Core-X

Core-X are large X Parasites that have incorporated into themselves either an important ability from their victims or one of Samus Aran's power-ups. They take the form of a boss and, upon defeat, discard the host body and reveal their natural form.
==Characteristics==
Core-X are surrounded by a tough membrane covered in spikes. To break the shell, Samus has to fire Missiles at it. Once Samus has damaged it, the shell will flash for a few seconds, giving it temporary invincibility; on Easy Mode in the Japanese version of the game, Core-X are invincible for only half as long. As it takes more damage, it changes color from green to yellow to red. If Samus uses any Beam or Screw Attack on a Core-X while it is not flashing, Yellow and Green X Parasites will fly out of it; this may be a defense mechanism to launch the pure form of X so that it may infest whatever creature is attacking it.Looygi Bros. "11 Cool Details in Metroid Dread (Part 6)". YouTube. January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022. Since Samus is part-Metroid throughout most of the story's events, this defense mechanism becomes an advantage to her since she can absorb X to replenish her Energy and Missile Ammo.
A Core-X was once a regular X Parasite, but it was able to find a host with such power that it gained a hard shell and the ability to produce more X. For example, a normal yellow X infected Samus but when her resulting mimic is defeated, a Core-X is released instead. The power-up that Samus recovers by absorbing a Core-X is often an innate ability that belonged to the host it previously infected, and is used greatly by the parasite in its battle with Samus. For instance, Samus gets the Morph Ball from Arachnus, who rolls up into a ball; the Space Jump from Yakuza, whose head continuously jumps; the Gravity Suit from Nightmare, who controls gravity; the Speed Booster from Serris, who moves at incredible speeds; the High Jump Boots from Zazabi, who leaps extremely high; the Storm Missile from Escue, who rapidly fires multiple homing projectiles; and the Cross Bomb from Golzuna, who releases energy bombs that detonate in cardinal patterns.
During the events of Metroid Fusion, Samus stumbles upon a Core-X enveloped around hardware in a Data Room, from which the creature had obtained the Varia Suit upgrade by processing a download organically; considering the suit is the only thing Samus gains after defeating this Core-X which did not mimic any host, it implies that a regular X can also become a Core-X by directly taking a power-up.
As Metroid Fusion's story develops, the computerized Adam Malkovich warns Samus that the X are adapting and gradually becoming resistant to her weapons. This is evidenced by the increasing number of Missiles it takes to defeat each newly encountered Core-X, with the very first Core-X (Arachnus) only requiring three Missiles and the next Core-X (Zazabi) requiring four, needing an additional missile to change it from blue to yellow in color. By the end of the mission, it finally plateaus at six Super Missiles to defeat a single Core-X, which will take two missiles to change phase/color. However, in Metroid Dread, the two Core-X that Samus faces have the same health and are additionally vulnerable to charged Plasma Beam shots. The protective membrane can also be destroyed instantly with a single salvo from the Storm Missile or with a single Shinespark.Looygi Bros. "12 Cool Details in Metroid Dread (Part 9)". YouTube. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
The SA-X's Core-X replenishes all energy and ammunition, while all others in Fusion restore 4 Energy Tanks, 50 Missiles, and 10 Power Bombs. Core-X do not restore any energy or ammo in Dread.
==Variants==
There are two types of Core-X. The simplest to defeat is the normal Core-X that moves at high speeds around the arena trying to tackle Samus with its spiny exterior. This Core-X simply requires Samus to shoot it with Missiles until the shell cracks off to allow the absorption of the X inside. This variant can also grow to a gargantuan size when expressing the suit upgrade it holds, as well as spawn miniature variants of itself.
The second variant is one that holds a beam weapon, officially identified as a Beam Core-X.Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide pages 84, 124, and 135 This Core-X has complete protection from any weapon, including Missiles. While this kind of Core-X moves at slower speeds than a standard Core-X, it is also equipped with a long-range attack. Because they hold beam upgrades for Samus, it is not surprising that the Core-X would try to use the beam's power, hence their designation as Beam Core-X. In battle, the Core-X will open an eye-like part of its shell and begin charging its energy weapon just as Samus would with her Charge Beam, however the beam it eventually fires is merely the standard shot of the beam upgrade it holds. The charging period is the only time that the Core-X is open for attack, and only the "eye" can be damaged. The beam will be fired prematurely if the Core-X is hit, so it is recommended that Samus jumps as soon as she fires a Missile.
In total, Samus encounters 12 Core-X during her mission aboard the B.S.L Research Station (7 standard Core-X and 5 Beam Core-X). During her mission to ZDR, she encounters 3 Core-X, none of which are Beam Core-X.
