The Omega Metroid is the seventh and final stage of a standard Metroid's lifecycle. Four appear as bosses in Metroid II: Return of Samus and its remake Metroid: Samus Returns, and another appears as the final boss in Metroid Fusion, in which it is the only non-X enemy.
Description[]
An Omega Metroid is a fully grown adult and an extension of the Zeta Metroid stage. As a result, their body structures are very similar. Omega Metroids have a stance that is very similar to that of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Though they are sluggish compared to their prior form, Omega Metroids more than compensate for it with their increase in size, power, and body armor. Its name is a reference to "Ω", the final letter of the Greek alphabet, in reference to the Omega Metroid's position as the final non-queen stage of Metroid metamorphosis.
In Metroid II and its remake Samus Returns, Omega Metroids are weak to Missiles and are capable of firing energy-based projectiles from their mouths, while the Omega Metroid in Metroid Fusion is vulnerable only to the Ice Beam and attacks solely with devastating physical blows.
The Zeta Metroid Husk left behind by the Omega Metroid in Metroid: Samus Returns
Visually, the Omega Metroid's eight eyes are depicted as blue in official artwork for Metroid II, while later titles have occasionally depicted them as red and added a fifth pair. The length of the Omega Metroid's tail also varies between depictions. In Fusion, the Omega Metroid possesses four protuberances growing from its back, and its husk resembles the membrane of a Big Metroid, rather than the husk left behind in Samus Returns.
Metroid II: Return of Samus[]
The Omega Metroids' in-game sprite.
The Omega Metroids fight identically to their Zeta Metroid counterparts: levitating around and periodically pausing to spit an exploding projectile. This projectile, which behaves similarly to Ridley's fireball shockwave, is assumed to be a fireball, but is never explicitly referred to as such in official media, although a magazine print cell depicts it as resembling a burning rock. While slower than the previous form, the Omega Metroid can deal a very high amount of damage. Samus can perform the Screw Attack into the creature, which causes no damage to her, but this will also not harm the Metroid. They retain the same weaknesses: Samus must shoot them either in the stomach or back, although a shot to the latter deals triple the usual damage, and shots fired straight up from underneath do no damage. Without utilizing their weakness, they require 40 Missiles to bring down.
Omega Metroids maintain the basic structure of their last forms, though their posture are less hunched and their tail seems to abruptly end at a short length. Their artwork presents them with elongated jaws, contrary to their in-game, shorter leech-like mouth. They also feature what appears to be fur under their neck, and their eight compound eyes are colored blue. All Omega Metroids in the game are fought in Phase 8, an area that is divided into and renamed Area 6 and Area 7 in the remake.
Metroid: Samus Returns[]
The Omega Metroid breathing fire.
In the official remake of Metroid II, Omega Metroids make a return and are given a significant redesign. Similar to the Omega Metroid from Metroid Fusion, this remake's Omega Metroids are now massive in size and (like the previous Zeta Metroid stage) no longer levitate, therefore retconning their small and floaty appearance from the original game. Their arms are far longer in reach and their tail is fully complete. They also possess spine-like armor around their torso and five red eyes on each side of their head. Instead of spitting blob-like projectiles, they now fire a flame-based beam from their mouth. Finally, they are significantly more durable; their backside is no longer an exploitable weak point and their weak membrane is protected by a thick rib-cage coating that can regenerate over time. This protection can be removed with any of the Omega Metroid's standard weaknesses (Ice Beam, Missiles, Super Missiles, Beam Burst), but can otherwise be destroyed instantly with a Power Bomb. Its leech-like mouth is also a weak point, though significantly less so than the aforementioned membrane.
