# Metroid at 40: Celebrating Samus Aran, Gaming's Iconic Heroine

The Guardian marks the 40th anniversary of the Metroid franchise, celebrating protagonist Samus Aran as a pioneering and enduring action hero. The piece highlights her cultural significance in gaming and her lasting personal impact on the author.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [The Guardian Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/aug/06/metroid-at-40-samus-aran-nintendo-video-game-heroine) — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:41 GMT