Changes: Samus Aran

Latest revision as of 21:51, 5 April 2024

This is a featured article.

"Sammy" redirects here. For the former Retro Studios artist, see Sammy Hall.
"Samus" redirects here. For other uses, see Samus (Disambiguation).
"Newborn" redirects here. For the Chozo Artifact, see Artifact of Newborn.
"Princess" redirects here. For other uses, see Princess (Disambiguation).

Samus Aran

Samus Aran, as she appears in Metroid: Other M.

Species

Human
(genetically enhanced with Chozo DNA from both Gray Voice and Raven Beak, and Metroid DNA from the baby. Formerly self-generator of Phazon).

Homeworld

Orphaned on Earth colony K-2L at age three, raised on Zebes.

Aliases

Newborn
Entrusted One
The Hatchling
The Hunter
Protector of the Galaxy^[1]
Guardian of the Galaxy^[2]
Space Cadet
Princess
Sammy
Lady
Sam^[3]
Sambot^{[note 1]}

Born

Cosmic year ~2000

Parents

Virginia Aran
Chief Rodney Aran

Gender

Female

Height

1.9 m (6'3")^{[note 2]}

Weight

90 kg (198 lbs)^{[note 2]}

Gunship

Samus's Gunship

Main weapon

Arm Cannon_{(Power Beam, Missiles)}
Bombs
Paralyzer

Alt form

Morph Ball

Hair

Blonde
(Nintendo Comics System/Captain N, Super Metroid-present)
Brown
(Metroid; Power Suit)
Green
(Metroid; Varia Suit)
Dark
(Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order)
Red
(Metroid II; colorized)
Violet
(Super Metroid comic/artwork)

Eye color

"Blue with a slight green." ^[1]
Green (Metroid: Other M, "Metroid: Dread")

Blue ("Metroid: Dread", during Game Over sequence, in Zero Suit.

“	In the vast universe, the history of humanity is but a flash of light from a lone star. The life of a single person should be lost in space and time. But among the stars, there is one light that burns brighter than all others. The light of Samus Aran. Her battles extend beyond her life, and etch themselves into history.	„
—Metroid Prime intro

Samus Aran (サムス・アラン, Samusu Aran^?) is an intergalactic bounty hunter and the main protagonist of the Metroid series.

The daughter of Rodney Aran and Virginia Aran, she lost her parents during a Space Pirate raid on her home of K-2L. Later, Samus was adopted by the mysterious Chozo and taken to Zebes, where she was infused with their DNA and raised to become a warrior. Once she reached adulthood, Samus joined the Federation Police and served under the Commanding Officer Adam Malkovich. Though she ultimately left to become a Bounty Hunter, she was nonetheless hired by the Galactic Federation on many occasions. Equipped with her cybernetic Power Suit, Samus has become famous for accomplishing missions previously thought impossible. Her most renowned achievements are the destruction of the Space Pirate base on Zebes, her role in ending the Galactic Phazon crisis, her repeated extermination of the Metroid species, and her disobedience of orders at the Biologic Space Laboratories research station where she chose to destroy the deadly X Parasites rather than turn them over to the Galactic Federation. Having received an infusion of Metroid DNA to save her from an X infection, Samus is now the last "Metroid" in the galaxy.

Samus broke ground early in the gaming world when she debuted in the 1986 game Metroid. Originally players were under the impression that Samus was a male, as the English translation of the instruction manual used male pronouns for her.^[5]

However, completing Metroid in under five hours revealed Samus to be a young woman.^[6] Although Samus wears the Power Suit throughout most of the Metroid series, she traditionally removes it at the end of most games, often as a result of satisfying certain conditions such as completing the game quickly or with a high percentage of the game's items collected or even both.

Biography

Main article: Biography of Samus Aran

Mother time to go — Samus threatening Mother Brain after she killed the baby, as depicted in *Metroid: Other M*.

Samus was born on the Earth colony K-2L, and after its destruction was raised on Zebes by the Chozo. Her residence has never been seen in the games, but has been depicted in comics and manga.

A fictional "Second Office of Trentesse" organization, mentioned in the Japanese Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid features a short profile of Samus.

Personality and portrayal

“	With the death of the planet Phaaze, Samus Aran's arduous fight against Phazon has ended. However, in the vast regions of space, this victory is just a twinkle of a star, spreading the light of hope through the darkness.	„
—Aurora Unit 242, during the credits of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Samus' personality has rarely been explored in-depth within the context of the games, a conscious decision by Nintendo to help the player insert themselves as the in-game character. However, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and Metroid: Other M are perhaps the most notable games in the series to give insight into Samus' personality, as well as other media formats such as comics and manga.

Samus glaring at Robot Chozo Soldier — Samus' feelings are often expressed through her eyes, as seen here in *Metroid Dread*, when she glares at the Robot Chozo Soldier that has killed Quiet Robe.

Samus is a hero of few words, and a fearsome warrior. She remains quiet and brooding in spite of her great accomplishments, and has devoted her life to maintaining peace in the galaxy. Her main opponents are the Space Pirates - especially Ridley, who was personally responsible for the death of her mother. Despite her tragic origins, Samus has been shown to have unparalleled willpower and resourcefulness, succeeding where thousands failed and stopping at nothing to save the galaxy from any threat that may arise.^[7] Such is Samus' determination that she was even willing to sacrifice herself to prevent the spread of the body-snatching X Parasites.^[8]

Although Samus works for the betterment of the galaxy and frequently collaborates with the Galactic Federation, she is a lone wolf at heart, only taking their orders due to their common goals and bounties.^[9] She has little respect for authority and dislikes being told what to do, only allowing such supervision from those she trusts such as Adam Malkovich, and rejecting others such as Raven Beak or even the Galactic Federation when their goals no longer intersected with hers.^[10]^[11] In her youth, Samus had an especially strong rebellious streak due to her turbulent emotional state; this earned her the attention of her colleagues, resulting in Adam Malkovich developing the phrase "Any objections, Lady?" to acknowledge her at the end of briefings.^[12]

Despite her reputation for combat, Samus is also known for her compassion, and has consistently stood up to secure the helpless and downtrodden. Three notable instances of this were when she volunteered to single-handedly save the Luminoth race from the brink of extinction, when she helped innocent Etecoons and a Dachora escape a self-destructing Zebes, and when she swore to Quiet Robe to put an end to Raven Beak's evil ambitions. In Metroid II, Samus bonded with a baby Metroid born in front of her eyes, and chose to spare it, possibly recalling her three-year-old self during the massacre on K-2L. She entrusted it to the Ceres Space Colony, expressing faith that the specimen might be used for good. When Samus witnessed the Metroid sacrifice itself to save her from Mother Brain, she was heartbroken for some time.

Witnessing her parents' deaths at the hands of Space Pirates left Samus with post-traumatic stress disorder, which manifested as a severe panic attack upon her first encounter with Ridley in adolescence.^[13] She appears to have since learned to handle this trauma, and has rarely hesitated to do battle with her nemesis since. Upon learning that Ridley had survived their first battle on Zebes, Samus expressed only silent anger and wasted no time rushing to her Gunship to chase him to the planet Tallon IV.

Rodney Shoots the Afloralite — *Metroid Fusion*'s Japanese-only endings gave various brief insights into Samus' early life.

Bryan Walker said that he and his Retro Studios colleagues felt that Samus was akin to Boba Fett from Star Wars, but with a sense of humor.^[14] In the Metroid Prime series, Samus was always animated as subdued, stoically walking into rooms, with intense movement coming during action scenes.^[15] Yoshio Sakamoto said in an interview that with each Metroid game, he has gained a deeper understanding of who Samus is, and what she is thinking in each of her missions.^[16] According to Yosuke Hayashi, Samus is like a daughter to Sakamoto.^[17]

During the events of Metroid: Other M, Samus was in an especially vulnerable state following the death of the Metroid hatchling, the destruction of her childhood home Zebes, and an unexpected reunion with her former CO, Adam Malkovich. Due to this, the game is rife with inner monologues by Samus to share her angst with the player. Desperate to prove she had overcome her old habits of being rebellious and insecure, Samus willingly placed herself back under Adam's command on the BOTTLE SHIP in an attempt to regain his trust.^[18] When facing the cloned Ridley, Samus realized she was not over her insecurities after all, causing her to enter a state of shock (likely a relapsed PTSD attack). Afterwards, she briefly relapsed into rebelling against Adam, even believing MB's lie that he endorsed the BOTTLE SHIP's Metroid program, but upon gaining full confirmation of Adam's trust outside Sector Zero, she completely regained her composure.^[19] Metroid: Other M's unique depiction of Samus garnered significant criticism for being perceived as inconsistent with her more independent personality in other Metroid games, as well as the questionable implications of her submissive behavior towards Adam throughout the game.

Age

Samus facing Amorbis in *Metroid Prime 2: Echoes*.

Samus's precise age has never been revealed, with the Japanese Metroid Prime site even stating that her age is unknown.

In Metroid: Volume 1, Samus is 3 years old during the K-2L attack^[20] and 14 years old when she leaves Zebes and joins the Galactic Federation Police;^[21] the final chapters of Metroid: Volume 2 leading into her Zero Mission are set an unspecified "few years later"^[22] and therefore could take place during her late teens or early twenties. However, Other M concept art states that she is "about 4-6 years old" around the time of the K-2L attack,^[23] and "approximately 15-17 years old" in her Federation military period.^[24]

While non-canonical, the Nintendo Comics System comic The Coming of a Hero refers to Samus as the youngest police officer to become a Star-Tracker. The Nintendo Comics System adaptation of Captain N: The Game Master features the teenage Kevin Keene as Samus's love interest; this could indicate that Samus may have been intended to be in her late teens or early twenties in the original Metroid, which would roughly line up with the timeline presented in the Magazine Z manga.

Inspiration from the Alien series

It is plausibly assumed that Samus was inspired by Sigourney Weaver's character Ellen Ripley from the Alien series. In fact, Samus's physical appearance in the Super Metroid comics was a combination of Ripley and Leia Organa from the Star Wars films.^[25] Samus's relationship with the infant Metroid is comparable to Ripley's relationship with a surviving LV-426 colonist named Rebecca "Newt" Jorden. Like the Baby, Newt dies in the sequel, Alien³, and like Samus, Ripley grieves her death. Unlike Ripley, Samus has never shown to be traumatized by the Metroids she faces on her various missions, with her psychological scars instead caused by her childhood encounter with Ridley.

In other media

"What's the matter? All I said was that Komaytos look like little Metr-"

Non-canon warning: This article or section contains information that may not be considered an official part of the Metroid series in the overall storyline by Nintendo.

In licensed Metroid material outside of the games, Samus's personality is largely left up to the writer in question. As such, her personality has varied considerably between major publications. The Magazine Z manga depicts her as suffering from childhood trauma and often thinking heavily about her role and the role of the Pirates. In the Captain N: The Game Master comics, Samus is depicted as brash and money-hungry (as just about any bounty hunter would be), though she is willing to compete fairly with Princess Lana for the protagonist Kevin Keene's feelings, suggesting her behavior is something of a "tough-guy" act.

While Samus does not have a royal heritage in any of the games, she was depicted as the queen of Garbage World in A King of Shreds and Patches in Captain N, and Anthony Higgs gives her the nickname "Princess" in Metroid: Other M (although in concept artwork James Pierce says "Hey, Princess!" likely referring to Samus). Non-canonically, she is also depicted sitting on the throne in the King Conan Diorama in Corruption. This would seem to indicate that she became an empress to the Reptilicus, although this is never depicted in-game.

Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.

Physical appearance

Samus 2D endings — Samus Aran in the top endings of *Metroid*, *Metroid II*, and *Super Metroid*.

Samus Aran is slender and light-skinned with a muscular physique under the armor, though her superhuman abilities may be accountable to her muscle/bone density given her hybrid genetics and augmentations. Her hair color is blonde, her eye color is blue with a green tinge (fully green in Other M), and she appears to be Caucasian. Samus typically wears her blond hair in a modified ponytail with a red hairband, with a lock on either side. The exact hairstyle, however, can vary from game to game.

Samus Aran Varia suit Super Metroid Player's Guide 1994 — From the *Super Metroid Players' Guide*

According to the Super Metroid Players' Guide, she is 6 feet 3 inches tall (roughly 190 cm) and weighs 198 pounds (roughly 90 kilograms); however, the manual of Metroid II: Return of Samus attributes these measurements to her Power Suit instead.^[26] Some games, such as Metroid Prime 2: Echoes^[27] and Metroid Prime Remastered,^[28] show Samus to be the same height with or without the Power Suit; other games, such as Metroid: Other M, show Samus to be significantly shorter without her Power Suit.^[29]

Hair

Main article: Samus's Hairstyle

Samus's appearance varied widely in the early games. In the original Metroid, her hair was colored brown, though it would turn green once the player acquired the Varia Suit. If Metroid II: Return of Samus was played with a Super Game Boy, Game Boy Player, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP, her hair would be miscolored red. It was not until Super Metroid that she officially became blond, although the non-canon comic and some concept art colored her hair purple. In addition, the game book Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order depicted her hair color as largely being black.

ZeroSuitSamus — Samus Aran as she appears in *Metroid: Samus Returns*.

Similarly, Samus's hairstyle has varied in the early games and other media. In the original Metroid, her hairstyle was depicted as wavy and reaching just beyond her shoulder blades in the ending, while in Metroid II and Super Metroid, it was depicted as straight with a part on the left side of her forehead and bangs, respectively, with the former only reaching her neck and the latter reaching her shoulders. In Fusion, she has two bangs, one of which partially covers her left eye slightly, and is depicted as long enough to reach down her back. In addition, in Zebes Invasion Order, Samus's hair, similar to Fusion was depicted as long enough to reach down her back. Samus's signature hairstyle debuted in Metroid: Zero Mission, and has been present in every Metroid game released since. The only exception is Metroid Prime Hunters which, though it retained Samus's ponytail, lacked the two locks of hair on each side of her head. Previously, Samus had been depicted with a ponytail in Metroid Prime and (briefly) at the end of Metroid II and Super Metroid.

Before the credits, Samus is briefly depicted with her hair down, the first instance of this in 3-D. With her hair down, she has locks of hair hanging over her shoulders. After Anthony steps in, the lock over her right shoulder is no longer there. She then ties her hair back into her ponytail, mirroring the scenes in Metroid II and Super Metroid where she unties the ponytail. A development screenshot pictured her young appearance with black hair, which given the intended focus on the Japanese audience as well as Samus's rebellious past being focused on, may have been intended to imply that Samus dyed her hair blonde as an act of rebellion (as the act is considered such in Japan due to its associations with Western/American culture).

Face

Samus's face structure has varied across the Metroid franchise. Metroid, Metroid II, Super Metroid, and Metroid Fusion gave her a wider face and larger eyes than later incarnations. In particular, her appearance for Super Metroid was stated to be based on the American actress Kim Basinger. As stated above, Samus's Super Metroid comics appearance was a combination of Leia Organa and Ellen Ripley, and therefore their actresses Carrie Fisher and Sigourney Weaver.^[25]

In Metroid Prime, Samus's jaw was squarer, her eyes deeper-set and her lips more defined, giving her a Caucasian appearance. Her face can be seen in gameplay when certain flashes of light, such as explosions, Super Missiles being fired or enemy projectiles impact close to Samus. Samus's face was modeled separately and implemented with a diffuse texture. The idea to add her face may have come from Chris Voellmann. This was popular enough with the Retro Studios team that they sought to make Samus's face appear more often in the sequels, such as in Corruption, where it is visible whenever the Scan Visor is active.^[30] Unused animations of Samus making various facial expressions exist in Prime; these can be viewed here. Players who witnessed the face effect when playing a demo of Prime at E3 2002 reacted very positively to it.^[31] Metroid Prime Remastered changes Samus's face from the original game, causing it to more closely resemble later depictions.^[32]

A-Zero Mission-Art10 — Samus Aran as she appears in *Metroid: Zero Mission*

Zero Mission gave her higher cheekbones and a thinner face than previous installments, and that template has been the basis for every game since. Echoes' incarnation is possibly her most panned appearance, due to the in-game model suffering from the uncanny valley. Prime Hunters, on the other hand, gave Samus a face that appeared to be a blend of Zero Mission's and Prime's depiction. Samus retained the deep-set eyes, traditional ponytail, and fuller face from Prime, but also had Zero Mission's higher cheekbones. Corruption's is closer to that of Zero Mission, with a thinner, more stylized face. Samus Returns gave Samus a slightly angular face, along with slightly rounder eyes. In other media, such as Zebes Invasion Order, Samus's face was rendered with a similar design to various Japanese anime, such as Speed Racer.

SamusAran — Samus Aran as she appears in *Metroid: Other M*

On the other hand, Metroid: Other M is perhaps the largest change Samus has ever had to her appearance since Zero Mission. She is depicted for the first time with short hair and green eyes, with subtle facial features reminiscent of Asian descent. While her adult appearance still gives her a ponytail, the two locks on either side of her head have been heavily reduced in size, her bangs have been altered and her ponytail has been moved to the nape of the neck. She also has the beauty mark that Yoshio Sakamoto alluded to in the Super Metroid developer interview, under the left side of her lip. A mole was marked in concept art for Metroid Prime, but was not added to the model.^[33] The mark is retained in Metroid: Samus Returns concept art^[34], and her Metroid Dread model.^[35]

An early model of Samus's face in Metroid Prime, created by Cid Newman, was based on American supermodel Cindy Crawford.^[36]^[37]

Powers and abilities

“	Even without the Power Suit, all that training she did with the Chozo has made her a super athlete. I don't think a normal human could ever keep up. Just look at her.	„
—Mei Ling (from Metal Gear Solid), Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Zero Suit Samus SSBB2 — Samus Aran in her Zero Suit, demonstrating her athletic abilities.

Samus Aran's infusion with Chozo DNA (later revealed to be a combination of both Thoha and Mawkin DNA), as well as her warrior training since her childhood, has turned her into a superior athlete. Her training began at the age of three and continued up until she was fourteen years old. As a result of the Chozo's influence, Samus is capable of running and jumping heights far past normal human ability, as well as surviving falls that would otherwise kill an ordinary human. Samus is also more adaptive to foreign alien environments that normal humans cannot survive in, such as the majority of Zebes and Elysia.

Samus also demonstrates good sharpshooting skills. She is an excellent marksman, with an incredible aim, and is tremendously deadly in combat. She exhibits prodigious puzzle-solving and hacking skills. She also possesses a lithe figure that allows her to crawl through tunnels and gaps that would normally require the usage of the Morph Ball. All of these are, of course, augmented further by her Power Suit. If need be, Samus will engage in melee combat, often using kicks and wrestling tactics to weaken her foe for a point-blank shot.

Metroid other m artwork — Samus gains an additional boost of power, in addition to the upgrades it provides, as seen in this *Metroid: Other M* art.

The extent of Samus' training after she joined the Federation Police is currently unknown, but it is clear that the Federation has made one major augmentation to her abilities: her infusion with Metroid DNA. This infusion was done in a last-ditch attempt to save her life after she was infected with the X Parasites, and thus it was not completely known at the time what the side effects would be.

As a result of the infusion, Samus gained immunity to X Parasites, as well as the ability to absorb them for energy. However, she also inherited the Metroid's crippling weakness to cold, though this disability was toned down after downloading the Varia Suit upgrade and later negated altogether after she absorbed the essence of the SA-X. However, Samus did not inherit the Metroids' ability to float or to absorb bio-energy from life forms beyond the X Parasites.

This later changed on ZDR when the Metroid DNA in her body begins to fully awaken and allows her to absorb bio-energy, however, it also results in a rapid transformation that turns Samus into a unique form of Metroid/human/Chozo hybrid. She also ends up displaying the ability to absorb energy from machinery as a result of the aforementioned metamorphosis. This eventually had nearly disastrous consequences where she was unable to pilot her ship out of ZDR without draining its energy, until she absorbed the X Parasite of Quiet Robe, a Thoha Chozo, re-stabilizing her DNA. A large part of the reason behind the sudden changes on ZDR was because of her encounter with the Mawkin leader Raven Beak, as Metroids were programmed to react violently to Mawkin, although Raven Beak implied that she would have undergone the changes immediately after the Vaccine "Metroid" procedure earlier had she not possessed Thoha DNA beforehand.

Equipment

Power Suit

Generator C Samus nod — Samus during the invasion on Norion.

Samus' most notable piece of equipment is her Power Suit, which has become virtually synonymous with her own identity. This suit was given to her during her time with the Chozo and was built to be fused with her mind, body, and spirit. The original Power Suit was destroyed when Samus crash-landed on Zebes after an ambush by Space Pirates, but her duel with the Ruins Test gave her a new, upgraded suit, which is able to absorb dozens of upgrades of alien origin. The Power Suit's main purpose is to protect Samus from adverse environments and enemy fire, and it can be upgraded to dozens of other forms, each with its own different advantages. While some suits are stronger than others and have different abilities, they all maintain the same basic shape and usage.

Zero Suit

Beneath the Power Suit, Samus wears a skin-tight bodysuit known as the Zero Suit. Because of its negligible weight, this suit allows Samus to perform at top physical performance level and gives some weak protection from enemy fire. She also owns an emergency pistol known as the Paralyzer, which auto-charges to fire stunning shots, though it has no lethal capacity.

Samus's Gunship

For transportation, Samus uses her Gunship, which usually resembles her helmet. Samus has been seen in five Starships and Gunships of unique design: Her first Starship design was used and destroyed on her initial Zero Mission, while the second Gunship was used in her mission to Tallon IV and the mission to the Tetra Galaxy. She has had other two ships custom-made for her in Aliehs III's shipyard: Her modular Gunship used in the waning days of the Phazon crisis, which combined Chozo and Federation technology, and the iconic Gunship for which she is best known. The latter Gunship model was first seen in the mission to Aether, and stayed with Samus until its destruction in SR388's asteroid field. After its destruction, Samus was assigned a new Starship from the Federation with an onboard A.I. for her investigation of the BSL.

It is currently unknown if/how her first two ships and the "iconic" ship are related, although information on the Metroid Prime website suggests that her Gunship in that game was the same one as her Zero Mission's Starship, perhaps salvaged from the wreck on Zebes.

Misplacing Upgrades

A curious aspect of the Metroid series is that Samus begins most games with a minimal amount of equipment, even after accumulating a sizable number of upgrades in the preceding game that would help her on subsequent missions. This is evidently a necessary gameplay mechanic needed for every title in the series, but it is unknown why this occurs so frequently in-universe, and has become a subject of humor over the years.

Main article: Physical amnesia

Later games in the series have presented plot-related explanations for this: In games such as Metroid Fusion, Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Samus starts out with a considerable amount of gear but is quickly stripped of most of it by attacks or unfortunate incidents. Samus then regains these abilities over the course of the game, in addition to a vast array of other upgrades that expand her arsenal well beyond its initial size. Additionally, Samus seems to relinquish most of her upgrades at the end of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, explaining why she only has her basic abilities by the time of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Metroid Prime: Federation Force is the first Metroid game where Samus is not the main protagonist or even playable, but plays a role as a secondary character, aiding the Federation Force. After the Space Pirates are discovered in the Bermuda System, the Galactic Federation asks Samus to investigate their activities. She is briefly seen flying over Excelcion, and she destroys one of the missile factories on Talvania while the Force destroys another. During M10: Black Hole, Samus contacts the Force directly to warn them of a fifth Missile Transport ship, which they destroy. She also assists the Force after the Rohkor Beetle battle, using her Ship Missiles to finish it off. After M14: Tremor, the Force mysteriously loses all contact with Samus.

A Decoy item in the game deploys a scarecrow-like model of her to distract Space Pirates.

In M22: Convergence, it is revealed that Samus was captured by the Space Pirates and brought aboard their battleship Doomseye. During the Federation Force's assault on the Doomseye, the pirates take control of Samus' suit, use the amplification beam on her to increase her size, and force her to fight the Federation Force in her Morph Ball form, serving as the game's final boss. After she is defeated, she reverts back to her normal size, freed from the Pirates' control, but is then buried under falling debris. She survives and later assists the Federation Force in escaping the battleship's destruction, rescuing them with her Gunship when they are sucked into the vacuum of space. At the end of the mission, she commends the Federation Force and looks forward to their future efforts.

Battle

“	What?! Samus Aran is fighting us?! I never thought I'd say this, but... You've got to take Samus out!	„
—General Alex Miles

Samus spends the entire fight in gigantic Morph Ball form, laying large destructible Bombs in sets of three and attempting to ram the Marine with the Boost Ball. She constantly rolls around the field but does not actively chase the Marines.

Samus is surrounded by a purple shield that negates all the Marines' attacks, although she can be frozen with the Freeze Shot. However, the shield does not cover the green cores on her sides, which if shot enough times disables the shield and stops her movement. Once the shield is down, the Marines must shoot and push her into the electric fields at the edges of the room, similar to Blast Ball. After enough damage, Samus regains her shield, repeating the process. Using the Scan Bolt on Samus can make her more floaty, and thus easier to shoot into electric fields.

