The 10 Most STRESSFUL Moments in Metroid Games

10 Most Stressful Moments in Metroid Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at moments across the “Metroid” series that stressed us out and made us clench our controllers.

Chased by Diggernaut

“Metroid: Samus Returns” (2017)

Diggernaut offers one of the more challenging boss fights in “Samus Returns.” But before you can fight this hulking machine, you have to survive getting chased by it. Few things send a spike of panic through your body quicker than being pursued by a giant, relentless robot. With no way to fight back, your only option is to run, and sometimes roll, through collapsing tunnels and treacherous obstacles. All the while, Diggernaut’s massive drills chew through the environment right behind you. You have to think quickly about the path you’re navigating, because Diggernaut naturally moves as fast as it can. The slightest misstep means instant pulverization, making it feel awfully good when you finally make it out.

Exploring the Valhalla

“Metroid Prime 3: Corruption” (2007)

“Metroid” usually nails its atmosphere. And there are few places in the series that feel as overwhelmingly grim as the G.F.S. Valhalla in “Metroid Prime 3.” Once a respected battleship, it has been turned into a graveyard due to a Space Pirate attack. All throughout the claustrophobic hallways, you’ll find corpses of allies and enemies alike, as well as tense logbooks detailing what happened. It’s an excellent case of environmental storytelling. Of course, despite the bodies, Samus isn’t alone. Lurking in the shadows are all kinds of beasts just waiting to jump out at you. From the eerie, unnatural silence that greets you, to the feeling that something is waiting around every corner, the Valhalla leaves you on edge until the moment you get out.

Hasty Escapes

Various

There are certain features of “Metroid” we’ve all come to expect. And the hasty escape during a self-destruct sequence is one of the most iconic. These tend to come after a big boss fight, and the entire setting around Samus begins to rumble and come crashing down. Even though we’ve come to expect them, these rarely get less stressful. A clock ticking down as you navigate crumbling environments, avoiding enemies and hazards, is a tried and true recipe for panic. Whether it’s Zebes self-destructing at the end of “Super Metroid,” the BSL ship crashing into a planet in “Metroid Fusion,” or more recently the Flare Pool facility completely melting down in “Metroid Prime 4,” these moments never fail to stress us out.

Zero Suit

“Metroid: Zero Mission” (2004)

As a remake of the first game, “Zero Mission” brought a lot of needed improvements. It also gave players an entirely new sequence near the end, and one that is harrowing to say the least. After defeating Mother Brain, Samus’s ship is attacked, crashing into some ruins swarming with Space Pirates. And without a power suit, she must stealthily navigate through them in order to find a new suit. Samus is much more vulnerable in this state, and her tiny peashooter of a blaster doesn’t do much to defend herself with. Understandably, she dies pretty quickly as soon as a Space Pirate spots her. And as the enemies continue to hunt you down, it’s easy for the pressure to get to you.

Hiding from SA-X

“Metroid Fusion” (2002)

It isn’t long into “Metroid Fusion” when we’re introduced to the SA-X, Samus’ doppelganger born from a deadly parasite fusing with her powersuit. The SA-X hunts you throughout the game. And each time it shows up, with its heavy footsteps echoing throughout the station, it’s enough to make your body go rigid. There’s nothing you can do but hide, and try to evade if it spots you. It isn’t as if you have a lot of space to maneuver in either. Knowing it has access to Samus’ full arsenal obviously does nothing to ease your discomfort. And since you can’t hurt SA-X until its actual boss fight later, these types of cat and mouse encounters are masterclasses in building tension.

The Phazon Mines

“Metroid Prime” (2002)

Deep within the planet Tallon IV lies “Metroid Prime’s” most hellish difficulty spike. Each room in the Phazon Mines was specifically designed to push back against you with the most oppressive force. There are some enemies with truly annoying tactics, like camouflaged Space Pirates that ambush you unawares, and Fission Metroids, which split into two after taking enough damage. In some sections, you must also contend with Phazon gas, which damages Samus over time. Not only are there some dangerous threats, but save opportunities are few and far between. So, you can end up struggling through, only to die and have to redo it all. Needless to say, the stress is intense.

Lost in Maridia

“Super Metroid” (1994)

Entering Maridia for the first time in “Super Metroid” is often met with a mix of awe and immediate disorientation. The underwater locale is certainly impressive, but that feeling vanishes soon after you start to explore it. Part of what makes it a lot for most players to deal with is the change in physics. You have to get used to moving underwater, and dealing with new enemies with different tactics. Then, there’s the layout to consider; a confusing jumble of interconnected rooms that all look frustratingly similar, making it easy to get turned around and lost. It’s a perfect combination to make you lose your cool, watching your health disappear as you retread the same rooms.

Surviving Tourian

“Metroid” (1987)

The NES original is obviously very tough, and it reaches its crescendo during the final area, Tourian. Here, Samus heads towards the big bad, Mother Brain. Unfortunately, there’s an army of Metroids standing in her way. Trying to make it through tight hallways, defending yourself against quick-moving, life-sucking parasites, is a surefire way to make your heart rate skyrocket. The moment when a Metroid latches on, the fear of the damage it will do before letting go is immense. It makes it so every door into a new area brings unparalleled anxiety. And then you still have Mother Brain to fight afterwards, which also brings stress through a swarm of projectiles and a lava pool that’s all too easy to fall into.

Hunted by E.M.M.I.

“Metroid Dread” (2021)

There are a handful of E.M.M.I. in “Metroid Dread.” And each of them has the ability to make you grip your controller in fear, hold your breath as they search for you, and issue a storm of creative curses should they spot you. A series of Galactic Federation robots corrupted to hunt Samus, these machines are highly durable. They can only be destroyed after Samus charges her arm cannon at specific locations. But as you move through the game, they gain new skills that make them even deadlier. While they patrol certain areas, this being a “Metroid” game means you’ll sometimes return to their sections while progressing the story, giving them ample opportunities to hunt you down.

Dark Torvus Bog

“Metroid Prime 2: Echoes” (2004)

Any time that Samus has to navigate Dark Aether, the parallel dimension version of the game’s main planet, you’re bound to feel at least a little tense. That’s because the atmosphere constantly drains her health. In the Dark Torvus Bog, you’ll find what is perhaps the most dangerous of these moments. On top of being forced to constantly be on the lookout for safe zones, while the intimidating enemies that populate the area try to rip you limb from limb, the first time you visit leads to a boss fight against the Boost Guardian. This has become an infamous fight due to the boss’ extremely irritating attack patterns. But dealing with those AND the fact that you’re constantly losing health is just plain mean.

What’s the most stress you’ve ever felt while playing the “Metroid” series? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!