Super Metroid

:This article is about the game. For other uses, see Super Metroid (Disambiguation).
, also known as Metroid 3, is a video game developed by Nintendo R&D1 and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Super Metroid is the third installment in the Metroid series. With its 24-megabit (3 megabyte) cartridge size, it was the largest video game on the Super Nintendo at the time of its release. 
It is a 2D platform video game with action and adventure elements. Game progression revolves around gathering power-ups that allow Samus Aran to overcome obstacles in order to access new parts of the world. Like most Metroid games, the world has a non-linear design and features many hidden areas, making exploration a central concept of the game. It is considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and its formula has served as the primary basis for most Metroid games to follow.
==Plot==
After exterminating the Metroids on SR388 during the SR-388 incident, Samus Aran brought the infant Metroid to the Ceres Space Colony, likely staying at the colony while scientists studied the young Metroid. The scientists' findings showed that the powers of Metroids could be harnessed for the benefit of mankind. Leaving the baby in their care, Samus left Ceres in search of a new bounty to hunt. However, shortly after leaving, Samus picked up a distress call from Ceres and quickly returned to investigate. As Samus explored the space colony, she discovered the bodies of the scientists lying about the room that had held the Metroid capsule in a tube. The tube itself was broken and empty. Continuing her investigation, Samus soon encountered Ridley once again, finding him clutching the baby's capsule. Samus desperately fought Ridley, but he overpowered her and fled the station carrying the hatchling. At the same time, a Countdown began, leaving Samus a mere 60 seconds to escape before the station's destruction. Samus quickly returned to her Starship and pursued Ridley to the nearby planet Zebes.
Arriving at Zebes, Samus discovered that the Space Pirate base that she had destroyed in her last visit to the planet had been rebuilt during the years in which the events of the Metroid Prime series took place. By this time a portion of Crateria, the surface of Zebes, had integrated with Tourian from Metroid (dubbed "Old Tourian"), including Mother Brain's old control chamber, heavily suggesting that these areas were the remains of the original Space Pirate base. After being ambushed by a group of resurgent Zebesians, Samus set out to locate the infant Metroid and prevent the Space Pirates from gaining use of its powers. As in the previous games, Samus was forced to delve into the planet through its many caverns to hunt down the Space Pirates. This time, however, Samus could only enter Tourian by destroying four bosses: Kraid, the obese lizard who was one of the original guardians of Tourian and whose base makes up a large part of Brinstar; Phantoon, a ghostly entity that controls the Wrecked Ship and reroutes its power supply to Mother Brain; Draygon, a crustacean monster that occupies a submerged Pirate lab in Maridia; and Ridley himself, who controls Norfair from the inside of his own lair.
After defeating all four bosses and discovering the Mochtroids, unsuccessful clones of Metroids, Samus battled her way through Tourian, encountering newly bred Metroid larvae. After destroying everything in her way, she encountered a Metroid far larger than the rest. Before she could attack it, the Giant Metroid drained all but one unit of her Power Suit's energy. However, it seemed to recognize Samus; as this large Metroid was actually the baby.
After the Metroid departed, Samus restored her suit's energy and confronted Mother Brain. After Samus destroyed her Control Capsule and inflicted enough damage, Mother Brain attached itself to a giant mechanical body and the Final Conflict began. During the battle, Mother Brain repeatedly used a Laser Brain Attack on Samus, leaving her near death and unable to stand. Before the final blow could be inflicted, however, the Giant Metroid she found before suddenly attacked Mother Brain, draining its energy until it slumped against the wall, gray and seemingly lifeless. The baby then attached itself to Samus and began feeding the stolen energy to her while carrying her through the air (as depicted in Metroid: Other M's recreation of the battle in its intro). However, Mother Brain soon recovered and began firing upon the baby, weakening it until it lifted off of Samus. A final shot from the Laser Brain Attack (again, as depicted in Other M) destroyed the hatchlingNintendo UK (NintendoUK). "The Space Pirates return in Super Metroid, and Samus heads back to planet Zebes to face them. In the final battle, the Metroid hatchling sacrifices itself to save Samus from the monstrous Mother Brain. #MetroidDread" 11 August 2021 6:20 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1425401744222265349
, leaving its remains to fall upon Samus.
