Glass

Samus targets Super Zebesians through a glass wall in Metroid: Other M.

Glass is a transparent solid that is often used in construction of windows and panels, and can be fragile or reinforced. It is frequently seen throughout the Metroid series in an environmental capacity. However, it also serves a role as an obstacle.

As a destructible

Glass tubes appear in Maridia, Chozodia (ship's large glass tube), and Hanubia (Transport to Artaria and an outdoor room) in Super Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission, and Metroid Dread, and must be destroyed using a Power Bomb to access the rest of Maridia, Crateria, and Hanubia respectively.

The Control Capsule that Mother Brain uses is a form of glass and can be destroyed with Missile or Super Missile fire. It is said to be constructed through molecular transference of Zebetite in the Magazine Z manga.

Grobnite is a glass-like element, which appears in the Sanctuary Entrance as a wall mixed with Denzium that can also be destroyed with a Power Bomb. The Hall of Combat Mastery contains another glass tunnel that can be destroyed with a Power Bomb; its scan mentions Denzium but not Grobnite.

Containment units in the Xenoresearch Labs on Eastern SkyTown, Elysia are made of glass and can be shattered once an Energy Cell that powers them is removed, although this has the consequence of releasing numerous Phazon Metroids that were in captivity.

Glass is also present throughout Metroid: Other M as a barrier, often blocking sensors. When Samus acquires the Wave Beam, this problem is negated as it can penetrate the glass and shoot the sensor through the glass. An example of this is when Samus activates the Materials Transfer Lift. Before this, Samus becomes trapped in a section of the warehouse in the Cryosphere by glass walls, while Super Zebesians begin to attack her. Adam Malkovich authorizes her to use her Wave Beam to dispatch them.

Metroid specimens behind green-tinted glass containment units.

In Metroid Fusion, the Restricted Laboratory houses multiple bred Metroid specimens behind green-tinted glass containment units and capsules (it isn't clear if light within the containers are the cause of the green tint color). When the SA-X enters the Laboratory, glass shattering can be heard in the room, which alerts Samus to the foe's presence shortly before the facility's emergency alarm triggers. As Samus heads to the main room, she witnesses the lab in ruins due to the SA-X's barrage of weapon fire. The shattered glass came from the containment units sealing the housed Metroid specimens, which now roam free due to the glass's destruction from the assault and with several freed Metroids attacking the X-Parasite doppelganger.

Trivia

Glass shattering Sound Effect from Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission.

• The glass shattering sound effect from Metroid Fusion that was used in the Restricted Laboratory is later reused in Metroid: Zero Mission for both Mother Brain's Control Capsule and the destructible Glass Tunnel in Chozodia's Space Pirate Mother Ship.