Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. 4
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Zero Suit Samus

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
For fighter info, seeZero Suit Samus (SSBB),Zero Suit Samus (SSB4), andZero Suit Samus (SSBU).
This article is about the character Zero Suit Samus. For other pages with the nameZero, seeZero (disambiguation).
Zero Suit Samus
Zero Suit Samus Other M Artwork.png
ZeroSuitSamusArtwork.png
MZM Casual Outfit.png
MF Casual Outfit.png

MetroidSymbol.svg

Official artwork of Zero Suit Samus.

UniverseMetroid
DebutMetroid (1986, unarmored Samus)
Metroid: Zero Mission (2004, Zero Suit)
Smash Bros. appearancesBrawl
SSB4
Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearanceWarioWare: Move It! (2023, cameo)
Console/platform of originGame Boy Advance
SpeciesHuman (augmented withChozo DNA andMetroidDNA)
GenderFemale
Place of originK-2L (birthplace)
Zebes (surrogate homeworld)
Created byMakoto Kanoh[1]
Designed byHiroji Kiyotake[2]
Voice actorAlésia Glidewell
Article on Metroid WikiZero Suit Samus

Zero Suit Samus (ゼロスーツサムス,Zero Suit Samus) isSamus Aran sporting herZero Suit, the advanced bodysuit that she wears underneath her iconicPower Suit. She most frequently appears in her Zero Suit (or other casual attire) at the end of eachMetroid, depending on the player's speed and efficiency at completing the game.

As demonstrated by two of Samus' casual outfits appearing asalternate costumes beginning withSuper Smash Bros. 4, the identifier "Zero Suit Samus" simply refers to unarmored versions of Samus in general, a concept that has existed since the very firstMetroid. This is further evidenced by various translations that indicate that "Zero Suit" refers to Samus without her Power Suit rather than referring specifically to the bodysuit introduced inZero Mission; note that theMetroid series did not use the term "Zero Suit" as the canonical name of her bodysuit until after the release ofSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.

Origin[edit]

Samus Aran has been shown without her Power Suit since theMetroid series' first installment, usually as part of an ending sequence or briefly as her Power Suit explodes in game over animations.Metroid allowed Samus to be playable in a leotard by using the famous "JUSTIN BAILEY" cheat code. However, the Zero Suit properly debuted inMetroid: Zero Mission, a Game Boy Advance remake of the originalMetroid. The game expanded on this by incorporating a playable, suitless Samus into the narrative for the first time, granting her a unique style of stealth-based gameplay. Ever sinceZero Mission, Samus has appeared in her Zero Suit in everyMetroid game exceptMetroid Prime Pinball andMetroid Prime: Federation Force, although the latter features a Zero Suit-inspiredamiibo costume.

The Zero Suit covers Samus completely from neck-to-toe in a cyan, skin-tight bodysuit with magentaChozo sigils on her back, left breast, and the back of her hands. Although Samus' eye and hair color varied widely across early games, most current depictions consistently give her blonde hair and blue eyes. Initial appearances would depict Samus with a high ponytail with a red hair tie, long sidetails, and lean musculature.Metroid Prime Hunters featured a redesign for the Zero Suit that was not used in subsequent games, with a more simplistic, gloveless bodysuit and a different hairstyle for Samus.Metroid: Other M featured another drastic redesign by changing Samus' eye color (from blue to green-blue), her hairstyle (a lower ponytail and much shorter sidetails), her physical build (reducing her height and musculature), and the Zero Suit itself including wedged heels. This design was carried over toMetroid: Samus Returns with minor changes, most notably by giving Samus a blue hair tie and a more athletic musculature akin to herSuper Metroid appearance. Zero Suit Samus'Samus Returns design would return inMetroid Dread, both for Samus' death sequence and for the final time-based completion reward.

