Metroid
Official artwork of a Metroid fromMetroid: Zero Mission.
Universe	Metroid
Debut	Metroid (1986)
Smash Bros. appearances	Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)
Console/platform of origin	Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom Disk System)
Species	Metroid
Gender	Genderless
Place of origin	SR388
Article on Metroid Wiki	Metroid (species)

TheMetroid (メトロイド,Metroid) is a species of extraterrestrial creature and the namesake creature of theMetroid universe.

Origin[edit]

Official artwork of a Metroid fromMetroid II: Return of Samus, which was the basis of theMelee trophy design.

Metroids first appeared inMetroid as an enemy that played a crucial part in the game's storyline, and have appeared as enemies in everyMetroid game since, with the exceptions ofMetroid Prime Hunters andMetroid Dread. The creatures are a parasitic species that use their gigantic teeth to drain energy from their prey. They are resistant to most forms of standard weaponry, but are exceptionally weak to cold temperatures, soSamus can destroy them with herIce Beam orIce Missiles. If one grabs onto her, the only way for Samus to shake it off is to drop abomb while in herMorph Ball form, which deals damage and detaches it from her. Metroids are also known for their ability to adapt and grow in any environment; while most Metroids are seen as their jellyfish-like larval form, they become larger and more bestial as they develop, culminating in the draconianQueen Metroid.

Metroids were created by theChozo to prey upon and eventually eliminate theX Parasites. The word "Metroid" means "ultimate warrior" in the in-universe Chozo language (the real-life etymology of the word is a portmanteau of "metro" and "android"^[1]). While they were engineered by the Chozo's Thoha tribe to only be hostile to the X Parasites and the rivaling Mawkin tribe, they became violent when they evolved beyond their larval stage, eventually forcing the Chozo to seal them within the planetSR388.

The Metroids' parasitic nature makes them a constant target for Samus's archenemies, theSpace Pirates. They introduced Metroids as invasive species to other planets, such asZebes andTallon IV. Samus was eventually commissioned by theGalactic Federation to travel to SR388 and put the Metroids into extinction, although she spareda single hatchling that imprinted on her, showing that Metroids are intelligent to some degree and are not violent by nature. She returned this specimen to theCeres Space Colony for research, where it was subsequently stolen byRidley. After his retreat to the Space Pirate base on Zebes, the hatchling was eventually killed byMother Brain, seemingly leading to the species' total extinction.

With Samus having eliminated their only predator, the X Parasites were able to multiply and thrive once more. After being infected by an X Parasite, the Federation saved her life by injecting her with theVaccine "Metroid", which was created using the hatchling's DNA. This procedure infused her with Metroid DNA, giving her characteristics such as immunity to X Parasites and a weakness to cold temperatures. During her mission at the infestedBiologic Space Labs Research Station, she discovered that the Galactic Federation had begun a Metroid breeding program. Upon this discovery, she set the ship on a collision course to SR388 and escaped, destroying the last remaining Metroids upon impact.

Because of her Metroid-fused DNA, Samus herself is the last remnant of the Metroids, having become the "ultimate warrior" of the Chozo.

During the events ofMetroid Dread, it was revealed that Samus' Metroid DNA started to manifest in a Metroid-like energy absorbing ability. This caused her to become a target for the game's antagonist Raven Beak—a Mawkin Chozo, and one of the species' last survivors—who originally planned to use Metroids as a means to conquer the galaxy, but decided instead on using Samus to that end. It was also revealed that, due to her Metroid DNA, the pathological hostility towards Mawkin tribesmen that the Thoha engineered within Metroids also carried over into Samus.

In theirSmash appearance, Metroids act the same as they do in theMetroid series, grabbing players and dealing damage. They can also phase through platforms, similar to Phazon Metroids inMetroid Prime 3: Corruption. The form most commonly depicted in theSuper Smash Bros. series is the Metroid larva, although other forms have made appearances in the series. The fully-matured Queen Metroid (using its appearance fromMetroid: Other M) and Phazon-mutatedMetroid Prime have appeared astrophies; aTallon Metroid appears as asticker; andDark Samus (a reincarnated form of the Metroid Prime) is an Assist Trophy inSSB4 and a fully playable character inUltimate.

InSuper Smash Bros.[edit]

Although it does not appear in-game, the Metroid is mentioned inSamus'sprofile.