Like in Metroid II, Omega Metroids defend their territory aggressively and are formidable foes capable of causing high amounts of damage to Samus, despite her Gravity Suit's defenses. They can attack using their claws and tail swipes, sometimes in tandem. On occasion, Omega Metroids might immediately smack Samus with the back of their hands if she positions herself too close behind them. The continuous red fiery beam they unleash from their mouth leaves the surface it touches on fire. This beam is fired straight ahead, though they can also simply aim at Samus's position in the room, requiring Samus to Space Jump over it. Occasionally, the Omega Metroids will sweep the beam upwards or downwards; when they do the latter, they inadvertently leave their membrane vulnerable, but also force Samus to roll under them in Morph Ball mode. The Metroids can also slam their tail against the ground, creating small earthquakes that cause debris to fall from the ceiling. Interestingly, the falling hazards can damage Samus through the Screw Attack, even though they can be destroyed with her other weapons for Energy Capsules and ammo pickups. The earthquake attack can be used simultaneously with a variant of the red beam attack, in which they fire straight down and spread fire across the entire floor. This forces Samus to continuously remain in the air by Space-Jumping while also dodging the rocks falling from above. Despite being more sluggish than their prior form, Omega Metroids are surprisingly agile for their size, as they are capable of performing large jumps. Finally, they can also perform a bite attack that can be parried with a Melee Counter. If parried successfully, Samus can followup with a Grab Sequence consisting of Samus landing on top of the Metroid's chest and taking point-blank shots at the membrane.
Samus encounters her first Omega Metroid after activating the first Chozo Seal in Area 6, which incorrectly shifts the purple liquid around and traps Samus in the same area. This Omega Metroid is implied to have recently matured from its Zeta Metroid stage, as the latter's husk can be seen lying in the background of the room before it is trampled as the creature charges in from that same background and engages Samus in combat after creating its rib-cage armor. After its defeat, Samus uses its DNA to activate a second Chozo Seal, correcting the previous' shifting of the hazardous liquid and granting her access to the the rest of Area 6.
Like in the original game, three more Omega Metroids are fought in the penultimate Area 7. The Omega Metroid fought in the final Omega's chamber has a unique color scheme, resembling the "evolved" forms of Alpha Metroids and Gamma Metroids.
Metroid Fusion[]
A discarded shell of the Omega Metroid in Fusion.
Samus encounters a single Omega Metroid on the Biologic Space Laboratories research station. It was originally an Infant Metroid from the Restricted Laboratory, developed from the cells of the baby. It escapes during the lab's destruction and voraciously gorges itself on X Parasites, rapidly molting through its lifecycle toward Omega[citation needed] as it makes its way to the Docking Bays. Samus encounters its trail of discarded membranes and empty, pillaged rooms starting from Sector 1 (SRX) and eventually arrives at the Docking Bays while trying to make a swift escape from the station.
The Omega Metroid battling an SA-X
Instead of her Starship, however, she finds a giant shell larger than the baby lying amidst the wreckage of the Docking Bays. As Samus begins to run back, the Omega Metroid bursts through the wall, smashes the molted shell, and roars at her. Like other metamorphosized Metroids, the Omega Metroid is immediately hostile to Samus despite their shared Metroid DNA. This powerful Omega Metroid is immune to Samus's weaponry and reduces her to the brink of death in a single swipe.
As the Omega Metroid moves in for the kill, the SA-X that has recently escaped Samus joins the fight. The Omega Metroid salivates at the fresh X prey, while the SA-X goes ballistic in the presence of its natural predator, unloading on it with the Ice Beam. However, it is ripped apart by the Omega Metroid's claws and releases its Core-X, which Samus absorbs to regain the Ice Beam.
Omega Metroid animation from Metroid Fusion
The Omega Metroid slowly creeps toward the left side of the Docking Bays throughout the duration of the battle in an attempt to swipe at Samus with its claws. To avoid this, Samus must use the Ice Beam to drive the creature backwards and move away before the Omega Metroid can counterattack. Both charged and uncharged shots will damage it, but only if they are direct shots to its chest region, which may require the use of the L button for diagonal fire. Contact with the creature inflicts heavy damage and a knockback effect. If the Omega Metroid reaches too close to the left side of the room, it will perform a huge leap back toward the right side of the room, repeating its pattern. If the Metroid manages to connect with a claw swipe, Samus will lose a full tank of energy and be hurled backwards and knocked to her knees, stunned. She can be stood up by tapping on the D-pad, or will stand on her own after a few seconds. Since there is a countdown until the B.S.L. station collides with SR388 in effect, this is a battle not only against the Omega Metroid, but against time as well.