Pulsating with energy from Mother Brain, Samus now possessed the Hyper Beam. With it, she avenged her fallen "child" and easily destroyed Mother Brain, who fell to the floor and crumbled to dust. This in turn triggered another countdown, giving Samus three minutes to escape through the emergency evacuation shaft of the original base. Along the way, Samus rescued three Etecoons and two Dachoras she had encountered earlier in Brinstar. She made it to her gunship just in time and took off, watching the planet crack and explode in a flash of bright light.
The Space Pirates as an organization were gone, but the universe had lost the possibility of using the Metroids for the good of mankind. Zebes, the home of the Chozo was lost forever, and Samus had fallen into a state of depression over the loss of her baby.
The events of Metroid: Other M followed soon afterward.
==Gameplay==
Super Metroid's gameplay is very similar to the other Metroid games in the series, though it is better known for its non-linearity. Due to this, Super Metroid is often used for speedruns.
Super Metroid takes place on the large, open-ended planet Zebes. Samus progresses through the planet by finding power-ups that enable her to access new areas, much like other 2D Metroid titles. For example, finding the Morph Ball allows Samus to obtain the Missiles, and finding them lets her access several more areas.
The game introduced new abilities and concepts, such as diagonal aiming, entering Morph Ball in mid-air, and the ability for Samus to enable or disable her abilities at will. She can also sprint, aim up while crouching, and perform a "Moon Walk", in reference to Michael Jackson's dance move of the same name, which allows her to walk backwards slowly while charging a shot, or rapidly firing if she does not have the Charge Beam.
Super Metroid is also the first game in the series to implement a map feature to aid the player in navigation. This has since become a staple of the series, appearing in every subsequent entry to date.
===Power-ups and suit upgrades===
The use of weapons, Power-ups and other suit upgrades in Super Metroid is twofold: to defeat enemies and to overcome obstacles found in the environment. Many upgrades make their debut in Super Metroid and would later become series staples: Charge Beam, Gravity Suit, Speed Booster, Super Missiles, Power Bombs, Reserve Tanks, Grappling Beam, and X-Ray Scope. In addition, this game debuts stacking with beam weaponry, unlike overriding each other and removing them from Samus's arsenal as seen with Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, although the Spazer and Plasma Beams cannot stack in this game.
==Development==
 
Development of the game began in the fall of 1991. Makoto Kanō had asked Sakamoto to make a Metroid game for the Super NES, saying "I'll create an environment for it, so we should do it!" In a 2017 interviewhttps://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-metroid, Sakamoto revealed that before development of Super Metroid began, he travelled to Seattle, where Nintendo of America is headquartered. He was brought by NOA staff to a shopping mall, and they jokingly introduced him as "the guy who made Metroid" in every store, eliciting surprised reactions from storegoers.
Sakamoto later remarked that developing a game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System hardware was very different from the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The first year of development was a "learning period" for the team, and they had a "strong desire to make something that people would compare to a movie." Sakamoto created a video on VHS to convey the eerie feeling he sought for the game's iconic Title Screen, which depicts the baby in its storage tank surrounded by dead scientists.
Sakamoto was very fastidious about how the baby should sound, ordering the designers to create what he described as "pwee" sounds that would convey its emotions appropriately. For example, when it stops right before it kills Samus, it makes an uneasy sound before fleeing, and when it is hurt by Mother Brain, it makes a pained sound, like "Pweeeee!" He reused the baby's sounds for its appearance in Metroid: Samus Returns.
The opening theme came to Kenji Yamamoto while he was riding his motorcycle home from work. As his work days were exhausting, the commute home was the only time where Yamamoto felt he could relax. He parked his bike in a nearby lot and quickly recorded the score he had thought of for 10-20 minutes. The next day, he played a digitized version of it for Sakamoto, who liked it.
==Areas==
===Ceres Space Colony===
Ceres Space Colony is where the game begins and the scene of the discovery that the Metroids could be used for the good of galactic society. All of the scientists were killed by Ridley when he came to the colony. The colony was blown to pieces when Samus and Ridley left the station.
===Crateria===
The surface area of planet Zebes. The surface of the planet is plagued by acid rain -- living creatures are therefore mostly found below surface level. This is also where Samus's Starship lands.
===Brinstar===
The jungle area of Zebes, teeming with life. The area of Brinstar explored in this game is vastly different from that of the original mission. Kraid's Lair is located in this area.
===Norfair===
It lies deep below the surface and thus requires its visitors to carry sufficient protection from the incredible heat. Ancient Chozo ruins can be found in the deepest parts of Norfair, which is also where Ridley's Lair can be found.
===Wrecked Ship===
A long time ago, astronauts belonging to an ancient civilization crashed on Zebes. This is what remains of their space ship. The ghost Phantoon has shut down the Wrecked Ship, making most of it inaccessible at first. Before the fight, the ship is in total darkness and Coverns will materialize and attack Samus. Due to the location of the Space Pirate Mothership in Metroid: Zero Mission, fans had originally speculated that it was intended to be the Wrecked Ship depicted in Super Metroid. However, Zero Mission director Yoshio Sakamoto has dismissed this possibility, saying that the two ships are separate - during Zero Mission the player passes through an area that appears to be outside the Super Metroid wrecked ship in Crateria while the Mother Ship has not yet landed.Question 2 of the "Metroid FAQ", Metroid Zero Mission Official Site, accessed September 14, 2005. Additionally, once players obtain the Power Bomb, a small segment of the Wrecked Ship can be accessed.
===Maridia===
The ocean world of Zebes. Most of Maridia occupies territory that was once part of Brinstar. The area contains an aquatic Pirate laboratory where they have bred a mostly unsuccessful Metroid clone called the Mochtroid. The giant crustacean creature Draygon is the guardian of this area.
===Tourian===
The control center of the Zebesian Space Pirates and Mother Brain. The location has shifted to a more secure area since Metroid/Metroid: Zero Mission.
==Enemies==
===Major bosses===
====Kraid====
Kraid was a boss in the original NES game, along with Ridley. He is considerably larger than before, taking up the space of two vertical screens. Although many players speculated that Kraid somehow grew since the first game, Metroid: Zero Mission has since retconned Kraid to have a consistent size between games. Outside Kraid's chamber, a seemingly fresh human corpse is found. Although the identity has never been revealed, the body resembles a Galactic Federation Marine.
====Phantoon====
Phantoon is a ghostly flying creature who taps into Mother Brain's brainwaves and feeds off the Wrecked Ship's energy supply. Unlike most bosses which are fought at or near the end of a level, Phantoon must be defeated before the rest of the Wrecked Ship may be explored.
====Draygon====
Draygon is an enormous sea creature that resides in Maridia. Its hard armor-like shell provides it with a great amount of defensive strength and it is guarded by several Wall Cannons. Draygon has a weak point - a very open and soft belly. One way to exploit this is for Samus to get caught in its gummy spit on purpose and let it grab her, then use the Grapple Beam to latch on to a broken cannon. If she continues to grapple, the electricity will conduct through her and into Draygon, killing it easily.
====Ridley====
Ridley, the monster whom Samus fought in the original NES game, makes his comeback as one of the most difficult bosses in the game. He is responsible for the bloodbath at Ceres Space Station and the kidnapping of the Metroid hatchling.
====Mother Brain====
The final boss, this entity is a supercomputer resembling a disembodied brain in a tank protected by deadly Rinka laser rings, automated defense cannons, and self-regenerating organic life support conduits. When it is down, a new mechanical body rises out of the floor, allowing Mother Brain to move. After the second defeat, Zebes' final Countdown begins.
===Mini-bosses===
====Bomb Torizo====
The Bomb Torizo appears to be a simple Chozo Statue which possesses the Bombs, until Samus takes the item from it. A Chozo-like creature then bursts out of the statue and attacks using its claws, bombs, and energy waves.
====Spore Spawn====
The Spore Spawn is a native inhabitant of the subterranean jungles of Brinstar. It consists of an entire room of plant biomatter connected to a large, head-like pod which can swing about the room. Spores are constantly released from the ceiling of the room during the battle.
====Crocomire====
This denizen of Norfair is a red, eight-eyed, thick-skinned beast that can tolerate even the hottest temperatures. It is massive, and its primary mode of attack consists of rushing toward Samus in an attempt to push her back into a spiked wall. Just prior to its death, it jumps at Samus for one final attack as a skeleton, but the attempt is in vain as it simply collapses into a pile of bones.
====Botwoon====
Botwoon is a serpent-like creature with a crocodile's head. Its main attack simply consists of rushing between the various burrows in its chamber in wide arcs. It will occasionally reveal only its head from one of the burrows and will shoot energy beams at Samus.