InSuper Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

Opening movie[edit]

The baby Metroid's cameo appearance in the opening movie.

The baby Metroid fromMetroid II: Return of Samus makes a cameo appearance in theopening movie ofMelee. As a reference to the beginning ofSuper Metroid, the Metroid is contained in a capsule held byRidley, who is fightingSamus aboard the Ceres Space Station.

Trophy[edit]

The Metroid appears inMelee as a collectibletrophy, unlocked as one of the 200+ trophies that can be collected randomly during normal play, such as in the Trophy Lottery and throughout the various Single-player Regular Matches.

Metroid's trophy inMelee

Metroid

A parasitic life form that can absorb all types of energy, Metroids have strong resistance to most conventional weaponry. To defeat them, Samus Aran had to freeze them withIce Beam shots and then blast them withmissiles.Mochtroids, which look like Metroids, are weaker, with fewer internal nuclei.

Metroid (8/89^[sic])

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

As anAssist Trophy[edit]

The Metroid as an Assist Trophy inBrawl.

Metroid is featured inBrawl as an Assist Trophy. When a Metroid is released, it will attempt to latch onto an opponent's head, slightly immobilize them, and sap their health. It can be shaken off by moving about rapidly (or with a simple air dodge), upon which it may seek another victim. It moves in a rather inertial way (likeSuper Sonic andVolt Tackle), floating about the stage lazily. It can also pass through walls. The Metroid doesdamage much like a faster version of theflower effect, except that it makes characters flinch; most attacks will be interrupted unless they come out on frame 1. This makes it very difficult to accomplish anything while the Metroid is attached, and it causesCPU opponents to use theirup special move repeatedly while attempting to recover. However, if recovery moves likeSpin Attack are used repeatedly while a Metroid is latched, they can cause a high amount of vertical movement, possibly even pushing the character past the upper blast line. LikeStarfy andLakitu, the Metroid can be attacked, but it will only flinch away a little bit and then attempt to find a victim again. If the victim is KO'd, the Metroid will be KO'd as well.

Metroid has a spawn chance of30/760.

Trophy[edit]

Metroid's trophy inBrawl

Metroid

A bioengineered life-form found on planet SR388. Metroids attach to organisms and drain life energy. The Galactic Federation commissions Samus to eliminate them, but Space Pirates try to harness their power. One of the few ways Samus can kill Metroids is by shooting them with the Ice Beam and then shattering them with missiles. The Metroid's cry is chilling and indescribable.

:Metroid

:Metroid II: Return of Samus

Stickers[edit]

Name	Game	Effect	Fighter(s)
Metroid	Metroid Prime Pinball	AttackFreezing+018 Attack +18	All characters
Metroid	Metroid: Zero Mission	AttackElectric+020 Attack +20	Samus Zero Suit Samus

Metroid (Metroid Pinball)

Metroid (Metroid: Zero Mission)

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

As an Assist Trophy[edit]

The Metroid returns in both versions of the game as an Assist Trophy, functioning the same as inBrawl.

Metroid has a spawn chance of30/1254. It cannot be summoned on the following stages in a standard versus match (applies to both games and only the base form unless noted otherwise):

• 3D Land
• Mute City
• Tomodachi Life

InSmash Run[edit]

A Metroid in Smash Run.

Metroids appear as enemies, exhibiting the same behavior of their Assist Trophy incarnation. True to theMetroid series, they can be defeated more easily withice attacks.

InSmash Tour[edit]

A Metroid can appear as a random event. It wanders around the board and steals stat boosts from the first player that touches it: whoever catches it can then retrieve the stolen stats. Retrieving one's own stolen stats is one of theChallenges.

Trophy[edit]

Metroid's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Metroid's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U

Metroid

First discovered on planet SR388, this floating life-form grows by absorbing the energy around it. It is incredibly durable but extremely weak to cold. In Smash Bros., a Metroid will grab a rival by the head and drain energy. If you get grabbed, shake it off by pressing left and right!

:Metroid (08/1987)

:Metroid II: Return of Samus (11/1991)

Mysterious floating life-forms, discovered on the planet SR388, that absorb energy from other living beings. They're tough, except when they're cold. In this game, they'll try to attach themselves to fighters' heads and drain their energy. Press all the buttons you can to shake them off!

