All Missile Tank Locations in Metroid

Missile Tank Locations

Missile Tanks are absolutely essential for any bounty hunter traversing the treacherous depths of Zebes. These vital power-ups not only expand your offensive capabilities but are also the key to unlocking crucial pathways and defeating formidable bosses. Without a healthy supply of missiles, many areas will remain inaccessible, and certain enemies will prove insurmountable. This comprehensive guide will detail the location of every single Missile Tank across both the NES original and the Game Boy Advance remake, Metroid: Zero Mission, ensuring you maximize your arsenal.

while the core function of Missile Tanks remains consistent across both versions – increasing your missile capacity – the specifics of their quantity and the amount they add per tank differ significantly. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective planning and exploration.

Missile Tank Mechanics: NES vs. GBA

Before diving into specific locations, let's clarify the mechanics of Missile Tanks for each platform:

NES Metroid: There are a total of 25 Missile Tanks scattered throughout Zebes. Each tank collected increases your missile capacity by 4 missiles. Therefore, collecting all 25 tanks will grant you a maximum of 100 missiles (25 tanks * 4 missiles/tank). While the game's internal counter can theoretically reach 255, you will not achieve this maximum solely through collecting Missile Tanks. Strategic use of your limited missile supply is paramount in the NES version.
Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA): The GBA remake features a much more generous missile system. There are a total of 50 Missile Tanks available. Each tank collected increases your missile capacity by 5 missiles. Collecting all 50 tanks will grant you a staggering maximum of 250 missiles (50 tanks * 5 missiles/tank). Additionally, 10 Super Missile Tanks are hidden, each adding 2 Super Missiles to your capacity, for a total of 20 Super Missiles. Super Missiles are a powerful upgrade that consume 5 regular missiles per shot.

Regardless of the version, Missile Tanks are frequently hidden behind destructible blocks, in cleverly concealed alcoves, or require specific power-ups to access. Always be on the lookout for suspicious blocks, listen for unusual sounds, and don't hesitate to bomb every wall and floor tile in areas that seem to have hidden paths. The Morph Ball, Bombs, High Jump Boots, Screw Attack, and Space Jump are often prerequisites for reaching these valuable upgrades.

Missile Tank Locations - Metroid screenshot — A well-hidden Missile Tank, often requiring keen observation and the right power-ups.

NES Metroid: Missile Tank Locations (25 Total)

The original Metroid on NES demands meticulous exploration. Here's a breakdown of where to find all 25 Missile Tanks:

Brinstar (7 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 1: From the starting point, head left and down into the first vertical shaft. It's in a small alcove to the left, accessible by bombing the floor.
Missile Tank 2: In the long horizontal corridor above the first vertical shaft. Bomb the ceiling near the middle to reveal a hidden path leading up to it.
Missile Tank 3: After obtaining the Morph Ball, head right from the starting point. Drop down the first shaft you encounter. At the bottom, bomb the floor to the right to reveal a hidden path.
Missile Tank 4: In the room with the first Chozo Statue (where you get the Morph Ball). Bomb the wall to the right of the statue to find a hidden passage.
Missile Tank 5: Near the first Energy Tank. Head left from the Energy Tank room, then drop down. Bomb the left wall in the small room below.
Missile Tank 6: In the area leading towards Norfair. After descending a long vertical shaft, head left. Bomb the floor in the next room to find a hidden path downwards.
Missile Tank 7: Just before the entrance to Norfair. In the room with the lava pit, bomb the ceiling on the right side to reveal a hidden path.

Norfair (8 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 8: From the entrance to Norfair, head right through the first few rooms. In the room with the lava and flying enemies, bomb the floor on the far right.
Missile Tank 9: After acquiring the Screw Attack. In the long horizontal corridor with many enemies, use Screw Attack to destroy the blocks in the ceiling near the middle.
Missile Tank 10: In the room with the first High Jump Boots. Bomb the wall to the right of the Chozo Statue.
Missile Tank 11: In the vertical shaft leading to the Wave Beam. Halfway down, bomb the left wall to reveal a hidden path.
Missile Tank 12: After getting the Wave Beam. Head back up the vertical shaft. In the room to the right, bomb the floor near the center.
Missile Tank 13: In the area leading to Ridley. In a room with several platforms over lava, bomb the ceiling on the far left.
Missile Tank 14: Near the second Energy Tank in Norfair. Head left from the Energy Tank room. Bomb the floor in the next room.
Missile 15: In the room directly above the Ridley boss fight chamber. Bomb the left wall to reveal a hidden passage.

Tourian (2 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 16: In the first vertical shaft of Tourian. Bomb the left wall near the bottom.
Missile Tank 17: In the long horizontal corridor after the first vertical shaft. Bomb the ceiling near the middle.