===List of creatures containing standard Core-X===
*Arachnus: Morph Ball
*Zazabi: High Jump Boots/Jumpball
*Serris: Speed Booster
*Barrier Core-X: Varia Suit
*Yakuza: Space Jump
*Nightmare: Gravity Suit
*Neo-Ridley: Screw Attack
*Escue: Storm Missile
*Golzuna: Cross Bomb
*Experiment No. Z-57
Experiment No. Z-57's Core-X is not absorbed by Samus as it is knocked off a ledge and plunges into lava. What ability it would have provided is unknown.
===List of creatures containing Beam Core-X===
*Elephant Bird: Charge Beam
*Scientist: Wide Beam
*Nettori: Plasma Beam
*Security Robot B.O.X.: Wave Beam
*SA-X: Ice Beam and "Omega Suit"
==Official data==
===Metroid Fusion manual===
;ABSORB CORE-X (pg. 29)
:"The other method for reclaiming lost abilities is to absorb a mega-sized X parasite known as a Core-X. The image here is one of several types of these dangerous creatures. The abilities of the Core-X parasites differ from type to type, but the thick thorny membrane that encases them is a common feature. This tough casing must be ruptured by a powerful attack, such as a Missile blast, to render the core vulnerable to absorption. Some of the Core-X parasites are incredibly powerful - engage them with caution. A Core-X will release X parasites when shot with beam weapons. Use this to your advantage when low on missiles or energy."
==Development notes==
Defeated Core-X in Fusion have unused animations where they pulsate much faster than they do in-game, and where they spread apart and violently shake. There are also separate animations of an electrical field and glow around them.biospark. Metroid Fusion - Unused Sprite Animations. YouTube. June 21, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGnwul2oWMc (starts at 8:49)
==Trivia==
*Each Beam Core-X carries more than one beam weapon, as evidenced by the shots they fire. For example, the Core-X holding the Plasma beam will fire three simultaneous green lasers per shot, meaning that it also carries the Wide Beam. Furthermore, once Samus gains the Plasma Beam from the Core-X, it stacks with her Wide, Charge and Power Beams which enable her to fire the exact same projectile the X was unleashing, thus the creature was also carrying the same combination of weapons.
*Adam explains that the X on the BSL are evolving as they fight Samus, with each newly encountered Core-X taking less damage from her weapons. This may explain why the Core-X on ZDR have additional weaknesses: Samus battles very few of them on the planet in comparison to the larger numbers on the BSL, thus they lack sufficient experience to adapt to her arsenal.
*The form Metroid Prime takes upon being vanquished resembles that of a Core-X. Prime's colors of said form also resemble the Scientist/Wide Beam Core-X.
*The Core-X without its shell resembles an adenovirus, a type of virus with an icosahedral capsid structure.
*The Plasma Beam will not phase through a Core-X while it is flashing during its invincibility time.
*Despite being a powerful host and the final boss of Metroid Dread, Raven Beak X appears to contain an ordinary X Parasite instead of a Core-X, albeit one of an unusual color not seen in other X.
*Neo-Ridley and Serris's Core-X in Fusion face the opposite direction of all other Core-X in the game.
==Gallery==
===Screenshots===
Core-X1.png|A Core-X that has turned yellow, showing that its shell is weakening.
Core-X2.png|A Core-X that has turned red, showing that its shell is just about ready to crack off and expose the parasite.
NOC Wave Beam.gif|A Core-X exposed after its membrane is destroyed.
Metroid Dread Storm Missile X Parasite.png|Escue's Core-X
Golzuna Core-X.png|Golzuna's Core-X
Golzuna Core-X Cross Bomb.png|Golzuna's exposed Core-X
Experiment No. Z-57 Core-X.png|Experiment No. Z-57's Core-X
===Sprites===
Metroid F-X Core.gif|The Arachnus Core-X animated sprite
Core-X Chozo Statue (shield).png|Elephant Bird's Core-X.
Core-X Scientist (shield).png|The Scientist's Core-X.
Nettori Core-X (shield).png|Nettori's Core-X
Hard Core-X Wave Beam.png|Security Robot B.O.X.'s Core-X
Core-X Ice Beam (full).png|The SA-X's Core-X.
Core-X Charge Beam.gif|Elephant Bird's exposed Core-X.
Core-X HighJumpBall.gif|Zazabi's Core-X.
Core-X Speed Booster.gif|Serris's Core-X.
Core-X Varia Suit.gif|The exposed Barrier Core-X.
Core-X Wide Beam.gif|The Scientist's exposed Core-X.
Core-X Space Jump.gif|Yakuza's Core-X.
Core-X Plasma Beam.gif|Nettori's exposed Core-X
Core-X Gravity Suit.gif|The Nightmare's Core-X.
Core-X Wave Beam.gif|Security Robot B.O.X.'s exposed Core-X.
Core-X Screw Attack.gif|Neo-Ridley's Core-X.
Core-X Ice Beam.gif|The SA-X's Core-X.
==References==
de:X-Kern
es:X Acorazado
ru:X-Ядро
Category:X
Category:BSL
Category:Operations Deck
Category:ZDR
Category:Ferenia
Category:Ghavoran
Category:Cataris