Metroid: Zero Mission Complete Guide (94 Sections) | AntMag

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Relive Samus Aran's first mission in Metroid: Zero Mission, the classic GBA platformer. This extensive guide features 82 sections, covering everything from getting started and a full main walkthrough to boss strategies, item locations, and post-game content. Whether you're hunting for upgrades or mastering enemy patterns, you'll find the help you need.

This document Copyright 2004,2017,2021,2022,2024 Daniel Engel

Alright, let's get you moving in Metroid: Zero Mission! Before we dive into the action, it's super important to get a handle on Samus's controls. Think of this as your basic training – once you've got these down, you'll be ready for anything Zebes throws at you.

Your Basic Moves:

Left/Right: This is how you'll move Samus left and right across the screen. Simple enough, right?
Up: Use this to aim your arm cannon upwards or to climb up ledges when hanging.
Down: This lets Samus crouch down or, crucially, morph into her ball form.

Action Buttons:

A: Your jump button. Essential for getting around and dodging attacks.
B: This fires your standard beam weapon. Keep those enemies at bay!
L: Hold this down to aim your gun diagonally upwards. If you press down while holding L, you can angle it diagonally downwards. Handy for tricky shots!
R: Once you get missiles, hold R and press B to fire them. These pack a punch!

Special Functions:

Start: Brings up your map screen. You can also check Samus's status or put the GBA to sleep here.
Select: This lets you toggle between your regular missiles and Super Missiles once you've acquired them.

Advanced Techniques (Get Ready!):

Wall Jump: This is a game-changer! Jump towards a wall, then quickly press the opposite direction and the jump button (A) just as you make contact. It takes a little practice to get the timing right, but mastering this will open up so many new paths and evasion options.
Screw Attack: You can actually perform this move even before you get the official Screw Attack item! Just charge up a shot with your Charge Beam, then jump into an enemy while spinning. It's a great way to deal with tougher foes.
Speed Booster Moves: Once you snag the Speed Booster, a whole new set of moves unlocks.

Super Jump: Run until Samus starts flashing, then press down to maintain the charge for a short time. While holding up, press jump (A) to blast straight up into the air at incredible speed.
Shoulder Charge: Charge up like the Super Jump. Then, in the air, quickly push in the direction you want to travel (left, right, or diagonal). Samus will dash forward with the Speed Booster's power.
Ball Charge: Charge up as usual, then morph into your ball. Jump into the air and quickly press the direction you want to travel. Samus will zip along in ball form!

Don't worry if these advanced moves feel tricky at first. Just keep practicing them in safe areas, and soon they'll become second nature. Getting comfortable with these controls is the first step to conquering Zebes!

Pickups

This guide covers the various pickups available in Metroid: Zero Mission. While the game doesn't feature a traditional "pickup" system like many other games, it does include essential items and upgrades that Samus Aran collects throughout her journey on planet Zebes.

Walkthrough

1
Power Suit Upgrades: These are crucial for Samus's progression. Key upgrades include the Morph Ball, Bombs, Missiles, Charge Beam, Ice Beam, Wave Beam, and the Varia Suit. Each upgrade unlocks new areas and abilities.
2
Energy Tanks: These are vital for survival, increasing Samus's maximum health. They are scattered throughout Zebes and are essential for tougher encounters.
3
Reserve Tanks: These function like extra Energy Tanks that can be activated manually, providing a significant health boost when needed.
4
Power Bombs: These powerful explosives clear out large areas and can break specific blocks, opening up new paths.
5
Screw Attack: This upgrade allows Samus to perform a devastating spinning attack, useful for both combat and breaking certain obstacles.
6
Grapple Beam: Essential for traversing gaps and manipulating certain objects, the Grapple Beam is a key tool for exploration.
7
Space Jump: This upgrade grants Samus the ability to jump multiple times in mid-air, greatly enhancing her mobility.

Tips

Keep an eye out for hidden passages and breakable blocks, as many upgrades are concealed.
Prioritize collecting Energy Tanks to increase your survivability, especially before challenging boss encounters.
Master the use of each pickup, as they are often required to overcome specific environmental puzzles and enemy patterns.
The Morph Ball and Bombs are fundamental; ensure you utilize them effectively to access new areas and find hidden items.