Once she loses all her health, Samus shrinks slightly but regains all her health; the process must be repeated two more times. After one full depletion, Samus will start using her Spider Ball to roll across the ceiling, eventually stopping at the center to drop down to the ground and produce a shockwave. After the second full depletion, Samus rolls much faster, drops larger red Bombs, and also lays Bombs while using Boost Ball and Spider Ball. Her Bombs can be destroyed to get AUX ammo. The red Bombs have a large blast radius when they explode. The mission's bonus objective is to never take damage from Samus' Bombs.

Behind the scenes

Concept and creation

“	Samus is an ideal role model not just to me, but for many women to look up to as a powerful game icon. In a video game realm with princesses aplenty, Samus stands out as an atypical Nintendo gal holding the title of one of gaming's strongest symbols of courage, power, and heroism.	„
—Michelle Perl (Samus cosplayer)

Samus gestures1 — Early concept art of Samus Aran for *Metroid Prime*.

Samus Aran first appeared in 1986, as the playable protagonist in the video game Metroid. Originally, Samus was created solely as an alternate identity for the player to put themselves into and was given no separate personality or defining features, characteristic of the creative treatment of many video game characters of the time. Partway through the development process, one member of the team suggested: "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if the character turned out to be a woman?” A vote was held and Samus was changed into a woman. The identity of the developer who suggested making Samus a woman is unknown, and when asked in 2017 and 2018, Yoshio Sakamoto and Hirokazu Tanaka were unable to remember. Sakamoto suggested that it may have been someone who has since left Nintendo.^[38]^[39]

Since the film series Alien was acknowledged as a major influence in the development of Metroid, it is reasonable to assume that the inspiration for making Samus a woman may have very well come from the film's own Ellen Ripley. In the Nintendo Power-published Super Metroid comic, her physical appearance was based on a mix of Ripley and Princess Leia from the Star Wars series.^[40] Contrary to popular belief, Samus was not created by Metroid producer Gunpei Yokoi. The original game concepts were done by game director Makoto Kanō and were designed by Hiroji Kiyotake.^[41]

According to Zoid Kirsch, everyone at Retro Studios treated Samus with utter respect. After Metroid Prime went gold, he brought a poster of Samus to Retro for the entire team to sign. No one's signature was written over top of Samus since the team had such respect for her.^[42]^[43]

Name

Samus glare in MPR — Samus glaring after encountering Meta Ridley in Biotech Research Area 2.

Samus is pronounced [ˈsæməs] ("SAM-us"). An interview with several developers of the original Metroid stated that her surname Aran originated from the real name of the famous football player "Pelé", Edson Arantes do Nascimento.^[44] English pronunciation has varied from [ˈɑɹən] ("ARE-run"), to [əˈ ɹæn] ("uh-RAN"), but Metroid Prime 3: Corruption cemented the pronunciation as [ˈæɹən] ("Aaron"), and it has remained this way ever since. The spoken Chozo language in Metroid Dread roughly pronounces her name as "Tamus Arlan", though her given name is still spelled "Samus" in the written language.^[45]

Samus shares her name with the 3rd century Macedonian poet Samus; the name is itself derived from the Greek name "Samos". She also shares her name with a genus of sea sponge, Samus anonymus, the Someș river in Hungary and Romania (called Samus in Dacian), a settlement north of Seversk, Russia, and the acronym of South African Music Studies, an academic journal. Additionally, the American rapper Sammus took her name from Samus, since both are women in a male-dominated field.^[46]

Voice

Main article: Speaking role of Samus Aran

ZSSMZM — Concept art for Samus in *Metroid: Zero Mission*

Super Metroid marked the first time Samus had written dialogue in a game, narrating the events directly after Metroid II: Return of Samus. Her speaking role was expanded in Metroid Fusion, where she spoke in more narrative monologues, and also conversations with her computer. Though Fusion was well praised, there was some controversy over Samus' several inner monologues and as a result, aside from an opening narration as well as the beginning of the expanded portion of the plot in Metroid: Zero Mission, she did not speak again until Metroid: Other M, the first Metroid game to feature Samus in an extensive, voice-acted role. She also spoke in a promotional reel for Super Metroid, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Metroid Dread.

Live-action portrayals

Samus has been portrayed in live-action in seven commercials for Metroid games. She is portrayed by Australian stuntwoman Melanie Peyton-Smith in "Prime Evil" and "Parasite", the American commercials for Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion, Japanese model Chisato Morishita in the Japanese commercial for Metroid: Zero Mission, American model Melissa Keller in "Iron Woman", the American commercial for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, French model Amandine Decroix in French print advertisements for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Swedish cosplayer Jenni Källberg in a German print ad for Metroid Prime Trilogy, and Czech model Lenka Volfová in "Past is Prologue" (along with an unknown actress playing her child self), the commercial for Metroid: Other M. She is also portrayed by an unknown actress in the Japanese Super Metroid commercial, and an unknown stunt performer in the Japanese Metroid and American Metroid Prime commercials.

Gender

SamusMalePronouns — Pages from the *Metroid* instruction manual that describe Samus as male.

Samus' true identity as a woman was a heavily guarded secret and was obscured by the Power Suit's androgynous appearance. The game manuals for Metroid in Japan used pronouns like "it" mainly because the Japanese language only has gender-neutral pronouns like aitsu. The American manuals flat-out referred to Samus as a "he", but it is unknown if this was an attempt to keep Samus' gender a secret or simply a mistranslation. Only by beating the game in under an hour could the player gain access to a secret ending where Samus would remove her Power Suit and reveal herself as a woman. It has become a tradition for Samus to do so in every Metroid game since if the player completes the proper in-game requirements. In-universe, Samus' identity is a closely guarded secret.^[47] On a similar note, the same translation described Samus as being a cyborg and that Samus' body was surgically strengthened with robotics, causing a misconception that Samus' right arm was removed and replaced with her arm cannon.

In the 1994 Japanese Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid, a number of biography cards were published about each of the members of the development team. Hirofumi Matsuoka, one of the background artists and a designer for Samus in the original game, answered one of the questions (which asked if there were any secrets of Samus that only he knew) with the statement "Samus isn't a woman. As a matter of fact, she's actually a newhalf."^[48] Newhalf (ニューハーフ, nyūhāfu^?) is a Japanese slang term used to refer to transgender women or transvestites, roughly equivalent to the English slur "shemale".^[49] The sincerity of this quote has since become a source of heated debate; some fans have cited it as canonical proof of Samus being a trans woman, while others have dismissed it as a crude joke from a non-authoritative source.^[50] Regardless of Matsuoka's intentions, his remark has been contradicted (and likely overruled) by series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto, who joked in 2004 that a Metroid game on the PlayStation 2 would be "as likely as Samus Aran being a newhalf".^[51], as well as canonical material that depicts Samus as being female as early as her toddler years.

Toys

A number of figures, toys and statues based on Samus have been produced over the years. A gallery of these is below.

Role in other media

"What's the matter? All I said was that Komaytos look like little Metr-"

Non-canon warning: This article or section contains information that may not be considered an official part of the Metroid series in the overall storyline by Nintendo.

Being one of Nintendo's flagship franchises, Metroid, and Samus with it, have been featured in a variety of other media, as cameos, or in promotional material, as well as being mentioned or spoofed in other games or on television.

Super Smash Bros. series

Main article: Samus (Super Smash Bros.)

Samus is a member of the "perfect-attendance crew", a term for the twelve fighters who were playable in Super Smash Bros. and have appeared in every game to date. Her special moves are based on power-ups from the Metroid series, with her standard moves being original melee attacks. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, she has a separate character transformation, Zero Suit Samus, who becomes a separate fighter in subsequent games.

Cameos in other Nintendo titles

Famicom Wars (1988, Famicom) (Unreleased outside Japan; The Red Star commander on Donut Island is called Samasuun, and her face on the result screen is Samus' helmet.)^[52]
Tetris (1989, NES) (Cameo, appears playing the upright bass after the player wins a B-type game of level at least 9 and height at least 2.)^[52]
F-1 Race (1990, Game Boy) (Cameo, appears cheering for the player with four other women before Course 7)^[52]
Galactic Pinball (Virtual Boy) (Cameo, her Gunship appears in a minigame where the player must shoot oncoming Metroid enemies, similar to Space Invaders)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996, SNES) (Cameo, after Mario's party, defeats Yaridovich and until Mario travels to Land's End, he may find her sleeping in the Mushroom Kingdom Castle. Also, a Samus figurine appears in the toy box of Booster's Room.)
Kirby Super Star (1996, SNES) (Cameo, when Kirby uses his stone ability he can become a Samus statue. Also, the Screw Attack icon (called the Screwball) is a treasure in the Great Cave Offense segment of the game.)^[53]
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (1997, SNES) (Cameo, appears after level 5-2, which also contains six Metroids. If Kirby defeats them all using an Ice power, Samus will remove her helmet.)^[53]
Super Smash Bros. (1999, N64) (Playable character) Note: This is her only appearance in a Nintendo 64 game.
Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, Nintendo GameCube) (Playable character)
Animal Crossing (Nintendo GameCube) (An e-Reader card called "Samus's Suit" gives the player a Power Suit to wear in the game. This is coded on the card, and not the game, however.)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest (2003, Nintendo GameCube) (Includes a trailer for Metroid Prime.)
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! (2003, Game Boy Advance) (Contains a microgame based on NES Metroid called Metroid (microgame), with Samus firing missiles at the Mother Brain. Though she cannot move, the Morph Ball is functional.)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003, Game Boy Advance) (Samus was intended to appear at Starbeans Cafe, among other Nintendo characters, during a scripted event. Dialog remains in the game's code- "Cashier: Whoa! A power outage? Yikes! Samus Aran! I see you're rocking and rolling as usual! ...Looks like your energy tanks are empty! Sorry, but can't you give your Hoolumbian to Samus? Oh! Feeling better?" She would then give the player an Energy Tank in exchange for the drink. Ultimately, most of the items were replaced with similar ones in the final game, though the Energy Tank became a Power Grip accessory.)
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! (2004, Nintendo GameCube) (Contains Metroid (microgame) from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!)
WarioWare: Touched! (2005, Nintendo DS) (Contains a microgame based on Metroid)
WarioWare: Twisted! (2005, Game Boy Advance) (Contains two microgames based on Metroid and another full game called "Mewtroid" starring a rolling cat with an Arm Cannon and Brinstar music.)
Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005, Nintendo DS) (Gulliver, the seagull, references Samus saying "Tell me, have you ever heard of the bounty hunter that can turn into a ball?" Also, you can get a 1x1 item that is a Metroid in a case. When you touch it, it glows and plays a small clip of Metroid music.)
Geist (2005, Nintendo GameCube) (Samus's helmet and red clothing are seen in a locker within the women's locker room at Volks Corporation.)^[52]
Tetris DS (2006, Nintendo DS) (Metroid-based course, Catch Mode; in the title screen, Samus shoots some tetrominoes; A difficulty level on Marathon Mode is Metroid Themed, with Samus to the right, and clips of the original Metroid playing on the top screen, but with a more realistic background.)
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Wii) for the Wii was intended to include Samus and Link, but Nintendo did not allow Activision to include them. A video shows her using many of her attacks from the series, which would have been motion-activated.)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2007, Wii) (Contains a microgame based on Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Samus also occasionally appears in two other games, with a Super Metroid cartridge in one and Samus playing an upright bass again (as she had in Tetris) in another.)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2007, Wii) (Playable character, Zero Suit Samus is also a playable character. Mainly partnered with Pikachu, she plays a large role in the game's story, The Subspace Emissary.)
Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (Japan 2008, Wii) (Zero Suit is one of two unlockable Nintendo costumes.)
Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008, Nintendo DS) (Samus statue and Screw Attack, now correctly named, appear in this SNES remake.)
Animal Crossing: City Folk (2008, Wii) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, and Varia Suit available in-game.)
Phantasy Star Ø (Japan 2008, Nintendo DS) (Samus' Arm Cannon is one of two available Nintendo weapons.)
Dead or Alive: Dimensions (2011, Nintendo 3DS) (Samus makes an appearance towards the end of every match on the Geothermal Power Plant to kill Ridley with her Power Bomb. An interview confirmed that she would not be playable.^[54])
NES Remix 2 (2014, Wii U) (Metroid is featured in this NES game compilation for Wii U.)
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014, Nintendo 3DS) (Playable character)
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014, Wii U) (Playable character)
Miitomo (2016, Phone Devices) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, Ridley, T-Shirts and Varia Suit.)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018, Nintendo Switch) (Playable character)

In other media

Samus the Riveter — Promotional poster released by Nintendo in March 2015 to commemorate Women's History Month in the style of Rosie the Riveter: *"At the end of the first Metroid game, Samus Aran shocked players by revealing her gender, making many fans question why they assumed she was male in the first place."*

Samus was also a semi-regular character in the Captain N: The Game Master comic books, published as part of the Nintendo Comics System. In these stories, Samus has romantic feelings for Kevin Keene, the main character, despite his own affections for another woman, Princess Lana. However, as she states in the story "Breakout", Samus prefers to win Kevin's affections fairly. Samus' starship also makes an appearance as the Hunter IV, though in a very different form than in the games.
In the Captain N: The Game Master cartoon, Samus did not appear, even though Mother Brain was the show's primary villain. Jeffrey Scott claimed in an interview that he didn't feature Samus in the cartoon because he "never heard of her".^[55]
Samus also starred in her own Nintendo Comics System stories, apparently set in the same continuity, titled Deceit Du Jour; it was the only ten-page story to have the Metroid umbrella title. In this story, Samus duels with another Bounty Hunter, 'Big Time' Brannigan, whom Mother Brain has hired to capture her, and who claims to be just as efficient as Samus. In the end, Samus proves her superiority by sabotaging her own gun (after he damages her Arm Cannon) before handing it over to Big Time. When Big Time attempts to kill her with it later on, it explodes, covering Samus' escape.

In the 1989 movie The Wizard, Metroid can be seen briefly (in a full-screen shot) on a PlayChoice-10.
A super deformed doll in Samus' likeness that Princess Peach desired drove the humorous plot for a Mario VS Wario comic that was published one month prior to the Super Metroid comic.
Samus also starred in two comic adaptations featured in Nintendo Power: a 60-page one for Super Metroid^[56] and a 24-page one for Metroid Prime.
Samus also appeared in the Samus and Joey series of manga, where she meets a boy named Joey and adventures with him.
Samus once appeared in a Kool-Aid commercial that advertised Metroid II: Return of Samus. An animated version of her is seen in the back of a bus with two children.
In the episode of the show "Code Monkeys" called "Valley of the Silicon Dolls", Larrity searches for bounty hunters to kill the robotic teddy bear that Dave, Jarry, and Black Steve reprogrammed. Towards the end of the episode, a warped version of Samus' ship rises up and Samus jumps out and kills the teddy bear. She then removes her helmet and reveals that she is actually Mary. She then morphs into a ball and rolls away. This version of Samus has the arm cannon on her left arm instead of her right, probably due to copyright issues with Nintendo.
Samus can be seen on Nintendo Monopoly representing New York Avenue for $200, and is featured prominently on the box based on Metroid Prime 2: Echoes artwork.
Samus is shown on pages 26 and 27 in How to Draw Nintendo Greatest Heroes & Villains.
In the official Men in Black 3 game by Gameloft, available for the iOS and Android, one of the recruitable agents from the Locker Room at MIB Headquarters is a woman named Samantha Aran. Both her appearance and name are obvious references to Samus Aran, and her former services included being a counter-terrorist, similar to how Samus thwarts terrorists' plans, most notably the many Space Pirate operations.
In the Valentine's Day couples section of Nintendo Power #165 (February 2003), the winning couple was Jango Fett from Star Wars: Bounty Hunter and Samus Aran.^[57] Coincidentally, Jango had a similar backstory to Samus, as he had been orphaned at a young age by an immense war and taken in by Mandalorians and trained in their culture. Ironically, both Jango and Samus were used or at least considered to be used as templates for a planned clone army for the purposes of galactic domination by the major antagonists (Darth Tyranus/Darth Sidious and Raven Beak, respectively), although a major difference is that Jango consented while Samus refused.
In Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play, Samus is identified as the favorite female character of Morrigan Johnen, the Community and Social Media Manager at Crystal Dynamics.^[58]
Samus was allegedly planned to be playable in the popular online third-person shooter video game Fortnite. This idea was later decided against apparently due to Nintendo's desire to keep Samus as a skin exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version.^[59]

Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.

Official data

Main article: Samus Aran/Official data

Gallery

For additional art, see Samus Aran/Gallery.

Samus Aran

Other appearances

Power Suit models

Notes

^ As an AI-controlled opponent in the Multiplayer Mode of Metroid Prime Hunters.
^ ^a ^b According to Super Metroid Players' Guide, these height and weight measurements are attributed to Samus herself. However, according to page 14 of the Metroid II: Return of Samus manual, these measurements are attributed to her Power Suit.
^ Hale provided Samus's Foley sounds, while Marshall recorded her death scream.
^ García provided Samus's spoken line, while Renaut recorded her scream of rage.

References

^ Super Metroid comic
^ Samus & Joey
^ Tiny Rails
^ ^a ^b Shinesparkers. In Search of Samus. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
^ Page 7 (translated from pg 10 of Japanese) includes "The space hunter chosen for this mission is Samus Aran. He is the greatest of all the space hunters and has successfully completed numerous missions that everybody thought were absolutely impossible. He is a cyborg, his entire body has been surgically strengthened with robotics, giving him superpowers. Even the space pirates fear his space suit, which can absorb any enemy's power but his true form is shrouded in mystery." see File:SamusMalePronouns.png for scans
^ One Girl vs. The Galaxy. 1UP.com (2006-08-07).
^ Nintendo UK (NintendoUK). "Now that you've had time with Metroid Dread, tell us: who's been Samus' greatest threat in the Metroid series?" 21 October 2021 10:01 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1451186907816161295
^ "The station has a self-destruct mechanism. I must use it to destroy the X here and on the planet. I must send them to oblivion. Them, the station, and myself, if I have to." - Samus Aran, Metroid Fusion. 2002.
^ (October 8, 2021). Metroid Dread. Nintendo Switch. MercurySteam. ADAM: "The bounty for this mission does not seem appropriate. The risk clearly outweighs the reward."
^ (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: "Following the commands of this blunt, computerized CO is something I have to bear, as it was a condition of my taking the ship. For someone who dislikes taking orders, this is the second time I've found myself having to do so. It makes me recall my other CO..."
^ (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: "They must cancel this mission! Open a channel to HQ! I won't let this happen!" Adam: "They are already on their way." Samus: "Fools..."
^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "When I rebelled against him, I knew I could get away with it. And his paternal compassion in the face of my rebellion reinforced the special bond I felt with him."
^ (November 2003). Metroid: Volume 2, Chapter 1. Monthly Magazine Z. Translated on Metroid Database.
^ DidYouKnowGaming? "Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)". YouTube. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 19:33)
^ Kiwi Talkz. "#125 - Carlos Mendieta Interview (Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong, Animation, Drawing, Comics etc.)". YouTube. February 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N287bJVTyJU (starts at 27:43)
^ Stein, Scott (2021-10-9). Metroid Dread's creator on life among the Metroidvanias (Interview). CNET. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved on 2022-07-19.
^ "Other M was Sakamoto-san's idea and it's his creation, and we're just really happy to be a part of that, and that he asked us to be part of that creation. We talked a lot with him over the course of development, having very frank conversations about lots of different topics. But you can tell Samus Aran is his daughter; it's like that to him. So we're really looking forward to what else he might come up with in the future for the Metroid series." - Yosuke Hayashi interviewed by Christian Nutt, Gamasutra. "Led By A Love Of Games: Team Ninja's Hayashi Speaks" pg. 3. December 23, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2022. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134943/led_by_a_love_of_games_team_.php?page=3
^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "It was the first joint mission I'd been a part of since becoming a freelance bounty hunter. And, of course, it was the first time since my Federation days that I was following the orders of a commanding officer. Having received mission orders from Adam, I felt confused and strangely exhilarated at the unexpected turn of events."
^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "I was the only one who witnessed Adam's last moment, and though it shook me, I was calmer than I usually am. I think Adam granted me that eye-of-the-storm clarity- his final gift to me."
^ Metroid: Volume 1, as translated by Metroid Database
^ Metroid: Volume 1, as translated by Metroid Database
^ Metroid: Volume 2, as translated by Metroid Database
^ Gallery Mode, as translated by Metroid Database
^ Gallery Mode, as translated by Metroid Database
^ ^a ^b File:NP58comiccomment.jpg
^ (1991) Metroid II manual. Nintendo of America, Inc., 14.
^ Metroid Prime and Echoes model height comparison
^ File:Pirate Samus size comparison scanpic - Remastered.png
^ Other M model height comparison
^ Kiwi Talkz. "#116 - Jack Mathews Interview (Metroid Prime Trilogy, Prototypes, Business, Armature Studios etc.)". YouTube. November 26, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2022. (starts at 31:17)
^ Old Game Plus. Metroid Prime, Dev Interview Special. February 8, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022. https://oldgameplus.libsyn.com/metroid-prime-dev-interview-special (starts at 43:50)
^ Nintendo DE (NintendoDE). 👁️👁️ #MetroidPrimeRemastered. 6 March 2023 10:45 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoDE/status/1632769256612872193
^ File:Samus face.jpg
^ File:ZeroSuitSamus.png
^ Boundary Break. "Out of Bounds Secrets | Metroid Dread - Boundary Break". YouTube. November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-4xVa6TN-o (starts at 14:00)
^ Cid Newman. "Samus v8". YouTube. June 1, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4KTgiW2us
^ DidYouKnowGaming. "8 Cancelled Nintendo Games from Retro Studios (New Discoveries)" YouTube. November 4, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i7P9nbOTvA (starts at 28:20)
^ Hilliard, Kyle (2017-06-18). Samus Returns' Developers On Bringing Back 2D Metroid And Why MercurySteam Is Developing. Game Informer.
^ "Interview: Hirokazu Tanaka", Shinesparkers, 2018-12-24. Retrieved on 2018-12-24.
^ File:NP58comiccomment.jpg
^ El Origen de Metroid (Spanish). N-retro.
^ Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "When working on Metroid Prime, everyone treated Samus with absolute respect. The best example I have is when we went gold I took a poster of Samus for everyone the team to sign--everyone careful signed around her and never overtop of her. We cared that much about respecting her." 17 July 2020 11:25 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328412048314371
^ Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "The poster is hanging above my desk at work. Hopefully some day soon we'll get back to the office so we can see it again." 17 July 2020 11:26 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328689199484929
^ Nintendo Dream, Vol. 118 (2004, September 6). Translated by the Metroid Database.
^ Transcripts from E.M.M.I. Reactivated Cutscene
^ Stephens, Alexis (October 11, 2013). Gee Whiz: Rapper/Producer Sammus Has Got Game. MTV Iggy. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
^ Metroid Dread Report, Volume 3: Seven Points That Define the 2D Saga
^ When Samus Was Naked. Metroid Database. Retrieved on 2015-09-03.
^ "newhalf", at Wiktionary
^ Wu, Brianna; McGrody, Ellen. Metroid's Samus is a Transgender Woman. Deal With It.. The Mary Sue. Retrieved on 2015=09=03.
^ Metroid: Zero Mission FAQ (untranslated). Retrieved on 2015=09=05.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Metroid and Samus cameos. Samus.co.uk.
^ ^a ^b Metroid Database :: Metroid Cameos. Metroid Database.
^ [2]
^ Interview with Jeffrey Scott, The Unofficial Captain N Homepage
^ Super Metroid: Comics, Metroid Database
^ File:Nintendo Power 165 - Samus and Jango Fett.jpg
^ "A character whose appeal has helped build one of Nintendo's long-lasting franchises is Samus. At a time when the trope of damsels in distress ran rampant, Samus burst onto the scene as a woman whose strength was being a bounty hunter and badass." Marie, Meagan (2018) Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play, page 179. Prima Games.
^ https://www.sportskeeda.com/fortnite/samus-aran-skin-fortnite-why-collaboration-work
^ Tsu Ch. Fallen つかさ. "Metroid Suit post RB scene". YouTube. November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.

