"Metroid Fusion: Boss FAQ"
v6.0 10/26/08
--------------
by Joseph Mostarda (e-mail: jmostarda@live.com)

Table of Contents
-----------------
Section 1 (Copyrights)
----------------------
1.01 - Copyrights

1.02 - Version History

Section 2 (Bosses)
------------------
2.01 - Arachnus
2.02 - Torizo
2.03 - Cyclops
2.04 - Serris
2.05 - Security Robot, pt. 1
2.06 - Core-X
2.07 - Mad Scientist
2.08 - Yakuza
2.09 - Nettori
2.10 - Nightmare
2.11 - Security Robot, pt. 2
2.12 - Ridley
2.13 - SA-X
2.14 - Omega Metroid

(Tip: Use Ctrl+F to quickly navigate this FAQ.)

Section 1
---------
1.01 - Copyrights
-----------------
Feel free to download this FAQ for your own personal use. All I ask is that you
don't sell it for profit or any form of commercial means. I also grant
unlimited permission for this FAQ to be posted on any other website, so long as
proper credit is given to me as the author of this FAQ.

1.02 - Version History
----------------------
v6.0 (2008) - rewrote large portions of the FAQ to improve readability

Section 2
---------
2.01 - Arachnus
--------------
Location: Main Deck

Arachnus is a large creature that has a tough carapace on its back. To hurt it,
you must shoot it with beams and missiles when it is facing you. However, it
will shoot fireballs and shockwaves at you. When it does, quickly jump up onto
the nearby ledges. After avoiding the attacks, Arachnus will roll into a ball
and shake the walls, so jump just before it hits to avoid damage. After enough
hits, Arachnus will turn into a Core-X, a mega-sized X parasite! To defeat it,
just shoot missiles at it, while avoiding it completely. Defeating the Core-X
nets you with a certain ability.

Ability Earned: Morph Ball

2.02 - Torizo
-------------------
Location: Sector 1

This is a simple battle. Just shoot the fake Chozo statue until it turns into a
Core-X. Defeat the Core-X like you did last time. But, be careful, because this
Core-X shoots plasma beams at you.

Ability Earned: Charge Beam

2.03 - Cyclops
----------------
Location: Sector 2

Not too difficult! When Cyclops jumps, simply avoid it. However, about every 5
jumps, it will glide down slowly and open its mouth. This is the time to shoot
missiles into it. Once it gets hurt, it will shrink. Repeat the process, but be
warned: Cyclops gets faster each round. Once everything but the eye is
destroyed, Cyclops will become a Core-X. By this point, you should know how to
defeat it.

Ability Earned: Hi-Jump / Spring Ball

2.04 - Serris
-------------
Location: Sector 4

This boss can be tough if you do not plan ahead! As soon as the boss music
plays, get onto the right-most ladder, and stay there! Serris moves at
lightning speed, and that makes it all but impossible to run around. As fast as
Serris moves, it does many patterns. Whenever its face is coming towards you
[on the ladder], hit it with missiles! As long as you do not get off the
ladder, you will never take damage. Repeat the process; remember, do not get
off the ladder. Just wait until Serris's face is vulnerable. After enough hits,
Serris will become a Core-X.

Tom Kliewer has provided another strategy for this battle. What you do is stay
on the lower-left corner for the entire battle, and then hit Serris fast as
soon as its face appears! If you are lucky, you will rarely get hit by Serris,
and you can get one or two good shots in! Once Serris becomes the Core-X,
though, quickly get onto one of the platforms and fire away.

Ability Earned: Speed Booster

2.05 - B.O.X. (1)
-----------------
LOCATION: Sector 3

This boss will frustrate you if you don't know what to do! As soon as it
appears, get on the monkey-bars! Once you are on, just move back and forth, as
a moving target is harder to hit! Once Security Robot stops, quickly get over
there, but do not get directly under it! That's because Security Robot will
drop a fire-bomb! As soon as it is dropped, shoot a Super Missile down into
Security Robot Then avoid the flames emitted from the fire-bomb. If you can do
this, you're ready to repeat the process! However, as Security Robot takes more
damage, it will move faster. Soon, you will have to deal with two fire-bombs at
once! When this happens, get as close to the left wall as possible, then drop
down and jump over the flames! Then, get back on the monkey-bars and shoot
Security Robot A few more hits should stun Security Robot After that, he will
fly away, leaving debris everywhere! Climb up the debris to finish your mission
on Sector 3!

AutoZam60 has a nice strategy that makes this battle easier. According to
AutoZam60, whenever Security Robot "walks in place", fire a Charge Beam at it.
Also, once Security Robot opens its hatch, stand directly over the bombs to
miss the bombs entirely! Once the fire-bombs are out of your way, simply fire
Super Missiles into the open hatch.

Ability Earned: NONE

2.06 - Core-X (1)
-----------------
LOCATION: Sector 6

After entering the boss room, immediately charge up your beam! As soon as
Core-X appears, fire your charged beam at it! It will bounce back and lose one
of its spinning blades! Repeat the process, but as you are charging up your
beam, jump around; Core-X is tracking you! As soon as your beam is charged,
fire it again at Core-X! Don't worry too much about damage; speed is important
in this battle! Once all of the spinning blades are destroyed, Core-X will
become a regular Core-X.

Ability Earned: Varia Suit

2.07 - Core-X (2)
-----------------
Location: Sector 3

During your six-minute quest to save Sector 3, you must fight a second Core-X,
this time disguised as a scientist. However, it isn't terribly difficult. As
soon as you enter the arena, fire a Charge Beam at the scientist. The disguise
will fall away, revealing the Core-X. This Core-X is more dangerous than the
other one, as it is capable of firing armor-piercing plasma shots at you. After
about seven to eight hits, it will be destroyed.

Ability Earned: Wide Beam

2.08 - Yakuza
-------------
LOCATION: Reactor Core

This boss is very difficult and can do a lot of damage! As soon as the music
begins to play, curl into a Morph Ball and stay as close to the left or right
wall as possible. Once the flames die down, stay in a ball hugging the wall.
This way, Yakuza can never grab you. If it should grab you for some other
reason, quickly tap left, right, A, B to escape. If you don't, be prepared for
major damage! Once Yakuza opens it mouth, quickly fire Super Missiles into its
mouth. After you do, immediately get back into Morph Ball and hug the corner.
If you are fast enough, the flames should miss you. Stay in the corner until
Yakuza opens it mouth again. Repeat the process until it legs fall off. Once
they do, stay in the corner and fire Super Missiles whenever Yakuza stops.
However, this part of the battle is tough because of the slugs that are
falling. The best strategy is to just fire Super Missiles continuously. That
way, you will destroy the slugs as they fall, and hit the boss in the process.
If you run out of Super Missiles, just use the Charge Beam. Finally, defeat the
Core-X once it appears.

Pa1006: "Once the battle begins, three fireballs will rain down into the arena.
Stay as close as possible to the one on the left, and when Yakuza comes down to
grab you, quickly run to the right! If done correctly, you will run right
through the flames, which are dying down! Stay in the right corner, and crouch
down or go into Morph Ball mode. That way, the boss can't grab you! (To further
ensure you are never grabbed, try to stay on the opposite side of its pattern!)
Once the boss opens it mouth, quickly fire Super Missiles into it! After the
flames rain down, stay as close as possible to the one on the right! (You don't
have to crouch, as Yakuza will never grab you while the flames are burning!)
Continue to stay in the right corner until its legs fall off, then fire
missiles diagonally in the right corner. Once it becomes a Core-X, simply hit
it with Super Missiles!"

Charkeeb: "Right when the battle begins and Yakuza appears, it is possible to
hit it with up to four missiles."

Ability Earned: Space Jump

2.09 - Nettori
-------------------
LOCATION: Sector 2

Another frustrating boss! As soon as you fall into the arena, get onto the
highest, right-most platform. Shoot Super Missile after Super Missile into
Nettori's face, and do your best to avoid the pollen. If it really gets to you,
though, fire Super Missiles at the pollen-shooting flowers to stop them for a
while. And should you ever fall into the killer planets below, just wait for a
second and jump out. Never squirm; the flowers will hold on tighter! After many
hits, the flowers on top will disappear, and the plants below will begin to
shoot out pollen. This is the time to really let loose on the boss's face!
However, Nettori shoots plasma beams at you, so be careful! Either duck or jump
to avoid. After about 25 more hits, you just have to deal with the Core-X, but
this one shoots plasma at you. Kill with caution!

Pa1006: "As soon as you fall into the arena, make your way onto the highest
platform. Face left, and quickly fire Super Missiles into the pollen- shooting
plants. Then, face right and quickly blast Nettori. Repeat the process until
the upper plants are eventually destroyed. Now the boss will start to fire
plasma beams at you. They are easy to avoid by jumping or crouching. NEVER
shoot at the bottom of the boss, as its plasma beams will deflect it. Shoot
only while you are standing up. Once it turns into a Core-X, get ready for a
work-out!

Go all the way to the right of the arena, and let it follow you. Once it comes
close to you, jump over it and crouch behind the tall, right-most platform. As
long as you stay crouched, you can't be hurt! When the Core-X comes close, jump
up and hit it! Repeat the process until it is killed!"

Kaino sent me a nice strategy that adds onto Pa1006's strategy. Basically, you
crouch behind the right-most platform [during the Core-X battle] and hit it.
Then, you go all the way to the right of the arena. Shoot your beam at the
Core-X to gain more X parasites, then, when it gets close to you or is about to
fire its plasma beam, Space Jump over it! According to Kaino, don't use
missiles; just stick with your Charge Beam. Whenever the Core-X gets near you,
fire a charged beam at it, then Space Jump over it! Repeat the process, going
from the right to the left. This way, you can never get "trapped". (NOTE: This
strategy can be time-consuming, so if you are going for a speed run game, feel
free to alter this strategy.)

GameGuy1x4 sent me a strategy that is simple, yet effective! As soon as you
enter the arena, get on the left-most platform and drop Power Bomb after Power
Bomb [until you run out]. If you had an adequate supply, then Mother Plant
should be shooting plasma by the time you run out of Power Bombs. From there,
just shoot Nettori with missiles until it becomes a Core-X. (NOTE: Don't worry
about pollen using this strategy; not only does the left- most platform protect
you from pollen, the Power Bombs keep the pollen at bay!)

According to comicXcore, you can go into Morph Ball mode to avoid the pollen.
From there, you can quickly drop Power Bombs, or, once the pollen is gone, get
out of Morph Ball and charge. Once you charge your beam, simply go back into
Morph Ball mode to automatically fire the Charge Beam.

moeron has a strategy that is very effective! In the first stage of attack, use
the following pattern: 2-1. In other words, fire two beams (diagonally), then
jump up and fire a missile.

Ability Earned: Plasma Beam

2.10 - Nightmare
----------------
LOCATION: Sector 5

Notoriously known for being one of the toughest bosses, Nightmare will really
give you a work-out! Once it appears, ready your missiles! Nightmare will
unleash a barrage of fire at you, but it is easy to jump over. And, once you
jump, Nightmare will get really high in the air. Once it does, get under it and
fire missiles into its gravity pod. After about three hits to the pod,
Nightmare will control gravity! Once this happens, your best bet of hitting it
is the Charge Beam. Jump again to avoid the fire, but always jump a second
earlier than you think you need to, because you are now slower. Get under
Nightmare again and fire charged beams onto the gravity pod. Repeat the
process. After about three more hits, the gravity pod and Nightmare's mask will
both fall away, making Nightmare much more agile! Quickly get on the ladder and
fire missiles into its true face. After about three good hits, Space Jump
around the arena, as Nightmare will start to track you! If Nightmare gets too
close for comfort, try jumping lower or higher. Nightmare should soon stop in
mid-air. Once it does, get back on the ladder and fire missiles into its face.
After about 10 hits, it should turn red, which means Nightmare is almost dead.
It also gets even faster. Space Jump some more until you get another chance to
hit it. After about 7 more hits, Nightmare will become a Core-X. Defeat.

Thanks to ScorpionZero, another strategy for this battle has been added. As
soon as the gravity pod is destroyed, get the Charge Beam ready! Quickly scale
the ladder, and wait for Nightmare's true face to appear. If done correctly,
you will be able to fire easily at Nightmare, but at the same time, avoiding
its fire! Let your Charge Beam go into its face, and then start firing missiles
like crazy! If quick enough, it will become orange [Nightmare's face.] Space
Jump to avoid the agile movements of Nightmare, then get back on the ladder and
repeat. Again, being quick will turn Nightmare's face red. Repeat the process
once more to turn Nightmare into a Core-X. You know what to do.

Ability Earned: Gravity Suit

2.11 - B.O.X. (2)
-----------------
LOCATION: Sector 6

This time, Security Robot has pulled out all the stops! It jumps higher, fires
homing missiles, and moves through electrified water! As soon as the battle
begins, lay a Power Bomb to reveal monkey-bars. Do your best to not fall off,
as if you do, you will lose a lot of energy! Once Security Robot fires the
homing missiles, quickly destroy them and drop missiles into Security Robot
Repeat the process about three times to make Security Robot move faster and
launch more missiles! To counter the attack, just move faster on the
monkey-bars. If you are experienced, though, you can try Space Jumping around
Security Robot to avoid damage! Keep at the pattern of destroying and hitting
to finally destroy the Security Robot.

James McEneely has a strategy that makes this battle much easier. In an e-mail
he sent, he told me the following: "As soon as the battle begins, drop a Power
Bomb. Once it explodes, climb and stay on the left part of the monkey bars!
Just stay there. When Security Robot approaches, allow it to fire missiles at
you. Quickly take down the missiles with your Plasma Beam, then fire Diffusion
Missiles at Security Robot once it bounces back (and lands under you!)
Alternatively, just fire the Charge Beam whenever Security Robot opens its
hatch and get close to you!"

Lonesquiff has a strategy for you: for the entire battle, simply stay to the
right! As long as you stay crouched, you can easily take out the missiles and
hit Security Robot, all without moving!

AutoZam60 has a strategy for the advanced players only. You must have many
Energy Tanks and have mastered the Space Jump. Charge your beam, then begin to
Space Jump around the screen. As long as you have your beam charged, you will
not get hurt by the missiles. Once they are destroyed, literally charge into
Security Robot! It will take damage, but you will also take damage from the
electrocuted water. (You won't take very much damage, however.) Repeat the
process.

rh_ms has a strategy that mirrors James McEneely's. You drop a Power Bomb, then
climb and stay on the right-part of the monkey-bars! And, just like James
McEneely's strategy, wait for Security Robot to fire missiles. Take them out,
then hit Security Robot itself.

pure_impulsedX has a strategy that is rather helpful. He says to go all the way
to the right of the arena, then wait there. Using the Plasma Beam, you can
easily take out the homing missiles. From there, wait for it to charge at you.
Security Robot will hit the corner, narrowly missing you, then bounce back.
BEFORE it moves back, have the Charge Beam ready and Space Jump into Security
Robot Quickly get back to the right side of the arena, and repeat the process
until Security Robot falls once and for all.

Ability Earned: Wave Beam

2.12 - Ridley
-------------
Location: Sector 1

This battle is very tough! Besides the fact that Ridley practically covers the
entire screen, you have to deal with tail attacks and excessive grabbing and
squealing! There are two methods to killing him: Diffusion Missiles and the
Charge Beam. I recommend the Charge Beam, because Ridley dies quicker! Stay in
the right corner and fire charged beams one after the other! Speed is what
counts in this battle! Luckily, everything but Ridley's tail is vulnerable!
Once Ridley takes about 7 hits, he will swoop down and try to grab you. If at
all possible, try to get into a Morph Ball and roll to the left wall. If Ridley
should grab you, though, just fire Diffusion Missiles until he lets you go.
Repeat the process of hitting Ridley with charged beams. After about 25 more
hits, he should turn red, which means he is almost dead. Don't worry about your
energy; just keep firing charged beams at him! After about 10 more hits, all
that is left of him is his bones. Continue to hit him until he finally becomes
a Core-X. Beware, this Core-X shoots plasma at you! Defeat the Core-X to emerge
victorious in this very hard battle! Good job!