==== Golden Torizo ====
A much more powerful incarnation of the Bomb Torizo fought in Lower Norfair. It guards the Screw Attack.
===Minor Enemies===
==Friends==
Not all inhabitants of Zebes are hostile towards Samus. On the planet, Samus may also encounter the following helpful creatures:
===Etecoons===
A trio of small, four-limbed monkey-like creatures that demonstrate the difficult Wall Jump technique with considerable ease. They sing the item collection song when they appear. They are encountered in an area that can only be exited through the use of wall-jumping, Bomb Jumping, or Space Jumping. These creatures are green in Super Metroid, but appear blue in Metroid Fusion and other artwork.
====Dachora====
A green alien that resembles an Earth ostrich. The Dachora demonstrates the Shinespark technique, which is required to escape from the area in which it is found. It has a nest with an egg in Super Metroid, which is later a hatched baby Dachora in Metroid Fusion.
===Tatori and Tatori, Jr.===
Tortoise-like creatures inhabiting Maridia. Samus can safely stand on the mother; the offspring do nothing. Should Samus attack some of the offspring, the mother will attack her in return by spinning rapidly. Samus can utilize this mechanism to reach an Energy Tank suspended above a Grapple Point.
===Big Metroid===
The Super Metroid was capable of performing an ability that no other Metroid had previously shown: the ability to transfer energy from one being to another. This life-saving power, originally hinted at by the Ceres scientists' research as possibly being beneficial to Galactic society in Super Metroid's introduction sequence, allowed Samus to emerge victorious in her battle with Mother Brain.
After defeating Mother Brain and starting the self-destruction of Zebes, Samus may choose to save the Etecoons and the Dachora (along with the latter's egg presumably). A flashing metal door appears in Crateria, the one that originally led her to acquire the Morph Ball Bomb. In this chamber the animals appear to be trapped. Samus can destroy the opposite facing wall so that the aliens may escape. This causes a slight change in the ending cutscene, in which a flash of light can be seen escaping from the planet. This ending is considered canon, as the animals show up alive and well in Metroid Fusion.
==Reception==
At the time of its release, Super Metroid was universally praised. To this day, it remains one of the most popular and critically acclaimed games not only for the SNES, but in all of gaming history. It has sold 1.4 million units (780,000 in Japan and 460,000 in North America), becoming a Player's Choice. It frequently appears in "best games of all time" lists; Electronic Gaming Monthly has named Super Metroid the best game of all time, and IGN ranked it the third best game of all time in its 2003 "top 100" list, and fourth best game of all time in its most recent 2006 list, with the motivation: 
Swedish game publication Super PLAY ranked Super Metroid number 6 in the "top 100" list its March 2003 issue, commenting on its atmosphere: 
In a Metroid feature in its December 2002 issue, Super PLAY also noted the game's care to detail: 
Video Game Canon ranks Super Metroid as one of the best games of all time. The game has an average score of 96.55% on GameRankings, making it the highest-rated Metroid game on the site, Metroid Prime being a close second with its 96.33%.
==Legacy==
Super Metroid served as a formula for subsequent 2D games in the Metroid series, as it refined and provided a definitive version of concepts introduced in the first two Metroid games. 
The two-dimensional Castlevania games, beginning with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on the PlayStation/Sega Saturn and continuing on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, borrow elements from Super Metroid, such as the "retraversal" style of gameplay involving items that give new abilities to access new areas, as well as the style of map. This has led to the creation of the "Metroidvania" genre when describing similar action-adventure games.
==Speedrunning==
Super Metroid's open-ended gameplay style has made it a popular choice for speedruns. Due to the non-forced storyline and optional powerups, many players compete to see who can complete the game fastest, or with the fewest items, or both. This has caused Super Metroid to be a major contributor to the speedrun phenomenon, and one of the most popular games for both assisted and unassisted speedruns. Most speedruns are available from the Internet Archive or Deer Tier.
