This article is written from the Real Life point of view |
- For a list of cameos in video games, see List of cameos and crossovers in other games.
- For a list of cameos in the Metroid series itself, see List of cameos in the Metroid series.
This page lists many cameos and crossovers that the Metroid series has made in comics and manga, film, television and other media.
In comics and manga[]
Famiken Ryu[]
A Japanese manga with a similar premise to Captain N, following the gaming adventures of Kenpo and Famicom master Ryu, who is capable of using a special attack called Famiken. Volume 4 features a segment where Ryu ventures into the world of Metroid. Ryu's girlfriend Sayaka is abducted to be tortured by his nemesis, a brain-like computer named Cobra, who challenges him to get to Mother Brain in the original game. Cobra also produces thousands of clones of Ryu. Outfitted with her Power Suit sans the helmet, Ryu acquires many of Samus' power-ups but soon finds himself confused by the maze-like rooms of Zebes. He finds Sayaka about to use Famiken; because she is inexperienced with it the results could be disastrous. Ryu encounters and kills Ridley and Kraid, then heads for Tourian. However, when he arrives, he is shocked to find his Wave Beam does not work on Metroids. Just as Sayaka is about to be killed, the Ryu clones sacrifice themselves for her because of an override program placed in them by Sayaka's father, Dr. Madoh. Ryu backtracks to collect the Ice Beam, while Cobra destroys the remaining clones and combines their cells into a large brain. Ryu jumps in and fights his way through Super Xevious.
Mario vs. Wario[]
A super-deformed doll in Samus's likeness that Princess Peach desired drove the humorous plot for a Mario vs. Wario comic that was published in Nintendo Power before the Super Metroid comic. The doll in this comic was different from the doll depicted in Super Mario RPG. The titular characters Mario and Wario fight over who gets to buy the doll, using trickery to get ahead of one another. Ultimately, it is revealed that Luigi had bought the doll.
Mega Man Archie Comics[]
Although Metroid isn't referenced in the comic itself, a Halloween-themed blog by Ryan Jampole in 2013 featured the character Roll dressing up in costumes based on various franchises, with one of the costumes being based on Zero Suit Samus. The pose Roll adopted while dressed up as her is based on Zero Suit Samus's render artwork from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[1]
Nintendo Comics System[]
The Nintendo Comics System published comics based on Metroid and Captain N: The Game Master, both featuring Samus Aran as one of the main protagonists.
In the Mario series comic Duh Stoopid Bomb! published by the Nintendo Comics System, Mother Brain's name appears on a list of people who think King Toadstool is dumb.
N-Gang[]
Samus makes a cameo appearance at the end of the final issue of the comics, Die Hexe lacht um Mitternacht (The Witch Laughs at Midnight).
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life[]
In this video game themed graphic novel, the titular character says, "I wish I could turn into a Morphing Ball and roll to the bathroom from here, instead of having to stand up." Scott's love interest Ramona Flowers then says, "I used to know a guy who could do that. He said it wasn't that great."
Weekly Famitsu Magazine[]
To celebrate the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the No. 188 and 189 July 24th and 31st, 1992 issues of Weekly Famitsu Magazine ran a comic titled Game Olympics 1992 (ゲームオリンピック1992 ) featuring characters from Metroid, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, and many other video games competing in the Olympics. In the Track and Field High Jump, Samus uses the Turbo Bomb to clear the bar height of 2.9 meters. Later, Samus earns a perfect 10 in the Women's Balance Team by performing 36 consecutive backward somersaults.[2]
In television[]
Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de[]
An anime series that reenacts the Nintendo/Sega "console wars" through medieval-styled characters based on game licenses. "Saroid" is a character that is a thinly-veiled reference to Samus Aran.[3] She does not appear in the anime but she is in the manga.
Captain N: The Game Master[]
Code Monkeys[]
In the episode "Valley of the Silicon Dolls", Larrity searches for bounty hunters to kill the robotic teddy bear that Dave, Jarry, and Black Steve reprogrammed. Towards the end of the episode, a warped version of Samus's ship rises and Samus jumps out and kills the teddy bear. She then removes her helmet and reveals that she is actually Mary. She then morphs into a ball and rolls away. This version of Samus has the Arm Cannon on her left arm instead of her right.
