Infant Metroid

This article refers to the natural infant life cycle stage of the Metroid. For other uses, see Baby Metroid (Disambiguation).

Infant Metroid
Artwork of the baby as an Infant Metroid.
Featured in	Metroid Prime: Federation Force Metroid II: Return of Samus Metroid: Samus Returns Super Metroid Metroid: Other M Metroid Fusion
Location	Area 8 Ceres Space Colony Sector Zero Restricted Laboratory
Homeworld	SR388
Attacks	Leeching off Life Energy.
Weakness	Ice
Life cycle	Preceeded by: Metroid Egg Followed by: Metroid larva
Stage	Stage 2: Infant

An Infant Metroid, also known as a Baby Metroid or Metroid Hatchling, is the second stage of a natural Metroid's lifecycle. Upon hatching from its egg laid by a Queen Metroid, the small Infant Metroid possesses a harmless appearance, yet its conduct and threat level are, in actuality, very difficult to assess. Regardless, after an undetermined amount of time, a hatchling will grow into the most common stage of the species' lifecycle, the vicious Metroid larva; the words "larva" and "larval" are occasionally used to reference either stage.

On their homeworld of SR388, Infant Metroids seemingly do not stray far from their parent, unless they are relocated elsewhere by outside intervention. As such, they have rarely been encountered in the Metroid series by Samus Aran.

If the Infant Metroid is exposed to Phazon while still within its egg, it will mutate and hatch as a Miniroid.

Morphology and behavior

Artwork of an Infant Metroid from Metroid II.

An Infant Metroid's body consists of a transparent, green and/or blue membrane that encloses four minuscule red nuclei. Underneath the red organs is a small mass of tissue with two pairs of tiny fangs protruding on the underside. An anatomical part beneath the creature not present in earlier games is the lamprey-like maw, which was added starting with Metroid: Other M. The size of Infant Metroids varies throughout the games; they can be as small as a volleyball, to being the size of Samus's upper body.

The original design for the Infant Metroid seen in Metroid II: Return of Samus and its concept art features significantly less neuron-like connections between its membrane and nuclei than the larva stage, and features only a single pair of fangs. In all the 2-D appearances of Metroid Hachlings, the neurons are only visible in Metroid II, despite the higher quality of sprites from later released titles.

At first sight, a Metroid Hatchling appears to be harmless; in the presence of an unrelated organism, the Metroid may circle around it and observe with great curiosity. While this behavior leaves it highly vulnerable, it can quickly become unpredictable and may strike without warning in order to devour its prey's life-energy. Due to its young age, however, an Infant Metroid has yet to develop the powerful grip seen in Metroid larvae and can consequently be removed by hand if one possesses sufficient strength, as demonstrated by Proteus Ridley. Their weak strength can be remedied if multiple Infant Metroids converge on the same target simultaneously, as they will severely hinder their prey's capacity to attack and remove them; this strategy is successfully applied against an SA-X. Though rarely demonstrated by Metroids in general, they are capable of transferring their stored life-energy to injured organisms in order to heal them, and this ability is observed manifesting as early as the Infant Metroid stage.

Contrary to the highly resilient Metroid larvae, which require a combination of freezing and concussive weapons to kill, Infant Metroids can die from a single shot fired from any cold-based weapon, shattering them on contact. Otherwise, they appear to be invulnerable to most forms of weaponry. Due to an Infant Metroid having a nearly identical anatomy to a Metroid larva's and the latter being susceptible to Beta-Rays, it is undoubtful that the former can also be caused to split and multiply via exposure to said radiation. Therefore, the number of Infant Metroids can be artificially increased without the need of a Queen Metroid laying eggs.

Similar to certain bird breeds, Infant Metroids are capable of imprinting the first thing they see upon hatching as their mother. This is especially evident with the baby, which imprints onto Samus. Owing to this, Infant Metroids are also shown to be extremely protective of their "parent." This is best demonstrated in Samus's fight against the Space Pirate commander Proteus Ridley, where the baby proceeds to rush at the latter when he has the upper hand.

Chronological appearances

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

The infant Metroid in the game's secret ending.