Samus's best approach is to rapidly fire at its chest, then take a few steps back to avoid its claw lunge. The creature will not claw lunge until it is standing perfectly straight; it cannot attack if it takes a step forward with its left leg until it finishes its movement with its right leg. Enough damage will cause the creature to stumble backwards, interrupting its pattern briefly. As it receives damage, it changes its color to a purple shade of hue, followed by a pink body coloring when near death. Ultimately, Samus succeeds in inflicting enough damage to drive the creature back to the wall through which it came, and the Omega Metroid is destroyed in the process. Samus's Starship then returns to the room, allowing her to leave the station with moments to spare.
Metroid Dread[]
Quiet Robe's recounting of his past depicts an Omega Metroid attacking the Chozo warriors as they activate a Chozo Seal, presumably in Area 3.
Official data[]
Metroid II: Return of Samus manual[]
- OMEGA METROID
- "This mutation is absolutely huge; its power, incredible!"
Metroid II: Return of Samus Virtual Console manual[]
- Metroids (p. 16)
- Omega Metroid
- "This Metroid has reached adulthood. It is massive and incredibly powerful."
Nintendo Power issue 31[]
- OMEGA METROID
- "A fast and frenzied fight will ensue when you encounter this highly advanced creature. Be ready with Missiles."
Nintendo Power issue 37[]
- OMEGA EXTERMINATION
- "Omega Metroids are one of the most sophisticated Metroid strains. You'll have to fight four of them in this phase. These monsters attack in a similar pattern to the Zeta Metroids though they are much faster. Fire off a quick load of Missiles when they stop and hover. It'll take a lot of firepower to check these creeps off your list."
Metroid: Samus Returns Official Guide[]
- INHABITANTS & ECO SYSTEM OF SR388 - METROIDS (p. 22)
- OMEGA METROID
- "The Omega Metroid represents the most advanced stage a Metroid can attain without being a Queen. These Metroids are massive, powerful, and can leap incredibly high and fast. Evolution has also done away with the Metroid’s trademark weak point: the core. While the core is still there, the Omega's chiton [sic] armor plating hides it deep in its chest. The only way to reach it is to force your way in with explosive attacks, but even then, you have a short amount of time to strike before the chiton self-repairs and covers the core once more. Omegas are tough and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Expect to learn how to fight them in the school of hard knocks."
Trivia[]
Unused Danny Richardson art
- In Return of Samus, the battle theme for the Omega Metroid is Vs. Metroid; in Fusion, it is Sector 3 Restore the Cooling Installation Timer Mission (similar to the earlier timed battle against the B.S.L. Research Team Member) and Environment Sound (Shock); and in Samus Returns, it is the unique Boss Omega.
- A stop-motion model of the Omega Metroid appears in the commercial for Metroid II.
- Concept art for an Omega Metroid was drawn up by Danny Richardson for the initial "Metroid 1.5" build for the Metroid Prime sequel. It was put aside when the sequel was retooled as Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Gallery[]
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_Omega_Metroid_Growing_Chest_Armor_(Cutscene).png "Metroid Samus Returns Metroid (Stage 7) Omega Metroid Growing Chest Armor (Cutscene).png (1.16 MB)")
_Omega_Metroid_(Cutscene).png "Metroid Samus Returns Metroid (Stage 7) Omega Metroid (Cutscene).png (1.26 MB)")
_Omega_Metroid_Roar_(Cutscene).png "Metroid Samus Returns Metroid (Stage 7) Omega Metroid Roar (Cutscene).png (1.2 MB)")
_Omega_Metroid_VS_Samus_(Cutscene).png "Metroid Samus Returns Metroid (Stage 7) Omega Metroid VS Samus (Cutscene).png (1.55 MB)")
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References and footnotes[]