Metroids 3: X-Ray Scope

Super Metroid became the template for the franchise (and arguably an entire genre) for a reason: it is a damn good game. Practically every monster, item, and skill introduced in Super Metroid has resurfaced in one way or another across future Metroid titles. Well, every last bit of the game except one: The X-Ray Scope.

I can already hear the objections: the X-Ray Scope has returned in the Metroid franchise. It is front and center in (technically) the next Metroid game released after Super Metroid, Metroid Prime! But that is untrue! Metroid Prime (and other Prime titles) include the X-Ray Visor, which works in a manner entirely separate from the X-Ray Scope. The X-Ray Visor is a gameplay filter that is occasionally mandatory for “invisible” opponents and switches. The X-Ray Scope is distinctly meant for homing in on secrets in a manner much more like the Scan Visor of the Prime series than anything. And ain’t nobody calling the Scan Visor an X-Ray Scope.

But what about in 2-D? Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission may have relied on Super Bombs serving the “show me what is going on in this area” function, but both Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid: Dread contain item-upgrades that “search” the surrounding area. Scan Pulse and Pulse Radar function similarly to the X-Ray Scope, but with one key difference: the newer abilities do not make Samus Aran stand around and wait.

And that is the reason we have not seen the X-Ray Scope again: it slows Samus down.

I know Super Metroid pretty well, so there is not a lot of downtime in the video below. However, there are a few spots where I do need to remember where to go next. But do I use the X-Ray Scope? Nope! Because it is a pain in the ass to stand still, select the scope, and then wrrrrrr that scope around the area. Didn’t find anything? Then repeat the process again after moving a few feet over. That’s boring! And stupid! And future Metroid games dropped it for “search powers” that allows Samus to keep moving and find her next goal without wasting a second.

It all started with bombing walls in Metroid, and progressed to sending out pulses in Metroid: Dread. In between, there was the X-Ray Scope. And we are not going back to that.

Even Worse Streams Presents Metroid
Night 3
Super Metroid

August 29, 2023

Random Notes:

• Welcome back to Metroid with BEAT, Jeanie, fanboymaster, and me. Want to hear our secret names?
• As we get rolling with the Morph Ball, prepare yourself for BEAT’s hot take on DLC. He takes a while to get there.
• Enjoy our (incorrect) speculation on the then-upcoming Super Mario Wonder.
• Ample Vigour joins as Kraid leaves us.
• And then Caliscrub joins as we discuss the wonderful naming conventions of manga publications.
• “The role of our father is now played by Jesse the Body Ventura.”
• Let’s talk about how (not) good we are at buying cars!
• As we reach the haunted ship, enjoy hearing Jeanie’s genuine anger at the concept of the Flash having lousy villains.
• “Have you even played Draygon Dragoon?”
• “Is it the coward way? Yes. But is it also the cool way?” “It’s metal as shit.”
• Hey! fanboymaster finished Bojack Horseman. Let’s talk about that! And then talk about the eternal cycle of “cancel culture” as we descend into Norfair.
• We’re discussing the disastrous ways addicts may assert agency as we approach the finale. If you or a loved one is grappling with addiction, please get help before ruining the lives of those close to you.
• “I wanna kill this woman, so I’m going to have to be a T-Rex.”
• “The animals” are saved! And the universe! Super Metroid goes down in one night.

Next time on “Metroid”: Different life-sucking beasts.