Metroid
Metroid

All Energy Tank Locations in Metroid

Find every Energy Tank in Metroid to permanently boost Samus's health. These crucial pickups increase your survivability against Zebes's dangers, vital for pro.

Energy Tank Locations

Energy Tanks are absolutely crucial for Samus's survival and progression in both the NES and Game Boy Advance (GBA) iterations of Metroid. These invaluable pickups permanently increase your maximum health, allowing you to withstand more damage from Zebes's hostile flora and fauna. Prioritizing their collection is key to conquering the planet's many challenges, especially as you delve deeper into more dangerous territories like Norfair and Tourian.

While their core function remains the same, there are important distinctions between the NES and GBA versions regarding the number of tanks and how they are represented:

  • NES Metroid: There are 6 Energy Tanks scattered across Zebes. Each tank adds 100 units to your energy meter. Unlike later Metroid titles, the UI does not visually represent these as distinct "bars" in the same way; rather, your total energy value simply increases. Collecting all six will provide a substantial boost to your survivability.
  • Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA): In this GBA remake, there are a total of 12 Energy Tanks. Each tank adds 100 units to your energy meter, and these are clearly represented as additional "bars" or segments on your health display, making it easier to track your increased capacity.

Regardless of the version, Energy Tanks are often cleverly concealed. Expect to find them in secret rooms, behind bombable blocks or destructible terrain, or in areas that demand specific power-ups (like Bombs, High Jump Boots, or Screw Attack) or advanced platforming techniques to reach. Mastering Samus's movement and weapon set is essential for uncovering these hidden treasures.

NES Metroid: Energy Tank Locations (6 Total)

The original Metroid on NES features six critical Energy Tanks. Collecting all of them is highly recommended before attempting to face Ridley, Kraid, or the Mother Brain.

  1. Brinstar (First Tank):
    • Location: From your starting point in Brinstar, head left through the first vertical shaft. In the next horizontal room, descend to the bottom. You'll find a long horizontal passage to the left.
    • How to Get It: Bomb the floor in the middle of this passage to reveal a hidden shaft. Descend this shaft, and the Energy Tank will be waiting at the bottom. This is often one of the first tanks players find.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.
  2. Brinstar (Second Tank):
    • Location: This tank is located near the Brinstar-Norfair elevator. From the elevator, head left into the large, open room with several platforms.
    • How to Get It: Navigate to the upper-left portion of this room. There's a small, seemingly inaccessible alcove. Use your Bombs to destroy the blocks blocking the path to this alcove. The Energy Tank is inside.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.
  3. Norfair (First Tank):
    • Location: After entering Norfair from Brinstar, proceed right until you reach a large vertical shaft. Descend this shaft.
    • How to Get It: At the very bottom of this shaft, there's a hidden passage to the right. Bomb the wall to reveal it. Follow this passage to find the Energy Tank.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.
  4. Norfair (Second Tank):
    • Location: This tank is found in the notorious "bubble room" of Norfair, a large horizontal area filled with floating enemies and lava pits.
    • How to Get It: In the middle of this long room, there's a section of floor that looks slightly different or out of place. Bomb this section to reveal a hidden vertical shaft leading downwards. Descend carefully (watch out for lava!), and the Energy Tank will be at the bottom.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.
  5. Kraid's Lair:
    • Location: Inside Kraid's Lair, after defeating Kraid himself, proceed to the room immediately to the right of Kraid's chamber.
    • How to Get It: In this room, there's a destructible block on the ceiling near the right side. Shoot or bomb it to reveal a hidden path leading upwards. Follow this path to find the Energy Tank.
    • Prerequisites: Defeat Kraid (or at least access the room after him), Bombs/Missiles.
  6. Ridley's Lair:
    • Location: Within Ridley's Lair, specifically in the area leading to Ridley's chamber.
    • How to Get It: Navigate through Ridley's Lair until you reach a long, horizontal room with several platforms and enemies. Near the right side of this room, there's a section of the floor that can be bombed. Bomb it to reveal a hidden shaft leading down to the Energy Tank. Be prepared for tough enemies in this area.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.

Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA): Energy Tank Locations (12 Total)

Metroid: Zero Mission, being a remake, features a more expansive world and a greater number of Energy Tanks. Collecting all 12 will make Samus an absolute powerhouse, capable of shrugging off damage that would be fatal in the original.

Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of Zero Mission's map, a full step-by-step guide for all 12 tanks would be excessively long. Instead, here's a breakdown by area, with key indicators of where to search:

  1. Crateria (1 Tank):
    • Location: In the very first vertical shaft you descend after landing, there's a hidden passage to the left near the bottom.
    • How to Get It: Use a Bomb to open the path.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs.
  2. Brinstar (3 Tanks):
    • Tank 1: Near the starting area, in a room with a large pit. Look for a hidden passage above the pit, accessible with the High Jump Boots.
    • Tank 2: In the large, multi-level room with the first Missile Tank. There's a hidden path in the upper-right section, requiring a well-placed Bomb or Missile.
    • Tank 3: After obtaining the Long Beam, return to the room with the large green creatures that drop from the ceiling. There's a hidden path on the left wall, accessible by shooting.
    • Prerequisites: High Jump Boots, Bombs/Missiles, Long Beam.
  3. Kraid's Lair (2 Tanks):
    • Tank 1: In the room directly above the room where you fight Kraid. Look for a bombable block on the ceiling.
    • Tank 2: In a room to the right of Kraid's chamber, involving a series of tricky platforming jumps over lava. A hidden block on the right wall leads to it.
    • Prerequisites: Bombs, Varia Suit (recommended for lava).
  4. Norfair (3 Tanks):
    • Tank 1: Early in Norfair, in a room with a large lava pit. There's a hidden passage on the right wall, requiring a Power Bomb to open.
    • Tank 2: In the "bubble room" (a long horizontal room with lava and flying enemies). Look for a specific section of the floor that can be bombed to reveal a path downwards.
    • Tank 3: Deeper in Norfair, in a room with several fire-breathing enemies. There's a hidden path in the upper-left corner, requiring precise platforming and a Bomb.
    • Prerequisites: Power Bombs, Bombs, Varia Suit (highly recommended).
  5. Ridley's Lair (2 Tanks):
    • Tank 1: In a vertical shaft filled with lava and flying enemies. There's a hidden path on the left wall, accessible with a Power Bomb.
    • Tank 2: In a room with several acid pools and flying enemies. Look for a bombable block on the ceiling near the center of the room.
    • Prerequisites: Power Bombs, Varia Suit (essential).
  6. Tourian (1 Tank):
    • Location: This tank is found in the long, vertical shaft that leads down to Mother Brain's chamber.
    • How to Get It: As you descend, look for a hidden passage on the left wall, requiring a Power Bomb to open. This is often the last Energy Tank players acquire.
    • Prerequisites: Power Bombs.

Strategic Importance and Prioritization

Energy Tanks are not just collectibles; they are game-changers. Here's why and when to prioritize them:

  • Early Game Survival: In both versions, finding the first few Energy Tanks in Brinstar and early Norfair significantly boosts your ability to survive encounters with basic enemies and navigate hazardous environments. More health means fewer frustrating deaths and less backtracking.
  • Boss Fights: Each boss in Metroid, from Kraid to Ridley and Mother Brain, is a significant challenge. Having a higher energy reserve allows you to absorb more hits, giving you more opportunities to learn their patterns and execute your strategy. For example, facing Ridley with only 1-2 Energy Tanks is a monumental task, but with 4+ (NES) or 8+ (GBA), the fight becomes much more manageable.
  • Hazardous Environments: Areas like Norfair and Ridley's Lair are filled with lava, acid, and enemies that deal continuous damage. Energy Tanks provide the buffer needed to traverse these areas, especially if you haven't yet acquired the Varia Suit.
  • Exploration and Experimentation: With more health, you can afford to take risks, explore unknown paths, and experiment with different strategies without immediate fear of death. This encourages deeper exploration and can lead to finding other hidden items.
  • "Sequence Breaking" (GBA): While not strictly necessary, a high energy count can enable certain sequence breaks in Zero Mission, allowing you to survive areas or boss fights earlier than intended, though this is generally for advanced players.

Common Pitfalls:

  • Missing Obvious Bomb Spots: Many Energy Tanks are simply behind a single bombable block. If a path seems blocked or an area looks suspicious, try bombing the floor, ceiling, or walls.
  • Lack of Power-ups: Some tanks are inaccessible without specific power-ups like Bombs, High Jump Boots, or Power Bombs. If you find a tank you can't reach, make a mental note and return once you've acquired the necessary ability.
  • Ignoring the Map (GBA): Zero Mission's map is excellent. Pay attention to areas that look like they might contain secrets (e.g., small, unexplored alcoves) and revisit them.

In summary, make Energy Tanks a high priority on your quest through Zebes. Their impact on Samus's survivability and your overall enjoyment of the game cannot be overstated.