The second game in the series for the Game Boy Advance, Metroid: Zero Mission is Nintendo’s follow-up to the excellent Metroid Fusion and a remake of the original Metroid. The game would initially arrive on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, later becoming available across multiple Nintendo platforms as part of the Virtual Console service. The game borrows heavily from the template established by Super Metroid and expands on the gameplay of the original NES Metroid by updating it to be more in line with the later SNES and GBA games. As a bonus, Nintendo included the original Metroid as an unlockable bonus for players after beating Zero Mission for the first time.
While Zero Mission is a commendable remake and a great Metroid game in its own right, the title sits slightly below Metroid Fusion in terms of both its critical reception and commercial success. Some of the main criticisms lobbied at the title include its shorter length and relative lack of challenge in comparison to both Fusion and the original Metroid. Still, Zero Mission is largely considered one of the greatest Game Boy Advance games, and its sales figures go a long way toward supporting that assertion. The title holds an impressive 800,000 units sold, placing it as the second best-selling game in the series on the GBA.
Metroid: Zero Mission Premise
©Metroid: Zero Mission gameplay screenshot – Original
Zero Mission, like the game it reimagines, is an open-ended action platformer. As the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, players land on a strange alien planet and explore its corridors. Certain areas of the map are inaccessible until Samus gains new upgrades that are scattered around the map in places both obvious and secret. Gaining new abilities unlocks new portions of the map for Samus to explore, which she accomplishes through a mix of both platforming and combat. Combat in the Metroid games is largely focused on shooting, with Samus having access to a beam that shoots different kinds of projectiles as well as Missiles and the more powerful Super Missiles.
Where Zero Mission enhances the core Metroid experience is through the addition of features first introduced in the original’s sequels. While the original Metroid does not include a map for players to pull up and reference, Zero Mission does. Further, Zero Mission expands on the map of the original game and adds new biomes to explore and bosses to defeat. The main metrics that track player progress are their completion time and item collection percentage. Depending on how quickly players beat Zero Mission and how many of its items and upgrades they collect, they earn different endings that show Samus in various ending images. Players can subsequently view these images in a gallery accessible from Zero Mission‘s main menu.
Metroid: Zero Mission Main Characters
©Metroid: Zero Mission key art – Original
Central to the Metroid series and Metroid: Zero Mission is the game and franchise’s face, bounty hunter Samus Aran. Raised by the mysterious and technologically advanced Chozo, Samus wears a special power suit. This suit grants her superhuman abilities and is built using Chozo technology, allowing her to absorb special upgrades throughout her journeys in places where the Chozo have visited and left their mark. As the first game in the series, Zero Mission retells the events of the original NES Metroid and Samus’ fight against the Space Pirates. When the Space Pirates begin collecting and breeding Metroids to use the creatures as biological weapons, the Galactic Federation sends in Samus to put a stop to their plans. Main characters in Metroid: Zero Mission include:
- Samus Aran: Samus is an intergalactic bounty hunter and fearsome warrior. Despite being human, her upbringing came about courtesy of the Chozo, who taught Samus an array of combat abilities and constructed a special power suit for her to use.
- Mother Brain: Mother Brain is the evil AI that controls the Space Pirates. Her discovery of the Metroids on SR-388 prompts her to command the Space Pirates to collect and breed the creatures as a makeshift army.
- Ridley: Ridley is the commanding officer of the Space Pirates and Mother Brain’s main lieutenant. A fearsome dragon-like creature, Ridley’s combat prowess is second to none.
- Kraid: Another of Mother Brain’s lieutenants, the lizard-like Kraid is a massive and imposing foe who guards the inner workings of the Space Pirate base on Planet Zebes.
Games in the Metroid Series
The Metroid franchise is just as important to the history of gaming as other Nintendo franchises like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, even if it’s never quite reached the same level of success and pop culture appeal as those two iconic series. Since the original’s release in 1986 on the Famicom Disk System, the Metroid games have provided an important role in determining the evolution and advancement of the action-platformer genre, including helping to define the qualities of the ever-popular Metroidvania subgenre that gets one-half of its portmanteau from the Metroid series and its mechanics. The most recent game in the series, Metroid Dread, concludes a saga 40 years in the making and sets up an exciting new chapter in the franchise. Games in the Metroid series include:
- Metroid (NES, 1986)
- Metroid II: The Return of Samus (Game Boy, 1991)
- Super Metroid (SNES, 1994)
- Metroid Fusion (Game Boy Advance, 2002)
- Metroid Prime (GameCube, 2002)
- Metroid: Zero Mission (Game Boy Advance, 2004)
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube, 2004)
- Metroid Prime Pinball (Nintendo DS, 2005)
- Metroid Prime Hunters (Nintendo DS, 2006)
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii, 2007)
- Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii, 2009)
- Metroid: Other M (Wii, 2010)
- Metroid Prime: Federation Force (Nintendo 3DS, 2016)
- Metroid: Samus Returns (Nintendo 3DS, 2017)
- Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch, 2021)
- Metroid Prime Remastered (Nintendo Switch, 2023)
- Metroid Prime 4 (Nintendo Switch, 2025)
Metroid: Zero Mission Cheats & Secrets
Although there are no official cheat codes for Metroid: Zero Mission, there are plenty of secrets for players to uncover and bonuses to unlock after beating the game. Additionally, players can utilize any of the original Metroid passwords after unlocking the game as a bonus in Metroid: Zero Mission. There are also several Game Shark codes players can take advantage of if they have a Game Shark device for their Game Boy Advance.
