Morph Ball launcher

Morph Ball launchersMetroid: Zero Mission box-artMetroid: Other M Premiere Edition, pg. 70 and 78Metroid Dread map are devices that propel the Morph Ball great distances. The ones on Zebes simply shoot the ball upward, while the ones on the BOTTLE SHIP and ZDR can shoot it through tunnels in various directions.
==Zebes==
 
Morph Ball launchers first appeared in Metroid: Zero Mission, particularly throughout Kraid's Hideout and Norfair. These launchers were of Chozo origin, and each featured two statues of large birds on the sides of the machine's only opening. In the former location, various stone slabs in the background had an image engraved upon it, depicting the launcher's usage. This engraving would provide a hint as to how to use the launchers, with Kraid's Lair serving as a tutorial on how to use them. If Samus Aran entered the launcher's center slot in Morph Ball mode and laid a Bomb, the entire machine would glow, sending a kinetic charge through her Power Suit and launch her straight up as a Ballspark. This allowed her to destroy enemies, Beam Blocks, Bomb Blocks and even Boost Blocks that were located directly above the Morph Ball launcher, stopping only when Samus impacted an indestructible surface.
In Zero Mission, two of the Chozo-based Morph Ball launchers are located within Brinstar, hidden behind scenery; one was directly in front of the door to Kraid Elevator and allowed quick access upward and beyond, revealing a small cave to a Missile Expansion. A second launcher was hidden underneath the Starting Point. Samus could uncover it through the use of a Power Bomb and use it to launch herself up to Crateria. This machine in particular was the only thing allowing access to the tunnel connecting Brinstar to Crateria.
Morph Ball launchers do not reappear in Super Metroid. Although the two Brinstar rooms originally containing launchers can be revisited, their launchers are inaccessible and nowhere to be found, suggesting they were buried, destroyed, or located and removed during the time between Zero Mission and Super Metroid.
==BOTTLE SHIP==
Morph Ball launchers re-appeared in Metroid: Other M, though these were built by the Galactic Federation. They appeared as simple Bomb Slot-like mechanisms on the ground of certain locations. Contrary to those found on Zebes, these launchers allowed Samus to roll on twists and turns of tunnels located on the BOTTLE SHIP, rather than going through straight paths only.
==ZDR==
Morph Ball launchers are redesigned in Metroid Dread. On ZDR, they exclusively shoot the Morph Ball through narrow tunnels; these can go in any direction both vertically and horizontally, though many are one-way routes due to the introduction of Morph Ball launcher exits. Several are found in the section of Dairon left of the E.M.M.I. Zone, as that is where Samus obtains the Bomb. Samus can also activate a Morph Ball launcher with a Cross Bomb, though there is little reason for her to do so.
Samus enters the arena of Experiment No. Z-57 through a Morph Ball launcher tunnel where the exit has been covered in the boss' flesh. Through sequence breaking, it is possible to use a Morph Ball launcher in Kraid's room to enter his stomach hole and bomb him from inside, trivializing the second phase of his boss battle.
==Trivia==
*Morph Ball launchers are similar to the Kinetic Orb Cannons of the Metroid Prime series and the Jump Pads of Metroid Prime Hunters.
==Gallery==
Morph_Ball_Launcher_HD.jpg|Samus being fired through a tunnel by the Morph Ball launcher in Metroid: Other M.
Dairon ball launcher exit.jpg|The exit of the first Morph Ball launcher in Dairon.
EMMI Zone ball launcher.jpg|A Morph Ball launcher in the Ferenia E.M.M.I. Zone.
==References==
Category:Zebes
Category:Brinstar
Category:Kraid's Lair
Category:BOTTLE SHIP
Category:Biosphere
Category:Pyrosphere
Category:Cryosphere
Category:ZDR