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                       R E T U R N   O F   S A M U S

/--------------------------------------------------------------------------\
 Metroid II - Return of Samus Complete FAQ/Walkthrough for Nintendo GameBoy

                    Version 1.01 (Last updated 11/13/03)

                       Copyright (c) 2003 Falcon Zero
                         <falconzero114@gmail.com>
\--------------------------------------------------------------------------/
-=> T a b l e   o f   C o n t e n t s <=-
/==========================================================================\
| - - 1.0)  Introduction                                         - - - - - |
|           1.1)  Updates                                          - - - - |
|           1.2)  The Story So Far...                                - - - |
|           1.3)  Take Control                                         - - |
| - - 2.0)  Weapon & Item Overview                                     - - |
| - - 3.0)  Metroid Type Overview                                      - - |
| - - 4.0)  Walkthrough                                                - - |
|           4.1)  The Journey Begins                                   - - |
|           4.2)  The Ancient Ruins                                    - - |
|           4.3)  More Metroids                                        - - |
|           4.4)  Back to the Ruins                                    - - |
|           4.5)  Gamma Metroids Galore                                - - |
|           4.6)  The Crazy World of the Metroids                      - - |
|           4.7)  The Ruined City                                      - - |
|           4.8)  The Omega Metroids                                   - - |
|           4.9)  The Queen Awaits                                     - - |
|           4.10) Finale                                             - - - |
| - - 5.0)  Game Endings                                           - - - - |
| - - 6.0)  Contacting the Author                                - - - - - |
| - - 7.0)  Credits                                            - - - - - - |
| - - 8.0)  Legal Info                                       - - - - - - - |
\==========================================================================/

=====================================\
-(1.0   INTRODUCTION)-
=====================================/

Metroid II - Return of Samus is hands-down one of the greatest games to
have appeared on the classic Game Boy, featuring everyone's favorite bounty
hunter - Samus Aran. You'll be venturing through the Metroid's homeworld of
SR388, exterminating the threat the Metroids pose, while picking up some
handy weapon and item upgrades. The events of this game greatly affect the
future of the episodes chronicled in Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, so
get ready to take part in Metroid history. A simple concept of action mixed
in with all the fun of the adventuring genre, this game will keep you
hooked until you've uncovered every last one of it's secrets.

.:---------------------(1.1   UPDATES)------------------------------------:.

Version 1.01  11/13/03
- Thanks to Lightning Bug, I've added an alternate way of beating the Queen
Metroid, check it out at the end of the walkthrough section. Also gave the
guide a new title banner :P.

Version 1.00  02/01/03
-  Here we have version 1, containing all you'll need to complete the game
easily in under 3 hours. Unless I find some new way to complete some part
of the game not mentioned here (which will most likely be by chance), I'll
update it, but for now this version will likely be the first and last.

.:---------------------(1.2   THE STORY SO FAR...)------------------------:.

Samus Aran returns to battle, this time taking on an army of Metroids on
planet SR388. During her initial victory over the Space Pirates on Zebes,
Samus faced several Metroids in battle, but her job wasn't over once she
gained victory over the Mother Brain. The Galactic Federation, overwhelmed
with joy at Samus' success, decided to take action to prevent any further
misuse of the Metroid's vast power. Returning to the planet where the
entire Metroid-crisis began, SR388, the Federation hoped to wipe out the
entire race of Metroids there to secure the safety of the galaxy and to rid
the threat of Metroids being in the wrong hands.

Sending a team of highly specialized troops to SR388, contact with the team
was lost soon after they left. Becoming desperate, the Federation called on
Samus Aran once again to save the galaxy. With the promise of a
well-deserved payment for her trouble, Samus heads out to SR388, intent on
finding and eliminating the Metroid threat once and for all.

.:---------------------(1.3   TAKE CONTROL)-------------------------------:.

Controlling Samus will not be difficult, as her basic moves will suffice
more than enough to traverse through the labyrinthine tunnels below SR388's
surface. Various enemies, including different forms of Metroids await, but
with Samus' beam weapons, missiles, powers suits and extra enhancements,
you'll have an edge over any target. Samus can jump, shoot, duck and use a
variety of special techniques during her quest, read on below for a quick
overview of the controls.

You direct Samus around with the Directional Pad, you can also aim her arm
cannon left, right, up or down while moving.

/--------------------------------------------------------------------------\
|B Button | Fire Samus' arm cannon. Whichever beam weapon you current have |
|         | equipped will be used. Also use B to fire missiles.            |
|         |                                                                |
|A Button | Jump up. If you press left or right before jumping Samus will  |
|         | perform a somersault in the air. Once you find the Space Jump  |
|         | upgrade you can repeatedly press A with timing to continually  |
|         | jump through the air.                                          |
|         |                                                                |
|Start    | Pause the game. Press again to resume.                         |
|         |                                                                |
|Select   | Switch to missile mode, press again to revert back to Samus'   |
|         | beam weapon.                                                   |
\--------------------------------------------------------------------------/

=====================================\
-(2.0   WEAPON & ITEM OVERVIEW)-
=====================================/

The mazes and passageways of SR388 will slowly direct Samus toward her goal
of hunting down and destroying the Metroids. Along the way, you'll find a
motherload of items, including beam weapons, missiles and enhancements for
Samus' power suit. Each item's location will be detailed in the walkthrough
below, but in this section you can read an overview of all the power-ups
available in the game. Keep in mind that Samus can't have more than 1 beam
weapon active at any time.