Kraid's Lair (4 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 18: From the entrance to Kraid's Lair, head right. In the room with the first set of enemies, bomb the floor on the left side.
Missile Tank 19: In the room directly above Kraid's boss chamber. Bomb the right wall to reveal a hidden passage.
Missile Tank 20: After defeating Kraid, head left from his chamber. In the next room, bomb the ceiling near the center.
Missile Tank 21: In the vertical shaft leading out of Kraid's Lair. Bomb the right wall near the top.

Ridley's Lair (4 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 22: From the entrance to Ridley's Lair, head left. In the room with the first set of enemies, bomb the floor on the right side.
Missile Tank 23: In the room directly above Ridley's boss chamber. Bomb the left wall to reveal a hidden passage.
Missile Tank 24: After defeating Ridley, head right from his chamber. In the next room, bomb the ceiling near the center.
Missile Tank 25: In the vertical shaft leading out of Ridley's Lair. Bomb the left wall near the top.

Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA): Missile Tank Locations (50 Total)

Metroid: Zero Mission offers a significantly expanded map and more intricate hiding spots for its 50 Missile Tanks. This guide will provide general directions and highlight key requirements. For a fully visual, step-by-step walkthrough, consider consulting a dedicated map guide.

Crateria (7 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 1: In the initial starting area, after getting the Morph Ball. Bomb the floor in the small room to the left of the first vertical shaft.
Missile Tank 2: Above the first Save Room. Requires Bombs to access a hidden path in the ceiling.
Missile Tank 3: In the long horizontal tunnel leading to the first Chozo Statue (Morph Ball). Bomb the ceiling in the middle section.
Missile Tank 4: After acquiring the Long Beam. In the room to the right of the Long Beam Chozo Statue, bomb the floor.
Missile Tank 5: In the vertical shaft leading down to Brinstar. Look for a hidden passage on the left wall, accessible with Bombs.
Missile Tank 6: Near the ship. Requires the Power Grip to climb up a wall and bomb a hidden block.
Missile Tank 7: In the room where you first encounter the Mellow. Bomb the floor on the right side.

Brinstar (12 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 8: From the Crateria entrance, head right. In the first large room, bomb the ceiling near the center.
Missile Tank 9: In the room where you obtain the Charge Beam. Bomb the wall to the left of the Chozo Statue.
Missile Tank 10: In the long horizontal corridor above the first Energy Tank. Requires Bombs and Morph Ball to navigate a hidden tunnel.
Missile Tank 11: After getting the Bombs. In the room below the Bomb Chozo Statue, bomb the floor on the right.
Missile Tank 12: In the vertical shaft leading to Norfair. Look for a hidden passage on the right wall, requiring a wall jump or Space Jump.
Missile Tank 13: Near the first Energy Tank in Brinstar. Bomb the floor to the left of the Energy Tank's location.
Missile Tank 14: In the room with the first set of Zebesians. Bomb the ceiling on the far right.
Missile Tank 15: In the room with the acid pit and platforms. Requires the High Jump Boots to reach a hidden ledge on the left.
Missile Tank 16: After acquiring the High Jump Boots. In the vertical shaft leading back up, look for a hidden path on the left wall.
Missile Tank 17: In the room with the first Rippers. Bomb the floor near the center.
Missile Tank 18: In the area leading to Kraid. Requires the Screw Attack to break through blocks in the ceiling.
Missile Tank 19: In the room directly above the Kraid's Lair entrance. Bomb the left wall.

Norfair (14 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 20: From the Brinstar entrance, head right. In the first large room, bomb the floor on the far right.
Missile Tank 21: In the room where you get the Varia Suit. Bomb the wall to the right of the Chozo Statue.
Missile Tank 22: In the long horizontal corridor with lava. Requires the Varia Suit and careful platforming. Bomb the ceiling near the middle.
Missile Tank 23: After getting the Speed Booster. In the room to the left of the Speed Booster Chozo Statue, perform a Shinespark to break through blocks on the ceiling.
Missile Tank 24: In the vertical shaft leading to the Wave Beam. Look for a hidden path on the right wall, requiring a wall jump or Space Jump.
Missile Tank 25: In the room with the first lava waterfall. Requires the Space Jump to reach a hidden ledge on the left.
Missile Tank 26: Near the second Energy Tank in Norfair. Bomb the floor to the right of the Energy Tank's location.
Missile Tank 27: In the room with the large lava pit and floating platforms. Requires the Space Jump to reach a high platform on the far left.
Missile Tank 28: After acquiring the Screw Attack. In the long vertical shaft with many enemies, use Screw Attack to break through blocks on the left wall.
Missile Tank 29: In the room with the first Fire Fleas. Bomb the ceiling on the far left.
Missile Tank 30: In the area leading to Ridley. Requires a Shinespark to break through blocks on the floor.
Missile Tank 31: In the room directly above the Ridley's Lair entrance. Bomb the right wall.
Missile Tank 32: In the room with the lava and the first Dragon. Bomb the floor on the left side.
Missile Tank 33: In the vertical shaft leading out of Norfair towards Tourian. Look for a hidden passage on the left wall.

