Metroid Zero Mission Guide: A Comprehensive Walkthrough for Game Boy Advance

Introduction to Metroid: Zero Mission
Story and Premise
Controls and Basic Mechanics
Gameplay Overview: Mastering Samus’s Abilities
- Shine Sparking
- Wall Jumping
Metroid Zero Mission Walkthrough
- Brinstar
- Norfair
- Crateria
- Kraid’s Lair
- Ridley’s Lair
- Tourian
- Chozodia (Zero Suit Samus Section)
- Mother Ship – Final Escape
Boss Guide: Strategies to Defeat Every Boss
- Acid Worm
- Kraid
- Giant Slug
- Giant Hornet
- Ridley
- Mother Brain
- Clone Orb
- Meta-Ridley
Item Encyclopedia: Locations and Uses
- Suit Upgrades
- Beam Weapons
- Missiles and Bombs
- Utility Items
Secrets, Tips, and Tricks for Metroid Zero Mission
- Unlockables and Endings
- NES Metroid Cheats
- Advanced Techniques
Credits

1. Introduction to Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid: Zero Mission, released for the Game Boy Advance (GBA), is more than just a remake; it’s a complete reimagining of the original Metroid, often referred to as “Zero Mission” by Samus herself in later adventures. This guide will provide you with a detailed walkthrough, boss strategies, item locations, and secrets to ensure you experience everything this action-packed game has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned Metroid veteran or a newcomer to Planet Zebes, this Metroid Zero Mission Guide will be your ultimate companion.

2. Story and Premise

Planet Zebes, once a peaceful home for Samus Aran, is now infested with Metroids and under the control of the mechanical mastermind, Mother Brain. Metroid Zero Mission tells the definitive origin story of Samus’s first mission to Zebes. As Samus recounts her “Zero Mission,” players delve into the caverns of Zebes to exterminate the Metroid threat and confront Mother Brain, uncovering a deeper narrative than the original NES classic offered. This remake expands upon the original story, providing context and depth to Samus’s initial foray into the Metroid universe.

3. Controls and Basic Mechanics

Mastering the controls is essential for navigating the challenging environments of Metroid Zero Mission. Here are the basic controls for the Game Boy Advance:

Left/Right: Move Samus horizontally.
Down: Crouch (press twice to Morph Ball, requires Morph Ball item).
Up: Aim upwards (hold while jumping to grab ledges).
Start: Pause menu and sub-menu access.
Select: Switch map regions in the sub-menu.
A: Jump (press while moving to somersault), confirm selections in menus.
B: Fire beam/missiles (aim with directional pad), cancel selections in menus.
L: Aim diagonally, access sleep mode in sub-menu.
R: Toggle between Missiles, Power Bombs, and Beam (hold with B to fire Missiles), check status in sub-menu.

Understanding these controls is the first step to becoming proficient in Metroid Zero Mission.

4. Gameplay Overview: Mastering Samus’s Abilities

Metroid Zero Mission is renowned for its intricate gameplay mechanics. Two essential techniques that enhance Samus’s agility and combat effectiveness are Shine Sparking and Wall Jumping.

Shine Sparking

Shine sparking is an advanced technique in Metroid Zero Mission that allows Samus to traverse long distances and break through special blocks. It involves storing the Speed Booster’s charge. When Samus glows red after running, press ‘Down’ to store the charge. While charged, you can dash in various directions (forward, up-left, up, up-right) by pressing ‘A’ and the desired direction. This technique is crucial for accessing hidden areas and mastering speed runs. Shine sparking, while requiring practice, is a game-changing skill for any serious Metroid Zero Mission player. You can also perform a shine spark in ball form by pressing ‘A’ and holding a direction to propel through smaller passages.

Wall Jumping

Wall jumping is a fundamental ability Samus possesses from the beginning of Metroid Zero Mission. It allows her to ascend narrow shafts and reach higher platforms without items like the Space Jump. To wall jump, somersault towards a wall while holding the directional button towards it. Upon wall contact, press ‘A’ and quickly press and hold the opposite direction to execute a wall jump. Mastering wall jumping early in Metroid Zero Mission can significantly aid in exploration and item collection.

5. Metroid Zero Mission Walkthrough

This Metroid Zero Mission walkthrough provides a step-by-step guide to completing the game and achieving 100% item collection. It is based on the Normal difficulty setting.

Brinstar

Start by heading left. Ascend the ledges and drop down. Collect the Morph Ball from the pedestal. Press ‘Down’ twice to morph into a ball. Roll right and continue right, familiarizing yourself with combat. Enter the next room. Proceed through the hall to the following room. Run right, be cautious of falling enemies. Roll through the passage to find a Chozo Statue. Morph Ball onto its hand to open a path and view your map objective. Your energy refills – a welcome boost! Continue right.

At the vertical area’s bottom, go right to the Save Room. Save your progress. Return and ascend the central ledges, defeating enemies. Enter the first left doorway. Eliminate ceiling enemies and shoot the rocks blocking a small passage. Roll through to find a Chozo Statue holding an egg. Shoot the egg to obtain the Long Beam. This extends your firing range. Return to the previous room and head right. Ascend platforms, shoot blocks above, and roll through to the upper room. Roll left, shoot blocks above, and jump up. Continue left and hop out. Head left into the next room. Approach the two-headed statue to open the path. Return and go right to the far doorway. Defeat the spider enemy that drops, then enter the opened door. Activate the Chozo Statue to reveal an unmapped area. In the vertical chamber, descend to a right doorway blocked by blocks. Shoot them with the Long Beam and enter. Cross the bridge to a red door. Missiles are needed for red doors. Descend, roll right, and enter the first right door for a Save Room. Save and descend further. At the bottom, go right. Jump to the ledge and collect the first Missile Tank (5). Return left, and a giant worm emerges. Defeat it by shooting 3 Missiles into its eye when it opens. Winning grants you the Charge Beam. Return to the Save Room and save. Go up and use a Missile to open the red door. Proceed right, defeating flying creatures. Continue right to the next area. In the large room, jump onto the aerial platform. Jump to a left ledge and enter a hidden room. Blast the hive with Missiles or beams to get Missile Tank (10). Return right and jump across platforms, blasting hives, to the far side. Drop down and enter the next room. Go right to another area. Blast the wall to proceed. Clear blocks below to reveal Missile Tank (15). Ahead, find an Energy Tank (1). Blast through more walls and enemies, jump over lava. In the vertical room, go down first. Missile the door to the Map Room. Connect to load the Brinstar map. Exit and ascend the ledges as high as possible. Enter a left room. The lower path leads to a Save Room. Take the upper path to a seemingly empty room. Jump to the upper ledge, roll through the passage, and Missile the red door. Inside, shoot the egg and claim Bombs. Roll under the statue and bomb the two blocks. Bomb special blocks in the hidden chamber and bomb-jump to the top for Missile Tank (20). Return right to the room’s entrance. Bomb the wall below to escape. Defeat parasites to open the door. Go to the Save Room, then back to the vertical chamber. From the vertical room, descend and enter the next left room. Go left through corridors to the chamber with cracked blocks. Bomb them and drop down. Defeat enemies and enter the bottom room. Kill flying enemies, Missile the red door, and enter the Chozo Statue room. Morph Ball onto its hand to be taken to Norfair. Return right, then up and left. Pass the hive room to the small chamber. Bomb the thin bridge to reveal an opening. Fall into the hidden area, seeing a Missile Tank to the right. Bomb downwards as you fall to clear a path to Missile Tank (25). Jump back up and get to the ledge above the tank. Roll off, hold right, and get the tank. Go back to the top area (blast through block platforms). Continue left to another vertical chamber. Ascend upwards. Enter a right doorway. In the long room, go right, defeat enemies, and shoot the red barrier part to raise it. Roll through, bomb through the alcove, and move on. Jump to the top tube and bomb-jump to the highest ledge. Roll through to the next room. Fight the floating enemy and enter the Save Room. Save. Go to the next area. Go right and collect Missile Tank (30) on the lava ledge. Backtrack to the vertical room, descend slightly, and enter the Save Room again. Drop to the bottom of the vertical room and go right into the corridor. Go right, past the Missile Tank location, to a ledge. Jump onto it, roll right, and bomb the wall. Keep going, defeating lava/ground enemies, and enter the final room. Descend the elevator to Norfair.

