is an action-adventure video game published by Nintendo, developed by its Research & Development 1 (R&D1) division, and programmed by Intelligent Systems for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The third game in the Metroid series, it was released in Japan on March 19, 1994, in North America on April 18, and in Europe and Australia on July 28. The game was directed and written by Yoshio Sakamoto, and produced by Makoto Kano, with Gunpei Yokoi serving as general manager.