===Tricks===
*Early Super Missiles
*Arm pumping
*Blue Suit glitch
*Chainsaw Beam
*Spacetime Beam
*Murder Beam
===Records===
* Any%: 40:36 by Oatsngoats
* 100%: 1:13:42 by Behemoth87
* 14% Ice: 48:25 by zoast
* 14% Speed 53:57 by zoast
* 14% Icebooster 1:34:45 by Robitalion
* 14% X-Ice 1:18:50 by Robitalion
* 14% Iceboots 1:23:07 by total
* 14% Speedboots 2:09:48 by AranJaeger
* 12% 1:47:44 by Sniq
* 4% 22:08 by UNHchabo
* 0% 1:46:43 by UNHchabo
* Any% Glitched 11:38 by ShinyZeni
* Reverse Boss Order 58:37 by ShinyZeni
* GT Code Classic 32:40 by zoast
* GT Code Spacetime 14:51 by zoast
* Map Completion 1:20:40 by Oatsngoats
* Ceres Escape 0:47.40 remaining by ShinyZeni
* Defeat Spore Spawn 5:48 by ShinyZeni
* Defeat Crocomire 9:39 by ShinyZeni
* Defeat Botwoon 13:31 by ShinyZeni
* Defeat Golden Torizo 13:15 by ShinyZeni
===Older runs===
* Any% 0:32 by Hotarubi
* 100% 0:55 by juliano_did
* 100% 0:56 by Smokey
* 100% 0:58 by Smokey
* 100% 1:00 by Red Scarlet
* 100% Glitchless: 1:05 by Smokey
* 14%: 1:18 by Smokey
* Any% Tool-assisted: 0:22 by Saturn
* 100% Tool-assisted: 0:36 by Cpadolf
* 14% Tool-assisted: 0:27 by Saturn
* Reverse Boss Order Tool-assisted: 0:26 by Saturn
* NBMB: 72% by Red Scarlet
==Ports==
Super Metroid was released on the Wii's Virtual Console on August 20, 2007, as part of the "month of Metroid" campaign. It was also added as one of the Masterpiece demos in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, allowing 3 minutes of play from 3 different saves.
The game was made available on the Wii U's Virtual Console on May 15, 2013, and also from May 15, 2013, to June 13, 2013, as part of the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign, which allows for GamePad-only play and customizable controls. Those who owned the Wii Virtual Console version of Super Metroid were able to get the Wii U Virtual Console version for a reduced price. On April 14, 2016, the game was re-released once again through an improved Virtual Console, exclusively on the New Nintendo 3DS XL. Sales of Super Metroid increased during the week of Metroid Dread's release, to the point where it was the ninth best selling game on the Wii U eShop.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
Super Metroid is one of 21 games included on the SNES Classic Edition, which released on September 29, 2017.http://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic
In the September 4, 2019 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that SNES games would become available through Nintendo Switch Online the next day. Super Metroid was among the 20 games available at launch.https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/4/20850054/nintendo-switch-online-snes-games-controller-nintendo-directNintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). "In Super Metroid, Ridley and the nefarious Space Pirates have stolen the baby Metroid hatchling, and Samus returns to Planet Zebes to recover it and defeat them. This title is currently available to play via #SNES - #NintendoSwitchOnline." 20 July 2021 2:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1417544883213160448Nintendo UK (NintendoUK). "Looking to catch up on some of Samus' past adventures? #NintendoSwitchOnline members can play Metroid and Super Metroid on #NintendoSwitch right now! ¶ Find out how:" 22 July 2021 6:04 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1418150003483324418 This version introduces save states and online co-operative play, where two players can switch between control of the game at will. A "Special" version of the game, Super Metroid: Samus Aran's ultimate arsenal!, was released onto NSO the week of February 7, 2022. It starts Samus in the "Statues Hallway" with 100% of items acquired, enabling her to go straight to Mother Brain with enough time to achieve the best ending.Darren. "Super Metroid “Special” Added To Nintendo Switch Online". Shinesparkers. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
===Unused Prime series unlockables===
In the final version of Metroid Prime, Metroid is unlockable by connecting with Metroid Fusion. However, Super Metroid originally had this role. The only evidence of this is an early menu design in Danny Richardson's portfolio (pictured right). An anonymous ex-Retro Studios developer clarified the matter by stating that Zoid Kirsch had built Super Metroid into Prime successfully, using a third-party emulator. Nintendo did not approve of this and ordered the game's removal, leading to its replacement with Metroid on a custom emulator.Liam Robertson - Game History Guy. "Nintendo Removed Super Metroid From Metroid Prime (Exclusive)". YouTube. May 25, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2022.Kiwi Talkz. "#121 - Zoid Interview (Metroid Prime, Cameras, Scripting, Sequence Breaking , Programming etc.)" YouTube. January 22, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. (starts at 45:56) Jack Mathews later said a patent for Sony sound chips prevented Retro from emulating SNES games at the time. (starts at 32:20)
Retro later discussed having the game as an unlockable extra in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, but time constraints prevented its inclusion.Michael Kelbaugh: "It was discussed! Let's just leave it at that. We didn't have enough time in the tight schedule, but we really wish we could have. We were so focused on the new elements like multiplayer and Screw Attack and refining elements from the original to the sequel. I'm personally a big Easter egg fan. I like all the fun stuff you find that's not supposed to be there. About three months ago I questioned whether we could squeeze something in there, but as it turns out we just didn't have time." NOM Staff. "Post game report: Retro Studios talk Metroid Prime 2 Echoes". Computer and Video Games. December 3, 2004. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
==Official data==
===Metroid.nintendo.com===
;1994 (Super Nintendo Entertainment System™)
:"Samus gives the hatchling to Federation scientists, who believe they can harness the Metroid’s powers for the betterment of the galaxy.