Image showing the map of Brinstar area in Metroid Zero Mission, highlighting the interconnected rooms and pathways.

Norfair

Upon arriving in Norfair, drop to the left platform. Bomb the floor to fall to the lower section. Enter the right room and save. Return left and enter the left area. Go left to spot a Missile Tank on a high ledge. To get Missile Tank (35), bomb-jump as a ball under the ledge. Go left, bomb the wall, and enter the next room. Ascend ledges and take the elevator up to Crateria.

Crateria

In Crateria, bomb the right wall and go right to a watery room. Go right into the water and bomb the left corner block. Bomb down into a hidden area. Go left and get Missile Tank (40). Exit the water, jump onto the ledge, and ascend more ledges. Bomb a wall on an upper ledge, go left and up to a Chozo Ruins room. Bomb through the passage. In the next room, go right to a Chozo Statue. Blast its egg and take the Unknown Item. It’s incompatible but affects large blocks. Destroy blocks to the left, blast one in the ground, and take Missile Tank (45). Shoot the left wall for a ledge. Go left again. Bomb left and under a large block, then bomb it. Jump above and go left. Jump platforms and enter the statue’s mouth door. In this room, go left to drop through the bridge into a large area. Go left, blast the wall, roll up inside, and bomb-jump up/left to another room. Collect Power Grip from the statue. You can now grab ledges! Exit, bomb right again. The tower is rising, platforms appear. Jump to the top and enter the left room. Go left, blasting blocks and using Power Grip. In the next room, drop to find Samus’ ship. Inside, recover energy/save. Go right to another room. Climb the ledge, bomb the block, and continue to another room. You’re back at the elevator. Go back down to Norfair.

Norfair (Revisited)

Back in Norfair, descend, but skip the first door. Jump and climb into a left passage, drop to the bottom, defeating purple enemies. In the right room, go to the end. Find Missile Tank (50). Backtrack to the elevator. Climb up and enter the right room. Go right (use Power Grip for the high ledge tank if missed earlier). Continue to a Save Room. Save. Enter the right room. Use Power Grip to high ledges, head right. Navigate platforms up/down. Notice a Missile Tank above; we’ll return. Enter the final room and ascend the vertical area. Enter the first left room into a lava room. Be careful of lava. On the far side, enter the room and get Ice Beam. Can’t open green doors yet. Roll under the platform, bomb through, and freeze the enemy above. Jump on it to get over the wall, then to the next room. Enter the left room to save. Back in the previous room, freeze enemies above, jump and freeze across. At the top, enter the right room. Freeze the lava enemy to reach the Chozo Statue. Activate it for Kraid’s Lair destination. Continue right, freeze more enemies, jump across lava, and enter the next room. Freeze enemies, jump across, grab the ledge, and roll through. Jump and shoot the right wall for an opening; climb to get Missile Tank (55). Continue right to another room. Go right and fall through the floor into the vertical chamber. Descend to the bottom and enter the left room. Go left, shoot open the floor above a lava enemy. When it jumps, freeze it and use it to reach a high ledge. Go right for Missile Tank (60). Continue left to the Save Room, then to the elevator area. Freeze center enemies as you jump to the top ledge. Ride the elevator back to Brinstar.

Brinstar (Revisited)

Back in Brinstar, go to the left room. Blast enemies and bomb walls. In the vertical room, ascend and enter the right Save Room. Save and continue up. At the top, freeze moving enemies, and jump to a small passage in the top left wall. Roll into that room, descend and get Missile Tank (65). Bomb the floor, roll down and left to another vertical chamber. Descend and notice a left ledge. Freeze an enemy to jump to it. Bomb the floor and roll into that room. Descend, defeat enemies, and at the bottom, go left and take Missile Tank (70). Fall through more floor, roll right (can’t get the other upgrade yet). Descend to the bottom and enter the right Save Room. Save. Enter the left chamber and recharge with the Chozo Statue. Roll through the low passage, defeat ceiling enemies. Shoot the ceiling for Energy Tank (2). Bomb-jump to reach it. Continue left. Bomb the bridge, drop down. Before entering the room, bomb the left platform. Fall into a cannon, bomb to launch up to a hidden area. Hold right and roll to Missile Tank (75). Head back down and enter the right room. Ride the elevator to Kraid’s Lair.

Image depicting the fiery Norfair region in Metroid Zero Mission, showcasing its vertical layout and lava-filled chambers.