Aside from the Zero Suit itself, Samus has been shown in other types of clothing when outside of her Power Suit, with the most typical attires being revealing sportswear such as tank tops and shorts. Two such Casual Outfits (as named by outifts in Nintendo'sMiitomo app), which are seen in certain endings forZero Mission andMetroid Fusion, appear asalternate costumes for Zero Suit Samus inSSB4 andUltimate.

Zero Suit Samus rarely appears as playable in theMetroid games. She was first playable in this outfit inMetroid: Zero Mission, for the aforementioned stealth segment. After losing her Power Suit in a crash-landing while escaping the planet Zebes, she was forced to evade Space Pirate forces with nothing but her Zero Suit and a self-defenseParalyzer handgun. Zero Suit Samus was also playable in the extra ending ofMetroid: Other M. While returning to the derelict BOTTLE SHIP to retrieve the late Adam Malkovich's helmet, Samus briefly dematerialized her Power Suit to share a quiet moment with the memento. However, it was interrupted by the station's self-destruct alarm, forcing her to escape the exploding facility in her Zero Suit, carrying Adam's helmet and her Paralyzer for the lingering bioweapons obstructing her path.

WithinMetroid canon, Samus boasts superhuman athleticism even without her Power Suit, thanks to the Chozo infusing their DNA within her and training her in combat during her childhood. While she is also much more adaptive to alien environments than a normal human thanks to her Chozo DNA, she is still extremely vulnerable without her Power Suit, and thus must rely on stealth, agility, and her Paralyzer instead of direct combat to achieve her objectives.

However, much like her fellow bounty hunterCaptain Falcon, Zero Suit Samus is depicted in theSuper Smash Bros. series with a varied and highly physical martial arts fighting style that compliments her superhuman athleticism. She is also notable for her impressive flexibility and gymnastic skills, with many of her attacks involving her in splits, doing cartwheels, and more. Additionally, her Paralyzer is equipped withSuper Smash Bros.-specific design elements that grant it offensive potential, such as the ability to open into an electric beam whip similar to her Power Suit's Grapple Beam. Starting inSuper Smash Bros. 4, she was also equipped with wristbands and Jet Boots that improved her physical combat abilities. Her Paralyzer's beam whip and her Jet Boots have never appeared in theMetroid series.

InSuper Smash Bros.[edit]

Suitless Samus inSuper Smash Bros.

Samus's unmasked face, reflected off the visor on her helmet, can be seen in hercongratulations screen. Additionally, whenSamus is shot by aRay Gun or hit by one ofPikachu'selectric attacks, a female silhouette can be seen, representing her actual body.

InSuper Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

While Zero Suit Samus does not appear, a special trophy called "Samus Unmasked" shows Samus with her helmet in her hand. Multiple events in Japan allowed players to obtain the trophies, but no such events occurred elsewhere. TheNTSC andPAL versions still have the trophies in their respective data, however, and the trophy can be obtained via Action Replay.

The Samus Unmasked trophy is shown from behind by default.

Trophy[edit]

Samus Unmasked's trophy inMelee
Samus Unmasked
It's said that the orphaned Samus Aran was raised by the few survivors of the Chozo race. They armed her with a Power Suit and taught her the ways of advanced combat; even burdened with her heavy suit, Samus is as graceful as a butterfly. In the Metroid series, it was standard that Samus would remove her helmet and armor if you cleared the game fast enough.
Metroid (8/89)

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Zero Suit Samus as she appears inBrawl.

Zero Suit Samus is anewcomer inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl, being playable by either holding the shield button while selecting Samus on the character select, using Samus' up and down taunts in quick succession, or using Samus'Final Smash. Her design is based on her appearance inMetroid Prime 3: Corruption, albeit with slight modifications. Her playstyle has been described by many as being similar toSheik's, in that she possesses many quick and acrobatic moves (in reference to her superhuman athleticism displayed inMetroid: Zero Mission) and is able to transform from another character. Zero Suit Samus is equipped with theParalyzer she wielded inZero Mission, which grants her the ability to fireparalyzing blasts. However, it can also be reconfigured into aPlasma Whip, which is a feature original toBrawl. Like herPower Suit'sGrapple Beam, Plasma Whip also functions as atether recovery.

