Metroid II was a critically important piece of the series’ lore, telling the story of Samus’s first visit to her enemies’ homeworld, establishing concepts that would become mainstays, and setting in motion the story events that would drive the rest of the series. It was also a 1991 release for the Game Boy, every ambition it had tarnished by time. More than any other game in the series, Metroid II needed a remake. And when it finally happened, it would be Metroid's return to prominence after seven long years.