Optimal Item Collection Routes

Maximizing your item collection in Metroid: Zero Mission is crucial for both speedrunning and 100% completion. This section outlines efficient routes to grab key upgrades and expansions, minimizing backtracking and maximizing your power early on. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Early Game Essentials (Prior to Kraid)

Focus on securing essential upgrades that significantly boost your survivability and traversal options before tackling the first major boss. These items are generally acquired in Crateria and Brinstar.

Long Beam: After defeating the first mini-boss (Deorum, the giant Mua), proceed right through the door. The Long Beam is in the next room, an immediate and vital upgrade for extending your beam's range.
Missile Tank (Crateria - First Vertical Shaft): From the very first vertical shaft you drop into at the start of the game, descend to the bottom. On the right side, you'll see a single bomb block. Use a bomb (once acquired) to destroy it and reveal a hidden alcove containing your first Missile Tank. This can be acquired very early, even before the Long Beam, by returning later.
Morph Ball: This is a mandatory acquisition in Brinstar. Follow the natural progression of the area, navigating through the green caverns until you reach the Chozo Statue holding the Morph Ball. This allows you to roll into small tunnels.
Missile Tank (Brinstar - Morph Ball Tunnel): Immediately after obtaining the Morph Ball, use it to roll through the narrow tunnel to your left. A Missile Tank awaits at the end.
Bomb: After acquiring the Morph Ball, continue to the right and down through the Brinstar area. The Bombs are a crucial upgrade, allowing you to destroy specific blocks (bomb blocks) and access new areas. You'll find them in a Chozo Statue's hands.
Energy Tank (Crateria - Morph Ball Room): Return to the room where you acquired the Morph Ball (in Crateria, after the initial descent). Use a Bomb on the floor in the center of the room to reveal a hidden path leading down to an Energy Tank. This significantly increases your health capacity.
Missile Tank (Brinstar - Above Bomb Room): From the Bomb acquisition room, head up and left. There's a hidden path above the Bomb room that leads to another Missile Tank. Use your newly acquired bombs to reveal hidden blocks in the ceiling or walls.
Missile Tank (Crateria - Long Beam Room Alcove): From the Long Beam room, head down and left. You'll find a Missile Tank in a small alcove accessible by a short jump. This is often one of the first missile expansions players encounter if they don't bomb the first vertical shaft.

Mid-Game Power Spikes (Post-Kraid, Pre-Ridley)

With Kraid defeated, new areas open up, primarily Norfair. Prioritize upgrades that enhance your mobility and offensive capabilities for the challenges ahead.

Charge Beam: After defeating Kraid, you'll gain access to Norfair. The Charge Beam is a primary target here, located in a room with several fire-breathing enemies (Ripper IIs). This dramatically increases your beam weapon's power, allowing you to charge up a more potent shot.
Energy Tank (Norfair - Early Lava Room): In one of the early lava rooms in Norfair (before the Varia Suit), look for a small platform above the lava. Carefully jump across to claim an Energy Tank. This requires precise platforming to avoid the damaging lava.
Varia Suit: This is a mandatory item in Norfair, essential for surviving the extreme heat of the area without taking constant damage. You'll find it in a large chamber after navigating through several lava-filled rooms and defeating some fire-based enemies.
Missile Tank (Norfair - Screw Attack Path): Once you have the Varia Suit, you can explore more of Norfair. There's a Missile Tank hidden behind a series of blocks that can be destroyed with the Screw Attack. If you don't have the Screw Attack yet, make a mental note to return here later. It's often found in a vertical shaft near the lower Norfair entrance.
Screw Attack: Located deep within Norfair, the Screw Attack is a game-changer for both combat and traversal. It allows you to destroy most enemies and specific blocks by simply jumping into them while spinning. This is usually found in a Chozo Statue at the end of a challenging platforming section.
Missile Tank (Norfair - High Platform): In a large, open room in Norfair with several Rippers and a high ceiling, look for a hidden path or a series of blocks leading to a high platform. A Missile Tank is often found here, requiring careful jumps or the use of the Screw Attack to reach.
Super Missile: After acquiring the Varia Suit and progressing further into Norfair, you'll find the Super Missile upgrade. These powerful missiles can destroy green gates and deal massive damage to bosses. They are typically found in a Chozo Statue in a room with several lava pits.
Power Bomb: The Power Bomb is usually found in Norfair, often in a hidden area accessible only after acquiring the Super Missile or Screw Attack. This devastating weapon clears all minor enemies on screen and destroys specific Power Bomb blocks.

Late Game Optimization (Post-Ridley & Tourian)

At this stage, you're likely aiming for 100% completion or preparing for the final assault. Focus on collecting any missed expansions and preparing for the Zero Suit segment.

Plasma Beam: After defeating Ridley, you'll gain access to Tourian. The Plasma Beam is a powerful upgrade found in a hidden chamber within Tourian, significantly boosting your damage output and piercing capabilities. It's often guarded by Metroids or other tough enemies.
Power Bomb Tank (Tourian - Hidden Path): In Tourian, there's a hidden path accessible by a Power Bomb that leads to a Power Bomb Tank. This is crucial for clearing specific block formations and maximizing your Power Bomb count for the final boss. Look for suspicious floor or wall sections.
Energy Tank (Crateria - Wrecked Ship): After the events at the Wrecked Ship (the point where Samus loses her suit), return to Crateria. There's an Energy Tank located in a newly accessible area of the ship, often requiring the use of a Power Bomb or Super Missile to open a path.
Missile Tank (Chōzodia - Post-Zero Suit): During the Zero Suit segment, you'll encounter several Missile Tanks in Chōzodia. While you can't collect them as Samus, remember their locations for when you regain your power suit. One is often found in a room with several small, flying enemies (Mellows) that you must navigate past. Another is typically found in a vertical shaft that requires precise wall-jumping.
Energy Tank (Chōzodia - Final Area): In the later sections of Chōzodia, after regaining your Power Suit, there's an Energy Tank hidden in a room that requires careful platforming or the use of specific beam abilities to access. This is usually one of the last Energy Tanks you'll find.
Power Bomb Tank (Chōzodia - Hidden Alcove): Look for a hidden alcove in Chōzodia, often requiring a Power Bomb to reveal. This tank will further increase your Power Bomb capacity, which is useful for clearing out rooms quickly or finding other secrets.
Missile Tank (Crateria - Waterfall Area): Return to the large waterfall room in Crateria. With all your upgrades, you can now access higher ledges or bomb hidden blocks to find a Missile Tank that was previously out of reach.
Energy Tank (Brinstar - Hidden Passage): In the deeper parts of Brinstar, after acquiring the Screw Attack, revisit areas with suspicious block formations. There's often an Energy Tank hidden behind a series of Screw Attack blocks or a Power Bomb wall.