Platform (Object)

A platform is a type of hovering device seen throughout the Metroid series. They vary in size and appearance, and some were possibly built to transport cargo and passengers between areas. All are naturally present to serve Samus in accessing places she may not otherwise be able to reach.
==Metroid Prime series==
Many platforms exist throughout the Prime series, most are large and circular and will easily hold Samus's weight as they hover above the ground in mid-air. Samus can use these platforms to travel and reach high or far away places she is unable to reach via her Space Jump Boots or Screw Attack alone.
===Metroid Prime===
Metroid Prime introduces platforms in 3D, many retain the same shape of being large and circular and serve to aid Samus in travel throughout areas. Many hover in place while others are set along a predetermined path in motion. It is unknown as to whom the creators of these devices might be, though it is possible many were built by the Chozo. Because of the many regions available, platforms may vary in appearance and design function.
An unused scan image exists for a platform, where Samus is seen on top of one. Currently there is no text associated with this scan, and it is not normally tied in to any scans relating to the platforms.
====Basic Platform====
These types of platforms are the most common. They are typically a darkish, rusty looking color and are circular in shape bearing inner rings etched on top. They possess a chalice shaped attachment on the bottom of the circular platform, which expels type of air or gas out from a small port underneath. This gas is most likely a propulsion system meant to keep it afloat. 
Unusually, the basic platforms encountered in Magmoor Caverns will not completely hold up Samus's weight, and will immediately begin to slowly descend once Samus is on top of them. They return to their natural position once Samus is off of them. In a way, these platforms heavily resemble the suspensor platforms from Super Metroid. Viewing these same platforms using the Thermal Visor reveals they have a very low heat temperature, which makes them easy to spot with the Thermal Visor due to their surrounding areas being ultra-heated.
====Phendrana Drifts Platforms====
These platforms are covered in snow and are slightly smaller in size compared to the basic platforms. These platforms are also cone-shaped with a large cylindrical tube attached to one of its sides, which is the platform's propulsion unit. These platforms retain the same behavior of Holding Samus's weight while remaining in place. The platforms in Frozen Pike can be scanned:
"This platform is kept aloft by a gas-based propulsion system attached to its underside."
The platforms housed in Phendrana Canyon bear an alternate look. These resemble the basic platform, but are covered in snow. Because of the snow, these platforms have somewhat lost their perfect circular shape. These platforms can also be scanned, which will inform Samus that these platforms will not hold her weight for long, meaning they will crumble soon enough once landed on. These platforms can be rearranged by a nearby Chozo terminal to allow Samus to reach the Boost Ball in the edge of the canyon's tower. If she falls, she can scan the terminal again to respawn the platforms. Strangely, the platforms will not crumble if she did not use the Scan Visor to rearrange them and instead stood on them using her Space Jump Boots (obtained via Sequence Breaking). Using the platforms in this manner can allow Samus to go out of bounds. 
In Metroid Prime Remastered, all of the platforms appear visually different, with some visual differences more drastic than others. The platforms in Phendrana Shorelines appear more rocky, with their exposed technology now appearing more detailed. The platforms seen in Phendrana Canyon have their snow appear more like frozen ice.
====Invisible platform====
Some of the above platforms described are unseen to the naked eye, unexplained as to their existence. Samus must use her X-Ray Visor to properly see them, so she can land on them safely. Using the Thermal Visor may sometimes detect their air trail only. Both visors are not necessary to land on top of them, and it is physically possible to land on these platforms without the need of either two visors. Using the Power Beam is perhaps the best way to detect their presence, as any shots landed on a platform will linger for a while, and the Power Beam's rapid fire allows Samus to gauge the necessary location.
Another type of invisible platform exists in Tallon Overworld. These appear smaller than basic platforms and are more rock-like in appearance. In many areas, the platforms can be given away by watching closely the rainfall that lands above them. A scan within Root Cave relates to these types of platforms:
"These water droplets seem to be stopping in midair."
====Rotating lift platforms====
These large, round platforms appear exclusively within the Geothermal Core. They are used by Samus to gain access to the higher hidden floor in order for her to collect the Plasma Beam. The three circular platforms are attached to a large metal pillar, and their outer rings serve as the platform itself. These three platforms can be adjusted to a higher position by a Spinner device embedded within a pillar itself, located near the platform's initial location. Once all 3 the rotating lift platforms have spun in place higher than normally above, Samus can use the three adjusted platforms to make her way towards a Bomb Slot activating the pillars into lifting up the roof in a higher position, revealing a long Spider Ball Track pathway embedded into the surrounding walls high above and allowing access to the White Door leading to the room with the Plasma Beam.
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes===
====Dark Agon Wastes====
right|thumb|200px|Platforms seen within Dark Agon Wastes.
A series of platforms exists within the Dark Agon Wastes. Many of these appear to be programmed to hover back and forth somewhat fast in a set pattern. Some of these platforms also ferry Light Beacons atop them.
====Torvus Platforms====
One type of platform exists within the Torvus Bog. These platforms are circular or octagonal in shape and appear mechanical in design, most likely built by the Luminoth to aid in the war effort against the Ing. One of these Torvus platforms is seen within the Meditation Vista, far in the back of the room moving at a moderately fast pace back and forth leading towards an Energy Tank. 
A Dark Aetherian type of the Torvus Bog platform exists within the Dark Torvus Temple. These appear once Samus obtains the Dark Visor, and become invisible once they rise up above the ground (it is possible these platforms are built with a cloaking device inside). Samus never encounters similar platforms on her visits to the Torvus Temple.
====Sanctuary Fortress/Ing Hive Platform====
A sophisticatedly designed mechanical platform. These platforms mainly occupy the large areas of the Fortress/Hive containing many large gaps or pitfalls. They appear to be fashioned out of a glass plate with three bars clamped to a device on the bottom (supposedly its hovering mechanism).
Some of these platforms in the Ing Hive appear invisible, and must be seen using the Dark Visor. Much like the Dark Torvus Bog variant, it is possible these Ing Hive variants are built in with a cloaking device to disrupt intruders.
====Sky Temple Grounds platform====
Much like the previous platforms encountered in Dark Aether, these platforms are invisible to the naked eye and must be properly seen using the Dark Visor.
===Metroid Prime 3: Corruption===
====Seed platform====
A type of platform exists within a Leviathan Seed. These are small and flat on top, with a circular appearance and have long tentacles on its underside which will damage Samus is she comes into contact with them. These seed platforms appear to possess organic qualities, and somewhat resemble jellyfish creatures.
==Development notes==
An unused scan image of the Glider shows Samus standing on one like a platform. Although difficult, it is possible to ride atop a Glider even while it is in motion. Because these creatures were internally derived from Rippers, it is possible they were to act as frozen platforms at one point, or this behavior is simply a leftover from when the Glider was still classified as a Ripper.
An unused enemy in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the Mantha, may have been able to be used as a platform once stunned and frozen.
Datamining of Metroid Prime Remastered has uncovered unused Logbook entries for Floating and Sinking Platforms.
==Gallery==
Metroid Prime Hunters Unused Platform.png|An unused platform from the files of Metroid Prime Hunters. Although this appears to be a leftover from its predecessor, Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, this model actually possesses an updated art style.https://tcrf.net/Metroid_Prime_Hunters#Unused_Object_Models
Phendrana Canyon Ice Platforms.png|Ice platforms in Phendrana Canyon, Metroid Prime Remastered.
==References==
Category:Obstacles
Category:Tallon IV
Category:Aether
Category:Dark Aether