Enemies

Mellows usually appear in swarms, swooping down as their prey passes beneath them. These agile creatures also pass through walls. Luckily, they aren’t particularly durable—a single hit from Samus’s beam weapon is enough to deal with a fluttering Mellow.

Zebs often emerge from the air vents scattered throughout Brinstar. Once a Zeb appears, it moves in-line with Samus and flies straight ahead. A single blast from Samus’s standard beam is enough to eliminate a pale Zeb; darker Zebs are twice as durable.

When you see a Zeb exit an air vent, you can be sure more will follow. It’s easy enough to blast your way through these enemies, but it’s often faster to simply dodge them; jump up as a Zeb appears to bait it into flying higher, and then keep running as the enemy passes over your head.

Zoomers secrete a sticky fluid that allows them to travel along virtually any surface. It’s difficult to hit a floor-bound Zoomer with Samus’s standard beam—until you collect the Wave Beam, it’s usually best to hop over these scuttling creatures. If you’re determined to take out a Zoomer, wait for it to reach a wall or ceiling before you attack. Pale Zoomers are less durable than darker Zoomers.

These creatures can be found clinging to ceilings, ready to ambush Samus the moment she moves into range. Dash under a Skree and shoot up as it dives down, or simply keep running to avoid its attack. Soon after it lands, a Skree burrows into the ground, sending jagged shards of rock into the air. Defeat a Skree before it vanishes, or move quickly to escape the incoming shrapnel.

These aptly named creatures fly in wave-like patterns. When a Waver collides with a wall or obstacle, it bounces off and reverses its course. Wavers are fairly durable, and their irregular flight patterns make them difficult to hit. Until you collect the Screw Attack Power Item, it’s usually best to dodge patrolling Wavers.

These brainless creatures aren’t capable of attacking, but touching one causes Samus to take damage. It’s usually best to slip past these creatures as they move out of your way. Darker Rippers are extremely durable—you need a missile or the Screw Attack Power Item to finish one quickly. Pale Rippers are impervious to all damage. However, any Ripper can be temporarily frozen with the Ice Beam.

These flying creatures swoop down to attack from above, but they can also scuttle along floors. Slip under a diving Rio and fire upward, or dash past it to avoid the attack. If you’re being chased by a grounded Rio, jump to lure the creature back into the air. Pale Rios are fairly durable, but darker Rios are even tougher.

Like Mellows, Mellas move through rocks and walls. A single blast from any beam weapon is enough to defeat one of these enemies, and a properly executed Screw Attack can clear out an entire swarm at once.

These fast-moving creatures leap straight out of lava pools. Until you collect the Screw Attack Power Item, time your jumps to avoid these enemies, or freeze them with the Ice Beam.

These poisonous lumps of lava can be found streaming out of bright red vents. Polyps always appear in groups, and each group follows a predictable trajectory. Time your approach to slip past one group of Polyps before the next stream appears. Some of them can be destroyed.

Novas behave similarly to the Zoomers found in Brinstar, but they’re a bit more durable. Expect to find these pesky creatures circling platforms throughout Norfair.

These armored creatures sometimes emerge from the air vents scattered throughout Norfair. A Gamet behaves just like the Zebs found in Brinstar. Once one appears, it flies upward until it’s level with Samus, and then it charges straight ahead. Blast through these enemies, or jump up to bait them into flying too high.

This jet-powered Ripper can’t be destroyed, but it can be temporarily frozen with Samus’s Ice Beam.

These lava-dwelling creatures attack by spitting balls of fire into the air. Their fiery projectiles not only deal damage, they also knock Samus off hard-to-reach platforms. Because Dragons only appear in lava pools, it’s usually best to keep your distance. Dragon projectiles follow predictable trajectories, so time your jumps to avoid these attacks.

These simple-structure organisms float through the air, changing directions as they bounce off walls and obstacles. Multiviolas are fairly durable. Until you collect the Screw Attack Power Item, it’s usually best to blast a troublesome Multiviola with one of Samus’s missiles.

Gerutas are among the most powerful enemies in Norfair. These jet-powered enemies repeatedly swoop toward their prey, dealing damage with each hit. If possible, use a Screw Attack to take out an approaching Geruta. If that’s not an option, blast it with a missile, or freeze it with the Ice Beam.

These creatures emerge from the air vents scattered throughout Ridley’s hideout. Like most vent-dwelling creatures, a Zebbo flies upward before charging straight at Samus. Blast your way through them, or jump up to bait them into flying too high. Yellow Zebbos are twice as durable as green Zebbos.

While idle, these jet-powered creatures simply fly straight up and down. However, once a Holtz sets its sights on Samus, it usually swoops in for a more direct attack. These armored creatures are durable enough to survive multiple blasts from any beam weapon. To take out a Holtz with minimal fuss, use a missile or a Screw Attack.

Much like Zoomers and Novas, these fiery creatures can be found circling various platforms. Yellow Violas are twice as durable as green Violas.

The Multiviolas found in Ridlely’s hideout are faster and more powerful than the Multiviolas found in Norfair. Blast these enemies with missiles, or Screw Attack straight through them.

Dessgeegas utilize powerful leaping attacks to strike from both floors and ceilings. It takes several shots from a beam weapon to defeat a Dessgeega. It’s generally better to utilize Screw Attacks or missiles when you encounter these enemies.

Ridley is one of two Mini-Bosses standing between you and Mother Brain. During combat, this monster spits out clusters of bouncing fireballs. These projectiles do serious damage to Samus, but they also provide the beast with a protective shield. Stock up on missiles and energy before you confront this formidable foe.

These creatures tend to appear in groups and are capable of passing through rocks and walls. Shoot them, or use Screw Attacks to take out swooping Memus with ease.

Geegas sometimes exit from the air vents in Kraid’s hideout, but you also find them emerging from pools of acid. For the most part, Geegas behave just like other vent-dwelling creatures—after a Geega appears, it rises and attempts to fly straight toward Samus. Brown Geegas are twice as strong as yellow Geegas.

The Skrees found in Kraid’s hideout behave just like the Skrees scattered throughout Brinstar, but they’re a bit more powerful. Screw Attack through them, or shoot them as they dive toward you.

You often find these boneless creatures scuttling around platforms. They aren’t the toughest enemies you encounter, but blue Zeelas are noticeably stronger than green Zeelas.

The Rippers found in Kraid’s hideout are just like those found throughout Brinstar. Darker Rippers are extremely durable; lighter Rippers are indestructible.

With their leaping attacks and impressive toughness, Side Hoppers are formidable enemies. These gravity-defying creatures use their powerful legs to jump down from ceilings before swooping back out of reach. Use a Screw Attack or a well-aimed missile to deal with one of these enemies.

As one of the game’s Mini-Bosses, Kraid is a real threat. This beast attacks by hurling the spikes that jut out of his body. Kraid’s projectiles do serious damage—you’d do well to collect at least a few Energy Tanks before you seek him out. The Wave Beam and a good supply of missiles also help to maximize your chances of defeating him.

These troublesome enemies emerge from the rectangular nozzles found in the depths of Tourian. When a Rinka appears, it heads straight for Samus. Once a Rinka is in motion, it can’t change direction. This makes it fairly easy to dodge a single Rinka—of course, dodging one Rinka can easily put you in the path of another.

Rinkas aren’t very powerful, but their attacks add up over time, and their persistence makes it difficult to focus on more serious threats. Try your best to dodge these enemies, and consider using the Ice Beam to freeze a Rinka or two when things get hectic.

Metroids are among the greatest threats you face anywhere in the fortress. When one of these creatures touches Samus, it latches on to her, draining her energy at an alarming rate. There’s only one way to defeat a Metroid, and it’s a two-step process. First, use the Ice Beam to freeze a Metroid solid. Once you’ve done that, blast the fiend with five missiles. These creatures are surprisingly swift, so keep the Ice Beam at the ready whenever you’re in Metroid territory.

Zeebetites produce the energy needed to sustain Mother Brain. They aren’t capable of attacking, but they are protected by indestructible turrets and an endless supply of Rinkas. Zeebetites are also extremely durable. They’re only affected by missiles, and a weakened Zeebetite repairs itself in a few seconds. The only way to prevent a Zeebetite from regenerating is to keep hitting it with missiles until it’s destroyed.

Located at the heart of Tourian, Mother Brain intends to cultivate a massive army of Metroids. To foil its plans, you need quick reflexes and a good supply of missiles. Mother Brain has no offensive capabilities, but it’s very well-protected. Your only option is to fire missiles through the front of Mother Brain’s tank as you dodge wave after wave of incoming Rinkas.