Metroidis a beloved series from Nintendo, which is responsible not only for several memorable titles but also for the creation of a whole new genre known asMetroidvania. The first game, released in 1986, popularized the idea of backtracking in an interconnected map.
Of course, the series wouldn’t be much fun if it weren’t for the amazing power-ups,weapons, andsuitsthat you got along the way. But some of them clearly stood out from the rest.
10 Most Iconic Metroidvania Power-Ups
Power-ups are the cornerstone of the Metroidvania gameplay loop, and they’re always a hoot to find.
Be it the Wave Beam that you can spam through the walls to take out your enemies, swing from one platform to another with the Grapple Beam, or endlessly jump around and kill enemies using Screw Attack.
So, while we are waiting for the release ofMetroid Prime 4 Beyond, let us check out the rankings of the 10 best power-ups inMetroidgames.
10Storm Missile
To Open Up The Doors And Your Enemies
Missiles are one of the most important weapons in Samus' arsenal that has appeared in every singleMetroidgame.
It’s crucial in the early game as it deals significantly more damage to the enemies compared to Samus' uncharged beam attacks and can even destroy certain walls and missile blocks.
But to make things interesting,Metroid Dreaddecided to upgrade your normal missiles to Storm Missile, which lets you lock on up to five targets and launch a barrage of micro-missiles at them.
You get to use it plenty of times to open doors, so when the time comes to use it in combat, you will be more than prepared to rain hellfire on some bosses.
9X-Ray Scope/Visor
What Secrets Do These Walls Hide?
Truthfully speaking,Metroidgames can at times feel a bit tiring, especially when you are stuck in an area and don’t know where to go next. Thankfully, inSuper Metroid, the developers introduced the X-Ray Scope for the players.
Using this scope lets players scan the walls to look for secret passages or find destructible blocks. This ability was so handy it even made it into the 3D games likeMetroid Primeas X-Ray Visor.
The X-Ray Visor took its use one step further by scanning the invisible enemies for the player.The only downside to this power is that it has a limited range.
If you check Samus' Arm Cannon while using the X-Ray Visor, you can see the bones in her arm.
8Phantom Cloak
You Can’t See Me
Metroid Dreadhad some fascinating power-ups for Samus to play with. Her new Aeion ability, Phantom Cloak, has to be one of her cooler ones. You get this power by defeating Corpius,the first bossin the game.
As the name suggests,the Phantom Cloak consumes Aeion to turn Samus invisible. It achieves this by refracting light.
While invisible, her movement speed becomes slower, but her enemies can’t see her. This power is very useful when trying to not get captured by the E.M.M.I.s.
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As powerful as this ability might seem. It consumes Samus' Aeion energy until it is over, after which it starts using your energy until it reaches 1. You need to deactivate it for Aeion to recharge before being able to use it again.
It is important to remember this ability just makes her invisible. So, if you accidentally come in contact with an enemy while using the Phantom Cloak, you will take damage, and they can capture you.
7Flash Shift
Blue Flash Of The Zebes
Another power-up fromMetroid Dreadwe have here is the Flash Shift. Just like Phantom Cloak, this is also an Aeion ability.Flash Shift lets you instantly move forward or backward for a certain distance.
What makes this power-up interesting is you may use Flash Shift a total of up to 3 times.It uses your entire Aeion gauge no matter if you use the ability once or thrice.
This power-up is handy for casual players and speedrunners alike, as you can even use it midair. As such, it makes traversing quite fun and easy.
6Diffusion Missile
The One-Time You Can Charge Missiles
This is a very special power-up that you’re able to only find inMetroid Fusion.It lets you charge up your ice missiles.Once released after they are completely charged, a cool (pun intended) four-way snowflake burst gets scattered.
These snowflakes swirl around outward and cover the entire screen.Enemies caught in this attack get frozen for a short duration.
This burst attack also opens nearby doors while destroying missile blocks or fake blocks. While the series never brought this power back, there is a Diffusion beam which you can find inMetroid: Other MandMetroid Dread.
However, the only similarity these beams and the missiles share is the scatter effect.
5Morph Ball
It’s Morphin' Time!
One of Samus' most iconic powerups in the series. Morph Ball has been present in all her games. So no matter if you like yourMetroidgames 2D, or want to do exploration in a more 3D world with theMetroid Primeseries, this alt-ball-form of hers has got you covered.
As the name suggests,Morph Ball lets Samus morph into a compact ball. This makes it convenient for her to access small openings in caves or tunnels.
Of course, this power-up is incomplete without some of its notable upgrades. The Morph Ball bombs are what makes it truly complete. Additionally, the Spider Ball is very useful when you want to stick to the walls and reach some usually inaccessible areas.
4Grapple Beam
Time To Swing Like Tarzan
Do you like the Hookshot fromThe Legend of Zelda? Well, if that is the case, you should love the Grapple Beam inMetroid.
Grapple Beam or the Grappling Beam made its first appearance inSuper Metroidfor SNES. you may find it in Norfair after defeating Crocomire.
It was so well-received it later made its way into future games likeMetroid: Samus Returns, theMetroid Primeseries, and even inSuper Smash Bros.
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you may use the Grapple Beam to latch onto specific surfaces and swing to reach the other side.
Interestingly, inSuper Metroid, the Grapple Beam also has another hidden use. Not only can you use it to kill smaller enemies, but also to easily get rid of Scisers.
3Space Jump
To Infinity And Beyond
Metroidis a game that treats you with some nice power-ups the longer you stick around. So, while initially exploring isn’t the most fun with almost every other interesting door being inaccessible.
By the late orend game, there is practically nothing to stop you - not a complaint - and it even makes sense.
Space Jump is one such power-up that makes traversing super fun. It’s especially handy for all completionists who like to go back to the previously locked areas to collect missile tanks or energy tanks.
With Space Jump, you can practically jump infinitely.
Gone are the days of using Morph Ball bombs with precise timing to reach all the way up only to find nothing there. Now you may just jump indefinitely to get the same results!
2Speed Booster And Shinespark
Gotta Go Fast
Let us talk about the power-ups that make us feel like a speedrunner (even if only for a short while). Speed Booster is a godsend ability, especially if you are someone who gets lost easily.
How it works is,you have to run in a specific direction for a few seconds, after which the speed booster kicks in. Once that happens, Samus runs really fast and can even run through certain terrain and kill some smaller enemies.
You also need it if you want to run over some blocks that normally get destroyed as soon as you step on them. Once you get used to the Speed Booster, you are ready for its hidden ability Shinespark.
After the speed booster activates, press down to store the speed booster energy in your suit. Now, you can either jump up, left, right, diagonally up-left, or diagonally up-right to launch yourself in that direction.
The only catch when using Shinespark is you cannot shoot and the charge is over if you don’t use it within the first 5 seconds of activating it.
1Screw Attack
Space Jump With The Power To Kill!
The only thing that Space Jump lacked was the ability to kill enemies. The game first makes you comfortable flying through the use of repeated jumps, then later with Screw Attack, it makes you almost invincible.
What Screw Attack does is, it emits energy waves from Samus' armor as she performs somersaults in her jumps. It turns her into a dangerous ball of death and destruction.
You can use the Screw Attack to destroy most flying or normal enemies in your path. It is also useful in breaking the Screw Attack blocks.
This power-up is so iconic, you’re able to spot it in the logo ofMetroid PrimeandFusion. Ironically,Metroid PrimeandPrime Huntersare the only two games where this ability is not present.
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