Thanks to her outstanding mobility, fast attack speed, excellent air game,Power Suit Pieces, and the benefits granted by her Paralyzer and down smash, Zero Suit Samus is currently ranked 9th out of 38 on thetier list, placing her in the B tier though some argue she should be ranked even higher.

Trophy[edit]

Zero Suit Samus's trophy inBrawl
Zero Suit Samus
Samus Aran without her mighty Power Suit. In this condition, she does not have the firepower she's famed for but is in full possession of the agility and athleticism she gained through her childhood training with the Chozo. Without the armor, she's also much, much faster. The weapon she carries is a self-protection device known as a Paralyzer that stops enemies cold.
GB Advance:Metroid: Zero Mission

Stickers[edit]

NameGameEffectFighter(s)
Running Zero Suit SamusMetroid: Zero MissionAttackWeapon+025Weapon (type) Attack +25Samus Zero Suit SamusSamus (SSBB)Zero Suit Samus (SSBB)
Zero Suit SamusMetroid: Zero MissionAttackLeg+009Foot (type) Attack +9Samus Zero Suit SamusSamus (SSBB)Zero Suit Samus (SSBB)
Brawl Sticker Running Zero Suit Samus (Metroid ZM).png
Running Zero Suit Samus
(Metroid: ZM)
Brawl Sticker Zero Suit Samus (Metroid Zero Mission).png
Zero Suit Samus
(Metroid: Zero Mission)

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Zero Suit Samus as she appears inSuper Smash Bros. 4.

Zero Suit Samus returns as a playable character inSuper Smash Bros. 4, albeit as a standalone character instead of being connected toher Power Suit. Like her Power Suit, the Zero Suit sports a marginally updated version of its design fromMetroid: Other M, although it is now accompanied by a matching pair of Jet Boots and metal bracelets. The Jet Boots have changed her mobility and moveset in certain ways, whereas the bracelets are merely aesthetic. Samus' physical features are now a combination of her appearances inOther M and previous games includingZero Mission andBrawl. This results in a composite design original to theSmash series, befitting the fact that most of Zero Suit Samus' moveset was also created forSmash.

Zero Suit Samus retains many of her strengths fromBrawl. This includes a very impressive air game, thanks to her neutral aerial being useful at setting up attacks, her back aerial being reliable for KOing, and her up aerial being excellent at juggling and capable of KOing. Her excellent mobility and Paralyzer's utility grant her a particularly powerfulpunishment game and supplement her strong combo game, the latter of which is capable of quickly dealing large amounts of damage and even earning early KOs. However, unlike inBrawl, her KO potential has been improved, most notably thanks to her new forward smash and her new up special,Boost Kick.

Despite all of these positives, Zero Suit Samus still suffers from a weak ground game, largely due to her grab game being laggy to the point of leaving her highly vulnerable to being punished if her grabs whiff. As she is still a lightweight, she is also susceptible to being KO'd early. However, Zero Suit Samus' strengths are agreed to largely outweigh her weaknesses, even in spite of her retaining her nerfs fromBrawl and gaining new ones from game updates, which has been reflected in her achieving very strong tournament representation and results.

Due to her benefits and competitive success, Zero Suit Samus is currently ranked 6th out of 55 on thetier list, placing her in the A tier. While this placement is only a slight improvement from her placement inBrawl, it nevertheless results in her being assessed as a top-tier character instead of as a high-tier character as inBrawl.