Another strategy to defeating Ridley involves a glitch. Sadly, I can't recall
the source, but nevertheless, it is a very intelligent strategy! What you do is
immediately let Ridley grab you the moment the battle starts! Try to steer
yourself to the left. If done correctly, Ridley will drop you in an invisible
alcove on the left wall. Due to the glitch, you are invulnerable! (As long as
you stay in the alcove!) Also, Ridley can't grab you! This is a very simple way
of defeating Ridley. Beware, though; this glitch may mess up your game, and it
also robs you of satisfaction for defeating one of the hardest bosses in the
game!

If you are trying to stay damage-free, you could try rolling through Ridley's
legs every time he swoops down. You should almost always slide between his legs
without him picking you up! Thanks to Zak Pierce for finding this strategy!

Another strategy for defeating Ridley was brought to me by Xantec. Unlike my
strategy, Xantec's strategy has you moving all over the arena while firing
charged Wave Beam shots at Ridley. According to Xantec, this strategy never has
Ridley swooping down to grab you, and he never does a tail attack until he
becomes red and boney. It is a safe strategy to use whenever you battle him,
for it provides you with minimal damage. Much thanks to Xantec for this
strategy!

Ability Earned: Screw Attack

2.13 - SA-X
-----------
Location: Operations Deck

Get ready for your toughest battle yet! It is time to face off with the
ultimate evil: a perfect copy of Samus herself! As soon as the battle begins,
get on the lower-left ledge. The only thing that hurts SA-X is the Charge Beam,
so have it ready at all times. Once she jumps in front of you, fire your beam!
She will fall off, stunned, then come back for more! Repeat the process until
she jumps on the ledge above you. Quickly shoot her, or you will suffer major
damage! After hitting her, jump around so you are harder to hit. But be
careful! If you Screw Attack into SA-X, you both take damage! After many, many
rounds of dodging and hitting, SA-X will evolve into a tall, hideous creature!
Luckily, it doesn't attack; but it jumps over you. As soon as it forms, fire
your Charge Beam at it. After it jumps, hit it again. It only takes three or
four good shots to destroy it. Once it collapses, you just need to take out the
Core-X. However, this one is very strong! It takes many hits, and it fires
plasma! Try using your Screw Attack on it; it will release X parasites that you
can absorb for health and weapons. The best strategy is to stay near the right
wall and shoot as soon as its eye appears; then quickly Space Jump to avoid the
plasma. After about 7 hits, you will finally win this battle. However, if you
think things will get easier, think again...

An interesting note was brought to my attention by BDicVader. It seems that if
you shoot SA-X from above, she will get stuck in the left wall. This allows you
some free shots, and she won't fire back.

Mike Suskie: "You know how there are two platforms in the dead center of the
room? This battle revolves around the one on the right. Before the battle
begins, charge up the Wave Beam. When you approach the Operations Control Room
and hear a 'thunk', jump down onto the platform on the left and fire your Wave
Beam at SA-X (who is on the right platform). Immediately jump down and begin
charging your Wave Beam again. SA-X will follow you, and when she lands, fire
another beam at her. Now, use the Space Jump to get up to the platform on the
right. Let SA-X follow you, but do your best to not collide with her in
mid-air. Once you get to the top of the right platform, charge up your Wave
Beam and wait for SA-X. As soon as she lands on the platform, jump back down.
Wait for SA-X to follow you down, then fire your Wave Beam at her as soon as
she lands! Repeat the process, using the Space Jump to get back onto the right
platform.

"Once SA-X evolves into the tall, hideous creature, simply fire your Charge
Beam at it until it collapses. It will turn into a bluish Core-X.

