Metroid: Zero Mission

is a remake of Metroid, making it chronologically the first game in the Metroid series and replacing the former in the canon. It was designed to "retell the story of Samus Aran's original mission".Yoshio Sakamoto's opening monologue, during an interview sanctioned by Nintendo.
Zero Mission was developed by Nintendo's internal team, Nintendo Research & Development 1, under the direction of Yoshio Sakamoto. Zero Mission features the same plot as the original Metroid, but is slightly modified with the addition of new areas.
==Plot==
In the year 20X5 of the Cosmic Calendar, the Space Pirates attacked a deep-space research vessel and seized capsules containing samples of an unknown species that had been discovered on planet SR388. The Space Pirates' objective was to acquire these life-forms; known simply as Metroids, these floating organisms were incredibly dangerous as they could latch onto any other organism and drain its life-energy. Furthermore, it was possible to replicate Metroids in vast numbers by exposing them to beta radiation. The hypothesis that the Metroids were responsible for one of the greatest mysteries in the entire galaxy — the extinction of nearly all life on planet SR388 — was generally accepted as fact.
If the Space Pirates were able to breed the Metroids and use the creatures as biological weapons, the destruction of all galactic civilization would be inevitable. After a desperate search, the Federation Police discovered the Space Pirates' base of operations on the planet Zebes. They launched a full assault on the planet, but the Pirate resistance was strong, forcing the Federation Police to retreat. Meanwhile, in a room hidden deep within the center of the Pirate fortress, the preparations for multiplying the Metroids were steadily progressing.
As a last resort, the Federation Police decided to send a lone Bounty Hunter to penetrate the Pirate base and destroy Mother Brain, the mechanical life-form that controlled the fortress and its defenses. Samus Aran, considered by many to be the greatest of all Bounty Hunters, was chosen for the mission. Samus had successfully completed numerous missions that others had thought impossible, making her an excellent candidate. However, despite her accomplishments, much of Samus' true identity remained wrapped in mystery.
Samus Aran eventually landed on the surface of Zebes and began exploring the planet; it was, in fact, the same planet where she had been raised as a child by the Chozo. Eventually, after making it through all of the various caverns and regions of the planet, Samus took down Mother Brain's generals, the gargantuan Kraid and her nemesis, Ridley, before finding and destroying Mother Brain herself. However, upon leaving the planet after her successful mission, Space Pirate vessels attacked her Starship. The ship crash-landed back on Zebes near the Space Pirate Mother Ship; Samus survived, but her Starship and Power Suit were destroyed, leaving her virtually defenseless.
While searching the Space Pirate Mother Ship for a way to escape, Samus discovered the nearby ruins of an ancient Chozo temple known as Chozodia. There, she passed the Ruins Test and gained a new and more powerful Power Suit. With her Power Suit restored, Samus returned to the Space Pirate Mothership, where she eventually encountered Mecha Ridley, a robot crafted by Ridley in his own image, that had taken command of the ship during Ridley's absence. Upon defeating it, Samus was able to successfully escape the planet (and the self-destructing Mother Ship) by using one of the Escape Ships. All of the Space Pirates' research on Metroids was destroyed in the explosion.
The events of Metroid Prime follow.
==Gameplay==
As a remake of Metroid, Zero Mission's general layout is very similar to the original. However, new items (such as the Power Grip, Gravity Suit, Charge Beam, Plasma Beam, Speed Booster, Space Jump, Super Missiles, and Power Bombs), mini-bosses, and areas (such as Crateria, Chozodia, and the Space Pirate Mother Ship) have been added. In addition to the new equipment, the Ice and Wave Beams can now stack, and will no longer remove each other from Samus' arsenal. The game is also visually similar to Super Metroid, though with a more comic-book art style. Although Zero Mission can be a linear game, much of it can be completed in a non-linear fashion via Sequence Breaking making it possible to complete the game by collecting as little as 9% of all items. As with most Metroid games, the player can save in Save Rooms and can open a map to help with navigating around the planet.
Zero Mission also differs from the original Metroid and the other Metroid games in that the player can play as Samus without her Power Suit (not counting the Justin Bailey password in the NES version of the original), making her more vulnerable to damage. This form is known as Zero Suit Samus. This marks the second time (the first was in the first Metroid) she has been playable during the course of normal game play without her suit, whereas in each previous Metroid game, seeing Samus without her armor has been a feature in one or more of the game's endings or an easter egg.
