There have been, so far, three styles of metroid gameplay. First off, we have the traditional classic two dimensional layout. This layout sometimes is a little easier in the exploration side of things because you can only look left or right, up or down. Plus, there is something about it that almost makes bosses like Ridley harder in my opinion. After all, you would not be able to run in all eight directions, and dodging an attack would require an extremely well timed move. However, the alien environments that you explore deserve a little more justice than that afforded it by two dimensions. The second style of gameplay is where that comes in. In the first person shooter style of the Metroid Prime series, you practically feel that you are literally the one fighting and exploring. However cool this setup is--especially when it came to the part where you fight ridley whilst falling thousands of meters into the core--there is something about changing the classic style of Metroid directly to first person that just doesn't sit well with me. That's where the game layout in Metroid Other M comes in. Other M is a faster paced game than the original metroids and the Metroid prime series. It takes elements from the two previous game styles and combines them into a 3d action/shooting game. You run through the world as in a platform game, and have some fancy dodge moves for those tricky bosses. Overall, my favorite style is that of Other M. I enjoy 3d; and I also like to see my character and be able to see the enemies behind me!

I prefer both the side scrolling mazes of the original games and the first person shooter aspect of Prime. As for Other M, I wasn't really a big fan. If I'm playing a shooter, i'd rather have the view of what the character sees to give me a more immersive experience.

I certainly like both the original 2D style and the first person style a whole lot. I could even like the third person style if it was done better and the exploration aspects were brought back. My favorite though has to be the original 2D kind of Metroid. I love the exact-ness of 2D games and how the hidden areas fill in the map, how precise tiles do precise things, and how there are often intended sequence breaks and advanced techniques that allow you to progress in other, trickier, ways. There's nothing saying those aspects can't be brought over into the other styles of games, but I still feel more in control and have more fun with the fast paced 2D Metroids.

FaithFighter : My vote goes for the 3d platform action.

Although I absolutely love Metroid games (one of my favorite franchises), I have only played Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Fusion. I might have played Zero Mission for 10 minutes once. Metroid Prime Hunters, a first-person shooter, was fun but I didn't really like having to aim. The boss battles were boring and difficult for me. Metroid Fusion, on the other hand, is one of my all-time favorite video games. The atmosphere is incredible, and it was an extremely fun game. My vote goes to the side-scrolling shooters.

This is an extremely difficult question for me, because I really do love both first and third person. And I really hope no one chooses the metroid other m combo..because let's face it, that game is nothing compared to the other metroid titles. 

The 2d classics such as super metroid and metroid fusion are in my opinion the best because to me they're funner and I think they have more memorable soundtracks. I also enjoy the newer games but the classics are better.