Preceded by: I-Sha	Guardian of Agon Temple	Succeeded by: Incumbent

Preceded by: A-Voq	Guardian of Torvus Temple	Succeeded by: Incumbent

Preceded by: C-Pul	Guardian of Sanctuary Temple	Succeeded by: Incumbent

Samus Aran Samus Unmasked • Zero Suit Samus
Family	Chief Rodney Aran (father) • Virginia Aran (mother) • Old Bird (father figure) Gray Voice (Thoha DNA donor) • Raven Beak (Mawkin DNA donor) • Commander Adam Malkovich (father figure) • Baby ("child") • Solomon Aran (brother)
Abilities and powers	Power Suit (other) • Zero Suit • Arm Cannon (Beams/Missile Launcher) • Morph Ball Samus's Gunship (ZM/MP1/MP3/RoS/MF) • Paralyzer • Special Actions • Metroid powers Super Smash Bros. attacks
Music	Theme of Samus • Crateria Surface • Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior Samus Aran's Appearance Fanfare • Samus Aran's Final Cry • Record of Samus • "Vs. Samus"
Other	04: Samus • 29: Zero Suit Samus • Biography • Cake • Doll • Gallery • Hairstyle • Helmet • Journal Mimics • Monologues • Official data • Residence • Samus in Super Smash Bros. • Speaking role
Actresses	Minako Hamano • Keiko Toda • Cid Newman • Jennifer Hale • Vanessa Marshall • Melanie Peyton-Smith Chisato Morishita • Melissa Keller • Amandine Decroix • Alésia Glidewell • Jenni Källberg Jessica Martin • Ai Kobayashi • Lenka Volfová • Laura Zichy • Michaela Watkins • Nikki García Holly Renaut

*Bosses in the Metroid Prime* series**
Metroid Prime	Parasite Queen • Hive Mecha • Plated Beetle • Incinerator Drone • Flaahgra • Sheegoth • Thardus • Elite Pirate • Cloaked Drone • Phazon Elite • Omega Pirate • Meta Ridley • Metroid Prime (Unused: Kraid • Sabergauth)
Metroid Prime Hunters	Cretaphid (v1, v2, v3, v4) • Slench (1, 2, 3, 4) • Kanden • Spire • Weavel • Sylux • Noxus • Trace • Fire Spawn • Arctic Spawn • Gorea
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes	Alpha Splinter / Dark Alpha Splinter • Alpha Sandigger / Bomb Guardian • Jump Guardian • Dark Samus • Amorbis • Dark Missile Trooper • Boost Guardian • Alpha Blogg • Grapple Guardian • Chykka • Spider Guardian • Power Bomb Guardian • Caretaker Class Drone • Quadraxis • Emperor Ing (Unused: Mad AI)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption	Berserker Lord • Meta Ridley • Rundas • Korakk • Mogenar • Steamlord • Defense Drone • Ghor • Helios • Gandrayda • Metroid Hatcher • Mining cannon • Pirate Commander • Omega Ridley • Dark Samus • Aurora Unit 313
Metroid Prime: Federation Force	Ice Hopper Nest • Generator • Sawken • Rohkor Beetle • Cyranon • Pirate Warship • Mainframe • Samus • Master Brain
*See also: Bosses in the Metroid* series**

Humans
Living humans	Samus Aran (Zero Suit Samus) • Dr. Madeline Bergman • Damara • Fleet Admiral Castor Dane Chief Hardy • Anthony Higgs • Pirate Boss • Dr. Diana Apronika • Joey Apronika • Grandpa "The Client for Destroying the Delta III" • Captain Dare • "Big Bro" • Armstrong Houston Commander Nemo • Bomad • Minoru • Fleet Admiral • Pete
Deceased humans	Chief Rodney Aran • Virginia Aran • Ian Malkovich • GFMC Task Force Herakles • Michael Kelbaugh Scott Petersen • Ryan Powell • Luis Ramirez • "Researcher" • Lyle Smithsonian • Maurice Favreau K.G. Misawa • James Pierce • Commander Adam Malkovich • Rand Apronika • Klaus Schneider Miguel Luis Garcia • Lily Thran • Jeff McCloud • Knight
Unnamed humans	The Colonel • Ensign • Federation Marines • "Federation official" • Fleet Troopers • Fleet Mechanics Head Quarantine Officer • Lab Assistant • Quarantine Officer • President of Kankei • "Old man"
Human facsimiles	Dark Samus • Dark Missile Trooper • Dark Trooper • MB • Samus-G • SA-X • Scientist • Zombie Researcher Humetroid • Mecha Samus

Bounty Hunters
Metroid series	Samus Aran
Comics	'Big Time' Brannigan • Armstrong Houston • Zegan Doh
Metroid Prime Hunters	Sylux • Weavel • Kanden • Spire • Noxus • Trace
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption	Rundas • Ghor • Gandrayda
Other	Georgia McHenry

Metroids
Natural Life Cycle	Metroid Egg • Infant Metroid • Metroid larva • Alpha Metroid • Gamma Metroid Zeta Metroid • Omega Metroid • Queen Metroid
Zebes Metroids	Big Metroid
Tallon IV Metroids	Metroid: Alpha Type • Tallon Metroid • Hunter Metroid • Fission Metroid • Metroid Prime (Dark Samus)
Aether Metroids	Infant Tallon Metroid • Dark Tallon Metroid
Phazon Metroids	Miniroid • Phazon Metroid • Hopping Metroid • Metroid Hatcher
Cocoons and Eggs	Metroid Egg • Metroid Cocoon
Artificial Metroids	Class I Energy Harvester • Mochtroid • Unfreezable Metroid • Megaroid
Anatomy and Attacks	Three-ball blast • Long-necked attack • Metroid DNA • Baby's particles • Metroid dissection • Metroid Husk • Giant Electric Mine • Arcing-fireball attack • "Chiton" armor
Metroid Hybrids	Samus Aran (powers) • Dark Samus • Dark Echo • Humetroid
Individual Metroids	Metroid BR5497 • Hunter Metroids ds and dg • Xenome S-a • Metroid unit 318 • Baby Baby Metroid • Bellboy • Metroid=Mutant
Metroid Technologies	Metroid capsule • Metroid project "Dread" • Project Metroid Warriors • Vaccine "Metroid" • Fusion Suit • Metroid Suit
Battle Music	Tourian • Metroid Battle Theme • VS. Metroid Prime (Spider) Metroid Prime Battle • Darkness • Escape • Boss Alpha (Alpha2) Boss Gamma • Boss Zeta • Boss Omega • Metroid Nest Boss Queen • Big Boss Confrontation BGM (Kraid, Crocomire, Phantoon) Sector 3 Restore the Cooling Installation Timer Mission‎
Related	Brittle husk • History • Komayto • Quadtroid • Petrasyl • Xenomorph • Phazon Hopper Alpha Metroid and Samus cake • Gallery

Galactic Federation 07th Platoon
Members	Commander Adam Malkovich • Anthony Higgs • Lyle Smithsonian • Maurice Favreau • James Pierce/Deleter • K.G. Misawa • Samus Aran
Equipment	Freeze Gun • Plasma Gun • Galactic Federation Power Suit • Adam's helmet • Galactic Federation Military Transport Hygieia • Submachine Gun • Assault rifle

Chozo
Individuals	Chozo Searcher • Chozo architect • Chozo philosopher • Chozo Shaman • Chozo warrior • Chozo Elder De'la • Dryn • Gray Voice • Old Bird • Ou-Qua • Platinum Chest • Raven Beak "Thoha researcher" • "Thoha elder" • Quiet Robe • Samus Aran • Dark Samus • Master Artisan
Areas	Zebes (Chozo Ruins/Chozodia) • Tallon IV (Artifact Temple/Chozo Ruins/Chozo Ice Temple) Elysia (SkyTown/Chozo Observatory) • SR388 • ZDR (Ferenia/Itorash) • Nest • Shooting Gallery
Technology	Aeion Ability Artifact • Ammo Recharge Station • Arm Cannon • Autoad • Autom • Autrack • Big Aeion Orb • Body Adaptation Machine • Boost Ball • Charge Beam • Chozo Artifact • Chozo battle armor • Chozo Block • Chozo bust • Chozo Lore • Chozo Seal • Chozo Ship • Chozo Statue • Chozo Totem • Combat Visor • Defense Drone • Diggernaut • Energy Recharge Station • Elysian (The First • SkyTown Data author) • Elysian satellite • Escape Pod • Grapple Beam • Gravity Suit • Gunship (Corruption) • Gunship (Return of Samus) • Gunzoo • Hunter-class gunship • Ice Beam • Item Sphere • Long Beam • "Mawkin starship" • Metroids • Missile Launcher • Morph Ball • Morph Ball launcher • Mother Brain • Plasma Beam • Power Beam • Power Bomb • Power Suit • Purple liquid • Scan Visor • Screw Attack • Security system • Skin pouch • SkyTown Data • Spazer Beam • Spider Ball • Super Missile • Tall Chozo structure • Teleport Station • Unknown Item • Varia Suit • Wallfire • Wave Beam • X-Ray Visor/Scope • Ancient Chozo Robot • Overdog
Culture	Aeion • Chozo Language • Distant sight • Plane of existence • Prophecy of Light
Tribes	Mawkin • Thoha
Hostile Chozo	Ruins Test • Chozo Ghost • Dark Samus • Torizo (Golden) • Elephant Bird • Chozo Soldier (Robot) • Chozo Zombie Raven Beak (X) • True Chozo

Biomechanical
Hybrids	Asborean • Chozo Statue • Darkling • Dark Samus • Dark Suit • Light Suit • PED Suit • Samus Aran • Omega Suit
Biomechanical	Aurora Unit • Security Robot B.O.X. • Cortex Chamber • Dark Diligence Drone • Dark Ingsmasher • Dark Quad • Fusion Suit • Mother Brain • Nightmare • Quadraxis • SA-X • Space Pirate Boarding Pod
Cyborgs	Crash Pillar • Ghor (-G) • Kyratian • Leviathan Battleship • Pirate Militia • Preed (Dark) • Puffer Mine • Ridley (Meta/Omega/Proteus) • Samus Aran • Slench • Space Pirate • Weavel • Zebesian (Cyborg/Super) Large Leviathan-class armed ship • U-ton

Food, Nourishment and Sustenance
Plants & Fungi	Blueroot Tree • Fruit • Red Starburst • Sap Sac • Saturnine • Tangle Vine Fruit
Species	Geruta • Embers • Kiru Giru • Pirate Militia • Reo • Ripper • Sciser • Scritter • Skree • Space Pirate • Tallon Crab • Torizo • X Parasite • Zoomer
Carrion	"Deceased Soldier" • Amok Mommy
Liquid	Lava • Phazon
Artificial/Misc.	Deca-triticale • Elite Nutrient Mix • Energy • Nutrient-grade biomatter • Synthetic Metroid rations • Wrecked Ship

Galactic Federation
Politics	Chairman of the Galactic Federation • Galactic Federation Council • Federation governor • Galactic Federation Circuit Court
Figureheads	Commander Adam Malkovich† • Chairman Vogl • Chairman Keaton • Chief Hardy • Chief Rodney Aran† • Ensign • General Alex Miles • The Colonel • the ringleaders • Virginia Aran† Judge Racklas
Enemies	Space Pirates • Metroids • Ridley† • Horus Rebellion • Mother Brain† • Rundas† • Ghor† • Gandrayda† (NZG41) • Dark Samus† • MB† • the ringleaders • Zombie researcher
Members	Commander Mauk • Damara • Doctor Wells • Dr. Madeline Bergman • Federation Empath • "Federation official" • Federation surgeon • Federation survey team • Fleet Troopers Fleet Admiral Castor Dane • Fleet Mechanics • G-5 • Gray Voice • Head Quarantine Officer • Kreatz • Lab Workers • Luis Ramirez† • Michael Kelbaugh† • Old Bird • Operators • Platinum Chest • Potato Farmer • Quarantine Officer • Ryan Powell† • Scott Petersen† • Sir • Trooper 002 Big Bro • Captain Dare • Commander Nemo • grave digger • Jeff McCloud† • Klaus Schneider† • Lily Thran† • Miguel Luis Garcia† • Officer • Police-Man • Bomad • Zegan Doh • Fleet Admiral
Military	07th Platoon (Members) • Chief • Chozo R&D Division • Commanding Officer • Federation Bureau • Federation Force • Federation Police Force Federation Marines (PED/Missile/Demolition/Dark/Dark Missile) • 3rd Division of the Federation Space Army • Special Investigations Group Federation Fleet • Talon, Blade and Nova Squadrons • Galactic Federation Marine Corps (Task Force Herakles/Squad Bravo/Forces One-Two/Crew†) Galactic Federation Army • Galactic Federation Special Squadron† • GF Database • GF Naval Base Demeter • Olympus-class battleship • Operation Golem • Project Metroid Warriors • Special-forces unit
Spacecraft	Beatrix III† • Carrier • Extractor • Federation Army Special Ops Battleship VIXIV IV • Federation Cruisers Icarus and Baldur • Galactic Federation mothership (Quarantine room/Empty training room/Meeting room) • G.F.S. Aegis • G.F.S. Anhur • G.F.S. Enkidu • G.F.S. Olympus • G.F.S. Theseus • G.F.S. Tyr • G.F.S. Valhalla • Galactic Federation Battleship VIXIV • G.F.S. Daedalus • Lusitania (Drive unit†) • Galactic Federation dropship Federated Force research station‏‎ • Starship
Controlled Locations	Aliehs III • Biologic Space Laboratories research station† • BOTTLE SHIP† • Ceres Space Colony† (Space Science Academy†) • Corella 5 Daiban (Federation Meeting Assembly Hall/Galactic Federation Academy) • Dasha region • Excelcion (Research station/mining outpost) • Norion (Base Sector Zero) • Jamoru • Jigrad Kalandor region (Federation Solar System Bryyo/Elysia/Norion) • K-2L • Leviathan Battleship† • Space Research Vessel Marina† • SR388† Sun (Earth/Galactic Federation Headquarters) • Zebes† • Federation Bureau Headquarters • RX 338
Miscellaneous	Biologic's research team • Bottle Ship P.A. Announcer • Bounty Claim Form • Cycle • Federation Formal Dress • Federation mark • Galactic Federation Data Galactic Federation Crate (Ordnance/Transport) • GF Research and Development Division • Industrial-grade pesticide • Intelligence team • Leviathan Command Codes • Mech • Mission File PED Delta squad • Planet Reclamation Division • Power Suit • RB176 Ferrocrusher • Rogue Contract • Seguru • Technology • Tivus • "Elfin" • "Simian" • "Ceratopsid" Vaccine "Metroid" • Zero Mission
† means this person, location or object is deceased or destroyed.

[4] As an AI-controlled opponent in the Multiplayer Mode of Metroid Prime Hunters.

[heightweight-5] According to Super Metroid Players' Guide, these height and weight measurements are attributed to Samus herself. However, according to page 14 of the Metroid II: Return of Samus manual, these measurements are attributed to her Power Suit.

[6] Hale provided Samus's Foley sounds, while Marshall recorded her death scream.

[8] García provided Samus's spoken line, while Renaut recorded her scream of rage.

[1] Super Metroid comic

[2] Samus & Joey

[3] Tiny Rails

[insearchofsamus-7] Shinesparkers. In Search of Samus. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.

[9] Page 7 (translated from pg 10 of Japanese) includes "The space hunter chosen for this mission is Samus Aran. He is the greatest of all the space hunters and has successfully completed numerous missions that everybody thought were absolutely impossible. He is a cyborg, his entire body has been surgically strengthened with robotics, giving him superpowers. Even the space pirates fear his space suit, which can absorb any enemy's power but his true form is shrouded in mystery." see File:SamusMalePronouns.png for scans

[1uponegirl-10] One Girl vs. The Galaxy. 1UP.com (2006-08-07).

[11] Nintendo UK (NintendoUK). "Now that you've had time with Metroid Dread, tell us: who's been Samus' greatest threat in the Metroid series?" 21 October 2021 10:01 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1451186907816161295

[12] "The station has a self-destruct mechanism. I must use it to destroy the X here and on the planet. I must send them to oblivion. Them, the station, and myself, if I have to." - Samus Aran, Metroid Fusion. 2002.

[13] (October 8, 2021). Metroid Dread. Nintendo Switch. MercurySteam. ADAM: "The bounty for this mission does not seem appropriate. The risk clearly outweighs the reward."

[14] (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: "Following the commands of this blunt, computerized CO is something I have to bear, as it was a condition of my taking the ship. For someone who dislikes taking orders, this is the second time I've found myself having to do so. It makes me recall my other CO..."

[15] (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: "They must cancel this mission! Open a channel to HQ! I won't let this happen!" Adam: "They are already on their way." Samus: "Fools..."

[16] (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "When I rebelled against him, I knew I could get away with it. And his paternal compassion in the face of my rebellion reinforced the special bond I felt with him."

[17] (November 2003). Metroid: Volume 2, Chapter 1. Monthly Magazine Z. Translated on Metroid Database.

[18] DidYouKnowGaming? "Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)". YouTube. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 19:33)

[19] Kiwi Talkz. "#125 - Carlos Mendieta Interview (Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong, Animation, Drawing, Comics etc.)". YouTube. February 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N287bJVTyJU (starts at 27:43)

[20] Stein, Scott (2021-10-9). Metroid Dread's creator on life among the Metroidvanias (Interview). CNET. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved on 2022-07-19.

[21] "Other M was Sakamoto-san's idea and it's his creation, and we're just really happy to be a part of that, and that he asked us to be part of that creation. We talked a lot with him over the course of development, having very frank conversations about lots of different topics. But you can tell Samus Aran is his daughter; it's like that to him. So we're really looking forward to what else he might come up with in the future for the Metroid series." - Yosuke Hayashi interviewed by Christian Nutt, Gamasutra. "Led By A Love Of Games: Team Ninja's Hayashi Speaks" pg. 3. December 23, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2022. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134943/led_by_a_love_of_games_team_.php?page=3

[22] (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "It was the first joint mission I'd been a part of since becoming a freelance bounty hunter. And, of course, it was the first time since my Federation days that I was following the orders of a commanding officer. Having received mission orders from Adam, I felt confused and strangely exhilarated at the unexpected turn of events."

[23] (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "I was the only one who witnessed Adam's last moment, and though it shook me, I was calmer than I usually am. I think Adam granted me that eye-of-the-storm clarity- his final gift to me."

[24] Metroid: Volume 1, as translated by Metroid Database

[25] Metroid: Volume 1, as translated by Metroid Database

[26] Metroid: Volume 2, as translated by Metroid Database

[27] Gallery Mode, as translated by Metroid Database

[28] Gallery Mode, as translated by Metroid Database

[leiaandripley-29] File:NP58comiccomment.jpg

[30] (1991) Metroid II manual. Nintendo of America, Inc., 14.

[31] Metroid Prime and Echoes model height comparison

[32] File:Pirate Samus size comparison scanpic - Remastered.png

[33] Other M model height comparison

[34] Kiwi Talkz. "#116 - Jack Mathews Interview (Metroid Prime Trilogy, Prototypes, Business, Armature Studios etc.)". YouTube. November 26, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2022. (starts at 31:17)

[35] Old Game Plus. Metroid Prime, Dev Interview Special. February 8, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022. https://oldgameplus.libsyn.com/metroid-prime-dev-interview-special (starts at 43:50)

[36] Nintendo DE (NintendoDE). 👁️👁️ #MetroidPrimeRemastered. 6 March 2023 10:45 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoDE/status/1632769256612872193

[37] File:Samus face.jpg

[38] File:ZeroSuitSamus.png

[39] Boundary Break. "Out of Bounds Secrets | Metroid Dread - Boundary Break". YouTube. November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-4xVa6TN-o (starts at 14:00)

[40] Cid Newman. "Samus v8". YouTube. June 1, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4KTgiW2us

[41] DidYouKnowGaming. "8 Cancelled Nintendo Games from Retro Studios (New Discoveries)" YouTube. November 4, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i7P9nbOTvA (starts at 28:20)

[42] Hilliard, Kyle (2017-06-18). Samus Returns' Developers On Bringing Back 2D Metroid And Why MercurySteam Is Developing. Game Informer.

[43] "Interview: Hirokazu Tanaka", Shinesparkers, 2018-12-24. Retrieved on 2018-12-24.

[44] File:NP58comiccomment.jpg

[45] El Origen de Metroid (Spanish). N-retro.

[46] Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "When working on Metroid Prime, everyone treated Samus with absolute respect. The best example I have is when we went gold I took a poster of Samus for everyone the team to sign--everyone careful signed around her and never overtop of her. We cared that much about respecting her." 17 July 2020 11:25 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328412048314371

[47] Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "The poster is hanging above my desk at work. Hopefully some day soon we'll get back to the office so we can see it again." 17 July 2020 11:26 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328689199484929

[48] Nintendo Dream, Vol. 118 (2004, September 6). Translated by the Metroid Database.

[49] Transcripts from E.M.M.I. Reactivated Cutscene

[Stephens-50] Stephens, Alexis (October 11, 2013). Gee Whiz: Rapper/Producer Sammus Has Got Game. MTV Iggy. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.

[51] Metroid Dread Report, Volume 3: Seven Points That Define the 2D Saga

[52] When Samus Was Naked. Metroid Database. Retrieved on 2015-09-03.

[53] "newhalf", at Wiktionary

[54] Wu, Brianna; McGrody, Ellen. Metroid's Samus is a Transgender Woman. Deal With It.. The Mary Sue. Retrieved on 2015=09=03.

[55] Metroid: Zero Mission FAQ (untranslated). Retrieved on 2015=09=05.

[SCUcameos-56] Metroid and Samus cameos. Samus.co.uk.

[MDBcameos-57] Metroid Database :: Metroid Cameos. Metroid Database.

[58] [2]

[59] Interview with Jeffrey Scott, The Unofficial Captain N Homepage

[SM_Comics-60] Super Metroid: Comics, Metroid Database

[61] File:Nintendo Power 165 - Samus and Jango Fett.jpg

[62] "A character whose appeal has helped build one of Nintendo's long-lasting franchises is Samus. At a time when the trope of damsels in distress ran rampant, Samus burst onto the scene as a woman whose strength was being a bounty hunter and badass." Marie, Meagan (2018) Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play, page 179. Prima Games.

[63] ttps://www.sportskeeda.com/fortnite/samus-aran-skin-fortnite-why-collaboration-work