>>>Ice Beam

-Description: The Ice Beam will freeze any enemy Samus fires at, while an
              enemy's frozen you can jump on top of them without taking any
              damage. If you fire at an enemy while they're frozen they'll
              explode. You'll need the Ice Beam to successfully destroy any
              free-floating Metroids.

>>>Wave Beam

-Description: The Wave Beam gives Samus a rapid-firing beam that shoots out
              small energy balls that travel in a wavy pattern across the
              screen. This weapon greatly enhances accuracy.

>>>Spazer Laser Beam

-Description: This weapon fires three beams simultaneously that fly out at
              a wide angle. Similar to the Wave Beam, the Spazer also
              greatly enhances accuracy to strike an enemy.

>>>Plasma Beam

-Description: The Plasma Beam fires a single large bolt that can fire
              through walls, ceilings and floors. The strongest beam weapon
              of the game, if the beam strikes an enemy it'll continue to
              fly ahead once the enemy explodes.

>>>Missiles

-Description: Missiles can be found throughout SR388, each Missile Pod adds
              ten missiles to Samus' maximum payload. You'll need to use
              Missiles to destroy the Metroids.

>>>Energy Tanks

-Description: This will give Samus an extra 100 energy units above her
              current maximum health level - definitely worth searching for.

>>>Bomb

-Description: Once you've found this, while the Morphing Ball is active
              press B to lay a bomb. You can use these bombs to destroy
              nearby enemies or break open certain blocks hidden around
              the tunnels.

>>>Spider Ball

-Description: This special technique allows Samus to crawl around the
              floors, ceilings and walls of SR388. While in the Morphing
              Ball mode, press down to activate the Spider Ball, you can
              then crawl around the terrain by holding left or right. Be
              careful to avoid enemies as they'll knock Samus off walls and
              ceilings.

>>>High Jump Boots

-Description: These allow Samus to jump more than twice her normal jumping
              distance.

>>>Spring Ball

-Description: Samus can jump up while in the Morphing Ball mode with this
              equipped.

>>>Space Jump

-Description: When Samus jumps through the air, you can continually press A
              to jump higher with the correct timing. This way you can
              effectively fly through the air or climb to greater heights.

>>>Screw Attack

-Description: When Samus jumps through the air and performs a somersault
              jump, she'll charge up energy around her body with this
              device. Any enemies coming in contact will be instantly
              destroyed.

>>>Varia Suit

-Description: The Varia Suit greatly enhances Samus' power suit,
              drastically changing her physical appearance, as well as
              allowing her to travel through heated areas. Damage inflicted
              by enemies will also considerably drop.

=====================================\
-(3.0   METROID TYPE OVERVIEW)-
=====================================/

You'll encounter six different types of Metroids within SR388's underground
mazes, read on below for a quick overview on each.

>>>Standard Metroid

You'll only confront the standard Metroids near the end of the game. These
are the only ones that attempt to cling to Samus to drain her energy, but
as in the original Metroid, you can destroy them by freezing them with the
Ice Beam then pumping them with 5 Missiles.

>>>Alpha Metroid

The first form once the Metroid leaves it's shell, the Alpha Metroids just
fly around the screen attempting to fly into Samus. Pump their undersides
with Missiles to finish them off. 5 Missiles will take them down.

>>>Gamma Metroid

Gamma Metroids are large and more dangerous, as they wield electric
attacks. They can discharge lightning bolts from their front, so watch out
and try to stay clear as you fill them with Missiles. 10 direct hits are
needed to finish them off.

>>>Zeta Metroid

Zeta Metroids are tough fellas. Although small, they pack one heck of a
punch. They'll float around the screen and often spit out fireballs,
zipping back and forth trying to get behind Samus. You'll have to pound
Zeta Metroid's faces with 20 missiles to win against them.

>>>Omega Metroid

These massive Metroids emit electric spark balls from their mouths and fly
around the screen. Although slower than the Zeta form, they're far stronger
and require more punishment to take down. 30 Missiles to their face or back
will conquer them.

>>>Metroid Queen

The biggest and baddest of all the Metroids, the Metroid Queen will be very
challenging to finish off. Refer to section 4.9 of the walkthrough for
tactics to cook its hide.

=====================================\
-(4.0   WALKTHROUGH)-
=====================================/

SR388 is a deadly maze filled with violent creatures, as well as the
different Metroid forms. From start to finish, the labyrinth passages and
ancient ruins will direct you through the planet to confront all 39
Metroids before the final showdown with the Metroid Queen. Read on below
for a fully detailed walkthrough including directions of where to find the
Metroids, as well as the locations of all the handy items and weapons along
the way (most are found in the ruin areas).

Just before we begin, keep in mind that you'll start off with the Morphing
Ball, you'll also encounter various enemies described in the manual of the
game. Only tricky enemies or particularly tough ones including the Metroids
will be mentioned in the guides below. A good map will completment this
guide very well, if you're after one check out the Metroid II section at
the Metroid Database.