Only a single Infant Metroid is seen in the game during the secret post-credits ending. This ending consists of Sylux infiltrating a secured Galactic Federation room where a Metroid Egg is held inside. Initially acquired from a Space Pirate research site by the Federation Force on the planet Talvania, the egg promptly hatches after Sylux uses a focused beam on it, and the screen fades to black. The fate of this hatchling was a mystery until the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - The World Databook, revealing that Sylux exploits its imprinting behavior to take the creature with him to an unknown location where he proceeds to culture and multiply it, experimenting on the Metroids and producing a new breed for his schemes.

Curiously, this Infant Metroid's egg is initially larger in size back in Talvania, roughly the size of in-game Federation personnel as a result of all eggs and Metroid larvae being exposed to the Amplification beam by the Pirates in order to create artificially enlarged Metroids. If the Amplification beam's effect had not worn off, a large hatchling would have emerged, as would any newborn on Talvania. Another Infant Metroid is mentioned in a Pirate Log titled "Imprinting" in Talvania's lab, stating that the creature became overly concerned for the well-being of the author who observed its hatching.

The Infant Metroid in the secret ending has no anatomical differences from the giant Metroid larvae seen earlier in the game due to the developers using the same model for both stages of the species' lifecycle. Therefore, it shares the oval-shaped membrane and carries only three nuclei inside. Interestingly, the databook mentions Sylux stealing several hatchlings, contrary to what is shown in the game. This was likely written to cover the possibility of players acquiring more than one egg on Talvania, forcibly meaning Sylux took any remaining infants off-screen.

Metroid II: Return of Samus & Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroid II: Return of Samus

Samus Aran would have a long history with the Metroid species and their many unnatural variations across several planets prior to encountering her first Infant Metroid during her mission to SR388, the species' homeworld.

Despite being assignef with rendering the native Metroids extinct, Samus hesitates when she stands in front of the very last Metroid left on the planet emerging from its egg. Never having come across a natural Infant Metroid before this moment, Samus is caught completely off-guard by its confused, curious, yet playful and childlike behavior. These traits have never been seen in any Metroid that has she killed over the course of her missions, including the mutated strains that remotely resemble a hatchling: the Infant Tallon Metroids and Miniroids, which react with high aggression and total indifference to her presence, respectively.

The native Infant Metroid does not harm Samus and goes as far as imprinting onto her, giving the impression of a creature physically incapable of posing any threat. It ultimately proves the opposite when it unexpectedly attacks Proteus Ridley, draining and transferring portions of his life-energy to Samus repeatedly and ultimately assists her in taking down the draconian Pirate leader.

Super Metroid

The Infant Metroid in the Game Over screen

The same Infant Metroid from the previous game is present on the Title Screen, in the introduction cutscene, and in the Ceres Space Colony prologue. It is also seen whenever the "Game Over" screen is reached, with the phrases, "FIND THE METROID LARVA! TRY AGAIN?", underneath the creature. With the exception of the flashback showing the Infant Metroid's birth, the organism is always seen within a small glass container with blue lids. After it is captured by Ridley and brought to Zebes, unknown factors cause it to mutate into the giant larval Metroid. Interestingly, the mutant can produce the same cries as an Infant Metroid after recognizing Samus, though some of these are in a deeper pitch to reflect its larger size.

Metroid: Other M

The Infant Metroid's cries from Sector Zero.

When Samus reaches the entrance to Sector Zero on the BOTTLE SHIP, she is surprised by a single Infant Metroid, presumably born from an egg laid by the Queen Metroid present in Room MW. She once more hesitates to attack it, remembering the Infant Metroid from SR388; this new hatchling demonstrates a similar peaceful nature. The Infant Metroid, which seconds earlier showed no predatory behavior, makes its intentions clear by stretching its fangs wide in order to feed on the weakened Samus. However, Commander Adam Malkovich kills it before it can lunge at her. It is worthy to note that Adam theorizes that the Infant Metroid may be one of the genetically modified specimens that would have grown into an Unfreezable Metroid, though it is impossible to confirm at such an early stage, due to Infant Metroids of both natural and cold-resistant groups being identical.

It is eventually revealed that corrupt factions of the Galactic Federation have attempted using an android carrying Mother Brain's artificial intelligence as a means to safely control the Metroids being created within the BOTTLE SHIP. This involved exposing newly hatched Infant Metroids to the android with the hopes of recreating the bond that occurred between Samus and the baby from SR388, thus making the dangerous species submissive and loyal.

