Metroid: Zero Mission Cheats - GBA
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Defeating Kraid
To actually inflict damage to Kraid, you must first shoot him (either with a charged shot or with a missile) in his top eyeball. He will open his mouth and scream. When he does that, you can shoot charged shots or missiles in his mouth. After you wear him down somewhat, he will change colors. When this happens, his strategy also changes. He will destroy all of the blocks beneath you, except for one. He also moves closer to you and begins to use one of his arms to block shots/attack. When you shoot him in the head to open his mouth now, you only have a narrow window of opportunity to shoot his mouth as he raises his arm up. More than likely, you will be hit by his arm or claws. On his last stage, he will destroy the last block and you have to stand on the things he shoots into the wall. When you begin to run low on missiles or health, move to the ground. Avoid him moving forward, and shoot his claws when they get close. They will turn into health/missiles. Unless the claws hit you, you are otherwise invincible. When you have enough health/missiles, simply jump back up.
Defeating the Acid Worm
Jump to the hatch. You will go across acid. The acid worm will appear and try to hit you. Dodge the hit and shoot missiles at it. Repeat this until the worm is defeated.
Defeating the Larva in Norfair
When you are in Norfair after defeating Kraid, you will eventually encounter a larva that you cannot pass, he blocks the way. When you have the Varia suit, you will be able to go around. You will obtain the Wave Beam as well. You will reach a room that is more or less impossible to get out. The door turns to gray behind you. The path above you is blocked by a larva. You can destroy it with the Wave Beam by getting underneath it (on the level below) and shooting its belly. After you defeat it, you will move to the east, only to find a larva charging at you. To defeat it, fire Missiles, Charged Beam, or the regular Beam multiple times to push him back. After he passes the little plant (long and oval shaped on the ground; you can walk through it), morph into your ball and wait. He will buck up and start to charge. Just before he hits you, plant a bomb and roll to the east. If timed correctly, the bomb will explode under his belly. You will be able to tell if it works as he will take damage. Repeat this until he dies.
Defeating the Mother Brain
When attempting to acquire the 15% image gallery on hard mode, notice that the Mother Brain is at a difficulty level that makes it virtually impossible to defeat. However, a superior defense system will make defeating her about four times easier (based on how efficiently the following method is used). Once you reach the Mother Brain you should have the following optional items: two energy tanks, one missile expansion, and three super missile expansions. Note: One item equals a single percent; make sure not to exceed 15%. Once fighting the brain, fire both of your normal missiles, saving your super missiles until the glass collapses since it is your most powerful weapon and its ammunition is scarce. It is about five times as strong as a normal missile. When your energy depletes to about 65% to 75%, retain your maximum missile capacity, excluding super missiles. Now that you have both of your missiles, fire at the circular projectiles generated from the walls just using your normal beam. Once it/they have been destroyed (unless it/they left nothing) you will notice that it/they left a large energy replenisher. Note: Once in a while you will only obtain a small one or missile ammunition. Continue doing this whenever in need of energy. If this method is used efficiently it will prove to be the key to success. Note: To do a low dodge when fighting the Mother Brain, simply use the D-Pad to fall over to the ledge of the other small platform.
Defeating Ridley
To defeat Ridley much easier (this is also very helpful under the hard difficulty setting), hit him with missiles until he starts to move closer. Then, jump into the lava and shoot him again with missiles while he is above you. You will receive minor damage from the lava, but it is better than taking massive damage from his fireballs, grab, and tail attacks.
When attempting to defeat the Mechanical form of Ridley in a low percentage run (15% or less pick-up items) without the use of the Screw Attack, notice that there is a consistent pattern that this Boss demonstrates. It is imperative that you master the following pattern to win. Note: It is recommended that you open the door leading to the mechanical Form of Ridley with a missile, then return to the save station before actually fighting him. This provides you with the advantage of another missile. Once in combat with Ridley, switch to Super Missiles, then fire at the glass shield covering its heart with all your missile ammunition. Once you have run out of Super Missile ammunition, you will automatically convert over to normal missiles. Note: When fighting Ridley you must spend the majority of the duel in mid-air with the use of the Space Jump (provides you with infinite jumps). Now that your missile supply has been depleted, hold [R] to jump up to the left, avoiding the powerful swipe of Ridley's arm. While in mid-air, dodge the lasers fired from the eye. At the same time, wait for Ridley to launch his rockets, allowing you to replenish your low missile capacity storage unit. Once the rockets have been launched, you must react in different ways according to Ridley's movements. If Ridley fires the rockets and swipes at the same time, lure the rockets to the lower portion of the room then jump over them using your Space Jump ability. If done correctly, the rockets will be destroyed and you will have dodged his strike from its arm. However, if you forecast enough time to return to the floor without being hit by its arm, land (while still holding [R]) then immediately fire to destroy the rockets. This should provide you with more missile ammunition and/or energy. Note: If the second plan fails (Ridley fires its rockets and strikes simultaneously), convert to the previously mentioned plan. After you have fired the rest of your missiles, Ridley will lower its neck (preventing access to its heart) and retreat to the rear part of the room. When this happens, jump up to the top of the room to attact his attention. This will make him lift his head high enough allowing you to successfully fire at his exposed heart. This is the primary way to always maintain an offense even if the second plan mentioned repeatedly fails.
When you fight Ridley before Craid, it saves time because you are no longer commuting between Brinstar and Norfair. It is recommended that you do this when attempting a speed or low percent run. After you obtain the Ice Beam and pass the Chozo Statue, proceed until you are back in the area with the bubble-like back round. Once there, freeze the floating enemy when it is at the right portion of the room, making sure to not fall through the fake blocks. If you do, they will quickly dissipate as you fall through to the shaft below. Now that the enemy is encased in ice, use it to serve as a floating platform to gain access to the right portion of the room. When on the platform/enemy, jump up to the top of the room. Then while in mid-air, launch a missile. If done correctly, you will open an entrance leading to a passage which you can access as the morph ball. Once inside the vertical shaft, repeatedly press [B] + [Right]. This should uncover another horizontal shaft covered by a morph ball bomb block. When in the next vertical shaft, perform the same trick as you did in the first one. Alternately destroy the normal block overhead, then double jump off the walls to reach the top. Once through the series of passages, go to the right, falling down the long vertical shaft that stretches across Norfair. Note: To do a double jump, perform a spin jump up against a wall, then jump again in the opposite direction to obtain a second jump. When at the bottom of the last vertical shaft, fire a missile to the left. After exiting the passage, go left until you reach the save station. From there, proceed to the left, then fight the larva suspended from the ceiling. After the larva has been defeated, you gain access to Ridley.
Lay down a nonstop barrage of missiles. Ridley will screech and jerk away from you every few missiles and rarely gets a chance to get close. If he does and grabs you, let him have as many super missiles as you can spare. You will be at point blank range and be aiming down his throat and cannot miss. After a few super missiles, he simply drops you and you can resume the barrage.
Defeating the Underground Worm
The only way to defeat it is to use your missals. When the Underground Worm opens his eyes, immediately shoot it at least once before it closes. Do this two more times to defeat it. Note: If you are not quick enough to defeat it, it will run away. Also, if you defeat the first Underground Worm, you will get the Charge ability.
Kraid to Norfair
When in Kraid and you have the Screw Attack, go down the elevator from Brinstar to Kraid. Get off the elevator and go down to the third door on the vertical shaft of the elevator. Go down the horizontal shaft behind the third door. Keep going to the right until you reach the save station. Go to the right wall and you will see a hall blocked by blocks. Jump to it with the Screw Attack and go to Norfair.
Brinstar Super Missile
In a hidden area of the first long, vertical shaft in the Brinstar area, there is a Super Missile Tank under a low passage filled with charge blocks. Initially, it looks impossible to attain this item, but there is a way to get it, after you get the High Jump item. Roll into Morph Ball form through the low passage to the right. Note where you appear on the screen. At the same level on the right-hand side of the screen is another ledge. Get to this ledge and go right, bombing your way through the room with the two Rippers and coming back up to the surface in front of a door. Stand with your back against the wall, and wait until the bomb block returns, then shoot open the door and run to the right. Continue running until your Speed Booster activates, then immediately press [Down] to store the charge. Run back to the left, quickly shooting open the door, and in the "dip" in the floor level before the door, roll into Morph Ball form and press [A], then [Left]. If done correctly, you will blast to the left, crashing through some charge blocks in the next room, and destroying both Rippers on your way through the hidden room. After you leave the hidden room, as the screen is scrolling, you should hear the Speed Boost sound effect start again. Immediately hold [Down] until after you appear on the next screen to store your charge again. Roll out of the hidden passage, jump onto the lower platform, then press [A], then [Left] again. If you have done everything correctly, you will blast through the hidden passage on the left side of the screen, crash through the charge blocks and collect the Super Missile Tank. Many items in this game can only be attained through creative uses of Samus' dashing attack like this; any time you see an item that is blocked by charge blocks, look for areas nearby where you can build up enough speed to activate the Speed Booster.
Always have a full energy tank
When you reach a Chozo Statue, roll into the Morph Ball and go in its hand. You will have your energy tank filled. Roll into it again, this time planting a bomb. Go into another room, then return to the room with the Chozo Statue. Roll into the hand, and you can heal Samus again. Repeat this as many times as desired.
Get out of Chozodia
After you get the Gravity Suit back and get the Power Bombs, you can go back to Brinstar, Kraid, Norfair, etc. with the new upgrades. Go to Chozo Ruins (green unmapped part) and to the lower part. You can get a Super Missile Tank. There is a long path that leads back to Crateria. You can use the Power Bombs and get more items. You can travel back and forth to Chozodia if desired.
Reach Chozodia energy tank
In Chozodia, use the following trick to get get to the energy tank which is surrounded by meticulously placed security lasers. You would normally need to space jump around to reach it. Instead, start at the last blue door before the Ridley robot. Run to the left until your Speed Booster charges then go through the hole. Drop to just above the bottom security laser and Speed Booster Jump to the right to the energy tank.
Morph Ball jump
Once you get the Morph Ball Bombs, you can get to some high places that would normally require High-Jump or Space-Jump. Get into Morphball and start laying down bombs. You will bounce when they explode. Keep pressing [A] repeatedly and you can go as high as desired. Note: This requires some patience as you may fall often.
Morph Ball high jump
When you have the Morph Ball Bomb item, press [B]x8. Repeat until you are as high as possible.
Fly with the Morph Ball Bomb
To basically fly in Morph Ball form, first get the Morph Ball Bomb. Then quickly tap B. The bombs will eventually carry you straight up. This is a quick way to get up to high places without repeatedly jumping.
Dash attack
After running far enough to activate the Speed Boost, press [Down] to temporarily store the energy. Samus will continue to flash and can perform a dash attack by pressing [A], then the direction of the charge. Samus can also dash in Morph Ball form. This charge can break Speed Booster blocks to reach items that are otherwise unattainable.
15% Image Gallery
When attempting to unlock the 15% Image Gallery (one of the most difficult gallery to unlock), at the very end of the game after you have destroyed the mechanical form of Ridley, when evacuating you will encounter two heavily armored Space Pirates. To defeat these enemies first, use your flying somersault capability and jump down to the bottom of the room without touching the floor. Once you have caught their attention, immediately return to the upper floor. Wait until they are just getting over the edge, then blast them repeatedly. After shooting them, they will stop for a brief moment to attack. Do a spin jump to dodge the attack and land on the lower level of the room. After that, they will pursue you, jumping down to the bottom of the room. As soon as they land, fire a few shots then quickly return to the upper level of the room. Repeat the steps until they have both been defeated. Note: After the Space Pirates have been destroyed and you are docking their space vessel, a Space Pirate will attack by jumping out of the cockpit. Hold [L] and fire at him with the normal beam (not missiles).
When attempting to acquire any 15% gallery, skipping unnecessary pick-up items is critical. To skip the Super Bomb upgrade, jump onto the left side of the block that you encounter in the third room from the Mechanical Form of Ridley. From there, jump directly up using your Space Jump ability. If done correctly, you will grab onto a ledge which leads to a shaft that you can access by using the Morph Ball.
Super Mario Bros reference
There is a Super Mario Bros. reference found throughout the game that is easy to find. Take a close look at the pipes from which the small flying enemies appear from. You will notice that they are the same design of the pipes from of the Super Mario Bros. series. The green pipes that you find most closely resemble the Super Mario Bros. pipes. Be careful when looking at the pipes, as the flying enemies that leave them do not stop appearing. Shoot them before they hit you.
Glitch: Get Varia Suit early
This trick requires the Power Grip, Ice Beam, Morph Ball, Morph Ball Bomb, Missiles, Charge Beam, and Long Beam. Go to the first Chozo Statue you reach. Go up the vertical shaft three doors. Enter the third door. Go into the next vertical shaft. Go to the top door and enter it. Go to the room just before the save location. Shoot up all under it .Wait for the ledge alone to come back. Jump up, grab it, pull yourself up. Without falling off, go left until the next block breaks. Stay there and do the "Morph Ball high jump" trick until you hit the ceiling. Go to the right, shoot up, and use the Power Grip for the rest.