Collecting all the necessary pickups will allow Samus Aran to fully upgrade her abilities, enabling her to overcome the Space Pirates, defeat Mother Brain, and escape planet Zebes.

Suit Upgrades

Hey there! So you're diving into Metroid: Zero Mission and wondering about all those sweet suit upgrades Samus can get? You've come to the right place! These upgrades aren't just for show; they're essential for exploring Zebes, taking down bosses, and finding all the secrets. Let's break down what each one does and why you'll want it.

Missile Tank — These are crucial for increasing your missile capacity, letting you fire more of those powerful projectiles before needing to find more ammo.
Energy Tank — Every bit of health counts, right? Energy Tanks add a whopping 100 units to your health, making those tough encounters much more manageable.
Morph Ball — This is one of the first game-changers you'll find. It lets Samus curl up into a ball, perfect for squeezing through tight passages you couldn't normally access.
Long Beam — Ever feel like your shots aren't reaching far enough? The Long Beam extends the range of your basic beam, making it easier to hit enemies and targets from a safer distance.
Charge Beam — Holding down the B button charges up your shots for a more powerful blast. It's great for dealing extra damage quickly when you have an opening.
Ice Beam — Freeze your enemies solid! This beam not only damages foes but also immobilizes them, turning them into temporary platforms or just making them easier to avoid.
Wave Beam — This beam is awesome because it can shoot right through enemies and even some walls. It's super useful for hitting targets you can't normally see or reach.
Plasma Beam — Get ready for some serious firepower. The Plasma Beam significantly boosts the power of your shots, making quick work of even tougher enemies.
Bombs — Once you have the Morph Ball, you'll get bombs. These are your primary way to attack while in ball form and are key for destroying certain blocks and performing bomb jumps to reach new areas.
Power Bombs — These are screen-clearing explosives! They damage every enemy on screen and can also destroy special blocks that regular bombs can't touch. Stock up on these for tough rooms!
Power Grip — This upgrade is a lifesaver. It lets Samus grab onto ledges, allowing you to hang there, shoot enemies below, or pull yourself up. Super handy for tricky platforming.
Speed Booster — When you get this, Samus can run at incredible speeds if she has enough space to accelerate. This isn't just for speed; it's also required to break certain blocks and can be used for aerial dashes. To perform an aerial dash, run until Samus flashes, press down to store the charge, then jump and quickly press a direction to fly. You can even use it in Morph Ball form if you have the Hi-Jump!
Hi-Jump — These boots give you a serious boost to your jump height. Plus, you can now jump while in Morph Ball form, which is essential for certain puzzles and reaching higher ledges.
Screw Attack — This is a powerful melee attack where Samus spins and damages enemies by jumping into them. It's also used to destroy specific types of blocks that nothing else can break.
Space Jump — Get ready to fly! The Space Jump allows Samus to perform multiple jumps in mid-air, making traversal and reaching distant platforms much easier. It's incredibly useful for exploration.
Varia Suit — This suit is a must-have. It cuts the damage you take from enemies in half and, importantly, lets you walk through hazardous acid without taking any damage.
Gravity Suit — The ultimate defensive upgrade. It further reduces damage taken, allows you to survive in lava, and makes you move normally underwater, which is a huge advantage in certain areas.

Brinstar

Brinstar is the first major area Samus Aran explores in Metroid: Zero Mission. It serves as an introduction to the game's mechanics and the planet Zebes.

Walkthrough

1
Begin by exploring the Crateria area, which leads into Brinstar.
2
Acquire the Morph Ball ability early on to access new pathways.
3
Find the Missile Expansion to increase your firepower.
4
Defeat the Spazer, a mini-boss guarding a key upgrade.
5
Navigate through the various sectors of Brinstar, including the Jungle and Elevator areas.
6
Obtain the Varia Suit to gain resistance to heat and energy.
7
Continue deeper into Brinstar, preparing for the challenges ahead.

Tips

Conserve your energy by defeating enemies efficiently.
Look for hidden passages and breakable blocks to find energy tanks and missile expansions.
The Morph Ball is crucial for navigating tight spaces and activating switches.
Pay attention to environmental cues that might indicate hidden items or dangers.
Mastering the game's controls will make exploration smoother and combat easier.

Upon completing the Brinstar section, Samus will have acquired several key upgrades, including the Morph Ball, Missile Expansion, and Varia Suit, preparing her for the next stage of her mission.