All Power Bomb Tank Locations in Metroid: Zero Mission

Power Bomb Tank Locations

Power Bomb Tanks are among the most crucial upgrades in Metroid: Zero Mission, directly increasing Samus's capacity to carry Power Bombs by one unit each. These devastating explosives are not just for clearing rooms of weaker enemies; they are indispensable for destroying specific Power Bomb Blocks, revealing hidden passages, and unlocking new areas essential for progression and 100% completion. There are a total of 8 Power Bomb Tanks scattered throughout Zebes. Collecting them all will significantly enhance your offensive capabilities and exploration potential.

Each Power Bomb Tank is typically well-guarded or hidden behind environmental puzzles that require specific abilities Samus acquires throughout her journey. Always be on the lookout for suspicious block formations, dead-end rooms, or areas that seem inaccessible without a special item. Often, a well-placed Power Bomb can reveal a path to one of these invaluable upgrades.

Early Game Power Bomb Tanks (Brinstar & Norfair)

Securing these early Power Bomb Tanks will greatly assist your exploration and combat encounters. Prioritize these as soon as you have the necessary abilities.

1. Brinstar (First Power Bomb Tank)

This is often the first Power Bomb Tank players encounter, located relatively early in Brinstar once you acquire the Morph Ball and Bombs.

• Location: Brinstar, directly above the room where you find the Morph Ball.
• Requirements: Morph Ball, Bombs.
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. From the room where you obtained the Morph Ball, head right and then up through the vertical shaft.
  2. Continue left, past the save room, until you reach a long horizontal corridor with several small alcoves in the ceiling.
  3. Look for a section of the ceiling that appears slightly different or has a single block out of place.
  4. Use your Morph Ball and lay a Bomb directly beneath this suspicious ceiling block. The Bomb will destroy the block, revealing a hidden passage upwards.
  5. Morph Ball through this newly opened passage. You will find the Power Bomb Tank waiting for you in a small, enclosed area.
• Strategy Tip: This tank is a great example of how observant exploration and bomb usage can reveal hidden paths. Always bomb suspicious blocks!

2. Norfair (Near the Varia Suit)

This Power Bomb Tank is accessible shortly after acquiring the Varia Suit, making it a good target to boost your Power Bomb count before delving deeper into Norfair's heat.

• Location: Norfair, in a room to the left of the Varia Suit chamber.
• Requirements: Morph Ball, Bombs, Varia Suit (to comfortably navigate Norfair's heat).
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. After collecting the Varia Suit, exit the Varia Suit chamber to the left.
  2. You will enter a large, vertical shaft. Descend this shaft until you reach the bottom.
  3. At the bottom, head left through the door.
  4. In this new room, you'll encounter a series of platforms and enemies. Look for a section of the floor that seems breakable or out of place.
  5. Lay a Bomb on this section of the floor. It will destroy the blocks, revealing a hidden path downwards.
  6. Drop into the newly revealed passage. You will land directly in a small alcove containing the Power Bomb Tank.
• Common Pitfall: Players might rush through this area after getting the Varia Suit. Take a moment to fully explore rooms, especially those with unusual floor or ceiling patterns.

Mid to Late Game Power Bomb Tanks (Kraid, Ridley, Tourian, Crateria)

As you progress, Power Bomb Tanks will require more advanced abilities and often involve intricate puzzle-solving or navigating dangerous areas.

3. Kraid's Lair (After Kraid)

This tank is found in the depths of Kraid's Lair, often after you've defeated the boss or are returning to explore thoroughly.

• Location: Kraid's Lair, in a hidden area accessed from the main vertical shaft leading to Kraid.
• Requirements: Morph Ball, Bombs, Varia Suit, Super Missiles (optional, for clearing enemies).
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. From the main vertical shaft in Kraid's Lair (the one with the spiked platforms), descend to the very bottom.
  2. Head right through the door. You will enter a room with several enemies and a large, elevated platform.
  3. Look for a section of the floor on the right side of this room, near the wall, that looks slightly different or has a single block.
  4. Lay a Bomb on this suspicious floor block. It will break, revealing a hidden tunnel.
  5. Morph Ball through this tunnel. It will lead you to a small, enclosed room containing the Power Bomb Tank.
• Strategy Tip: Kraid's Lair is full of hidden passages. Don't be afraid to bomb every suspicious block!

4. Ridley's Lair (Hidden Passage)

Ridley's Lair is a treacherous area, and this Power Bomb Tank is no exception, requiring careful navigation.

