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Metroid Database.com

The #1 source for Metroid since 1996.

Use the links below to download a PDF of scans of either the original NES manual or the GameBoy Advance manual.

Below is a textual copy of the NES Metroid owner's manual. 

METROID
By Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System
US Instruction Manual copyright 1987 Nintendo of America Inc.

Typed by TJ Rappel for the Metroid Database

[front cover]

1
[IFC]
Nintendo quality seal
[text omitted]

2
Thank you for selecting the Nintendo Entertainment System METROID Pak.
Please read this instruction booklet to ensure proper handling of your new game,
and then save the booklet for future reference.

Table of Contents
The Metroid Story..................................................3
How to Start Playing Metroid.......................................9
Important Points to Remember to Advance the Game..................11
Pitting Samus Against the Mother Brain............................16
The Key to Winning: Hunt Out the Power Items......................21
Hordes of Enemy Characters on the Fortress Planet Zebes...........27

(c) 1987 Nintendo of America Inc.

3
The METROID Story
In the year 2000 of the history of the cosmos, representatives from the many different
planets in the galaxy established a congress called the Galactic Federation, and an age
of prosperity began. A successful exchange of cultures and civilization resulted, and
thousands of interstellar spaceships ferried back and forth between planets. But space
pirates also appeared to attack the spaceships.

4
The Federation Bureau created the Galactic Federation Police, but the pirates' attacks
were powerful and it was not easy to catch them in the vastness of space. The Federation
Bureau and the Federation Police called together warriors known for their great courage
and sent them to do battle with the pirates. These great warriors were called
"space hunters." They received large rewards when they captured pirates, and made
their living as space bounty hunters.

5-6
It is now year 20X5 of the history of the cosmos, and something terrible has happened.
Space pirates have attacked a deep-space research spaceship and seized a capsule 
containing an unknown life-form that had just been discovered on Planet SR388. This
life-form is in a state of suspended animation, but can be reactivated and will
multiply when exposed to beta rays for 24 hours. It is suspected that the entire
civilization of Planet SR388 was destroyed by some unknown person or thing, and there
is a strong possibility that the life-form just discovered was the cause of the 
planet's destruction. To carelessly let it multiply would be extremely dangerous.
The Federation researchers had named it "Metroid" and were bringing it back to Earth--
when it was stolen by the space pirates!

If Metroid is multiplied by the space pirates and then used as a weapon, the entire
galactic civilization will be destroyed. After a desperate search, the Federation
Police have at last found the pirates' headquarters, the fortress planet Zebes, and
launched a general attack. But the pirates' resistance is strong, and the Police 
have been unable to take the planet. Meanwhile, in a room hidden deep within the
center of the fortress, the preparations for multiplying the Metroid are 
progressing steadily.

7-8
As a last resort, the Federation Police have decided on this strategy: to send a
space hunter to penetrate the center of the fortress and destroy Mother Brain. The
space hunter chosen for this mission is Samus Aran. He is the greatest of all the
space hunters and has successfully completed numerous missions that everybody thought
were absolutely impossible. He is a cyborg: his entire body has been surgically
strengthened with robotics, giving him superpowers. Even the space pirates fear his
space suit, which can absorb any enemy's power. But his true form is shrouded
in mystery.

The planet Zebes is a natural fortress. Its sides are covered with a special kind of
stone, and its interior is a complicated maze. On top of that, the pirates have 
planted devices and booby traps in the maze, and the pirates' eery [sic] followers
lie in wait around every corner. Samus has now succeeded in penetrating Zebes. But
time is running out. Will he be able to destroy the Metroid and save the galaxy?

9-10
How to Start Playing Metroid
1. Title
2. Start or Continue
	* Use the Select button to choose either START or CONTINUE. You can
	  enter either mode with the START button.
	* If you choose START, the game begins.
	* If you choose CONTINUE, the Passoword screen appears.
3. Password Screen
	* Use the control pad to move the cursor and select letters and numbers.
	* Press button A to register the letter or number.
	* You can backspace the register position by pressing button B.
	* When you finish the password, push the START button and the game will begin.
	* If you make a mistake in selecting the password, when you press the
	  START button, the warning "ERROR! TRY AGAIN!" will appear below the password.
4. When the Game Is Over
	* "GAME OVER" will appear.
	* The password will appear. At this point, if you press the START button,	
	  you can continue your last game.
	* If you use the password when you start a new game, you can continue
	  your old game using that password.

