A Needler is a spherical creature covered in needle-like spikes, seen in Metroid II: Return of Samus as a native of SR388.
Description[]
Needlers are only found in Phase 2 (making their first appearance in the vertical chamber) and Phase 3. In the latter area, Needlers are shown to be able to survive underwater.
Needlers move in a straight direction along floors, walls and ceilings, sticking to a surface no matter the angle or orientation. They ignore Samus Aran and do not make any hostile actions against her. However, Samus will be harmed if she jumps or walks into a Needler due to its deadly spines. Therefore, this prickly creature is often regarded as a pest.
Official data[]
Metroid II: Return of Samus manual[]
- Enemies (p. 26)
- NEEDLER
- "They move along the walls and the ceilings."
Virtual Console manual[]
- Enemies (1) (p. 14)
- Needler
- "This prickly pest moves along walls and crags in caves. Be careful of its spines."
Trivia[]
- It is unknown if they became X Parasite hosts, as Samus did not encounter any Needlers in Metroid Fusion.
- Needlers behave identically to Tsumuri and Moheeks, in addition to many other lifeforms on different planets.
- While Needlers do not appear in Metroid: Samus Returns, the Ramulken has been given new behaviors to seemingly replace the Needler. It now crawls along floors, walls, and ceilings just like the Needler, and it can curl into its spiked shell to roll in a way that resembles a Needler.
Gallery[]
Needler sprite
A Needler in the vertical chamber
A Ramulken behaving similarly to a Needler in Samus Returns