Released in 1986, the original Metroid on the NES established a new subgenre of action-adventure games focused on non-linear exploration, backtracking, and character upgrades. Introducing the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, the game isolated players in the dark, hostile tunnels of the planet Zebes. In this guide, we dive into the lore, essential upgrade items, map sectors, bosses, and strategies to conquer the Mother Brain.
1. Infiltrating Planet Zebes
The Galactic Federation has commissioned Samus Aran to travel to the planet Zebes and stop Space Pirates from breeding parasitic creatures called **Metroids**. The pirates, led by Mother Brain, plan to use the Metroids as bioweapons to conquer the galaxy. Samus must explore the planet's cavernous interior, find upgrades to bypass environmental blockades, defeat two guardians (Kraid and Ridley) to open the elevator to Tourian, and destroy the Mother Brain.
Metroid was famous for its atmosphere of isolation and dread, supported by Hirokazu Tanaka's eerie, atmospheric score. It was also notable for its surprise ending: players who finished the game quickly discovered that Samus Aran was, in fact, a woman—one of the first major female protagonists in video game history.
2. Key Upgrade Inventory
To explore deeper into Zebes, you must find upgrade items hidden inside statues of birds (called Chozo Statues):
Morph Ball (Maru Mari): Found immediately to the left of the starting screen. It allows Samus to roll into a compact ball to slide through narrow passages.
Bombs: Acquired in Brinstar. Used while in ball form to blow up obstacles, reveal breakable blocks, and damage enemies.
Long Beam: Extends the range of Samus's weapon from short-range bursts to full-screen shots.
Ice Beam: Freezes enemies in place. Frozen enemies can be used as temporary platforms to jump to high areas. Essential for traversing Tourian and neutralizing Metroids.
Wave Beam: Fires undulating energy rings that pass through solid walls and cover a wider vertical area. *Note: You can only hold either the Ice Beam or Wave Beam at one time in the NES version.*
Varia Suit: Decreases damage taken from enemies by half, and protects Samus from acid and heat hazard panels.
Screw Attack: Turns Samus's spin jumps into an invincible, spinning sawblade of energy that destroys almost any enemy she contacts. It is one of the most powerful offensive items.
High Jump Boots: Increases Samus's vertical jump height by double, opening new platforming routes.
Missiles: Special high-damage ammunition used to open red doors and defeat bosses. Spreading throughout the map are Missile Expansions that increase your maximum capacity.
3. Sectors of Zebes
The cavernous planet is divided into four main geographical sectors connected by elevators:
Brinstar: The rocky blue starting area. It contains the essential Morph Ball, Missiles, Long Beam, Bombs, and Varia Suit.
Norfair: A fiery, lava-filled cavern located below Brinstar. It contains high-level gear like the High Jump Boots, Screw Attack, and Wave Beam.
Kraid's Lair (Kraid): A green cavern blockaded by tough monsters. You must find and defeat the giant reptilian guardian, Kraid, to trigger the path to Tourian.
Ridley's Lair (Ridley): A deep, red-hot volcanic cavern. Players must defeat the skeletal dragon, Ridley, the leader of the Space Pirates.
Tourian: The final command center. It is populated by dangerous Metroids (which must be frozen with the Ice Beam and destroyed with 5 missiles) and features defense turrets. The boss is Mother Brain, encased in a glass tank.
4. Final Showdown: Defeating Mother Brain
To defeat Mother Brain in Tourian, you must:
Use the Ice Beam to freeze Metroids, then shoot them with Missiles. Do not let them latch onto Samus, or they will rapidly drain her energy.
Blast through the five Zebetite barriers blocking the corridor using Missiles. *Note: Zebetites will regenerate their health if you stop shooting them, so spam missiles rapidly.*
Stand on the narrow platforms while avoiding falling energy rings and lava pits to fire missiles at Mother Brain's glass casing. Once the casing breaks, shoot her exposed brain with missiles until she is defeated.
After defeating her, a self-destruct sequence is triggered. You have 999 seconds to climb a vertical escape shaft using precise jumps before the planet explodes.
5. Top Pro Tips & Passwords
The "NARPAS SWORD" Password
If you want to explore the game with ultimate powers unlocked, enter the following famous password in the password screen:
NARPAS SWORD0 000000 000000
This password grants Samus infinite health, infinite missiles, and all power-up suits unlocked from the start.
Justin Bailey Code
Another legendary code that spawns Samus in her leotard suit with max equipment is: