'Metroid: Samus Returns' pays homage to its inspiration in the best way

The upcoming Nintendo 3DS game Metroid: Samus Returns, based on 1991's Metroid II: Return of Samus, is kicking it old school with its special edition reversible cover.

GameXplain did an unboxing of Metroid: Samus Returns Special Edition, showing off the game's reversible cover for the first time. Take a look:

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The reversible cover is the cover for the original Metroid II Game Boy game, which features Samus kneeling in a similar position to her Samus Returns cover pose and a couple of screen shots to remind you of the good old black-and-gray days.

Samus Returns is basically a modern remake of Metroid II, giving the game a much-needed (and extremely beautiful) new coat of paint, as well as a handful of other new features that game developers have discovered since the early '90s.

Sadly, the reversible cover only comes with the special edition of Samus Returns, which also includes a CD with songs from across the Metroid franchise.

Metroid: Samus Returns comes out Sept. 15.