Metroid
Metroid

Introduction

Begin Samus Aran's inaugural mission on Planet Zebes. This NES Metroid guide walks you through perilous caverns and treacherous strongholds.

Introduction

Welcome, bounty hunter, to the perilous planet Zebes! This guide will serve as your comprehensive companion through the labyrinthine caverns and treacherous strongholds of the original Metroid on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Whether you're a seasoned veteran revisiting a classic or a new recruit embarking on Samus Aran's inaugural mission, this walkthrough is meticulously crafted to provide clear, actionable steps for achieving 100% completion and ultimately defeating the nefarious Space Pirates and their leader, Mother Brain.

The world of Zebes is an expansive, interconnected environment that demands keen observation, strategic backtracking, and a willingness to explore every nook and cranny. Patience is paramount, and don't hesitate to experiment with Samus's growing arsenal of abilities and weapons to uncover hidden paths, bypass obstacles, or overcome formidable alien adversaries.

Your Mission Begins: Brinstar Sector

Unlike later installments, the original NES Metroid begins not in Tourian, but deep within the crimson-hued caverns of Brinstar. Your initial objective is to acquire essential upgrades that are critical for survival and progression. Without these core abilities, navigating Zebes and confronting its inhabitants will prove impossible.

Initial Progression: Morph Ball and Bombs

Upon landing, Samus is immediately thrust into the heart of Brinstar. Your first major goals are to locate the Morph Ball and Bombs, which are foundational to exploring the planet's intricate network of tunnels.

  1. From the Landing Site (Brinstar):
    • You will start in a vertical shaft. Head left immediately.
    • Proceed through the first door you encounter on the left.
    • You will enter a long, horizontal corridor. Continue moving left, dispatching any Zoomers or Skrees that impede your progress.
    • At the far left end of this corridor, you will find a door. Enter it.
  2. Morph Ball Acquisition:
    • Upon entering this new chamber, you will immediately see the Morph Ball upgrade. It's a spherical item resting on a pedestal.
    • Walk into it to acquire the ability. Samus can now transform into a small, agile sphere by pressing down on the D-pad, allowing access to tight passages and hidden areas.
    • Strategy Tip: The Morph Ball is indispensable. Many early secrets and pathways are only accessible in this form.
  3. Bomb Acquisition (Requires Morph Ball):
    • After acquiring the Morph Ball, exit the room to the right.
    • Return to the long horizontal corridor. Now, look for a small, narrow passage on the floor, typically near the center or slightly to the right of where you entered from the landing shaft.
    • Transform into the Morph Ball and roll through this passage.
    • You will drop into a small, enclosed room. Here, you will find the Bombs upgrade.
    • Touch the Bombs to acquire them. Bombs are crucial for destroying certain blocks, revealing hidden paths, and damaging enemies.
    • Strategy Tip: Practice laying bombs (A button while in Morph Ball form). They have a small blast radius but are essential for bomb jumping and breaking specific blocks.

With the Morph Ball and Bombs in hand, Samus is now equipped to begin proper exploration of Brinstar and uncover its many secrets.

Early Game Strategies and Essential Upgrades

The original Metroid is known for its non-linear exploration and challenging difficulty. Mastering these early strategies will significantly improve your chances of success.

Key Early Strategies:

  • Bomb Jumping: This advanced technique is vital for reaching many inaccessible areas and hidden items. To perform a bomb jump:
    1. Transform into the Morph Ball.
    2. Lay a bomb (A button).
    3. As the bomb is about to explode, lay another bomb directly on top of it.
    4. The first bomb's explosion will propel Samus upwards. While airborne, the second bomb will explode, propelling her even higher.
    5. With practice, you can chain multiple bombs to reach extreme heights. This is often required to access Missile Expansions and Energy Tanks.
  • Energy Tanks: These invaluable upgrades increase Samus's maximum health by 100 units each. The first few Energy Tanks are often found in relatively accessible locations within Brinstar. Prioritize finding them to make combat encounters more manageable.
    • First Energy Tank (Brinstar): After acquiring the Morph Ball and Bombs, head back to the vertical shaft where you started. Look for a small passage on the right wall, high up. Use bomb jumps to reach and enter it. The Energy Tank is inside.
  • Missile Expansions: Missiles are Samus's secondary weapon and are indispensable for opening red doors (which require 5 missiles per door) and defeating bosses. Each Missile Expansion increases your missile capacity by 5. Collect every expansion you can find.
    • First Missile Expansion (Brinstar): From the room where you found the Bombs, head right. You'll find a passage that leads to a vertical shaft. Descend this shaft. At the bottom, look for a hidden passage on the left wall (use bombs to reveal it). This leads to your first Missile Expansion.
  • Map Awareness: The original Metroid famously lacks an in-game map. It is highly recommended to either mentally map out areas, sketch your own map, or consult an external map resource. Paying attention to unique room layouts, enemy placements, and environmental cues will aid your navigation immensely.
  • Grinding for Health/Missiles: If you find yourself low on health or missiles, certain rooms with easily defeated enemies (like Zoomers or Skrees) can be used to farm for drops. Enemies occasionally drop small energy or missile refills.

Understanding Enemy Encounters (Early Brinstar)

Familiarize yourself with the common enemies you'll encounter in Brinstar:

  • Zoomer: Slow-moving, crawling creatures. Easily defeated with a single beam shot. They often cling to walls and ceilings.
  • Skree: Bat-like creatures that drop from the ceiling when Samus approaches. They are a bit faster but still easily dispatched with a few beam shots.
  • Ripper: Invulnerable, flying creatures that move in a fixed horizontal pattern. They cannot be destroyed by Samus's beam or missiles. Avoid them or use the Morph Ball to roll under them.
  • Mellow: Plant-like enemies that shoot projectiles. They are stationary and can be destroyed.

This introduction provides the fundamental tools, initial direction, and crucial strategies needed to begin your epic journey through Zebes. Prepare yourself, Samus, for a challenging and rewarding adventure that laid the groundwork for an iconic franchise!