Navigation menu

Screw Attack

From Metroid Wiki
Screw Attack
Screw Attack Artwork 01.png

Concept Art of the Screw Attack from Echoes

Game(s)
Users
Located in
Authorized in

Activated without authorization in sector 1 as a bonus to the Space Jump

How to Obtain
Uses
  • Destroy enemies on contact (all Metroid games)
  • Jump large distances (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption)
  • Scale Wall Jump Surfaces (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption)
This article requires user attention!
This article requires user attention!

This article or section is in need of attention.

Please improve it by reorganizing it by game, including further details from Other M.
This article has been flagged since February 2011.


The Screw Attack is a powerful ability which turns Samus's armor into a weapon. Its first appearance was in the original Metroid and has been an upgrade in most subsequent games since, absent in only Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime Hunters. The Screw Attack allows Samus to somersault into enemies, killing many instantly. Some enemies can only be destroyed with the Screw Attack. It is extremely powerful, but Samus must put herself at close proximity to the enemy. Very few enemies are resistant to it. It does not work underwater if Samus does not have the Gravity Suit with the exception of Metroid: Other M.[1]

Appearances[edit | edit source]

2D Series[edit | edit source]

Artwork of the Screw Attack from Metroid
Artwork of the Screw Attack from Metroid

The Screw Attack in the 2D games is a very powerful weapon and is generally obtained late in-game. It is obtained in Norfair after defeating Ridley in his hideout Metroid and Metroid: Zero Mission and in the same place in Super Metroid and it is obtained in Metroid Fusion upon defeating Ridley-X in Sector 1 (SRX). This weapon can decimate any small, less significant enemies, deal severe damage against larger more threatening enemies, and destroy even the seemingly invincible Rippers and Ripper II. The Screw Attack is also used to tear through Screw Attack Blocks and other easily breakable blocks. Since the Screw Attack only has offensive potential, it is not required in any 2D game exept for Metroid Fusion, due to its linear nature.

Metroid Prime Series[edit | edit source]

The Screw Attack from Echoes
The Screw Attack from Echoes

It retains a similar function in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, with some added capabilities. It allows Samus to jump up to seven times instead of the usual two which she can use to cross large distances easily. It also allows Samus to scale certain walls. The Gravity Boost activates underwater in Echoes instead of the Screw Attack, preventing Samus from using it while submerged.[2] It can be steered slightly by tilting the control stick left or right during a Screw Attack.

Super Smash Bros. Series[edit | edit source]

Main article: SmashWiki: Screw Attack

Samus can use the Screw Attack throughout the entire Super Smash Bros. series as one of her Special Moves as well as her main recovery move.[3] Dark Samus, added in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as echo fighter of Samus, also utilises the Screw Attack in a manor identical to Samus.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, it is also an item that can be held and used by other characters. Whenever the character jumped, the Screw Attack activates. It can also be thrown, causing the target to do the Screw Attack.[3] In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it is a badge that cannot be thrown but otherwise works the same.[4]

Kirby Super Star/Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit | edit source]

In Kirby Super Star and its remake Kirby Super Star Ultra the Screw Attack, or Screw Ball as it is referred to in the original game, makes a minor appearance as one of the collectible treasures in the Great Cave Offensive where it is valued at 80, 000 G. [5]

Data[edit | edit source]

Manuals[edit | edit source]

Manual Entries
Manual info from Metroid
Screw Attack: This super strong Power Item spins in flight to attack the enemy. Samus's armor flashes during a screw attack."[6]
Manual info from Metroid: Zero Mission
Screw Attack: Obtaining this power-up gives Samus the ability to damage enemies by jumping into them. (Activates automatically during a spin jump)."[7]
Manual info from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Screw Attack: After executing a Space Jump, press the B Button repeatedly and with good timing to initiate and perform multiple Screw Attacks. As you guide Samus with the Control Stick, she'll damage enemies and cross huge horizontal distances.


If Samus performs a Screw Attack while facing and touching certain walls, she will perform a Wall Jump-stringing together multiple Wall Jumps allows her to climb great heights.[2]

Manual info from Metroid Prime Trilogy
Screw Attack: After executing a Space Jump, press B repeatedly and with good timing to initiated and perform Screw Attacks (a maximum of 6), which deals damage when you hit an enemy. Also, this will allow you to climb while jumping off some walls."[8]
First entry for Trilogy
Manual info from Metroid Prime Trilogy
Screw Attack: After obtaining the "Screw Attack", if you press B during a Space Jump, you will jump while rotating. If you press B with good timing, you will be able to jump repeatedly (a maximum of 6), and if you hit an enemy, you will give damage. You will also be able to climb some walls while jumping back and forth.[9]
Second entry for Trilogy
Screw Attack: This allows Samus to destroy enemies she contacts while spinning through the air.[10]
Manual info from Super Metroid
Screw Attack: This powerful item turns Samus’ suit into a weapon. When the Screw Attack is activated, Samus can somersault into enemies and blast them out of the air."[1]
Manual info from Metroid Fusion
Screw Attack: Hit enemies with Spin Jumps to cause damage."[11]
Manual info from Melee
Screw Attack: Attack with a spinning jump. Also use it to get back to the stage"[3]
Manual info from Brawl
Screw Attack: Spin upward while attacking. Use it to get yourself back to safety after being launched."[12]


Screen Data[edit | edit source]


Screen data from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Screw Attack acquired!