Trophies[edit]

Zero Suit Samus's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Zero Suit Samus's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U
Zero Suit Samus
NTSCSamus is far from helpless when her Power Suit is deactivated. Sure, she loses a lot of the moves and weapons she had access to before, but her Jet Boots pick up the slack! She also has the Paralyzer, a versatile weapon that can shock her rivals or change into a Plasma Whip to grab edges and enemies.
GB Advance:Metroid: Zero Mission (02/2004)
Wii:Metroid: Other M (08/2010)
PALWithout her Power Suit, Samus Aran may not have her usual strength, special moves or over-powered arm cannon, but her Jet Boots definitely kick things up a notch in their own way. The Paralyzer, her gun, does just what you'd expect it to, but it can also turn into a whip for attacking and grabbing onto edges while falling.
GB Advance:Metroid: Zero Mission (04/2004)
Wii:Metroid: Other M (09/2010)
Zero Suit Samus (Alt.)'s trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Zero Suit Samus (Alt.)'s trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U
Zero Suit Samus (Alt.)
NTSCSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSZero Suit Samus's up special Boost Kick involves a series of fast kicks that end with a swift, sideways-launching one. A perfectly executed attack will hit eight times! Her down special Flip Jump can bury a grounded fighter in the dirt. She can kick midflip by pressing the special button.
NTSCSuper Smash Bros. for Wii UZero Suit Samus's up special Boost Kick involves a series of fast kicks that ends with a swift, sideways-launching one. A perfectly executed attack will hit eight times! Her down special Flip Jump can bury a grounded fighter in the dirt. She can kick midflip by pressing the special button.
GB Advance:Metroid: Zero Mission (02/2004)
Wii:Metroid: Other M (08/2010)
PALZero Suit Samus's Boost Kick up special finishes with a swift sideways kick. If you start the move close to an opponent, you can hit them up to eight times and launch them sideways! Her main down special, Flip Jump, buries opponents if you land on them at the end of it. Alternatively, press the button again mid-flip for a drop kick.
GB Advance:Metroid: Zero Mission (04/2004)
Wii:Metroid: Other M (09/2010)

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Zero Suit Samus inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Zero Suit Samus reappears as a standalone playable character inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Her design has remained largely intact sinceSuper Smash Bros. 4, but now features more detailed textures, a lighter hue, green eyes, and increased musculature, all of which are influenced from her in-game design inMetroid: Samus Returns. Zero Suit Samus has also gained a newFinal Smash, in whichshe dons her Varia Suit and fires the Zero Laser from the top of her gunship.

For the first time, Zero Suit Samus is an unlockable character instead of a starter character.

Spirits[edit]

Fighter spirit[edit]

  • 266. Zero Suit Samus

    266.Zero Suit Samus

Primary spirit[edit]

No.ImageNameTypeClassSlotsBasePowerMaxPowerBaseAttackMaxAttackBaseDefenseMaxDefenseAbilitySeries
274
SSBU spirit Young Samus.png
Young Samus
Neutral
★★21458583781032435402162Shooting Items Power ↑Metroid Series

Gallery[edit]

  • Zero Suit Samus in her Metroid: Zero Mission casual outfit, as she appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

    Zero Suit Samus in herMetroid: Zero Mission casual outfit, as she appears inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.

  • Zero Suit Samus in her Metroid Fusion casual outfit, as she appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

    Zero Suit Samus in herMetroid Fusion casual outfit, as she appears inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Names in other languages[edit]

LanguageNameMeaning
Japan Japaneseゼロスーツサムス,Zero Suit Samus
UK EnglishZero Suit Samus
France French (PAL)Samus sans armureArmor-less Samus
Quebec French (NTSC)Samus sans combinaisonSuit-less Samus; seehere.
Germany GermanZero Suit Samus
Spain SpanishSamus Zero
Italy ItalianSamus Tuta ZeroZero Suit Samus
China Chinese (Simplified)零装甲萨姆斯,Zero Suit SamusZero Armor Samus
Taiwan Chinese (Traditional)零裝甲薩姆斯,Zero Suit SamusZero Armor Samus
South Korea Korean제로 슈트 사무스,Zero Suit SamusZero Suit Samus
Netherlands DutchZero Suit Samus
Russia RussianСамус в нуль-костюме
Самус (НК) (on thecharacter selection screen)
Samus in Zero Suit
Portugal PortugueseSamus com Armadura ZeroSamus with Zero Armor

Trivia[edit]