GameCenter CX[]
One episode chronicles the completion of Metroid by Arino (season 2, episode 5). Episode 9 of the Nintendo Channel subseries features Super Metroid.
Glitch Techs[]
In season 1, episode 8, "Adventures in Pet Training", Miko exclaims "Heavens to Metroid!" Coincidentally, the show also has a female character named Ridley.
Heybot![]
Samus's ship (colored blue) and Metroids appear briefly in episode 31.
House[]
In the first season's third episode, "Occam's Razor", House can be seen playing his Game Boy Advance SP, with "the fourth level" of Metroid: Zero Mission shown on screen, though the sound effects are not from the game and entering the Morph Ball in the hands of a Chozo Statue kills all of the players in the show.[5] There is also mention of a species called "space bunnies", which may be referring to Reos.
In the fifteenth episode of the same show, "Mob Rules", House produces his Nintendo DS and holds it up to a comatose patient's ear. The footage on-screen is Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, again with different sound effects.[5]
Kool-Aid commercial[]
Samus once appeared in a Kool-Aid Commercial that advertised a contest in which a copy of Metroid II: Return of Samus would be given away to the winner. An animated version of her is seen in the back of a school bus with two children.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon[]
Reggie Fils-Aime has appeared on the show several times to demo games, once showing Nintendo Land's Metroid Blast.
The June 19, 2013 episode began with a title card based on the Metroid Title Screen.
Mad[]
Samus Aran (in her Varia Suit and Zero Suit) and Ridley appear in the season 1, episode 16 sketch "Gaming's Next Top Princess". The episode originally aired on February 28, 2011.
In this sketch, Samus competes with Peach and Zelda on a reality show called Gaming's Next Top Princess, which parodies America's Next Top Model. Contestants eliminated at the start of the competition include Tifa Lockhart, Felicia, Misty, Birdo, Lara Croft and Amy Rose. The judges of the show are Mario, Tyra Banks, Mega Man and Jay Manuel. While Peach and Zelda are introduced as princesses, Banks introduces Samus as "bounty hunter Samus Aran", and her name is incorrectly pronounced "same-us".
After the contestants are introduced, Samus appears on the show's confession cam, saying:
“ | I think Peach and Zelda kinda want me to be eliminated. It might be because I kinda sorta destroyed their bedroom with my gun arm... | „ |
—Samus Aran |
During this segment, Samus's home is indicated onscreen as K-2L and Zebes. The episode sees the contestants participating in a villain photoshoot, where Peach and Zelda pose with their respective antagonists Bowser and Ganondorf, with Lakitu as the photographer and Zelda turning into Sheik mid-shoot. Ridley appears during Samus's photoshoot, on a golden leash, which he quickly breaks out of. He attacks a terrified Lakitu, with Samus firing a Charge Shot at Ridley, which releases Lakitu. Samus's weapon fire causes her Varia Suit to fall off, leaving her in the Zero Suit (a nod to the Zero Laser in Super Smash Bros. Brawl). Lakitu remarks that Samus is gorgeous and takes her pictures.
At the end of the sketch, Peach, Zelda and Samus stand on stage as Tyra Banks prepares to announce the contest winner. She dramatically says "Gaming's Next. Top. Princess. Is...", but the sketch ends before she reveals who won.
Humorously, the shoulders of Samus's armor are shaped like basketballs and in fact, in one picture from her photoshoot, she is holding one discarded shoulder like a basketball. Her eyes are brown, an inconsistency with the Metroid series, in which they are always blue (green in Metroid: Other M).
Samus's voice in this sketch is provided by Michaela Watkins, who portrays her with a "valley girl" dialect.
The sketch can be viewed here.
Mystery Science Theater 3000[]
In episode #405 of the show, "Being from Another Planet", a troubled teen is alone in his room playing a little electronic game when two guys come in to bother him, at which point Crow says, "Could I go back to my game? I was up to the third level of Metroid".[2]
One Tree Hill[]
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is briefly depicted in season 8 episode 14, "Holding Out for a Hero". Jamie Scott plays it while he speaks to his mother Haley about bullies at school. He can be seen fighting Pirate Militia in Flag Bridge Access before the camera focuses on Haley. Interestingly, the footage uses sound effects from Metroid: Other M, such as Samus's grunts of pain and the "energy critical" warning.[6]
Regular Show[]
In "Terror Tales of the Park VI", the Halloween-themed 2 part penultimate episode of the show's eighth season, Eileen dresses as Samus.