:Space Pirates attack the Federation research station where the young Metroid is held, steal the hatchling, and kill everyone.
:Samus tracks them back to planet Zebes, where Space Pirate forces resume their plans to weaponize the Metroid.
:When Samus faces certain defeat at the hands of the monstrous Mother Brain, the young Metroid bravely sacrifices itself to save her. Samus then destroys Mother Brain, the Space Pirates, and planet Zebes for good."
==Trivia==
*Super Metroid was almost canceled three times during its development due to the fact that it was the largest game ever created up to that point.
*A marketing poster available at Toys R Us in 1994 gave Super Metroid a subtitle or tagline - Super Metroid: The Return of the Mother Brain.Shinesparkers. "Top Facts You Didn't Know About Metroid". December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
*Super Metroid is the only sprite-based Metroid game in which the Grappling Beam is used.
*The game's cartridge appears in the Super Nostalgic Entertainment System microgame in WarioWare: Smooth Moves.
*The music that plays at the end of the game, after the epilogue, is remixed in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes at the beginning of fights with special enemies in Agon Wastes.
*Super Metroid is the first Metroid game to render Samus' visor as transparent (during the prologue).
*Some aspects of the game are similar to the film Alien 3. Both depict a bond between the female protagonist (Ellen Ripley/Samus Aran) and the titular alien specimens, and both stories end with a final sacrifice that eliminates the titular species once and for all. Unlike Alien 3 however, Super Metroid had a much more positive reception.
*Entering the Golden Torizo room while pressing all of the controller's face buttons will give Samus all of the game's items except for the Screw Attack (which is in the following room), 700 Energy, 300 Reserve Energy, 100 Missiles, 20 Super Missiles, and 20 Power Bombs.http://tasvideos.org/3023S.html
*Through a Game Genie, (code 8E67-C0DF) an options menu not used in the final game is available. The options text reads:
:: GAME QUIT
:: WOULD YOU PLAY?
:: END
:: CONTINUE
:If this code is used on an emulator, such as the ZSNES, it will cause several sprite glitches and slow-downs. Worthy of note is that when in this mode, the Energy, Missile Ammo, Super Missile Ammo and Power Bomb Ammo are all in red, with a different font than in the final game.
*Another unused/leftover screen can be found within the game's data. This one states that the game cannot be played on the Super NES or Super Famicom that it is currently inserted into. This was most likely intended for region locking.
*When working on the concept for the next Metroid game after Metroid Fusion, one developer suggested porting Super Metroid to the Game Boy Advance. However, Yoshio Sakamoto wanted to port Metroid instead, thus creating Metroid: Zero Mission.http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=102290
*Super Metroid was first hinted at in Nintendo Power volume 37 in June 1992, on page 52, in a small box talking about the original Metroid. The guide suggested a SNES Metroid game might be in development.
*Many of the game's sound effects are similar or identical to those used in the popular space opera series Star Trek: Deep Space 9.