  • Zero Suit Samus and the femalePokémon Trainer are the only playable fighters whose first appearances were in a remake.
  • Zero Suit Samus andJigglypuff are the only characters in theSuper Smash Bros. series to receive new special moves that render themhelpless in subsequent installments, despite having debuted in the series without any. In Zero Suit Samus' case, she receivedBoost Kick as her up special inSuper Smash Bros. 4, which renders her helpless after usage, unlikePlasma Wire, her up special inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.
  • Zero Suit Samus is one of four characters to have a different Final Smash across every installment since Final Smashes were introduced; the other three arePit,King Dedede, andR.O.B.
  • Zero Suit Samus' Canadian French name (Samus sans Combinaison) is somewhat out-of-context in natural French: although the word "combinaison" does mean "suit", it is more informally used for jumpsuit, which is ironically what the Zero Suit appears to be. Thus, "armure" (armor) used in the PAL version is more accurate to the usage of English "Suit" inMetroid series.
  • Zero Suit Samus is the third character inSmash, followingDr. Mario andYoung Link, to be an alternate version of another playable character. However, unlike Dr. Mario or Young Link, Zero Suit Samus is not a movesetclone of her Power Suited self.

References[edit]

  1. ^Ultimate Nintendo FAQ - May 2002. N-Sider. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  2. ^Credits forMetroid. MobyGames.


v • d • e
Playable characters
Super Smash Bros.Captain Falcon ·Donkey Kong ·Fox ·Jigglypuff ·Kirby ·Link ·Luigi ·Mario ·Ness ·Pikachu ·Samus ·Yoshi
New inMeleeBowser ·Dr. Mario ·Falco ·Ganondorf ·Ice Climbers ·Marth ·Mewtwo ·Mr. Game & Watch ·Peach ·Pichu ·Roy ·Sheik ·Young Link ·Zelda
New inBrawlDiddy Kong ·Ike ·King Dedede ·Lucario ·Lucas ·Meta Knight ·Olimar (Pikmin) ·Pit ·Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle ·Ivysaur ·Charizard) ·R.O.B. ·Snake ·Sonic ·Toon Link ·Wario ·Wolf ·Zero Suit Samus
New inSmash 4(Alph) ·Bayonetta ·Bowser Jr. (Koopalings) ·Cloud ·Corrin ·Dark Pit ·Duck Hunt ·Greninja ·Little Mac ·Lucina ·Mega Man ·Mii Brawler ·Mii Gunner ·Mii Swordfighter ·Pac-Man ·Palutena ·Robin ·Rosalina &Luma ·Ryu ·Shulk ·Villager ·Wii Fit Trainer
New inUltimateBanjo &Kazooie ·Byleth ·Chrom ·Daisy ·Dark Samus ·Hero ·Incineroar ·Inkling ·Isabelle ·Joker ·Kazuya ·Ken ·King K. Rool ·Min Min ·Mythra ·Piranha Plant ·Pyra ·Richter ·Ridley ·Sephiroth ·Simon ·Sora ·Steve (Alex,Zombie,Enderman) ·Terry
v • d • e
Metroid (universe)Metroid universe
FightersSamus (SSB ·SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Zero Suit Samus (SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Ridley (SSBU) ·Dark Samus (SSBU)
Assist TrophiesMetroid ·Dark Samus ·Mother Brain
BossesRidley ·Meta Ridley
StagesPlanet Zebes ·Brinstar ·Brinstar Depths ·Frigate Orpheon ·Norfair ·Pyrosphere
Brinstar Escape Shaft (Adventure Mode)
ItemScrew Attack ·Power Suit Piece
EnemiesGeemer ·Kihunter ·Metroid ·Reo ·FG II-Graham ·Joulion ·Zero
OtherGunship ·Kraid
Trophies,Stickers andSpiritsTrophies (SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4) ·Stickers ·Spirits
MusicBrawl ·SSB4 ·Ultimate
MasterpiecesMetroid ·Super Metroid