Logbook

The Logbook in Metroid Prime.

During the Prime Series, Samus Aran uses a Logbook (also referred as a Log Book) to store data she collects with the Scan Visor. The layout of the Logbook has changed over time; after Metroid Prime Samus' Logbook uses holograms rather than still images and has more sub headings. However, after Metroid Prime 2: Echoes she uses a much simpler Logbook, similar in style but not a GUI to the one she used in Prime. In Metroid Prime Hunters, the Logbook only displays descriptions.

In the 1986 manga, Samus also posesses a Logbook, though with data already downloaded to it.

Inventory

Alongside and arguably a part of the Logbook, the Inventory displays all the items Samus has currently collected, with logged information on each. After the official description Samus records her own notes for future reference. During both her missions in Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, a holographic image of Samus with her current items can be seen and viewed here; while on Aether, each individual item, including the items she begins the mission with, have a viewable holographic image of the item before collection.

Layout

Logbook entries are arranged under three main headings for the Prime Trilogy games: Lore, Creatures, and Research. For Metroid Prime Hunters, there are four main headings: Lore, Bioforms, Objects and Equipment.

Lore

Lore scans from the various locales accross the planets in which Samus has visited are stored here.

Lore in Metroid Prime

* Pirate Data

* Chozo Lore

Lore in Metroid Prime Hunters

* Lore

Lore in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

* Space Pirate Logs

* Trooper Logs

* Luminoth Lore

Lore in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

* Galactic Federation Data

* Bryyo Data

* SkyTown Data

* Space Pirate Data

Creatures/Bioforms

Scanning any life form or autonomous construction reveals biological and biographical information about the target. That information is then stored here, and can be viewed again later.

During Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the Creatures section is further subdivided into a whole specific tree that selectively groups creatures in small, single figure sets. After Echoes this was opened up so that there was only one level of sub headings.

Research/Objects

Scanning any mechanisms, devices, or constructions reveals information about how they are used and which items can interact with them. That information is then stored here, and can be viewed again later.

Artifacts

In Metroid Prime, there was a sub-category called "Artifacts". At the Artifact Temple there were several Chozo Totems that Samus could scan for hints on where the Chozo Artifacts were.

Objectives

In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, there was another sub-category called "Objectives". Here, Samus could see her current and completed objectives. Similar objective systems appeared in Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Other M.

Equipment

In Metroid Prime Hunters, there was another sub-category called "Equipment", where information on Samus' items and gear could be stored. Some items in the category are there at the beginning of the game, as these things cannot be scanned.

Official data

 

Metroid Prime manual

"As you play through the game, be sure to scan anything and everything. Very often you'll learn a crucial bit of information by scanning an enemy or downloading one of the many research logs located around the Space Pirates' operation. To view information that you have downloaded to your Log Book, press START/PAUSE and access the Log Book by pressing the R Button. From there, select the data you want to view and press the A Button to access your databanks."