:Metroid (01/1988)

:Metroid II: Return of Samus (05/1992)

Queen Metroid's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U

Queen Metroid

Have you ever met people who thought Metroid was the name of the game's heroine? Adding Queen to the title would just make it worse. But if you show them what a Queen Metroid REALLY looks like, they won't make that mistake again in a hurry. Metroids are fearsome creatures, and the queen is the nastiest of the lot.

:Metroid II: Return of Samus (11/1991)

:Metroid: Other M (08/2010)

Have you ever met someone who thought "Metroid" was the name of the game's heroine? Putting "Queen" in front might just make it worse. But if you show them what a Queen Metroid REALLY looks like, they won't make that mistake again in a hurry. Metroids are fearsome creatures, and the Queen is the nastiest of the lot.

:Metroid II: Return of Samus (05/1992)

:Metroid: Other M (09/2010)

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

As an Assist Trophy[edit]

Ice Climbers attacking a Metroid inUltimate.

The Metroid returns once again as an Assist Trophy, functioning the same as in the previous installments. However, it can now be defeated withfreezing attacks, like in Smash Run.Training Mode describes its Assist Trophy:Latches on to an opponent and steals their energy. It can be killed if frozen.

Metroid has a spawn chance of30/2086. It cannot be summoned on the following stages in a standard versus match (applies only to the base form unless noted otherwise):

Spirit[edit]

The Metroid also appears as an Ace-classsupport spirit.

InAdventure Mode: World of Light, the Metroid is presumably one of the countless spirits captured byGaleem during his takeover of the universe. The Metroid's spirit is located in the volcanic section ofThe Light Realm.

The Metroid's Spirit Battle uses aRidley puppet fighter and is fought on theBrinstar stage'sBattlefield form. During the battle, the Metroid appears as a hostile Assist Trophy. Also, the floor is sticky and Ridley's melee blows will heal them when they hit, referencing the Metroid's ability to latch onto their victims, slow them down, and absorb their life energy.

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
277		Metroid		★★★	2	KOs Heal Damage	Metroid Series

Gallery[edit]

• 

  Official render inBrawl.

• 

  Metroid inSSB4.

• 

  Zero Suit Samus about to kickPit with the Metroid latched onto him.

• 

  Official render inUltimate.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language	Name
Japanese	メトロイド,Metroid
English	Metroid
French	Métroïde
German	Metroid
Spanish	Metroide
Italian	Metroid
Chinese (Simplified)	密特罗德,Metroid
Chinese (Traditional)	密特羅德,Metroid
Korean	메트로이드,Metroid
Dutch	Metroid
Russian	Метроид

Trivia[edit]

A Mr. Saturn sprite is hidden in the texture for the Metroid inBrawl.

• The Metroid trophy inMelee has an image hidden within the interior of its "shell", which can be viewed with proper manipulation of the Gallery's camera; the texture shows the image of a lab station in theCeres Space StationMedia:Ceres Space Colony Metroid reflection.png inSuper Metroid, with the infant Metroid also visible.
• A smallMr. Saturnsprite is hidden in the texture of the Metroid Assist Trophy inBrawl. It cannot be seen in-game.
• InUltimate, ifYoshi is hit by the Metroid's attack during his double jump, he will sustain moderate horizontal knockback, while the attack usually deals no knockback.

References[edit]

v • d • e Metroid universe
Fighters	Samus (SSB ·SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Zero Suit Samus (SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Ridley (SSBU) ·Dark Samus (SSBU)
Assist Trophies	Metroid ·Dark Samus ·Mother Brain
Bosses	Ridley ·Meta Ridley
Stages	Planet Zebes ·Brinstar ·Brinstar Depths ·Frigate Orpheon ·Norfair ·Pyrosphere Brinstar Escape Shaft (Adventure Mode)
Item	Screw Attack ·Power Suit Piece
Enemies	Geemer ·Kihunter ·Metroid ·Reo ·FG II-Graham ·Joulion ·Zero
Other	Gunship ·Kraid
Trophies,Stickers andSpirits	Trophies (SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4) ·Stickers ·Spirits
Music	Brawl ·SSB4 ·Ultimate
Masterpieces	Metroid ·Super Metroid

• Assist Trophies
• Smash Run enemies
• Smash Tour
• Metroid universe
• Trophies (SSBM)
• Trophies (SSBB)
• Trophies (SSB4-3DS)
• Trophies (SSB4-Wii U)
• Smash Tour events
• Stickers
• Spirits