"Use your Space Jump to "hover" in mid-air. The Core-X can't hurt you while
you're doing the Space Jump, so, as long as you keep "hovering", you are
invincible! While "hovering", slam into the Core-X! While both will not take
damage, you will release helpful X parasites! Use them to regain health and
weapons, then fire your Diffusion Missiles at the Core-X! After firing, repeat
the "hovering" to keep your tanks high. After about 5 rounds, you will finally
defeat SA-X!"

Josh Laddin: "This strategy can be tough to iniate, but really good once the
pattern gets going. While charging your beam, stay in the lower left corner of
the arena, near the hatch that leads to the Recharge Room. As you make your way
over there, lure SA-X to the left platform directly above you. Once she goes up
there, fire your beam! Quickly charge up your beam again and stay in the lower
left corner. Fire again, then one of two outcomes will occur; she will persue
you, in which case get out of there quickly! Or, she will bounce back onto the
left platform above you. Quickly fire another Charge Beam. Repeat the pattern.
Once SA-X evolves into the tall, hideous creature, kill it quickly! Then, take
care of the Core-X!"

Another strategy has come to my attention, this time brought to me by GrAwL.
According to GrAwL, you can get SA-X to not shoot at you! What you do is jump
to the low ground and wait until SA-X does the same. Charge your Wave Beam, and
then shoot SA-X. Jump over her, charge your Wave Beam again [while jumping],
and fire! Repeat the process. This way, SA-X can never hurt you! She becomes a
pushover! Deal with the next two stages [the tall, hideous creature and the
Core -X] like you normally would.

Still more strategies! This one is brought to you by Lonesquiff! According to
Lonesquiff, an easy way to defeat SA-X is to constantly keep her frozen. Freeze
her, then quickly charge your Wave Beam and hit her! Repeat the process, always
remembering to keep her frozen!

AutoZam60 has a nice strategy for SA-X. When you first enter the Operations
Deck, charge a Diffusion Missile. Get to the top of the room to start the
battle, then quickly fall to the center of the floor and fire the Diffusion
Missile! SA-X will freeze, giving you just enough time to fire a charged Wave
Beam at her! When she recovers, Space Jump around while you charge up another
Diffusion Missile, then get behind her and fire it! Charge your Wave Beam
again, and repeat the process. (NOTE: This strategy is very similar to
Lonesquiff's, only this strategy has you moving around more.)

Freakazoid540 has a SA-X strategy that has you all over the place! Starting in
the top-left corner, you basically hit SA-X, move to the floating middle
platform, hit SA-X, move to the rightmost platform, hit SA-X... you can either
go back to the top and repeat the process, or you just move from floating
platform to floating platform; you have a choice. Either way, you will safely
make SA-X a Core-X, in which you can then Screw Attack to gain back any energy
you may have lost.

Ability Earned: NONE

2.14 - Omega Metroid
--------------------
Location: Docking Bays

The final battle in the game is not easy; while Omega Metroid itself isn't
terribly difficult, you are on a tight time limit. Also, if you are using
invincibility cheats, turn them off! You can't win if they are on! As soon as
Omega Metroid appears, let Samus get swiped. She will have only one energy
point left, but right before she is finished, the Core-X from the previous
battle will appear! It will become SA-X again, and she will attempt to kill the
Omega Metroid. Once the Omega Metroid kills SA-X, absorb the parasite to gain
the Omega Suit and the Ice Beam! Quckily fire the Ice Beam at the Omega
Metroid's chest, then get away! It will swipe at you! Once it moves back, hit
it with the beam again! Repeat this process until it turns red. Now, the Omega
Metroid will move faster and do more damage. Charge up the Ice Beam, and let
loose! After about four more hits, it will die! All you have to do now is get
on your ship. Good job, soldier. You just won the game.

According to Icabod_Clay_203, it is faster to just use Ice Beam shots against
the Omega Metroid, rather than charged shots.

Ability Earned: NONE

--------------------||END OF DOCUMENT||--------------------