Metroid: Zero Mission Unlockables
Complete any of the following to earn the corresponding bonus:
| Unlockable | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Fusion Gallery | Link the game with Metroid Fusion |
| Gallery | Beat Metroid: Zero Mission once. Beating the game additional times adds more images to the Gallery. |
| Hard Mode | Beat the game on Normal |
| Original Metroid | Beat Metroid: Zero Mission once |
| Sound Test | Beat Hard Mode |
Endings
Beating Metroid: Zero Mission while fulfilling certain conditions unlocks different ending sequences.
| Ending Sequence | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Samus sitting at a bar in a red top and shorts | Beat the game in under 2 hours with 100% item collection on Normal |
| Samus walking around a city in a red top and shorts | Beat the game in over 2 hours with 100% item collection on Normal or Hard |
| Samus overlooking a city in a red top and shorts | Beat the game in under 2 hours with 100% item collection on Hard |
| Samus sitting near a window in a red top and shorts | Beat the game with less than 15% item collection on Normal |
| Samus in her blue jumpsuit | Beat the game in under 2 hours with 15% item collection or higher on Normal or Hard |
| Samus without her helmet looking at the sunset | Beat the game in under 3 hours with 15% item collection or higher on Normal or Hard |
| Samus in full armor with a close-up on her face | Beat the game with less than 15% item collection on Hard |
| Samus in full armor sitting on a rock | Beat the game in Easy OR in over 4 hours with 15% item collection or higher on Normal or Hard |
“Gold” Gallery
After beating Metroid: Zero Mission and earning all 8 endings, the Gallery option on the main menu will turn gold to indicate having unlocked everything.
Metroid: Zero Mission Secrets
Harder Mecha Ridley
Normally, players can defeat Mecha Ridley with 5 well-aimed Super Missile shots to his core. However, collecting 100% of the game’s items before the final fight makes the fight significantly harder. This harder version of Mecha Ridley takes 15 Super Missiles to kill and deals 50% more damage to Samus.
New Time Attack Mode
Players can unlock an additional Time Attack Mode that allows them to save their records using a password. To unlock this mode, find a file in the normal Time Attack that features a green and yellow Samus symbol. Highlight the symbol and press A, then when “Start Game” appears hit Up, Left, Right, and Down on the D-Pad. A mode called “New Time Attack” will appear.
Samus Without Her Suit
To play the game as Samus without her suit, beat the game in under 2 hours. When you start a new game, Samus will begin without her suit and with all power-ups except for Missiles and Energy Tanks.
Metroid: Zero Mission Boss Strategies
Deorem (Centipede)
Players can easily defeat this new first boss by watching its attack and baiting it into trying to hit Samus. After the monster slams into the floor, it will retreat back toward the ceiling and open its eye. Quickly rush underneath it and fire missiles at its open eye to hit it while it’s vulnerable. If you run low on either health or missiles, Samus can shoot the spikes lining the walls to get pick-ups.
Mua (Acid Worm)
The trick to this fight is to use the arena to your advantage while preventing Samus from falling into the acid/lava. Stand on the blocks lining either side of the arena and watch the Mua’s movements. When the worm’s maw begins to move, immediately attach to the zip line and move to the other side of the arena. The worm will slam into the blocks while Samus is safely on the other side, allowing you to target the glowing red weak points.
Kraid
This newer, much larger form of Kraid takes inspiration from his Super Metroid appearance. Use the small space Samus has to maneuver around his projectiles while aiming for his open mouth. If you find that he’s not opening his mouth, try hitting him with a fully-charged shot from the Charge Beam or a Missile to bait him into becoming vulnerable. After a few hits, the ledges in the arena will crumble, forcing Samus to use Kraid’s projectiles as platforms. Keep carefully shooting missiles into his open mouth to finish the fight.
