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Metroid: Zero Mission
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| Metroid Prime /Metroid Fusion | Release Date | Metroid Prime 2: Echoes |
| Metroid | Metroid Chronology | Metroid Prime (Pinball ) /Metroid Prime Trilogy |
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Metroid: Zero Mission is the sixth game in theMetroid series, released on theGame Boy Advance in 2004. It is an enhanced remake ofMetroid for theNintendo Entertainment System in 1986, and is a retelling ofSamus Aran's first mission toZebes. The plot remains mostly the same except for some added elements, environments, and collectible extras, such as Hard Mode.
Metroid: Zero Mission was released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in Japan on June 19, 2014, in Europe on March 12, 2015, and North America on January 14, 2016. It was released again for the Game Boy Advance application forNintendo Switch Online on June 18, 2024 in all regions.
Storyline[edit |edit source]
In the year 20X5 of the Cosmic Calendar, theSpace Pirates attacked a deep-space research vessel and seized capsules containing samples of an unknown species that had been discovered on planetSR388. TheSpace Pirates' objective was to acquire these life-forms: known simply asMetroids, these floating organisms were incredibly dangerous, as they could latch onto any other organism and drain its life-energy. Furthermore, it was possible to replicate Metroids in vast numbers by exposing them to beta rays. The hypothesis that the Metroids were responsible for one of the greatest mysteries in the entire galaxy — the extinction of all life on planet SR388 — was generally accepted as fact.
If the Space Pirates were able to breed the Metroids and use the creatures as biological weapons, the destruction of all galactic civilization would be inevitable. After a desperate search, theFederation officials discovered the Space Pirates' base of operations on the planet Zebes. They launched a full assault on the planet, though Pirate resistance was strong, causing the Federation Police to retreat. Meanwhile, in a room hidden deep within the center of the Pirate Fortress, the preparations for multiplying the Metroids were steadily progressing.
As a last resort, the Federation Police decided to send a lone space hunter to penetrate the pirate base and destroy Mother Brain, the mechanical life-form that controlled the fortress and its defenses.Samus Aran was chosen for the mission, considered the greatest of all bounty hunters. Samus had successfully completed numerous missions that others had thought impossible before, making her an excellent candidate. However, despite her accomplishments, much of Samus's true identity remained wrapped in mystery.
Samus's Zero Mission[edit |edit source]
Alone, Samus Aran successfully landed on the surface ofZebes, which was, in fact, the planet where Samus had been raised as a child by theChozo. By exploring the planet, she was able to find new abilities in the forms of missiles, beams, suits, bombs and other miscellaneous abilities. She single-handedly defeated the Space Pirate commanderKraid and eventuallyRidley as well as other monstrosities before confrontingMother Brain, the organic supercomputer that controls everything on Zebes. However, as she is leaving the planet, Space Pirate fighters ambush hergunship, causing Samus to crashland back on the planet's surface, near the Space Pirate Mothership.
The crash has left Samus'sPower Suit in need of repair. She decides to pursue without the suit and explore the Mothership. Samus still in her Zero Suit explores the Mothership, and discoversChozodia, an abandoned settlement of the Chozo. After succeeding in a test handed down by the Chozo, Samus acquires the legendary Power Suit, which is compatible with the unknown equipment, revealing them to be thePlasma Beam, theSpace Jump and theGravity Suit. With her new suit, she becomes able to overpower the Space Pirates and futher explore the Space Pirate Mothership. Eventually, she confronts a mechanized form of Ridley, possibly an early attempt at creatingMeta Ridley. After Samus defeats the robot, as its last resort, it sets off a self-destruct sequence. Samus, after a difficult, yet quick journey, was able to escape in a Space Pirate Escape pod, just seconds before a blast destroys the Mothership and puts an end to the Space Pirates' tyranny.