It is never clarified what degree of success this method has in taming the Infant Metroids. However, the bonds themselves are presumed to have left a significant impact on the android, possibly on an emotional level.

Metroid Fusion

The Infant Metroid from Metroid: Samus Returns and Super Metroid is referenced in the introduction cutscene. It is revealed that a medical team under the Galactic Federation has utilized a preserved cell culture of the baby in order to create a vaccine capable of saving Samus's life from an X Parasite infection. After administering the serum, her DNA fused with the Infant Metroid's, rendering her invulnerable to future X Parasite infection; this event likely contributes to the discovery of Metroids being the natural predators of X.

Infant Metroids in the Restricted Laboratory.

Later on, Samus discovers the Restricted Laboratory on the Biologic Space Laboratories research station. This area is designed to produce and rapidly grow Metroids through every stage of their natural lifecycle. A large quantity of Infant Metroids occupy the majority of the lab and are the only active specimens, as the other, more developed Metroids are kept in suspended animation.

An X Parasite mimicking Samus quickly locates the lab as well and wreaks havoc with its weapons. While it seemingly manages to kill several Infant Metroids, the destruction caused by the SA-X breaks all the containment glass and frees all remaining hatchlings. Though they initially fly around the room harmlessly and erratically to avoid the SA-X's projectiles, a small group of Infant Metroids suddenly swarms and overwhelms their attacker. As they feed on the writhing imitation, Samus climbs to the top of the lab, where more Infant Metroids roam freely in the air, and while they never show hostility to her, their bodies act as small obstacles that can unintentionally disrupt her Space Jumps. Interesting to note is that none of the weapons carried by Samus at this point in time are capable of damaging the Infant Metroids, including the Ice Missiles and Power Bombs.

Immediately after her escape, the Restricted Laboratory detaches from the B.S.L. station and explodes after it sufficiently distances itself, killing all the Metroids inside. However, it is later discovered that a single Infant Metroid manages to escape the lab prior to its detachment; the Metroid proceeds to devour all the X Parasites in its path as it molts through its lifecycle. Due to the modifications made to the Metroids onboard the B.S.L. station by its scientists, (as hinted by the computerized Adam), it metamorphoses at an unnaturally rapid rate and quickly achieves the Omega Metroid stage.

Metroid Dread

Samus in front of the queen and her infants.

Four Infant Metroids are featured in a flashback to the events of Samus Returns, floating around the Queen Metroid as they all confront Samus Aran. However, this event did not occur as depicted; the Infant Metroids had reached the next stage of their lifecycle when Samus found them in rooms prior to the queen's, and only after killing the latter did she stumble upon a single Infant Metroid.

Appearances in other media

Metroid manga

An Infant Metroid is present in Tourian during Old Bird's discussions with the rest of the Chozo prior to the Space Pirates' takeover of planet Zebes. The manga insinuates this Infant Metroid is the first Metroid in existence, which is seemingly at odds with the depiction of the Metroids' creation in the games: based on Metroid II: Return of Samus and its remake, Metroid: Samus Returns, the Chozo created the Metroids on SR388 many years before the Pirates take over Zebes.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

The Metroid depicted as an unlockable trophy is not outright stated to be a hatchling, as its accompanying text is a generalized description of its species and of the traits found in a Metroid larva. On its reflective membrane, however, is the Ceres laboratory from Super Metroid, identifying it as none other than the baby from SR388 during its time in said lab, which only occurred while the organism was in its infancy.

Official data

Metroid: Samus Returns Official Guide

INHABITANTS & ECO SYSTEM OF SR388 - METROIDS (p. 21)

METROID HATCHLING

"You only ever see one Metroid Hatchling, but for fans of the original Metroid II: Return of Samus, Super Metroid, and Metroid: Other M, this particular Metroid is all too memorable. One of the most important creatures in the series (at least in how much its presence affects Samus), the Metroid Hatchling starts off small and quite harmless—cute, even. But big things come in small packages, as those who’ve played through Super Metroid will recall."

Development notes

Infants in Fusion have an unused idle animation, and animations where they are angled left or right.

