On a recent Bombcast, the group discussed what the chronology to the Metroid series was, and Nintendo just uploaded an interesting video addressing this question via twitter.  
 
The video does a pretty good job of summarizing what you need to know, but for whatever reason the Prime games were not mentioned, but those were set before Super Metroid, and Other M follows the latter. From what I have seen, Other M is set before Fusion, which is why that game was not mentioned either. If I recall correctly, the staff didn't like Samus' monotone voice, but I think it works well in the context of the game. In any case, I'm really looking forward to Other M. 
  

 
 
  

Huh, very cool. I've always pronounced Zebes incorrectly apparently.

I-I can't decide if Samus' actress is just terrible or kinda suitable.

I met Roid the other day on ze bus.

" Huh, very cool. I've always pronounced Zebes incorrectly apparently. "

" I-I can't decide if Samus' actress is just terrible or kinda suitable. "

" @StarFoxA said:

" Huh, very cool. I've always pronounced Zebes incorrectly apparently. "

This too.  EVERYTHING I KNOW IS A LIE "

The prime games are not important to the time-line because it really was just a side tracked mission sequence between Zero Mission and Metroid 2 - dealing with more space pirates and phazon which is now gone.
 
It would have been nice to have Zero Mission in there for the first set of summary... man, when are we going to get a Metroid 2 remake, or is it too evil to think of Samus as someone that nearly performed Xenocide during her career?

" @Apathylad: Yeah, same here. Either "Zeebs" or "Zee-bus," I would just alternate. But apparently it's "Zeb-us." "

I feel Lightnings VA would be perfect for Samus.

Considering that Samus lost her entire family and was raised by giant bird people who subsequently vanished and left her with nothing but a kick ass robo power suit and enough training to destroy several planets, I think the voice works.

The video was posted on Game Trailers as well: