Metroid Zero Mission 15% Walkthrough
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BY: Arlando909
E-mail me at: [email protected]

COPYRIGHT 2004

CONTENTS
-Version History
-Introduction
-So What Do I Get?
-Items it seems like you need but really don’t
-You Don’t Have To Go Everywhere
-Using the FAQ
-Hard Mode Suggestions
-Step-by-step walkthrough.
-Secrets
-Contributions
-Closing Statements

VERSION HISTORY
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Version 1.0-Introduction and walkthrough complete
Version 1.5-Secrets and Hard Mode suggestions added
Version 1.6-Contributions added

INTRODUCTION:
-----------------------
This walkthrough is to be used in the assumption that you’ve played through
Zero Mission at least ONCE. I don’t know many people who would actually go
through the game their first time and only grab 15% of the items.  I decided to
write this FAQ because the 15% challenge has been a part of Metroid for a
while.  I’ve been doing that since Super Metroid on my SNES.  Metroid Zero
isn’t too much different but if this is the first time in ANY Metroid adventure
that you’ve decided only to grab 15% of the available items then get ready for
a challenge.  The challenge (to me anyway) is the fact that you can grab so few
Energy Tanks.  It doesn’t take much to master Metroid Zero but I strongly
suggest that you go through the game on at least the Normal difficulty setting
freely just to get a feel for the game.  Once you’ve gone through the game
enough to know where things are, you’ll be ready to start the 15% game
completion challenge! Trust me, it really isn't as hard as it sounds, its
actually quite easy.

SO WHAT DO I GET?
----------------------------
Below, I’ve listed items I collected in the 15% game completion.  Keep in mind
that nine of these items you HAVE to get or else you can’t complete the game.
This leaves you with six freebies, which I’ll also list.

Items you have to get:
-Morph Ball
-Missile Tank (Only one)
-Normal Bombs
-Power Grip
-Ice Beam
-Varia Suit
-All three unknown items

The Six Freebies I recommend you get:
-Long Beam
-Energy Tanks (4 of them)
-Super Missile Tanks (1 of them)

I chose these six freebies mainly because they’ll be the most useful throughout
the game. I shouldn’t have to explain how useful the Energy Tanks can be.  But
four Energy Tanks is actually being cautious.  If you want you can only grab
two and then grab two more Super Missile Tanks instead, or if you’re having a
lot of difficulty substitute one of the Energy Tanks for the Screw Attack.

The Long Beam I suggested mainly because the game will be frustrating without
it. This is another of those abilities that seems like you couldn’t possibly
complete the game without it but I assure you that you can.  The long beam
makes for more leisure with its reach and when you get the ice beam you’ll be
glad you’ve got the long beam.

The Super Missiles make it so that I don’t need to grab a second missile tank.
The Super Missiles are equivalent to five normal missiles.  They help out a lot
on bosses (and destroy Metroids in one hit!) by dealing more damage.  Keep in
mind you’ll only have two if you follow my suggestions.  If you choose not to
get any Super Missiles then you’ll NEED, I repeat, NEED another Normal Missile
Expansion.  If you don’t do that you’ll have one hell of a time getting to
Mother Brain. Also, on Hard Mode you might as well grab more than one Super
Missile Expansion (See Hard Mode Suggestions).

You don’t HAVE to take my suggestions but keep in mind that if you choose not
to get the Super Missiles then you’ll need to get at least two normal missile
tanks or else getting to the Mother Brain in Tourian won’t be easy.  Again, you
don't HAVE to take them. It should be pretty easy to follow the walkthrough
even when grabbing six different freebies (but I would hope you grabbed some
Super Missiles).

ITEMS THAT SEEM LIKE YOU NEED BUT YOU REALLY DON’T AND SHOULD SKIP THEM:
------------------------------------------------------------------
There are some items that it seems like you’d need no matter what, a perfect
example is the Speed Boost. You may think you need this upgrade but the game
can be completed without it very easily.  You may also think you need other
abilities like the Hi-Jump ability.  You COULD get the Hi-Jump and leave out an
Energy Tank or the Super Missle but this is actually one of the worst abilities
you could get.  Instead of getting the Hi-Jump, master Freezing enemies and the
bomb jump techniques.

The Bomb Jump is very simple and makes a great substitute for the Hi-Jump
ability.  If you ever come to a place you can’t reach get into the Morph Ball
and repeatedly press the B button.  Eventually (with given time) you’ll start
to propel upwards. You can also kick off the walls like in Super Metroid.  Go
to a wall and somersault.  When you’re up against the wall press the jump
button at the same time you press the button opposite of the wall you’re
jumping off of (so if the wall your jumping up against is on your left you’ll
push right on the D-Pad at the same time you push the jump button).  Samus will
kick off the wall.  Use this to your advantage.

I know this one sounds harsh but unless you’re REALLY (and I mean REALLY)
having trouble DO NOT get the Screw attack.  You shouldn’t need it that badly
if you only want 15% of the items.  If you do really need it, substitute it for
an Energy Tank.  If your evasion skills are top-notch and you’ve got good
reflexes and the ability to shoot everything in sight then the Screw Attack is
another waste.

Avoid the Wave Beam at all cost.  This is also a big waste of an ability.
While your shots are wider and go through walls it’s one of the least useful in
completing the game in this fashion.  Again, some may feel the need to grab it
but until the end of the game you won’t really notice too much that you don’t
have it.

The charge beam is another waste.  Unless you want it for an optional item
don’t get it.  The game can be easily completed without the charge beam.  Since
the Charge Beam does roughly the same amount of damage as the missiles do
(actually it does a tad bit more) let the missiles be your charge shot.
Besides, if you’ve got quick thumbs then you do some rapid firing which more
than makes up for the lack of having the charge beam.

The Power Bombs is another good example of an item you think you might need,
but you actually don’t. Throughout Metroid Zero there is only ONE spot where
you’d think you’d have to have them, but at that point there’s a little secret
passage you can go through which I’ll discuss in the walkthrough. So power
bombs are also not needed to get through the game.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO EVERYWHERE!
------------------------------------------------------------
It’s VERY important I mention this.  You don’t have to go everywhere the game
advises you to go.  You have to defeat Kraid and Ridley but some parts you can
skip over. It is not necessary to fight the Imago (but if you do you can get a
Super Missile).  It is also not necessary to enter into some rooms either.
After defeating Kraid forget about going to get the Speed Booster and instead
move on.   You don’t have to explore every area

USING THE FAQ:
----------------------
This is probably a no-duh thing for some of you, I’m sure.  But for others this
may prove useful.  I’ve divided this walkthrough into steps to get you through
the game fast.  Remember, I’m assuming you’ve gone through the game at least
once.  For the moments where I state something that doesn’t have to be done
I’ll put "Optional" next to it.  Lastly, I’ve yet to complete a 15% game on
Hard Mode. I’ve started one and have only arrived at Chozodia but so far its
about the same as Normal mode, just remember that you’ll take more damage and
more enemies are present.  I DO have boss strategies but most bosses you could
probably defeat on your own without my input there. But some of you may not
know a few things about ‘em so I included them anyway.

Lastly a few suggestions.  One is the obvious: save often.  You never know what
could happen.  Since you’ll have nearly 1/3 of the maximum Energy and only 5
missiles (going by this walkthrough) it’s easy to run low on health and
ammunition.

My second suggestion: Always keep your health up.  If you’re about to enter
into a boss battle find a pipe and keep shooting the enemies that come from
them until you’ve got full health and missiles, or find a chozo statue.  Keep
an eye on your health because you won’t have all 12 Energy Tanks as you near
the end of the game.

Third: Always enter a boss battle with full health and ammunition.  It’s never
a good idea to enter a battle unprepared.  Bosses ONLY take damage from
missiles, super missiles and charge shots.  There is only one boss that takes
damage from normal shots

Lastly, if you have any doubt whatsoever that you collected more than 15% of
the items, start over or copy the file to be on the safe side.  You can always
complete the game and start a new game and look at the different maps and look
in the upper left hand corner to see what you have and add them together.

Hard Mode Suggestions:
---------------------------------------
Alright there are a few differences between the Hard and Normal mode difficulty
levels. You can still use the walkthrough as your guide.  However, a few of my
suggestions change.  For one, if you’ve been through Normal Mode and you’re
pretty much invincible when you do it, then Hard Mode shouldn’t be a big
problem.  For that you’ll only need two energy tanks. I recommend you get more
Super Missiles as opposed to Energy Tanks.

-You take twice (sometimes three) times the amount of damage from enemies on
Hard Mode.  So go through and take less damage.   If you’ve already done a run
through on Normal Mode then Hard Mode really isn’t much different aside from
more enemies and double the amount of damage.

-You get roughly half of what you’d normally get.  Missiles now only give you 2
instead of 5, and Super Missiles only give you one. That’s why I’m saying get
more Super Missiles.  If you can go through a game on Normal mode with 15% of
the items then giving up two energy tanks isn’t all THAT bad (but be warned
that when running through the Mother Ship and Chozodia ONE hit will kill you in
that case.) Also, energy tanks will give you +50 health instead of +100

-I highly suggest you take yourself down to Ridley’s lair first, and maybe even
fight the Imago and get two Super Missiles (substitute an energy Tank).  Ridley
was never hard to begin with as long as you remember to stay low.

-The Kraid and Ridley boss strategies are basically the same.  I find Kraid to
be several times more frustrating than Ridley and for that its good to fight
Ridley and that way when you fight Kraid you’ll have Super Missiles! So every
time you blast him with a normal missile pop in a Super Missile to follow.
Remember a Super Missile does the same as if you fired 5 normal missiles. Put
that together with the fact that there’s a block you can hang off of at the top.

-My suggested items are different as well. In Hard Mode you’ve only got one
minute to escape Tourian. So again you’ll have to substitute an Energy Tank for
either the Hi-Jump or Speed Booster. Both are beneficial.  The Hi-Jump makes it
so you’ll get to the top of the shaft faster.  The hi-jump also lets you jump
off the wall just before the speed boost blocks.  You could just as easily grab
the speed boost and be at the top in almost the same amount of time. You’ll
just speed blast through the blocks instead. Either choice is a good decision
but my personal favorite is the hi-jump. It makes it so you don’t have to bomb
jump as much and it makes accessing some of the mandatory items easier at some
points. But like I said you could just as easily grab the speed boost.

Again, you can follow the walkthrough in the same fashion.  I still suggest the
Long Beam but you may even feel the need to substitute that.  But it would be
much better if you took it along anyhow.

STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH:
--------------------------------------------
Alright, this is a simple step-by-step walkthrough that’ll get you through the
game with only 15 of the 100 items present. You don’t have to do it this way
but this is how I was able to go through the game.  I didn’t experience a whole
lot of problems, in fact, I found the game to be quite easy.  This is NOT
designed for the Easy Difficulty setting. You could use it for Easy Mode but
since no matter what that ending is always the same don’t bother with a 15%
game completion there.  On Normal and Hard you’ll get a totally different image
of Samus and on both modes it looks different. Anyway, let’s begin!

Step 1:
As soon as the game begins go to the left and hop over the stair-steps to grab
the Morph Ball Ability.  The first of the 9 required abilities.

Step 2:
Roll on over to the right until you get to the first Chozo Statue.  This one
will point you to the Long Beam Upgrade.  After you’ve restored your health you
can either go to the Long Beam (Step 3) or bypass it to the first Missile Tank
(Step 4).

Step 3:
You don’t have to get the Long Beam, but why wouldn’t you want it?  It’ll
certainly make getting through the game a lot easier.  Grab the Long Beam,
restore your health and head off to look at the Kraid and Ridley statues before
Tourian and then move on to the first missile tank.

Step 4:
Now that you have that Long Beam you can blast through the rubble that leads to
the right side of Brinstar. If you chose not to get the Long Beam you can shoot
out the blocks above the blue hatch and slip in to make your way through.  As
you make your descent be sure to stop into the save room.  As you continue down
and through the door at the bottom of the passage, make your way to the right
until you get the missile.  This is the first and last missile upgrade you’ll
need to complete the game.

Step 5-BOSS:
The Charge Beam boss isn’t hard at all.  He MIGHT run away if you don’t defeat
him fast enough.  When his eye is open fire a missile into him.  It’ll take at
the least: Three missiles to do away with him.  If you run out of missiles
shoot the thorns that he launches at you to restore your missiles and health.
If he runs away you’ll encounter him again until you defeat him.  When you
defeat him leave the charge beam unless you want it as one of your six optional
items.

Step 6: Optional
With the charge beam boss out of the way make your way back up the long
corridor.  Save your game in the save room and then continue up to the red
hatch. Blast it with a missile and then go inside.  There will be a wall in
your way. Take out the top blocks but don’t shoot the one on the bottom, it
contains a missile tank and you won’t need it unless you want it as a freebie.
Keep going until you see an Energy Tank. You could go without but since it’s
hard to just pass up you might as well take it.

Step 7:
Again, I’m assuming you’ve been through the game once so we’re going after the
normal bombs now, the third of the mandatory items you need.  Grab the normal
bombs and then let out the parasites and take them out by blowing them to bits
and then proceed.

Step 8:
Once you have the normal bombs leave return to the lower corridor and go down
to Norfair.  Once you get there go to the left and up to Crateria and collect
the first unknown item, the fourth of the mandatory power ups.

Step 9:
Once you collect the unknown item break the blocks that now glow but don’t grab
the missile.  Go back to the point where you saw the first Chozo block you
couldn’t break and bomb yourself up there.  Your next goal is to grab the Power
grip the fifth of the mandatory items. Grab the Power Grip and then climb out
of the pit using the Power Grip and return to Norfair.

Step 10:
Once back in Norfair our next goal is to grab the Ice Beam the sixth mandatory
item.  Go to Norfair’s right side and grab the Ice Beam.  Bomb through to the
next room, freeze the enemy and then proceed to get out of Norfair. We’ve got
to head back to Brinstar.

Step 11:
We’re going to go and grab the Varia Suit and it isn’t easy to acquire either,
and since we’re not into getting the Hi-Jump ability this will probably consume
a bit of your time.  Go to the middle of Brinstar and climb the right-hand
shaft.  Go right, shoot the pillar to make it rise and you’ll need to go
through the upper-most pipe.  You’ll end up in a room with a flying fiend that
is adjacent to a save room.  Go on in and save because you might be here for a
while.

Step 12:
Alright, in the room with the flying fiend (I forgot the name of the enemy),
blast through the ceiling and then jump up to get to the next level.  You want
to lure him up into this area.  When he’s about in the center (enough so that
you can jump on him and then onto the next ledge) freeze him in place and then
jump to the ledge.  This could take some time, waiting for him to actually get
UP there with you.  This next part could also take time.  Since you don’t have
the Hi-Jump ability you’ll have to stand near the edge of the ledge and bomb
blast yourself up to the next area. Trust me, you CAN do this but it’ll take a
while.

--From Monkeydook69 a much eaiser and time-consuming way to reach the Varia
Suit--

Instead of using the flying enemy as a stepping stone, you can easily use the
bomb jump and make it up the room in ten seconds.  First shoot out the first
set of three fake blocks, and use your power grip to grab onto the left most
single fake block.  Now is where your bomb jumping ability comes in.  You have
to get the bomb jump going with your first bomb, or else you'll break the block
and fall back down. Once you get started, keep going up until you're about to
hit the ceiling.  As you are about to set another bomb to keep the jump going,
press and hold left, and you should propel off of the last bomb and head left
and onto the first ledge.  Jump up and shoot out the fake block then quickly
start a bomb jump and reach the hatch.

When you finally reach the room with the Varia Suit make your way to the left
letting the little gray ball things take out the huge organisms that are
blocking your way.  When going to the Varia Suit the acid could get to you so
before you come in here make sure you’re at full health. It’s possible, though
difficult to go through here without touching the acid at least once.  Since
the collapsible platforms don’t collapse instantly you’ll have time between
each one to jump to the next one.  Don’t waste a lot of time in your Morph
Ball. As soon as you touch the block get out of ball form and grab the ledge
and make your way across until you have the Varia Suit.  You could get that
Energy Tank and save yourself some grief but that isn’t the one we want, so
we’ll wait a bit longer.  There are more obvious ones that are harder to avoid
that’ll come up later on.

Step 13:
Head to Kraid’s hideout and when you get there go to the right.  We don’t want
to grab the missile in this area and thankfully you went off and grabbed the
Varia Suit (you did grab it didn’t you?).  The only way to by pass this missile
is to get into Morph Ball form and roll under.  Since you have the Varia Suit
it shouldn’t be a problem.  If you chose not to get the Varia Suit then you’ll
take a lot of damage. Go to the area’s upper right section and activate the
power to the ceiling rails.

Step 14-Optional
After you activate the ceiling rails fire at the red dot to make the apparatus
come to you.  Grab hold and let yourself soar into an Energy Tank.  If you
don’t want this Energy tank then call the apparatus and then bomb blast
yourself up to it in Morph ball form and you’ll soar right over it without
touching it.

Step 15-BOSS
The Acid Worm isn’t quite that hard and since you have the Varia Suit it’ll be
incredibly easy!  When he first attacks shoot him in his heart and watch him
sink back down into the Acid.  Each time the boss is about to attack he’ll open
his mouth before he springs out of the acid.  Just before he springs out grab
the apparatus above you and glide to the opposite side.  Shoot him in his heart
until he sinks back into the acid.  When you’ve got him to turn colors he’ll
start to make the acid rise. Regardless, continue your pattern; since you have
the Varia suit you can stand around until the acid goes back down and the worm
continues his pattern.  If you for some reason didn’t get the long beam then
you’ll have to rely on your missiles to help you out.  If you ever un out of
missiles go to one of the doors and force him to spring out and attack.  Since
your so far away he’ll fire something at you. Blast the projectiles to get more
missiles. Then go back to your original attack strategy.

Step 16-BOSS
Make your way to Kraid and begin what will only seem like a tough battle.  Once
more, since you have the Varia Suit this battle shouldn’t be quite that hard.
You’ll take a lot less damage.  Use your missiles carefully.  In the first
phase you can easily stand anywhere.  Shoot the red spot on his head with a
missile to make him open his mouth.  When his mouth is open fire your remaining
missiles into his mouth.  When you’ve run out of missiles fire at the
boomerangs (or are they nail clippings?) that he tosses at you to get more
missiles and/or health if you need any.  In the second phase the tiers near the
hatch will be destroyed but the central tier won’t be.  So hop on that tier and
continue your attack assault.  In the third and final phase you’ll need to jump
on his claws that lets out of his belly.  Doing that, continue your assault on
Kraid until he dies.

After the battle with Kraid go into the room containing the Speed Booster but
DO NOT collect it!  Unless you want it to be one of your freebies.  As soon as
you enter the room leave and the door that lead to Kraid’s room will now be
blue.  Hop onto the covered Speed Boost blocks and propel yourself up in Morph
Ball form until you reach the door.  You’ll blast the door open and slide on
through.

Step 17:
Go to the hideout’s right shaft.  You’ll need to use enemies as platforms.
You’ll have to slide through the long chamber that’s full of bugs.  Blast them
with the five missiles you’ve got or freeze them.  Blast through the Chozo
block and get out of Kraid’s Lair

Step 18:
Go back to Brinstar and venture to the lower right section and go back to
Norfair. Go to where you collected the ice beam and loop around to Norfair’s
upper right hand corner.  Freeze an enemy at the VERY corner of the room. Stand
on top of him and fire a missile up at the top block.  Morph into a ball and go
inside.  You’ll need to bomb-blast your way through this maze as well as propel
yourself upwards. You’ll bypass a lot of the area without having to use the
speed boost!

Step 19:
Go through the save room and into the next area with the vines.  Blast through
the ones you need to with missiles.  They’ll drop more missiles if you need
them.  Now you’ll be face to face with the larvae. I don’t really consider this
a boss fight but lets go about how to beat it anyway. You’ll see an enemy
flying around, freeze it. Hop on it and then start blasting away at the roots
with your missiles. If the enemy below starts to thaw then freeze it again
quickly (jump and aim down to fire as you’re landing back on it).  After you
take out one side you’ll have to take out the other.  If you need more missiles
then you can easily shoot the seeds that the larvae fires.

After the battle head into the hole and then go to Ridley’s lair.  If you want
to battle the Imago then ride back up the elevator so you can go down on the
other side.

Step 20-Optional BOSS:
Personally, this battle is a severe waste of time.  But since time doesn’t
matter in a 15% game, we’ll do battle.  There are two safe spots that you can
place yourself.  One on the far left and one just before the hill that leads to
the hatch.  Use these spots to your advantage.  When the Imago swoops down
chase after it firing your missiles.  If you need more then you’ll have to risk
getting in the way and shoot the stingers.  BUT you could easily stay at the
base of the hill before the hatch and aim diagonally up to your left and keep
firing.  The Imago will keep flying by shooting it’s stingers at you. Unless
you don’t fire you’ll always knock out a couple (if you don’t fire you’ll take
damage).  Do this to restore your health and ammo if need be. After the boss
battle you can grab the Super Missile.  If you’re really into doing it my way
then there are much easier and less time consuming missiles to get.  This is
just one way.

Step 21:
Now head back to Ridley’s lair and from the entrance head to the right.  In
this room you can blast a hole in the ceiling with a missile. If you blast the
wrong area try again, it isn’t too far from the hatch.  If you run out of
missiles trying to do this you can easily refill right here in the room.  Once
you’ve blasted a hole in the ceiling bomb blast your way up.

Step 22-Optional
If you decided not to fight the Imago as listed in Step 20 then perhaps this
Super Missile will be much better for you to get, though you should find a
place to save before attempting to get it.  There’s a floating pillar just
above a floor that collapses. If you go through the floor you’ll end up right
in front of a save room so you can always loop around to get back to it.
Anyway, this floating pillar should have two greenish/bluish balls making it’s
way around it. Freeze one so that you can jump on it and freeze the other close
to the tank so you can jump on it without grabbing the missile. Run into the
next room and grab the Super Missile then run back out and fall through the
floor and save your game in the save room.  DO NOT do this step unless you want
to substitute an Energy Tank for  Super Missile or you didn’t fight the Imago.

Step 23-Optional
Alright, if you’ve been following this walkthrough then you should only have
two Energy Tanks.  From the save room that’s basically right next to Ridley’s
chamber run to the right and keep going right until you come to a place where
it seems like you can’t break through.  Shoot the blocks on the top and don’t
worry about the enemies below it, they can’t get to you.  The next area run
forward just a little bit and then shoot the ground.  Fall into the hole you
created and then grab the Energy Tank.  Then backtrack to the save room.

Step 24-BOSS
Before the battle with Ridley begins go and collect unknown item #3.  This is
the last of the mandatory items you need to grab.  Now this next part is
optional.  By now if you’ve been closely following this walkthrough then you
should have three energy tanks, one super missile tank, and the long beam as
your freebies.  After you collect unknown item 3 blast through the chozo block
and grab the Energy Tank.  This is the last freebie you get so this is the part
where if you have any doubts about how many items you collected you better
check.

Go back to Ridley’s chamber and run all the way up to the hatch.  Turn around
and Ridley enters the scene. As soon as the battle begins start blasting the
fire balls he shoots.  The little fire balls he spits out won’t turn into
anything but the damage they do will add up. You can’t afford to let a single
one through.  This will always be his first attack. When he jumps into the air
quickly jump over to the bridge and immediately go into Morph Ball form.  The
key to fighting Ridley in such a state of few missiles is to stay low.  Don’t
let him grab you or you could be done for.   Stay low and if you come out of
Morph Ball form make sure you’re not standing up.  Ridley likes to hover over
you, and that’s why for the majority of this battle you’ll be in morph ball
form.  When Ridley flies high and spits the large fire balls out then shoot
them to reveal missiles, super missiles and health.  This is also when Ridley
is the most vulnerable so fire like crazy and go nuts.  Don’t get hit by his
tail, it does at least 40 points of damage and could knock you into the lava
below.  To avoid this rely on the Morph Ball form and roll under him.  Hit him
with Super Missiles the most and hold out. This battle could take long since
you’ll have to stay down but it isn’t very difficult.

Step 25:
After the battle with Ridley go back to the elevator and when you get back up
go to the right after the wall collapses.  Go past the broken Chozo Statue and
keep to the right. You can’t go left since you don’t have the speed booster.
Jump on the platforms and blow a hole in the wall with a missile and then lay
down some bombs and bomb blast into the hole. Go to the launchers and blast
yourself up.

Step 26:
When you return to Norfair’s lower right hand shaft you’ll have to fire
missiles into a narrow passage.  Once that’s done you’ll have to propel
yourself up in Morph-Ball form.  Don’t grab the missile tank as you do so.  You
could also kick off these walls easily but doing this might cause you to grab
the missile.  Once you’re out of Norfair, it’s time to go to Tourian!

Step 27:
Getting through Tourian in such a state can be tough but if you play it smart
you’ll be safe.  The key is NOT to go to the Metroids but to let them come to
you. Since this part can be really tough for some I’ll guide you through it
all.  With each Metroid you freeze you’ll have to blast it with five missiles.
You can’t go forward until all the Metroids in an area are destroyed.  You
should have five regular missiles and two super missiles (not tanks, actual
missiles).  Let’s take this by area.  After you save your game in the save room
and go through the door this will be area one.

Area One:
No Metroids here.

Area Two:
Still nothing

Area Three:
You’ll encounter your first Metroid(s) here.  Freeze them and blast them away
with missiles. You may need to use a Super Missile depending on whether there
is one or more.  After each Metroid you face blast the orange rings for
missiles. Do this after EVERY Metroid you defeat.

Area Four:
This short little shaft has quite a few Metroids. The same rules apply.  Freeze
one and then blast it with five missiles.  When you freeze the next Metroid
leave it frozen and shoot some of the rings for missiles. Metroids don’t stay
frozen for long so be quick. You’ll have to go back and shoot them over and
over again to keep refreezing them.

Area Five:
Another place that contains quite a few Metroids. Again, freeze and blast.
Before you venture into area six make sure you’ve got some missiles or Super
Missiles ready.

Area Six:
When you enter this area go forward a little bit and wait for the Metroid. It
may or may not come. If it doesn’t you may need to go down and lure it up.
ONLY stay on the first ledge. If you need missiles then go to the lower left
hand corner of the room where the orange rings will regenerate quickly.  Lure
Metroids over there if need be.

Area Seven:
Nothing to worry about here.  There’s one Metroid in this area, but before you
proceed head into the save room to the right.  You’re almost to the mother
brain and this would be a bad place to fall.  When your done saving and you’ve
blasted through the floor and done battle with the Metroid you may proceed
forward.

Area Eight:
There are quite a few Metroids in here.  The shaft goes directly down but the
Metroids will come at you full force.  It’s incredibly easy to take damage here
and it’s harder to wait for the Metroid to come to you.  Keep shooting as you
move.  It’s also harder to blast the Metroids with the five necessary missiles
since a ring might get in your way.

Area Nine:
This place is tricky.  First, run all the way to the left of this area. Now get
into Morph ball form and roll a little bit back to the right and plant a bomb
to blow the floor open.  Go down into this area but be careful! The Metroids
attack in full force and you could be surrounded by more than one.  Freeze one
Metroid and blast it with a Super Missile if you have any.  Freeze the next one
pop it with five missiles.  After that lure the third one out and run back to
the left. Freeze the Metroid and wait for the rings to come so you can refill
your missiles. You’ll have to freeze the Metroid several times before you can
blast it with five missiles.  Now that your on the left get into Morph Ball
form again and plant a bomb to fall through the floor again.  Do the same thing
here that you did just before.  When you’ve exterminated all the Metroids you
may need to freeze a ring to get back to the top.  You’ll go into a save room.
Save your game and go to Area Ten.

Area Ten:
There are no Metroids here but this is a great place to restock on items and
health.  Shoot all the rings. The green rings always drop something and they’re
more likely to give you a Super Missile.

Area Eleven:
This is it! The confrontation with the Mother Brain.  Go forward to the left
and blast this Zebetite with two Super Missiles.  Then run back to Area ten and
restock on Super Missiles.  Then run back to area Eleven and blast the next
Zebetite.  Repeat this process until you get to the Mother Brain.  After you
destroy the last Zebetite it’s also a good idea to go back and save your game.
If you didn’t get the Super Missile tank then I hope you grabbed at least two
missile tanks because it takes 7-10 normal missiles to destroy one Zebetite
since they begin to grow back if you don’t eradicate them.

Step 28: BOSS
The Mother Brain herself isn’t hard, it’s the enemies that surround her that
will give you trouble.  The guns and the two rings that never stop coming at
you will give you trouble.  Freeze the rings and if you ever need ammo or
health you can destroy them.  But always freeze them if you want to assault the
Mother Brain. When the tank is still there blast it with normal missiles rather
than Super Missiles. When the tank shatters shoot a Super Missile into Mother
Brains’s eye.  Keep freezing the rings as you do this and jump over the Mother
Brain’s blast.  She doesn’t fire that often but it’s bad to be caught in a
crossfire between her and the rings AND the guns.  After you’ve exhausted your
Super Missiles hit her with normal missiles.  Soon you’ll be in victory. If you
ever run low on health STOP ATTACKING.  The Mother Brain’s blast is used mostly
as a counterattack so if you don’t attack her she won’t attack you.

Step 29:
Climb the tall shaft all the way to the top.  When you get there take the
elevator up and start blasting through the terrain.  When you get to the point
where you would normally use the speed boost, look up and you’ll see a hole in
the ceiling.  Bomb blast your way up. It could take a few seconds so make sure
you have plenty of time.  Then  Get into your ship and blast off!

Step 30:
Because of your lack of Energy Tanks this may very well be the hardest part in
the entire 15% game to do!  Keep your wits about you. You’ve only got that
pistol to go by.  As soon as you get into the mother ship and save in the first
save room the action begins.  If you can’t remember everything about this part
I’ll provide you with a walkthrough to get you through this area so that you
get spotted as little as possible.

As you exit the save room you’ll encounter your first pirate. As soon as you
land fire at him and stun him and jump to the upper left and crawl through the
tight space and make your way up. You’ll encounter another pirate, stun him and
keep going. In the next room you’ll need to crawl under the tight space and
then immediately jump into the hidden area.  The pirate will emerge and then
walk away.  Continue to the right into the next area.

In the next area you’ll encounter lasers. It doesn’t take a genius to figure
out that you can’t step in them so instead you’ll have to jump over them.  Hang
off the ledge of one and climb over it.  You’ll then come to another narrow
space.  Before you fire at this wall crawl all the way to the right and then
blast the wall. You’ll trigger an alarm but you’ll quickly be able to get back
up and continue to the right.  Avoid stunning pirates if possible and keep
going right.  You’ll come to a short shaft where you’ll fall through the first
portion.  Luckily you can jump all the way up.  You might need to stun a pirate
here but you shouldn’t have to if you climb fast.  When you get to the top of
this shaft run to the left and quickly hop over the column in your way.  A
pirate will emerge into the room and then exit.  From there head left and crawl
through the next passage.  After you pass under the escape pod you’ll fall
through the floor.  Head into the save room and restore any health you may have
lost and save your game.

When you exit the save room continue forward until you come to the red hatch.
Shoot the cracks in the ground and you’ll set off another alarm. Stun this
pirate and then crawl through the narrow space.  As you go through this portion
look for cracks in the floor and shoot at them.  You can try and get the space
pirates to shoot each other but it isn’t worth the risk.  You’ll fall through
the floor and when you do the alert will be over.

Now you’ve got to avoid the searchlights. If you get spotted, escape isn’t
impossible but the ambush comes from both sides.  So stay out of the light and
proceed with caution. If you get spotted you’ll have to run for your life until
you can see cracks in the floor and shoot them out.  You can wait there until
the alert is over and then get going again.

When you get out of this save room there will be lasers everywhere.  Jump on
the ledge of the first opening you’ve got.  Now, tap the jump button so you
don’t jump into the lasers.  Tap it again for the second jump. You’ll notice
that these blocks break away.  You’ve still got enough time to jump to the next
ledge.  It doesn’t seem possible to make it through here without setting off
the alarm but if you just tap the A button and then quickly crawl through the
narrow passage and jump IMMEDIATELY you’ll grab the ledge and you won’t fall
through the lasers.  Jump to the next column and then to the three collapsible
blocks and run across and jump right at the edge and you’ll latch onto the
laser.  Climb up and head through the door.

Almost right after the laser infested room you’ll be in another ambush.  You’ve
no choice but to run.  Stun the first pirate you see (preferably as your
falling) and then crawl through the narrow passage.  Shoot through the ground
but hug the left wall. You’ll probably still take damage but you won’t take as
much.  Run to the left and through the narrow passage and you’ll be chased into
the Chozo Ruins.  When you get into the Chozo Ruins quickly jump into the
shadows and a pirate will run right past you.  When the alarm is done with,
move forward.

Save your game in the save room and then go through the next area.  Avoid the
searchlights here just as you did before and start your climb. You  may need to
lose ground at some points but it’s okay.  If you’re spotted you could very
well be done for if you don’t haul yourself out of there quickly.  On hard mode
your almost sure to be killed. If you are spotted then climb up the passage
quickly and stun any pirate that gets in your way.  Don’t fall back down, when
you get to the top jump over the pit and let yourself fall.  Then run to the
right blasting away the blocks. It’s a bad idea to be crawling through here if
you got spotted. If you do get spotted you can easily lose your pursuers at the
end of the passage by jumping up top of the ledge and waiting.

Don’t crawl through the narrow passage, but continue up.  The eyes moving up
and down the walls can be avoided by hiding in the shadows, hanging of the
ledge. Even if your foot gets caught you’ll be spotted.  You can get through
this area without getting caught.  If you should get caught you’ll be running
for a while. You’ll have to proceed forward.  As you make your way through the
narrow passage shoot out the blocks in your way but don’t stop as these
collapse.  Fall down the pit and proceed left.  Keep running to the left and
don’t jump when you get to what looks like a dead end. Blast this wall and run!
Destroy the blocks jump over into the shadows and duck quickly.

There’s now nothing between you and the next save room so go there. Heal up and
save.  After the pirate walks away with the power bombs (not like you should
care you’re not getting them) follow him.  Keep out of the way of the eyes in
this next area. If you get spotted there’s almost no way to end this one for a
while.  So go through this area without setting off the alarm.

After the eyes its almost impossible to avoid detection in this hallway. You
can get away with stunning the first two pirates but the third one always spots
you.  When he does stun him and run for your life.  In the shaft you’ll have to
jump all the way to the top. Don’t stop to try and stun the pirate scaling the
wall.  When you get as far as you can go crawl through the narrow passage.
You’ll wind up crawling through a rather long one.  Turn around and stun the
pirate following you.  You’ll only need to do this twice.  You’ll notice more
pirates above you.  When the one in the second passage jumps off stun him and
run to the left and blast through the wall. Jump up the small chasms and keep
pushing to the left  Keep running, three more pirates will jump off ready to
give chase, ignore them and keep going to the left. Jump up all these blocks,
you can’t afford to screw up here or else the pirates will be all over you.
When you finally get up those four blocks, run to the right now and blast the
blocks that are in your way.  When you finally get to the right jump across
turn around and quickly blast the platform behind you and watch the pirates
fall.  Go to the save room and save your game.  What a run huh?

BOSS
The Chozo Guardian is actually going to be one of the easiest bosses you’ll
face.  There’s no way to heal and it doesn’t have many attacks.  You
watch…yourself in a bubble that if you shoot you’ll damage yourself.  When it
glows white and a power icon flashes shoot it!  Then you’ll have to avoid a bit
of lightning.  Keep running around, never stay stationary or you’ll be zapped.
Get the four spaces filled and you’ll get your power suit back.  The unknown
items will then become the standard Plasma Beam, Gravity Suit and Space Jump.

Step 31:
When the battle is done with and you’re decked out in your power suit again
it’s time to get going.  You may think you need the screw attack but you really
don’t.  As you leave the ruins back to the mother ship look for missile icons
in the ground and you can blast them with a missile and dive through.  Ignore
every power up.  Your intention is to head for the Robot Ridley.

Step 32:
When you get back to the mother ship start making your way up.  Again, there
are points where it seems like you need the screw attack but you won’t.  Next
to some screw attack blocks are missile blocks. Blast them with your missile
and then bomb blast up.  There is also a part where the way to go is actually
near the hatch you came in but you’ll have to blow a hole in the floor using
your power bombs.

Step 33:
Save your game in the save room just before the Robot Ridley and then make your
way up to the chamber.  Where you originally needed a power bomb block, you
don’t need it anymore.  There is a hidden passage in the ceiling.  You can
either bomb blast your way up or you can use the better (and less time
consuming) space jump and go over the power bomb block.  Move to the right and
go in to fight Robot Ridley.

Step 34-BOSS:
This can be a challenging fight if you don’t do it correctly.  The key to this
battle is the space jump.  Begin by avoiding it’s claw which causes several
points of damage.  Fire a Super Missile at its heart and it’ll back up.  Space
jump to the left wall and stay in the middle because it’ll spit a bunch of fire
balls out.  It’ll do this two or three times and then it won’t do it again.
It’ll fire lasers from its eyes so space jump to avoid those.  If you need a
refill on missiles or health then you can shoot the missiles but be careful!
It’s not a good idea to shoot its missiles from the ground if the robot is
swinging its claws.  You  may need to blast the missiles as your falling out of
your space jump.  Keep hounding away with the missiles. When you defeat it grab
all of the health because getting out of here won’t be quite that easy.

Step 35:
Time to escape.  From the Robot Ridley room run to the left and fire as your
doing so to blast the two space pirates that decided they’d show up to stop
your escape.  When in the next room aim and shoot up to reveal a passage.  Jump
into the passage and blast your way through.  Now you need to make your way to
the escape pod.

Step 36:
Due to your lack of energy tanks the two silver space pirates just before the
escape pod can be a pain.  The easiest way to take them out is to first go down
and lure them up to the upper area (without actually leaving the area).  As
they are making their way up keep firing.  They’ll need to stop and actually
jump up to try and catch you.  When they get close jump into the vent at the
top and roll to the left but not out of the area. The pirates will go and jump
off the ledge.  Now keep repeating that until they’re dead.  Don’t forget about
the last pirate who jumps out of the escape pod.  Kill him and jump into the
escape pod so you can be home free!

When the credits are done rolling, depending on whether or not you did this on
Hard mode or Normal mode will determine which pic of Samus you get.  Great! You
beat the game only grabbing 15% of the available items.  It wasn’t that hard
now was it?

SECERETS:
--------------------
Endings:
Ending 1-Either Beat the game in more than four hours or complete the game on
Easy Mode
Ending 2--Complete the game on Hard or Normal in 2-4 hours getting more than
15% of the items but less than 100%
Ending 3-Complete Hard or Normal in less than two hours with 16-99 of the
pickups
Ending 4-Complete the game more than two hours with 100% of the items on hard
or normal mode
Ending 5-Complete the game in less than two hours with 100% of the items on
Normal ONLY
Ending 6-Complete the game with 100% in less than two hours on Hard ONLY
Ending 7-Complete the game with 15% on Normal Mode
Ending 8-Complete the Game with 15% on Hard Mode

Original Metroid:
Complete the game once.

Gallery:
Complete the game getting any one of the eight endings

Unlock Hard Mode:
Complete the game once.

Unlock Sound Test:
Complete the Game on Hard Mode

Metroid Fusion Gallery:
Link up with Metroid Fusion to unlock the Metroid Fusion Gallery.

Those are the secrets I know so far. More are to come. You can either send them
to me or wait for updates.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS FAQ:
---------------------------
EASIER VARIA SUIT

Concerning step 12 I got a couple of e-mails about getting the Varia Suit in an
easier way without the ice-beam and without freezing the fiend. This, in my
opinion, is far better strategy than what I had and is less time consuming.  As
far as how easy they go...you decide. I find both easy this is just so much
faster! It's only fair to thank both contributors of this tip. Thanks go to
Monkeydook69 and Jared for the tip.  However, since I got Monkeydook69's first,
that shall be the one I post. Again, it goes in place of step 12 (and is also
in the walkthrough).

"Hey, excellent 15% metroid zero faq.  I was having a hard time getting
through it under 15 and your faq helped a lot.  There is an easier and way
faster way to get the varia suit.  Instead of using the flying enemy as a
stepping stone, you can easily use the bomb jump and make it up the room in ten
seconds.  First shoot out the first set of three fake blocks, and use your
power grip to grab onto the left most single fake block.  Now is where your
bomb jumping ability comes in.  You have to get the bomb jump going with your
first bomb, or else you'll break the block and fall back down. Once you get
started, keep going up until you're about to hit the ceiling.  As you are about
to set another bomb to keep the jump going, press and hold left, and you should
propel off of the last bomb and head left and onto the first ledge.  Jump up
and shoot out the fake block then quickly start a bomb jump and reach the
hatch."-Monkeydook69

CLOSING STATEMENTS:
----------------------------------
Well, credit should be given where it is due.  First I’d like to extend my
thanks to Nintendo Power for creating an awesome walkthrough and giving me the
idea to post it.  I used it as a reference but most of the strategies were mine
I guarantee (my six freebies differed a lot too).  I’d also like to thank my
brother for helping me write this walkthrough and helping me out with some of
the strategies.

Also, please don’t recreate or copy this guide. If you’d like to use it on your
web page or whatever than just ask. I usually say yes.

If anyone discovers an easier way to go about this stuff let me know and I’ll
add it in (hopefully).  Hope you enjoyed this walkthrough.  If you have any
questions or comments you can e-mail me at [email protected]. If you liked it
or disliked it let me know that too. If you disliked it I need something more
than just "That FAQ sucked!" Sorry but that just shows me that you know how to
waste your time (and I’ll assume you didn’t even read it).   Also, I won't
reveal your e-mail address, I'll just post everything before the @ symbol or
I'll give credit to whatever name you prefer.

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