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Morph Ball

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Morph Ball


The Morph Ball as seen when used in conjunction with the Gravity Suit in Metroid Prime

Game(s)
Users
Located in
How to Obtain
  • On a pedestal in Brinstar (Metroid)
  • On a pedestal in Brinstar (Metroid: Zero Mission)
  • Defeat a group of Beetles and then a Plated Beetle (Metroid Prime)
  • On a pedestal in Brinstar (Super Metroid)
  • Defeat Arachnus (Metroid Fusion)
Uses

Allows Samus to fit into narrow areas

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The Morph Ball, known as the Maru Mari in Metroid and the Morphing Ball in Super Metroid, is an ability that allows Samus Aran to transform into a metallic sphere approximately one meter in diameter.[1] This allows her to travel through tight passages into which she would normally not be able to fit. In some games, the Morph Ball must be obtained as an item before it can be used, while in others it is available from the start. Using various modular upgrades, its abilities can be extended. Its appearance changes depending on the suit Samus is wearing when it is engaged.

Other creatures and hunters can use systems similar to Samus's Morph Ball.

Appearances[edit | edit source]

Metroid[edit | edit source]

The Maru Mari used to traverse a narrow passageway in Metroid

In Metroid, the Maru Mari is located on a pedestal to the left of where Samus starts the game in Brinstar. It allows Samus to fit into tight spaces and, once the bomb upgrade is acquired, lay bombs.

The name Maru Mari is a direct transliteration of the item's Japanese name, まるまり (marumari). This is derived from the verb 丸まる (marumaru), meaning "to roll into a ball."

Metroid: Zero Mission[edit | edit source]

Samus's Morph Ball being launched in Zero Mission

The Morph Ball reappears in the game Metroid: Zero Mission, a remake of the original Metroid. It is once again located on a pedestal in Brinstar directly to the left of where Samus starts the game. Its role is identical to its role in the original game, including the use of Bombs after the appropriate upgrade has been found.

Metroid Prime[edit | edit source]

The Morph Ball in Metroid Prime
The Morph Ball in Metroid Prime

Samus is in possession of the Morph Ball at the beginning of Metroid Prime, but she loses it when an explosion causes her to hit the wall of an elevator on Frigate Orpheon. Samus acquires it again after defeating a large group of Beetles and one Plated Beetle in the Ruined Shrine located in the Chozo Ruins.

It functions in the same manner as in previous installments, with the additional Boost Ball and Spider Ball features and the ability to lay Power Bombs after the corresponding upgrades have been acquired.

Metroid Prime Hunters[edit | edit source]

Samus has possession of the Morph Ball throughout Metroid Prime Hunters.

For online multiplayer purposes, other Hunters have their own versions of alternate forms that serve the same purpose as the Morph Ball.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes[edit | edit source]

Samus's Morph Ball as seen in Echoes
Samus's Morph Ball as seen in Echoes

Samus possesses the Morph Ball throughout Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, even after the Ing swarm over her and steal most of her upgrades.

The Morph Ball functions in the same manner as it did in Metroid Prime, including the use of Bombs, the Boost Ball, the Spider Ball, and Power Bombs. In addition, the Boost Ball can be used in conjunction with the Spider Ball to propel the Morph Ball off of magnetic surfaces.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption[edit | edit source]

Once again, Samus possesses the Morph Ball through all the events of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. In this game, it is upgraded not only by the returning Boost Ball and Spider Ball, but also by a brand new upgrade known as the Hyper Ball.

Metroid II: Return of Samus[edit | edit source]

Samus using the wall-clinging Spider Ball

Samus has possession of the Morph Ball throughout Metroid II: Return of Samus, and it is once again supplemented by the ability to lay bombs after the upgrade has been found, along with the Spider Ball, which now can be used to climb on the walls and ceiling.

Super Metroid[edit | edit source]

In Super Metroid, Samus loses the Morphing Ball along with all of her other upgrades, leaving only the Power Beam. Fortunately, the Morph Ball is on the same pedestal just to the left of the elevator coming into Brinstar as it was during her earlier mission to Zebes. In this game, the Morphing Ball can be upgraded by both bombs and the new unlockable Spring Ball, which enables Samus to jump in Morph Ball form. Power Bombs can also be found in this game and once again require the use of Morphing Ball mode to be used.

Metroid: Other M[edit | edit source]

In Metroid: Other M, the Morph Ball, unlike most of Samus' abilities, never has any restrictions placed upon its usage by Adam Malkovich. He does, however, place restrictions on Samus' use of the Morph Ball Bomb and Power Bombs, which once again have to be unlocked. Morph Ball Mode functions as in most other Metroid games, but it can only be activated in third-person mode.

Metroid Fusion[edit | edit source]

Samus in Morph Ball form using a Morph Ball Bomb in Fusion

When Samus is injected with a Metroid vaccine at the beginning of Metroid Fusion, she loses all her abilities once again, including the Morph Ball. The Morph Ball is located in the Main Deck and can be obtained by defeating Arachnus X.

The Morph Ball is once again upgraded by the Morph Ball Bomb and the Spring Ball ability, now known as the Jumpball.

Metroid Dread[edit | edit source]

The Morph Ball returns in Metroid Dread, although Samus has to destroy E.M.M.I.-03MB at Cataris first. This ability allows Samus to pass through small ledges or holes, allowing to navigate through E.M.M.I. Valves that can be accessed after Samus defeats the surrounding E.M.M.I.