Kraid’s Lair

Upon arriving at Kraid’s Lair, descend and enter the first left Save Room. Save. Bomb-jump into a hidden left passage. Go in and collect Missile Tank (80). Return to the Save Room, save again, and go back to the main corridor. Missile the opposite room. Go right, jump platforms for Missile Tank (85). Continue, blasting tough enemies and hollow walls. Enter the next room. Go right, bomb the floor to a hidden passage. Bomb another floor section to a cannon. Shoot up, fall onto a left ledge. Follow it down and around to Missile Tank (90). Roll down and right, bomb-jump to the top ledge. Defeat wall enemies. Use Power Grip to jump back and forth, grabbing ledges (shoot diagonally to clear a blue block). At the top, go left. Shoot cracked ceiling blocks, jump through. Enter the next room, careful of acid. In the room ahead, shoot through blocks, drop into a narrow gap. Drop into a cannon, shoot yourself up a bit. On the way down, bomb a blue block on the right wall. Blast up again, hold right to land in that alcove. Bomb into that room, Missile the red door. Go right, roll into the pedestal to activate it. Shoot the red ceiling ball; a device moves on the ceiling track. Jump onto it to cross, collecting Energy Tank (3). At the other side, enter the Save Room. Save. In the next room, drop through the floor and go left. Head through the small room to an acid-filled room. Use the ceiling pulley, and the Acid Worm attacks. (See Bosses section). After defeating the worm, bomb the floor and fall through. Go left across small ledges. Jump and shoot the cracked wall, enter that room. Bomb in, defeat enemies, take Missile Tank (95). Return to the battle room, go up to the left chamber. Use the cannon, shoot to the top, enter the right room. Cross via the magnet pulley. In the vertical chamber, go to the bottom. Enter the left room, go all the way through. Back in the first vertical chamber, go left to the Save Room. Save. Descend in the vertical room, enter the next left room. Jump and shoot cracked blocks to the left, jump/bomb through the passage. Ahead, use the pulley across acid, shooting blocks. At the end, enter the next room. Jump up platforms, go to the upper-right. Defeat the first giant spider with Missiles. Go right and up, roll left, defeat the second spider below. Enter the left room. Bomb/roll into the left passage, collect Missile Tank (100). Fall through the floor, bomb the floor above acid to drain it. Fall more. At the bottom, go right. Head through the next room to a red door room. Bomb the left floor (suspicious-looking), fall below. Do the same down there to reach another area. Go left to a Save Room. Go right to the far door. Don’t enter; jump onto the ledge, shoot the right cracked wall above. Crawl through, collect Unknown Item 2. Use it to destroy the large block. In the previous room, go left and shoot the ceiling, destroy the block there too. Jump into the passage, go left, up, right to the next room. Go right, blasting enemies. In the next room, save. Save. Go to the next room. Spot cracked floor; ignore it for now, continue. In the next room, freeze enemies, bomb/shoot the ceiling above the ledge. In the room above, Missile the blue block above, roll/bomb the remaining section, shoot out the rest. Roll through, Missile up at the blue block (later reason). Go back down to the cracked floor room. Bomb the floor, drop below. Go down a bit, then right. Go up and left, destroy large blocks, jump the gap, enter the next room. Shoot the eye door with Missiles to clear it. Enter to meet Kraid. (See Bosses section). After defeating Kraid, he sinks. Glimpse the two-headed statue with Kraid’s eye glowing. Bomb the lower-left area, enter the next room. Break the Chozo Statue’s egg, take Speed Booster! Recharge, stand under it, run right. Run through Kraid’s room, wall barriers, to another chamber. Ascend the hills, shoot the door. Keep running through one last wall. Ascend this room by freezing enemies and jumping. Shoot the right wall, climb parts you don’t shoot to ascend. At the top, go right to a Save Room. Save. Return to the vertical room, drop to ledges below. Enter the lower left room. Run left, jump platforms, through an acid waterfall (be quick). At the end, grab Missile Tank (105). Leave. Go back up, enter the upper left room. Use magnet pulley, move left. When flying enemies chase, Missile right to clear them. Else, fall into acid below. At the end, shoot/bomb left into the next room. Drop to the bottom, go left. Continue left through rooms to the red door; Missile it, enter the Map Room. Load Kraid’s Lair map. Leave. Head back right until the vertical room. Ascend, shoot blue blocks, jump/roll into the right passage. Enter that room. Call the pulley to the left. Stand on the left column, bomb-jump to be pulled right. Enter the next room, head through the passage. At the bottom, go left to a long chamber with a ceiling pulley. Bomb the floor under each ceiling barrier, cannon-shoot up to break walls. Do this for all 3 walls. Call pulley over by shooting the right red light. Below it, bomb the floor, cannon-shoot up to move left in ball form. Grab Missile Tank (110). Return to the right room. Ascend, enter the upper-left room again. Repeat pulley action on the right column. Get to the left, enter that room again. Ascend the room by freezing enemies and shooting the ceiling. Enter the first left room. In this tricky room, get an upgrade. Descend, defeat 3 enemies. Jump onto regular platforms (non-disappearing). Get on the red switch platform, roll above it, bomb-jump until the pulley pulls you left. When over the second gap, drop to get Missile Tank (115). Return right. Continue up the vertical chamber, enter the left Save Room. Blast the other red door on the right, enter. Run right, when out of space, jump right. Break special blocks, collect Energy Tank (4). Use the pulley back, return to the Save Room. Save. Ascend to the elevator, ride back to Brinstar. Scene shows another ship in space.

Map of Kraid’s Lair in Metroid Zero Mission, illustrating its vertical passages and the boss arena’s location.

Brinstar (Third Visit)

Upon arriving in Brinstar, a right wall crumbles. Enter the new room, Missile the red door. Roll onto the Chozo Statue’s hand to activate it. You’re directed to Norfair again, to an unmapped region. Recharge, go back left past the elevator, to the vertical room. Ascend the ledges, at the top, head right. Go right rooms to the Save Room. Save. Exit Save Room, ascend the vertical area. Ascend platforms, get against the right wall, bomb-jump into a hidden room. Bomb the floor, jump up, get Missile Tank (120). Descend, roll right, bomb-bounce right to another room. Roll through and bomb out, enter the right room. Continue to the elevator, descend to Norfair.

Norfair (Third Visit)

Arriving again, bomb the floor on either side to reach the bottom, go right to the Save Room. Save. In the large room, ascend/descend ledges, fight enemies. Reach the long flat path, run right, shooting the door. Speed Booster activates, opening a path in the vertical chamber. Descend, enter the left room. Shoot the door behind, go left, run back right. In the vertical room, clear ground for deeper descent. Enter the next left room. Defeat ceiling enemies, Missile the far door. Shoot the Chozo’s egg, collect Hi-Jump. Jump higher, jump in ball form. Recharge. Head back right to the vertical room. Jump to the upper right ledge, drop down right side for Missile Tank (125). Continue dropping, head back up left side. Enter the top left door, activate the Chozo Statue. Led back to Brinstar. Jump from the statue to top ledges, through the top right door. Go right, drop into a hidden cannon. Blast up through this room. Can’t go further, descend, enter the last left door. Run left, Speed Booster through walls. Save in the next room. In the next area, freeze enemies, ascend the elevator to Brinstar again.

