Phazon Enhancement Device

A PED Marine.

The Phazon Enhancement Device, or PED, is a device that draws on Phazon energy to increase the power and defense of its user, featured in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

Overview

The PED was originally developed by the Space Pirates. However, the use of the device frequently led to Phazon Sickness. Later, the Galactic Federation develops their own PED based on captured Pirate technology, field-tested by a Federation Marine battalion stationed in the Norion System. This version of the PED features a backpack that contains Phazon, which—when activated—can enhance the armor and weaponry of the user. Marines equipped with the device are known as PED Marines, and have been shown to defeat powerful opponents, such as a Berserker Lord, single-handedly. Supposedly, the Federation's PED does not cause Phazon Sickness. However, one PED Marine can be seen twitching erratically, possibly indicating that he is suffering from Phazon Sickness.

The backpack system used by troopers.

After being corrupted by Dark Samus's attack on Norion, Samus Aran and three other Bounty Hunters, Rundas, Ghor, and Gandrayda, receive Phazon Enhancement Devices (in the case of Samus, her damaged Power Suit is modified into the PED Suit). Unlike those used by the GF Marines, these devices do not require an external supply of Phazon, since the hunters now produce it from their own bodies.

The PED Suit allows Samus to enter Hypermode, greatly enhancing her firepower and defenses. However, overusing the Hypermode function carries the risk of Phazon corruption, which can transform her into a second Dark Samus. Expelling the remaining Phazon to end Hypermode is a safe way to avoid death by corruption. On Phaaze, Samus presses a button on the PED, which initiates an "emergency vent override" to keep her Phazon levels under control by venting all her spare Energy Tanks. This leaves Samus in permanent Hypermode, with her Phazon level steadily rising from all the Phazon in the atmosphere.

Samus delays her corruption long enough to complete her mission. However, the other Bounty Hunters are fully corrupted and attack Samus, forcing her to defeat them. After Dark Samus's defeat and the destruction of Phaaze, Samus's Phazon Enhancement Device becomes useless, as she no longer has Phazon in her body.

Users

Samus' version of the PED Suit.

Samus' PED unit after becoming 75% corrupted.

• Samus Aran
• Gandrayda
• Ghor
• Rundas
• PED Marines
• Space Pirates

Official data

Information terminal (Docking Bay 4)

"Phazon Enhancement Device - GF DF PX013"
"The Phazon Enhancement Device is based on captured Space Pirate technology. It is being tested by a GF Marine battalion based in the Norion system. Marines can initiate an energy siphon from the supplied Phazon carried in a backpack into their armorsuits. This allows them to temporarily enhance the exoskeletal and weapon systems of their armorsuits. To date, no Marines have displayed signs of Phazon Sickness, common in subjects who use the Space Pirate's version of the system."

Trivia

• Samus's version of the PED has some similarities to the Phazon Suit from Metroid Prime, in that it prevents damage from Phazon and allows a powerful Phazon attack through the use of Hypermode. However, the PED Suit not only nullifies the damaging effect of Phazon, but standing in Concentrated Phazon replenishes Samus's energy, unlike the Phazon Suit. Also, the Phazon attack from the PED Suit can be used any time there is an available Energy Tank, while the Phazon Suit can only enter Hypermode when standing in a Phazon pool.
• In multiple cases, the PED is called a "PED-device", which would mean "Phazon Enhancement Device-device". This is most likely a mistake by the developers.
• A glitch can allow Samus to enter Hypermode while wearing the Varia Suit. If this is done and Hypermode is highlighted in the Inventory screen, Samus's PED will be highlighted on the Varia Suit's chestplate (despite not being present on the Varia Suit itself in-game).
• Coincidentally, the build name for the 2004 prototype of Metroid: Zero Mission is named "ABMXPED".

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Preview

Gallery

A rear view of a Galactic Federation Trooper using the PED.

A PED trooper defeats an enemy Berserker Lord by using Hypermode.

Artwork for Samus' suit.

Samus Aran's modified PED Suit.

PED - Hypermode

PED side effect

The PED's position highlighted on the Varia Suit in the Status Screen (via a glitch).