Map Station

:This article is about the device. For other uses, see Map Station (Disambiguation).
Map Stations are a type of station that provide Samus with a map of the nearby area that excludes any secret passages. Some Chozo Statues exhibit this ability as well, mainly in Metroid: Zero Mission. Map Stations, as well as a map in general, originated in Super Metroid, and were not present in Metroid or Metroid II: Return of Samus.
These stations also appear in Metroid: Zero Mission (as Map Rooms) and the main three Prime series. In Metroid Fusion, the Navigation Rooms double as Map Stations. In Metroid: Other M, Navigation Booths act as Map Stations at certain points. There are no Map Stations or similar mechanic in Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, or Metroid: Samus Returns (a remake of Metroid II). In Federation Force, the map is pre-loaded; in Hunters, rooms are simply added to the map as they are visited; in Samus Returns, much of it can instead be revealed with the Scan Pulse.
In Super Metroid-related print, these stations were originally called Map Computers.
Metroid Dread features Map Stations that are initially dimly-lit rooms. Once Samus has downloaded the map, the rooms light up with a hologram of ZDR and several Chozo etchings. Unlike other Metroid titles, there is the option to save after the map is downloaded as well. When a Map Station is darkened, its floor is a reflective surface that reflects the Free Aim laser pointer, Beam projectiles and particle effects.Looygi Bros. "20 Cool Details in Metroid Dread" YouTube. November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
==Official data==
===Super Metroid manual===
;MAP COMPUTER:"When Samus touches the map computer found in each area, you will be able to access the map data for that area. The areas that Samus has not been to are displayed in blue. There are some hidden areas that are not show [sic] on area maps."
===Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide===
;MAP COMPUTER
:"When Samus finds one of these terminals, she can instantly access the layout for the area that she is in. However, there are some places that will remain hidden until Samus finds and enters them."
===Super Metroid Players' Guide===
;Terminals (page 8):"The game incorporates a helpful auto-mapping facility to stop you getting lost, a localized version of which is shown in the top right corner of the screen. To see the full map, press Start. Normally, this will only show the sections of the complex you've visited, but if you log onto a map computer, the entire map for the current area is displayed (apart from secret areas). Areas already visited are shown in pink, unexplored sections appear blue. When on the map, pressing the right button brings up the status screen. Location: All areas."
;Map Computer (page 10):"When Samus collects the map computer found in each area, she'll be able to access the entire map data. Note that not all the locations of an area are displayed..."
===Super Metroid acquisition message===
"Map data access completed."
===Nintendo Power Volume 95===
;MAP COMPUTER
:"Plug into these devices to access on-screen map information on the current area."
===Metroid: Zero Mission manual===
;Map Rooms
:"In Map Rooms, Samus can acquire map data for entire sections of the Space Pirate fortress. (Map data for hidden green areas cannot be acquired)."
===Metroid: Zero Mission acquisition messages===
"Brinstar map data acquired.""Kraid map data acquired.""Norfair map data acquired.""Ridley map data acquired.""Mother Ship map data acquired." 
===Logbook entry===
===Scans===
;Metroid Prime 2: Echoes:"Map Station. Step into hologram to update map data."
;Metroid Prime 3: Corruption:"Map Station. Enter the hologram to download the map data for this area."
===Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;MAP STATION
:"Each area of Tallon IV contains a Map Station where Samus can use her suit to download detailed maps for each world. To activate a Map Station, walk into the hologram in the middle of the room. To reach the Map Station on the Pirate Ship, you must roll down a small tunnel in the hallway before the first elevator."
===Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide===
;MAP STATIONS
:"Map Stations are holograms that can be downloaded into Samus's memory banks. Once Samus enters a Map Station the entire map of the world she is in becomes available, showing which areas that haven't yet been explored as well as the areas already visited."
:You are here
:"Due to the complexity of this game, it's a huge help to have a detailed understanding of each of the seven worlds. For this reason you should never pass up the opportunity to stop at a Map Station and get the complete layout of the world you are currently exploring."
===Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide===
;Stations
:"Finally, a MAP STATION will allow you to download an approximately 90%-complete version of the map for either the Space Pirate Vessel (this map will be 100% complete), Chozo Ruins, Phendrana Drifts, or Phazon Mines. The Tallon Overworld and Magmoor Caverns are considered "transitional" areas and as such do not house any of the game's main bosses." 
===Metroid Prime/Metroid Prime 2: Echoes acquisition messages===
"You have downloaded the map for this area.Press [Z]/[1] to access the map. When you're finished, press [Z]/[1] again to resume play."
===Metroid.nintendo.com===
"Download map data for your current location. Can also be used to save your game."
===Metroid Dread acquisition message===
"Area map downloaded." 
==Gallery==
Map Station (PD).jpg|A Map Station in Metroid Prime.
Map_station_orpheon_samus_download_dolphin_HD.jpg|Samus acquires map data for the Frigate Orpheon.
UnusedMapStationScan.png|Unused scan image seen in concept art.
GFS Tyr Map Station.png|A Map Station in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Agon_Map_Station.png|Samus acquires Map data for the Agon Wastes.
Samus_using_Map_Station_Lift_Hub.jpg|Samus acquires map data for the Pirate Homeworld.
Image:Mzmmapstation.png|The Map Room in the Space Pirate Mother Ship from Metroid: Zero Mission.
Metroid Dread Map Station.png|A Map Station in Metroid Dread.
Dread NSO icons.jpg|Nintendo Switch Online icon.
Prime Map Station hologram model.png|Hologram model from Prime and Echoes.
==Trivia==
*The only Map Station that requires extra work to use is the one on the Wrecked Ship in Super Metroid. Once Samus defeats Phantoon, who is sucking all of the ship's power, the Map Station is restored along with all of the functions of the ship.
*The Zero Suit is also capable of storing map data, as seen in both games where it is playable. How the map is accessible in the Zero Suit is unknown, but it may be that the Paralyzer downloads the data components and then stores them somewhere within the Zero Suit; possibly on the emblem on the back of Samus' hand, as there is a lack of any other detail that could serve this purpose.
*In Metroid Prime, if the map acquisition cutscene is skipped before it ends, the map device will repeat the animation it performs during the cutscene, but now in real time.
*In Prime, Map Station rooms play the same music as in Save Station rooms. In Metroid: Zero Mission and Dread, they have unique themes.
*The Map Stations in Metroid Prime intentionally do not provide full map data for their respective regions to encourage players to keep exploring them using Samus' abilities. For instance, the Chozo Ruins' Map Station does not tell Samus about the Hall of the Elders or the Reflecting Pool; only by using the Spider Ball to explore the rest of the Furnace and exiting it will she discover these two rooms.
*The Map Station's hologram in Metroid Prime is based on the Frigate Orpheon's map layout, this hologram is used for all the stations of Tallon IV and Aether in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the Map Station' holograms on Norion and the Pirate Homeworld do resemble their corresponding area layouts.
*The Map Station cutscenes vary between various Metroid Prime games.
**In Metroid Prime as well as Metroid Prime Remastered, it largely plays out similarly to the Ammo Station cutscenes, only it has a right side angle on the arm cannon, and also shows several holograms appearing outside Samus just as Samus removes her arm cannon from the slot.
**In Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3, simply interacts with map holograms that appear with her typing with her free hand before presumably downloading the data.
==References==
ru:Картографическая Станция
 
Category:Save Stations
Category:Zebes
Category:Frigate Orpheon
Category:Tallon IV
Category:Aether
Category:Bryyo
Category:Elysia
Category:Pirate Homeworld
Category:BSL
Category:ZDR
Category:Research