Crystallite

Crystallites are creatures encountered in Metroid Prime.

Description[]

Crystallites are non-aggressive, territorial cold-weather scavengers. They appear as medium-sized insects with large bright yellow eyes and powerful pincers. Red spots can be seen on their underside, which may be the creature's suction cups it uses to cling on surfaces. Their icy shell is formed during their larval stage when they hang upside down in an ice cavern. Moisture runs off the body, causing the hard ice shell to form in the same fashion as a stalactite; the Crystallite will have this resilient shell for the rest of its life.^[1]

Samus encounters Crystallites in Phendrana Drifts on Tallon IV. They can be found roaming the land or in caverns, walking on ceilings and on the ground. They pose little threat to Samus and can be defeated by a Missile or a shot from the Plasma Beam. If a pair of Crystallite are present, sometimes one will freeze temporarily if the other is eliminated close-by.

In the creature's updated scan image in Metroid Prime Remastered, their yellow eyes are more visible on their body. Also, their underside appears visibly different: Remastered depicts all connecting body parts rooted around the center of the body. Curiously in the scan images of both the original and remastered versions, the creature's suctions cups are never depicted.

Crystallites inhabit the following rooms: Phendrana Shorelines, Phendrana Canyon, Ice Ruins East, West Tower Entrance, and Chozo Ice Temple.

Official data[]

Logbook entry[]

RemasteredOriginal

Crystallite

Metroid Prime

Temporary scan

Morphology: Crystallite
Territorial cold-weather scavenger.

Logbook entry

The shell of a Crystallite reflects Beam weapons, and can only be cracked by a concussive blast. They hang upside down in an ice cave during their larval stage. Moisture runs off its body and forms the hard ice shell, which the Crystallite retains for the rest of its life.

[Remastered][Original]

Official website[]

Crystallites are territorial, cold-weather scavengers. Its icy shell is formed during the larval stage, when it hangs upside down in an ice cave. Moisture runs off its body and forms the hard ice shell, which the Crystallite retains for the rest of its life.

Crystallites are medium-sized insects with power pincers. The Crystallite's body is protected by a thick shell made of ice.

Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide[]

Crystallite: "Crystallites are tiny little creatures that would seem almost harmless if not for their rigid ice carapace. They crawl around on frozen surfaces and give little thought to their surroundings. Although they aren't hostile creatures, they can cause damage to Samus should she accidentally step on one while crossing their territory. Crystallites are invulnerable to all weapons except for missiles and the Plasma Beam."

Crystallite: Found In: Phendrana Drifts; Recommended Weapon: Missile Launcher; "Crystallites crawl around on the frozen surfaces of Phendrana Drifts. Their hardened ice carapace makes them invulnerable to everything but missiles. Crystallites travel in a set feeding pattern and should be destroyed before you attempt to travel over their territory. Though they aren't aggressive, they will cause you damage if you run into them."

Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]

CRYSTALLITE: "If you want to reach the door you just unlocked, you'll have to climb a series of icy platforms. Some of the platforms contain Crystallites--small creatures that are invulnerable to all but Missile attacks. Take out Crystallites as you encounter them, then climb the platforms and go through the door at the top of the mountain."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]

CRYSTALLITE: MORPHOLOGY; "The Crystallite is a territorial cold-weather scavenger. The shell of a Crystallite reflects beam weapons and can only be cracked by a concussive blast. They hang upside down in an ice cave during their larval stage. Moisture runs off its body and forms the hard ice shell, which the Crystallite retains for the rest of its life."; COMBAT TIPS; "As mentioned in the Morphology, the Crystallites are immune to beam weapons, which means that must be hit with a Missile if destroying them is the goal. By moving quickly and timing their movements, they can be effectively avoided in many areas."

Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]

CRYSTALLITE: "Like a Grizby--it takes a Missile to destroy these small creatures."

Development notes[]

A Crystallite's internal name is Platform Zoomer. The Crystallite's behavior combined with its internal name hint at a strong connection between it and the Zoomer, possibly being considered an ice variant of the latter though no such connection has been confirmed in-game. Behavior-wise, Crystallites behave near identically as the Geemer also within Prime. Both walk within a set path and can receive damage from only Missiles or the Plasma Beam, suggesting shared AI.

Curiously in the files of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the name Crystallite is used as an alternate name used to set up the Data Network hierarchy for a Lightbringer. It is possible the Lightbringer was programmed with similar AI as a Crystallite, since both move in a similar fashion.^[2]

Trivia[]

The Pokemon Bergmite bears a resemblance to a Crystallite. Both are four legged yellow-eyed creatures carrying smooth ice atop their backs/heads and who both thrive in cold environments.