Metroid
Metroid

100% Completion Guide

Navigate Metroid's Zebes to achieve 100% completion. This guide details finding all 6 Energy Tanks and essential upgrades without an in-game map.

100% Completion Guide: Metroid (NES/GBA)

Achieving 100% completion in the original Metroid for the NES (and its GBA port via the NES Classics series) is a true test of exploration, combat skill, and memory. Unlike later titles, there's no in-game map, and many upgrades are hidden behind breakable blocks or in obscure passages. This guide will lead you through every step, ensuring you collect all 6 Energy Tanks and 100 Missiles (25 Missile Tanks, each granting 4 missiles) before facing Mother Brain.

Important Considerations for NES Metroid:

  • No Map: You'll need to rely on your own mapping skills or external resources. This guide assumes a basic familiarity with the game's layout.
  • No Power Bombs: Power Bombs were introduced in Super Metroid. All breakable blocks are destroyed with regular bombs or the Screw Attack.
  • No Save Points: The original NES version uses a password system. The GBA port offers save states.
  • Item Order Flexibility: While this guide provides an optimal path, some items can be acquired in a slightly different order. However, certain upgrades (e.g., Varia Suit, Ice Beam) are crucial for progression.
  • Missile Count: Each Missile Tank adds 4 missiles to your capacity. To reach 100 missiles, you need to find all 25 Missile Tanks.

I. Brinstar: The Starting Point

Your adventure begins in Brinstar. Focus on acquiring essential movement and offensive upgrades here.

Initial Exploration & Upgrades

  • Long Beam: From your starting point, head right until you reach a long vertical shaft. Descend and head left. The Long Beam is in the first room to the left, guarded by a single enemy. This is a crucial early upgrade, extending your beam's reach.
  • Morph Ball: Continue left from the Long Beam room. You'll enter a large room with a statue. The Morph Ball is directly in front of the statue. This allows you to roll into small passages.
  • Bomb: After acquiring the Morph Ball, roll into the passage to the right of the statue. The Bomb upgrade is at the end of this passage. Bombs are essential for breaking certain blocks and defeating enemies.

Brinstar Missile Tanks (4/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

With Bombs, you can now access hidden areas.

  1. Missile Tank #1 (Brinstar): From the Morph Ball statue room, head right, then down the vertical shaft. In the room to the right at the bottom, bomb the floor in the middle to reveal a hidden passage. The Missile Tank is below.
  2. Missile Tank #2 (Brinstar): Return to the vertical shaft where you found the Long Beam. Descend to the very bottom. Head right into a room with a series of platforms. Bomb the floor on the right side to find another hidden passage leading to the Missile Tank.
  3. Missile Tank #3 (Brinstar): From the room with Missile Tank #2, go left. In the next room, bomb the ceiling on the far left to reveal a hidden passage. The Missile Tank is above.
  4. Energy Tank #1 (Brinstar): From the room with Missile Tank #3, head right, then down the vertical shaft. Take the first door on the right. In this room, bomb the floor in the center to reveal a path to the Energy Tank.
  5. Missile Tank #4 (Brinstar): From Energy Tank #1, head left and descend further down the main vertical shaft. Take the first door on the left. In this room, bomb the floor on the far left to find the Missile Tank.

II. Norfair: Heat and High Jumps

Norfair is characterized by its lava pits and stronger enemies. The High Jump Boots are your primary goal here.

Norfair Progression & Upgrades

  • High Jump Boots: From the main Brinstar vertical shaft, take the elevator down to Norfair. Head right through the first few rooms until you reach a large room with a series of platforms over lava. Navigate to the upper-right corner of this room. You'll need to bomb a path or carefully jump. The High Jump Boots are in a small alcove. This is a critical upgrade for reaching new areas.
  • Screw Attack: From the High Jump Boots room, continue right. You'll eventually reach a vertical shaft with a series of narrow passages. Navigate this shaft, heading generally downwards and to the right. The Screw Attack is in a room to the right, guarded by a few enemies. This makes you invincible while spinning and destroys most enemies on contact.

Norfair Missile Tanks (6/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

  1. Missile Tank #5 (Norfair): From the High Jump Boots room, head left into the previous large room with platforms over lava. Use your new High Jump to reach a high platform on the left side of the room. Bomb the ceiling here to reveal a hidden passage to the Missile Tank.
  2. Missile Tank #6 (Norfair): From the Screw Attack room, head left, then up the vertical shaft. Take the first door on the left. In this room, bomb the floor in the center to find the Missile Tank.
  3. Energy Tank #2 (Norfair): From the room with Missile Tank #6, continue left. In the next room, bomb the ceiling on the far left to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Energy Tank.