.:---------------------(4.1   THE JOURNEY BEGINS)-------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 39

You'll begin the game on the surface of SR388 by Samus' ship. Remember that
you can use her ship to refill missiles and energy. Go right to find the
main entrance leading down into the bowels of the planet. He inside then
proceed through the next tunnel filled with a number of creatures. You'll
locate a large hole at the end of the corridor, jump down to find a shaft
leading down. Blast your way through the crumbling blocks connecting the
walls of the shaft, crawl through the small tunnel at the bottom using the
Morphing Ball. Shoot your way through more crumbling blocks and climb the
next shaft, then head right. Shoot through yet more crumbling blocks down
the next shaft and drop down. Shoot down as you fall down the next massive
shaft to blast through all the crumbling blocks. Once at the bottom you'll
reach a large cavern with the first Save station on the right, so you might
want to save the game now.

From here we'll go left to face the first Alpha Metroid. Go left through
the next tunnel, then drop down the long shaft filled with flying enemies
beyond the tunnel. Proceed through the next tunnel filled with enemies,
once you reach the end you'll find the cavern containing the first Metroid.
It'll be sitting on the ground, once you come close enough the Alpha
Metroid will rise up out of its shell. Switch to missiles and blast away at
it as it flies around the room. Try not to take too much damage, once you
finish it off you can find energy and missile refill capsules hidden on the
left of the room. After a few seconds the screen will begin to shake and
you'll hear a rumbling sound. This indicates that an earthquake's occurred
somewhere nearby, lowering deadly lava from a cavern, allowing you passage.
The hunt is on.

.:---------------------(4.2   THE ANCIENT RUINS)--------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 38

Leave the large cavern and head back to the large room containing the first
Save station. Once you get there, save your game and head right. Go through
the next tunnel that was once filled with lava before the earthquake,
you'll eventually reach another large cavern where the lava resided. Head
down the path and watch out for the spiked creatures crawling along the
terrain, they cause a lot of damage. In the next tunnel, drop down the
shaft and go right. You'll find another huge cavern, this time the lower
part of the screen will be filled with lava. Cross the platforms above the
lava, eventually you'll see a large opening below but you won't be able to
go down due to the lava, so head right - and don't fall in. In the next
corridor, you'll notice lava filling the holes in the ground, as well as a
change in the music playing. Traverse through the tunnel, then head up the
long shaft leading skyward. You'll now be in a large shaft leading to paths
both up and down, for now head up to the upper one. Watch out for the
creatures coming up out of the ground in the next corridor, if you're
patient you can keep firing at them, they'll eventually stop after a while,
but if you couldn't be bothered (like me) just head right to find the first
ruins area.

Be happy whenever you find ancient ruins within SR388 as they'll without a
doubt be hiding tons of items within, most of them unique ones. Go right to
find the entrance, then save the game once inside. Head right, then drop
down to the very bottom of the shaft there, bypassing an exit leading
right. Head through the door on the left, cross the empty corridor and
blast open the door at the end with missiles. Go into the next room to find
the Bomb power-up, as well as a Missile Pod. Once you've found them, head
back to the shaft and go through the door you bypassed up the shaft. In the
next room you'll find a dead-end with a gun turret on the wall. Blast the
turret's mouth, then jump on top of the remains and activate the Morphing
Ball. Roll right to find a hidden passage, then blow your way through the
blocked tunnel to find your first Energy Tank. Go through the exit on the
right to find yet another shaft leading up and down - yep, this place is an
absolute maze.

At the very bottom of this shaft you'll find an empty corridor leading to a
room containing the Ice Beam, so don't forget to pick it up. At the very
top of the shaft you'll spot an exit on the left that'll be too high to
reach, so don't worry about it now. Two doors will lead off from the right
wall, the upper one leads out of the ruins, while the lower one leads to a
room with three Missile Pods to be found. If you're having trouble reaching
the one in the roof, come back once you've found the High Jump Boots. A
secret passage on the right side of this room leads to the room containing
the Spider Ball, but you won't be able to reach it, so instead head back up
the shaft and go through the upper right door to emerge back out of the
ruins.

Back outside, head to the right of the cavern to find a Metroid's empty
shell on a ledge - whenever you see one it'll mean that a Metroid's nearby.
Go through the exit on the right and head through the next corridor, using
the Morphing Ball and bombs to get through the small passage. At the end of
the corridor you'll spot a shaded tunnel leading down between the bricks,
so take the plunge and drop down. Drop down to the bottom of the next room
through one of the two narrow passages to find the Spider Ball. You can now
try out this nifty item unique to this game (expect now for Metroid Prime
;)). Use the Spider Ball (press down while in Morphing Ball mode to
activate) to get back up to the corridor above, then head left back out to
the ruins. Once you spot the Metroid shell again, climb up to that ledge
and use the Spider Ball to climb up the wall on the right. Go through the
opening you'll find above to face the second Alpha Metroid. Once you've
blasted it to Metroid-heaven, go back over to the ruins, and use the Spider
Ball to climb up to the top of the ruins (you can either climb around the
cavern walls above or go back into the ruins and climb back out over the
roof). Traverse over the roof until you reach a cliff, then drop down to
find an opening leading into the ruins blocked by a small boulder. Use a
bomb to destroy it then head inside. While crossing through the next
corridor you'll find two Missile Pods. Once you've found them you'll have
cleared out the first ruins area, so it's time to leave. Go back to the
western entrance and head left (don't forget to save first). Watch out for
the creatures flying up out of the nests in the next corridor, once you
reach the shaft leading down drop down to the base of the shaft and head
right.

.:---------------------(4.3   MORE METROIDS)------------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 37

Cross through the next corridor, bomb or blast the crumbling blocks in the
walls to crawl through the gaps, and watch out for enemies. Past the walls
you'll find a room filled with sand, shoot the sand blocks to get through
an head through the opening on the right. Drop down the next shaft to find
a Metroid shell at the bottom with two openings leading left and right.
Jump across the platforms in the corridor on the right, beyond here you'll
find another Alpha Metroid. Once you've dealt with it, go back to the shaft
with the Metroid shell and head left. Drop down the next identical shaft to
find another shell at the bottom. In the corridor on the right you'll find
the former owner of the shell - another Alpha Metroid. Once it's gone head
back to the shaft and go left. In this next room beyond another corridor
you'll find yet another Alpha Metroid, but once you destroy it an
earthquake will occur, lowering the lava way back in the upper cavern.

Journey back to the large cavern and sure enough - all the lava's gone.
You'll know once you're back in the right cavern as the music will revert
back to the main theme. Drop down the cavern while avoiding the spike
enemies, you'll eventually find a hole at the base of the cavern, drop down
and head down the next shaft. The path will slowly lead right, so continue
following it. In the next cavern, drop down to find another area filled
with lava, so it's time to go Metroid hunting. Crawl through the narrow
tunnel on the left to find yourself in the lower part of a familiar cavern.
Go left to find a shaft leading up. Climb to the top and go left. In the
next corridor, jump over the floating creatures above the sand, if you
stand on them they'll fly downward. In the next cavern you'll face another
Alpha Metroid. Once it's fried head left to find the second massive cavern
containing ancient ruins - it's time to find more items.

Enter the ruins and save the game at the Save station. Go through the next
corridor, but watch out for the gun turret positioned on the ground at the
far left end. Go through to find another corridor with a Save station, go
left to emerge back outside the ruins. Head left until you find an opening
in the ground ahead, then drop down into the water below. Go right past the
Metroid shell to find a shaft filled with water. You can find a Missile Pod
in the upper right corner, once you've found it drop down to the bottom of
the shaft. Go right to find a corridor containing an Alpha Metroid, once
you've blasted it go up to the shaft on the right and use the Spider Ball
to climb up the narrow shaft. Once at the top, head left and blow open the
door there with missiles. Inside you'll find a Chozo Statue holding
nothing, so blow open a hidden hole near the door and drop down into the
small room below the statue. In the top left corner of the small room is a
hidden passage, use the Spider Ball to crawl through. You'll find a room
filled with balls the Chozo Statues hold, but the one in the corner between
the two blocks is the one you're after. Bomb all the balls and blast open
the one between the blocks to reveal the Varia Suit.

Once you've snagged the Varia, head back up to the ruins. Go left to find a
shaft leading up and down. Drop down to the bottom and go right. Go down to
the bottom of the next shaft to find a Metroid shell. Head right through
the next corridor to find another Alpha Metroid, but this time you'll
witness it evolve into a Gamma Metroid. Watch out for the lightning bolts
it wields, just pound it with Missiles to finish it off. Once it's dead
head back to the shaft and go left. In the next corridor you'll face an
Alpha Metroid, head left once you've dealt with it. Drop down the next
shaft to find yet another Metroid shell. Down the right corridor you'll
find an Alpha Metroid past a room filled with sand. Down the left opening
you'll find another room filled with sand, a Gamma Metroid will be waiting
on the far left. If you're low on health, go into the room on the left
after you've dealt with the Gamma Metroid to find an energy refill ball.

.:---------------------(4.4   BACK TO THE RUINS)--------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 28

At this point you should only have 28 Metroids left to find, so we're
making good progress. Head back up to the ruins, but when you reach the
long shaft leading back up, go up to the very top of the shaft and head
right, you'll end up back in the large cavern with the ruins but higher up
on the left wall. Use the Spider Ball to climb up the wall to find an
opening further up. Go past the Metroid shell in the next room to face
another Alpha Metroid. In the bottom left corner of the room you'll find
another energy refill ball, so fill up before leaving. Back in the huge
cavern, climb up the wall and ceiling until you reach spikes in the roof,
then drop down to land on top of the ruins. Blow open the boulder on the
right and enter the ruins. Head through the next corridor to find a Metroid
sitting on the ground, it'll then rise up and attack as an Alpha Metroid -
you know what to do. Once it's gone you'll experience another earthquake,
but there's still some exploring to do before returning to where the lava
used to be. Blow open a hole in the floor just before the Metroid's empty
shell and drop down into the small room below the shell. Use the Spider
Ball to climb up to the top right of the room and head through the hidden
passage. Drop down the long narrow shaft ahead to find a large hidden room
below. Crawl up the left wall to find a hidden tunnel, then head through
there to eventually find the Wave Beam.

Go back to the large room that you dropped into and head right. The next
long shaft leading down will be filled with vertical pillars of blocks, you
can destroy them as you fall down. Drop down to the bottom and head left to
find a corridor with two Missile Pods (you might need the High Jump Boots
for the one up near the roof). Drop down the next shaft and go right to
find a Missile Pod (you'll also see an Energy Tank in here, but you'll be
reaching it via a different path). Go back up to the long shaft with the
destructible blocks, then climb up the right wall with the Spider Ball.
Once you reach a part of the wall where the blocks are touching the wall,
shoot them open and walk through the wall to find a hidden tunnel. Drop
down the long shaft and blast through the door on the left with Missiles to
find the High Jump Boots. You can also find an Energy Tank and a Missile
Pod hidden to the left of this room. Once you've found everything head back
up the long narrow shaft you dropped down through earlier and exit the
ruins.

Climb up the wall to reach the top roof of the ruins. Watch out for the
creature that spits out small spores, just hammer into it until it blows.
Keep going right and you'll find a hole leading down, so dive on in. Once
at the bottom, go left and blast through the door with Missiles. In the
next room you'll find a Chozo Statue, but when you blast open the ball a
creature will pop out and attack, so you'll have to fight it for the item.
It'll be bouncing around the room and often open up and fire projectiles,
so active the Morphing Ball and plant bombs around so that they explode
when the creature lands. After a few hits it'll explode and you'll receive
the Spring Ball! Go back up the top of the ruins using the Spider Ball and
head right. Down the right wall of the ruins you'll find a narrow opening
past several enemies and spikes, head in there to find a Missile Pod.

.:---------------------(4.5   GAMMA METROIDS GALORE)----------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 26

It's time to leave. Leave the ruins and go back to the large cavern that
previously contained lava, you'll know you're nearly there when the main
theme begins playing. Drop down the shaft and crawl through the narrow
tunnel on the left at the bottom. In the next cavern - yep you guessed it
- there'll be more lava below, so head through the opening on the left of
the room below the way you came in. Go right through the next corridor to
find yourself in a new area which plays a weird theme in the background.
Descend through the large cavern through the narrow tunnels and go right at
the bottom. In the next room you'll find more lava filling a large hole in
the ground, so head right instead. In the next tall shaft, two openings up
on the right wall will lead to two different areas, so we'll explore the
upper path first. Go up to the top of the shaft and head right to
eventually find a massive cavern containing more ancient ruins.

Drop down to the bottom directly below to find a Missile refill pod hidden
under the sand, then climb up to the ruins. Climb up over the top of the
ruins until you find a large hole filled with sand, then shoot your way
down below to find a door leading left. Head inside. Climb up the small
shaft ahead to find a room containing the Space Jump. Once you've found it
you can now reach the upper part of the ruins. Go back outside and shoot
your way up through the sand. Fly up the wall on the right past the spikes
in the wall to reach the top. Once there, go right until you find a hole in
the ground, then drop down. In the large room below, shoot out the sand
below to find a concealed Missile Pod, then head left. You'll find a Save
station, save your game then drop down into the hole next to it. You'll
fall down a long shaft with gun turrets on the walls, at the very bottom on
the left you'll eventually find the Spazer Beam. Further up the shaft from
the bottom head through the door on the right side. In the next large room
you'll drop down and find a Gamma Metroid, use the Space Jump to reach the
floating blocks so you can fire off clear shots with Missiles. Once you've
finished it off, use the Spider Ball to climb up to the top of the room,
where you can blow open a section of the roof to find a Missile Pod.

Down at the very bottom of this large room, shoot open the sand in the
ground to reveal a hidden tunnel leading down, so dive in. To the right
you'll find a Missile Pod, in the room on the left you'll face a Gamma
Metroid. Once it's cooked head left to eventually find the Plasma Beam.
Once you've found it head back to the room containing the Missile Pod and
go right. Use the Space Jump in the next room to clear all the spikes
lining the walls up the shaft then head left at the top. Go to the end of
the next corridor (watch out for the flame turrets) and crawl up the wall
past the Metroid shell. Blow open a hidden tunnel at the top and head left.
In the next corridor you'll face a simple Alpha Metroid, once it's gone go
into the room on the left to find an Energy Tank. Now it's time to
backtrack and make your way up to the top of the ruins. Once your back on
the roof, go over to the right of the ruins to find a shaft leading down.
On the way down you'll spot an opening leading inside that's blocked by a
boulder, use the small platforms on the right wall to jump over to the wall
using the Spring Ball, then you can easily bomb open the boulder to find
inside an Energy Tank and a Missile Pod. Once you've found them head down
to the bottom of the shaft, go through the opening on the right. At the
bottom of the next huge shaft you'll face a Gamma Metroid. Once you've
beaten it this area will be clear.

.:---------------------(4.6   THE CRAZY WORLD OF THE METROIDS)------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 22

Leave the ruins and head back to the large shaft just after the last room
containing lava. As you drop down the shaft, go through the opening on the
right wall about halfway down to find a new area to explore. Go through the
corridor to find a Save station and a hole in the ground. Save your game
and dive in. Go down the huge shaft in the next room (watch out for the
spiky bushes lining the roof) and go through the first opening on the right
wall to face a Gamma Metroid. Once you've dealt with it shoot open the
crumbling blocks in the floor near the door and head right. In the next
tall shaft, go up to the very top and jump up through the opening in the
roof. You'll now be in a room full of honeycomb-type foliage, in here
you'll face an Alpha Metroid on the right. Once it's gone use the Spider
Ball to reach a small opening in the roof that leads to a Gamma Metroid. If
you go through the opening on the right past the Metroid shell you won't be
able to reach the Gamma Metroid, instead, jump into the Metroid shell and
you'll fall through into a hidden tunnel. Crawl through the tunnel on the
right to reach the room with the Gamma Metroid. Once you've dealt with it
go back down to the large shaft.

Drop down and go through the opening on the right wall. Cross the next
corridor, then drop down to the bottom of the next gargantuan shaft. Go
left at the bottom then drop down to the base of the next shaft to face a
Gamma Metroid. Once you've defeated it fill up your energy via the energy
refill ball at the base of the shaft, then ascend the shaft and head left.
Climb up the next shaft and go left through the opening near the top. In
the next corridor you'll see an Alpha Metroid on the other side of the
wall, it'll become a Gamma Metroid and try to break through the wall to get
at Samus, but of course it can't get through. Go left and jump up through
the Metroid shell to reach it. Once it's dead, go left to find a tunnel
leading back up to the first long shaft. Once back up there, climb up and
head through the door on the left. Cross the corridor to face another Gamma
Metroid. Once this one's defeated an earthquake will occur, so it's time to
retrace your steps.

Go left past the Metroid's shell to find a path leading back up to the
previous shaft. Once there, go left and you'll find a room filled with
lava, so you'll have to come back here later. Leave this area with the
funky music to return to the large cavern where the lava was previously.
The main theme will begin playing, head left and drop down where the lava
used to be. Down the bottom of the next shaft you'll find more lava, so
cross over the platform and go left past the Metroid shell. The music will
change in the next room, from here traverse through the next few tunnels
and shafts to eventually face a Gamma Metroid. Once you've defeated it an
earthquake will occur, so you'll now have to go back to the previous lava
area you saw just after leaving the area with the funky music.

Once you reach the shaft where the lava dwelled, drop down to the bottom
and head left (watch out for the spikes). Ascend the next shaft, eventually
you'll find two Metroid shells and two separate paths, one leading left and
one straight up. Go up to eventually find a Gamma Metroid and a missile
refill pod, through the left opening you'll find an energy refill ball and
an Alpha Metroid. Once you beat both Metroids you'll experience yet another
earthquake, more lava's now cleared away. Leave this area with the funky
music and head back to the area playing the main theme. Go back to the area
that previously contained lava (if you can't remember where it is, check
one of the maps at the Metroid Database ;)), and head down the now-empty
shaft. Travel down the corridor at the base of the shaft to the left, in
the next corridor beyond it you'll find a blocked-up wall. Use Missiles to
break through the two large blocks, then head left over the top of the
lava. Ascend the shaft beyond the lava and head left at the top. Climb the
next shaft and go left. In this next corridor you'll face a Gamma Metroid,
once it's dead go through the opening on the left to find the biggest - and
last - of the ancient ruins.

.:---------------------(4.7   THE RUINED CITY)----------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 12

Believe me when I say this, you're going to be here a while. This place is
packed with Metroids, not to forget all the items waiting inside. You
should have 12 Metroids left to find, you'll find six of them here. First,
go over to the Metroid shell lying on the ground ahead and drop through it
to fall down into a watery cavern. You'll find a Missile Pod over in the
left corner. Once you've found it, head back up and enter the ruins (shoot
the flames to get through). Once inside, climb the shaft and head left.
Save your game here then move on to exit the ruins. Out here, drop down the
shaft ahead until you reach an opening in the left wall (at the base of the
shaft is just a water-filled hole). Cross the next spike-filled corridor to
find a room with a Gamma Metroid in it. It's time for a rare encounter, the
Gamma Metroid will be flashing and it'll evolve into a Zeta Metroid, not a
pretty sight. This creature's gonna be painfully annoying, as it'll be
constantly trying to fly behind Samus and spit down fireballs. You'll need
to hit the front of it with missiles, just jump around blasting away at it,
it'll be obsessed with trying to hit Samus so you'll just have to hold out
against it. Don't worry as you'll only have to face two more of these
psychos.

Once it's dead head back out to the ruins and scale the cliff. Once you
reach the opening leading into the ruins, duck inside and save your game,
then head back out and climb up the cliff. On the left side of the ruins
you'll find two doors leading inside, both paths will lead to a tall shaft
containing four sealed doors. Behind each door lies either the Ice Beam,
Spazer Beam, Plasma Beam or Wave Beam, so you can come back here at anytime
and switch between weapons at will. You should be fine sticking with the
Plasma Beam, but the Wave Beam can also help in this area. Up the left wall
of the cavern you'll find another passage leading off, this one will lead
to a Gamma Metroid. Head through the spike-lined corridor to face it. Once
you've crushed it head back out to the ruins and climb up to the roof. At
this point you might find that you'll be low on energy after battling the
last few Metroids, but don't despair as the last Energy Tank awaits nearby.
Once on the roof, head right to find a hole in the ground, then jump in.
This next room below will be pitch black, so it might get a bit frustrating
trying to find your way around. Once Samus lands, plant a bomb to drop down
further below. At the bottom, plant a bomb in the right corner of the
narrow shaft and crawl right to find a Missile Pod. Go back to the narrow
shaft, then use the Spider Ball to climb up the right side, you'll
eventually begin crawling along a hidden tunnel on the right. As you roll
along the tunnel, hold A to jump up continuously with the Spring Ball
while planting bombs, you'll eventually blow open an opening above. Use the
Spider Ball to climb up to find the final Energy Tank above. Once you grab
it jump up through the Metroid shell to get above the ruins again. Head
right across the roof, once you reach the edge use the Space Jump to reach
an opening leading right up above. Cross the next corridor to find a Gamma
Metroid.