Robot Chicken[]
In season 9, episode 4, "Things Look Bad for the Streepster", Samus appears in a sketch parodying both the Super Smash Bros. series and The Hunger Games, "The Smashing Games". Unlike other characters, who are clay figures, the Figma action figure of Samus (based on her Other M appearance) is used.
In the sketch, she is seen firing two Charge Shots at Villager, one of which she catches. Samus is next shown firing at Kirby, before Villager gets their attention. As Samus and the other fighters run towards Villager, she throws her captured Charge Shot at them, hitting Link. Samus and the other fighters are knocked back by Wario's motorcycle. She is last seen getting up before the motorcycle, with Villager still on, is destroyed by a Bob-omb.
The sketch can be viewed here.
Spaceballs: The Animated Series[]
In the second episode of the show, Samus (with an exaggerated appearance and large breasts) fires a Super Missile at a tank driving down the street.
Supernatural[]
Season one, episode two ("Wendigo") opens with two boys playing Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt in a tent at night when they are attacked by a Wendigo.[7]
Metroid Prime Hunters makes an appearance in the haunted house episode, "Family Remains", episode 11 of season 4.
Toys Я Us commercial[]
In a Toys R Us commercial that advertised NES games, a store in Tourian, labeled Kraid's Toy Shop, is shown to be sold out. A man and his son are seen there wearing Samus Aran's Power Suit as they bomb the floor into Toys Я Us.
Young Sheldon[]
“ | The bad news is, I've been really busy and didn't get around to writing a new vanity card for this week. The good news is, I’m closing in on the final boss battle in Metroid Dread. Now before you roll your eyes, let me add that when I began playing – six months ago - I said the difficulty level at normal, which we can all agree makes my commitment to free the planet ZDR from X Parasites time well spent. | „ |
—Chuck Lorre |
Chuck Lorre includes a vanity card with a message at the end of every episode of his shows. Card number 702 mentions that Lorre has been playing Metroid Dread and is nearing the final battle with Raven Beak after six months of playing. The card appeared at the end of season 5, episode 19 of Young Sheldon on its original airdate, April 21st, 2022. The first use of the card was at the end of season 2, episode 18 of United States of Al (on April 14th, 2022) and again at the end of season 3, episode 18 of Bob Hearts Abishola (on April 18th, 2022).
In films[]
The Wizard[]
Metroid can be seen briefly (in a full-screen shot) on a PlayChoice-10. [8]
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over[]
One scene depicts the main characters talking about lava always appearing in video games. One says "In Metroid, it's actually magma. "[5]
Jarhead[]
When the marines are on their flight to their destination, Anthony (Jake Gyllenhaal) questions another marine (Lucas Black) about rather being a worthless civilian, playing Metroid, "trying to get to that 9th level." Another marine mentions how at the end, nothing happens, it just starts over.[5]
Press Start[]
One of the main characters' names is Sam, a blonde woman in a black sports bra and wristbands (similar to the Super Metroid Ending Outfit), who is a "space soldier". She possesses a spacesuit and is kidnapped by a man who removes the suit and is addressed as "Mr. Bailey" while wearing a "Justin" nametag.
Kong: Skull Island[]
Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts revealed in a tweet that his film contains video game references, including the soldier's helmets resembling Mega Man, Gundam and Metroid. [9] [10]
We Summon the Darkness[]
In one scene, the characters Alexis, Val and Bev lure three boys at a party to their home with the promise of alcohol, a sound system and Nintendo. To this, Kovacs replies "I Metroid like a mofo, so I'm in." [11]
Kid Coaster and Alien Adventure[]
In a CGI demo depicting a rollercoaster ride themed like the interior of a boy's room, a figurine of Samus with a pose similar to her depiction in the cover of Metroid II can be seen briefly. [5][12] The demo would later be slightly edited and incorporated into a feature film titled Alien Adventure, with aliens hijacking into the ride. [13]
In literature[]
Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook – Yoshi's Egg[]
Samus appears in an illustration on page 59 of the Japanese strategy guide for Yoshi's Egg.