Brinstar (Fourth Visit)

Back in Brinstar, go left to the vertical room, ascend to the top. Enter the last right door. Go right, through narrow areas in ball form. Take the topmost right pipe. At the barrier, shoot the cracked block above, roll through. In the next room with the flying enemy, shoot and jump through the ceiling (Hi-Jump). Jump to the left ledge, shoot through the ceiling, continue left. Shoot barriers, parasites destroy them. Bomb parasites, continue in ball form. Jump to the left ledge, drop into small gaps, jump out before falling. At the leftmost part of this ledge, drop to the ground. Go left across dissolving platforms, jump to a high ledge, roll left. Hold left to get onto the small wall ledge. Head left, bomb the wall, parasites destroy the next barrier. At the end, Missile the room. Shoot the egg, get Varia Suit. Suit turns orange, immune to acid/heat damage! Recharge, go back to the previous room. Go right, drop into acid to test armor. Go right, bomb the low floor section. Descend, bomb through a left passage. Collect Energy Tank (5). Return, continue right to the next room. Bomb/drop to the low area, head to the right Save Room. Save. Move to the next acid-filled room. Go right, shoot through the floor in acid for a passage. Jump/roll through the right passage for now. Shoot the red wall part to raise it, collect parasites. Go back left and down into acid, have them kill the right barrier. Roll right to the next room. Jump out of acid, activate the Chozo Statue. Directed to Norfair, deep this time. Recharge, go right to a vertical chamber. Descend, enter the second left room. Go left to the next vertical room, descend and right to the Norfair elevator.

Norfair (Fourth Visit)

Arriving again, descend and right to the Save Room. Next, through the large room to the vertical chamber. Ascend, enter the top left door. In this heat room, go left across platforms, find Missile Tank (130) at the end. Return to the vertical room, descend again. Go to the last left room, run left, run back right, shooting through the door, Speed Booster clears ground in the vertical chamber. Do same in the next room below. Enter the third left room. Head left, defeat ceiling enemies. In the Chozo Statue room, recharge, roll under statue to a heated area. Bomb through the passage, blast a ceiling hole. Jump to the above ledge, bomb left, continue to the next area. Go left, shooting down enemies above, blocks on the ground (bomb a couple). After clearing the stretch, return to entrance, run left at full speed. Jump at the wall to break through, go to another room. Defeat the giant enemy with Missiles. Enter the Save Room, save. Head to the left room. Nothing now, continue. In the next large room, go left, freeze enemies as stepping stones to upper-left ledges. Through here, drop in the vertical room ahead. Two doors; Missile the left door, visit the Map Room. Get Norfair data. Exit, drop into disappearing lava. Shoot down to the bottom, go right. Defeat enemies, move to the next room. In this small room, bomb the floor, drop a bit. Enter the right heat room. Go right, blast enemies. After the purple flame enemy, shoot the right wall, collect Missile Tank (135). Continue to the end for Missile Tank (140). Backtrack above, continue right. Use Missiles to destroy barriers, enemies. In the next room, instead of going forward, bomb the floor, lava disappears. Descend and left to that room. Bomb the first wall, Missile the giant enemy. Bomb the second wall, Missile the next room. Shoot the Chozo Statue’s egg, collect Wave Beam. Shoot through walls. Recharge, backtrack right and up, enter the right Save Room. Save. Go to the heat room ahead. Go right, blast enemies, run right, blasting blocks. Speed Booster through the wall. In the next room, a giant bug blocks above. Roll under it, shoot it from below. If you go up and right, a second bug blocks, seemingly unhittable. Trick: go towards it, when it charges, lay Bombs. Damage from below. If not dead, shoot it right, repeat. Kill it, go right, shoot the ceiling, an Energy Tank appears. Missile below it, jump to get Energy Tank (6). Go back left, run right (shoot door) to the next area. Back in the vertical chamber. Run through earlier, clearing ground, now fall. Jump to a left ledge, collect Missile Tank (145). Descend, enter the bottom left door. Save. Blast through the next room with Missiles. In the final room, roll/bomb through the straight passage, meet Giant Slug boss. (See Bosses section). After the fight, roll through the opened passage, head to the right room. Descend the elevator to Ridley’s area. Cutscene with a ship landing, Ridley flying away.

Map of Ridley’s Lair, showcasing its darker, more mechanical aesthetic compared to other areas.

Ridley’s Lair

Elevator drops you off here, drop to the floor, go to the left Save Room. Left is blocked by a green door, right is a dead end. Return to Norfair.

Norfair (Fifth Visit)

Back in Norfair, go to the left boss room. Slug’s body gone, drop into a deeper pit, onward to Ridley’s Lair detour.

Ridley’s Lair (Second Visit)

Down here again, descend and left to a new area. Ascend the path, clear objects. At the top of the hill, Giant Hornet boss. (See Bosses section). After defeating it, collect Super Missile Tank (2) to the left. Open green doors now. Go right, enter the room. Defeat enemies above, Missile the floor, drop below. Super Missile the left door, continue to the new area (save in the right room first). In this room, go left, defeat new enemies. At the end, Missile and enter. An Energy Tank ahead, but a trap. Count 4 tiles from entrance, jump over middle 4 tiles. Get Energy Tank (7). Enter the next room. Defeat eagle enemy, bomb the left wall. Lots of small enemies inside. Wait for them to crawl out, blast them. Bomb through, enter the next room. Drop down, find doorways; enter the left Save Room. Save. Back in the vertical room, descend and around to collect Missile Tank (150). Continue down, enter the right room. Map Room, download this region’s data, move on. In the next room, shoot open the door behind, go right, shoot the wall above. Run upper path, run back left, Speed Booster, press Down to shine-spark. Quickly exit, go down and left, stand at the low point of the ramp, press A/Left to launch left. Run left, shoot through the Map Room, vertical room, cut through the floor. Descend, shoot door, run left. Hidden (optional) area, run left, at the end, press Down, then Up with booster. Go right in ball form, hold right as you fall to get onto the ledge. Drop right onto a delayed crumbling block, quickly jump right ledge, roll on it. Fall right side, QUICKLY unroll, grab left ledge. Missile right, jump/roll through. Roll bottom path right side, but not quite. Roll onto disappearing blocks, quickly unroll, Missile left, quickly grab/climb left ledge. Roll left for the first Missile Tank (155). Middle area, a delayed crumbler. Roll onto it, quickly unroll, Missile upward (if falling, grab sides and repeat). Clear Missile block above, shoot to clear reformed blocks, climb to upper ledge. Missile upward, jump to get Missile Tank (160). Leave this room (run left to right, shoot door). Press Down at the wall, boost upward to exit passage, go right to Map Room. In the long chamber, go right, blast enemies to refill Missiles, grab Missile Tank (165) on the ledge. At the end, enter the Save Room, save. In the vertical room, jump to the top, enter the left room. Go left, reach the second set of ground pipes (enemies come out). Drop into the middle one of the second set, bomb down. Go left, bomb the floor above lava, drop in; it disappears. Bomb the right corner, get Missile Tank (170). Shoot back up, go left to the next room. Go left, bomb above the low passage to clear way. Defeat flying enemies, jump to take Missile Tank (175). Jump to the upper-left ledge, bomb upward. Super Missile the block right in the top area. Bomb, bomb remaining block, get Super Missile Tank (4). Go down, head left to the next room. Defeat 2 enemies on the middle column, drop and grab the ledge. Jump to grab Missile Tank (180) atop the column. Go into the left room, defeat more enemies. Head into the far room, collect Super Missile Tank (6). Roll into a hidden right wall passage. Go up, break the block, reveal Missile Tank (185). Go left room. Hidden room, roll left into the narrow gap. Uncurl, hang left ledge, shoot down/right at the block in the way. Drop, quickly grab/climb that ledge, claim Missile Tank (190). At the bottom, use the cannon to launch back to start. Stand facing left, shoot left, clear 4 blocks. Roll down left ledge, to the end. On the delayed crumbler, stand up, clear blocks above, jump to ledge, roll over to get Missile Tank (195). Roll right out, back to the vertical chamber. Drop through floor to below. Before going left (supposed path), head right. Go right until you can’t, shoot high wall to clear. Jump up, enter another hidden area. Go right, bomb corner, reveal secret passage below. Go right, collect Energy Tank (8). Go back rooms, continue to the Save Room. Save. Go to the next room. Drop through the crumbling ledge, continue left. At the eye door, it opens, shoots a wave (ball form to avoid). Jump up, Missile it 3 times to open, get ready for battle. No boss yet, continue. Shoot the Chozo Statue egg, collect Unknown Item 3. Use it to destroy the block behind the statue, recharge, get a hidden passage to Energy Tank (9). Go back to the boss room, head right door. Scene shows Ridley swooping in, battle begins. (See Bosses section). After Ridley fight, collect power-ups, exit right. Freeze pipe enemy, use it to reach upper ledge. Go right through passage, dropping you by the door. Save in the next room, run through the next, speeding through enemies for a quick way ahead. In the next room, go right until the room after it. Vertical area, descend and left to Save Room, save now. (Optional, tough, but for tanks). Enter the left room, shoot door open behind. Shoot ceiling open, run path up there to the far left, run back right. Charge, shoot blocks at the end, press Down to hold. Quickly go to Save Room, shoot opposite door, get to the low part, press A/Right to dash. In the next room, quickly press Down to hold again. Jump up ledges quickly, dash right, through wall to a hidden room. Shoot door, enter the next room. Go right, come back left running, opening door. Tank too hard now, return later. Run back to the previous room, press Down, hold charge. Shoot straight up into the alcove in the ceiling, new area above. Open door, run right, shoot blocks (Missile for one in second set). Booster blocks, jump to hit them all, reach Missile Tank (200). Timing/practice needed. Speed boost back left, run through wall to return to vertical segment. In this area, ascend, shoot glowing block to open the path. Go through a hidden wall passage to the top. Head into the left room. Go left, pass pipe with flying enemy. On the left side of it, trigger enemy, jump so it rises a bit. Let it fly left, freeze it. Jump onto it, wall jump from the upper left wall to the right ledge, get Missile Tank (205). Continue until a dead end. Missile the floor, bomb to the room below. From there, enter the next room, take the elevator out.

