The Security Robot B.O.X.[1] (ボクス Bokusu)[2] or B.O.X. Robot[3], commonly referred to simply as the Security Robot by Adam, is both the fifth and the ninth boss that Samus battles aboard the Biologic Space Laboratories research station in Metroid Fusion.
Biography[]
The Security Robot B.O.X. is a six-legged, spiderlike Security Robot designed to protect the B.S.L. station from the captured alien bioforms found within the station's sectors. Though it is a machine, the organic components in Security Robot B.O.X.'s neural network are still vulnerable to an X Parasite infection, eventually rendering it yet another tool at the disposal of the X. This infection takes place after Samus Aran's first encounter with it, which exposes its organic components.
Encounters[]
Sector 3 (PYR)[]
Samus battling B.O.X.
Samus first encounters the Security Robot B.O.X. in Sector 3 (PYR). After downloading the Super Missile data, Samus discovers that her way back is blocked by a destroyed hatch; the floor near the hatch has also been ruptured recently. Following the rumbling noises coming from overhead leads her back towards the Data Room, which the robot is busy destroying.
In battle, the Security Robot B.O.X. attempts to ram into Samus and also periodically fires grenades that will launch two pillars of fire when they explode. These pillars alternate between short and tall, and move sideways at a steady rate. However, they can easily be avoided if Samus positions herself above the grenade just before it explodes, as the pillars cannot reach that high above the detonation point. In order to evade the brunt of its attacks, Samus is forced to hang from the ladders above the robot; this lofty position enables her to easily fire her newly acquired Super Missiles into the robot's core, slowly breaking through to Security Robot B.O.X.'s neural network.
Once its neural network is revealed, the Security Robot B.O.X. breaks off its attack and escapes through the ceiling, providing Samus a way back to the Navigation Room. It can be safely said that this breach in the Security Robot B.O.X.'s armor permits the X to infect it.
Battle statistics[]
| Attack | Damage Output |
|---|---|
| Contact damage (Body) | 45 HP |
| Contact damage (Bomb) | 25 HP |
| Fire pillars | 20 HP |
*Statistics are calculated without Suits in possession. The Varia Suit and the Gravity Suit reduce all damage output from B.O.X. by 10% and 20% respectively, rounded down.
Sector 6 (NOC)[]
Later on, the Security Robot B.O.X. is positively identified as an X-host. Samus's computer informs her that the "organic components that form its neural network" have been infected by the X; Adam orders her to track it down from where it has last been detected, Sector 6 (NOC), and terminate it.
When attempting to enter a restricted area, Samus sets off an alarm, alerting the Security Robot B.O.X. to her presence. As she tries to retrace her steps, Samus encounters the robot in a room she has previously passed through. This room is similar in layout to the room where they fought in Sector 3 -- Samus can use a Bomb on the ceiling to reveal a ladder from which to hang. In this room, however, the floor is covered by a shallow pool of water, which has been electrified by the exposed parts of the Security Robot B.O.X.'s machinery, electrifying Samus whenever she falls in.
The Security Robot B.O.X.'s strategy has not changed much, but it has replaced its pyrotechnic bombs with seeking missiles, which it periodically fires in groups of four. Due to the cramped conditions, the robot can also jump high enough to hit Samus while she is on the ceiling, forcing her to exercise caution when aiming for its core. However, if she hangs on the very edge of the ladder, the robot cannot jump far enough to hit her. Despite the Plasma Beam's piercing properties, the Beam cannot pierce the thick armor of the robot's legs.
When Samus destroyed the core, the Security Robot B.O.X.'s infected neural network flies out and transforms into a Core-X capable of shooting Beam shots. By defeating and absorbing this Core-X, Samus restores her Wave Beam ability.
Battle statistics[]
| Attack | Damage Output |
|---|---|
| Contact damage (Body) | 90 HP |
| Missile | 50 HP |
| Contact damage (Brain) | 10 HP |
*Statistics are calculated without Suits in possession. The Varia Suit and the Gravity Suit reduce all damage output from B.O.X. by 10% and 20% respectively, rounded down.
Trivia[]
In the prototype builds, the bombs dispatched could be destroyed by missiles or a Charge Beam shot.
- Why the Security Robot B.O.X. destroys the Data Room in Sector 3 when it has not yet become an X-host is unknown. It may have simply become rogue, and destroying the room may be a result of a program malfunction. It may also possibly be attempting to prevent what it perceives as a threat, Samus, to become more powerful; this would, however, imply that it has confused the SA-X and Samus to be the same individual, or that it is operating under the instructions of the Galactic Federation conspiracy, which is unlikely, because Adam has told Samus to go to that Data Room and download the Super Missile data. Also, it may very well be possible that the robot may have ascertained that the X can download data as well, and it is destroying another Data Room to prevent them from doing so. It is also possible it mistakes Samus as a rogue Metroid due to the vaccine that she has been given and, like the X Parasites, has identified her as a threat to be destroyed.
- In the Japanese version of the game, Adam states that the Security Robot B.O.X. uses human brain cells, and that such machines are not uncommon.
- Because the Security Robot B.O.X. is fought twice, VS. BOX is the only unique boss theme that is heard multiple times in Fusion. All other boss themes are either shared between multiple bosses (such as VS. Ishtar, Gedo) or are only heard once (such as VS. Marukara).
- Worthy of note is the fact that the Security Robot B.O.X.'s brain resembles a miniature Aurora Unit, suggesting that they can be installed into portable weapons platforms. However, the brain actually bears more resemblance to the MB's first form featured in Metroid: Other M.
- The Security Robot B.O.X. is one of the few bosses that does not have a Gadora guarding it, even after it becomes an X-based boss. This is justified by the rooms it is fought in being passed through prior to each fight.
- On Easy Mode in the Japanese version of the game, the Security Robot B.O.X. has half of its usual health and takes longer to use its weapons.
- In an earlier prototype build of Metroid Fusion, the bombs produced during the first fight with the Security Robot B.O.X. can be destroyed with Missiles or a charged Beam shot. This is no longer possible in the final build (in which the bomb deflects or ignores most weapons fire, becoming immune to them).
- It is unknown if there is more than one Security Robot onboard the B.S.L. station. However, the number "5" is printed on the Security Robot B.O.X.'s front legs, suggesting that the unit that Samus encounters is one of a series.
- However, assuming that the Security Robot B.O.X. is part of a series, it is entirely possible that the robot was not designed specifically for the B.S.L. station, and that Security Robot units 1-4 (and possibly 6 and up) are located on different Galactic Federation installations, respectively.
- When hit with a Diffusion Missile in Sector 6, the Security Robot B.O.X. seems to slow down, allowing Samus to land a few more hits. This may, however, just be the game's framerate slowing, providing more reaction time to the player.
- The leftmost part of the ladder represents a safe spot from the Security Robot B.O.X.'s jump attacks. In the second fight, the rightmost part works too, and the robot's missiles can be dispatched easily with the Plasma Beam.
- A screenshot of Samus battling the Security Robot B.O.X. apears on the Nintendo Monopoly board.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ "Security Robot B.O.X. detected in Sector 6 (NOC). Engage." - Metroid Fusion Map Objective
- ^ Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks
- ^ "B.O.X. Robot destroyed. Leave Sector 6 immediately." - Metroid Fusion Map Objective
| 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 |