Go back to the ruins once it's dead, then drop down the right side to
eventually spot a boulder blocking a small entrance in the wall on the
left. Jump across from the right side with the Spring Ball and activate the
Spider Ball, then blow open the boulder and head inside. Go past the
Metroid shell inside to find a large room containing a Gamma Metroid. It'll
become a Zeta Metroid, so be careful. Stand on one of the two pillars to
pick off clear shots at the Zeta Metroid, then once you've crushed it go up
into the narrow shaft in the ceiling using the Spider Ball. In the room
above, blow open a hole in the roof section on the left, then climb up
around and go over to the boulder on the right of the room. Blow it open
and travel through the hidden tunnel to eventually reach the Chozo Statue
ahead. Shoot the ball open to reveal the last upgrade in the game - the
Screw Attack. Grab it then hi-tail it out of the ruins. Once you're back
outside, drop down the cliff to find a Missile refill Pod below near a
Metroid shell. Fill up on missiles before heading lower. Drop down from
here to reach the main entrance of the ruins. Go back over to the wall on
the right from where you entered this area, then fly up to the top of the
wall. Along the way you'll spot an opening on the right wall, leave it for
now and continue flying up. Near the top you'll find a Missile Pod hidden
in the wall, don't forget to pick it up.

Fly up through the opening at the top of the cliff to find a Gamma Metroid.
Quickly jump over to a platform on the right and fight it from there. Once
you've blown it apart you can find an energy refill ball on the left side
of the room before leaving. Now there's only one Metroid left in this area.
Drop down the cliff below and fall down to the opening in the right wall.
Travel through the spike-filled corridor to find a room filled with sand as
well as the last Zeta Metroid. Try to corner it in the small opening you're
standing in, as it won't be able to fly around much due to the sand. After
it's dead you'll experience another well-earned earthquake, it's time to
face the baddest and ugliest of Metroids.

.:---------------------(4.8   THE OMEGA METROIDS)-------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 6

Say goodbye to the last ruins area and head back down to where the lava
formerly bubbled and frothed. Descend the large shaft and head left at the
bottom. Cross the next lava-filled cavern, then drop down the next shaft.
Cross the lava in the next corridor, in the next room you'll find an area
with an exit leading left and a path leading up. Go up the shaft to find a
path leading left and right. Follow the left path, you'll climb up a shaft
and reach a corridor with the lower part filled with lava. Here you'll find
a simple Alpha Metroid, it's a bit of an insult having to fight such a
simple form after taking on the Zeta Metroids, but something ugly is still
waiting in this room. An earthquake will occur, but this time it'll be bad
news. When you head back down to the shaft below, you'll notice it'll have
filled with lava. Go up the right path leading back to the room where you
fought the Alpha Metroid, but this time it won't be so easy. When you reach
the point where the Metroid shells are, you'll spot a Zeta Metroid evolve
into the massive Omega Metroid form. This will be the toughest type of
battle against the five main Metroid types, so you'll need to use skill to
beat it. It won't be as fast as the Zeta Metroid, but it'll fire out
electric sparks everywhere, so try to stay clear. You'll need to pound it
in the face for quite some time before it blows. Once you send it packing
another earthquake will occur and you'll be able to head back down to the
main shaft. Go back to the shaft and drop down to the bottom where the
opening in the left wall is. Drop down the next shaft and cross the sea of
lava. Climb up the next two shafts to reach a Save station.

Save your game here, as you'll have three more Omega Metroids to deal with.
You might have to backtrack to reload your missiles before facing the
Metroids as they'll take a pounding before exploding. Ascend the huge shaft
and go right at the top. Go up to the top of the next shaft and head left.
Cross the corridor over the pillars, at the end you'll find a room
containing an Omega Metroid. Once you've wiped the floor with it, go back
to the shaft past the corridor and go through the door on the right side of
the shaft. Cross the corridor with the pillars, and bypass the giant hole
in the floor. Keep going right, in the next shaft you can save you game at
the Save station at the top. Once you've saved the game, drop down to the
base of the shaft and go right. In this next shaft blast the enemies here
to often receive large energy balls, once you've regained your health go
right about halfway down the shaft. Cross the pillars in the next corridor,
you'll face the second-last Omega Metroid in the room beyond. Once you've
dealt with it, go back to the shaft and head through the door at the base
of the shaft. Go left through the corridor filled with pillars to face the
final Omega Metroid. The destruction of this Metroid means that you'll now
be able to take on the Metroid Queen in its lair. Go back to the long
corridor with the giant hole in the floor and drop down.

.:---------------------(4.9   THE QUEEN AWAITS)---------------------------:.

Remaining Metroids: 1

Proceed through the next round of shafts and corridors, after a while
you'll finally reach a Save station - the last one in the game. Save your
game, then jump up through the hole in the ceiling. In the next room, jump
up out of the sticky water substance and you'll find yourself in a massive
cavern. Way, way up the top of the cavern you'll find three different
openings in the roof. The one on the right leads to an energy refill ball
and a Missile refill pod, so definitely head up there. The center opening
leads to an Ice Beam, make sure you pick this one up, it'll be critical,
you'll see why soon. Once you're ready, head up the opening on the left.
When you enter the shaft the music will become much more tense and
mysterious, so we're nearly home. Climb up the shaft, then scale the next
one. Use the Spider Ball to enter the narrow tunnel above the shaft, in
this room you'll see in plain sight the Metroid hatchling's egg waiting to
be discovered - but you won't be able to reach it yet. As you go forward
below the egg Samus will freeze and the music will go crazy. The Metroid
counter will then go berserk and change from 1 to 9, so there's more
Metroids to face before confronting the Queen. Drop down into the next
corridor and head right. Watch out as a normal Metroid will fly straight
at you in an attempt to cling to Samus, if it catches you go back up to
the previous room to get rid of it. Freeze the Metroid with the Ice Beam
and hammer away at it with Missiles. In the next shaft another Metroid is
waiting, finish it off and climb up the shaft. Two more Metroids await in
the next shaft, blast them and move onward. Another two await in the next
corridor, the final two reside in the next shaft leading down. Once you've
blasted them all it's finally time to face the Metroid Queen.