Image of Samus battling Ridley in Metroid Zero Mission, showcasing the intense boss encounter.

Norfair (Sixth Visit)

Arriving in Norfair, a right wall crumbles. Enter the new area, Missile the next room. Broken Chozo Statue. Pass it, bomb down to the lower area. From there, go left to another room. Through rooms via a tube behind the elevator. In the room it leaves you off, run left, blast regular blocks, Speed Booster through last set. Boost uncovers a cannon; use it to shoot up rooms. In the new room, go left. In the next room, past flying enemies by freezing them. Missile the last room. Shoot the Chozo’s egg, collect Screw Attack! Back to the previous room, use Screw Attack to kill enemies. Use it to get Missile Tank (210). Continue right, Screw Attack somersault to fall through the floor. Enter the first right Save Room, save. Back in the room, descend further, Super Missile the green door. Head right through the large room, jump ledges, fight enemies. In the next room, bomb the left floor area, fall into disappearing lava. At the bottom, go left. Go left, defeat enemies, trigger an enemy to fly left. Stand on the lone lava block, freeze the enemy overhead. Jump normally (no somersault), use it to jump to Super Missile Tank (8). Repeat process to get back on the ledge. This time, when the enemy rethaws, flies left, shoot diagonally down and left to freeze it again. Shoot the left wall, use enemy to jump to that opening. Run left to Missile Tank (215). Backtrack to the Save Room again. Continue right through rooms, recharge at Chozo Statue, to the vertical chamber. Ascend ledges, Screw Attack the right wall to reach the top. Enter the left door. Head left to the end, Super Missile the door. Go left, kill enemies, shoot through walls. At the last wall, shoot off the top block, take Missile Tank (220). Go to the next room. In the next room, jump to the upper ledge, drop a bomb, move left. When bomb blocks reach left, jump over, collect Super Missile Tank (10) on the ledge. Drop below, go right, shoot up, leave. In the vertical room again, Screw Attack the left wall, enter the next left room. Dash through to the end, save in the next room. Go to the next room, ride the elevator to Brinstar.

Brinstar (Fifth Visit)

Back up here, go to the left room. Go left to the door; shoot it open, don’t go through (for another tank). Run back right, run back left to the next room. Turn red, press Down to hold charge. Go back to the room just came from. Open door behind, go down the small ramp in ball form, press A/Left to rocket left in ball form. Hold Up/Left to make it up the hill in the middle hidden chamber. Through 2 blocks, press Down to hold charge again. In the next vertical left room, jump onto the lower platform (ball form). Press A/Left to shoot through the last wall, claim Super Missile Tank (12). You should have everything in Brinstar! Go back right to the vertical room, ascend to the top. Head left into that room. Recharge with the Chozo Statue, continue left to the two-headed statue. Touch it, it opens, allowing passage. Go through the far door, down the elevator to Tourian. Scene shows Metroids attacking life below.

Tourian

Arriving in Tourian, descend, enter the first right room. Save Room. Save. Go to the right room. See the creature Metroids killed. In the next room, drop down, enter the lower left room. Fight the first Metroid. Freeze, then Missiles. 5 Missiles. Enter the next area. Vertical area, 2 Metroids. Stay upper, kill first, then descend for the other. Clear both, go to the next area. Go right, fight Metroids. In the larger room, navigate, deal with more Metroids. Continue right to a Save Room. Back to the previous room, bomb the floor, enter the lower-right room. Descend the vertical room, more of the same. In the next room, bomb 2 floor levels, many Metroids, be careful! Kill them all, enter the upper-left Save Room, save. In the next room, Metroid-free. Regain energy/Missiles from wall rings. Refill, open red door, next area. Final area, go left, shoot glass barriers with Missiles quickly. Be quick, they regenerate. Ignore turret fire, minimal damage. At the end, boss, see Bosses section. Defeat Mother Brain, 3 minutes to evacuate. Exit left. Long vertical corridor, jump up crumbling ledges to the top. Take the elevator to Crateria.

Crateria (Escape)

Out in Crateria, go right to the next long vertical area. Jump up more ledges, head right. In the last area, run right, Speed Booster through the wall, reach the ship. Get in, take off. Things don’t go as planned, shot down, new region.