Press B Button GCN.png to Jump. While in the air, press B Button GCN.png again to Space Jump. Press B Button GCN.png repeatedly after that to Screw Attack.[13]
Screen data from Metroid Fusion
Screw Attack ability regained.
Somersault into enemies.[14]

Inventory[edit | edit source]

Metroid: Zero Mission[edit | edit source]

"Damage enemies when somersaulting"[15]

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes[edit | edit source]

"The Screw Attack allows you to transform into a mobile ball of deadly energy. The Screw Attack has a limit of consecutive jumps. After executing a Space Jump, press B Button GCN.png repeatedly to initiate and perform the Screw Attack. Use A Button GCN.png to steer while in Screw Attack mode.
Samus's notes:
Striking enemies with the Screw Attack will damage them. Performing a Screw Attack while facing and touching a wall will execute a Wall Jump. Use the Wall Jump to travel great vertical distances."[16]

Metroid: Other M[edit | edit source]

This section of the page is incomplete or missing.
You can help Metroid Wiki by expanding it.

Trophy Info[edit | edit source]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit | edit source]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit | edit source]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit | edit source]

Sprite[edit | edit source]

Game Screw Attack Upgrade
Metroid: Zero Mission Screw Attack Upgrade

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • While in Hypermode, Samus's Screw Attack will shine blue rather than yellow.
  • Omega Ridley seems to avoid the Screw Attack at all costs. Attacking him with it will cause Ridley to jump away, even canceling his attack. If Samus manages to land a hit, however, it will deal no damage.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "This powerful item turns Samus’ suit into a weapon. When the Screw Attack is activated, Samus can somersault into enemies and blast them out of the air." Super Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 25
  2. 2.0 2.1 "After executing a Space Jump, press the B Button repeatedly and with good timing to initiate and perform multiple Screw Attacks. As you guide Samus with the Control Stick, she'll damage enemies and cross huge horizontal distances. If Samus performs a Screw Attack while facing and touching certain walls, she will perform a Wall Jump-stringing together multiple Wall Jumps allows her to climb great heights." Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Instruction Booklet, Pg 21
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Attack with a spinning jump. Also use it to get back to the stage" Super Smash Bros Melee Instruction Booklet, Pg 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "melee" defined multiple times with different content
  4. 4.0 4.1 "A badge you can wear to turn jumps into Samus's signature Screw Attack. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, it was an item you carried, but this time around it's a badge you wear—which means you can use it and another item at the same time. There's a good chance you'll be able to string together Screw Attacks and midair strikes for powerful combos." —Trophy Gallery (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
  5. "Treasure: Screw Ball (Kirby Super Star)/Screw Attack (Kirby Super Star Ultra) Value: 80,000 G Notes: A reference to the Screw Attack power-up of the Metroid series." Treasure, WiKirby
  6. "This super strong Power Item spins in flight to attack the enemy. Samus's armor flashes during a screw attack." Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 23
  7. "Obtaining this power-up gives Samus the ability to damage enemies by jumping into them. (Activates automatically during a spin jump)." Metroid: Zero Mission Instruction Booklet, Pg 26
  8. "After executing a Space Jump, press B repeatedly and with good timing to initiated and perform Screw Attacks (a maximum of 6), which deals damage when you hit an enemy. Also, this will allow you to climb while jumping off some walls." Metroid Prime: Trilogy Instruction Booklet, Pg 29
  9. "After obtaining the "Screw Attack", if you press B during a Space Jump, you will jump while rotating. If you press B with good timing, you will be able to jump repeatedly (a maximum of 6), and if you hit an enemy, you will give damage. You will also be able to climb some walls while jumping back and forth." Metroid Prime: Trilogy Instruction Booklet, Pg 45
  10. "This allows Samus to destroy enemies she contacts while spinning through the air." Metroid II: Return of Samus Instruction Booklet, Pg 18
  11. "Hit enemies with Spin Jumps to cause damage." Metroid Fusion Instruction Booklet, Pg 31
  12. "Spin upward while attacking. Use it to get yourself back to safety after being launched." Super Smash Bros. Brawl Instruction Booklet, Pg 32
  13. "Press B Button GCN.png to Jump. While in the air, press B Button GCN.png again to Space Jump. Press B Button GCN.png repeatedly after that to Screw Attack." —Screen Data (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
  14. "Screw Attack ability regained. Somersault into enemies." —Screen Data (Metroid Fusion)
  15. ""Damage enemies when somersaulting"" —Inventory Data (Metroid: Zero Mission)
  16. "The Screw Attack allows you to transform into a mobile ball of deadly energy. The Screw Attack has a limit of consecutive jumps. After executing a Space Jump, press B Button GCN.png repeatedly to initiate and perform the Screw Attack. Use A Button GCN.png to steer while in Screw Attack mode. Samus's notes:The Screw Attack has a limit of consecutive jumps. Striking enemies with the Screw Attack will damage them. Performing a Screw Attack while facing and touching a wall will execute a Wall Jump. Use the Wall Jump to travel great vertical distances." —Inventory Data (Metroid Prime 2:Echoes)


Language Name Meaning
Japanese スクリューアタック Screw Attack
Spanish Ataque Barrena Spin Attack
French Attaque en Vrille Spin Attack
German Screw Attack -
Italian Attacco a Vite Screw Attack