Enter the next corridor and the music will become deep and booming,
indicating that you're nearly there. Cross the corridor, then once you
reach a spike-filled section, Space Jump over the spikes and drop down
through the hole in the corner.

You'll drop into the Metroid Queen's room on the right side, while the
Queen resides on the left. It'll be absolutely massive, but it'll stay on
the left most of the time. The Queen will often lash its head out and
extend its neck to charge at Samus, this move will be difficult to dodge as
the head will lash around the room. Once the Queen retracts its head, it'll
spit out three large spiked balls. They'll scatter about and fly at Samus,
try to jump up as they go past. You'll need to hit the Queen in the face
with more than 100 missiles, so you'll need full energy to survive. If you
manage to hit the inside of the Queen's mouth when it opens, the Queen will
freeze and stop moving for a few seconds. This'll give you plenty of time
to unload a barrage of missiles into the mouth, just try to keep hitting
the inside of the mouth. If you're low on health and need to escape,
activate the Morphing Ball and crawl through the small tunnel below the
Queen to land in the room below containing the Ice Beam, from here you can
reload your missiles and fill up on health before trying again. The Screw
Attack also comes in handy when the spiked balls bounce around the room.
Keep pounding the Queen's head with Missiles and try not to waste too many
shots, eventually the Queen will begin to disintegrate while an earthquake
occurs.

***Alternate method***

Thanks to Lightning Bug for pointing this trick out to me. Try to freeze
the Queen's head while it's open right in front of Samus, lined up with the
ground. Then activate the Morph Ball and roll into the mouth while it's
open. If you've done it right, you'll get stuck in the head as the Queen
retracts its neck. From here you'll be able to lay countless bombs to
damage the Queen, but hold left and you'll crawl into its stomach. Lay a
bomb and it'll spit you out after taking a pounding from the bomb, after a
few bombs in the belly you'll give the Queen a permanent stomach ache and
it'll disintegrate. You'll take damage while inside the Queen, but it'll be
pittens compared to her normal attacks. Try it out!

Your health will somehow be fully restored and the Metroid counter will
finally reach zero. Once the Queen disappears, go left to find the
all-important Metroid hatchling. The hatchling will break out of its egg
and cling to Samus, thinking she's its mother. It's now time to leave. Head
right through the caverns and shafts, whenever you find blocks obstructing
the path the hatchling will break through them for you - a nice friendly
gesture from the little fella. Keep going through the tunnels and </pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
eventually you'll emerge back out onto the surface of the planet. Go right
and Space Jump up the massive wall you'll find there. Scale over the top of
the terrain above, then drop down the cliff to find Samus' ship. Jump
inside it to complete the game. Mission complete.

.:---------------------(4.10   FINALE)------------------------------------:.

Phew, well, the marathon's over. If you've played through the game for the
first time, you'll probably beat it in about 4-6 hours, but with practice
you should easily gain success in under three hours to claim the best
ending the game has to offer. This game's very different from the other
Metroids as it's more like a progressive maze, but the enjoyment's still
there in full. Now that you've beaten Metroid II, it's on to the Ceres
Space Colony in Super Metroid to discover the fate of Samus and the
Metroid hatchling!

=====================================\
-(5.0   GAME ENDINGS)-
=====================================/

As with all Metroid games, you'll receive one of three different endings
after the credits roll depending on how long it took you to complete the
game.

5+ hours:  When "The End" appears and your total time is displayed, Samus
           continues to run towards the screen.

3-5 hours: Samus jumps up out of the screen and lands with her armor still
           on, she then stands motionless.

3- hours:  Samus will again jump up out of the screen, but when she lands
           her entire suit will disappear revealing her wearing a two-piece
           bikini. She unties her hair and stands motionless.

=====================================\
-(6.0   CONTACTING THE AUTHOR)-
=====================================/

If you want to send me a question, comment, etc. please take a moment to
make sure that it isn't covered in the guides above, I don't have time to
answer any gameplay questions that are covered in this walkthrough. If you
have a comment or feedback, I'd love to hear from you, just please make
sure that the message is applicable to this guide.

E-mail question/comments to falconzero114@gmail.com

=====================================\
-(7.0   CREDITS)-
=====================================/

/Game Companies:

Nintendo: For the awesome Metroid series, with its never-ending
entertainment and replay value, especially with the recent double sequel
topping sales charts everywhere.

/Others:

Many thanks goes to the Metroid Database <http://www.metroid-database.com/>
& GameFaqs <http://www.gamefaqs.com/> for hosting this guide.

Thanks also to Lightning Bug for submitting reader tips.

=====================================\
-(8.0   LEGAL INFO)-
=====================================/

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http://www.gamefaqs.com/

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All Metroid related material including characters, names, locations or
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creation of this game.

This document and all the guides within are Copyright (c) 2003 Falcon Zero.
All rights reserved.

\==========================================================================/