*Some kaiju roars from the Godzilla films are used for bosses in this game. Crocomire lets out a Titanosaurus (an aquatic dinosaur from Terror of Mechagodzilla) roar while he is being killed by lava and the same roar is used again when Phantoon is hit. Also, Draygon uses the roar from Anguirus (a giant mutated ankylosaur who is an ally of Godzilla) occasionally. Ridley likewise uses Anguirus's roars constantly in both battles. Mother Brain in her mechanical form utilizes Mothra's roars, albeit slightly slowed down.
**Although not actually from the Godzilla series, Kraid's roars, and to a lesser extent Crocomire's and Phantoon's standard roars during their respective battles were taken from stock sound effects from old Hollywood monster movies, in particular the one utilized in the 1957 film The Land Unknown as well as the 1976 remake for the film King Kong.
*At one point, a video of two gamers speedrunning Super Metroid was featured on the Nintendo Channel on Wii.Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). "New on #NintendoChannel: Super Metroid Challenge video of 2 gamers attempting a speed run on Super #Metroid." September 27, 2010 7:03 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/25729986963
*A 2021 tweet from Nintendo of America erroneously stated that Super Metroid was first released in North America in 1993.Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). "Super Metroid launched on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America in 1993. ¶ Samus returns to Planet Zebes to recover the Metroid hatchling, stolen by Ridley. She discovers an old enemy, and in the process the hatchling makes the ultimate sacrifice. ¶ #MetroidDread" 17 August 2021 2:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1427691711959076870
==Gallery==
:For artwork, see Super Metroid's Gallery.
===Box scans===
Super Metroid JPN boxart.jpg|Japan
Super Metroid JPN ad.png|Japan (back)
M3 box front US alt.jpg|North America - alt
Super Metroid NA Player's Choice boxart.jpg|North America - Player's Choice
Super Metroid PAL boxart.jpg|United Kingdom
SuperValueDoublePack1.JPG|United Kingdom - Super Value Double Pack (front)
SuperValueDoublePack4.JPG|United Kingdom - Super Value Double Pack (back)
SuperValueDoublePack3.JPG|United Kingdom - Super Value Double Pack (Super Metroid side)
SuperValueDoublePack2.JPG|United Kingdom - Super Value Double Pack (contents)
===Other re-releases===
Super Metroid VC Channel preview.png|Virtual Console channel preview screen
Super Metroid Wii U Virtual Console preview.png|Wii U Virtual Console preview screen
Metroid or Super Metroid.png|Image attached to a Nintendo of Canada Twitter poll asking if Metroid or Super Metroid was a better game for series newcomers to play first. Super Metroid was the overwhelming favorite.Nintendo of Canada (NintendoCanada). "With a #NintendoSwitchOnline membership, you can play through two #Metroid classics. Which of these two would you recommend someone new to the series play first? https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/switch/online-service/?cid=C1052-1:ch=sotw" 7 July 2021 12:41 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoCanada/status/1412813981643808772
===Print media===
SM German ad.png|German advertisement
Nincredibly Ninvolving.png
Super Metroid fridge magnet.jpg
SMNPposter.jpg|Nintendo Power poster
SM Samus profile.png|Press kit profile for the game (rediscovered in 2014 by GameInformer).
Game Players May 1994 pages 30 and 31.jpg|The May 1994 issue of Game Players, pages 30 and 31.
Gamer 1994-07 0049.jpg|Review published in the July 1994 issue of the Finnish magazine Gamer.
Gamer 1994-07 0050.jpg
Super Metroid magazine pullout (UK, VGM, mag unknown) cover.png|Pullout from an unknown British magazine.
Super Metroid magazine pullout (UK, VGM, mag unknown) inserts.png|Inserts.
JP Other M Guide 170.jpg|Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M, page 170
EDGE.N2XX.2010.XX.Supplement.Metroid-Other.M.Special 04.jpg|Special 2010 issue of Edge.
====Weekly Famitsu====
FAMITSU - Super Metroid flyer.png|Advertisement on the back of issue 276 of Famitsu.
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0020.jpg|Walkthrough in issue 278.
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0021.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0026.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0023.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0022.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0024.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0025.jpg
Weekly_Famitsu_(Famicom_Tsūshin)_-_278_(4-15-1994)_0173.jpg
====Game Players====
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0000.jpg|Scans from the May 1994 issue of Game Players, featuring interviews with Sakamoto and Shigeru Miyamoto (the latter about the Mario series). Samus is illustrated with purple hair, as she is in the Super Metroid comics and some concept art.