Kiru Giru (Caterpillar)
Samus faces two Kiru Giru in Norfair, and the first one is relatively easy. All players need to do to defeat the first one is fire the Wave Beam at its underside. The second one is slightly more aggressive, forcing a change in strategy. Use the Wave Beam or Missiles to push the second Kiru Giru back, then quickly morph and lay some bombs before it advances back. The bombs will explode on its vulnerable underside to injure it.
Ensnared Kiru Giru (Larva)
Similar to the Mua, players need to use the arena to their advantage when fighting the Larva form of the Kiru Giru. There will be a lone Ripper flying back and forth through the boss room. Wait until the creature gets close and use the Ice Beam to freeze it. Samus can now use it as a platform to jump and shoot the vines connecting Kiry Giru to the ceiling. Shoot the vines with Missiles or Super Missiles, remembering to routinely re-freeze the Ripper. After dealing enough damage, the Kiru Giru will force a shift to the other side of the arena, but the same strategy still applies.
Imago (Wasp)
The imposing Imago is the final evolution of the Kiru Giru Samus encounters throughout Norfair and is a challenging optional boss. To defeat this wasp-like creature, use the Morph Ball to quickly evade its attacks and get behind it. As the creature moves from one side of the screen to the other, pummel its stinger using Missiles and Super Missiles before again morphing and rolling from corner to corner. Stick to its flank and shoot the stinger until it falls off to watch Imago destroy itself and open up a secret path to a Super Missile upgrade.
Ridley
Just like Kraid, Zero Mission‘s version of Ridley borrows heavily from the enemy’s appearance in Super Metroid. The fight is essentially a battle of attrition against the Space Pirate commander, with Samus needing to trade blows back and forth in an effort to come out on top. Watch for Ridley’s flight patterns and his fireball projectiles, evading when possible. Make sure to stay away from the edges of the platform, as he can knock Samus into the lava. Whenever possible, unload Missiles and Super Missiles into Ridley’s mouth. Thankfully, most of Ridley’s attacks are very formulaic and follow a pattern, meaning observation and patience will rule the day.
Mother Brain
The fight against Mother Brain is similar to the original Metroid with the exception of one new attack. After making your way through to the end of the corridor, destroying turrets and barriers along the way, Samus will reach a small platform. Fire missiles into Mother Brain’s container to blow a hole in the glass, then begin to fire at the brain inside. Eventually, a single eye will open, and this is Mother Brain’s one weak spot. Use the Screw Attack or the higher platform to avoid the beam she shoots from this eye. When the time is right, fire Super Missiles into the open eye to defeat her and trigger the self-destruct sequence.
Chozo Warrior Engraving
This new boss can be tricky to pin down at first, but the trick is ultimately patience. Wait for the image of Samus to disappear in the mirror, then quickly fire a charged shot to damage the engraving. After several hits, the amount of time that the mirror becomes vulnerable will decrease. Evade the apparition of the engraving as it flies around the room, as well as the lightning orbs that it will shoot out to regularly shoot across the arena.
Mecha Ridley
The only trick to defeating Mecha Ridley is to aim for its obvious weak point — the red core in its chest. Using Super Missiles, fire into the core while avoiding its swipes, using the Space Jump when necessary. On Normal mode, Mecha Ridley will fall after 5 well-placed Super Missiles.
Original Metroid Passwords
After unlocking the original NES Metroid to play within the game as a bonus, players can still utilize all the original passwords.
| Password | Effect |
|---|---|
| 000000 000020 –y000 000001? | Start with 255 Missiles, All Upgrades, and Suitless Samus |
| gunpei yokoi? X11151 XXXXXn | Start in Norfair with the Vaira Suit and Morph Ball |
| gunpei yokoi? X11111 XXXXXn | Start in Norfair with the Vaira Suit and no Morph Ball |
| X—– –N?WO dV-Gm9 W01GMI | Start in Tourian with Suitless Samus and get the best ending after beating Mother Brain |
| 999999 999999 KKKKKK KKKKKK | “Hard Mode” |
| NARPAS SWORD0 000000 000000 | Start with All Upgrades, Infinite Health, and Infinite Missiles |
| 000000 000000 4G0000 00000H | Start with Bombs and Morph Ball |
| y19pVz YMRGC4 WV–00 0000XT | Start with 255 Missiles, All Upgrades, Suitless Samus, and all bosses defeated |
| 000000 000008 000000 00K01O | Start with Ridley and Kraid defeated |
| V – – – – – – r – e69 t?A00e 00M04p | Start in Tourian at full power, get 2nd ending |
| X – – – – – – – N?WO dVue08 001GL2 | Start in Tourian at full power, get 3rd ending |
| OV – – – – – – r – e6 9t?A08 000GTq | Start in Tourian at full power, get 4th ending |
| 7 – – – – – – zVw1Y T – YW01 – W5WCl | Start in Tourian at full power, get 5th ending |
| 5X – – – – – – – N?W OdVue0 0000iu | Start in Tourian at full power, get best ending |
| 0iF – – – – – – w – q 3ax – 50 0000wx | Start in Tourian at full power, Suitless Samus, get best ending |
| 000000 000000 200000 000008 | Start with Screw Attack |
| JUSTIN BAILEY / —— —— | Suitless Samus |
| SAMUS8 RIDLEY 444444 444444 | Start in Norfair with Suitless Samus, Infinite Missiles |
Metroid: Zero Mission Game Shark Codes
Players with a Game Boy Advance and a Game Shark device for the console can utilize any of the following codes. Alternatively, players using an emulator to experience Metroid: Zero Mission can enter any of the following codes into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu.
General Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Master Code (Must Be On) | F8000970 00000101 45584D42 001DC0DE |
| Invincibility | 030013DA 0000001E |
| Infinite Health | 13001536 000002BB |
| Infinite Missiles | 13001538 000003E7 |
| Infinite Mission Time | 1300095E 00000000 |
| Infinite Escape Timer | 13000962 00000009 |
| Infinite Power Bombs | 0300153B 00000063 |
| Infinite Super Missiles | 0300153A 000000C7 |
| Unlock Gallery | 13000014 00000001 |
| Unlock Original Metroid | 13000018 00000002 |
| Map Complete | 03041540 000000FF |
| One-Hit Kills | 600A0878 000046C0 |
| Alarm Never Sounds | 600BC5C0 000091E0 |
| Always Fire Charge Beam Shots | 6000FAE0 0000304A |
| Beam Opens All Doors | 600B5F10 000046C0 |
| Change Difficulty to Easy (Save & Reload to activate) | 0300002C 00000000 |
| Change Difficulty to Normal (Save & Reload to activate) | 0300002C 00000001 |
| Change Difficulty to Hard (Save & Reload to activate) | 0300002C 00000002 |
| Disable Hazards & Water Physics | 600B02B0 000046C0 |
| 0:00:00 Game Time | 23000150 00000000 |
| Jump Through Ceilings (Press Select + Up) | D3000044 0000FC44 |
| Fall Through Floors (Hold L+R and press Down) | D4040130 0000007F D3000044 0000FC84 |
Equipment/Item Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Have All Bombs & Beams | 1300153C 0000FFFF |
| Have All Suits & Upgrades | 1300153E 0000FFFF |
| Have All Bombs & Power Bombs | 0200153C 00000080 |
| Have Charge Beam | 0200153C 00000010 |
| Have High Jump Boots | 2F03E104 09BEA968 |
| Have Morph Ball | 0200153E 00000040 |
| Have Power Grip | 0200153E 00000080 |
| Have Screw Attack | 0200153E 00000008 |
| Have Speed Booster | 0200153E 00000002 |
| Have Varia Suit | DB0FCDE1 00007EB6 |
| Have Wave Beam | 0200153C 00000004 |
| Enable Unknown Items | 13001542 00000001 |
Metroid: Zero Mission Cheat FAQs
How do you get the infinite Bomb Jump in Metroid: Zero Mission?
The Bomb Jump is a sequence-breaking technique that has been part of the Metroid series since the original game. Once players have both the Morph Ball and the Bomb, they can time their bomb drops to reach previously inaccessible areas using the Bomb Jump.
While in Morph Ball form, drop a bomb and count out the time before it explodes. Once you know how long a Bomb’s fuse is, press B just before the first Bomb explodes to plant another. Keep using this technique to plant an infinite string of Bombs whose explosions propel Samus upward.
How do you get the Gravity Suit in Metroid: Zero Mission?
The Gravity Suit is one of the “Unknown Items” players will uncover in Chozodia after clearing the Ruins Test. Players will get it from a Chozo Statue after completing the Ruins Test, granting her the ability to move freely in water and take less damage from enemies and the environment.
What is the maximum amount of Missiles in Metroid: Zero Mission?
Players can collect a total of 250 Missiles in Metroid: Zero Mission. Interestingly, this is 5 less than the original Metroid‘s max of 255 Missiles.
How long to beat Metroid: Zero Mission?
Most players will take about 3-5 hours to beat Metroid: Zero Mission. That said, the game rewards players who complete the game quickly with bonus ending scenes. Completing the game in under 3 hours rewards the best possible ending. Those hoping to obtain 100% of the game’s items and take their time can spend anywhere from 5-8 hours completing Metroid: Zero Mission.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Matt Karoglou.