11
Important Points to Remember to Advance the Game
Destroy the Giant Mechanical Organism--the Mother Brain!

Samus' mission is to destroy the Mother Brain in the planets' central base.
On the way, he continues to search endlessly, and to kill the Mini-Bosses that he meets.

12
How to Use the Controller
The Controller [I] has several parts. The control pad lets you move Samus.
Button A makes him jump. You can select weapons with the SELECT button.
You can attack enemies with button B.

	1			1 - Aims beam weapon up.
	|			2 - Moves Samus left or right.
     +--|------------------+	3 - Selects beam missile.
     |	[]		   |	4 - Shoots beam or sets bomb.
 2----[]  [] sel st   B  A |	5 - Jump
     |  []   ==  ==   O  O |	6 - Curl up
     +--|----|---|----|--|-+	7 - Pause
        |    |   |    |  |
        6    3   7    4  5

13
Reading the Scren Displays
During the Game, data on Samus will appear on the screen display, as shown in
the picture to the right. In the beginning, only the amount of entergy will be
displayed. But later on, when Samus captures an energy tank or missile, those
numbers will be displayed. Pay attention to this data!

	+-Energy amount
	|        +-Number of energy tanks
	|	 |
	|        []
	EN -- 93
	<=}} 010-----Number of missiles

When Samus captures an energy ball...
When an enemy is destroyed, an energy ball is sometimes given off. If this energy
ball is captuered, Samus' energy is increased, but his energy cannot increase
beyond 99 without extra energy tanks.

14
Hunt out the POwer Items and boost Samus' power!
At the start of the game, Samus carries only a short beam. You have to boost
Samus' power by finding the rooms that contain Power Items and capture them.
Boosting Samus' power gives him new ways to attack--such as wave beams, screw
attacks, and bomb-setting. There are 10 Power Items in total. Collect as many
as you can to fortify Samus.

15
The 3 zones of the fortress Zebes!
The three zones inside the fortress are called,
Brinstar (rocky zone), Norfair (fire zone), and Tourian (central base).
You have to clear the first two zones before you can reach Tourian.

Search out and destroy the Mini-Bosses!
The Mini-Bosses have their hideouts in Brinstar and Norfair. Zap them to clear the area
and move on. When they are both down, you can make a bridge that will take you to
Tourian.

16
Pitting Samus Against the Mother Brain
First, clear the giant maze.
The interior of the planet Zebes is a winding, complicated maze. Samus must
attack the walls with beams and bombs while searching for the secret passageway
through which he can advance. Use the map on the next page to work out where Samus is.
Or better still, make a map of your own to guide you.

17-18
[Vague map of Zebes]
This shows you what the inside of the fortress planet looks like. The Mini-Bosses
have their hideouts in Brinstar and Norfair. Find and zap two Mini-Bosses to 
build the bridge from the corridor that leads into Tourian and get to the Central
base containing Mother Brain. Three kinds of gates will block your way. The blue ones
open with one blast from your beam; it takes 5 missile blasts to open the red ones
and 10 missile blasts to open the other ones.

19
All paths start at Brinstar.
None of the fierce enemies appear at the start of the game. Use this time wisely
to get rid of all the minor enemies and boost Samus' power. Warning! Beware of the
water! Fall in and Samus' energy is weakened.

Face the treacherous fire-sea of Norfair!
If Samus falls into the fire-sea his energy seeps away. You haven't got much
foot-room. The trick is to watch where you land.

20
Watch out! Two Mini-Bosses are lying in wait.
In Brinstar and Norfair, Samus has to search out the Mini-Bosses in their hideouts
and zap them. Look for the corridors that lead to their hideouts. Renew your
energy and zoom ahead.

At last! You're close to Tourian.
Once you've gotten rid of two of the Mini-Bosses, you hav eto hit the Mini-Boss
statues at the entrance to Tourian in order to build the bridge. Now you're ready
to enter Tourian. The only way you can kill the Metroid is to freeze it with your
ice-beam and attack it with missiles. Will Samus discover at last the true nature
of the Giant Mechanical Organism, the Mother Brain?

21
The Key to Winning: Hunt Out the Power Items
Samus' power of attack is weak at the beginning of the game and he is armed
with only a short beam. It is essential to hunt out the Power Items to strengthen him.

To make the Power Items appear...
Rooms containing Power Items are hidden somewhere in the fortress Zebes. Find the
rooms and hit the crystal ball held by the statue, to make a Power Item appear.

22
Long Beam
It lengthens the attacking range of your beam. It can also boost the range of the
ice beam and the wave beam. Useful for attacking enemies from a distance.

Ice Beam
This allows you to freeze an enemy temporarily. If you already have a long beam,
then the ice beam becomes a long ice beam. This can't be used at the same time
as the wave beam. When you freeze an enemy, you can climb over it.

23
Wave Beam
The beams are wave-shaped and are stronger than normal beams. If you already have
a long beam, the long beam becomes a long wave beam.

Screw Attack
This super strong Power Item spins in flight to attack the enemy. Samus' armor
flashes during a screw attack.

24
High Jump
With these boots, Samus can jump one-and-a-half times higher than he normally can.
Jumping high walls to get to new zones are no problem to him with these. Be sure
to get ahold of them.

Varia
This raises Samus' powers of resistance and cuts in half the amount of energy he
uses up when attacked by an enemy. It is most useful in combat with the deadliest
enemies.

25
Maru Mari
Samus grows small and round like a ball when he gets this Power Item. Useful when
travelling along narrow passageways, it will help him until his energy runs out.

Bomb
Samus can use this bomb while he is still small and round. Use the B button to
attack an enemy with the bomb. Use the blast to break down barriers. You will
need bombs when escaping from the Metroid.

26
Energy Tank
Energy is stored in these tanks. Normally, the amount of storable energy cannot go
above 99, but with each tank it grows by 100. You can collect as many as 6. Keep
your eye out for them and save as much energy as you can.

Missile Rocket
This stores the missiles. If you capture one, you get 5 more missiles. Collect
missiles from defeated enemies. You can store a maximum of 255. Press the Select
button to select the missile and press the B button to fire.

27
Hordes of Enemy Characters on the Fortress Planet Zebes
Enemy characters have different personalities, butthey all try to obstruct Samus'
progress. You have to memorize the places each character is likely to appear and
the best way to overcome them.

First, the enemy characters in Brinstar
There are 7 types of enemy characters in Brinstar. Zap them as they appear,
then move on!

Mellow
These creatures can pass through walls. They like to chase after you in groups.

28
Zeb
These occassionally fly out of air holes. Remember! It takes one blast of the normal
beam to destroy the yellow ones and two blasts to destroy the red ones.

Zoomer
These fierce little creatures spray sticky fluid from their feet so they can move
along the floor or up and down walls. There are two kinds: red zoomers and less
powerful yellow zoomers.

29
Skree
They stick to the ceiling and lie in wait for Samus. When he approaches, they 
spin downwards to attack him.

Waver
These powerful enemies flutter around in irregular patterns. Shoot at them
or they'll attack.

Ripper
These strange creatures do not have brains. They simply fly around sluggishly
in straight lines.

Rio
These are also pretty strong. They zoom down to attack Samus from the upper walls.
The red ones are stronger than the yellow ones.

30
Enemies in Mini-Boss Hideout I
Mini-Boss Hideout I is hidden somewhere in Brinstar and there are 7 kinds of
enemies inside it.

Memu
They can pass through rocks and walls. Be careful as they fall on Samus in groups.
They are the weakest enemy in the hideout, so it's up to you to destroy them.

Geega
They come out through air holes and fly sideways. There are two types and the
brown ones have twice the strength.

31
Skree
They use their wings like drills to descend from the ceiling and attack Samus. Be
careful of rock splinters when they are digging into the ground.

Zeela
These boneless animals creep along horizontal and vertical surfaces. They normally
live underground. The blue ones are the strongest.

Ripper
These slow creatures don't attack but fly aimlessly in straight lines. It is wiser
to run away from them than to try fighting them.

32
Side Hopper
These powerful enemies attack Samus while hopping. Be careful, the Side Hopper's
strength is second only to the Mini-Boss. Destroy him with one missile blast.

Kraid
This is the head of the Mini-Boss hideout. He hurls horns from his stomach and back.
Be very careful of his fierce attacks. If Samus gets hit by him, his energy will be
weakened a lot.

33
Next, the Norfair enemies!
There are 9 kinds of enemy characters in Norfair. Make sure you know their deadly
specialties.

Mella
These move in groups and can pass through walls and rocks. They are the weakest
and a single blast of the normal beam will lay them flat.

Squeept
They emerge from the lava and sink back into it. It takes more than one blast of
the normal beam to destroy them.

Polyp
These are poisonous lumps of lava that are blown out of the air holes. They are weak
enemies and have no life force.

34
Nova
Their entire bodies are covered in spiky, fireproof wool and they crawl around
the floor. A missile blast will kill them. If using the normal beam, it takes
two blasts to kill the blue ones and four blasts to kill the yellow ones.

Gamet
Their bodies are covered by a super-hard shell. They fly out of the air holes and 
attack Samus. The reds [sic] ones have twice the strength as the others.

35
Ripper II
These Rippers are more advanced than the Rippers who appear in the rocky zone. They
can spit fire and fly at high speed. They look the same as the other Rippers but
they fly a lot faster.

Dragon
These ancient Dragons live in the lava and stick their heads out to blow fire at
Samus. Beware! If Samus is hit by their fire blasts, his energy weakens.

36
Multiviola
These simple-structure organisms are reflected off the walls and bounce around.
They are pretty powerful but are difficult to attack with the normal beam as the
walls reflect them and they are always moving. Use a Power Item to boost power first.
One missile blast will then destroy them.

Geruta
The skin on these powerful opponents can generate fire and radiate the energy inside
their bodies. Be especially careful of the strong red ones. These creatures are the
most powerful to appear in this scene.

37
Enemies in Mini-Boss Hideout II
Mini-Boss Hideout II is hidden somewhere in Brinstar and there are 6 kinds of
enemies inside it.

Zebbo
These fly out of the air holes. A single blast will lay the blue ones flat, but it
takes two blasts to destroy the yellow ones. These are the weakest opponents in the
hideout.

Holtz
These creatures fly down from the ceiling, attack Samus then fly back up. Armor-plated
like the Geruta, they are also armed with two horns. It takes several blasts of the
normal beam or a single missle blast to destroy them.

38
Viola
These are Multiviola larvae and they crawl along the ground. It takes two blasts of
the normal beam to destroy the blue ones and four blasts or one missile blast to
destroy the yellow ones.

Multiviola
These also appear in the fire region. You have to be extra careful of them as they
move much faster. These are the products of the life force that Mother Brain
breathes into the molten rock. They have the same attacking power as the Holtz
and the Dessgeega from the same habitat.

39
Dessgeega
They jump toward Samus to attack him and are the second strongest creature in the
hideout after the Mini-Boss. It takes several blasts of the normal beam or one
missile blast to destroy them.

Ridley
It's the head of Mini-Boss Hideout II. It jumps up into the air and breathes fire.
It's the original life form of the planet Zebes and is controlled by Mother Brain.
Destroy it and you win 75 missile blasts!!!

40
The enemies in Tourian
Conquer the unknown organism, the Metroid and destroy the almighty Mother Brain.

Rinka
These fireball creatures suddenly appear in the last scene. Lots of them appear
but they are not very strong.

Metroid
This protoplasm in suspended animation was discovered on the planet SR388. It clings
onto Samus' body and sucks his energy. It can't be destroyed directly with the normal
beam. Freeze it with the ice beam, and then fire 5 missile blasts at it.

41
Zeebetite
This energy source is vital for keeping Mother Brain alive. It is no more than a
life-supporting system and therefore won't attack, but it must be destroyed and only
missiles will do the job. One missile blast is not enough. Other weapons are harmless
against it. You have to keep throwing missiles or it will simply come to life again.

42
Mother Brain
Mother Brain lies in the central bast of the fortress planet Zebes, the home of
the space pirates. Its aim is to cultivate Metroid to multiply and conquer space.
Zeebetite is its energy source. You have to discover Mother Brain's weak point before
you can launch a missile attack. When hit, it makes a shrieking noise.

If you destroy the Mother Brain...
If you manage to destroy the last enemy, Mother Brain, wait for a message to flash
across the screen a second later. Something big is in store for you! We can't
disclose it here, but we can tell you that the game is not over yet!

NOTE: The total time you take to complete your mission determines its final outcome.

43
CHECK BOARD
DATE	LAST SCENE	PASSWORD

44
DATE 	LAST SCENE	PASSWORD

45
COMPLIANCE WITH FCC REGULATIONS
[text omitted]

46
[IBC]90-DAY LIMITED WARRANTY NINTENDO GAME PAKS
[text omitted]

[back cover]
Nintendo logo
NINTENDO OF AMERICA, INC. P.O. BOX 957, REDMOND, WA 98052
Printed in Japan

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