Nintendo: My Play a Tune Book[]
This 1989 book came with an attached keyboard-like device, meant to be used to play classic songs which mostly included re-imagined Nintendo lyrics. [14][15]
Must Be Metroid[]
(Tune: The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...)
- Lyrics: T. Ellis
- My name is Samus, I'm on my way,
- To find the Metroid and zap it away,
- The Mother Brain will do her best
- To put me to the ultimate test...
- There's secret paths and hidden pits,
- I must be careful and use all my wits.
- Got to explore the awesome maze,
- To save the galaxy, cleverness pays!
- Mini-Boss Kraid will try to see
- If he is able to finish off me.
- But I've got Bombs and Screw Attack,
- Ice Beam and High Jump to fight him back.
- It won't be long until I'm there.
- I'll soon be entering Boss Ridley's lair.
- I'll use my beam and missiles too,
- He'll be a goner when Samus is through.
- Highouts [sic] are cleared, but I'm not done,
- The final victory waits to be won.
- When Mother Brain is history
- A BIG SURPRISE will be waiting for me!
Club Nintendo Magazine[]
A Dutch edition of the magazine advertised the NES and NES Zapper in 1990, in the form of a comic featuring Mario and Luigi. The brothers were attempting to rescue Princess Peach, once again, from a group of aliens. After the surrender of their leader, Mario and the aliens are seen playing Metroid together in peace. The scene depicted is the Mother Brain battle.
How to Draw Nintendo Greatest Heroes & Villains[]
This book featured Samus on pages 26 to 27, in her appearance from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (although Hunters artwork was present on the cover). Elements of page design seem to be drawn from Metroid.com's Metroid Prime page menu.
The Art of Wreck-It Ralph[]
Concept art for an unused character that resembles Mother Brain in the film Wreck-It Ralph appears under "Desserted[sic] Characters". The design was drawn by Cory Loftis. It appears along with numerous other characters likely intended to evoke other Nintendo characters.
In digital media[]
Arby's[]
Arby's shared several since-deleted tweets on Twitter marking the release dates of Metroid games. On August 19, 2016, the day Metroid Prime: Federation Force was released, Arby's tweeted a photo of a cardboard Metroid larva in a box labelled "Meat Craft", saying "The last Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace...", the opening line of Super Metroid.[16]
On September 15, 2017, the day Metroid: Samus Returns was released, Arby's tweeted a gif of a jalapeno popper (as a "Morph Ball") rolling to the right and turning into a cardboard Samus. The tweet was captioned "The Queen has returned".[17] These tweets have since been deleted.
During AGDQ 2019, Arby's tweeted an image of a paper Samus assuming her Samus Returns cover pose.[18][19]
Maruchan[]
A now deleted tweet from Maruchan, an American ramen noodle brand, referenced Metroid Prime. It advertised an Instant Lunch that had lime flavor, shrimp and vegetables, next to an image of Samus in a green suit and a logo for "Metroid Lime", in which the Screw Attack is replaced with a lime.[20][21]
Nerdy Nummies[]
An October 2014 episode of this YouTube baking series has the host, Rosanna Pansino, making chocolate Metroid Cupcakes. Raspberries are used for the creature's nuclei, and cashews cut in half are used for the mandibles. Pansino states "We're just going to throw all of these things into the cupcake tray, and that's how the Pirates made the biological weapons, the Metroids." Throughout the video, she wears a Zero Suit Samus wig and costume made by her friend, special effects expert Greg Aronowitz. The Zero Suit costume does not have gloves.
Ingredient list:
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2oz semi sweet dark morsels
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Vanilla buttercream frosting, dyed green
- Green sugar sprinkles
- Cashews
- Raspberries
The video with detailed instructions can be viewed here: [3]
PBS Space Time[]
Spire makes a cameo appearance in the episode "What If Alien Life Were Silicon-Based?", where he is cited as an example of a fictional silicon-based alien lifeform.