Data[edit | edit source]

Manuals[edit | edit source]

Manual Entries
Manual info from Metroid
Maru Mari: Samus grows small and round like a ball when he gets this Power Item/ Useful when traveling along narrow passageways, it will help him until his energy runs out.[2]
Manual info from Metroid: Zero Mission
Morph Ball: This ability allows Samus's suit to curl into a ball form and navigate narrow passageways. (Press twice).[3]
Manual info from Metroid Prime
Getting Rolling: When Samus rolls into the Morph Ball, the camera will pull back out of the visor view and display a third-person perspective. Using the Control Stick, you can roll the Morph Ball in whichever direction you choose. Bear in mind that gravity will affect the Morph Ball—you'll need to tilt the Control Stick farther while rolling up inclines.[4]
Manual info from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Morph Ball Moves: As Samus explores, she'll run into many areas that are too small for her to navigate. By pressing the X Button to go into Morph Ball mode, however, she'll gain the power to roll herself up into an armored ball that can fit in small tunnels and drains. As she finds additional power-ups, she'll expand on the abilities at her disposal while in Morph Ball mode.[5]
Manual info from Metroid Prime Trilogy
Morph Ball: If you press the C Button, Samus will roll up into a ball and be able to get through narrow passages, such as air vents and hidden passages. To change back, press the C Button again.[6]
Trilogy's entry for all three Prime games
Manual info from Super Metroid
Morphing Ball: You can use the Morphing Ball to make Samus roll into a ball and squeeze into narrow areas.[7]
Manual info from Metroid: Other M
Morph Ball: Press to go into Morph Ball mode and move around small spaces. Press again to change back.[8]
Manual info from Metroid Fusion
Morph Ball: Use this power to roll into a ball and move through narrow passageways. Press twice on the + Control Pad.[9]

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit | edit source]

It is one of Samus Aran's special moves, which also drops a small bomb for Samus to go a bit higher.

Upgrades[edit | edit source]

  • Morph Ball Bomb - Allows Samus to place a small explosive charge. This is used to clear certain weak obstacles and propel the Morph Ball upwards a short distance.
  • Power Bomb - Allows Samus to drop a much more powerful explosive charge, with a greater range. In Metroid Fusion it also draws in X parasites.
  • Spider Ball - In Metroid II: Return of Samus the spider ball allows Samus to climb most flat surfaces. In the Metroid Prime series, it can only adhere to magnetic rails.
  • Spring Ball - Allows the Morph Ball to jump a short distance.
  • Boost Ball - When charged, briefly accelerates the Morph Ball. This can be used to climb half pipe structures. It also allows Samus to jump perpendicularly away from the magnetic rails used by the Spider Ball.
  • Hyper Ball - Fires continuous streams of Phazon electricity during Hypermode. The more it is used, the more Phazon is drained. It is obtained after defeating Mogenar in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

Sprites[edit | edit source]

Game Samus
Item
Metroid Samus in Maru Mari form in Metroid
Metroid II: Return of Samus Samus in Morph Ball form in Metroid II: Return of Samus --
Super Metroid Samus in Morphing Ball form in Super Metroid The Morphing Ball item in Super Metroid
Metroid Fusion Samus in Morph Ball form in Metroid Fusion
Metroid: Zero Mission

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Due to limitations in the NES hardware, the unit was unable to portray Samus crawling. The Morph Ball was created to simplify the required animation to the point that the NES could handle it.[citation needed]
  • Metroid 2002 had a comic retelling Metroid with Armstrong Houston as an additional character named Maru Mari, though it is no longer ongoing after #72.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

References

  1. "This small tunnel leads back behind the wall. Width of the opening is approximately 1 meter in diameter." —Scan Data (Metroid Prime)
  2. "Samus grows small and round like a ball when he gets this Power Item/ Useful when traveling along narrow passageways, it will help him until his energy runs out." Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 25
  3. "This ability allows Samus's suit to curl into a ball form and navigate narrow passageways. (Press twice)." Metroid: Zero Mission Instruction Booklet, Pg 26
  4. "When Samus rolls into the Morph Ball, the camera will pull back out of the visor view and display a third-person perspective. Using the Control Stick, you can roll the Morph Ball in whichever direction you choose. Bear in mind that gravity will affect the Morph Ball—you'll need to tilt the Control Stick farther while rolling up inclines." Metroid Prime Instruction Booklet, Pg 20
  5. "As Samus explores, she'll run into many areas that are too small for her to navigate. By pressing the X Button to go into Morph Ball mode, however, she'll gain the power to roll herself up into an armoured ball that can fit in small tunnels and drains. As she finds additional power-ups, she'll expand on the abilities at her disposal while in Morph Ball mode." Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Instruction Booklet, Pg 20
  6. "If you press the C Button, Samus will roll up into a ball and be able to get through narrow passages, such as air vents and hidden passages. To change back, press the C Button again." Metroid Prime: Trilogy Instruction Booklet, Pg 14, 26, 39
  7. "You can use the Morphing Ball to make Samus roll into a ball and squeeze into narrow areas." Super Metroid Instruction Booklet, Pg 25
  8. "Press to go into Morph Ball mode and move around small spaces. Press again to change back." Metroid: Other M Instruction Booklet, Pg 18
  9. "Use this power to roll into a ball and move through narrow passageways. Press [DOWN] twice on the + Control Pad." Metroid Fusion Instruction Booklet, Pg 38


Alternate Forms
Morph Ball
Morph Ball · Morph Ball Bomb · Power Bomb · Spring Ball · Boost Ball · Spider Ball · Hyper Ball · Death Ball · Cross Bomb