One of the many Cannons on SkyTown, Elysia. Kinetic Orb Cannons are used there as transport between the different floating pods that make up the city.
A Kinetic Orb Cannon is a form of Xenotech designed to launch unseen spherical shaped objects called Kinetic Orbs across long distances. They are predominately found on planet Aether in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and on SkyTown on planet Elysia in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. In the latter location, some Kinetic Orb Cannons need to have power restored to them by entering them and using the Boost Ball to generate a kinetic charge, causing the cannon to turn to its correct direction. The original purpose of these units is shrouded in mystery, although it is possible they were either a method of transporting goods (albeit rather sturdy ones), or even a form of weaponry. In the present day, Samus Aran can use Kinetic Orb Cannons to launch herself across distances using her Morph Ball form. She will often be fired at Kinetic Orb targets.
Morph Ball launchers, devices very similar in function, appear in Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Other M, and Metroid Dread. Morph Ball launchers send the Morph Ball upwards at speeds that can break nearly any blocks. Other similar cannons are featured in Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, including Jump Pads that do not require the Morph Ball mode, but function more like springs.
If another person touches the Kinetic Orb Cannon while it is preparing to fire a target, the person who touches it will die. This is observed in the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Multiplayer, where Kinetic Orb Cannons are placed on various multiplayer levels such as Sidehopper Station. If two Kinetic Orb Cannons are positioned opposite from each other, and two people use them simultaneously, the two objects or people being fired will collide and explode. This can kill a participant even in Invincible Mode.
Official data[]
Logbook entries[]
Kinetic Orb Cannon
Fires small, spherical objects at high speeds. Scan interface panel to bring the Cannon online, then enter the hologram to fire.
Kinetic Orb Cannon
Capable of firing small, spherical objects at high speeds.
Scans[]
- Hologram (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- "Enter hologram in Morph Ball mode to fire Cannon."
- Interface Module (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- "Power restored to Kinetic Orb Cannon.
Unit locked in current firing position. Autofire feature enabled." - Hologram (Metroid Prime 3: Corruption)
- "Cannon systems online. Enter hologram to initiate cannon firing sequence."
- Inactive (Metroid Prime 3: Corruption)
- "Cannon is without power. A kinetic charge should be sufficient to energize systems."
Development data[]
Kinetic Orb Cannons were programmed by Zoid Kirsch, and were originally developed exclusively for the multiplayer mode of Echoes, taking inspiration from the jump pads of Quake III. Developers at Retro Studios found them so entertaining that they were then worked into the single-player mode.[1]
Trivia[]
- Page 45 of Official Nintendo Magazine issue 142 refers to Kinetic Orb Cannons as Morph Ball Cannons.
Gallery[]