Chozodia (Zero Suit Section)

Out here, alone, no power suit, just a pistol. Reach the Space Pirate Mother Ship. Head left. Continue left, crawl under ship part. Find the ship entrance. Door locked, alternate way in. Descend and left, shoot the lower wall corner, crawl in. Inside the ship, jump up, crawl left to another room. Map Room, shoot out the ceiling, download data to pistol. Enter left Save Room, save. Recharge. Red door blocked, jump to a high ledge, crawl past. Next room, confront tough enemies. Drop, stun the first, climb left, make way up and right. Stun the second, enter the end room. Enemies follow, crawl through passage, jump to a hidden alcove to avoid. After they run off, the gate opens. Go through to another chamber. Next room, security traps. Green vertical lines; don’t cross them, enemies attack. Past first set, crawl right passage to the end. No choice, shoot the wall, destroy passage, drop onto a trap. Quickly jump right, through the blue door. Navigate rooms, evade enemies, stun when possible. Reach a room to climb a wall, stand left side, unseen. Stay there, enemy leaves, gate opens. Continue left and up to another area. Crawl left to the next room, fall through the floor. From there, go right to a Save Room. Save. From Save Room, go left, jump ledges to the top. Head left, down the other side, enter the left room. Shoot through the floor, chase scene. Crawl right hole, shoot down through walls of the next large room. At the bottom, crawl through passage, through the blue door. Drop through crumbling floor, stay still until gate opens. Alone again. Go left to the next room. Ascend, careful of yellow security lights. At the top, go to the right room. Continue upward, shooting cracked ceilings. In the following room, shoot more walls, head to the Save Room ahead. Save/reenergize, move to the left room. Next room, trap-filled. Drop to the bottom, jump left ledge. Jump over first 2 lines below, to an upper ledge. Quickly jump to the right ledge before crumbling. Drop to the next platform, run right, grab the next one. Crawl across, jump to the upper platform, make way left. Tricky jumps, by the door; head through. Continue up ledge, next room. Tricky again; when you fall, a guard chases. Crawl bottom right passage, drop through rooms, shoot down the second. At the bottom, head left through rooms to ruins. Drop to the ground, continue left rooms. Shoot through blocks in the next room, run to the next. Jump on ledge, stay in the dark corner, enemy runs past, explore freely again. Go left to the Save Room. Recharge/save. Go to the next room. Run straight through the empty chamber to a larger one. Go left, up, right, avoid yellow lights. Next empty room, drop down, continue right. Run through, shoot blocks. At the end, jump ledges, head right. Empty room, jump to the upper ledge, return to the left room. Ascend again, upper-right room, another trap. Yellow beams moving up/down. Trip one, enemies come. Beams pass behind ledges, hang at those spots, pass beams untouched. At the top, enter the left room. Go left, crawl crumbling path, above enemies. Shoot blocks, at the end, drop down, enter left room. If spotted, go left rooms, shoot left wall, duck lower-left corner to escape. Make way through rooms, spot a Power Bomb container above. Can’t get it yet, head left and down the next room. Crawl passage, jump ledges, go right to that room. Bomb gone, pirate took it! Back left rooms, find a hidden Save Room. Go back right, up and left. Above, pirate taking the upgrade. Follow to the next room, yellow bars moving. When first yellow bar goes down, drop down, stand on ledge protected. Same for the second, crawl right, go back up. Next room, guards spot you. Run right, careful of damage. Jump ledges in the next room, make way left through rooms. Large chamber, run left, jump small ledges upward. At the top, go right, blasting blocks to the gate. Stand on ledge, shoot the bridge, clear enemies. Gate opens, go to a Save Room. Recharge, next room, go right and up, then left. Entering, cutscene, wall painting with 5 orbs. Young Samus scene. Orbs power up, a Samus clone appears in the middle. Battle. (See Bosses section). After defeating, Samus regains suit. Unknown Items become Plasma Beam, Gravity Suit, Space Jump. Now set for completing the game! Space Jump to the upper-right ledge, fall through the floor to the previous room. Descend, kill guards. Continue right and down, then left to a Save Room. Power up and save. Head back right. Missile the ground, drop into water, run left to right. Speed, break far wall, get Super Missile Tank (14). Before leaving, go all the way left, run right to charge. Press Down when charged, jump to platform above, dash left. Up the ramp, press Down again. Jump to a smaller ledge, repeat. A few more times, vertical room again. Entering room after recharging, press Down, Screw Attack through wall, drop to the left ledge. Dash left up ramp, QUICKLY press Down to hold charge. Drop to the right ledge, dash right. Fly through areas, end with Energy Tank (10). Go back left, run right to charge. Dash back left to the vertical room. Back here, jump to the upper-left ledge, Missile it. Roll into the passage, collect Missile Tank (225). Back in the long room, drop to the bottom, kill enemies, go through wall to the left room. Screw Attack through the floor, drop into acid. Fall to the bottom, roll right, follow path to Super Missile Tank (16). Make way all the way left, roll into the next room. Drop through, kill enemies, bottom room. Head left, drop through the floor, enter next right room. Bomb the floor, defeat enemies, shoot left wall, reveal tank. Missile to open wall, collect Super Missile Tank (18). Drop down, go left, bomb through passage. Continue to the large room. Drop to the bottom, go right to a Save Room. Continue right, defeat enemies, backtrack path. At the large room, Space Jump to the top, through the blue door. From this point, follow path back into Mother Ship, blast enemies. Reach another Save Room, rest. A couple rooms ahead, Screw Attack ceiling, bomb it, reach a red door from earlier. Before entering, shoot ceiling for marking, Missile it. Jump through, bomb container, go up, collect Super Missile Tank (20). Go to the left room. Jump ledges, Super Missile the door. Moving along, bomb wall, slip through for Super Missile Tank (22). It’s a trap, fall through; defeat enemies, jump back up for the prize. Yellow door ahead; can’t go in yet, head back right rooms. In the room with secret passage up, continue right to rooms. Get through the large room, use Save Room in the lower-right section. Exit, open red door above. Out here, jump to the high area, roll through passage to a left room. Go left past black enemies, shoot through door, enter next room. Make way through rooms, pass a yellow door again. From that spot, go left, roll through passages, bombing. Through rooms, to an area like the ship front. Go bottom-left, drop to a hidden room. Descend, find pirate carrying upgrade, last room. Bomb down, enter. Trip wire, collect Power Bombs (2). Get new item, defeat enemies, Power Bomb the yellow door. Empty room, use another Power Bomb to reveal an opening above. Jump up, get Power Bomb Tank (4). Go back out of passages. Up at the ship front, go up and right to a Save Room. Save, before continuing, more to do with Power Bombs. Final boss ahead, backtracking time.

Complete map of Chozodia in Metroid Zero Mission, highlighting its labyrinthine corridors and hidden areas.