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0003.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0019.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0020.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0021.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0031.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0032.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0067.jpg
Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994_0068.jpg
====Club Nintendo (Latin America)====
Club Nintendo Año 03 Nº 02 (México) Ver. 2 0000.jpg|Super Metroid on the cover of Club Nintendo Year 3 #2 (February 1994) in Mexico.
Club Nintendo 19 - Año 03 Nº 03 (Argentina) 0008.jpg|A page about Super in the March 1994 issue of Club Nintendo (Argentina).
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0009.jpg|Walkthrough in the next issue.
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0010.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0011.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0012.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0013.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0014.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0015.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0016.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0017.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0018.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0019.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0020.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0021.jpg
Club Nintendo 24 - Año 03 Nº 08 (Argentina) 0022.jpg
====Super Play (June 1994)====
Super Play June 1994 cover.jpg|Cover of the June 1994 issue of Super Play magazine, with Samus drawn by Wil Overton.Ibrahim_UK. Super Play Magazine Issue 20 June 1994 Metroid Cover Art. Wil Overton: "I donated it to a charity auction some years ago. The linework was done by hand, transferred to the acetate and then painted by hand in an animation cel style. On the magazine, the background was a stock library photograph, licensed by the Art Editor" OriginalVideoGameArt.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024. https://www.originalvideogameart.com/home/super-play-magazine-issue-20-june-1994-metroid-cover-art-r196/
Super Play June 1994 cover autograph.jpg|The design isolated, with Overton's signature. It was later used as a Patreon subscriber-exclusive cover for the May 2024 issue of Retro Gamer.
====Nintendo Acción (August 1994)====
Nintendo Accion 021 0000.jpg|Scans from the August 1994 issue of Nintendo Acción (Spain).
Nintendo Accion 021 0001.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0015.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0016.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0017.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0018.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0019.jpg
Nintendo Accion 021 0020.jpg
===Other===
Smetroid-debugstaff.png|The message "Special thanks 2 Genji Kubota & all debug staff." is hidden near the beginning of the ROM. It's not known if it is possible to display it in-game.
SuperMetroidCopyright.png|Anti-piracy message which, when triggered, removes all save data.
Super Metroid The Return of the Mother Brain poster.jpg|The poster with The Return of the Mother Brain tagline or subtitle.
Super Metroid Skin & Screen Protector Set 1.png|Nintendo Switch Skin & Screen Protector Set
High-quality Super NES Poster Set.jpg|High-quality Super NES Poster Set offered by MyNintendo in November 2019, for 300 Platinum Coins. Only available in Europe.Nintendo France (NintendoFrance). "Cet ensemble de posters #SuperMario Kart, Super #Metroid et The Legend of #Zelda: A Link to the Past est disponible en exclu dans le #MyNintendo Store contre 300 points platine + frais d'envoi (dans la limite des stocks disponible). Commander : [link]" Nov 18m 2019 9:19 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoFrance/status/1196432802264309761
Super Metroid Samus Aran's ultimate arsenal! icon.png|Samus Aran's ultimate arsenal! on Nintendo Switch Online.
Super Metroid Samus Aran's ultimate arsenal! description.png|The save state's description.
SM NP guide artwork at PAX exhibit.png|Artwork for the strategy guide that was part of a Nintendo Power exhibit at PAX West 2023.Kit & Krysta. "[VLOG] PAX West + Nintendo Live 2023 *playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder* - Super Kit & Krysta 64". YouTube. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_xp0VZADU
==See also==
*Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide
*Super Metroid Players' Guide
*Super Metroid: The Official Nintendo Game Guide
*Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid
*Super Metroid/Credits
*Super Metroid Limited Edition Print
*Super Metroid Stare-E-O Poster
*Metroid Hat
*Metroid Medallion
*Theme ~ Space Warrior Samus Aran's Theme ~ Big Boss BGM ~ Ending
*Bioworld (Super Metroid Wallet)
*Super Metroid: A Symphonic Poem
*Super Metroid - Into Red, Into Dark
*SMILE
===Advertisements===
*Killer
*Super Metroid Promotional Preview
*Nintendo eShop - Super Metroid Trailer
==References==
==External links==
*Gallery of merchandise
*Votable Page
*Title at Moby Games
*Title at Gamefaqs
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