SR388 Data File

This article is written from the Real Life point of view

“	Samus Aran's mission on planet SR388 will push her to new levels of power. After acquiring the Spider Ball and Power Bomb, she can even perform the secret Spider Boost! Simply set off a Power Bomb while gripping a surface with her Spider Ball to rocket across any distance imaginable.	„
—Trailer description

Video thumbnail, showing the Metroid life cycle.

The SR388 Data File is a 1 minute and 53 seconds trailer for Metroid: Samus Returns, released on November 22, 2017, more than two months after the game's worldwide release. It was released alongside the Universe Trailer, initially unlisted, with the link being provided at the end of the Universe Trailer after the "module" for the SR388 file is fully decrypted. It has since been made public. Both trailers are narrated by a British female speaker.

Whereas the Universe Trailer discussed Samus Aran's history, this trailer focuses on the planet SR388, Samus's mission there, the Metroids and Aeion energy. Some clips from Metroid: Zero Mission of the battle against Mother Brain are shown during the introduction. This trailer is a source of potential spoilers for players, as it depicts all of the Metroid life cycle and the final boss Proteus Ridley. The secret Spider Boost technique is briefly depicted in this trailer as well.

The game's arrangement of In the Cockpit and Title, along with the new Chozo Laboratory theme, are heard during the trailer.

The trailer can be viewed here.

Continuity

The trailer claims that Samus Returns occurs less than a year after Zero Mission. This seemingly creates a continuity error with the Prime series, the events of which are not acknowledged in the game despite being set between Zero Mission and Samus Returns. The Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet states that Metroid Prime occurs 3 years after Zero Mission, which conflicts with previously stated first party materials of the time span between Metroid and Super Metroid. The third installment, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, is set six months after the second, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The introduction of Metroid Prime: Federation Force, set after Corruption, reveals that it is set in the year 20X6, which would be a year after Zero Mission.

The trailer also reveals that the Galactic Federation suspects that Aeion is linked to the Chozo, which is hinted at in the in-game Chozo Memories, especially the second.

Narrator dialogue

“	Accessing mission SR388 data file. File ready. Less than a year has passed since Samus Aran's triumph over the Space Pirates. But the Galactic Federation has need of her services once again. Due to her particular skillset, she is our last, best hope. The energy-draining Metroids encountered on Zebes have been discovered on SR388, where the organisms have continued to progress at a terrifying rate. Scans indicate that this hostile environment has produced a new mutation in the Metroid genome: the ability to evolve into progressively larger and more deadly forms. More... aggressive methods of attack are recommended for dealing with these lethal creatures. Additionally, the planet has been found to emit a mystical and powerful resource: Aeion energy. the Federation has reason to believe that Samus's Power Suit is compatible, that it will greatly enhance her abilities, and that the substance's past is somehow linked with her mysterious benefactors, the Chozo. Their artifacts can be found across the planet, almost as if she is meant to find them. Fortunately, Samus excels at searching alien worlds, and discovering abilities to enhance her versatile Power Suit. With so many power-ups hidden across the planet, only the most observant hunter will be able to find them all. This is no ordinary mission. Her adversaries have evolved. And now... so must Samus.	„
—Narrator

On-screen text

Beginning

INCOMING TRANSMISSION
ACCESSING MISSION DATA

TRANSFER COMPLETE

DECRYPTION COMPLETE
SR388 DATA FILE READY

ENGAGE? Y/N Y

During video

[Numbers]
MAIN_
SYSTEM_
DISPLAY

[Hologram of Metroid larva] ANALYZING

[Flashing] CAUTION^
[Numbers]

Nintendo of America tweet

"Uncover the evolution of Metroids on SR388 with this data file featuring Samus’ new weapons and upgrades in #Metroid: Samus Returns—out now."