Metroid: Zero Mission

About Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)

Metroid: Zero Mission is Nintendo’s 2004 Game Boy Advance remake of the 1986 NES original, rebuilt from the ground up. You are Samus Aran, bounty hunter, sent to planet Zebes to destroy Mother Brain and the Space Pirates’ Metroid threat — the mission that started it all, retold with modern design.

Zero Mission keeps the soul of the original — Brinstar, Norfair, Kraid, Ridley, and the final descent into Tourian — while adding a cinematic intro, Chozo lore, new areas like Chozodia, and quality-of-life upgrades: proper save files, a map system, and refined controls. After the credits-style finale, a surprise stealth chapter strips Samus of her Power Suit, forcing you to survive with only a stun pistol in one of the series’ most memorable sequences.

Detailed Gameplay

A Faithful but Expanded Remake

The classic route through Brinstar and Norfair will feel familiar to veterans, but nearly every area hides new rooms, new power-up placements, and new bosses like the Ruins Test. Chozo statues now guide you with hints and upgrades, smoothing the original’s notorious aimlessness.

Modern Power-Up Flow

The Morph Ball, Bombs, Missiles, Ice Beam, and Screw Attack return with GBA-era polish, joined by Power Grip (ledge grabbing) and new beam stacking. Items are tracked on an automap with completion percentages that reward thorough explorers.

Mother Brain and the Escape

The Tourian assault builds to the Mother Brain battle and a timed escape sequence — a series trademark. But finishing it unlocks the game’s boldest addition: the post-game stealth mission.

Zero Suit Stealth Chapter

Stripped of the Power Suit, Samus infiltrates the Space Pirate mothership in her Zero Suit with only a weak emergency pistol. Avoiding Space Pirates, using ventilation shafts, and reclaiming the fully-powered suit for the true final boss makes for an unforgettable climax.

Game Highlights

• Definitive remake: the 1986 classic rebuilt with modern controls, saves, and maps.
• Chozo storyline: new cinematics flesh out Samus’s origins and the Chozo guardians.
• New areas: Chozodia and expanded ruins add fresh exploration for veterans.
• Zero Suit stealth finale: a bold, tense post-game chapter unlike anything in the original.
• Speedrun friendly: sequence breaking, shinesparking, and time-attack rewards built in.
• Stunning GBA visuals: detailed sprites and atmospheric effects that push the hardware.
• Perfect entry point: the ideal first Metroid — classic roots, modern comfort.

Controls

Move with the D-pad and jump with B. Press A to fire — hold Up or Down to angle shots, and hold R with the beam selected to aim diagonally once learned. Press Down twice (or Down + B) to morph into the Morph Ball; press B in ball form to lay bombs. Press L to lock missiles, Start to pause, and Select to view the map. In the Zero Suit chapter, A fires the stun pistol — stunning pirates from behind lets you slip past.

Tips and Strategies to Win

1. Follow the Chozo hints. Statues mark your next objective — a huge help over the original’s total freedom.
2. Grab the Power Grip early. Ledge grabbing opens shortcuts and secret ledges across Brinstar and Norfair.
3. Shinespark through barriers. Master the Speed Booster’s shinespark to smash blocks and reach hidden expansions.
4. In the stealth chapter, stay low. Crouch in vents, stun pirates from behind, and never fight fair — you cannot win a shootout in the Zero Suit.
5. Aim for 100% items. Full completion unlocks the best ending art; use the map’s sector markers to find what you missed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Metroid: Zero Mission a remake? A: Yes. Released by Nintendo in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, it is a full remake of the 1986 NES Metroid, with new story content, areas, bosses, and a stealth epilogue not in the original.

Q: What is the Zero Suit section in Zero Mission? A: After defeating Mother Brain, Samus loses her Power Suit and must sneak through the Space Pirate mothership in her Zero Suit, armed only with a stun pistol, until she recovers a new suit for the true final boss.

Q: How long is Metroid: Zero Mission? A: A first playthrough takes roughly 5–8 hours, with completionists chasing 100% items and speedrunners pushing under two hours thanks to sequence-breaking routes.