==Unlockables==
*If Zero Mission is cleared on any mode, an emulated version of the original Metroid is unlocked. This version adds the ability to save passwords on a repeat playthrough, rather than having to memorize them manually. This is retained in the Virtual Console release of Zero Mission.https://web.archive.org/web/20160430120308/http://www.destructoid.com:80/psa-the-original-metroid-is-still-in-metroid-zero-mission-on-the-wii-u-334927.phtml
*If Normal Mode is completed, then Hard Mode is unlocked. In Hard Mode, damage taken is doubled, enemies are often multiplied or replaced with tougher versions of themselves, and upgrades are less effective -- Energy Tanks only add 50 energy to Samus' total instead of 100, normal Missile Tanks add 2 rather than 5 Missiles, and Super Missile Tanks and Power Bomb Tanks add just a single of each to Samus' supply. Additionally, there are some minor map changes, most notably the removal or blockage of certain Save Stations.
*If Zero Mission is cleared on Hard Mode, a Sound Test feature is unlocked.
*If Zero Mission is connected to Metroid Fusion via the Game Boy Advance Game Link cable, it unlocks a Gallery showcasing many images of Samus from Metroid Fusion that were only available in the Japanese version of Fusion. Also, images of her past are displayed graphically telling her story from the raid of K-2L, her home planet, to her training with the Chozo.
*Pressing Up, Left, Right, and Down on the Start Game option of a file that has been beaten in Normal Mode unlocks Time Attack Mode, which is set on Normal difficulty but will save the best time for clearing the game when using this setting. Time Attack is also available for Hard Mode by starting a new game on the Hard difficulty, exiting it, then entering the Time Attack mode.
*If Time Attack Mode is cleared, a menu in the options category is unlocked that will display the best Time Attack times for both 100% cleared and less than 100% cleared.
==Areas==
*Brinstar
*Kraid
*Norfair
*Ridley
*Tourian
*Crateria (This area was not available in the original NES Metroid.)
**Chozo Ruins
*Chozodia (Only accessible after defeating Mother Brain. This area was not available in the original NES Metroid.)
**Space Pirate Mother Ship
**Chozo Ruins
==Ports==
The game was re-released on the Wii U eShop between 2014 and 2016 in all regions. Sales of Zero Mission on the eShop increased following the announcement of Metroid Dread in June 2021, with the game being the Best Selling title on the eShop that month.Darren. Shinesparkers. "Metroid tops Wii U eShop best sellers." June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021. https://shinesparkers.net/metroid-tops-wii-u-eshop-best-sellers/ It became the number two best selling game for the week of Dread's release.Shinesparkers (Shinesparkers). "An update from the eShop sales chart in the United Kingdom as it stands, on 11th October 2021. ¶ SWITCH: #1 Metroid Dread ¶ WII U: #1 Metroid Fusion #2 Metroid Zero Mission #7 Metroid Prime Trilogy #9 Super Metroid ¶ 3DS: #3 Metroid: Samus Returns" 11 October 2021 8:02 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/Shinesparkers/status/1447533111408041987
After Metroid Fusion was re-released through Nintendo Switch Online on March 9, 2023, dataminers discovered two screenshots from the menu in Zero Mission with the option to connect to Fusion.Wright, Steven T. "Metroid Zero Mission May Be Coming To Nintendo Switch Online, Along With GBA Link". GameSpot. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metroid-zero-mission-may-be-coming-to-nintendo-switch-online-along-with-gba-link/1100-6512330/ Its release was officially announced during the June 18, 2024 Nintendo Direct (along with the official trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond), and it became available after the presentation. The Metroid Fusion Gallery is unlocked by default in this version.
==Trivia==
*Unused sprites for Crocomire exist in the internal data of Zero Mission. The sprites have ambient animations but Crocomire is incapable of moving, attacking, or taking damage. It is unfinished and has no death animations, indicating that it was going to be included but was later dropped. It is notable that this rendition of Crocomire does not have its signature rough skin, possibly indicating that the injury was intended to be inflicted in this game.
*In Metroid Fusion, Samus mentions that the Etecoons and Dachoras had taught her maneuvers she did not know she had, but she is able to use these abilities in Zero Mission.
*Zero Mission is the first game that has part of the story take place while playing without the Power Suit (discounting the original Metroid, which had the Justin Bailey as an unlockable cosmetic variant).
*Zero Mission and Metroid: Samus Returns are the only remakes in the Metroid series, excluding remasters such as New Play Control!, Metroid Prime Trilogy and Metroid Prime Remastered .
*An unused ability to toggle items on and off, much like Super Metroid, has been found in Zero Mission through datamining. Unlike in Super Metroid, suits cannot be disabled, and the Bombs and Power Bombs can only be disabled when the Morph Ball is. Additionally, Red Hatches would have taken five Missiles to open (as in past games) instead of the single Missile required in the final version of the game. The ability to toggle the items on and off can be used with a cheating device or hacking.
