Sidehopper

The , alternatively written as Side HopperMetroid manualMetroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide pgs. 104-106Metroid: Other M Premiere Edition, is an enemy in the Metroid series, first appearing in Metroid.
==Description==
The common Sidehopper is as big as Samus Aran and has a pair of powerful, piston-like legs enabling it to perform great leaps, and two enormous mandibles hanging directly beneath its large, round eyes. Sidehoppers have the strange ability to repel gravity; they can not only cling to the ceiling, but also jump from it then "fall" upwards back onto it. The majority of Sidehoppers are weaker than their evolved "relatives" from Norfair with the exception of the rare, blue variant found only in Tourian (vulnerable to nothing but Super Missiles). 
In their original incarnation in Metroid, Sidehoppers, like many enemies in the game, had two different forms: one pale orange with a green head, the other vermillion with a blue head. The vermillion ones were more resilient and powerful than their cousins. In Super Metroid, there were three variations of these creatures: Small Side HoppersSuper Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide pg. 15 (most likely juveniles), normal-sized, and the previously mentioned powerful, armored variant called Blue Sidehoppers. Small Side Hoppers have a 33% chance of dropping Missile Ammo, and while they are weaker than their adult counterparts, they still attack with much power.
In the remake Zero Mission, another further evolved creature related to the Sidehopper was introduced, the Barisute. These creatures were stronger than both the Dessgeega and Sidehopper species in the game. Like Sidehoppers, Barisute can be encountered within Kraid's Lair, though the latter further appeared in seemingly infinite numbers within Norfair. Metroid: Other M concept art reveals that the Sidehopper, Dessgeega and Barisute are an evolutionary line; it is unknown what triggers this evolution. The Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M reiterates this concept, stating that Sidehoppers, Dessgeegas, and Barisutes are part of a Sidehopper species (see official data below).
Sidehopper specimens were present on the Biologic Space Laboratories research station in Metroid Fusion, and were infected when the research station fell to the X parasites. The hosts' DNA was modified by the X so that the resulting Sidehoppers developed thrusters at the bottom of each leg, added resistance to attacks, and more prominent teeth. It is interesting to note that Sidehoppers are found in the desert/volcanic habitat of Sector 3 (PYR), instead of Sector 2 (TRO) where one would expect to find them since they are native to Brinstar's jungle. Additionally, Dessgeegas, who live in volcanic areas, are found instead in the tropical Sector 2 aboard the BSL station. The X Parasites are known to modify the abilities and DNA of their victims, which might explain this change of natural habitats.
The non-canon Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order features a cybernetically-enhanced version of Sidehoppers called Doublehoppers.
==Combat==
In the original game, Sidehoppers were very dangerous, the most powerful enemies in Kraid's Lair, particularly the brown variety and the ones that walk on the ceiling. It is best to dispose of a Sidehopper with a blast from Samus' Missile Launcher or Screw Attack if available; to avoid confrontations, freeze them with the Ice Beam and flee.
Sidehoppers remain dangerous opponents in all their subsequent appearances, thus maximum firepower is advised. In Metroid Fusion, all X-infected Sidehoppers are more armored than their normal counterparts, making them immune to uncharged beams. Their behavior consists of remaining idle, then performing either a low or high hop in one of two directions.
In Zero Mission, Sidehoppers generally behave identical to those seen from Fusion. When prey is not near them, they simply hop around freely as they normally would and sometimes perform an idle pose or twitching their heads sideways. If Samus gets too close to one, a Sidehopper will immediately attempt to jump toward her location. After a brief pause, it will continue to leap toward Samus until she is out of their leap range. Sidehoppers possess 15 HP, and their large size makes it difficult to avoid them. They can be damaged by any weapon of Samus's main arsenal, generally taking two Missiles to eliminate one and can be frozen by the Ice Beam if enough damage is inflicted. The Long Beam is capable of damaging them from a safe distance out of their jump range.
In Other M, they are capable of releasing a shockwave when they land from their jumps, increasing their attack range.
==Official data==
===Metroid manual===
;Side Hopper
:"These powerful enemies attack Samus while hopping. Be careful, the Side Hopper's strength is second only to the Mini-Boss. Destroy him with one missile blast."
===Victory Techniques for Metroid===
"This tough new enemy hops and jumps when attacking."
===The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;SIDE-HOPPER
:"It attacks Samus with a double-jump movement pattern."
===Nintendo Power Volume 29===
;SIDE-HOPPER
:"Side-Hoppers live up to their name. The hopping action is actually an attack."
===Super Metroid manual===
;SIDEHOPPER
:"Sidehoppers pounce on intruders with powerful legs."
===Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide===
SIDE HOPPERSMALL SIDE HOPPER
===Super Metroid Players' Guide===
"As their name suggests, these arachnid creatures jump from side to side and chase you when you're near. They're also quite strong so use rockets or charge when possible."
