Metroid and - fuck that's just Morrowind again isn't it.

bignerdsam.bsky.social•4 days ago

taewyth.bsky.social•4 days ago

Fantasy Samus sure is an interesting design.

rivertheplushie.bsky.social•4 days ago

Okay but hold up she kinda a baddie too?

maskandmantle.bsky.social•4 days ago

She looks like Damara, a character from the 2002 Metroid manga that is intertwined with both the backstories of Metroid: Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission