Wall Jump

Wall Jumping is a technique that speed runners use in the Metroid games to gain access to areas that would normaly require a special upgrade (ex, the High-Jump Boots).

This is the most important technique the player can learn to master Metroid gameplay. It is not in the manual, but it is demonstrated in Super Metroid in Brinstar by three Etecoons. The Wall Jump technique breaks down like this:

1) Spin jump (jump while running) at a wall so that Samus touches the wall. 2) When Samus touches the wall, press and hold the control pad away from the wall. 3) The Samus sprite should momentarily look like she is clinging to the wall. At that moment, press the Jump button again. Samus will spring off the wall in the opposite direction.

In narrow vertical shafts, Samus can bounce back and forth between walls by performing the move in opposite directions. It can also be used to climb flat walls. Once this move is truly mastered, the player can explore areas and obtain items which otherwise were inaccessable.