Prime Gaming[]
The Prime Gaming website uses a CSS theme called "dark-samus".
In physical media[]
Boss Monster[]
Boss Monster contains two cards referencing the Metroid series, those being Cerebellus, the "Father Brain", an obvious Reference to Mother Brain, and the Brainsucker Hive card, being a clear parody of Metroids.
LEGO[]
One of the figures released in Series 19 of the LEGO Minfigures collection is a Video Game Champ, who holds a game controller and a copy of "Space Game" for the "Play-Box". The cover of the game depicts the Cyborg, a female cybernetic heroine with shoulder pads, a chest plate, and a firearm, resembling Samus. The cover heavily resembles the cover of Metroid Prime in the character's pose, the hallway behind her, and the logo's format (the S in "space" even resembles the Screw Attack symbol).[22]
The instruction booklet for 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System showcases multiple NES games, including the boxart of Metroid and a screenshot of Samus encountering Metroid larvae in the first Tourian vertical shaft.[23]
Nintendo Monopoly[]
Predator 2 Ultimate Guardian Predator[]
The artwork on the Predator 2 Ultimate Guardian Predator box, featuring the Predator battling Xenomorphs, was confirmed by illustrator Tristan Jones to be a homage to the Japanese boxart of Super Metroid.[24] The Predator's pose mirrors Samus, while the Flying Queen Alien mirrors Ridley.
In music[]
Ultra Beatdown[]
The artwork on DragonForce's Ultra Beatdown album cover was created by Andrew Jones and depicts a female cyborg that has some Samus-like parts, particularly the shoulder and thigh.
Sammus[]
Fall Out Boy[]
Fall Out Boy's 2023 cover of the Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire" mentions "Metroid" among numerous events and figures that have captured the public's attention between 1989 and 2023. It is mentioned in rhyme with George Floyd, who loomed in the public consciousness in the early 2020s, suggesting the reference is in relation to the surprise announcement and release of Metroid Dread in 2021.
References[]
- ^ http://www.themmnetwork.com/blog/2013/10/31/31-days-of-halloween-costumed-roll-by-ryan-jampole
- ^ '92 Barcelona Olympics - Translated Famitsu Comic - Metroid Database
- ^ [1]
- ^ u/citizenofgaia on Reddit
- ^ a b c d e Beyond Zebes - Metroid Database
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVggPwECBwA
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_8M2vnFtik
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnrRjRP871Y
- ^ https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kong-skull-island-director-reveals-the-zelda-metro/1100-6450326/
- ^ https://twitter.com/VogtRoberts/status/865262246980485121
- ^ https://twitter.com/oracrest/status/1355180564391854084
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSV8s6DgY0E
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YayKpF-AfXI&t=1158
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFmKSDT_kpg
- ^ http://www.backofthecerealbox.com/2010/05/what-could-be-worse-than-eight-bit.html
- ^ Arby's (Arbys). "The last Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace..." 19 August 2016 9:00 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/Arbys/status/766666909290987520
- ^ Arby's (Arbys). "The Queen has returned". 15 September 2017 9:00 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/Arbys/status/908722084414550016
- ^ Arbys (Arbys). "5th Speed Build @GamesDoneQuick from Metroid is Samus. #AGDQ2019" Date and time unknown. Tweet. URL lost.
- ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/Metroid/comments/ahd4og/arbys_has_good_taste/
- ^ Maruchan (maruchan_inc). "Metroid Lime is everyone’s favorite heroine. #Metroid #Maruchan" 29 August 2016 https://twitter.com/maruchan_inc/status/770353018617421826 (dead link)
- ^ https://www.destructoid.com/my-favorite-flavor-of-ramen-metroid-lime/
- ^ Maniac4Bricks (Maniac4Bricks). "I just realized, the "Space Game" tile from the CMF gamer is loosely based on the boxart for Metroid Prime. Unless there's another example?" 20 April 2020 3:01 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/Maniac4Bricks/status/1252311346483531778
- ^ BI 3104, 244+4, 71374 2/2 V29/V118
- ^ Tristan Jones on Twitter: "@Varia31 @MetroidDatabase Totally intentional! It's actually modeled more on the Japanese art though." / Twitter