Symphony, the movement's a lot tighter so I prefer the combat, too. Personal preference on the music and art, as well. It also happens to be a top 2 game for me (the other being Mario World).

I wasn't a big fan of Super Metroid the first time I played it (after SotN). But I've come to realize just how good it is over time.

Super Metroid is a game I've finished many times.

Symphony of the Night is a game I've tried to finish a few times and found it hard to press on. I don't know why, exactly, but I just get really bored of it.

That's a really hard one, but I would probably say SotN. I'm more of a sci-fi guy, but Symphony just has a certain something.

Super Metroid for the atmosphere alone. But I happen to think it plays fantastic to this day.

Symphony of the Night is of course a classic, but it never really grabbed me the same way as Metroid, I always peter out when I get to the inverted castle, to me the game becomes really boring by that point.

Sotn, mostly for aestethic reasons. Super Metroid is freaking fantastic.

Thanks for reminding me that I have never played Super Metroid. SotN is hella cool, though. I think I have to find a copy of SM now, so that I can get back to you poll-wise :P

Is it on VC for 3DS by any chance?

Ya know, as much as I like to consider myself a huge Metroid fan, I think I'd have to go with SotN. That game is on some next level, top tier shit.

Havent played super metroid so I'm abstaining from voting. But as the years have pressed on, I've come to the conclusion SOTN is a little overrated.

@guthwulf: it is on the 3DS virtual console, provided you have the new model (I don't, but that would be a fine way to play it).

SotN is pretty good, but I like Super Metroid's sense of atmosphere better. The story in SotN isn't great.

Super Metroid, easy. I don't really understand Castlevania games, to be honest. They always tend to bore me.

Super Metroid without a doubt. SotN is a great Metroidvania, but Super Metroid is nearly fucking perfect.

Sry, but Metroid created the sub genre / game style. SOTN only did its own spin on it and should not be honored by having part of its name involved in 'Metroidvania.'

Thus, Metroid is superior and should be winning this.

Super Metroid. I prefer the atmosphere and the way Samus moves over the weird swagger that Alucard and the Belmonts seem so keen on. The music in SOTN is amazing though. (and in most Castlevania games for that matter)

Haven't played Super Metroid though I've always wanted to. SoTN is puuurty gooood, though.

SotN. I like the powers and equipment/rpg mechanics better. Personal taste of what I enjoy better too, that style of gothic castlevania vs space and aliens. I like anime, but I hate anime castlevania stuff only because I adore the style present in SotN and castlevanias similar to that. Honestly it feels like a GOTY discussion of trying to break down one amazing game to have another amazing game be "higher", they're both great, but that is my vote if I have to choose one. It might not exist without super metroid, but I don't have to pick the Odyssey as the best gaming console just because we might not have the newer consoles without it.

As someone devoid of nostalgia for both of these I would say SotN holds up way better. It's expansive and deep in a way Metroid isn't. Both are great and Metroid basically invented the genre but SotN did it better.

Why not both?

Definitely Super Metroid.

Granted, I came to SOTN over 15 years after it came out. But I felt like I got overleveled way too quickly, and the controls felt clunky. Still a great game though. That art-style still looks gorgeous today.

While there is something to be said for both of them, I just remember the controls in Super Metroid being clunky as hell?

Super Metroid.

@rebel_scum: that not how the internet works.

Anyway i never played sotn but super metroid.

Castevania: Aria of Sorrow.

I never finished either of those. Super Metroid had a terrible quicksand platforming section that I couldn't get past and I couldn't figure out where to go in Symphony of the Night after a while.

SotN. The looks, sounds, overall feel of the gameplay is incredible.

Also, if you avoid faqs or played it back in the day, the secrets in that game are next level. Some people went YEARS before they found the upside down castle!