Kraid's Lair (7 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 34: From the Brinstar entrance, head right. In the first large room, bomb the ceiling near the center.
Missile Tank 35: In the room where you get the Ice Beam. Bomb the wall to the right of the Chozo Statue.
Missile Tank 36: In the long horizontal corridor with many enemies. Requires the Ice Beam to freeze enemies and use them as platforms to reach a hidden ledge.
Missile Tank 37: After defeating Kraid. In the room to the left of Kraid's chamber, bomb the floor on the far left.
Missile Tank 38: In the vertical shaft leading out of Kraid's Lair. Look for a hidden passage on the right wall, requiring a wall jump or Space Jump.
Missile Tank 39: In the room with the first set of Mellows. Bomb the ceiling on the far right.
Missile Tank 40: In the room with the large acid pit. Requires the Space Jump to reach a high platform on the far left.

Ridley's Lair (7 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 41: From the Norfair entrance, head left. In the first large room, bomb the floor on the far left.
Missile Tank 42: In the room where you get the Plasma Beam. Bomb the wall to the left of the Chozo Statue.
Missile Tank 43: In the long horizontal corridor with lava and flying enemies. Requires the Space Jump to reach a hidden ledge on the ceiling.
Missile Tank 44: After defeating Ridley. In the room to the right of Ridley's chamber, bomb the ceiling near the center.
Missile Tank 45: In the vertical shaft leading out of Ridley's Lair. Look for a hidden passage on the left wall, requiring a wall jump or Space Jump.
Missile Tank 46: In the room with the first set of Dragons. Bomb the floor on the far right.
Missile Tank 47: In the room with the large lava pit. Requires the Space Jump to reach a high platform on the far right.

Tourian (3 Missile Tanks)

Missile Tank 48: In the first vertical shaft of Tourian. Bomb the left wall near the bottom.
Missile Tank 49: In the long horizontal corridor after the first vertical shaft. Bomb the ceiling near the middle.
Missile Tank 50: In the room just before the Mother Brain chamber. Bomb the floor on the far right.

Super Missile Tank Locations (Zero Mission Only - 10 Total)

Super Missile Tanks are a powerful upgrade exclusive to Metroid: Zero Mission. Each tank adds 2 Super Missiles, which deal significantly more damage than regular missiles but consume 5 regular missiles per shot. They are crucial for defeating certain bosses and breaking specific blocks.

Super Missile Tank 1 (Crateria): After acquiring the Power Grip, climb the wall in the room above the first Save Room. Bomb the ceiling.
Super Missile Tank 2 (Brinstar): In the room with the first Energy Tank. Requires a Shinespark to break through blocks on the right wall.
Super Missile Tank 3 (Norfair): In the room where you get the Varia Suit. Requires a Shinespark to break through blocks on the left wall.
Super Missile Tank 4 (Kraid's Lair): After defeating Kraid. In the room to the left of Kraid's chamber, requires a Shinespark to break through blocks on the ceiling.
Super Missile Tank 5 (Ridley's Lair): After defeating Ridley. In the room to the right of Ridley's chamber, requires a Shinespark to break through blocks on the floor.
Super Missile Tank 6 (Crateria): In the area where you fight the first Mellow. Requires the Screw Attack to break through blocks on the floor.
Super Missile Tank 7 (Brinstar): In the room with the acid pit and platforms. Requires the Space Jump to reach a hidden area on the top right.
Super Missile Tank 8 (Norfair): In the room with the large lava pit and floating platforms. Requires the Space Jump and a precise wall jump to reach a hidden alcove.
Super Missile Tank 9 (Chōzodia): After the Zero Suit segment, in the vertical shaft leading to the Power Suit. Bomb the right wall.
Super Missile Tank 10 (Chōzodia): In the room with the final Chozo Statue before the escape sequence. Bomb the ceiling.

Collecting all Missile and Super Missile Tanks will significantly boost your chances of survival and make your journey through Zebes much more manageable. Remember to revisit areas with new power-ups, as many tanks are inaccessible until you acquire specific abilities. Happy hunting, bounty hunter!