Chozodia (Item Cleanup)

Start by going to the lower-right map area, Map Room. From there, go right. Shoot ceiling, reveal tank; Missile to open, jump to get Super Missile Tank (24). Continue to the back area outside the ship. Go right, jump to a ledge behind the ship. Power Bomb a hidden compartment; roll in for Power Bomb Tank (6). Next, lower-middle area, clear glass tube. Power Bomb to shatter. Drop down, go right, Power Bomb to the next room. Space Jump to the top, defeat enemies. At the top, collect Power Bomb Tank (8). Back out, Power Bomb lower-left area from the tube. Go left, down the ledge-filled corridor. At the bottom, Save Room right. In the left room, open the bottom door. Clear enemies, run down the hill from the top. In the room just came from, press Down when charged, shoot up middle area. Rise up, collect Energy Tank (11). Continue down and left through the area below/left of the shattered tube. Room with simple path, shoot ceiling, jump to a secret passage. Go through, fight enemies, get Super Missile Tank (26) at the top. In the left room, drop a Power Bomb to clear the maze above, go up, stay right side. At the top, Super Missile Tank (28). Remember location, get to the long vertical room top of the green map segment. Power Bomb to open a left room. Roll through narrow passage, narrow passages above. Get to the top passage, roll right, Missile the ceiling. Jump to the hidden room (below other upgrade location on map) to get Power Bomb Tank (10). Return to the bottom-left map area (Super Missile tank found earlier). Continue up and left to Crateria.

Crateria (Item Cleanup)

Head left, Power Bomb the door. In the large room, Space Jump to a new room high above. Screw Attack the right wall to open air. Jump to the high ledge, Power Bomb through the door, run right to Chozodia.

Chozodia (Final Item Cleanup)

Back in Chozodia, go right, drop into an empty room. Shortcut: Missile bottom-right floor. Or, Missile left wall to open alcove. Roll in, bomb, reveal Power Bomb Tank (12). Head up, run left, shoot door to Crateria.

Crateria (Final Item Cleanup)

Entering with charge, press Down. Drop to the first right ledge, roll ball, press A/Left. Shoot through the left wall, drop to Missile Tank (230). Go back up to Chozodia tunnel, get another boost run. Arriving in the large room, press Down, QUICKLY Space Jump left and up to the upper ledge, quickly land, charge right. Through the wall, nab Super Missile Tank (30). Continue left rooms to the large blue map section (ship used to be). Drop down, enter lower-right rooms. Room with elevator, shoot left door open, Power Bomb blocks. Run right to left to the next room. Boost cuts walls, shoot ahead to open door. Large area, press Down, jump to the upper left ledge. Roll up, dash up/left; through booster blocks in the upper cliff. Power Bomb last block, roll up, get Power Bomb Tank (14). Return to elevator room, head to Norfair.

Norfair (Final Item Cleanup)

In Norfair, lower-left map corner (vertical chamber connected to Map Room). At the bottom, drop through liquid, Missile floor, regular blasts wall. Hidden left room, go up and right, tank in wall. Shoot floor, falling blocks, Missile upward. Go around, collect Missile Tank (235). Drop to the bottom, Missile left wall, Space Jump to the top of the second room, find Power Bomb Tank (16). From here, get to Ridley’s area.

Ridley’s Lair (Final Item Cleanup)

In Ridley’s Lair, lower-right map segment. Room told you earlier we’d return to, hard-to-reach tank. Charge right, press Down, roll under the low wall. Shoot up narrow passage to top-right corner. Bomb area, domino effect. Space Jump to Missile Tank (240). Back to Brinstar.

Brinstar (Final Item Cleanup)

In Brinstar, head west, down elevator to Kraid’s area. From the elevator, down the main corridor, second left room. Go left, drop into acid pits, Screw Attack blocks. Go right, shoot blocks. Go back left, dash right. Charge, press Down, go back left to before the hill. Roll up, press A/Right. Follow path to Missile Tank (245). Back to Brinstar, head up to Tourian.

Tourian (Final Item Cleanup)

In Tourian, hall after the final Save Room. Run left, charge. At the end, press Down, quickly go to the next room. Somersault jump high, unravel, press A/Left to rocket left. Through blocks, another room. Shoot floor, get Missile Tank (250). Back to the large acid room. Atop the broken platform, Super Missile down, roll hidden room, collect Power Bomb Tank (18). You should have every item except 1 Energy Tank. Return to Chozodia, topmost Save Room (left you off before optional segments).

Chozodia (Final Energy Tank)

From the Save Room, go left areas to the large room. Jump ledge above, bomb ceiling. Defeat enemies, enter right room. Power Bomb through, regular bombs at the other end. Continue. Run to the far end, run back left. Boost, quick hop, drop through floor blocks. Greatest challenge for an upgrade. Go back up, charge run, press Down. Jump down gap, jump into right pit. When low enough, press Up then A to launch right. If successful, get final Energy Tank (12). Continue to the next room above. Keep going to the final room, final boss, Meta-Ridley. (See Bosses section). After battle, self-destruct, 5 minutes to escape Chozodia. Map, destination yellow ship, long tunnel right. Follow path, fight enemies. Tin creature blocks, bomb it, travel behind it. Past that, to the ship. At ship’s gate, 2 pirates. Gunfight (regular blaster only), beat them, get the ship. Jump in, escape, region ruined. Congratulations on completing Zero Mission!

6. Boss Guide: Strategies to Defeat Every Boss

This Metroid Zero Mission boss guide offers strategies to defeat each boss encountered in the game.

Acid Worm

Location: Kraid’s Lair
Strategy: The Acid Worm lurks beneath the acid pit. It will shake before emerging to attack. Avoid its initial impact and the projectiles it spits, which can be destroyed for supplies. Position yourself under the magnet pulley and wait for the shaking. Quickly use the pulley to cross the pit, drop down, and fire Missiles at the red bump on its back. Repeat this pattern. The acid level will fluctuate, but the strategy remains the same until defeated.

Kraid

Location: Kraid’s Lair
Strategy: Kraid starts by spitting debris, destructible for Missiles and health. Jump and Missile his face to open his mouth, then fire Missiles into his mouth to damage him. After some damage, he destroys the right platform side. Claws emerge from Kraid’s body on the wall below. On the remaining platform half, continue jumping and firing Missiles, avoiding Kraid’s arm. When the platform is fully gone, use the claws as platforms. They disappear and reappear. Jump to the top claw and use Missiles. A few more shots will defeat Kraid.

Giant Slug

Location: Norfair
Strategy: The Giant Slug hangs from the ceiling, dropping small objects for Missiles. A flying creature orbits in a figure-8 pattern. Freeze the flying creature, jump on it, and shoot Missiles at the purple threads holding the Slug. The flying creature thaws quickly, so be swift. Destroy all threads to make the Slug fall and end the battle.