III. Kraid's Lair: The First Boss

Kraid's Lair is accessed from Brinstar. You'll need to find a hidden path to enter.

Accessing Kraid's Lair & Varia Suit

  • Path to Kraid's Lair: From the main Brinstar vertical shaft, head left from the elevator to Norfair. You'll be in a room with a series of small, interconnected passages. Bomb the floor in the bottom-left corner of this room to reveal a hidden path leading down to Kraid's Lair.
  • Varia Suit: Once in Kraid's Lair, navigate through the initial rooms, generally heading right and down. The Varia Suit is in a large open room, typically found after a series of narrow passages. This suit halves all damage taken and is essential for surviving later areas.

Kraid Battle Strategy

  • Location: Kraid is found at the very bottom-right of his lair.
  • Weakness: Kraid's weak point is his mouth.
  • Strategy: Kraid will spit projectiles and occasionally jump. Dodge his attacks and fire missiles into his open mouth. It takes approximately 5 missiles to defeat him.

Kraid's Lair Missile Tanks (4/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

After defeating Kraid, new paths open up.

  1. Missile Tank #7 (Kraid's Lair): After defeating Kraid, the door to the right will open. In this new room, head right. The Missile Tank is in plain sight on a platform.
  2. Missile Tank #8 (Kraid's Lair): From the room with Missile Tank #7, head back left into Kraid's boss room. Bomb the floor in the center of the room to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Missile Tank.
  3. Energy Tank #3 (Kraid's Lair): From the room with Missile Tank #8, head right again. In the room where you found Missile Tank #7, bomb the ceiling on the far right to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Energy Tank.
  4. Missile Tank #9 (Kraid's Lair): From Energy Tank #3, head left. In the room before Kraid's boss room (the one with the Varia Suit), bomb the ceiling on the far left to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Missile Tank.
  5. Missile Tank #10 (Kraid's Lair): From the Varia Suit room, head left through the initial rooms of Kraid's Lair. In the vertical shaft leading up to Brinstar, there's a hidden passage on the left wall, accessible by bombing. The Missile Tank is inside.

IV. Brinstar Revisited & Ice Beam

Return to Brinstar to pick up more items and access the Ice Beam.

Brinstar Missile Tanks (4/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

  1. Missile Tank #11 (Brinstar): From the main Brinstar vertical shaft, head right from the elevator to Norfair. In the room with the series of platforms, bomb the ceiling on the far right to reveal a hidden passage to the Missile Tank.
  2. Missile Tank #12 (Brinstar): From Missile Tank #11, head left. In the next room, bomb the floor in the center to find another Missile Tank.
  3. Energy Tank #4 (Brinstar): From Missile Tank #12, head left. In the room with the series of small, interconnected passages (where you found the path to Kraid's Lair), bomb the ceiling on the far right to reveal a hidden passage to the Energy Tank.
  4. Missile Tank #13 (Brinstar): From Energy Tank #4, head left. In the room with the Morph Ball statue, bomb the ceiling directly above the statue to reveal a hidden passage to the Missile Tank.
  5. Missile Tank #14 (Brinstar): From Missile Tank #13, head right. In the room where you found the Long Beam, bomb the ceiling on the far right to reveal a hidden passage to the Missile Tank.

Ice Beam Acquisition

  • Ice Beam: From the main Brinstar vertical shaft, head left from the elevator to Norfair. Navigate through the rooms, generally heading left and up. The Ice Beam is in a room high up on the left side of Brinstar, often guarded by a few enemies. This is crucial for freezing enemies to use as platforms.

V. Norfair Revisited: Ice Beam & Ridley Prep

With the Ice Beam, you can now access new areas in Norfair.

