The Geruta (ゲルーダ Gerūda) is a hard-shelled species with large forelimbs native to Zebes. Seen only in the mainline Metroid games, these organisms move through the air using a natural propulsion system on their hind legs.
Description[]
Gerutas commonly live in Norfair. In the original Metroid, they are constantly swooping up and down in a straight line during their idle state, aiming their pair of jet-propelled legs upwards to fly downwards and vice versa. When they spot Samus, they will begin leaning their trajectories towards her location in an attempt to collide their pincers against her. They come in two varieties: the regular red and the more resilient purple. They share the same attack pattern as the Holtz, as well as the Reo but to a lesser extent.
In the remake Zero Mission, the Gerutas are sluggish in their swoops. Their idle state has been changed to merely floating against the ceiling; interesting to note is their feet do not ignite any flames during this state, implying they can levitate through other means. The weaker variant remains red, but has also been given a rough texture on the surface of their shell. Meanwhile, the stronger Geruta type is colored green and features a smooth, glossy surface. Their movements are now distinct from the Holtz's due to the latter travelling a far greater distance with their swoops.
The Gerutas in Super Metroid are of a single brown variety but are much more agile. Their forelimbs now have three claws (two on top and one below) instead of pincers. They share the attack pattern of the Reo and Holtz once more; the Geruta's swooping pattern is the 2nd fastest among the three.
X Parasites[]
Multiple Geruta surround Samus in Sector 3.
Following the X Parasite outbreak on the Biologic Space Laboratories research station in Metroid Fusion, the Gerutas being held as specimens were infected and mimicked, creating the Gerubus. The X modified their victims' DNA to make them the largest and most resilient type of Geruta in the entire series. Their speed however is slower than their counterparts from Zero Mission.
Within Sector 3 in the same game are X-based organisms curiously named Gerutas[1]. Unlike the Gerubus, which is unmistakenly based off the Gerutas from planet Zebes in both appearance and behavior, Sector 3's "Geruta" shares negligible traits with the species they are named after. These X lifeforms have red curved arms while the rest of their body is blue. They float back and forth in a stiff, wave-like manner with no visible means of propulsion on their arms or legs. When a foe is spotted, they proceed to fly towards it and rake it with their claws; their toothed mouth can be glimpsed during this attack.
Predator[]
Geruta ensnared by a Tangle Vine
A carnivorous plant-like species called Tangle Vines are introduced in Zero Mission which prey upon Gerutas. Several rooms feature red Gerutas struggling to break free from the vines' grip; if Samus kills the latter first, the former immediately return to their usual hostility. Some green Gerutas can be found in the process of being devoured, their motionless bodies pierced completely through by the plants. Unlike tangled red Gerutas, the green ones cannot be rescued and actually impede Samus's progress, requiring Missiles to destroy them as the vines holding the dead or dying prey are fully extended between the floor and ceiling.
Official data[]
Metroid manual[]
- Geruta
- "The skin on these powerful opponents can generate fire and radiate the energy inside their bodies. Be especially careful of the strong red ones. These creatures are the most powerful to appear in this scene."
Victory Techniques for Metroid[]
This article, section, or file contains text that is unofficially translated by Metroid fans. Some information (such as proper English names) may not be accurate. If an official translation becomes available, the fan translation(s) may be replaced.
"A Geruta's skin emits high temperatures, and it releases the energy stored inside its body to fly around. It has the same toughness as the Rio, and pink ones are weaker than the red ones."
The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]
- GERUTA
- "Its body is covered with skin which radiates intense heat. It attacks Samus from overhead."
Nintendo Power Volume 29[]
- ENEMIES OF BRINSTAR AND NORFAIR (pg. 41)
- GERUTA
- "This rocket-powered creature makes a swift, aerial attack."
Super Metroid manual[]
- GERUTA
- "This enemy defends itself by a heat-resistant shell and attacks ceaselessly with two large claws."
Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide[]
GERUTA
| Enemy Data | Description | |||||||
| Color | HP | ATK | E | BE | M | SM | PB | Norfair. Gerutas fly about in a circular/diagonal manner. |
| Normal | 120 | 60 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 3 | |
Information
Trivia[]
- Gerutas made rare cameo appearances in the Captain N: The Game Master TV show, such as being spawned by Gameboy for practicing Simon Belmont's whip skills in the episode The Trojan Dragon. They appeared more frequently in the Nintendo Comics System Captain N series, where they more closely resemble their Metroid artwork.
- Green Gerutas ensnared by Tangle Vines undergo a few changes. Their eyes and legs turn red and purple respectively instead of the normal blue and red. The green on their shell is slightly faded and have a rough texture similar to red Gerutas.
- The curved forelimbs of Metroid Fusion's Geruta are somewhat evocative of a Skree's curved wings; interestingly, the Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide refers to the former as a Skree[2]. Nevertheless, the name Geruta is given more credence due to its source being the Japanese Nintendo Official Guide Book for Metroid Fusion, notable for identifying many enemies that were never given official English names. In comparison, the Prima guide is known to contain a number of factual errors, hurting its credibility.
- X-based Skrees identical in appearance to the natural counterpart from Super Metroid were initially planned for Metroid Fusion but got cut from the final game. The sprites and AI can still be found in the game's data.
Gallery[]
Captain N: The Game Master[]
References[]
| Food, Nourishment and Sustenance | |
|---|---|
| Plants & Fungi | Blueroot Tree • Fruit • Red Starburst • Sap Sac • Saturnine • Tangle Vine Fruit |
| Species | Geruta • Embers • Kiru Giru • Pirate Militia • Reo • Ripper • Sciser • Scritter • Skree • Space Pirate • Tallon Crab • Torizo • X Parasite • Zoomer |
| Carrion | "Deceased Soldier" • Amok Mommy |
| Liquid | Lava • Phazon |
| Artificial/Misc. | Deca-triticale • Elite Nutrient Mix • Energy • Nutrient-grade biomatter • Synthetic Metroid rations • Wrecked Ship |