Experiment 7526 was an unsuccessful attempt at converting a Space Pirate into an Elite Pirate. Its fragmented remains can be seen inside a tall, indestructible Xenome Containment Unit in the Research Lab Aether room of the Phendrana Drifts, in Metroid Prime.
Experiment 7526 appears to have possessed a wide variety of features, such as plating on its head and neck, six eyes, two tentacles, a translucent membrane with an inner nucleus reminiscent of most standard Metroid types (especially the evolved forms of the SR388 strain), a thorax with a stinger, and a large claw with a built-in gun barrel. The claw in particular causes it to resemble a Zebesian more than any Space Pirate on Tallon IV.
Official data[]
Scan[]
"This tank holds the remains of experiment 7526. Conversion of Elite Pirate unsuccessful."
Development notes[]
Early concept art
E3 2001 concept art for Prime depicted Experiment 7526 in its intact state. An anonymous former developer from Retro Studios later revealed that this creature was a scrapped enemy, a mutated Space Pirate that was a failure in the Pirate Phazon experiments. Its model was then repurposed as background fodder.[1]
The gun barrel claw is likely a remnant of early concept art and models for Space Pirates that more closely adhered to the classic Zebesian design. In addition to its Metroid-esque torso membrane, the head of experiment 7526 bears some resemblance to the head of an Omega Metroid in concept artwork by Danny Richardson.
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References[]
| Elite Pirates | |
|---|---|
| Characters | EPG-8644 and EPG-8656 • EPG-8701 and EPG-8702 • Experiment 7526 • Omega Pirate • Phazon Elite |
| Technology | Chameleon Manta • Energy-siphon system • Omega Pirate Absorption System • Plasma Artillery Cannon • Plasma Incendiary Launcher • Repulsion Shield • Wave Quake Generator • Wrist Bayonet • Cryosleep Tank |