Missile Counter

The Missile Counter is a staple feature of the Heads-Up Display in all Metroid games. Its location on the HUD is usually near the top left or on the right in the Prime series, except in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, where it is moved to the bottom right. It is usually accompanied by an icon representing a Missile.
The Counter displays the number of Missiles that Samus is carrying, which drops as she uses them. In most games, the Counter gives warnings when Samus's Missile reserves are low or empty. Metroid Prime features an actual meter akin to the Energy Meter on the right, which drains as Samus fires Missiles. Samus must collect Missile Ammo, use Missile Stations or save at her Gunship to keep her Missile reserves stocked.
Super Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid: Samus Returns also feature counters for Super Missiles. In the 3-D games, Metroid Fusion and Metroid Dread, the Super Missile is an upgrade to the Missile and relies on normal Missile ammunition.
==Official Data==
===Metroid II: Return of Samus manual===
;Missiles
:"The number of Missiles that Samus has."
===Metroid II: Return of Samus Virtual Console manual===
;Missile supply
:"The number of missiles you have left."
===Metroid Fusion manual===
;MISSILES
:"Number of missiles Samus is carrying. If this number is 0, Samus cannot fire missiles."
===Metroid Fusion: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;MISSILES
:"The Missile indicator shows your current number of Missiles. Your Missile-carrying capacity will increase as you collect Missile Tanks."
===Metroid Prime manual===
;MISSILE RESERVES
:"The vertical gauge and numeric display track the number of Missiles Samus has in reserve. When Samus's Missiles are armed, this display glows more brightly."
===Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide===
;Missile Reserves
:"This long meter displays the number of missiles Samus has available. As you use missiles and collect power-ups, the Missile Reserves meter will rise and fall. When you begin the game, you'll be able to hold only five missiles at a time, but when you find Missile Expansions your maximum capacity will grow."
===Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;MISSILE COUNTER
:"Check the number of remaining Missiles you have. Expansions appear throughout the game, for a total of 250 Missiles."
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;MISSILE COUNTER
:"The top number is your missile supply, and the bottom number is your missile capacity."
===Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Premiere Edition===
;Missile Count
:"This display appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen. The top number shows how many missiles are currently loaded and the bottom number represents the Missile Launcher's total capacity."
===Metroid: Zero Mission manual===
;Missiles
:"This shows how many Missiles Samus is carrying. If this number is zero, Samus cannot fire Missiles."
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes manual===
;MISSILE RESERVES
:"This numeric display tracks the number of Missiles Samus has in reserve. When Samus's Missiles are armed, this display will glow brighter."
===Metroid Prime Trilogy manual===
====Metroid Prime====
;Missile Gauge
:"The missile quantity is shown on the gauge. The numbers on the left are the current amount/maximum amount."
====Metroid Prime 2: Echoes====
;Number of Missiles
:"Shows the current number/maximum amount of missiles."
====Metroid Prime 3: Corruption====
;Missiles
:"Shows the current number/maximum number of missiles."
===Metroid Prime Hunters manual===
;Missile Icon
:"Tap here to switch your weapon to the Missile. The top number indicates remaining ammo, and the bottom number indicates maximum ammo."
===Metroid: Other M manual===
;Missile count
:"Current missile count/Max missile count."
===Metroid: Samus Returns manual===
;Missile count
:"The number of Missiles that Samus is carrying.
:*If your Missile count is at its maximum capacity, this number will be displayed in yellow."
===Metroid: Samus Returns Official Guide===
;HOW TO PLAY - BASICS - THE TOUCHSCREEN (p. 6)
:AMMUNITION
:"The gold number below Samus' Energy Points represent how much ammo you have for each of your secondary weapons. If that number is reduced to zero, you lose the ability to use the corresponding secondary weapon until you pick up more ammunition, either dropped by enemies or obtained from an Ammo Recharge Station."
==Trivia==
*The first Metroid: Other M trailer featured a Missile count that read "3/25" at the top of the "Coming Soon" screen. This led some fans to believe that 3/25 (March 25, 2010) was the game's release date. This proved untrue, as its ultimate release date was August 31st.
==Gallery==
Metroid Prime 3 IGN demo early GF Hand Scanner and Missile Counter.png|Early Corruption Missile Counter.IGN "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Nintendo Wii Gameplay -". YouTube. May 19, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
Category:HUD