===Metroid: Other M Premiere Edition===
;Mid-Level Enemies (pg. 10)
:Side Hoppers, Dessgeegas and Barisutes
:"These strange bipeds are resilient creatures with one very glaring weakness, their head. Though larger and stronger than you, the Side Hoppers, Dessgeegas, and Barisutes are far slower than you. They stomp around, usually knocking you down or crushing you under their clawed feet, and can chomp at you with their pincers. To destroy them quickly, weaken them with Charge Beam shots and finish them off with Overblast attacks. The Side Hopper is the weakest of the bunch. Dessgeegas are slightly stronger, and Barisutes are the strongest of them all."
===Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M===
"Sidehoppers are somewhat large bipedal creatures. Their forte is their charge attack. In Sector 2 is the Barisute, and Sector 3 is the Dessgeega, which are in the same series."
==Cameos in the Prime series==
In Metroid Prime, the Biohazard Containment room on the Frigate Orpheon contains a roaring inhabitant and a shaking door. Scanning the unit reveals images of a very Sidehopper-like creature, though no name is provided. The fate of this creature after the crash is mysterious. Its cell will later burst open with Aqua Reapers after passing through the area once again. Despite the door apparently remaining locked, there is no body; it is likely that the Aqua Reapers had already consumed the creature by the time Samus arrived. The scan on the Frigate reads: "Specimen Solitary Holding 1. Phazon level >> Unknown. Status >> Xenotropic life-form unstable. Use caution."
A creature profile in the August 2002 issue of IGN Unplugged confirms that this creature is a variant of the Sidehopper, and additionally implies it has been enhanced with Phazon.
In Echoes, there is a multiplayer arena named "Sidehopper Station". Appropriately, it is also shaped like a Sidehopper. The stage is based on the Frigate Orpheon, and is likely a reference to the cameo in Prime.
MP Sidehopper Scan.jpg|The scan image of the creature.
IGN Unplugged Issue 15 2002-08 IGN.com US 0008.jpg|IGN Unplugged profile.
SidehopperView.png|Sidehopper Station.
Sidehopper Station PrimeWorld (top-view full).png|The multiplayer stage seen from above.
Sidehopper in MPR.png|Metroid Prime Remastered
==Development notes==
In the E3 2002 trailer for Fusion, the Sidehoppers were depicted with a red coloring, making it match with its volcanic PYR surroundings.E3 Metroid Fusion trailer on Nintendo.com
==Trivia==
*There is a glitch in Other M whereas if a Sidehopper is shot off a platform, the creature will walk back in mid-air as if it were still on the platform, only to fall when the animation is completed. The same applies to the Dessgeegas and the Barisutes.
*Sidehoppers in Fusion and Zero Mission produce a distinct grunting vocalization each time they jump. The same is true of Dessgeegas in both games.
*In Metroid Fusion, the only uncharged beam the X-infected Sidehoppers are vulnerable to is the Ice Beam (seen via Debug Menu).
==Gallery==
Side Hopper.PNG|Side Hopper artwork from Metroid
M1 art alt Sidehopper.png|Previously unreleased artwork of a Side Hopper from Metroid Mission Logs
Metroid Enemy Side Hopper.gif|Animated Side Hopper sprite from Metroid
Sidehoppers.gif|Both Side Hopper sprites in the original Metroid.
Sidehopperchibi.png|Japanese Metroid guide
MZIO page 269.JPG|Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order
Famicom Choco - Sidehopper.png|Famicom Choco
Gameboysidehopper.PNG|Captain N: The Game Master: GameBoy
Cn4-18.jpg|Captain N: The Game Master: Breakout
Normal Sidehopper.jpg|Sidehopper sprite from Super Metroid
Metroid-bigbluehopper.gif|Blue Sidehoppers sprite from Super Metroid.
Small Sidehopper.png|Small Side Hopper sprites from Super Metroid
Chariots of Fire.jpg|Super Metroid Japanese guide.
Sidehopper X.gif|Sidehopper sprites from Metroid Fusion.
Beta Sidehopper.png|Beta Sidehopper in Fusion.
Arachnus manga.png|Metroid Fusion Special Edition: Rebirth of Samus
MZM Sidehopper.gif|A Sidehopper in Zero Mission
OtherM Sidehopper Crop.png|A Sidehopper in Metroid: Other M.
V255 pg43.jpg|Samus fighting Sidehoppers.
Sidehopper MOM.jpg|Official screenshot of Samus performing an Overblast on a Sidehopper.
Hopperart.png|Other M Gallery Mode
MOM Guidebook Sidehopper Render.png|Render in Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M.
JP Other M Guide 158.jpg|Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M page 158.
JP Other M Guide 170.jpg|Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M, page 170.
==References==
ru:Бокопрыг
Category:Species
Category:Zebes
Category:Brinstar
Category:Kraid's Lair
Category:Frigate Orpheon
Category:BOTTLE SHIP
Category:Main Sector
Category:Biosphere
Category:BSL
Category:Sector 3
Category:Recurring Species
Category:Lavalife
Category:Unused Bosses and Species
Category:Sidehopper Family