Norfair Missile Tanks (10/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

  1. Missile Tank #15 (Norfair): From the main Norfair vertical shaft (where you enter from Brinstar), head right. In the first large room with platforms over lava, use the Ice Beam to freeze a flying enemy (Zebbo) to create a platform to reach a high ledge on the left. Bomb the ceiling here to find the Missile Tank.
  2. Missile Tank #16 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #15, head right. In the room where you found the High Jump Boots, use the Ice Beam to freeze enemies and reach a high platform on the far right. Bomb the ceiling here to find the Missile Tank.
  3. Missile Tank #17 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #16, head right into the vertical shaft. Descend to the very bottom. Take the door on the right. In this room, bomb the ceiling on the far right to find the Missile Tank.
  4. Energy Tank #5 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #17, head left. In the next room, bomb the floor in the center to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Energy Tank.
  5. Missile Tank #18 (Norfair): From Energy Tank #5, head left. In the room before the Screw Attack, bomb the ceiling on the far left to find the Missile Tank.
  6. Missile Tank #19 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #18, head right into the Screw Attack room. Bomb the floor in the center to find another Missile Tank.
  7. Missile Tank #20 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #19, head right. In the next room, bomb the ceiling on the far right to find the Missile Tank.
  8. Missile Tank #21 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #20, head left. In the vertical shaft, ascend to the very top. Take the door on the left. In this room, bomb the floor in the center to find the Missile Tank.
  9. Missile Tank #22 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #21, head left. In the next room, bomb the ceiling on the far left to find the Missile Tank.
  10. Missile Tank #23 (Norfair): From Missile Tank #22, head right. In the room before the vertical shaft, bomb the floor on the far right to find the Missile Tank.

VI. Ridley's Lair: The Second Boss

Ridley's Lair is deep within Norfair. You'll need to navigate a treacherous path to reach him.

Accessing Ridley's Lair & Wave Beam

  • Path to Ridley's Lair: From the main Norfair vertical shaft, descend to the very bottom. Head right through a series of rooms, often involving lava and difficult jumps. You'll eventually find an elevator leading down to Ridley's Lair.
  • Wave Beam: Once in Ridley's Lair, navigate through the initial rooms, generally heading right and down. The Wave Beam is in a large open room, typically found after a series of narrow passages. This beam allows your shots to pass through walls and enemies.

Ridley Battle Strategy

  • Location: Ridley is found at the very bottom-right of his lair.
  • Weakness: Ridley's weak point is his mouth.
  • Strategy: Ridley flies around, spitting fireballs. Dodge his attacks and fire missiles into his open mouth. It takes approximately 5 missiles to defeat him.

Ridley's Lair Missile Tanks (2/25) & Energy Tanks (1/6)

After defeating Ridley, the path to Tourian is open.

  1. Missile Tank #24 (Ridley's Lair): After defeating Ridley, the door to the right will open. In this new room, head right. The Missile Tank is in plain sight on a platform.
  2. Energy Tank #6 (Ridley's Lair): From the room with Missile Tank #24, head back left into Ridley's boss room. Bomb the floor in the center of the room to reveal a hidden passage leading to the Energy Tank.

VII. Tourian: The Final Gauntlet

Tourian is the final area, leading directly to Mother Brain. There's only one item here.

Tourian Missile Tank (1/25)

  1. Missile Tank #25 (Tourian): From the elevator leading down to Tourian (located in Brinstar, after defeating both Kraid and Ridley), proceed through the first few rooms. You'll encounter a room with a series of Rippers (invincible enemies). In this room, bomb the floor in the center to reveal a hidden passage leading to the final Missile Tank.

VIII. Mother Brain Battle Strategy & Escape

With all items collected, you are ready to face Mother Brain.

Mother Brain Strategy

  • Location: Mother Brain is at the very end of Tourian.
  • Phase 1: Turrets: You'll first encounter a room with several turrets (Rinkas) and a lava pit. Destroy all the turrets with your beam or missiles.
  • Phase 2: Mother Brain's Eye: After the turrets are destroyed, a path to Mother Brain will open. She is encased in a glass tube. Her only weak point is her eye. Fire missiles into her eye while avoiding the Rinkas she spawns and the lava rising from the floor.
  • Final Blow: Once her eye is destroyed, she will explode, and the self-destruct sequence will begin.

Escape Sequence

After defeating Mother Brain, you will have a limited time (usually around 600 counts on the timer) to escape Tourian and ascend back to your gunship in Brinstar. The path is generally straightforward, but you'll encounter enemies. Use your Screw Attack and high jump to navigate quickly. Do not waste time, as the timer is unforgiving.

Congratulations! You have achieved 100% completion in the original Metroid. Enjoy the ending sequence and your well-earned sense of accomplishment!