*There is four visual cutscenes during gameplay that displays Samus in her Power Suit (excluding the landing cutscene). These cutscenes will appear visually different if Samus has obtained the Varia Suit upgrade or not. The only change in said scenes would be the color of the suit: having only the Power Suit active will show the cutscene(s) with Samus's basic yellow color scheme, whereas having the Varia Suit active will change the suit's appearance to more orange colored in the cutscenes. The scenes which display the Power Suit are:
**The first elevator ride to Norfair, where Mother Brain watches Samus travelling down the elevator (obtaining the Varia Suit before this scene requires Sequence Breaking).
**Samus encountering Kraid just before battle. 
**Samus encountering Ridley just before battle.
**Samus inside her Starship after successfully escaping the Countdown in Tourian.
*There is a microgame based on the game in WarioWare D.I.Y., simply called "Metroid".
*The game makes a cameo appearance in an episode of House M.D. titled "Occam's Razor", where House can be seen playing it during several parts of the episode. Notably, the sound effects are different, possibly due to copyright issues. There are mentions of "Level 4" and "space bunnies", and apparently turning into the Morph Ball in a Chozo Statue's hand causes the player to lose.
*Zero Mission reuses story elements from Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order, a Japan-only gamebook released in December 1986. That book featured branching paths that continued the story after the Mother Brain battle and also featured Space Pirates and the unmasking of Samus, as well as a Space Pirate mothership.
*The logo of Zero Mission is stylized text, rather than a custom-made logo like Fusion.DidYouKnowGaming? "Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)". YouTube. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 16:52)
*Unused subtitles for the intro cutscene are present within the game's data and can be reactivated via cheat codes.https://tcrf.net/Metroid_Zero_Mission#Intro_Subtitles
==See also==
*Metroid: Zero Mission: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
*Metroid: Zero Mission/Gallery
*Metroid: Zero Mission/Credits
*Metroid Zero Mission Official Site
*Metroid Buster
*Yujin
*Metroid: Zero Mission on the Wii U Virtual Console
*Metroid: Zero Mission – Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
==Gallery==
:For artwork, see Metroid: Zero Mission/Gallery.
===Box scans===
MZM box front JP.jpg|JP
MZM box front US.jpg|US
MZM box front US early.jpg|US (early)
MZM box front EU.jpg|EU
Zero Mission PAL boxart front and back.png|PAL
MZM box front AU.jpg|AU/NZ
===Strategy guides===
ZM guide cover.JPG|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
MZM guide Shogakukan.jpg|Guide by Shogakukan
MZM guide Famitsu.jpg|Guide by Famitsu
MZM guide Dengeki.jpg|Guide by Dengeki
MZM guide Kodansha.jpg|Guide by Kodansha
MZM guide Nintendo Dream.jpg|Guide by Nintendo Dream
MZM guide Nintendo Dream back.jpg|Guide by Nintendo Dream (back)
===Wallpapers===
MZM wallpaper 01.jpg
MZM wallpaper 02.jpg
MZM wallpaper 03.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus 01.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus 03.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus Metroids.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus 02.jpg
MZM wallpaper Ridley.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus Skrees.jpg
MZM wallpaper Skree.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus Wavers.jpg
MZM wallpaper Samus 04.jpg
MZM wallpaper SP 01.jpg
MZM wallpaper SP 02.jpg
MZM wallpaper SP 03.jpg
Motherbrain.jpg
===Print media===
MZM Prologue.png|Prologue in the manual.
Japanese Zero Mission flyer.jpg|Japanese flyer
File:Zero Mission GBA SP ad.jpg|Print advertisement.
Scan_20161202.jpg|Nintendo Power #177 promotional page.
EDGE.N2XX.2010.XX.Supplement.Metroid-Other.M.Special 05.jpg|Special 2010 issue of Edge.
JP Other M Guide 169.jpg|Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M, page 169.
Metroid Zero Mission Nintendo Winter 2003 Catalog.png|Two-page preview from a Nintendo preview catalog (Winter 2003). Notably features early development screenshots, such as different rooms and an alternate HUD, both not appearing in the final build. 
===Other===
Sakurai image of ZSS crawling (Zero Mission tribute).png|Masahiro Sakurai posted this screenshot of Zero Suit Samus crawling in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on May 27, 2021, to recognize the 17th anniversary of Zero Mission's release in Japan.Sakurai, Masahiro (Sora_Sakurai). "2004年のきょう『メトロイド ゼロミッション』(Metroid: Zero Mission)発売!! 一作目のリメイク作品ですが､ゼロスーツサムスが現在の形で初登場します｡ その呼び名は『スマブラX』登場時に決まりました｡本来ゼロスーツサムスは強いものではなく､逃げたり隠れたりするのが主体｡ #スマブラSP" 27 May 2021 2:00 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1397794697242873856
==References==
==External links==
*Gallery of merchandise
*Title at Moby Games
*Title at Gamefaqs
ru:Metroid: Zero Mission
Category:GBA
Category:Games
Category:Virtual Console