What'd you say?
Alright, this is a guide for people who find the original metroid to difficult to actually complete. There may be a number of reasons for this so I will try to cover as much as I can.
------------------------------------
Chapter 1, Controls:
------------------------------------
Are you used to the controls on SM or another 2-d game? Well on this game you're limited compared to the future games. For example: there is no "aiming down", no diagonals, no bomb jumping (well, it is possible but extremely hard to do,) no wall jumping, and no mid air morphing (Super Metroid.) It may take awhile to get used to these changes but once you do, it is much easier to actually complete the game. To train yourself I suggest just running around Brinstar (starting area) for a while.
Tip: If you hold shoot and tap a direction it allows more rapid fire.
------------------------------------
Chapter 2, Items:
------------------------------------
In This game there is a limited variety to the upgrades you can get.
This list includes:
255 missiles
8 e-tanks (although only 6 show)
long beam
ice beam (there is two)
wave beam
morph ball
bombs
high jump boots
screw attack
varia suit
Now with these items you can see that there are a lot of missing items from the future games. Most notably IMO (in my opinion) is space jump, so you're going to have to get used to these items; fear not, getting used to this is a lot easier than getting used to the controls.
Note: Whenever you pick up a beam it will replace your old one. EX: You have ice beam and you pick up wave beam, you now have wave beam without ice. Also, whenever you pick a beam the item will disappear but the other two will come back.
------------------------------------
Chapter 3, Navigating:
-------------------------------------
Notice how there is no map? That is probably one of the greatest downfalls of this game, but, there is a solution! Find a map created by a fan! Here are some you can use:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/file/519689/35362
Also, I highly suggest redrawing one of these maps on paper to help you memorize the map layout.
------------------------------------
Chapter 4, Bosses:
------------------------------------
Have you gotten to Kraid and just gotten annihilated? Yea, he is a pain in the ass. Here are strategies for all of the bosses.
Ridley:
Fight Ridley first, it makes Kraid so much easier. Alright, now for the battle plan:
Get as many e-tanks as possible, equip your wave beam and head for Ridley. When you reach his room jump down into the lava and go directly below him. (You're probably saying "WTF?!?" but just try this and you'll see.) Now keep jumping up and down while aiming up and shooting. Throughout this entire battle Ridley shouldn't hit you once and you should only take about 20 damage from the lava.
Here is an alternative strategy:
Either strategy works, try them both and see which one you prefer.
Kraid:
I hate this fat S.O.B. Collect as many upgrades as possible and make sure to have at least 4 e-tanks. As far as I know this is the easiest possible strategy for him. Go into morphball and keep bombing him till he finally passes away. This should only take about 2 and a half e-tanks away from you if you're good.
Tip:
That is very good to keep in mind for kraid.
Mother Brain:
This fight may seem difficult due to the rinkas and the turrets but those only make this fight extremely annoying. Go into MB's room and destroy the zebetites, leave the room to refill then go back for MB (optional.) Freeze the rinkas or simply dodge them and unload missiles into MB till she dies. (should take about 20 missiles to kill her.)
Note: Ice beam makes Tourain so much easier, although it isn't required. Also, Wave beam does not hurt Mother Brain or the zebetites, it has been tested.
------------------------------------
Chapter 5, Refilling Techniques:
------------------------------------
Brinstar:
Simply go up and down the shafts shooting the enemies for refills, not much else to say sorry.
Norfair:
You can find any room with the respawning bugs and kill those for refills. (wave beam makes this a lot easier.)
Ridley's Hideout:
Once you get screw attack go to the bottom of Ridley's elevator and go left one room. See the sidehoppers? Continuously screw attack into them and go back and forth through the room to make them respawn.
Kraid's Hideout:
The room right in front of Kraid is your best bet, the respawning bee there is excellent for refilling.
Tourain:
This one is by far the easiest, go one room to the right of MB, go to the farthest right of that room, go through the right door and shoot your ice beam, you will freeze two metroids, kill them, leave the room and repeat.
Anywhere:
E-tanks are your best friend.
------------------------------------
Chapter 6, Challenges.
------------------------------------
Here are some things you can try out if you find that this game is getting to easy for you:
-Try a low percent run. (the minimum is 2%, morphball and bombs/ice beam.)
-Try a beamless run. (Don't acquire any beams.)
-Try to beat the game with no energy tanks. (Good luck!)
------------------------------------
Chapter 7, Useful tips:
------------------------------------
-Try to avoid damage as much as possible, this is where ice beam really shines.
-Don't waste your time trying to kill EVERY monster in your path, you will probably just run into more problems in doing so.
-Collect as many items as possible, it only makes the game easier for you.
-Take your time to memorize the map and to get used to the controls, this will save you a lot of frustration.
-If you need a lot of energy do this from the start: Don't Die! Sorry but this is the best advice to give here.
-Red doors require 5 missiles and pink/yellow doors require 10 to open.
-Have fun, if you get frustrated you won't want to even play this game anymore.
------------------------------------
If I missed anything or misspelled anything or if you need help please don't be afraid to post or ask! Also, if this helps anyone please post your experience of this game while using my guide.
------------------------------------
Chapter 1, Controls:
------------------------------------
Are you used to the controls on SM or another 2-d game? Well on this game you're limited compared to the future games. For example: there is no "aiming down", no diagonals, no bomb jumping (well, it is possible but extremely hard to do,) no wall jumping, and no mid air morphing (Super Metroid.) It may take awhile to get used to these changes but once you do, it is much easier to actually complete the game. To train yourself I suggest just running around Brinstar (starting area) for a while.
