The Metroid franchise has always been known for its engaging gameplay and exploration, as well as its movement systems. In the speedrunning community, advanced movement techniques have even allowed for sequence-breaking the main throughline of the story, helping them set new record times. This guide will teach you how to perform some of these advanced movement techniques and show you where the game first reveals them to you.
Advanced Movement - How to Wall Jump
The Wall Jump technique is taught to Samus by the small Etecoon creatures on Brinstar. To get to their hidden room, drop down the first vertical shaft that you enter the main part of Brinstar from, coming from the surface. Power Bomb the floor and it will give way, giving you access to the tall vertical tunnel below.
Proceed through the next couple of rooms and drop through the false floor in the gray room (you can come back for the Energy Expansion Tank here later).
Drop down and morph ball under the spikes, then cross the long hallway filled with enemies until you find an L-shaped room with the friendly Etecoons inside.
The Etecoons will stand there for a moment, chirping a familiar tune, before spin-jumping toward the wall and performing the Wall Jump technique up the tunnel.
To Wall Jump, spin jump toward the wall, then as soon as Samus makes contact with the wall, hold the Directional Pad away from the wall (she will look like she’s grabbing the wall), then jump again.
Repeat this, alternating from side to side until you reach the top of the tunnel where the Etecoons are waiting to congratulate you.
As you get more comfortable with the timing of jumping away from the wall, you can even perform the Wall Jump on a single wall. It requires precise timing, but becoming proficient at it will allow you to access areas and upgrades well before you’re intended to.
Advanced Movement - How to Shinespark
The Shinespark technique is taught to Samus by the Dachora on Brinstar, not far from where you learn the Wall Jump technique.
From the room where you Power Bombed the floor to get to the Etecoon secret room, run through the door on your right, and start clearing the room of enemies. Once they’ve all been dispatched, head back toward the door and turn around.
Start sprinting to initiate the Speed Booster and continue running right until you break through the floor down a long tunnel.
Head to the left and through the door, passing the friendly Dachora on your way by.
Make sure to use the Energy Recharge Station, because you’ll need it.
Exit the room, then follow the Dachora as it starts to sprint away from you. As you are speedboosting through the hallway, crouch down just before you hit the wall.
Samus will store the Speed Boost energy for a short time, before it fades away. While charged, jump then hold Up on the Directional Pad, and you’ll see Samus launch skyward at rapid speed, breaking through the Speed Booster blocks in the ceiling.
Remember the energy recharge mentioned before? As Samus uses the Shinespark technique, her energy rapidly depletes, so it is important to always have enough energy tanks filled before attempting to execute this maneuver.
Samus can also use the Shinespark in several directions, including diagonally if you hold the L-button, so keep this in mind when you find a large open area on the surface.
Now that you’ve learned some fancy new moves, experiment in the different areas on Planet Zebes to find new secrets you might not have noticed before. The underwater biome of Maridia has a few places that these techniques are handy, so get familiar with performing them.