Trivia

• The sprites of the Infant Metroids in Metroid Fusion, specifically those located on the foreground of the Restricted Laboratory, are directly based off of the baby's sprite from Super Metroid. The formers' have a brighter coloring overall and larger nuclei within their membrane.
• The events of Metroid: Other M imply that the relationship between Samus and the Infant Metroid of SR388 is a bond that can be feasibly achieved with other Metroids, requiring nothing more than placing an unrelated individual in front of a hatching egg. This is attempted between the android known as MB and an unknown number of Infant Metroids. However, due to the fact that all Metroid larvae seen in the same game are never present in the same room as MB, the strength of their bond is left unknown, if there ever was one.
  • Metroid Prime: Federation Force seems to further trivialize this bonding between Metroid hatchlings and unrelated entities. There is a Pirate Log titled "Imprinting" found in Talvania's research site, which describes the author bearing witness to one of the lab's eggs hatching, stating that the newborn Infant Metroid is "overly concerned" with the Pirate's well-being. Interesting to note is the post-credits cutscene within the same game, showing Sylux triggering a Metroid Egg to hatch in front of him; whether a bond is formed or not is left unknown, but may potentially be answered in Metroid Prime 4.
• Despite the presence of hatched Metroid Eggs within the Queen Metroid's room in Other M, there are no Infant Metroids to be found. Instead, Metroid larvae are seen bursting out of the queen's dorsal plates. Due to these elements, it can be logically assumed that at some point after hatching, Infant Metroids enter the pits on their mother's back, where they are possibly nurtured until they reach the Metroid larva stage.
  • The missing Infant Metroids during Samus's encounter with the Queen Metroid and the Metroid larvae breaking out of their mother's back, which is visually akin to the hatching of an egg, may provide the false impression that the present Metroid larvae have skipped the Infant Metroid form entirely and are born directly in the third stage of their lifecycle.
• As previously mentioned, the Infant Metroids in Metroid Fusion do not display hostility towards Samus and seemingly do not mind her presence. Due to the fact that Samus's DNA has recently bonded with a Metroid's, it is possible that the Infant Metroids detect her genetic makeup and thus view Samus as one of their own. This can be further attributed by the possibility that Metroids at an infantile stage perceive their surrounding environment differently from older members of their species; indeed, the Omega Metroid encountered at the end of the game attacks Samus regardless of her genes.
• Unlike an Infant Metroid, the similar Infant Tallon Metroid and Miniroid mutant strains are incapable of latching onto organisms and subsequently cannot drain life-energy. In the case of the infantile Tallon IV strain, it will constantly ram against prey in an attempt to subdue it, while the Miniroid possibly acquires its nourishment from absorbing free forms of energy emanating from their surrounding environments.
• The number of detected Metroids remains unaltered after the baby hatches at the end of Metroid II: Return of Samus and its remake. It would seem the Metroid Detector does not take into account Metroid Hatchlings until they achieve the Metroid larva stage commonly seen in other games. It can be deduced that the signal that emanates from Infant Metroids is simply too small to be picked up by the Metroid Detector in comparison to all other, larger Metroid forms on SR388.
  • The sudden and unexpected detection of numerous Metroid larvae while inside the species' main hive is likely the result of the creatures being Infant Metroids and remaining undetected until they all simultaneously grow into Metroid larvae.
• By use of the Debug Menu in Metroid Fusion, Samus can be equipped with weapons earlier in the plot than intended. Surprisingly, the Screw Attack and Ice Beam have no effect on the Infant Metroids in the Restricted Laboratory. Considering the later Omega Metroid (initially an Infant Metroid from the same lab) can only be damaged with the Ice Beam, it is likely the game's developers did not bother to program any effect to occur when using the weapon on the earlier Infant Metroids.
• Several variants of a 1/1 scale Infant Metroid figure were produced by Zoomoth under the Nintendo license. The first variant has the pre-Other M design, with a green membrane and its four fangs closely centered towards the middle of its underside with no lamprey maw present. The second variant's membrane is blue in color, the maw is featured beneath it and the fangs are slightly outstretched and relocated towards the underside's edge, enabling the figure to stand upright somewhat. The final variant uses the same mold as the second but is entirely painted to mimic a frozen state. Each figure is sealed in a bag that depicts the last Metroid in its container on Ceres using the sprites from Super Metroid; while the first two variants can be assumed to be depictions of the infant that imprinted onto Samus, the third variant undoubtedly represents the one frozen by Adam during the events of Other M.