Tip: If you hold shoot and tap a direction it allows more rapid fire.
------------------------------------
Chapter 2, Items:
------------------------------------
In This game there is a limited variety to the upgrades you can get.
This list includes:
255 missiles
8 e-tanks (although only 6 show)
long beam
ice beam (there is two)
wave beam
morph ball
bombs
high jump boots
screw attack
varia suit
Now with these items you can see that there are a lot of missing items from the future games. Most notably IMO (in my opinion) is space jump, so you're going to have to get used to these items; fear not, getting used to this is a lot easier than getting used to the controls.
Note: Whenever you pick up a beam it will replace your old one. EX: You have ice beam and you pick up wave beam, you now have wave beam without ice. Also, whenever you pick a beam the item will disappear but the other two will come back.
------------------------------------
Chapter 3, Navigating:
-------------------------------------
Notice how there is no map? That is probably one of the greatest downfalls of this game, but, there is a solution! Find a map created by a fan! Here are some you can use:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/file/519689/35362
Also, I highly suggest redrawing one of these maps on paper to help you memorize the map layout.
------------------------------------
Chapter 4, Bosses:
------------------------------------
Have you gotten to Kraid and just gotten annihilated? Yea, he is a pain in the ass. Here are strategies for all of the bosses.
Ridley:
Fight Ridley first, it makes Kraid so much easier. Alright, now for the battle plan:
Get as many e-tanks as possible, equip your wave beam and head for Ridley. When you reach his room jump down into the lava and go directly below him. (You're probably saying "WTF?!?" but just try this and you'll see.) Now keep jumping up and down while aiming up and shooting. Throughout this entire battle Ridley shouldn't hit you once and you should only take about 20 damage from the lava.
Here is an alternative strategy:
Quote from JaggerG:
-Against Ridley, he has 2 random patterns determined by (I believe) the time you enter the room. For one pattern, he shoots fireballs in a very thin arc and they bounce across at you. In this scenario, you should have the ICE beam. You can freeze his six or so fireballs and stand on them to fast-fire him in the face, occasionally backing off for a bit to refreeze the fireballs. For the other pattern, he shoots them in really long arcs. You can just run right under them, and stand right in front of him, constantly fast-firing until he's dead. Your likely take less than 20 damage in both scenarios.
Either strategy works, try them both and see which one you prefer.
Kraid:
I hate this fat S.O.B. Collect as many upgrades as possible and make sure to have at least 4 e-tanks. As far as I know this is the easiest possible strategy for him. Go into morphball and keep bombing him till he finally passes away. This should only take about 2 and a half e-tanks away from you if you're good.
Tip:
Quote from JaggerG:
-If you get hit by your bombs, you're actually INVINCIBLE for a second. If you can keep up that invincibility and keep hitting him, you can survive on one etank, but really, at least 250 damage is probably most common still.
Quote from JaggerG:
-If you get hit by your bombs, you're actually INVINCIBLE for a second.
That is very good to keep in mind for kraid.
Mother Brain:
This fight may seem difficult due to the rinkas and the turrets but those only make this fight extremely annoying. Go into MB's room and destroy the zebetites, leave the room to refill then go back for MB (optional.) Freeze the rinkas or simply dodge them and unload missiles into MB till she dies. (should take about 20 missiles to kill her.)
Note: Ice beam makes Tourain so much easier, although it isn't required. Also, Wave beam does not hurt Mother Brain or the zebetites, it has been tested.
------------------------------------
Chapter 5, Refilling Techniques:
------------------------------------
Brinstar:
Simply go up and down the shafts shooting the enemies for refills, not much else to say sorry.
Norfair:
You can find any room with the respawning bugs and kill those for refills. (wave beam makes this a lot easier.)
Ridley's Hideout:
Once you get screw attack go to the bottom of Ridley's elevator and go left one room. See the sidehoppers? Continuously screw attack into them and go back and forth through the room to make them respawn.
Kraid's Hideout:
The room right in front of Kraid is your best bet, the respawning bee there is excellent for refilling.
Tourain:
This one is by far the easiest, go one room to the right of MB, go to the farthest right of that room, go through the right door and shoot your ice beam, you will freeze two metroids, kill them, leave the room and repeat.
Anywhere:
E-tanks are your best friend.
------------------------------------
Chapter 6, Challenges.
------------------------------------
Here are some things you can try out if you find that this game is getting to easy for you:
-Try a low percent run. (the minimum is 2%, morphball and bombs/ice beam.)
-Try a beamless run. (Don't acquire any beams.)
-Try to beat the game with no energy tanks. (Good luck!)
------------------------------------
Chapter 7, Useful tips:
------------------------------------
-Try to avoid damage as much as possible, this is where ice beam really shines.
-Don't waste your time trying to kill EVERY monster in your path, you will probably just run into more problems in doing so.
-Collect as many items as possible, it only makes the game easier for you.
-Take your time to memorize the map and to get used to the controls, this will save you a lot of frustration.
-If you need a lot of energy do this from the start: Don't Die! Sorry but this is the best advice to give here.
-Red doors require 5 missiles and pink/yellow doors require 10 to open.
-Have fun, if you get frustrated you won't want to even play this game anymore.
------------------------------------
If I missed anything or misspelled anything or if you need help please don't be afraid to post or ask! Also, if this helps anyone please post your experience of this game while using my guide.
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