New Gameplay Elements[edit |edit source]
Being a remake of the originalMetroid for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the game has seen drastic revisions in gameplay, sound and graphics. The story is also expanded beyond the original 1986 adventure. Most notable changes in gameplay include new items like thePlasma Beam andGravity Suit as well as new explorable areas like the Space Pirate Mothership andCrateria, which was also featured inSuper Metroid. Absent from the original Metroid is diagonal aiming, crouching, wall jumping, theShinespark, and more.
Unlike the original,Zero Mission features a map, making navigating through the tunnels of Zebes much easier. In the final sequence where Samus has entered the Space Pirate Mothership and the areas around it, she travels without her Power Suit, relying on an emergency pistol. This pistol, called the Paralyzer, is auto charging. Once fully charged it can stun an enemy for a short while, turning them pink in color.
Locations[edit |edit source]
Extras[edit |edit source]
- Hard Mode - Beat the game on Normal mode. This is not affected by how many items are collected or how much time is taken. The conditions during Hard Mode are as follows:
- Samus takes double damage from enemies
- There are an increase of enemies in several rooms.
- Some enemies have been replaced with more formidable foes.
- TwoSave Rooms in Chozodia are unavailable, forcing Samus to travel longer distances to save.
- Upgrades are not as effective. The affected upgrades Samus can obtain are listed below:
- Energy Tanks add 50 units of energy instead of 100.
- Missile Expansions add 2 Missiles instead of 5.
- Super Missile Tanks andPower Bomb Tanks add 1 unit to their respective supplies instead of 2.
- Time Attack - After beating the game, select the save file, and while the Start Game option is highlighted, pressUp, Left, Right, Down. The hidden New Time Attack option will appear. Time Attack is identical to Normal mode with the exception that your best completion times will be recorded. When you get a new record, this is noted on the results screen.
- Original Metroid - When the game is completed on any difficulty, the originalMetroid ported to the Game Boy Advance is unlocked on the Options screen. A sleep feature is implemented, reducing the need to rely on the password system.
- Gallery - When the game is completed on any difficulty, a gallery for viewing earned ending images is unlocked on the Options screen. Once all eight images have been added, the Gallery option in the menu turns yellow.
- Sound Test - When the game is completed on Hard mode, a sound test feature becomes available on the Options screen. Despite the name it only features music, no sound effects.
- Time Attack Records - When the game is completed on Time Attack mode, this option is unlocked on the Options screen. Your best times with and without 100% items are recorded here.
- Metroid Fusion Gallery - Initially there is an option called Metroid Fusion Link on the Options screen. Once activated while connected by link cable to another Game Boy Advance withMetroid Fusion inserted, the option is replaced by the Metroid Fusion Gallery. This second gallery includes all of Fusions ending images, including those only in the Japanese version, regardless of whether they have been unlocked on the Fusion cartridge.
Trivia[edit |edit source]
- Zero Mission is the only 2D Metroid game that allows Samus to be controlledwithout her Power Suit. The suit was also available in theWii titleMetroid: Other M and in theSuper Smash Bros. series starting fromSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.
Gallery[edit |edit source]
Title Screen
Samus Aran without her armor
Mother Brain
Ending images[edit |edit source]
1
Easy, any time, any item %
Normal, 4+ hours, 16-99% items
Hard, 4+ hours, 16-99% items
2
Normal, 2-4 hours, 16-99% items
Hard, 2-4 hours, 16-99% items
3
Normal, 0-2 hours, 16-99% items
Hard, 0-2 hours, 16-99% items
4
Normal, 2+ hours, 100% items
Hard, 2+ hours, 100% items
5
Normal, 0-2 hours, 100% items
6
Hard, 0-2 hours, 100% items
7
Normal, any time, 9-15% items
8
Hard, any time, 9-15% items
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Launch[edit |edit source]
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External Links[edit |edit source]
- Metroid Recon'sFull Map ofMetroid: Zero Mission'sZebes
References[edit source]
 Metroid Games | |
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| 2D Games | |
| 3D Games | |
| Other Games | |
