A Moto, also known as Mousin[1], is a creature native to SR388 that is found in Metroid II: Return of Samus, Metroid: Samus Returns, and Metroid Fusion. They have a mask-like structure with horns at the top covering their faces.
Description[]
In Return of Samus, their behavior is to walk to the right a set amount and then to walk to the left the same amount. Their backside is most vulnerable to attack.
In Metroid Fusion, they were infected and/or mimicked by X Parasites like the majority of the creatures on-board the BSL Station. These infected Motos have a more menacing look to their facial structure, accompanied by a more lavender colored helmet and the addition of a back-heeled spiked toe. A Moto slowly roams a hallway but if it sees Samus, it will charge at her relentlessly until she is behind it. The creature possesses 6HP, shooting at its backside or shooting a Missile or Charge Beam shot on its helmet will kill it. Samus's Power Beam shots while standing might not always hit the creature due to its small stature. A Moto can deliver 35 units of damage if contact is made from the front, otherwise touching its backside delivers only 20 units of damage. The presence of Motos diminishes once all 5 Atmospheric Stabilizers are restored. The remaining Motos are gone once the Screw Attack is obtained.
In Samus Returns, their artwork depicts them as having larger mask spikes and additional toes, retaining the back-heeled toe first seen in Fusion. They charge in a straight line towards Samus, which can be deflected by parrying it with Melee Counter. This will stun the Moto with its backside facing Samus, allowing Samus to attack the vulnerable backside. While Melee Counters are the most efficient way to deal with them, Samus can also focus on attacking its backside like in past games. Stronger Motos[2] are also introduced, which are more powerful and will immediately turn around if Samus dodges their charge up to three times in a row.
Official data[]
Metroid II: Return of Samus manual[]
- Enemies (p. 30)
- MOTO
- "When Samus comes close, they will dash at her. They have a hard shell that protects them from beams."
Metroid II: Return of Samus Virtual Console manual[]
- Enemies (2) (p. 15)
- Moto
- "This aggressive beast will charge if approached. Its hard shell protects it from beams."
Nintendo Power Volume 37[]
- GET AROUND
- "A lot of creatures on SR388 are built with natural shielding which will guard them against your beams. The mean Motos in this area have a sturdy front plate. In order to defeat these creeps, you'll have to blast them from above or behind."
Metroid: Samus Returns Official Guide[]
- INHABITANTS & ECO SYSTEM OF SR388 - SR388 NATIVE LIFE (p. 17)
- MOTO
- "Motos are some of the more aggressive creatures dwelling inside the planet’s caverns. Their spiked helmets, which look to be made of bone, cover and protect their front half. They’re incredibly territorial and charge at intruders, using their bone spikes as a weapon. To defeat them, get behind them and shoot their unprotected parts. However, a well-timed Melee Counter is often a much more effective means of dispatching them."
- WALKTHROUGH - AREA 2 (p. 59)
- MOTO
- "You encounter a new enemy in this area: the hard-headed, horned Moto. A Moto’s head carries both its best defense and best offense. Damaging it with anything other than missiles requires you to shoot it in its hindquarters, as its mask deflects almost anything you throw at it. In addition, it’s a very aggressive creature, charging at anything it doesn’t like and dealing a ton of damage if it lands a hit.
The good news is that its aggressive nature is also its biggest weakness. Every time it charges, you have a counter opportunity, either with a Melee Counter or by jumping over it and shooting it in its soft back bits. Whatever method you use to dispatch a Moto, avoid getting hit by its charge attack, as it takes a big chunk out of your health."
- WALKTHROUGH - AREA 4 (p. 128)
- STRONGER MOTO
- "Stronger Motos are aggressive, even for Motos. If you manage to dodge their first charge attack, they turn around and continue charging. They can perform a charge attack up to three times before taking a breather, at which point they’re completely vulnerable to your attacks. However, don’t wait for them to finish their charge attacks, since a simple Melee Counter does the trick. Defeating them with missiles requires many more shots than regular Motos take, but a single Melee Counter allows you to down them with a shot from the Spazer Beam."
Trivia[]
- The Helmasaur and Helmasaurus from the Legend of Zelda series closely resemble the Moto in appearance. In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask there is an enemy called a Hiploop, with a mask resembling that of the Motos in Fusion. They also have the same attack pattern. The mask can be removed by an explosion, or by using the Hookshot.
- The Motos have a body structure quite similar to the Grenchlers, Grapple Guardian, Ithraks, Gigafraugs, Dragotix, Sheegoths and their young seen in later Metroid games. It is unknown if the Moto inspired the latter creatures' designs.
- In Metroid Fusion, when Samus returns to the main area of Sector 1 after beating Neo-Ridley, every X-infected Moto has disappeared. This could be attributable to the Omega Metroid consuming the X, as discarded shells can be found near areas where Motos were early in the game.
- Also in Fusion, hitting a Moto with the Screw Attack may cause it to produce two explosions simultaneously. This is because the creature possesses two hitboxes: one for its front side and one for its backside (hence the two separate numbers of damage). This can be seen using Debug Menu, depending on how the angle the creature is hit from.
Gallery[]
.png "Fusion Moto sprite (side).png (1,000 bytes)"){kind=icon}
