Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid Zero Mission is a Metroid game made for the Game Boy Advance in 2004 that follows Samus Aran's first

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Metroid Zero Mission box art.

mission. It is a remake of the original Metroid game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Because it is a remake of the first game, it thus makes it the first game chronologically. The game follows mostly the same plot as the original with a few added elements and environments.

Storyline

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 rays. The hypotheses that the Metroids were responsible for one of the greatest mysteries in the entire galaxy — the extinction of 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, though pirate resistance was strong, causing 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.

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Samus lands on Zebes.

As a last resort, the Federation Police decided to send a lone space hunter to penetrate the pirate base and destroy Mother Brain, the mechanical life-form that controlled the fortress and its defenses. Samus Aran was chosen for the mission, considered the greatest of all bounty hunters. Samus had successfully completed numerous missions that others had thought impossible before, making her an excellent candidate. However, despite her accomplishments, much of Samus's true identity remained wrapped in mystery.

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Samus discovers the Space Pirate Mothership.

Samus begins her mission

Alone, Samus Aran successfully landed on the surface of Zebes, which was, in fact, the planet where Samus had been raised as a child by the Chozo. Her mission is a huge success. She defeats Space Pirate commanders Kraid and Ridley as well other monstrosities before confronting Mother Brain, the organic supercomputer that controls everything on Zebes. However, as she is leaving the planet, Space Pirate fighters attack her gunship, causing Samus to crashland back on the planet's surface, near the Space Pirate Mothership.

The crash has left Samus' Power Suit in need of repair. She decides to pursue without the suit and explore the Mothership. Samus still in her Zero Suit explores the Mothership, and discovers Chozodia, an abandoned settlement of the Chozo. After succeeding in a test handed down by the Chozo, Samus acquires the Gravity Suit, compatible with new equipment and abilities. With her new suit, she confronts a mechanized form of Ridley, possibly an early attempt at creating Meta Ridley. Setting off a self-destruct sequence Samus is able to escape in a Space Pirate Escape pod. The blast destroys the Mothership and puts an end to the Space Pirates' plans on utilizing the Metroids.

New Gameplay Elements

Being a remake of the original Metroid for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the game has seen drastic revisions in gameplay, sound and graphics. The story is also expanded beyond the original 1986 adventure. Most notable changes in gameplay include new items like the Plasma Beam and Gravity Suit as well as new explorable areas like the Space Pirate Mothership and Crateria, which was also featured in Super Metroid.

Unlike the original, Zero Mission features a map, making navigating through the tunnels of Zebes much easier. In the final sequence where Samus has entered the Space Pirate Mothership and the areas around it, she travels without her Power Suit, relying on an emergency pistol.

Extras

Hard Mode - Beat the game on Normal mode. It doesn't matter how many items you collect or what your time is. In Hard Mode:

• You take double damage
• There are added enemies
• Some enemies have been replaced with tougher ones
• Some save rooms have been removed
• Upgrades are not as effective:
  • Energy Tanks add half (50 units) to your total amount
  • Missile Tanks add only 2 missiles instead of than 5
  • Super Missile Tanks and Power Bomb Tanks add only one unit to their respective supplies

Original NES Metroid - When the game is beaten on any difficulty, you get the option to play the original Metroid from 1986!

Music Test - When the game is beaten on Hard mode, a music test feature becomes available.

Image Gallery - Connecting a copy of Zero Mission to a copy of Metroid Fusion unlocks a gallery showcasing images of Samus from Metroid Fusion, that were only available in the japanese version of Metroid Fusion. The gallery also includes images of Samus's past, the destruction of the Earth colony on K-2L, and her childhood with the Chozo.

Trivia

Zero Mission is the only Metroid game that allows the player to control Samus without her Power Suit. Although many games have featured Samus either in her light blue "Zero Suit" or a bikini in the past. The suit was also available in the Wii game Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Gallery

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  All endings arranged from easiest to hardest

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  Samus Aran without her armor

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  Mother Brain