Giant Hornet

Location: Ridley’s Lair
Strategy: This fast bug flies across the room, rising at the end. It dives to attack when approached, then ascends again. Avoid being in front of it, as its stinger shoots projectiles. Morph Ball when it dives, then chase and fire Missiles at its stinger. Repeat until the stinger breaks, causing the Hornet to crash.

Ridley

Location: Ridley’s Lair
Strategy: Ridley spews fireballs, easily cleared with the Wave Beam. He flies in the air, get under him and barrage his face with Missiles. Avoid Ridley’s tail swings and downward stabs. Keep distance to be safe, as Ridley can grab and fly you to the top for damage. This grab provides an excellent opportunity to fire Missiles. As he weakens, Ridley turns red. Continue Missile attacks to defeat him.

Mother Brain

Location: Tourian
Strategy: Mother Brain is encased in glass. Fire 5 Super Missiles to break the glass, exposing the brain. On either ledge, Mother Brain glows blue, then fires an energy ball. It opens an eye briefly. Wait for the blue glow, somersault to the adjacent ledge just before the shot (Screw Attack negates projectiles). Land, crouch, and Super Missile the eye. Repeat this cycle. Use Super Missiles primarily. If you run out, use regular Missiles, requiring more shots. About 5 Super Missile hits will end the battle.

Clone Orb

Location: Chozodia
Strategy: This boss is a hologram with a Samus clone in an orb. Shooting the orb when Samus is visible damages you. Move around, jump to avoid lightning. When a symbol appears on the orb, shoot it. Repeat 4 times. Stand in the center and look up to finish the match.

Meta-Ridley

Location: Chozodia
Strategy: Meta-Ridley, the final boss, is surprisingly easy. Its weak point is the red spot on its chest. Jump and fire a Super Missile at it. It will block its chest with its arm. It attacks by swiping (jump to avoid), spitting fireballs (jump to avoid), or shooting lasers (random directions, jump/don’t jump to avoid). Homing missiles are also launched; Screw Attack clears them. Attack with Super Missiles whenever possible. Meta-Ridley changes colors as you damage it. After several hits, the battle ends quickly.

7. Item Encyclopedia: Locations and Uses

This Metroid Zero Mission item guide details the locations and uses of all items in the game.

Suit Upgrades

Varia Suit: Acquired in Brinstar. Grants immunity to heat and acid damage.
Gravity Suit: Acquired in Chozodia (as Unknown Item 2). Allows normal movement in water and other hazardous environments.

Beam Weapons

Long Beam: Found in Brinstar. Extends beam range.
Charge Beam: Found in Brinstar after defeating the worm. Allows charging beam shots for increased power.
Ice Beam: Found in Norfair. Freezes enemies, creating platforms.
Wave Beam: Found in Norfair. Allows beams to pass through walls.
Plasma Beam: Acquired in Chozodia (as Unknown Item 1). Pierces through enemies.

Missiles and Bombs

Missiles: Found throughout Zebes. Powerful projectiles, used to open red doors and defeat enemies.
Super Missiles: Found in Ridley’s Lair. Upgraded missiles, more powerful than regular missiles.
Power Bombs: Found in Chozodia. Destroys all blocks and most enemies in a room.
Morph Ball Bombs: Found in Brinstar. Used to break blocks and for bomb jumping.

Utility Items

Morph Ball: Found in Brinstar. Allows Samus to roll into a ball.
Speed Booster: Found in Kraid’s Lair. Allows super-speed running and breaking special blocks.
Hi-Jump Boots: Found in Norfair. Doubles jump height and enables jumpball.
Space Jump: Acquired in Chozodia (as Unknown Item 3). Allows multiple mid-air jumps.
Power Grip: Found in Crateria. Allows grabbing ledges and pulling up.
Screw Attack: Found in Norfair. Damages enemies while somersaulting and breaks certain blocks.
Unknown Item: Found in Crateria. Destroys large blocks in Crateria.
Unknown Item 2: Found in Kraid’s Lair. Destroys large blocks in Kraid’s Lair.
Unknown Item 3: Found in Ridley’s Lair. Destroys large blocks in Ridley’s Lair.

8. Secrets, Tips, and Tricks for Metroid Zero Mission

This Metroid Zero Mission secrets section reveals unlockables, cheats, and advanced gameplay tips.

Unlockables and Endings

Unlock Hard Mode, NES Metroid, and Sound Test: Beat the game once to unlock these features.
Access Fusion Gallery: Link a GBA with Zero Mission to another GBA with Metroid Fusion to view a gallery.
Game Endings: Different endings are unlocked based on completion time and percentage in Normal or Hard mode.
- Ending 1: Samus at a bar in a red top and shorts (Beat Normal under 2 hours and 100%).
- Ending 2: Samus in a red top and shorts, walking around a city (Beat Normal or Hard over 2 hours and 100%).
- Ending 3: Samus in full armor sitting on a rock (Beat Easy or Normal/Hard over 4 hours and above 15%).
- Ending 4: Samus in blue jumpsuit (Beat Normal or Hard under 2 hours and above 15%).
- Ending 5: Samus overlooking a city in a red top and shorts (Beat Hard under 2 hours and 100%).
- Ending 6: Samus sitting near a window in a red top and shorts (Beat Normal below 15%).
- Ending 7: Samus in full armor, face closeup (Beat Hard below 15%).
- Ending 8: Samus without helmet looking at sunset (Beat Normal or Hard around 3 hours and above 15%).
Unlock Gallery: Beat the game to access the art gallery. New pictures unlock with subsequent playthroughs under different conditions.

NES Metroid Cheats

Unlock NES Metroid by beating Zero Mission once, then access the Password screen in NES Metroid and use these codes:

Best Ending/No Suit: X----- --N?WO dV-Gm9 W01GMI
Debug Mode: BOMBS_ MISSLE SCREW_ ATACK_
Hard Mode: 999999 999999 KKKKKK KKKKKK
Infinite Missiles/Health, All Upgrades: NARPAS SWORD0 000000 000000
Morph Ball/Bombs at Start: 000000 000000 4G0000 00000H
Start in Tourian, no Mother Brain: Samus_ Beats_ Mother Brain_ Suitless
Suitless Samus (start in Norfair, infinite missiles, blond/brown hair, no items): SAMUS8 RIDLEY 444444 444444
Suitless Samus: JUSTIN BAILEY ------ ------
Suitless Samus (from Start): 000000 000020 000000 000020

Advanced Techniques

Shine Sparking Mastery: Practice shine sparking to access hidden areas and speedrun the game efficiently. Experiment with different directional dashes to maximize its utility.
Bomb Jumping Expertise: Perfect bomb jumping for reaching high areas without Hi-Jump Boots early in the game.
Wall Jumping Precision: Utilize wall jumping in tight corridors for quicker vertical traversal and item acquisition.

9. Credits

This guide is based on and expands upon the original work by Dev on GameFAQs, with contributions and corrections from the Metroid community. Special thanks to all Metroid fans who continue to explore and share their knowledge of this classic game.

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