[64] Tsu Ch. Fallen つかさ. "Metroid Suit post RB scene". YouTube. November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{Semi-protected|small=yes}}
 {{-}}
-:''"Sammy" redirects here. For the former [[Retro Studios]] artist, see [[Sammy Hall]].<br/>"Samus" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Samus (Disambiguation)]].''<br />''"Newborn" redirects here. For the Chozo Artifact, see [[Artifact of Newborn]].''<br />''"Princess" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Princess (Disambiguation)]].''
+:''"Sammy" redirects here. For the former [[Retro Studios]] artist, see [[Sammy Hall]].<br/>"Samus" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Samus (Disambiguation)]].''<br/>''"Newborn" redirects here. For the Chozo Artifact, see [[Artifact of Newborn]].''<br/>''"Princess" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Princess (Disambiguation)]].''
-<br />
+<br/>
 {{Infobox Character
 |name=Samus Aran
 |image=Mom vignette.jpg
 |caption=Samus Aran, as she appears in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.
-|species=[[Human]] (genetically enhanced with [[Chozo]] DNA from [[Gray Voice]] and [[Metroid (Species)|Metroid]] DNA from the [[baby]]. Formerly self-generator of [[Phazon]]).
+|species=[[Human]]<br>(genetically enhanced with [[Chozo]] [[Chozo DNA|DNA]] from both [[Gray Voice]] and [[Raven Beak]], and [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]] [[Metroid DNA|DNA]] from the [[baby]]. Formerly self-generator of [[Phazon]]).
 |homeworld=Orphaned on [[Earth]] colony [[K-2L]] at age three, raised on [[Zebes]].
-|aliases = Newborn<br/>Entrusted One<br/>The Hatchling<br/>The Hunter<br/>Protector of the Galaxy<ref>[[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)|''Super Metroid'' comic]]</ref><br/>Space Cadet<br/>Princess<br/>Sammy<br/>Lady<br/>
+|aliases = Newborn<br/>Entrusted One<br/>The Hatchling<br/>The Hunter<br/>Protector of the Galaxy<ref>[[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)|''Super Metroid'' comic]]</ref><br/>Guardian of the Galaxy<ref>''[[Samus & Joey]]''</ref><br/>Space Cadet<br/>Princess<br/>Sammy<br/>Lady<br/>Sam<ref>''[[List of cameos and crossovers in other games#Tiny Rails|Tiny Rails]]''</ref><br/>Sambot<ref group="note">As an AI-controlled opponent in the [[Multiplayer Mode (Metroid Prime Hunters)|Multiplayer Mode]] of ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''.</ref>
 |born=Cosmic year ~2000
 |status=Living
-|parents=[[Virginia Aran|Virginia Aran]] and [[Chief Rodney Aran]]
+|parents=[[Virginia Aran]]<br>[[Chief Rodney Aran]]
 |gender=Female
-|height=6'3" (1.9 m).<ref name="height and weight">According to ''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]'', these measurements are attributed to Samus herself. However, according to page 14 of the ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' manual, these measurements are attributed to her Power Suit.</ref>
+|height=1.9 m (6'3")<ref group="note" name="heightweight">According to ''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]'', these height and weight measurements are attributed to Samus herself. However, according to page 14 of the ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' manual, these measurements are attributed to her Power Suit.</ref>
-|weight=90kg (198lbs)<ref name="height and weight"/>
+|weight=90 kg (198 lbs)<ref group="note" name="heightweight"/>
-|ship=[[Gunship]]
+|ship=[[Samus's Gunship]]
 |weapon=[[Arm Cannon]]<sub>([[Power Beam]], [[Missiles]])</sub><br/>[[Bombs]]<br/>[[Paralyzer]]
 |alt=[[Morph Ball]]
-|hair=Blonde<br/><small>(''Nintendo Comics System''/''Captain N'', ''Super Metroid''-present)</small><br />Brown<br /><small>(''Metroid''; Power Suit)</small><br />Green<br /><small>(''Metroid''; Varia Suit)</small><br />Dark<br /><small>(''Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order'')</small><br/>Red<br /><small>(''Metroid II''; colorized)</small><br />Violet<br /><small>(''Super Metroid'' comic/artwork)</small><br />
+|hair=Blonde<br/><small>(''Nintendo Comics System''/''Captain N'', ''Super Metroid''-present)</small><br/>Brown<br/><small>(''Metroid''; Power Suit)</small><br/>Green<br/><small>(''Metroid''; Varia Suit)</small><br/>Dark<br/><small>(''Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order'')</small><br/>Red<br/><small>(''Metroid II''; colorized)</small><br/>Violet<br/><small>(''Super Metroid'' comic/artwork)</small><br/>
-|eyes="Blue with a slight green." <sup>[http://metroid-database.com/mzm/art/ZSSMZME.png]</sup><br />Green (''Metroid: Other M'')
+|eyes="Blue with a slight green." <sup>[https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mzm/art/ZSSMZME.png]</sup><br/>Green (''Metroid: Other M'', "Metroid: Dread") <br/>
+Blue ("Metroid: Dread", during Game Over sequence, in Zero Suit.
-|affiliation = [[Galactic Federation Army]] (resigned)<br/>[[Bounty Hunter]] formerly employed by the [[Galactic Federation]]<br />[[Space Pirates]] (brainwashed)
+|affiliation=[[Galactic Federation Army]] (resigned)<br/>[[Bounty Hunter]] employed by the [[Galactic Federation]]<br/>[[Space Pirates]] (brainwashed)
-|voice actor=<br />
+|music=[[Theme of Samus]]<br>[[Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior]]<br>[[Crateria Surface]]
-*[[Minako Hamano]]<br /><small>(''[[Super Metroid]]''; unused voice)</small>
+|voice actor=<br/>
-*Unknown actress<br /><small>(''Super Metroid'' Japanese [[commercial]])</small>
-*[[Jennifer Hale]]<br /><small>([[Prime Series|''Metroid Prime'' series]]*)</small>
+[[Minako Hamano]]<br/><small>(''[[Super Metroid]]'')</small><br/>
-*"[[VM]]"<br /><small>(''Metroid Prime'' series; death scream)</small>
+[[Keiko Toda]]<br/><small>([[Super Metroid Promotional Preview|''Super Metroid'' Promotional Preview]])</small><br/>
-*[[Chisato Morishita]]<br /><small>(''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' commercial)</small>
+[[Jennifer Hale]]<br/><small>([[Prime Series|''Metroid Prime'' series]])</small><br/>
+[[Vanessa Marshall]]<br/><small>(''Metroid Prime'' series)<ref group="note">Hale provided Samus's Foley sounds, while Marshall recorded her [[Game Over|death]] scream.</ref></small><br/>
-*Unknown actress<br /><small>([[Two Separate Worlds: One Shadow, One Light|''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' commercial]])</small>
-*[[Mary Law]]<br /><small>(''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''?)</small>
+[[Alésia Glidewell]]<br/><small>([[Super Smash Bros. series|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]])</small><br/>
-*[[Alésia Glidewell]]<br /><small>([[Super Smash Bros. series|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]])</small>
+[[Jessica Erin Martin]]<br/><small>(''Metroid: Other M''; English)</small><br/>
-*Unknown actress<br /><small>([[TV Commercial :60 Spot]])</small>
+[[Ai Kobayashi]]<br/><small>(''Metroid: Other M''; Japanese)</small><br/>
+[[Laura Zichy]]<br/><small>(''Metroid: Other M''; French commercials<ref name="insearchofsamus">Shinesparkers. [https://shinesparkers.net/features/in-search-of-samus/ In Search of Samus]. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.</ref>)</small><br/>
-*[[Jessica Erin Martin]]<br /><small>(''Metroid: Other M''; English)</small>
-*[[Ai Kobayashi]]<br /><small>(''Metroid: Other M''; Japanese)</small>
+[[Michaela Watkins]]<br/><small>(''[[List of cameos and crossovers in other media#Mad|Mad]]'')</small><br/>
+[[Nikki García]]<br/><small>(''[[Metroid Dread]]'')</small><br/>
+[[Holly Renaut]]<br/><small>(''Metroid Dread'')<ref name="insearchofsamus" /></small><ref group="note">García provided Samus's spoken line, while Renaut recorded her scream of rage.</ref></small><br/>
-<nowiki>*</nowiki> Disputed
 }}
 {{cquotetxt|''In the vast universe, the history of [[human]]ity is but a flash of light from a lone star. The life of a single person should be lost in space and time. But among the stars, there is one light that burns brighter than all others. The light of '''Samus Aran'''. Her battles extend beyond her life, and etch themselves into history.''|''[[Metroid Prime]]'' intro|color=gray|size=300%}}
 [[File:Vox_x_introcine_00.ogg|center]]
+{{nihongo|'''Samus Aran'''|サムス・アラン|Samusu Aran}} is an intergalactic bounty hunter and the main protagonist of the [[Metroid (series)|''Metroid'']] series.
+The daughter of [[Rodney Aran]] and [[Virginia Aran]], she lost her parents during a Space Pirate raid on her home of [[K-2L]]. Later, Samus was adopted by the mysterious [[Chozo]] and taken to [[Zebes]], where she was infused with their DNA and raised to become a warrior. Once she reached adulthood, Samus joined the [[Federation Police]] and served under the Commanding Officer [[Adam Malkovich]]. Though she ultimately left to become a [[Bounty Hunter]], she was nonetheless hired by the [[Galactic Federation]] on many occasions. Equipped with her cybernetic [[Power Suit]], Samus has become famous for accomplishing missions previously thought impossible. Her most renowned achievements are the destruction of the [[Space Pirate]] base on Zebes, her role in ending the Galactic [[Phazon]] crisis, her repeated extermination of the [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]] species, and her disobedience of orders at the [[Biologic Space Laboratories research station]] where she chose to destroy the deadly [[X Parasite]]s rather than turn them over to the Galactic Federation. Having received an infusion of Metroid DNA to save her from an X infection, Samus is now the last "Metroid" in the galaxy.
-{{nihongo|'''Samus Aran'''|サムス・アラン|Samusu Aran}} is an intergalactic bounty hunter and the protagonist of the [[Metroid (series)|''Metroid'']] series.
+Samus broke ground early in the gaming world when she debuted in the 1986 game ''[[Metroid]]''. Originally players were under the impression that Samus was a male, as the English translation of the instruction manual used male pronouns for her.<ref>Page 7 (translated from pg 10 of Japanese) includes "The space hunter chosen for this mission is Samus Aran. He is the greatest of all the space hunters and has successfully completed numerous missions that everybody thought were absolutely impossible. He is a cyborg, his entire body has been surgically strengthened with robotics, giving him superpowers. Even the space pirates fear his space suit, which can absorb any enemy's power but his true form is shrouded in mystery." see [[:File:SamusMalePronouns.png]] for scans</ref>
-The daughter of [[Rodney Aran]] and [[Virginia Aran]], she lost her parents during a Space Pirate raid on her home of [[K-2L]]. Later, Samus was adopted by the mysterious [[Chozo]] and taken to [[Zebes]], where she was infused with their DNA and raised to become a warrior. Once she reached adulthood, Samus joined the [[Federation Police]] and served under the Commanding Officer [[Adam Malkovich]]. Though she ultimately left to become a [[Bounty Hunter]], she was nonetheless hired by the [[Galactic Federation]] on many occasions. Equipped with her cybernetic [[Power Suit]], Samus has become famous for accomplishing missions previously thought impossible. Her most renowned achievements are the destruction of the [[Space Pirate]] base on Zebes, her role in ending the Galactic [[Phazon]] crisis, her extermination of the [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]] species, and her disobedience of orders at the [[Biologic Space Laboratories research station]] where she chose to destroy the deadly [[X Parasite]]s rather than turn them over to the Galactic Federation.
-Samus broke ground early in the gaming world when she debuted in the 1986 game ''[[Metroid]]''. Originally players were under the impression that Samus was a male, as even the instruction booklet suggested this. However, completing ''Metroid ''in under five hours revealed Samus to be a young woman.<ref name="1uponegirl">{{Cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3152658|title=One Girl vs. The Galaxy|publisher=1UP.com|date=2006-08-07}}</ref> Although Samus wears the Power Suit throughout most of the ''Metroid'' series, she traditionally removes it at the end of most games, often as a result of satisfying certain conditions such as completing the game quickly or with a high percentage of the game's items collected or even both.
+However, completing ''Metroid ''in under five hours revealed Samus to be a young woman.<ref name="1uponegirl">{{Cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3152658|title=One Girl vs. The Galaxy|publisher=1UP.com|date=2006-08-07}}</ref> Although Samus wears the Power Suit throughout most of the ''Metroid'' series, she traditionally removes it at the end of most games, often as a result of satisfying certain conditions such as completing the game quickly or with a high percentage of the game's items collected or even both.
 ==Biography==
 {{Main|Biography of Samus Aran}}
+[[File:Mother time to go.png|thumb|290px|Samus threatening [[Mother Brain]] after she killed the [[baby]], as depicted in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.]]
+Samus was born on the [[Earth]] colony [[K-2L]], and after its destruction was raised on [[Zebes]] by the [[Chozo]]. Her [[Residence of Samus Aran|residence]] has never been seen in the games, but has been depicted in comics and manga.
-A fictional "[[Second Office of Trentesse]]" organization, mentioned in the Japanese ''[[Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid]]'', features a short profile of Samus.
+A fictional "[[Second Office of Trentesse]]" organization, mentioned in the Japanese ''[[Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid]]'' features a short profile of Samus.
+{{-}}
 ==Personality and portrayal==
-{{cquotetxt|''With the death of the planet [[Phaaze]], '''Samus Aran''''s arduous fight against [[Phazon]] has ended. However, in the vast regions of space, this victory is just a twinkle of a star, spreading the light of hope through the darkness.''|[[Aurora Unit 242]], during the credits of ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''|color=gray|size=300%}}
+{{cquotetxt|''With the death of the planet [[Phaaze]], '''Samus Aran''''s arduous fight against [[Phazon]] has ended. However, in the vast regions of space, this victory is just a twinkle of a star, spreading the light of hope through the darkness.''|[[Aurora Unit 242]], during the [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption/Credits|credits]] of ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''|color=gray|size=300%}}
+Samus' personality has rarely been explored in-depth within the context of the games, a conscious decision by [[Nintendo]] to help the player insert themselves as the in-game character. However, ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', and ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' are perhaps the most notable games in the series to give insight into Samus' personality, as well as other media formats such as [[:Category:Comics|comics]] and [[manga]].
-[[File:Rodney Shoots the Afloralite.png|thumb|left|200px|''Metroid Fusion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s artwork gave various brief insights into Samus' early life.]]
-Samus' personality has never been explored in-depth within the context of the games, a conscious decision by [[Nintendo]] to help the player imagine themselves better as the in-game character. However, ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', and ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' are perhaps the most notable games in the series to give insight into Samus' personality, as well as other media formats such as [[:Category:Comics|comics]] and [[manga]]. Prior to ''Metroid: Other M'', her voice would only be represented by text at the beginning narration, as well as throughout ''Metroid Fusion''.
+[[File:Samus glaring at Robot Chozo Soldier.png|thumb|290px|Samus' feelings are often expressed through her eyes, as seen here in ''Metroid Dread'', when she glares at the [[Robot Chozo Soldier]] that has killed [[Quiet Robe]].]]
-Typically, Samus is depicted as a melancholic, heroic loner of few words. Despite her great achievements, she remains lonely and brooding, and seeks revenge against the Space Pirates - especially Ridley, who was personally responsible for the death of her [[Virginia Aran|mother]]. Despite her tragic origins, Samus has been shown to have unparalleled willpower and resourcefulness, succeeding where thousands failed and stopping at nothing to save the galaxy from any threat that may arise. Such is Samus' determination that she was even willing to sacrifice herself to prevent the spread of the body-snatching [[X Parasites]].
+Samus is a hero of few words, and a fearsome warrior. She remains quiet and brooding in spite of her great accomplishments, and has devoted her life to maintaining peace in the galaxy. Her main opponents are the Space Pirates - especially [[Ridley]], who was personally responsible for the death of her [[Virginia Aran|mother]]. Despite her tragic origins, Samus has been shown to have unparalleled willpower and resourcefulness, succeeding where thousands failed and stopping at nothing to save the galaxy from any threat that may arise.<ref>Nintendo UK (NintendoUK). "Now that you've had time with Metroid Dread, tell us: who's been Samus' greatest threat in the Metroid series?" 21 October 2021 10:01 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1451186907816161295</ref> Such is Samus' determination that she was even willing to sacrifice herself to prevent the spread of the body-snatching [[X Parasite]]s.<ref>''"The station has a self-destruct mechanism. I must use it to destroy the X here and on the planet. I must send them to oblivion. Them, the station, and myself, if I have to."'' - Samus Aran, ''Metroid Fusion''. 2002.</ref>
-Despite her reputation for destroying even the deadliest of foes, Samus is also known for her compassion, and has consistently stood up to protect the helpless and downtrodden. Two notable instances of this were when she volunteered to single-handedly save the [[Luminoth]] race from the brink of extinction, and when she helped innocent [[Etecoon]]s and a [[Dachora]] escape a self-destructing Zebes. In ''Metroid II'', Samus also bonded with [[baby|a Metroid]] who was born in front of her eyes, and decided to spare it, possibly recalling her three-year-old self during the attack on K-2L. It later sacrificed itself at the end of ''Super Metroid'' to save Samus, leaving her heartbroken and emotionally scarred for some time, as shown in ''Metroid: Other M''.
+Although Samus works for the betterment of the galaxy and frequently collaborates with the [[Galactic Federation]], she is a lone wolf at heart, only taking their orders due to their common goals and bounties.<ref>(October 8, 2021). ''Metroid Dread''. Nintendo Switch. MercurySteam. '''ADAM:''' "The bounty for this mission does not seem appropriate. The risk clearly outweighs the reward."</ref> She has little respect for authority and dislikes being told what to do, only allowing such supervision from those she trusts such as [[Adam Malkovich]], and rejecting others such as [[Raven Beak]] or even the Galactic Federation when their goals no longer intersected with hers.<ref>(November 17, 2002). ''Metroid Fusion''. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. '''Samus:''' "Following the commands of this blunt, computerized CO is something I have to bear, as it was a condition of my taking the ship. For someone who dislikes taking orders, this is the second time I've found myself having to do so. It makes me recall my other CO..."</ref><ref>(November 17, 2002). ''Metroid Fusion''. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. '''Samus:''' "They must cancel this mission! Open a channel to HQ! I won't let this happen!" '''Adam:''' "They are already on their way." '''Samus:''' "Fools..."</ref> In her youth, Samus had an especially strong rebellious streak due to her turbulent emotional state; this earned her the attention of her colleagues, resulting in Adam Malkovich developing the phrase [[Any objections, Lady?|"Any objections, Lady?"]] to acknowledge her at the end of briefings.<ref>(August 31, 2010). ''Metroid: Other M''. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. '''Samus:''' "When I rebelled against him, I knew I could get away with it. And his paternal compassion in the face of my rebellion reinforced the special bond I felt with him."</ref>
-Witnessing her mother's death at Ridley's hands left Samus with [[posttraumatic stress disorder]], which manifested as a severe panic attack upon her first encounter with Ridley in adolescence. She appears to have since learned to cope with this trauma, as she has rarely hesitated to do battle with her hated nemesis since then: Upon learning that he had survived their first battle on Zebes, Samus expressed only anger and wasted no time rushing to her [[Samus Aran's Gunship|Gunship]] and chasing Ridley all the way down to the planet [[Tallon IV]]. Samus' PTSD resurfaced a second time when she encountered a [[Ridley (clone)|cloned Ridley]] on the [[BOTTLE SHIP]] during the events of ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' - a period of time in which Samus was already emotionally vulnerable following the death of the Metroid hatchling and the destruction of her childhood home of Zebes.
+Despite her reputation for combat, Samus is also known for her compassion, and has consistently stood up to secure the helpless and downtrodden. Three notable instances of this were when she volunteered to single-handedly save the [[Luminoth]] race from the brink of extinction, when she helped innocent [[Etecoon]]s and a [[Dachora]] escape a self-destructing Zebes, and when she swore to [[Quiet Robe]] to put an end to Raven Beak's evil ambitions. In ''Metroid II'', Samus bonded with a [[baby|baby Metroid]] born in front of her eyes, and chose to spare it, possibly recalling her three-year-old self during the massacre on K-2L. She entrusted it to the [[Ceres Space Colony]], expressing faith that the specimen might be used for good. When Samus witnessed the Metroid sacrifice itself to save her from [[Mother Brain]], she was heartbroken for some time.
-During the events of ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', Samus was depicted as going through a period of severe self-doubt after the destruction of her [[Zebes|childhood home]] and the death of the [[Baby|Metroid hatchling]]. During this time, her behavior was more passive, less self-reliant, being uncharacteristically dependent on Adam Malkovich when she joined him and his [[07th Platoon|platoon]] in investigating the [[BOTTLE SHIP]], despite later stating that she dislikes the very idea of taking orders from a commanding officer. Her PTSD regarding Ridley also resurfaced during this mission, to the point that she could barely communicate when attacked by his [[Ridley (clone)|clone]], and could not regain her composure until Anthony Higgs was apparently killed trying to defend her. ''Other M's'' depiction of Samus has garnered significant criticism for being perceived as inconsistent with her depictions in all other games, as well as the questionable implications of her submissive behavior and interactions with Adam during the game's events. However, ''Other M'' is the only time these traits have been observed; by the time of the events of ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', which takes place after ''Other M'', Samus is once again portrayed as self-reliant and strong-willed, if somewhat more introspective.
+Witnessing her parents' deaths at the hands of Space Pirates left Samus with [[posttraumatic stress disorder|post-traumatic stress disorder]], which manifested as a severe panic attack upon her first encounter with Ridley in adolescence.<ref>(November 2003). ''Metroid: Volume 2'', Chapter 1. Monthly Magazine Z. Translated on Metroid Database.</ref> She appears to have since learned to handle this trauma, and has rarely hesitated to do battle with her nemesis since. Upon learning that Ridley had survived their first battle on Zebes, Samus expressed only silent anger and wasted no time rushing to her [[Gunship (Metroid Prime)|Gunship]] to chase him to the planet [[Tallon IV]].
+[[File:Rodney Shoots the Afloralite.png|thumb|right|''Metroid Fusion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Japanese-only endings gave various brief insights into Samus' early life.]]
+[[Bryan Walker]] said that he and his [[Retro Studios]] colleagues felt that Samus was akin to [[Wikipedia:Boba Fett|Boba Fett]] from ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'', but with a sense of humor.<ref>DidYouKnowGaming? "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKs_Oyfuyuc Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)]". ''YouTube''. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 19:33)</ref> In the [[Metroid Prime (series)|''Metroid Prime'' series]], Samus was always animated as subdued, stoically walking into rooms, with intense movement coming during action scenes.<ref>Kiwi Talkz. "#125 - [[Carlos Mendieta]] Interview (Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong, Animation, Drawing, Comics etc.)". ''YouTube''. February 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N287bJVTyJU (starts at 27:43)</ref> [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] said in an interview that with each ''Metroid'' game, he has gained a deeper understanding of who Samus is, and what she is thinking in each of her missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/metroid-dreads-creator-on-life-among-metroidvanias/|title=Metroid Dread's creator on life among the Metroidvanias|accessdate=2022-07-19|author=Stein, Scott|authorlink=|coauthors=|date=2021-10-9|year=|month=|format=Interview|work=|publisher=CNET|pages=|language=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221150344/https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/metroid-dreads-creator-on-life-among-metroidvanias/|archivedate=2021-12-21|quote=}}</ref> According to [[Yosuke Hayashi]], Samus is like a daughter to Sakamoto.<ref>"Other M was Sakamoto-san's idea and it's his creation, and we're just really happy to be a part of that, and that he asked us to be part of that creation. We talked a lot with him over the course of development, having very frank conversations about lots of different topics. But you can tell Samus Aran is his daughter; it's like that to him. So we're really looking forward to what else he might come up with in the future for the Metroid series." - Yosuke Hayashi interviewed by Christian Nutt, ''Gamasutra''. "Led By A Love Of Games: Team Ninja's Hayashi Speaks" pg. 3. December 23, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2022. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134943/led_by_a_love_of_games_team_.php?page=3</ref>
+During the events of ''Metroid: Other M'', Samus was in an especially vulnerable state following the death of the Metroid hatchling, the destruction of her childhood home Zebes, and an unexpected reunion with her former CO, Adam Malkovich. Due to this, the game is rife with inner monologues by Samus to share her angst with the player. Desperate to prove she had overcome her old habits of being rebellious and insecure, Samus willingly placed herself back under Adam's command on the [[BOTTLE SHIP]] in an attempt to regain his trust.<ref>(August 31, 2010). ''Metroid: Other M''. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. '''Samus:''' "It was the first joint mission I'd been a part of since becoming a freelance bounty hunter. And, of course, it was the first time since my Federation days that I was following the orders of a commanding officer. Having received mission orders from Adam, I felt confused and strangely exhilarated at the unexpected turn of events."</ref> When facing the [[Ridley (clone)|cloned Ridley]], Samus realized she was not over her insecurities after all, causing her to enter a state of shock (likely a relapsed PTSD attack). Afterwards, she briefly relapsed into rebelling against Adam, even believing [[MB]]'s lie that he endorsed the BOTTLE SHIP's Metroid program, but upon gaining full confirmation of Adam's trust outside [[Sector Zero]], she completely regained her composure.<ref>(August 31, 2010). ''Metroid: Other M''. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. '''Samus:''' "I was the only one who witnessed Adam's last moment, and though it shook me, I was calmer than I usually am. I think Adam granted me that eye-of-the-storm clarity- his final gift to me."</ref> ''Metroid: Other M''<nowiki/>'s unique depiction of Samus garnered significant criticism for being perceived as inconsistent with her more independent personality in other ''Metroid'' games, as well as the questionable implications of her submissive behavior towards Adam throughout the game.
 ===Age===
+[[File:Samus facing Amorbis.png|thumb|290px|Samus facing [[Amorbis]] in ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''.]]
-Samus' precise age has never been revealed, with the Japanese ''Prime'' site even stating that her age is unknown. ''Other M'' concept art reveals that in her early years of around the time of the K-2L attack, that she is "4-6 years old,"<ref>http://www.metroid-database.com/old_sitemom/artwork/gallery/english/momart89-child-samus.png</ref> contradicting early media saying it happened when she was three, and in her Federation military period, she is "15-17 years old."<ref>http://www.metroid-database.com/old_sitemom/artwork/gallery/english/momart49-young-samus.png</ref>
+Samus's precise age has never been revealed, with the Japanese ''Metroid Prime'' site even stating that her age is unknown.
-===Inspiration from the ''Alien'' Series===
-It is plausibly assumed that Samus was inspired by [[Wikipedia:Sigourney Weaver|Sigourney Weaver]]'s character [[Wikipedia:Ellen Ripley|Ripley]] from the ''Alien'' series. Her relationship with the Metroid is comparable to Ripley's relationship with a surviving LV-426 colonist named Rebecca "Newt" Jorden. Like the Baby, Newt dies in the sequel, ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'', and just like Samus, Ripley feels guilt over her death.
-Unlike Ripley, Samus has never shown to be traumatized by the Metroids she faces on her various missions.
+In ''[[Metroid: Volume 1]]'', Samus is 3 years old during the K-2L attack<ref>''[[Metroid: Volume 1]]'', as [https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_1_en/ch_0001/metroid01_027.png translated] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref> and 14 years old when she leaves Zebes and joins the Galactic Federation Police;<ref>''[[Metroid: Volume 1]]'', as [https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_1_en/ch_0002/metroid_v01_ch002_042.png translated] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref> the final chapters of ''[[Metroid: Volume 2]]'' leading into her [[Zero Mission]] are set an unspecified "few years later"<ref>''[[Metroid: Volume 2]]'', as [https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_2_en/ch_0013/metroid_v02_ch0065.png translated] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref> and therefore could take place during her late teens or early twenties. However, ''Other M'' concept art states that she is "about 4-6 years old" around the time of the K-2L attack,<ref>[[Gallery Mode]], as [http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mom/artwork/gallery/english/momart89-child-samus.png translated] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref> and "approximately 15-17 years old" in her Federation military period.<ref>[[Gallery Mode]], as [http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mom/artwork/gallery/english/momart49-young-samus.png translated] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref>
-===In Other Media===
+While non-canonical, the [[Nintendo Comics System]] comic ''[[The Coming of a Hero]]'' refers to Samus as the youngest police officer to become a Star-Tracker. The Nintendo Comics System adaptation of ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' features the teenage Kevin Keene as Samus's love interest; this could indicate that Samus may have been intended to be in her late teens or early twenties in the original ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'', which would roughly line up with the timeline presented in the ''[[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|Magazine Z]]'' manga.
+===Inspiration from the ''Alien'' series===
+It is plausibly assumed that Samus was inspired by [[Wikipedia:Sigourney Weaver|Sigourney Weaver]]'s character [[Wikipedia:Ellen Ripley|Ellen Ripley]] from the ''[[Alien]]'' series. In fact, Samus's physical appearance in the [[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)|''Super Metroid'' comics]] was a combination of Ripley and [[Wikipedia:Leia Organa|Leia Organa]] from the ''Star Wars'' films.<ref name="leiaandripley">[[:File:NP58comiccomment.jpg]]</ref> Samus's relationship with the infant Metroid is comparable to Ripley's relationship with a surviving LV-426 colonist named Rebecca "Newt" Jorden. Like the Baby, Newt dies in the sequel, ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'', and like Samus, Ripley grieves her death. Unlike Ripley, Samus has never shown to be traumatized by the Metroids she faces on her various missions, with her psychological scars instead caused by her childhood encounter with Ridley.
+===In other media===
 {{Noncanon}}
-[[File:SamusOriginal1.png|thumb|100px|left|Early art of Samus.]]
+[[File:SamusOriginal1.png|thumb|left|Early art of Samus.]]
-In licensed ''Metroid'' material outside of the games, Samus’s personality is largely left up to the writer in question. As such, her personality has varied considerably between major publications. The [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|''Magazine Z'' manga]] depicts her as suffering from childhood trauma and often thinking heavily about her role and the role of the Pirates. In the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comics, Samus is depicted as brash and money-hungry (as just about any bounty hunter would be), though she is willing to compete fairly with Princess Lana for the protagonist Kevin Keene’s feelings, suggesting her behavior is something of a "tough-guy" act.
+In licensed ''Metroid'' material outside of the games, Samus's personality is largely left up to the writer in question. As such, her personality has varied considerably between major publications. The [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|''Magazine Z'' manga]] depicts her as suffering from childhood trauma and often thinking heavily about her role and the role of the Pirates. In the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comics, Samus is depicted as brash and money-hungry (as just about any bounty hunter would be), though she is willing to compete fairly with Princess Lana for the protagonist Kevin Keene's feelings, suggesting her behavior is something of a "tough-guy" act.
-While Samus does not have royal heritage in any of the games, she was depicted as the queen of Garbage World in ''A King of Shreds and Patches'' in ''Captain N'', and [[Anthony Higgs]] gives her the nickname "Princess" in ''Metroid: Other M'' (although in concept artwork [[James Pierce]] says "Heey, Princess!" [http://www.metroid-database.com/old_site/mom/artwork/gallery/english/momart07-james-pierce.png likely referring to Samus]). Non-canonically, she is also depicted sitting on the throne in the [[King Conan]] [[Diorama]] in ''Corruption''. This would seem to indicate that she became an empress to the [[Reptilicus]], although this is never depicted in-game.
+While Samus does not have a royal heritage in any of the games, she was depicted as the queen of Garbage World in ''A King of Shreds and Patches'' in ''Captain N'', and [[Anthony Higgs]] gives her the nickname "Princess" in ''Metroid: Other M'' (although in concept artwork [[James Pierce]] says "Hey, Princess!" [http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mom/artwork/gallery/english/momart07-james-pierce.png likely referring to Samus]). Non-canonically, she is also depicted sitting on the throne in the [[King Conan]] [[Diorama]] in ''Corruption''. This would seem to indicate that she became an empress to the [[Reptilicus]], although this is never depicted in-game.
+{{-}}
 {{Endnoncanon}}
 ==Physical appearance==
 [[File:Samus 2D endings.jpg|thumb|250px|Samus Aran in the top endings of ''Metroid'', ''Metroid II'', and ''Super Metroid''.]]
+Samus Aran is slender and light-skinned with a muscular physique under the armor, though her superhuman abilities may be accountable to her muscle/bone density given her hybrid genetics and augmentations. Her hair color is blonde, her eye color is blue with a green tinge (fully green in ''Other M''), and she appears to be Caucasian. Samus typically wears her blond hair in a modified ponytail with a red hairband, with a lock on either side. The exact hairstyle, however, can vary from game to game.
 [[File:Samus Aran Varia suit Super Metroid Player's Guide 1994.jpg|thumb|250px|From the ''Super Metroid Players' Guide'']]
-Samus Aran is a [[human]]. According to the ''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]'', she is 6 feet 3 inches tall (roughly 190 cm) and weighs 198 pounds (roughly 90 kilograms); however, the manual of ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' attributes these measurements to her Power Suit instead.<ref>{{cite book | year=1991 | publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc. | title=''Metroid II manual'' | pages=14 }}</ref> Physically, her body is quite lean under the armor, though her observed superhuman abilities may be accountable to her muscle/bone density given her hybrid genetics and augmentations. Her hair color is blonde, her eye color is blue with a green tinge, and she usually appears to be Caucasian. However, as her facial traits vary from game to game; she sometimes appears Asian. Samus typically wears her blond hair in a modified ponytail with a red headband, with a lock on either side. The exact hairstyle, however, can vary from game to game.
+According to the ''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]'', she is 6 feet 3 inches tall (roughly 190 cm) and weighs 198 pounds (roughly 90 kilograms); however, the manual of ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' attributes these measurements to her Power Suit instead.<ref>{{cite book|year=1991|publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc.|title=''Metroid II manual''|pages=[https://metroid.retropixel.net/games/metroid2/manual/m2_08.jpg 14] }}</ref> Some games, such as ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/ayEiGwY.jpeg ''Metroid Prime'' and ''Echoes'' model height comparison]</ref> and ''[[Metroid Prime Remastered]]'',<ref>[[:File:Pirate Samus size comparison scanpic - Remastered.png]]</ref> show Samus to be the same height with or without the Power Suit; other games, such as ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', show Samus to be significantly shorter without her Power Suit.<ref>[https://www.ignboards.com/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9kALDAF.jpg&hash=66fd4bfed557057f20d3a503b03ad643 ''Other M'' model height comparison]</ref>
+===Hair===
-Samus's appearance varied widely in the early games. In the original ''Metroid'', her hair was miscolored brown, though it would turn green once the player acquired the [[Varia Suit]]. If ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' was played with a [[Super Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Player]] or [[Game Boy Advance]], her hair would be miscolored red. It wasn't until ''Super Metroid'' that she officially became blond, although the non-canon comic colored her hair purple. In addition, the gamebook ''[[Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order]]'' depicted her hair color as largely being black.
+{{Main|Samus's Hairstyle}}
+Samus's appearance varied widely in the early games. In the original ''Metroid'', her hair was colored brown, though it would turn green once the player acquired the [[Varia Suit]]. If ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' was played with a [[Super Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Player]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[Game Boy Advance]] or [[Game Boy Advance SP]], her hair would be miscolored red. It was not until ''Super Metroid'' that she officially became blond, although the non-canon comic and some concept art colored her hair purple. In addition, the game book ''[[Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order]]'' depicted her hair color as largely being black.
+[[File:ZeroSuitSamus.png|thumb|Samus Aran as she appears in ''Metroid: Samus Returns''.]]
-Similarly, [[Samus's Hairstyle]] has varied in the early games and other media. In the original ''Metroid'', her hairstyle was depicted as wavy and reaching just beyond her shoulder blades in the ending, while in ''Metroid II'' and ''Super Metroid'', it was depicted as straight with a part on the left side of her forehead and bangs, respectively, with the former only reaching her neck and the latter reaching her shoulders. In ''Fusion'', she has two bangs, one of which partially covers her left eye slightly, and is depicted as long enough to reach down her back. In addition, in ''Zebes Invasion Order'', Samus's hair, similar to ''Fusion'' was depicted as long enough to reach down her back. Samus's signature hairstyle debuted in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'', and has been present in every ''Metroid'' game released since. The only exception is ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' which, though it retained Samus's ponytail, lacked the two locks of hair on each side of her head. Previously, Samus had been depicted with a ponytail in ''Metroid Prime'' and (briefly) at the end of ''Metroid II'' and ''[[Super Metroid]]''.
+Similarly, Samus's hairstyle has varied in the early games and other media. In the original ''Metroid'', her hairstyle was depicted as wavy and reaching just beyond her shoulder blades in the ending, while in ''Metroid II'' and ''Super Metroid'', it was depicted as straight with a part on the left side of her forehead and bangs, respectively, with the former only reaching her neck and the latter reaching her shoulders. In ''Fusion'', she has two bangs, one of which partially covers her left eye slightly, and is depicted as long enough to reach down her back. In addition, in ''Zebes Invasion Order'', Samus's hair, similar to ''Fusion'' was depicted as long enough to reach down her back. Samus's signature hairstyle debuted in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'', and has been present in every ''Metroid'' game released since. The only exception is ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'' which, though it retained Samus's ponytail, lacked the two locks of hair on each side of her head. Previously, Samus had been depicted with a ponytail in ''Metroid Prime'' and (briefly) at the end of ''Metroid II'' and ''[[Super Metroid]]''.
+Before the credits, Samus is briefly depicted with her hair down, the first instance of this in 3-D. With her hair down, she has locks of hair hanging over her shoulders. After Anthony steps in, the lock over her right shoulder is no longer there. She then ties her hair back into her ponytail, mirroring the scenes in ''Metroid II'' and ''Super Metroid'' where she unties the ponytail. A development screenshot pictured her young appearance with black hair, which given the intended focus on the Japanese audience as well as Samus's rebellious past being focused on, may have been intended to imply that Samus dyed her hair blonde as an act of rebellion (as the act is considered such in Japan due to its associations with Western/American culture).
-[[File:A-Zero Mission-Art10.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Samus Aran as she appears in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'']]
-[[File:Samus 3D endings.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Samus Aran as she appears in the Prime series]]
+===Face===
-Samus's face structure has also varied between games. ''Metroid'' ''Metroid II'', ''Super Metroid'', and ''Metroid Fusion'' gave her a wider face and larger eyes than later incarnations. In particular, her appearance for ''[[Super Metroid]]'' is stated to be based on American actress [[Wikipedia:Kim Basinger|Kim Basinger]]. In ''Metroid Prime'', her jaw was squarer, her eyes deeper-set and her lips more defined, giving her a Caucasian appearance. ''Zero Mission'' gave her higher cheekbones, slanted eyes, fuller lips and a thinner face than previous installments, making her to be Asian-looking, and that template has been the basis for every game since. ''Echoes''<nowiki/>' incarnation is possibly her most planned appearance, due to the in-game model suffering from the [[Wikipedia:Uncanny Valley|uncanny valley.]] Samus had ''Zero Mission''<nowiki/>'s Asian appearance, but also had a shorter and squarer face. ''Prime Hunters'', on the other hand, gave Samus a face that appeared to be a blend of ''Zero Mission''<nowiki/>'s and ''Prime''<nowiki/>'s depiction. Samus retained the deep-set eyes, traditional ponytail, and fuller face from ''Prime'', but also had ''Zero Mission''<nowiki/>'s higher cheekbones. ''Corruption''<nowiki/>'s is closer to that of ''Zero Mission'', with a thinner, more stylized face. In other media, such as ''Zebes Invasion Order'', Samus's face was rendered with a similar design to various Japanese anime, such as ''Speed Racer''.
+[[File:Sam face.jpg|thumb|200px|Samus's face, seen through her visor in ''Prime''.]]
+Samus's face structure has varied across the ''Metroid'' franchise. ''Metroid'', ''Metroid II'', ''Super Metroid'', and ''Metroid Fusion'' gave her a wider face and larger eyes than later incarnations. In particular, her appearance for ''[[Super Metroid]]'' was stated to be based on the American actress [[Wikipedia:Kim Basinger|Kim Basinger]]. As stated above, Samus's ''Super Metroid'' comics appearance was a combination of Leia Organa and Ellen Ripley, and therefore their actresses [[Wikipedia:Carrie Fisher|Carrie Fisher]] and Sigourney Weaver.<ref name="leiaandripley" />
+In ''Metroid Prime'', Samus's jaw was squarer, her eyes deeper-set and her lips more defined, giving her a Caucasian appearance. Her face can be seen in gameplay when certain flashes of light, such as explosions, [[Super Missile]]s being fired or enemy projectiles impact close to Samus. Samus's face was modeled separately and implemented with a diffuse texture. The idea to add her face may have come from [[Chris Voellmann]]. This was popular enough with the [[Retro Studios]] team that they sought to make Samus's face appear more often in the sequels, such as in ''Corruption'', where it is visible whenever the [[Scan Visor]] is active.<ref>Kiwi Talkz. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vkczsDyZp4 #116 - Jack Mathews Interview (Metroid Prime Trilogy, Prototypes, Business, Armature Studios etc.)]". ''YouTube''. November 26, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2022. (starts at 31:17)</ref> Unused animations of Samus making various facial expressions exist in ''Prime''; these can be viewed [[List of cut content in the Metroid series#Samus expressions|here]]. Players who witnessed the face effect when playing a demo of ''Prime'' at E3 2002 reacted very positively to it.<ref>Old Game Plus. ''Metroid Prime'', Dev Interview Special. February 8, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022. https://oldgameplus.libsyn.com/metroid-prime-dev-interview-special (starts at 43:50)</ref> ''Metroid Prime Remastered'' changes Samus's face from the original game, causing it to more closely resemble later depictions.<ref>Nintendo DE (NintendoDE). 👁️👁️ #MetroidPrimeRemastered. 6 March 2023 10:45 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoDE/status/1632769256612872193</ref>
+[[File:A-Zero Mission-Art10.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Samus Aran as she appears in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'']]
+''Zero Mission'' gave her higher cheekbones and a thinner face than previous installments, and that template has been the basis for every game since. ''Echoes''<nowiki/>' incarnation is possibly her most panned appearance, due to the in-game model suffering from the [[Wikipedia:Uncanny Valley|uncanny valley]]. ''Prime Hunters'', on the other hand, gave Samus a face that appeared to be a blend of ''Zero Mission''<nowiki/>'s and ''Prime''<nowiki/>'s depiction. Samus retained the deep-set eyes, traditional ponytail, and fuller face from ''Prime'', but also had ''Zero Mission''<nowiki/>'s higher cheekbones. ''Corruption''<nowiki/>'s is closer to that of ''Zero Mission'', with a thinner, more stylized face. ''Samus Returns'' gave Samus a slightly angular face, along with slightly rounder eyes. In other media, such as ''Zebes Invasion Order'', Samus's face was rendered with a similar design to various Japanese anime, such as ''Speed Racer''.
 [[File:SamusAran.png|thumb|250px|Samus Aran as she appears in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'']]
-On the other hand, ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' is perhaps the largest change Samus has ever had to her appearance since ''Zero Mission''. She is depicted for the first time with short hair and green eyes, with subtle facial features reminiscent of Asian descent. While her adult appearance still gives her a ponytail, the two locks on either side of her head have been heavily reduced in size, her bangs have been altered and her ponytail has been moved to the nape of the neck. She also has the beauty mark that [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] alluded to in the ''Super Metroid'' developer interview, under the left side of her lip. A mole was marked in concept art for ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', but [http://www.metroid-database.com/old_site/index.php?g=sm&p=interview was not added to the model]. Before the credits, Samus is briefly depicted with her hair down, the first instance of this in 3-D. With her hair down, she has locks of hair hanging over her shoulders. After Anthony steps in, the lock over her right shoulder is no longer there. She then ties her hair back into her ponytail, mirroring the scenes in ''Metroid II'' and ''Super Metroid'' where she unties the ponytail. A development screenshot pictured her young appearance with black hair, which given the intended focus on the Japanese audience as well as Samus's rebellious past being focused on, may have been intended to imply that Samus dyed her hair blonde as an act of rebellion (as the act is considered such in Japan due to its associations with Western/American culture).
+On the other hand, ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' is perhaps the largest change Samus has ever had to her appearance since ''Zero Mission''. She is depicted for the first time with short hair and green eyes, with subtle facial features reminiscent of Asian descent. While her adult appearance still gives her a ponytail, the two locks on either side of her head have been heavily reduced in size, her bangs have been altered and her ponytail has been moved to the nape of the neck. She also has the beauty mark that [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] alluded to in the ''Super Metroid'' developer interview, under the left side of her lip. A mole was marked in concept art for ''Metroid Prime'', but was not added to the model.<ref>[[:File:Samus face.jpg]]</ref> The mark is retained in ''Metroid: Samus Returns'' concept art<ref>[[:File:ZeroSuitSamus.png]]</ref>, and her ''Metroid Dread'' model.<ref>Boundary Break. "Out of Bounds Secrets | Metroid Dread - Boundary Break". ''YouTube''. November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-4xVa6TN-o (starts at 14:00)</ref>
-[[File:ZeroSuitSamus.png|thumb|Samus Aran as she appears in Metroid: Samus Returns.]]
+An early model of Samus's face in ''Metroid Prime'', created by [[Cid Newman]], was based on American supermodel [[Wikipedia:Cindy Crawford|Cindy Crawford]].<ref>Cid Newman. "Samus v8". ''YouTube''. June 1, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4KTgiW2us</ref><ref>DidYouKnowGaming. "8 Cancelled Nintendo Games from Retro Studios (New Discoveries)" ''YouTube''. November 4, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i7P9nbOTvA (starts at 28:20)</ref>
+<gallery>
+MPR Samus new face.png|Samus's new face in the remaster of ''Prime''.
+Samus Cindy Crawford face.gif|Animation of Samus's early face based on Cindy Crawford.
+Samus with Cindy Crawford's face.png
+</gallery>
 ==Powers and abilities==
 {{cquotetxt|''Even without the Power Suit, all that training she did with the Chozo has made her a super athlete. I don't think a normal human could ever keep up. Just look at her.''|Mei Ling (from ''Metal Gear Solid''), ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.|color=gray|size=300%}}
 [[File:Zero Suit Samus SSBB2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Samus Aran in her [[Zero Suit]], demonstrating her athletic abilities.]]
-Samus Aran's infusion with [[Chozo DNA]], as well as her warrior training since her childhood, has turned her into a superior athlete. Her training began at the age of 3 and continued up until she was 14 years old. As a result of the Chozo’s influence, Samus is capable of running and jumping heights far past normal human ability, as well as surviving falls that would otherwise kill an ordinary human. Samus is also more adaptive to foreign alien environments that normal humans cannot survive in, such as the majority of [[Zebes]] and [[Elysia]].
+Samus Aran's infusion with [[Chozo DNA]] (later revealed to be a combination of both [[Thoha]] and [[Mawkin]] DNA), as well as her warrior training since her childhood, has turned her into a superior athlete. Her training began at the age of three and continued up until she was fourteen years old. As a result of the Chozo's influence, Samus is capable of running and jumping heights far past normal human ability, as well as surviving falls that would otherwise kill an ordinary human. Samus is also more adaptive to foreign alien environments that normal humans cannot survive in, such as the majority of [[Zebes]] and [[Elysia]].
-Samus also demonstrates good sharpshooting skills. She is an excellent marksman, with incredible aim, and is tremendously deadly in combat. She exhibits prodigious puzzle-solving and hacking skills. She also possesses a lithe figure that allows her to crawl through tunnels and gaps that would normally require usage of the [[Morph Ball]]. All of these are, of course, augmented further by her Power Suit. If need be, Samus will engage in melee combat, often using kicks and wrestling tactics to weaken her foe for a point-blank shot.
+Samus also demonstrates good sharpshooting skills. She is an excellent marksman, with an incredible aim, and is tremendously deadly in combat. She exhibits prodigious puzzle-solving and hacking skills. She also possesses a lithe figure that allows her to crawl through tunnels and gaps that would normally require the usage of the [[Morph Ball]]. All of these are, of course, augmented further by her Power Suit. If need be, Samus will engage in melee combat, often using kicks and wrestling tactics to weaken her foe for a point-blank shot.
 [[File:Metroid other m artwork.jpg|thumb|right|Samus gains an additional boost of power, in addition to the upgrades it provides, as seen in this ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' art.]]
-The extent of Samus’ training after she joined the [[Federation Police]] is currently unknown, but it is clear that the Federation has made one major augmentation to her abilities: her infusion with Metroid DNA. This infusion was done in a last-ditch attempt to save her life after she was infected with the [[X Parasite]]s, and thus it was not completely known at the time what the side effects would be.
+The extent of Samus' training after she joined the [[Federation Police]] is currently unknown, but it is clear that the Federation has made one major augmentation to her abilities: her infusion with [[Metroid DNA]]. This infusion was done in a last-ditch attempt to save her life after she was infected with the [[X Parasite]]s, and thus it was not completely known at the time what the side effects would be.
-As a result of the infusion, Samus gained immunity to X Parasites, as well as the ability to absorb them for energy. However, she also inherited the Metroid’s crippling weakness to cold, though this disability was negated after she absorbed the [[Unnamed Suit|essence]] of the [[SA-X]]. However, Samus does not seem to have inherited the Metroids' ability to float, or to absorb bio-energy from life forms beyond the X Parasites.
+As a result of the infusion, Samus gained immunity to X Parasites, as well as the ability to absorb them for energy. However, she also inherited the Metroid's crippling weakness to cold, though this disability was toned down after downloading the Varia Suit upgrade and later negated altogether after she absorbed the [[Omega Suit|essence]] of the [[SA-X]]. However, Samus did not inherit the Metroids' ability to float or to absorb bio-energy from life forms beyond the X Parasites.
+This later changed on ZDR when the Metroid DNA in her body begins to fully awaken and allows her to [[Metroid powers|absorb bio-energy]], however, it also results in a rapid transformation that turns Samus into a unique form of Metroid/human/Chozo hybrid. She also ends up displaying the ability to absorb energy from machinery as a result of the aforementioned metamorphosis. This eventually had nearly disastrous consequences where she was unable to pilot her ship out of ZDR without draining its energy, until she absorbed the X Parasite of [[Quiet Robe]], a Thoha Chozo, re-stabilizing her DNA. A large part of the reason behind the sudden changes on ZDR was because of her encounter with the Mawkin leader Raven Beak, as Metroids were programmed to react violently to Mawkin, although Raven Beak implied that she would have undergone the changes immediately after the Vaccine "Metroid" procedure earlier had she not possessed Thoha DNA beforehand.
 ==Equipment==
 ===[[Power Suit]]===
 [[File:Generator C Samus nod.png|thumb|290px|Samus during the [[invasion on Norion]].]]
-Samus’ most notable piece of equipment is her Power Suit, which has become virtually synonymous with her own identity. This suit was given to her during her time with the Chozo, and was built to be fused with her mind, body, and spirit. The original Power Suit was destroyed when Samus crash-landed on Zebes after an ambush by Space Pirates, but her duel with the [[Ruins Test]] gave her a new, upgraded suit, which is able to absorb dozens of upgrades of alien origin. The Power Suit's main purpose is to protect Samus from adverse environments and enemy fire, and can be upgraded to dozens of other forms, each with its own different advantages. While some suits are stronger than others and have different abilities, they all maintain the same basic shape and usage.
+Samus' most notable piece of equipment is her Power Suit, which has become virtually synonymous with her own identity. This suit was given to her during her time with the Chozo and was built to be fused with her mind, body, and spirit. The original Power Suit was destroyed when Samus crash-landed on Zebes after an ambush by Space Pirates, but her duel with the [[Ruins Test]] gave her a new, upgraded suit, which is able to absorb dozens of upgrades of alien origin. The Power Suit's main purpose is to protect Samus from adverse environments and enemy fire, and it can be upgraded to dozens of other forms, each with its own different advantages. While some suits are stronger than others and have different abilities, they all maintain the same basic shape and usage.
 ===[[Zero Suit]]===
-Beneath the Power Suit, Samus wears a skin-tight body suit known as the [[Zero Suit]]. Because of its negligible weight, this suit allows Samus to perform at top physical performance level, and gives some weak protection from enemy fire. She also owns an emergency pistol known as the [[Paralyzer]], which auto-charges to fire stunning shots, though it has no lethal capacity.
+Beneath the Power Suit, Samus wears a skin-tight bodysuit known as the [[Zero Suit]]. Because of its negligible weight, this suit allows Samus to perform at top physical performance level and gives some weak protection from enemy fire. She also owns an emergency pistol known as the [[Paralyzer]], which auto-charges to fire stunning shots, though it has no lethal capacity.
-===[[Samus Aran's Gunship]]===
+===[[Samus's Gunship]]===
-For transportation, Samus uses her Gunship, which usually resembles her [[Samus' helmet|helmet]]. Samus has been seen in five gunships of unique design: Her first ship design was used and destroyed on her initial [[Zero Mission]], while the second was used in her [[Metroid Prime|mission to Tallon IV]] and the [[Metroid Prime Hunters|mission]] to the [[Tetra Galaxy]]. She has had other two ships custom-made for her in [[Aliehs III]]'s shipyard: Her modular ship used in the waning days of the [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|Phazon crisis]], which combined Chozo and Federation technology, and the ship for which she is best known. This gunship model was first seen in the [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|mission to Aether]], and stayed with Samus until its [[Metroid Fusion|destruction in SR388's asteroid field]]. After its destruction, Samus was assigned a new ship from the Federation with an onboard AI for her investigation of the [[BSL]].
+For transportation, Samus uses her Gunship, which usually resembles her [[Samus' helmet|helmet]]. Samus has been seen in five Starships and Gunships of unique design: Her first [[Starship (Zero Mission)|Starship]] design was used and destroyed on her initial [[Zero Mission]], while the second [[Gunship (Metroid Prime)|Gunship]] was used in her [[Metroid Prime (game)|mission to Tallon IV]] and the [[Metroid Prime Hunters|mission]] to the [[Tetra Galaxy]]. She has had other two ships custom-made for her in [[Aliehs III]]'s shipyard: Her modular [[Gunship (Corruption)|Gunship]] used in the waning days of the [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|Phazon crisis]], which combined Chozo and Federation technology, and the iconic [[Gunship (Return of Samus)|Gunship]] for which she is best known. The latter Gunship model was first seen in the [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|mission to Aether]], and stayed with Samus until its [[Metroid Fusion|destruction in SR388's asteroid field]]. After its destruction, Samus was assigned a new [[Starship (Metroid Fusion)|Starship]] from the Federation with an onboard A.I. for her investigation of the [[BSL]].
-It is currently unknown if/how her first two ships and the "iconic" ship are related, although information on the ''Metroid Prime'' website suggests that her ship in that game was the same one as her [[Zero Mission]] model, perhaps salvaged from the wreck on Zebes.
+It is currently unknown if/how her first two ships and the "iconic" ship are related, although information on the ''Metroid Prime'' website suggests that her Gunship in that game was the same one as her Zero Mission's Starship, perhaps salvaged from the wreck on Zebes.
 ===Misplacing Upgrades===
 A curious aspect of the ''Metroid'' series is that Samus begins most games with a minimal amount of equipment, even after accumulating a sizable number of upgrades in the preceding game that would help her on subsequent missions. This is evidently a necessary gameplay mechanic needed for every title in the series, but it is unknown why this occurs so frequently in-universe, and has become a subject of humor over the years.
+{{Main|Physical amnesia}}
-Later games in the series have presented plot-related explanations for this: In games such as ''Metroid Fusion'', ''Metroid Prime'' and ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', Samus starts out with a considerable amount of gear, but is quickly stripped of most of it by attacks or unfortunate incidents. Samus then regains these abilities over the course of the game, in addition to a vast array of other upgrades that expand her arsenal well beyond its initial size. Additionally, Samus seems to relinquish most of her upgrades in the end of ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', explaining why she only has her basic abilities by the time of ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''.
+Later games in the series have presented plot-related explanations for this: In games such as ''Metroid Fusion'', ''Metroid Prime'' and ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', Samus starts out with a considerable amount of gear but is quickly stripped of most of it by attacks or unfortunate incidents. Samus then regains these abilities over the course of the game, in addition to a vast array of other upgrades that expand her arsenal well beyond its initial size. Additionally, Samus seems to relinquish most of her upgrades at the end of ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', explaining why she only has her basic abilities by the time of ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''.
 ==''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]''==
@@ Line 133: / Line 177: @@
 |games    = ''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''
 |location = ''[[Doomseye]]''
-|attacks  = [[Morph Ball]]<br />[[Boost Ball]]<br />[[Spider Ball]]<br />[[Bomb]]s
+|attacks  = [[Morph Ball]]<br/>[[Boost Ball]]<br/>[[Spider Ball]]<br/>[[Bomb]]s<br/>[[Power Bomb]]
 |weakness = Green core of Morph Ball
+|music    = "[[Vs. Samus]]"
 }}
 ''Metroid Prime: Federation Force'' is the first ''Metroid'' game where Samus is not the main protagonist or even playable, but plays a role as a secondary character, aiding the [[Federation Force]]. After the [[Space Pirates]] are discovered in the [[Bermuda System]], the Galactic Federation asks Samus to investigate their activities. She is briefly seen flying over [[Excelcion]], and she destroys one of the missile factories on [[Talvania]] while the Force [[M06: Infiltration|destroys another]]. During [[M10: Black Hole]], Samus contacts the Force directly to warn them of a fifth [[Missile Transport]] ship, which they destroy. She also assists the Force after the [[Rohkor Beetle]] battle, using her [[Ship Missile]]s to finish it off. After [[M14: Tremor]], the Force mysteriously loses all contact with Samus.
@@ Line 140: / Line 185: @@
 A [[Decoy]] item in the game deploys a scarecrow-like model of her to distract Space Pirates.
+In [[M22: Convergence]], it is revealed that Samus was captured by the Space Pirates and brought aboard their battleship ''[[Doomseye]]''. During the Federation Force's assault on the ''Doomseye'', the pirates take control of Samus' suit, use the [[amplification beam]] on her to increase her size, and force her to fight the Federation Force in her [[Morph Ball]] form, serving as the game's final boss. After she is defeated, she reverts back to her normal size, freed from the Pirates' control, but is then buried under falling debris. She survives and later assists the Federation Force in escaping the battleship's destruction, rescuing them with her [[Gunship (Corruption)|Gunship]] when they are sucked into the vacuum of space. At the end of the mission, she commends the Federation Force and looks forward to their future efforts.
-===Battle===
-In [[M22: Convergence]], it is revealed that Samus was captured by the Space Pirates and brought aboard their battleship ''[[Doomseye]]''. She is then brainwashed, [[Amplification beam|transformed into gigantic size]] and forced to fight against the Federation Force, serving as the game's final boss. After she is defeated, she reverts back to her normal size and freed from the Pirates' control, but is then buried under falling debris. She survives and later assists the Federation Force in escaping the battleship's destruction, rescuing them with her [[Gunship]] when they are sucked into the vacuum of space. At the end of the mission, she commends the Federation Force and looks forward to their future efforts.
+===Battle===
-Samus spends the entire fight in gigantic [[Morph Ball]] form, laying large destructible [[Bomb]]s in sets of three and attempting to ram the Marine with the [[Boost Ball]]. She constantly rolls around the field, but does not actively chase the Marines.
+{{cquotetxt|''What?! Samus Aran is fighting us?! I never thought I'd say this, but... You've got to take Samus out!''|[[General Alex Miles]]|color=gray|size=300%}}
+Samus spends the entire fight in gigantic [[Morph Ball]] form, laying large destructible [[Bomb]]s in sets of three and attempting to ram the Marine with the [[Boost Ball]]. She constantly rolls around the field but does not actively chase the Marines.
 Samus is surrounded by a purple shield that negates all the Marines' attacks, although she can be frozen with the [[Freeze Shot]]. However, the shield does not cover the green cores on her sides, which if shot enough times disables the shield and stops her movement. Once the shield is down, the Marines must shoot and push her into the electric fields at the edges of the room, similar to [[Blast Ball]]. After enough damage, Samus regains her shield, repeating the process. Using the [[Scan Bolt]] on Samus can make her more floaty, and thus easier to shoot into electric fields.
-Once she loses all her health, Samus shrinks slightly but regains all her health; the process must be repeated two more times. After one full depletion Samus will start using her [[Spider Ball]] to roll across the ceiling, eventually stopping at the center to drop down to the ground and produce a shockwave. After the second full depletion Samus rolls much faster, drops larger red Bombs, and also lays Bombs while using Boost Ball and Spider Ball. Her Bombs can be destroyed to get [[AUX ammo]]. The red Bombs have a large blast radius when they explode. The mission's [[bonus objective]] is to never take damage from Samus's Bombs.
+Once she loses all her health, Samus shrinks slightly but regains all her health; the process must be repeated two more times. After one full depletion, Samus will start using her [[Spider Ball]] to roll across the ceiling, eventually stopping at the center to drop down to the ground and produce a shockwave. After the second full depletion, Samus rolls much faster, drops larger red Bombs, and also lays Bombs while using Boost Ball and Spider Ball. Her Bombs can be destroyed to get [[AUX ammo]]. The red Bombs have a large blast radius when they explode. The mission's [[bonus objective]] is to never take damage from Samus' Bombs.
-==Behind the Scenes==
+==Behind the scenes==
-===Concept and Creation===
+===Concept and creation===
 {{cquotetxt|''Samus is an ideal role model not just to me, but for many women to look up to as a powerful game icon. In a video game realm with princesses aplenty, Samus stands out as an atypical Nintendo gal holding the title of one of gaming's strongest symbols of courage, power, and heroism.''|Michelle Perl (Samus cosplayer)|color=gray|size=300%}}
-[[File:Mprime 07 big.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Samus Aran in her signature [[Varia Suit]] from ''[[Metroid Prime]]''.]]
-[[File:Samus gestures1.png|thumb|left|200px|Early concept art of Samus Aran.]]
-Samus Aran first appeared in 1986, as the playable protagonist in the video game ''[[Metroid]]''. Originally, Samus was created solely as an alternate identity for the player to put themselves into and was given no separate personality or defining features, characteristic of the creative treatment of many video game characters of the time. Partway through the development process, one member of the team suggested: "Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if the character turned out to be a woman?” A vote was held and Samus was changed into a woman. The identity of the developer who suggested making Samus a woman is unknown, and when asked in 2017 and 2018, Yoshio Sakamoto and [[Hirokazu Tanaka]] were unable to remember. Sakamoto suggested that it may have been someone who has since left Nintendo.<ref>http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/06/18/samus-returns-39-developers-on-bringing-back-2d-metroid-and-why-mercurysteam-is-developing.aspx</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Darren |last=Kerwin |authorlink= |coauthors=RoyboyX |title=Interview: Hirokazu Tanaka |url=https://shinesparkers.net/interviews/hirokazu-tanaka/ |publisher=[[Shinesparkers]] |date=2018-12-24 |accessdate=2018-12-24 }}</ref>
+[[File:Samus gestures1.png|thumb|left|200px|Early concept art of Samus Aran for ''Metroid Prime''.]]
-Since the film series ''[[Alien]]'' was acknowledged as a major influence in the development of ''Metroid'', it is reasonable to assume that the inspiration for making Samus a woman may have very well come from the film's own Ellen Ripley. Indeed, in the [[Nintendo Power]]-published [[Super Metroid (comic)|Super Metroid]] comic, her personality was based on a mix of Ripley and [[Wikipedia:Princess Leia|Princess Leia]] from the ''Star Wars'' series. Contrary to popular belief, Samus was not created by ''Metroid'' producer [[Gunpei Yokoi]]. The original game concepts were done by game director [[Makoto Kanō]] and were designed by [[Hiroji Kiyotake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-retro.com/reportajes/origenmetroid.htm|title= El Origen de Metroid|publisher=N-retro|language=Spanish}}</ref>
+Samus Aran first appeared in 1986, as the playable protagonist in the video game ''[[Metroid]]''. Originally, Samus was created solely as an alternate identity for the player to put themselves into and was given no separate personality or defining features, characteristic of the creative treatment of many video game characters of the time. Partway through the development process, one member of the team suggested: "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if the character turned out to be a woman?” A vote was held and Samus was changed into a woman. The identity of the developer who suggested making Samus a woman is unknown, and when asked in 2017 and 2018, Yoshio Sakamoto and [[Hirokazu Tanaka]] were unable to remember. Sakamoto suggested that it may have been someone who has since left Nintendo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/06/18/samus-returns-39-developers-on-bringing-back-2d-metroid-and-why-mercurysteam-is-developing.aspx|title=Samus Returns' Developers On Bringing Back 2D Metroid And Why MercurySteam Is Developing|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|work=Game Informer|date=2017-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=|last=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Interview: Hirokazu Tanaka|url=https://shinesparkers.net/interviews/hirokazu-tanaka/ |publisher=[[Shinesparkers]]|date=2018-12-24|accessdate=2018-12-24}}</ref>
-The name Samus is the female variant of the name Seamus, which is Celtic for James, which means: "He who supplants". Her last name of Aran may refer to the Aran Islands on the west coast of Ireland. Combining the two gives the meaning: "She who supplants an island" or "She who conquers an isolated area by force."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metroid-database.com/old_site?g=features&p=behind|title= Samus Aran: The Woman Behind the Visor|accessdate=2010-03-14|work=[[Metroid Database]]}}</ref> Pronunciation of the name over the years has varied from either SAMUHS A-RUHN (as in the verb "run"), A-RAHN (using the "CAT" vowel for the first two As and the verb form of "ran"), but it wasn’t until the release of ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' that pronunciation of her name was finally cemented as SAMUHS ERR-EN, and it is likely to remain this way since. An interview with several of the developers of the original ''Metroid'' states that her name originated from the famous footballer [[Wikipedia:Pelé|Edson ''Aran''tes "Pelé" do Nascimento]].
+Since the film series ''[[Alien]]'' was acknowledged as a major influence in the development of ''Metroid'', it is reasonable to assume that the inspiration for making Samus a woman may have very well come from the film's own Ellen Ripley. In the ''[[Nintendo Power]]''-published ''[[Super Metroid (comic)|Super Metroid]]'' comic, her physical appearance was based on a mix of Ripley and [[Wikipedia:Princess Leia|Princess Leia]] from the ''Star Wars'' series.<ref>[[:File:NP58comiccomment.jpg]]</ref> Contrary to popular belief, Samus was not created by ''Metroid'' producer [[Gunpei Yokoi]]. The original game concepts were done by game director [[Makoto Kanō]] and were designed by [[Hiroji Kiyotake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-retro.com/reportajes/origenmetroid.htm|title=El Origen de Metroid|publisher=N-retro|language=Spanish}}</ref>
-===Voice===
-[[File:ZSSMZM.PNG|thumb|right|200px|Concept art for Samus in ''Metroid: Zero Mission'']]
-''[[Super Metroid]]'' marked the first time Samus had written dialogue in a game, narrating the events directly after ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''. Her speaking role was expanded in ''Metroid Fusion'', where she spoke in more narrative monologues, and also conversations with her computer. Though ''Fusion'' was well praised, there was some controversy over Samus’s several inner monologues and as a result, aside from an opening narration as well as the beginning of the expanded portion of the plot in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'', she did not speak again until ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', the first ''Metroid'' game to feature Samus in an extensive, voice-acted role.
+According to [[Zoid Kirsch]], everyone at Retro Studios treated Samus with utter respect. After ''Metroid Prime'' went gold, he brought a poster of Samus to Retro for the entire team to sign. No one's signature was written over top of Samus since the team had such respect for her.<ref>Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "When working on Metroid Prime, everyone treated Samus with absolute respect. The best example I have is when we went gold I took a poster of Samus for everyone the team to sign--everyone careful signed around her and never overtop of her. We cared that much about respecting her." 17 July 2020 11:25 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328412048314371</ref><ref>Zoid Kirsch (ZoidCTF). "The poster is hanging above my desk at work.  Hopefully some day soon we'll get back to the office so we can see it again." 17 July 2020 11:26 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ZoidCTF/status/1284328689199484929</ref>
-However, it was initially intended for ''Super Metroid'' to give her an audible voice for the first time in the series. A short voice track recorded by [[Minako Hamano]] could be heard as Samus died, as well as a brief view of the latter's nude body during the death sequence. These elements were reconsidered because of American sensitivity to nudity and the voice sounding "too sexual", thus [[Tomoyoshi Yamane]] added the black bathing suit to her and the voice track was removed. Sakamoto claimed in a ''Super Metroid'' interview that he has "a special version of the ROM" with the original death sequence. Aside from this, heavy breathing sounds that were presumably emitted from Samus could be heard in the game's [[Samus Data Screen]], with them being sped up briefly when a save file is selected.
+===Name===
-Samus first received a voice in the game ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', although she had no in-game dialogue: instead, she only utters various grunts or yells when damaged, a scream when killed, and rarely, breathing when at low energy or in an extreme climate. Dialogue for Samus was considered, but scrapped as [[Retro Studios]] felt it did not suit the game.<ref name="shinesparkers">{{cite news |first=Darren |last=Kerwin |authorlink= |coauthors=RoyboyX |title=Interview: Clark Wen |url=https://shinesparkers.net/interviews/clark-wen/ |publisher=[[Shinesparkers]] |date=2018-06-02 |accessdate=2018-06-02 }}</ref> Though ''Nintendo Power'' claimed that [[Jennifer Hale]] provided Samus's voice for the ''Prime'' games, the credits make no mention of this. In a 2018 interview, ''Prime'' and ''Echoes'' audio lead [[Clark Wen]] revealed that Samus's voice recording was handled by [[Nintendo]], who sent recordings from a dozen voice actresses. The recordings Wen used in the final game included the initials of the actress in the filename from his ProTools session, "JH", which he was reasonably certain stood for Jennifer Hale. However, Samus's death scream was different as he wanted an actress with a higher register for it; the initials for that actress are "[[VM]]" (suggested to be [[Wikipedia:Vanessa Marshall|Vanessa Marshall]]).<ref>Wen, Clark (exile5ound). "That's a great guess! It certainly could be 😀" 5 Jun 2018 5:44 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/exile5ound/status/1004101714843131905</ref> Wen did recognize one of the other actresses as [[Gabrielle Carteris]].<ref name="shinesparkers" />
+[[File:Samus glare in MPR.png|thumb|Samus glaring after encountering Meta Ridley in [[Biotech Research Area 2]].]]
+Samus is pronounced [ˈsæməs] ("SAM-us"). An interview with several developers of the original ''Metroid'' stated that her surname Aran originated from the real name of the famous football player [[Wikipedia:Pelé|"Pelé", Edson ''Aran''tes do Nascimento]].<ref>''Nintendo Dream'', Vol. 118 (2004, September 6). [https://metroiddatabase.com/old_site/m1/fds-interview-p4.php Translated] by the [[Metroid Database]].</ref> English pronunciation has varied from [ˈɑɹən] ("ARE-run"), to [əˈ ɹæn] ("uh-RAN"), but ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' cemented the pronunciation as [ˈæɹən] ("Aaron"), and it has remained this way ever since. The spoken [[Chozo (language)|Chozo language]] in ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' roughly pronounces her name as ''"Tamus Arlan"'', though her given name is still spelled "Samus" in the written language.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/ChozoLanguage/comments/qd89c3/transcripts_from_emmi_reactivated_cutscene/ Transcripts from E.M.M.I. Reactivated Cutscene]</ref>
-Her second voice actress was [[Alésia Glidewell]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', who also voiced Knuckle Joe and Krystal in the same game. Most surprising about Glidewell's depiction of her is that Samus is given a voice-over with speaking lines for the first time. While she is in her [[Zero Suit]] (a separate character known as [[Zero Suit Samus]]), she speaks for all three of her [[taunt]]s, and in one [[victory pose]] cutscene. Her lines are:
+Samus shares her name with the 3rd century Macedonian poet [[wikipedia:Samus (poet)|Samus]]; the name is itself derived from the Greek name "Samos". She also shares her name with a genus of sea sponge, ''[[Wikipedia:Samus anonymus|Samus anonymus]]'', the [[Wikipedia:Someș|Someș]] river in Hungary and Romania (called Samus in Dacian), [[Wikipedia:Samus (rural locality)|a settlement]] north of Seversk, Russia, and the acronym of ''[[Wikipedia:SAMUS: South African Music Studies|South African Music Studies]]'', an academic journal. Additionally, the American rapper [[Sammus]] took her name from Samus, since both are women in a male-dominated field.<ref name="Stephens">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/gee-whiz-rapperproducer-sammus-has-got-game/|title=Gee Whiz: Rapper/Producer Sammus Has Got Game|work=MTV Iggy|first=Alexis|last=Stephens|date=October 11, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075119/http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/gee-whiz-rapperproducer-sammus-has-got-game/|archivedate=May 18, 2015}}</ref>
-*"Is that all?"
-*"Try me."
-*"You’re mine."
-*"Be still."
+===Voice===
-Although Samus lacked a voice actress in ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', she occasionally communicated via mechanical sounds such as during taunts, and if knocked either into a star fade or into the screen, she would utter a mechanical roar. Glidewell's taunts are retained in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]''.
+{{Main|Speaking role of Samus Aran}}
+[[File:ZSSMZM.PNG|thumb|right|200px|Concept art for Samus in ''Metroid: Zero Mission'']]
-''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' features Samus speaking again, voiced by [[Jessica Martin]]. In the Japanese version, she is voiced by [[Ai Kobayashi]]. Martin's Samus voice in this game, particularly her monologues, was criticized for sounding completely monotone during these times, which occurred due to Yoshio Sakamoto ordering her to voice her that way to match the Japanese voicetrack (in Japan, characters that spoke in a monotone during tense moments were indicated to be stoic and badass characters).
+''[[Super Metroid]]'' marked the first time Samus had written dialogue in a game, narrating the events directly after ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''. Her speaking role was expanded in ''Metroid Fusion'', where she spoke in more narrative monologues, and also conversations with her computer. Though ''Fusion'' was well praised, there was some controversy over Samus' several inner monologues and as a result, aside from an opening narration as well as the beginning of the expanded portion of the plot in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'', she did not speak again until ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', the first ''Metroid'' game to feature Samus in an extensive, voice-acted role. She also spoke in a [[Super Metroid Promotional Preview|promotional reel for ''Super Metroid'']], ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'',  and ''[[Metroid Dread]]''.
-In the Japanese commercial for ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', Samus is portrayed by [[Chisato Morishita]].
+===Live-action portrayals===
+Samus has been portrayed in live-action in seven commercials for ''Metroid'' games. She is portrayed by Australian stuntwoman [[Melanie Peyton-Smith]] in "[[Prime Evil]]" and "[[Parasite (commercial)|Parasite]]", the American commercials for ''Metroid Prime'' and ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', Japanese model [[Chisato Morishita]] in the Japanese commercial for ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', American model [[Melissa Keller]] in "[[Iron Woman]]", the American commercial for ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'', French model [[Amandine Decroix]] in French print advertisements for ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', Swedish cosplayer [[Jenni Källberg]] in a German print ad for ''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]'', and Czech model [[Lenka Volfová]] in "[[Past is Prologue]]" (along with an unknown actress playing her child self), the commercial for ''Metroid: Other M''. She is also portrayed by an unknown actress in the Japanese ''Super Metroid'' commercial, and an unknown stunt performer in the Japanese ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' and American ''[[Metroid Prime (commercial)|Metroid Prime]]'' commercials.
+<gallery>
+File:M1 Japanese commercial Diskun.png|Unknown actor/actress as Samus (''Metroid'' commercial).
+Japanese Super Metroid commercial Samus face.png|Unknown actress as Samus (''Super Metroid'' commercial).
+DFusionsuit.png|'''Melanie Peyton-Smith''' as Samus ("Parasite").
+Studio Kite images of MP1 commercial Varia Suit 6.jpg|'''Melanie Peyton-Smith''' as Samus (''Metroid Prime'' commercial).
+Chisato Morishita SOtS.png|'''Chisato Morishita''' as Samus (''Zero Mission'' commercial).
+Two Separate Worlds One Shadow, One Light - scene 9.png|'''Melissa Keller''' as Samus ("Iron Woman").
+Amandine Decroix ad.jpg|'''Amandine Decroix''' as Samus (''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' print advertisements).
+MPTad.jpg|'''Jenni Källberg''' as Samus (''Metroid Prime Trilogy'' German ad).
+Zero Suit Samus Live TV Ad.PNG|'''Lenka Volfová''' as Samus ("Past is Prologue").
+Kid Samus.PNG|Unknown actress as child Samus ("Past is Prologue").
+</gallery>
 ===Gender===
+[[File:SamusMalePronouns.png|thumb|Pages from the ''Metroid'' instruction manual that describe Samus as male.]]
-Samus' true identity as a woman was a heavily guarded secret, and was obscured by the Power Suit’s androgynous appearance. The game manuals for ''Metroid'' in Japan used pronouns like "it" mainly because the Japanese language only has gender-neutral pronouns like ''aitsu''. The American manuals flat-out referred to Samus as a "he", but it is unknown if this was an attempt to keep Samus' gender a secret or simply a mistranslation. Only by beating the game in under an hour could the player gain access to a secret ending where Samus would remove her Power Suit and reveal herself as a woman. It has become a tradition for Samus to do so in every ''Metroid'' game since, if the player completes the proper in-game requirements.
+Samus' true identity as a woman was a heavily guarded secret and was obscured by the Power Suit's androgynous appearance. The game manuals for ''Metroid'' in Japan used pronouns like "it" mainly because the Japanese language only has gender-neutral pronouns like ''aitsu''. The American manuals flat-out referred to Samus as a "he", but it is unknown if this was an attempt to keep Samus' gender a secret or simply a mistranslation. Only by beating the game in under an hour could the player gain access to a secret ending where Samus would remove her Power Suit and reveal herself as a woman. It has become a tradition for Samus to do so in every ''Metroid'' game since if the player completes the proper in-game requirements. In-universe, Samus' identity is a closely guarded secret.<ref>''[[Metroid Dread Report]]'', Volume 3: Seven Points That Define the 2D Saga</ref> On a similar note, the same translation described Samus as being a cyborg and that Samus' body was surgically strengthened with robotics, causing a misconception that Samus' right arm was removed and replaced with her arm cannon.
-In the 1994 Japanese ''Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid'', a number of biography cards were published about each of the members of the development team. [[Hirofumi Matsuoka]], one of the background artists and a designer for Samus in the original game, answered one of the questions (which asked if there were any secrets of Samus that only he knew) with the statement ''"Samus isn't a woman. As a matter of fact, she's actually a newhalf."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metroid-database.com/old_site/sm/interview.php|title= When Samus Was Naked|accessdate=2015-09-03|work=Metroid Database}}</ref> {{Nihongo|Newhalf|ニューハーフ|nyūhāfu}} is a Japanese slang term used to refer to transgender women or transvestites, roughly equivalent to the English slur "shemale".<ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/newhalf</ref> The sincerity of this quote has since become a source of heated debate; some fans have cited it as canonical proof of Samus being a trans woman, while others have dismissed it as a crude joke from a non-authoritative source.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/metroids-samus-aran-transgender-woman/|title=Metroid's Samus is a Transgender Woman. Deal With It.|accessdate=2015=09=03|work=Brianna Wu}}</ref> Regardless of Matsuoka's intentions, his remark has been contradicted (and likely overruled) by series co-creator [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], who joked in 2004 that a ''Metroid'' game on the [[Wikipedia:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]] would be "as likely as Samus Aran being a newhalf."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metroid.jp/metroid_version2/development/faq3.html#stage03|title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'' FAQ (untranslated)|accessdate=2015=09=05}}</ref>, as well as canonical material that depicts Samus as being female as early as her toddler years.
+In the 1994 Japanese ''Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid'', a number of biography cards were published about each of the members of the development team. [[Hirofumi Matsuoka]], one of the background artists and a designer for Samus in the original game, answered one of the questions (which asked if there were any secrets of Samus that only he knew) with the statement ''"Samus isn't a woman. As a matter of fact, she's actually a newhalf."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/sm/interview.php|title=When Samus Was Naked|accessdate=2015-09-03|work=Metroid Database}}</ref> {{Nihongo|Newhalf|ニューハーフ|nyūhāfu}} is a Japanese slang term used to refer to transgender women or transvestites, roughly equivalent to the English slur "shemale".<ref>[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/newhalf "newhalf"], at Wiktionary</ref> The sincerity of this quote has since become a source of heated debate; some fans have cited it as canonical proof of Samus being a trans woman, while others have dismissed it as a crude joke from a non-authoritative source.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/metroids-samus-aran-transgender-woman/|title=Metroid's Samus is a Transgender Woman. Deal With It.|accessdate=2015=09=03|author=Wu, Brianna; McGrody, Ellen|work=The Mary Sue}}</ref> Regardless of Matsuoka's intentions, his remark has been contradicted (and likely overruled) by series co-creator [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], who joked in 2004 that a ''Metroid'' game on the [[Wikipedia:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]] would be "as likely as Samus Aran being a newhalf".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metroid.jp/metroid_version2/development/faq3.html#stage03|title=''Metroid: Zero Mission'' FAQ (untranslated)|accessdate=2015=09=05}}</ref>, as well as canonical material that depicts Samus as being female as early as her toddler years.
 ===Toys===
-A number of figures and toys have been produced of Samus over the years. A gallery of these is below.
+A number of figures, toys and statues based on Samus have been produced over the years. A gallery of these is below.
 <gallery>
@@ Line 206: / Line 264: @@
 Max Factory Zamus figure.png|[[Max Factory]] Zero Suit statue
 Zamus Figma hand on hip pose.png|Figma (Zero Suit, ''Metroid: Other M''
-Metroid Prime 3 Ver. Figma.jpg|Figma (Varia Suit, ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]''
+Metroid Prime 3 Ver. Figma.jpg|Figma (Varia Suit, ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'')
-OijdGdq - Imgur.jpg|Samus [[amiibo]]
+OijdGdq - Imgur.jpg|Samus [[amiibo]] (''Super Smash Bros.'')
 Zero Suit Samus amiibo.png|Zero Suit Samus amiibo
-Metroid Samus Returns Samus amiibo.jpg|Samus Aran amiibo
+Metroid Samus Returns Samus amiibo.jpg|Samus Aran amiibo (''Samus Returns'')
 Samus Jakks Pacific closeup.jpg|[[Jakks Pacific]] (Varia Suit)
 Gravity Suit Jakks figure.png|Jakks Pacific (Gravity Suit)
 Phazon Suit Jakks Pacific.png|Jakks Pacific ([[Phazon Suit]])
+Metroid Dread Samus Amiibo.png|Samus Aran amiibo (''Dread'')
+Nintendo-Metroid-Samus-Keepsake-Ornament 1999QXI6349 01.jpg|[[Nintendo Metroid Samus Ornament]]
 </gallery>
 ==Role in other media==
 {{Noncanon}}
-Being one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, ''Metroid'', and Samus with it, have been featured in a variety of other media, as cameos, or in promotional material, as well as being mentioned or spoofed in other games or on television.
+Being one of Nintendo's flagship franchises, ''Metroid'', and Samus with it, have been featured in a variety of other media, as cameos, or in promotional material, as well as being mentioned or spoofed in other games or on television.
 ===[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]]===
 :''Main article: [[Samus (Super Smash Bros.)]]''
-Samus is a member of the "perfect-attendance crew", a term for the twelve fighters who were playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and have appeared in every game to date. Her special moves are based on [[power-up]]s from the ''Metroid'' series, with her fighting moves being original melee attacks. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', she has a separate character transformation, [[Zero Suit Samus]], who becomes a separate fighter in subsequent games.
+Samus is a member of the "perfect-attendance crew", a term for the twelve fighters who were playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and have appeared in every game to date. Her special moves are based on [[power-up]]s from the ''Metroid'' series, with her standard moves being original melee attacks. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', she has a separate character transformation, [[Zero Suit Samus]], who becomes a separate fighter in subsequent games.
 ===Cameos in other Nintendo titles===
 #''Famicom Wars'' (1988, Famicom) (Unreleased outside Japan; The Red Star commander on Donut Island is called Samasuun, and her face on the result screen is Samus' helmet.)<ref name="SCUcameos">{{cite web|url=http://www.samus.co.uk/cameos.shtml|title=Metroid and Samus cameos|publisher=Samus.co.uk}}</ref>
-#''Tetris'' (1989, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]) (Cameo, appears playing the upright bass after the player wins a B-type game of level at least 9 and height at least 2.)<ref name="SCUcameos" />
+#''[[Tetris (series)#Tetris (NES)|Tetris]]'' (1989, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]) (Cameo, appears playing the upright bass after the player wins a B-type game of level at least 9 and height at least 2.)<ref name="SCUcameos"/>
-#''F-1 Race'' (1990, Game Boy) (Cameo, appears cheering for the player with four other women before Course 7)<ref name="SCUcameos" />
+#''F-1 Race'' (1990, Game Boy) (Cameo, appears cheering for the player with four other women before Course 7)<ref name="SCUcameos"/>
-#''Galactic Pinball'' (Virtual Boy) (Cameo, her ship appears in a minigame where the player must shoot oncoming Metroid enemies, similar to ''Space Invaders'')
+#''Galactic Pinball'' (Virtual Boy) (Cameo, her Gunship appears in a minigame where the player must shoot oncoming Metroid enemies, similar to ''Space Invaders'')
-#''[[Mario (series)|Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' (1996, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, after Mario's party defeats Yaridovich and until Mario travels to Land's End, he may find her sleeping in the Mushroom Kingdom Castle. Also, a Samus figurine appears in the toy box of Booster's Room.)
+#''[[Mario (series)|Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' (1996, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, after Mario's party, defeats Yaridovich and until Mario travels to Land's End, he may find her sleeping in the Mushroom Kingdom Castle. Also, a Samus figurine appears in the toy box of Booster's Room.)
-#''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]] Super Star'' (1996, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, when Kirby uses his stone ability he can become a Samus statue. Also, the [[Screw Attack]] icon (called the Screwball) is a treasure in the Great Cave Offense segment of the game.)<ref name="MDBcameos">{{cite web|url=http://www.metroid-database.com/old_site/ofeatures/cameos.php|title=Metroid Database :: Metroid Cameos|publisher=Metroid Database}}</ref>
+#''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]] Super Star'' (1996, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, when Kirby uses his stone ability he can become a Samus statue. Also, the [[Screw Attack]] icon (called the Screwball) is a treasure in the Great Cave Offense segment of the game.)<ref name="MDBcameos">{{cite web|url=http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/features/cameos.php|title=Metroid Database :: Metroid Cameos|publisher=Metroid Database}}</ref>
-#''Kirby’s Dream Land 3'' (1997, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, appears after level 5-2, which also contains six [[Metroids]]. If Kirby defeats them all using an Ice power, Samus will remove her helmet.)<ref name="MDBcameos" />
+#''[[Kirby's Dream Land 3]]'' (1997, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) (Cameo, appears after level 5-2, which also contains six [[Metroids]]. If Kirby defeats them all using an Ice power, Samus will remove her helmet.)<ref name="MDBcameos"/>
-#''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999, N64) (Playable character)
+#''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999, N64) (Playable character) Note: This is her only appearance in a Nintendo 64 game.
 #''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' (2001, [[Nintendo GameCube]]) (Playable character)
 #''[[Animal Crossing]]'' ([[Nintendo GameCube]]) (An e-Reader card called "[[Samus's Suit]]" gives the player a [[Power Suit]] to wear in the game. This is coded on the card, and not the game, however.)
@@ Line 240: / Line 300: @@
 #''WarioWare: Touched!'' (2005, Nintendo DS) (Contains a microgame based on ''Metroid'')
 #''WarioWare: Twisted!'' (2005, [[Game Boy Advance]]) (Contains two microgames based on ''Metroid'' and another full game called "[[Mewtroid]]" starring a rolling cat with an [[Arm Cannon]] and [[Brinstar]] music.)
-#''Animal Crossing: Wild World'' (2005, Nintendo DS) (Gulliver, the seagull, references Samus saying "Tell me, have you ever heard of the bounty hunter that can turn into a ball?" Also you can get a 1x1 item that is a Metroid in a case. When you touch it, it glows and plays a small clip of ''Metroid'' music.)
+#''Animal Crossing: Wild World'' (2005, Nintendo DS) (Gulliver, the seagull, references Samus saying "Tell me, have you ever heard of the bounty hunter that can turn into a ball?" Also, you can get a 1x1 item that is a Metroid in a case. When you touch it, it glows and plays a small clip of ''Metroid'' music.)
-#''Geist'' (2005, [[Nintendo GameCube]]) (Samus’s helmet and red clothing are seen in a locker within the women’s locker room at Volks Corporation.)<ref name="SCUcameos" />
+#''Geist'' (2005, [[Nintendo GameCube]]) (Samus's helmet and red clothing are seen in a locker within the women's locker room at Volks Corporation.)<ref name="SCUcameos"/>
 #''Tetris DS'' (2006, Nintendo DS) (''Metroid''-based course, [[Catch Mode]]; in the title screen, Samus shoots some tetrominoes; A difficulty level on [[Marathon Mode]] is ''Metroid'' Themed, with Samus to the right, and clips of the original ''Metroid'' playing on the top screen, but with a more realistic background.)
 #''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' ([[Wii]]) for the Wii was intended to include Samus and Link, but Nintendo did not allow Activision to include them. A video shows her using many of her attacks from the series, which would have been motion-activated.)
@@ Line 248: / Line 308: @@
 #''Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse'' (Japan 2008, [[Wii]]) (Zero Suit is one of two unlockable [[Nintendo]] costumes.)
 #''Kirby Super Star Ultra'' (2008, [[Nintendo DS]]) (Samus statue and Screw Attack, now correctly named, appear in this [[SNES]] remake.)
-#''Animal Crossing: City Folk'' (2008, [[Wii]]) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, and Varia Suit available in game.)
+#''Animal Crossing: City Folk'' (2008, [[Wii]]) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, and Varia Suit available in-game.)
 #''Phantasy Star Ø'' (Japan 2008, Nintendo DS) (Samus' [[Arm Cannon]] is one of two available [[Nintendo]] weapons.)
-#''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' (2011, [[Nintendo 3DS]]) (Samus makes an appearance towards the end of every match on the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] to kill Ridley with her Power Bomb. A recent interview confirmed her unlockability. [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-24-samus-not-playable-in-dead-or-alive-3ds])
+#''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' (2011, [[Nintendo 3DS]]) (Samus makes an appearance towards the end of every match on the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] to kill Ridley with her Power Bomb. An interview confirmed that she would not be playable.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-24-samus-not-playable-in-dead-or-alive-3ds]</ref>)
 #''NES Remix 2'' (2014, [[Wii U]]) (''Metroid'' is featured in this NES game compilation for Wii U.)
 #''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' (2014, [[Nintendo 3DS]]) (Playable character)
 #''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' (2014, [[Wii U]]) (Playable character)
-#''Miitomo'' (2016, Phone Devices) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, Ridley, T-Shirts and Varia Suit.)
+#''[[Miitomo]]'' (2016, Phone Devices) (Samus Helmet, Metroid, Ridley, T-Shirts and Varia Suit.)
-#''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018, [[Nintendo Switch]]) (Playable character)
+#''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018, [[Nintendo Switch]]) (Playable character)
 ===In other media===
 [[File:Samus the Riveter.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Promotional poster released by [[Nintendo]] in March 2015 to commemorate Women's History Month in the style of [[Wikipedia:We Can Do It!|Rosie the Riveter]]: ''"At the end of the first Metroid game, Samus Aran shocked players by revealing her gender, making many fans question why they assumed she was male in the first place."'']]
-*Samus was also a semi-regular character in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comic books, published as part of the Nintendo Comics System. In these stories, Samus has romantic feelings for Kevin Keene, the main character, despite his own affections for another woman, Princess Lana. However, as she states in the story "Breakout", Samus prefers to win Kevin’s affections fairly. Samus [[Samus Aran's gunship|gunship]] also makes an appearance, though in a very different form than in the games. Interestingly, the ship's class in the comic was "Hunter IV", suggesting that the ship's canonical designation ("Hunter Class") may have been derived from the comic.
+*Samus was also a semi-regular character in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comic books, published as part of the Nintendo Comics System. In these stories, Samus has romantic feelings for Kevin Keene, the main character, despite his own affections for another woman, Princess Lana. However, as she states in the story "Breakout", Samus prefers to win Kevin's affections fairly. Samus' starship also makes an appearance as the [[Hunter IV]], though in a very different form than in the games.
-*In the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' cartoon, Samus did not appear, even though [[Mother Brain]] was the show's primary villain. Jeffrey Scott claimed in an interview that he didn’t feature Samus in the cartoon because he "never heard of her".<ref>[http://ldloveszh.tripod.com/js20020126.html Interview with Jeffrey Scott], The Unofficial Captain N Homepage</ref>
+*In the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' cartoon, Samus did not appear, even though [[Mother Brain]] was the show's primary villain. Jeffrey Scott claimed in an interview that he didn't feature Samus in the cartoon because he "never heard of her".<ref>[http://ldloveszh.tripod.com/js20020126.html Interview with Jeffrey Scott], The Unofficial Captain N Homepage</ref>
-*Samus also starred in her own [[Nintendo Comics System]] stories, apparently set in the same continuity, titled ''[[Deceít Du Jour]]''; it was the only ten-page story to have the ''Metroid'' umbrella title. In this story, Samus duels with another Bounty Hunter, [['Big Time' Brannigan]], whom [[Mother Brain]] has hired to capture her, and who claims to be just as efficient as Samus. In the end, Samus proves her superiority by sabotaging her own gun (after he damages her [[Arm Cannon]]) before handing it over to Big Time. When Big Time attempts to kill her with it later on, it explodes, covering Samus' escape.
+*Samus also starred in her own [[Nintendo Comics System]] stories, apparently set in the same continuity, titled ''[[Deceit Du Jour]]''; it was the only ten-page story to have the ''Metroid'' umbrella title. In this story, Samus duels with another Bounty Hunter, [['Big Time' Brannigan]], whom [[Mother Brain]] has hired to capture her, and who claims to be just as efficient as Samus. In the end, Samus proves her superiority by sabotaging her own gun (after he damages her [[Arm Cannon]]) before handing it over to Big Time. When Big Time attempts to kill her with it later on, it explodes, covering Samus' escape.
 [[File:Samuswaxpack.png|thumb|[[Topps]] waxpack]]
 *In the 1989 movie ''The Wizard'', ''[[Metroid]]'' can be seen briefly (in a full-screen shot) on a [[PlayChoice-10]].
 *A [[Wikipedia:super deformed|super deformed]] doll in Samus' likeness that Princess Peach desired drove the humorous plot for a ''Mario VS Wario'' comic that was published one month prior to the ''Super Metroid'' comic.
-*Samus also starred in two comic adaptations featured in ''[[Nintendo Power]]'': a 60-page one for ''Super Metroid''<ref name="MDBcameos">[http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/sm/comics.htm Super Metroid: Comics], Metroid Database</ref> and a 24-page one for ''Metroid Prime''.
+*Samus also starred in two comic adaptations featured in ''[[Nintendo Power]]'': a 60-page one for ''Super Metroid''<ref name="SM Comics">[http://mdb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/sm/comics.htm Super Metroid: Comics], Metroid Database</ref> and a 24-page one for ''Metroid Prime''.
 *Samus also appeared in the ''[[Samus and Joey]]'' series of manga, where she meets a boy named [[Joey]] and adventures with him.
 *Samus once appeared in a Kool-Aid commercial that advertised ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''. An animated version of her is seen in the back of a bus with two children.
@@ Line 272: / Line 333: @@
 *Samus is shown on pages 26 and 27 in ''[[How to Draw Nintendo Greatest Heroes & Villains]]''.
 *In the official ''Men in Black 3'' game by Gameloft, available for the iOS and Android, one of the recruitable agents from the Locker Room at MIB Headquarters is a woman named Samantha Aran. Both her appearance and name are obvious references to Samus Aran, and her former services included being a counter-terrorist, similar to how Samus thwarts terrorists' plans, most notably the many Space Pirate operations.
+*In the Valentine's Day couples section of ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' #165 (February 2003), the winning couple was Jango Fett from ''Star Wars: Bounty Hunter'' and Samus Aran.<ref>[[:File:Nintendo Power 165 - Samus and Jango Fett.jpg]]</ref> Coincidentally, Jango had a similar backstory to Samus, as he had been orphaned at a young age by an immense war and taken in by Mandalorians and trained in their culture. Ironically, both Jango and Samus were used or at least considered to be used as templates for a planned clone army for the purposes of galactic domination by the major antagonists (Darth Tyranus/Darth Sidious and Raven Beak, respectively), although a major difference is that Jango consented while Samus refused.
+*In ''Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play'', Samus is identified as the favorite female character of Morrigan Johnen, the Community and Social Media Manager at Crystal Dynamics.<ref>"A character whose appeal has helped build one of Nintendo's long-lasting franchises is Samus. At a time when the trope of damsels in distress ran rampant, Samus burst onto the scene as a woman whose strength was being a bounty hunter and badass." Marie, Meagan (2018) ''Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play'', page 179. [[Prima Games]].</ref>
+*Samus was allegedly planned to be playable in the popular online third-person shooter video game ''[[List of cameos and crossovers in other games#Fortnite|Fortnite]]''. This idea was later decided against apparently due to Nintendo's desire to keep Samus as a skin exclusive to the [[Nintendo Switch]] version.<ref>https://www.sportskeeda.com/fortnite/samus-aran-skin-fortnite-why-collaboration-work</ref>
 {{Endnoncanon}}
 ==Official data==
+{{Main|Samus Aran/Official data}}
-''Click the link on the right to open this section.''
-<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="Show data" data-collapsetext="Hide data">
+==Gallery==
-'''[[Samus (JoyRide Studios)]]'''
+''For additional art, see [[Samus Aran/Gallery]].''
-:''"The armor-clad hero's sci-fi side-scrolling games introduced the galaxy to [[Metroids]], parasitic organisms capable of absorbing [[energy]]. Samus starred in three Metroid games, beginning in 1986 when the [[Galactic Federation]] first recruited her to battle monstrous [[space pirates]] who were amassing armies of Metroids. With her special [[Power Suit|combat gear]] engineered by the [[Chozo]] aliens, Samus was able to stop the Metroid threat, and she's gearing up for more interstellar shoot-outs on the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and [[Game Boy Advance]]."''
-*NAME: Samus Aran
+===Samus Aran===
+====''[[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|Metroid]]'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)====
-*OCCUPATION: [[Bounty Hunter]]
+<gallery>
-*FAMILY: Orphaned
+SamusandAdam.PNG
-*HEIGHT: 6'3"
+Metroid_v02_ch0071.png
-*WEIGHT: 198 lbs.
+Merge.PNG
-*ARMOR: Power Suit
-*DEBUT: ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' ([[NES]], 1986)
+Sammie.PNG|''[[Metroid e-Manga]]''
+</gallery>
+====''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''====
-;A Brief History of Samus
+<gallery>
-:''"Samus is the star of the Metroid series of action games, which was created by Shigeru Miyamoto-the man behind such video game greats as Mario, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda."''
+Zero Mission Samus appearance.png
+Samus' eyes in Zero Mission.png
+ZSS.png
+MZM Old Bird and Young Samus.png
+Samusremember .gif
+Samus in her Zero Suit.png
+Metzero0.png
+Metroidzero02.png
+Metroidzero04.png
+Metroidzero08.png
+</gallery>
+====''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]''====
-'''''Super Smash Bros.'''''
+<gallery>
-:''"Samus Aran is the toughest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Using a special suit powered by the technology of the bird people which allows her to execute daring acrobatic feats, Samus pursues the airborne life form, Metroid, throughout the universe."''
+Helmetless Samus.jpg
+Samus Ending Gravity Suit Prime Remastered.png|''[[Metroid Prime Remastered]]''
+File:Samus bare hand MP1.PNG|Model of Samus's right hand from ''Metroid Prime''.
+Digital-frontiers-05.jpg|Face model in ''Remastered''.
+</gallery>
+====''[[Metroid Other M]]''====
-:Works: ''[[Metroid]]'' (NES), ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' (GB), ''[[Super Metroid]]'' (SNES)
+<gallery>
+Sammylittle.PNG
+Samus Aran MOM.jpg
+Samus_MOM.png
+SamusAran.png
+File:Samus Aran.JPG
+Samus textures MOM.png|''Metroid: Other M'' textures.
+Scancase3.jpg|Scanned case covers (Japanese).
+Scancase2.jpg
+</gallery>
+====''[[Metroid Dread]]''====
-;'''''Super Smash Bros. Melee''''' [[Trophy|Trophies]]
+<gallery>
-:''"This intergalactic bounty hunter's full name is Samus Aran. Clad in a Power Suit made by the Chozo race and infused with their enhanced blood, she cleared the planet Zebes of a Metroid infestation. Samus is an orphan, the sole survivor of a Space Pirate raid that destroyed an Earth colony named K-2L."''
+Metroid Dread Samus's eyes.png
+Samus eye in Dread.png
+Samus looking shocked.png
+Samus's face glitch in Dread.png|Hacking ''Dread'' to give Samus the [[Metroid Suit]] early causes a glitch where her full face is displayed while [[Raven Beak]] is grabbing her.<ref>Tsu Ch. Fallen つかさ. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZggRYwnrtgE Metroid Suit post RB scene]". ''YouTube''. November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.</ref>
+</gallery>
+====Other appearances====
-:''[[Metroid]]'', 08/89
+<gallery>
+メトロイドWikia-Unarmored Protagonist Sprite.png|''Metroid'' sprites.
-:''"Samus has an abundance of projectile weapons, making her a long- distance attack specialist. The most powerful weapon in her arsenal is the Charge Beam, but be warned: It can be reflected. Her missiles have homing capabilities, but when fired as Smash Attacks, they fly on a straight trajectory and have boosted power."''
-:[B: Charge Shot] [Smash B: Missile]
-:''"While Samus' arsenal missile weapons is indeed formidable, her enemies are in for a rude awakening if they guard against nothing else. Her grappling beam captures foes and latches on to walls, and the Screw Attack drags foes upward in a series of spins that doubles as a recovery move. Samus can also use her Bombs to perform Bomb Jumps."''
-:[Up & B: Screw Attack]
-:[Down & B: Bomb]
-;'''''Metroid Prime'' website'''
-:''"The bounty hunter Samus Aran was hired by the Galactic Federation to exterminate the Space Pirate army on Planet Zebes. Samus was successful in not only defeating the Space Pirate army, but in neutralizing the Metroid threat as well. Performance and professionalism were very impressive.''
-:''With her Chozo-built Power Suit, Samus prefers hi-tech weaponry to deal with enemy threats, although the bounty hunter also undoubtedly also possesses excellent melee combat skills."''
-;'''''Metroid Prime'' [[Pirate Data]]: "The Hunter"'''
-{{Logbook
-|title      = The Hunter
-|game       = mp1
-|text       = [[Security Command]] issued an all-points alert after the fall of Zebes. The alert concerns [[bioform]] Samus Aran, also known as the Hunter. Subject is a female hominid, and is heavily armed and extremely dangerous. Subject uses a powered armorsuit of unknown design in battle, along with a number of potent Beam and concussive weapons. All combat units are instructed to terminate Aran on sight, preferably in a fashion that will allow salvage of her powered armorsuit and weapons. A considerable bounty will go to the unit who delivers Aran to Command. Dead or alive, it matters not.
-}}
-;''Nintendo Power'' issue 162, page 37: ''"WHO IS SAMUS ARAN?<br>The hero of Metroid Prime is Samus Aran, a bounty hunter charged with keeping the universe safe from all manner of unimaginable horrors. Brave, resourceful and cunning, Samus is the final line of defense against mankind’s greatest foes – and willing to charge into situations that would make entire marine platoons turn tail and run. But courage and smarts are not the only items in Samus’s arsenal. She also has access to some very impressive tools and weaponry."''
-'''''[[Samus and Joey]]'''''
-;Volume 2
-:''"Legendary bounty hunter, called the galaxy's strongest warrior."''
-;Volume 3
-:''"Acknowledged by everyone as the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Accepted Joey and allows him to travel along."''
-;'''Metroid.com (Metroid Prime Hunters)'''''
-:''"Samus Aran is well known throughout the galaxy as an efficient and experienced bounty hunter. Few other hunters can compete with Samus' long history of successful missions, most of which are carried out against seemingly insurmountable odds."''
-;'''[[Trivia quiz]] (''Hunters'')'''
-:''"Samus is a great choice and balanced hunter for all modes and most arenas. Her Morph Ball form gives her extra ground speed and her Bombs are effective, whether she's chasing another hunter or being chased."''
-;'''''Hunters'' manual'''
-:''"One of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy. Her Power Suit has the ability to transform her into a Morph Ball."''
-'''Unused ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' [[Lore]] entries'''
-{{Logbook
-|placement  = top
-|title      = Samus Aran
-|temp       = Galactic Federation Datafile SA-003.<br />(Samus Aran)<br />Data moved to Logbook for review.
-|text       = GFDF SA-003<br />Subject is a "bounty hunter", who enjoys a considerable reputation throughout the galaxy. She was instrumental in many incidents with Space Pirates and the parasitic life forms known as Metroids. Suit systems and weaponry of this subject are based on modified Chozo technology; the exact link to the Chozo requires further investigation. It is known that Samus Aran harbors extreme hostility to the Pirates, which is definitely mutual.
-}}
-{{Logbook
-|placement  = bottom
-|title      = Return of the Hunter
-|temp       = Space Pirate data decoded.<br />Entry: (Return of the Hunter)<br />Data moved to Logbook for review.
-|text       = Entry 06.003.8<br />The news of our spies confirmed our worst suspicions - Samus lives. Though she is drawn by Dark Samus, she resists her call, where her allies bent. Somehow, she remains the master of her will! Like always, she stands up to affront us, to challenge us and to try our power.<br />This time, Samus will not see us fail. Her former brethren lie in wait for her. The spirit of the great Dark Samus has captured these great hunters, wiped out the lies of the Federation, and shown them the glory of her reign. Blessed Phazon flows through their veins, and increases their strength many times. Now, certainly, this is the end of Samus Aran!
-}}<ref name="The Cutting Room Floor">http://tcrf.net/Metroid_Prime_3:_Corruption</ref>
-'''Smash Files #10 - Samus Aran (''[[Nintendo Power]]'' volume 215)'''
-;First Game Appearance:''Metroid - NES (1987)''
-;Known For:''Collecting bounties, bashing brains, being surprisingly female''
-;Biography:''Respected by friend and foe alike, Samus Aran is known and feared as one of the toughest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Samus's battles against the parasitic Metroid life-forms and the vile Space Pirates are nothing short of legendary–she's encountered and thwarted both numerous times while on missions for the Galactic Federation. Even though she's human, Samus was raised by the Chozo–the same alien race responsible for creating her intimidating Power Suit. Not only does the suit act as armor, but it can be equipped with an assortment of upgrades that grant Samus a wide array of offensive, defensive, and reflex-enhancing capabilities.''
-;'''''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' trophy'''
-:''"The intergalactic bounty hunter named Samus Aran. Orphaned at an early age, she was taken in and raised by the alien race known as the Chozo. The Power Suit she wears is a product of their technology. Her unique combat skills combined with her athleticism and Arm Cannon have seen her through countless missions."''
-:''[[Metroid]]'' (1987)
-:''[[Super Metroid]]'' (1994)
-'''''Brawl'' [[sticker]]s'''
-*'''Dark Suit Samus''' [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]] - [Throwing] Attack +16 (All)
-*'''Gravity Suit Samus''' [[Metroid: Zero Mission]] - [Weapon] Attack +11 (Samus, [[Zero Suit Samus]])
-*'''Running Zero Suit Samus''' [[Metroid: Zero Mission]] - [Weapon] Attack +25 (All)
-*'''Samus''' [[Metroid Fusion]] - [Electric] Resistance +16 (Samus, [[Zero Suit Samus]])
-*'''Samus''' [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]] - [Explosive] Attack +18 (All)
-*'''Samus''' [[Metroid]] - [Specials: Indirect] Attack +15 (Samus, [[Zero Suit Samus]])
-*'''Zero Suit Samus''' [[Metroid: Zero Mission]] - [Leg] Attack + 9 (Samus, [[Zero Suit Samus]])
-'''''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]'''''
-;Manual
-:''"'One of the most skilled bounty hunters in the galaxy."''
-;[[Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet|Art booklet]]
-:''"[[Samus]] lived with her parents on the planet [[K-2L]], a human colony in the [[Galactic Federation]] domain. When Samus was three years old, K-2L was attacked by a band of [[Space Pirate]]s lead by the brutal ruffian [[Ridley]]. When the Space Pirates left and the smoke cleared, a single figure remained standing. It was Samus Aran, the sole survivor of the attack on K-2L.''
-:''Samus was rescued from the charred ruins of K-2L by the [[Chozo]], a race of beings who resemble giant birds. They had received the colony's distress signal during the attack and came to assist. The Chozo took Samus back to their homeworld, [[Zebes]].''
-:''Being a highly technologically advanced race, the Chozo crafted a [[Power Suit|power suit]] for Samus that gave her incredible strength. They trained her to become a fearsome warrior. Once her training was complete, Samus parted ways with the Chozo and became an intergalactic [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter]].''
-:''Samus carried out countless missions. Many that other bounty hunters deemed impossible. She became the most famed and capable bounty hunter in the universe, yet she was not fulfilled. Samus didn't become a bounty hunter to achieve fortune or fame. Her purpose was to avenge the death of her parents by slaying Ridley and the rest of the Space Pirates.''
-:''Before long, the opportunity to fulfill her purpose would arise."''
-'''''[[Metroid: Other M]]'''''
-;Interactive Web Ad
-: "See the other side of a hero"
-:'''Samus Aran (Young Samus displayed)'''
-:''"A [[Galactic Federation]] soldier. Always with something to prove."''
-:'''Samus Aran ([[Zero Suit Samus]] displayed)'''
-:''"The woman within the suit. Haunted by her past."''
-;'''Samus Aran ([[Varia Suit]] displayed)'''
-:''"Intergalactic [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter]]. Feared by enemies."''
-;[[Metroid.com]]
-:'''Samus Aran'''
-:''"Strong-willed and fiercely independent, this accomplished [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter]] has saved the galaxy on multiple occasions from maladies as menacing as [[Metroids]]-and beyond. Echoes of her complicated past with the [[Galactic Federation]] are about to resurface, following a mysterious distress call."''
-:Story
-:''"Samus Aran is a [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter]] with a long and complex history-fraught with danger, trauma, and triumph. For the first time, she will have to confront her mysterious past, as well as the [[Galactic Federation]], the military force she left to become a bounty hunter...''
-:''Having traveled to planet [[SR388]] to [[SR-388 incident|destroy]] the powerful and menacing alien species known as [[Metroids]], Samus battled the ferocious [[Queen Metroid]] and rid the galaxy of their threat. One last [[Baby|baby Metroid]] remained, which Samus took with her, seeing peaceful scientific applications of Metroid biology. Before those experiments could come to fruition the [[Ceres|science station]] was attacked, and the baby fell into the hands of the [[Space Pirates]], led by [[Mother Brain]].''
-:''Samus infiltrated Mother Brain's stronghold on planet [[Zebes]] to rescue the baby Metroid. Taken down in battle by Mother Brain's power, Samus was unexpectedly restored to health by the baby Metroid. Furious, Mother Brain destroyed the baby, only to be defeated by a newly vigorous Samus-with [[Hyper Beam (Super Metroid)|extraordinary powers]] given by the Metroid. At last, Mother Brain, the Space Pirates, and the Metroid species were obliterated once and for all... along with the entire planet of Zebes.''
-:''As time passed, so did the memory of Metroids and Space Pirates from the collective consciousness. Samus resumed something of a normal bounty hunter's life, when a mysterious SOS signal suddenly reached her [[Samus Aran's Gunship|ship]]. the signal, code named "[[Baby's Cry]]," seemed to be calling out specifically to her..."''
-;'''''[[Metroid: Other M Premiere Edition]]'''''
-:''"Up until now, not much was known about Samus Aran. Orphaned at a young age when her family was killed by Space Pirates, Samus was raised by the Chozo, the same race that created her Power Suit. Eventually Samus used her cybernetic enhancements to become a freelance bounty hunter. But before she was traveling through space on a bounty mission she was a part of the Galactic Federation. Little as is known about Samus's life - even less is known about her time in the Galactic Federation.''
-:''Prepare to accompany Samus on a new mission with old friends from the Galactic Federation. As Samus, you will venture down the dangerous hallways of the BOTTLE SHIP, and you'll also traipse down memory lane."''
-;'''''[[Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M]]''''' (unofficial translation by Vectrex28)
-:''"A bounty hunter that wears a power suit inherited from the Chozo and that took part in numerous dangerous missions. Having had a career being enrolled in the Galactic Federation Army, she encounters her colleagues and superiors from her military days here in the Bottleship."''
-'''''[[Metroid: Other M Art Folio]]'''''
-;Young Samus at [[Galactic Federation Headquarters]]
-:''"My time as a member of the Galactic Federation Army was bound to end - though I was a soldier, I was also a child with a chip on my shoulder. And I was angry. I felt that if I let my guard down I would easily be broken. So, after a certain incident, I left [[Adam Malkovich]]'s command and set out on my path as a solitary [[Bounty Hunter]]."''
-;Young Samus in [[Military Dress]]
-:''"I always had something to prove while enlisted in the Galactic Federation Army - at the time, I felt surrounded by people who treated me like a child, or used kid gloves because I was a woman. In the face of the well-meaning behavior of the other soldiers, my response was to become increasingly bitter."''
-'''''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' issue 59, page 77'''
-;Samus Aran
-:''"[[Nintendo]]'s first lady should need little introduction. The death-dealing bounty hunter responds to a distress call from a mysterious space station called The Bottle Ship. Could her old adversaries, the Space Pirates, be up to some mischief?"''
-'''''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'''''
-;'''Samus Trophies'''
-;NTSC (3DS)
-:''"Samus Aran has fought her way across a variety of planets in the Metroid series. She wears a Power Suit designed by the Chozo, giving her incredible versatility in a fight. She can wade in, but she favors beams and missiles. A fully charged Charge Shot packs a serious punch!"''
-;PAL
-:''"The heroine of the Metroid series, Samus Aran. Her missions take her across the reaches of space, and her Power Suit gives her immeasurable fighting prowess. In this game, she uses a variety of ranged attacks based around beams and missiles. When her Charge Shot is fully charged, it can launch foes with devastating force."''
-;Samus (U)
-:''"Samus Aran is known for her numerous battles across alien planets in the Metroid series. She wears a Power Suit designed by the Chozo, giving her incredible versatility in a fight. She can wade in with kicks and punches, but she favors beams and missiles. A fully charged Charge Shot packs a serious punch!"''
-;'''Samus (Alt.)'''
-;NTSC (both versions)
-:''"Samus protects herself from overhead enemies with her up smash, [[Cover Fire]], which can land multiple hits on anyone it connects with. Samus also fires a homing missile by holding sideways and pressing the special- attack button or launches a Super Missile by quickly tapping sideways instead."''
-:This trophy description is the same in both versions.
-'''[[Palutena's Guidance]] (''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'')'''
-*Viridi: "Oh, look. There's Metroid."
-*Pit: "That's not a Metroid! That's Samus!"
-*Palutena: "Just like Link isn't named Zelda."
-*Viridi: "And like Pit's name isn't Icarus!"
-*Pit: "OK, this joke has officially run its course."
-*Palutena: "Moving on, then. Pit, you can reflect Samus's Charge Shot with your Guardian Orbitars."
-*Palutena: "However, Samus can throw a storm of shots at you. If you use your Orbitars too often, she'll know what you're up to."
-*Palutena: "So try to reflect strategically, as opposed to your...usual game plan."
-'''''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Official Game Guide'' Trophy Description'''<br />
-''"Samus Aran has fought her way across a variety of planets in the Metroid series. She wears a Power Suit designed by the Chozo, giving her incredible versatility in a fight. She can wade in with kicks and punches, but she favors beams and missiles. A fully charged Charge Shot packs a serious punch!"''
-;'''Smash Tips (''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'')'''
-:''"Samus's Origins – Samus Aran made her debut in the 1987 NES title Metroid. It is a science-fiction action-adventure game with a focus on exploration."''
-;'''Strategy (''SSB4 Official Game Guide'')'''
-:''"Samus has a variety of projectiles to attack opponents from long range and some good tools to rack up damage in the air. She is somewhat unique in that she is a fairly heavy character with decent ground speed who is also rather floaty. While she has a strong long-range game, she can also be effective up close. Her main weaknesses are her horizontal recovery and her KO power.''
-:''For Samus’s long-range game, you have a lot of choices. You have Charge Shot, which you can use in quick bursts or fully charged up, and you have two Missile variations. Since a fully charged Charge Shot has good KO potential, consider keeping it fresher by using it less. Mixing up Homing Missile and Super Missile will throw off your opponent’s timing. If you ever hit with a Super Missile, immediately send out more Homing Missiles or charge up your Charge Shot. (When it comes to knockback, Super Missiles are much more effective than Homing Missiles.) If playing in free-for-all modes, use a lot of Bombs around you as small traps to keep you safer while using your projectiles. Since the bombs don’t damage Samus, it literally doesn’t hurt to have one around. You can even use the blast from one to bounce Samus and make her stay in the air longer.''
-:''Screw Attack has a tiny bit of invincibility and is a decent out-of-shield option, but it’s primarily used for Samus's vertical recovery. Don’t forget you can also shoot these projectiles in the air to create a vertical minefield for your opponents to avoid!''
-:''Up close, Samus’s Side Tilt attack is very quick, given its excellent range, but its damage output is fairly low. Down Tilt is also good for its speed and knockback. You can also use Samus’s long-range grapple to throw opponents while on the ground, as it prevents opponents from approaching recklessly. For KOs, go with Side Smash, Down Tilt, or a fully charged Charge Shot. Up Smash can work for KOs as well, but because it’s hard to use against standing opponents, use it against airborne opponents instead. In the air, Samus has a couple of good damage-racking options with Up Air and Forward Air. For KOs in the air, however, go with Back Air. When opponents are off-stage, use your missiles to edge guard, as this may interrupt their recoveries. If you successfully interrupt them, try to follow up with Down Air for a meteor smash."''
-'''[[The Federation Files]]'''<br />
-'''''GALACTIC FEDERATION INTEL FILE: SAMUS ARAN'''''
-''"Orphaned during a Space Pirate raid on her home, Samus Aran went on to become the most feared Bounty Hunter in the galaxy, often aiding the Galactic Federation. Armed with a versatile Power Suit and a bevy of advanced weaponry, Samus Aran is often called upon to complete missions that would otherwise be considered impossible. To date, she has completed all of these missions."''
-'''Samus Aran ([[Jakks Pacific]])'''
-''"The intergalactic bounty hunter named Samus Aran. Orphaned at an early age, she was taken in and raised by the alien race known as the Chozo. The Power Suit she wears is a product of their technology. Her unique combat skills combined with her athleticism and Arm Cannon have seen her through countless missions."''
-'''''Metroid: Samus Returns'' Japanese website''''' (unofficial translation by MetroidLuver13)
-''"Said to be the strongest bounty hunter throughout the galaxy.''
-''She is a person who has solved many incidents, but her true form is hidden in mystery.''
-''Receiving orders from the Galactic Federation to eliminate Metroids, she heads to Planet SR388."''
-'''''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' Tips'''
-*'''Samus's Origins''' – Samus Aran made her debut in the NES title Metroid, released in North America in 1987. It is a science-fiction action-adventure game with a focus on exploration.
-*'''In Her Series''' – Equipped with many weapons, such as beams and missiles, Samus the galactic bounty hunter wears a Power Suit designed by the Chozo. She makes full use of the suit and techniques learned from the Chozo.
-*'''Multiple Endings''' – In the original Metroid, the ending would change slightly depending on your clear time. The better endings revealed the secret of Samus's identity!
-*'''A Parental Bond?''' – The baby Metroid that appeared in Super Metroid imprinted on Samus before being left in the care of the Galactic Research Station at Ceres.
-*'''[[Charge Shot]] (Neutral Special)''' – This is devastating when fully charged. It can be unleashed instantly, and fired repeatedly when not charging. You can also charge it in midair.
-*'''[[Missile]] (Side Special)''' – Holding a direction will fire a homing missile, while quickly inputting a direction will fire a Super Missile
-*'''Super Missile (Side Special)''' – Flick the control stick quickly as you press the button to fire a Super Missile. When fired, they pause briefly before rocketing ahead. Mix things up with homing missiles to make your foe's life tough.
-*'''[[Screw Attack]] (Up Special)''' – When recovering with Screw Attack, you can't grab edges behind you until you've finished rising. Make sure to face the right way when you use it!
-*'''[[Bomb]] (Down Special)''' – Samus morphs into a ball and drops a bomb. You can use the explosion to gain a little height.
-*'''[[Zero Laser]] (Final Smash)''' – Before the laser fires, it'll pull in nearby fighters a little bit. While the laser is firing, you can change the firing angle by tilting the control stick up or down.
-*'''Straight and Cannon Hammer (Neutral Attack)''' – Foes can often put up their shields in between the first and second hits of this combo. It's safer to just hit with the first attack and then flee.
-*'''Midair Grapple Beam (Grab Attack)''' – Hop backward with a short hop, and then fire the Grapple Beam by using a grab in midair. Retreat while keeping your foes at bay!
-</div>
-==Gallery==
-''For additional art, see [[Samus Aran/Gallery]].''
-===Samus Aran===
-{{Scroll box|content=
-<gallery widths="150" captionalign="center" navigation="true">
-File:Early Suitless Samus.png|''[[Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order]]'' featured the earliest depiction of her face.
-Smguide pg6.jpg|''[[Super Metroid]]'' guide.
-Ob4.PNG|''Metroid Fusion''/''Metroid Zero Mission''
-Sammie.PNG|''[[Metroid e-Manga]]''
-First-Zero-suit.jpg|''[[Nintendo Comics System]]''
-SamusandAdam.PNG|''[[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|Metroid]]'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)
-Metroid_v02_ch0071.png|''Metroid'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)
-Merge.PNG|''Metroid'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)
-File:Metroid EX - Samus revealed.png|''[[Metroid EX]]''
-MZM Old Bird and Young Samus.png|''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
-Metroidzero02.png|''Metroid: Zero Mission''
-Metroidzero04.png|''Metroid: Zero Mission''
-Metroidzero08.png|''Metroid: Zero Mission''
-Helmetless Samus.jpg|''[[Metroid Prime]]''
-File:Samus bare hand MP1.PNG|Model of Samus's right hand from ''Metroid Prime''.
 Zerosuithunters.jpg|''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''
 Zero_Suit.png|''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]''
@@ Line 532: / Line 403: @@
 Metroid_II_Best_Ending.png|''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''
 File:Metroid Samus Returns - Samus.png|''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]''
+File:Ander Amo del Ser cake Samus closeup.jpg|[[Alpha Metroid and Samus cake|Samus in cake form]], created for [[MercurySteam]] to celebrate the release of ''Samus Returns''.
 .jpg|''[[Super Metroid]]''
+Smguide pg6.jpg|''[[Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid]]''
-Sammylittle.PNG|''Metroid: Other M''
-Samus Aran MOM.jpg|''[[Metroid Other M]]''
-Samus_MOM.png|''Metroid: Other M''
-SamusAran.png|''Metroid Other M''
-File:Samus Aran.JPG|''Metroid: Other M''
-Samus textures MOM.png|''Metroid: Other M'' (textures)
 Mfend1.png|''Metroid Fusion''
+Ob4.PNG|''Metroid Fusion''/''Metroid Zero Mission''
-メトロイドWikia-Unarmored Protagonist Sprite.png|Metroid (1986)|link=Metroid
-File:Ander Amo del Ser cake Samus closeup.jpg|[[Alpha Metroid and Samus cake|Samus in cake form]], created for [[MercurySteam]] to celebrate the release of ''Samus Returns''.
+File:Early Suitless Samus.png|''[[Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order]]'' featured the earliest depiction of Samus's face.
+First-Zero-suit.jpg|''[[Nintendo Comics System]]''
-Scancase3.jpg|Scanned case covers (Japanese)
+File:Metroid EX - Samus revealed.png|''[[Metroid EX]]''
-Scancase2.jpg|Scanned case covers (Japanese)
+MAD 4.png|''[[List of cameos and crossovers in other media#Mad|Mad]]''
 </gallery>
-}}
 ===Power Suit models===
 {{Scroll box|content=
-<gallery captionalign="center" navigation="true">
+<gallery captionalign="center">
 MZM Manga Powersuit 2.jpg|''[[Metroid E-manga]]''
 Metroid v2 ch16 140.png|''[[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|Metroid]]'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)
@@ Line 567: / Line 434: @@
 Hazard Shield 50% Corrupted PED Suit.png|''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''
 Hazard_Shield_No_Corruption.png|''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''
-File:Metroid Prime Federation Force - Samus.png|''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]''
+Metroid Prime Federation Force - Samus.png|''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]''
 Samus2016.png|''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''
-File:Samus MPFF credits.png|''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''
+Samus MPFF credits.png|''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''
-M2Powersuit.jpg|''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''
+M2 art Samus 01.png|''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]''
-Samus artwork 12.jpg|''Metroid II: Return of Samus''
+MDR UK MII Samus Crop.png|''Metroid II: Return of Samus''
-File:3DS MetroidSamusReturns char 01.png|''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]''
+DS MetroidSamusReturns char 01.png|''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]''
 Introduction.png|''[[Super Metroid]]''
 Gravity Suit.jpg|''Super Metroid''
@@ Line 584: / Line 451: @@
 Mfusionguide r 20.jpg|''Metroid Fusion''
 メトロイドWikia-Protagonist Sprite.png|Metroid (1986)|link=Metroid
-File:A Piercing Screech thumbnail.png|[[A Piercing Screech]]
+A Piercing Screech thumbnail.png|[[A Piercing Screech]]
+M5 art Samus 01.png|Power Suit (Metroid Dread)
+M5 art Samus 02.png
+M5 art Samus 03.png
+M5 art Samus 04.png
+M5 art Samus 06.png
+Metroid Dread Power Suit blueprint.jpg
+M5 concepts Dread Power Suit.jpg
+Metroid Dread the X that infected Samus flashback.png|pre-Chozo Varia Suit
+MD Samus Infected.jpg
+MD Samus Surgery.jpg
+Samus in Dread Varia Suit.png
+Metroid Dread orange Dread Suit full body.png|Samus's original Chozo Varia Suit regenerating its appearance, following her surgery in that resulted in parts of the suit being removed.
+Metroid Dread orange Dread Suit.png
+Metroid Dread - Samus finds the Chozo hieroglyphs.png
+Samus aiming at Quiet Robe.jpg
 </gallery>
 }}
+==Notes==
+<references group="note"/>
 ==References==
+{{reflist}}
-<references />
 {{start box}}
-{{succession box |
+{{succession box
- | title = [[Guardian of Agon Temple]]
+|title = [[Guardian of Agon Temple]]
- | years =|
+|years =
- | before = [[I-Sha]]
+|before = [[I-Sha]]
- | after = Incumbent|}}
+|after = Incumbent|}}
 {{end box}}
@@ Line 602: / Line 487: @@
 {{succession box
 |before = [[A-Voq]]
-|title  = [[Guardian of Torvus Temple]]
+|title = [[Guardian of Torvus Temple]]
-|after  = Incumbent
+|after = Incumbent
-|years = |
+|years =
 }}
 {{end box}}
@@ Line 613: / Line 498: @@
 |title  = [[Guardian of Sanctuary Temple]]
 |after  = Incumbent
-|years = |
+|years =
 }}
 {{end box}}
+{{Samus Aran}}
 {{Bosses in Metroid Prime Series}}
 {{Humans}}
@@ Line 636: / Line 522: @@
 [[zh-tw:薩姆斯・亞蘭]]
 [[Category:Characters]]
+[[Category:Samus Aran]]
 [[Category:Genetically Engineered]]
 [[Category:Bosses]]
 [[Category:Final Bosses]]
-[[Category:Samus Aran]]
+[[Category:Doomseye]]
 [[Category:Galactic Federation]]
 [[Category:07th Platoon]]
@@ Line 647: / Line 534: @@
 [[Category:Stickers]]
 [[Category:Spirits]]
-[[Category:Metroids]]
+[[Category:Chozo characters]]
-[[Category:Chozo]]
 [[Category:Phazon]]
 [[Category:Cyborgs]]
 [[Category:Aran Family]]
 [[Category:Metroid characters]]
-[[Category:Food]]
 [[Category:Federation Police Force]]
 [[Category:Derek Bonikowski]]