• Location: Ridley's Lair, in a hidden passage above a large lava room.
• Requirements: Morph Ball, Bombs, Varia Suit, Space Jump (highly recommended for easier access).
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. Navigate to the large, multi-level room in Ridley's Lair that features a significant amount of lava and several flying enemies (e.g., Ripper IIs). This room is typically found after passing through a series of narrow corridors.
  2. In the upper-right portion of this large lava room, there's a platform. Jump onto this platform.
  3. Look directly above this platform. There will be a section of the ceiling that appears to be made of Power Bomb Blocks.
  4. Use a Power Bomb to destroy these blocks. This will reveal a hidden vertical shaft.
  5. Space Jump (or carefully wall jump) up this shaft. At the top, you will find a small alcove with the Power Bomb Tank.
• Recommended Loadout: Having the Space Jump makes reaching this tank significantly easier, as the lava below is a constant threat.

5. Crateria (Post-Mother Brain)

This Power Bomb Tank becomes accessible after you've defeated Mother Brain and the subsequent events that transform Samus's suit.

• Location: Crateria, in a hidden area near the original landing site.
• Requirements: Power Grip, Screw Attack (optional, for clearing enemies), Power Bombs.
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. After the events of Tourian and the subsequent escape sequence, return to Crateria.
  2. Head towards the area where your ship originally landed.
  3. To the left of your ship, there's a vertical shaft that leads down to the main Crateria area.
  4. Descend this shaft. As you go down, look for a section of the left wall that appears to be made of Power Bomb Blocks.
  5. Use a Power Bomb to destroy these blocks. This will reveal a hidden passage.
  6. Enter the passage. It leads to a small room containing the Power Bomb Tank.
• Missable Warning: This tank is easily overlooked if you don't revisit Crateria thoroughly after the main story events.

6. Tourian (Escape Sequence)

This Power Bomb Tank is found during the frantic escape sequence from Tourian, making it a high-pressure collection.

• Location: Tourian, during the self-destruct sequence, in a hidden alcove.
• Requirements: Power Bombs, Speed Booster (for quick movement).
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. During the Tourian escape sequence, after defeating Mother Brain, you'll be racing against the clock.
  2. As you ascend through the vertical shaft, keep an eye on the left wall.
  3. There will be a section of the wall made of Power Bomb Blocks. You'll need to be quick to spot it and react.
  4. Lay a Power Bomb to destroy these blocks.
  5. Quickly boost into the newly opened passage. The Power Bomb Tank is inside.
  6. Immediately exit and continue your escape!
• Strategy Tip: This tank is a test of speed and observation. If you miss it, you'll need to reload a save before Mother Brain to try again.

Remaining Power Bomb Tanks

The final two Power Bomb Tanks often require a comprehensive sweep of the map or specific late-game abilities.

7. Chozodia (After Zero Suit Section)

Once Samus regains her Power Suit in Chozodia, several new areas and secrets become accessible.

• Location: Chozodia, in a hidden room accessed via a Power Bomb Block.
• Requirements: Power Suit, Power Bombs, Space Jump.
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. After Samus reclaims her Power Suit in Chozodia, navigate to the large, central vertical shaft that connects many of Chozodia's areas.
  2. Ascend this shaft, looking for a door on the right side, relatively high up.
  3. Enter this door. You will be in a room with a series of platforms and enemies.
  4. Look for a section of the ceiling that appears to be made of Power Bomb Blocks. It's usually in the upper-right portion of this room.
  5. Use a Power Bomb to destroy these blocks, revealing a hidden passage upwards.
  6. Space Jump up this passage. The Power Bomb Tank will be at the top.
• Actionable Advice: Chozodia is designed for full exploration once Samus is fully powered up. Don't leave any stone unturned.

8. Chozodia (Near the Final Boss Area)

The last Power Bomb Tank is often found very late in the game, close to the final confrontations, requiring a final Power Bomb to reveal its location.

• Location: Chozodia, in a room adjacent to the area leading to the final boss.
• Requirements: Power Suit, Power Bombs, Screw Attack (helpful for clearing enemies).
• Step-by-step Guide:
  1. From the main path leading to the final boss of Chozodia, you will eventually reach a large, open room with several platforms and enemies. This room typically precedes the final save point before the boss.
  2. In this large room, look for a section of the floor that appears to be made of Power Bomb Blocks, often in the lower-right corner or near a wall.
  3. Lay a Power Bomb to destroy these blocks, revealing a hidden passage downwards.
  4. Drop into this passage. It will lead to a small, enclosed area containing the final Power Bomb Tank.
• Completeness Check: If you're aiming for 100% completion, ensure you've thoroughly explored every corner of Chozodia, especially after acquiring all major upgrades.

Collecting all 8 Power Bomb Tanks will provide Samus with a maximum capacity of 16 Power Bombs, making her an unstoppable force against even the toughest challenges Zebes has to offer. Happy hunting!