Advanced Techniques

There are a few techniques in Metroid: Samus Returns that aren’t required, but knowing how to use them allows you to explore with greater ease and reach item tanks early. Read on to learn more about them.

Wall-Jumping

Perform a Spin Jump toward a wall, then push the Circle Pad in the direction opposite the wall while pressing the Jump button at the same time. This causes Samus to push off the wall for a small boost—a technique called wall-jumping. You can continuously perform this technique, so long as there are two walls in close proximity, allowing Samus to bounce up them with ease.

Bomb-Jumping

Plant a Bomb beneath Samus while she’s in Morph Ball form. This causes her to be boosted into the air a slight way upon the Bomb’s explosion. Plant a Bomb at a rate of approximately every one and a half seconds, without moving Samus left or right, so that the Bombs slowly boost Samus into the air. If your timing is on point, Samus can go as high as the room, or your ability to keep planting Bombs rhythmically, allows.

Ice Beam Platforms

Charge up and fire an Ice Beam shot to freeze an enemy solid. While frozen, the enemy can be jumped on and used as a makeshift platform. Use these platforms to reach places previously unattainable. There aren’t a ton of opportunities to employ this trick effectively, but keep it in mind for when those rare opportunities occur.

Midair Spider Ball

This is one of the trickier techniques in the game, but it’s also one of the more useful. While Space Jumping near a wall, quickly double-tap Down on the Circle Pad to roll Samus into her Morph Ball. Immediately hold the Circle Pad toward the wall while pressing the L button to Spider Ball onto the wall before hitting the ground. It’s a tough combination of buttons that takes some practice, but it’s handy for cutting down climb time when trying to reach a Morph Ball passage, a Bomb Block, or anything the Space Jump can’t get you to.