Metroid: Trouble on Blobonia is not formally related to Pitfall or Pitfall 2, but is often thought of as an elaboration on their themes, taking advantage of new hardware capabilities to have a richer cast of characters. It replaces Pitfall Harry with Samus Aran, who adventures in the sewers beneath her home on Planet Zebes with the help of her trusty friend, Metroid. The game is noteworthy for its focus on exploration-based gameplay, with many optional challenges and few specific goals. Samus and Metroid must acquire as much treasure as possible in order to buy Ice Beams, which are poisonous to Mother Brain. Then they must return to Metroid's home planet, SR388, to end Mother Brain's evil reign.

