According to NST game designer Richard Vorodi, Metroid Prime Hunters at final testing, was just a little shorter than Retro's Metroid Prime. Whether that is a run-through of Metroid Prime for the first time or a second or third run through MP wasn't clarified. But, according to Nintendo, the game has some meat to it.

Visually, the levels look incredible, the visor and guns really push the DS hardware to a place where it hasn't been before. It looks like Metroid Prime in the palm of your hand. Prime enthusiasts will be pleased by this. How does the game play? There's a full run down after the jump.

The biggest adjustment to the series is obviously the touch-screen based controls for adjusting the "look" and targeting. The lock-on mechanic is gone which will add a different dynamic to the game's boss encounters.

Unlike other Metroid games, in Prime Hunters your suit is pretty much finished at the outset. Sure, there are the requisite energy tank and missile upgrades, but you'll already be jumping and morph balling like a veteran bounty hunter. While this might be off-putting to some who enjoy the collect-a-thon aspect of the Metroid series, or demand that it be there for the sake of "history" - ultimately when facing the game's bounty hunters (and you face one very early on) you'll be happy Samus' suit is already tricked out.

Switching into morph ball mode is done via the touch screen (just like switching weapons). When users click the ball icon in the lower left Samus shifts into morph ball and the L trigger releases her bombs. Yes, bomb jumping is there and is a part of the game. While the multiplayer is something exciting and interesting to see in the Metroid world, the single player of Prime Hunters may end up being its stand-out feature. Assuming it is the lengthy, well designed adventure all signs point to it being, the DS may have another "must have" title in its library.