Shriekbats are hostile flying creatures found in the Metroid Prime series. Many different breeds exist across several planets and they universally have near-identical behavior: when approached, they shriek as they drop from the ceiling they roost on and dive-bomb into their perceived target, exploding on impact.
They share many traits with the Skree and its various subspecies featured in Metroid games outside of the Prime series, fundamentally having the same role.
Description[]
Tallon IV[]
In Metroid Prime, the standard Shriekbats native to Tallon IV most closely resemble the Skrees at a quick glance: they are predominantly green in color, have a pair of hind legs to perch upside down from ceilings, two insect-like fangs and the characteristic blade-like serrated wings. Instead of having a pair of red eyes, Shriekbats feature a single one, and their head and thorax are fused together, giving the main body an overall circle shape. Their wings do not rotate around their torso when roosting or flying, but achieve a close effect during the latter by spinning their whole body in an aileron roll. After they drop from the ceiling and stop in midair to aim their wings at Samus, the creatures begin spinning in place and build up speed before launching at her, giving her a short time to shoot them down or dodge. They are suicide bombers, as the high thermal energy inside the organisms will instantly detonate when they collide on any surface at high velocity; some Skrees will explode as well but release shrapnel when they do, and the explosion has a short delay after their wings get embedded on the ground.
It is stated in a later game that Shriekbats are damaging the previous civilization's ancient ruins on Tallon IV, causing the inhabitants to call for their extermination. It can be deduced their explosive bodies further deteriorate the old infrastructures. As to the identity of the inhabitants, it may be settlers or explorers arriving on the planet after it was rendered safe following the events of Metroid Prime.
In Metroid Prime Pinball, flocks of Shriekbats appear during the minigame Shriekbat Shootout. They are constantly doing aileron rolls as they fly around slowly and aimlessly prior to noticing Samus, at which point they'll squeal and speed up towards her.
Tallon IV subspecies[]
The Shriekbats on Tallon IV undergo changes in physiology as they adapt to their surroundings. Those inhabiting the Phendrana Drifts have become a separate species altogether called the Ice Shriekbats. In the Chozo Ruins, brown-colored individuals blend in with the nearby stone structures, though these are still regarded as regular Shriekbats by the Scan Visor.
Alinos & Arcterra[]
Metroid Prime: Hunters features a single Shriekbat species found on two planets in the Alimbic Cluster: the scorched Alinos and the frozen Arcterra. The organisms are mostly red in color while the eye, fangs and largest inner-wingblades are yellow. Barring the colors, they are exactly the same in physiology to all the variants from Tallon IV.
Despite Alinos and Arcterra each featuring very different climates, the Shriekbats did not develop any physical adaptations to differentiate them from one another, unlike those living on Tallon IV. Since the two planets from Hunters were once inhabited by the highly-advanced Alimbics, it can be assumed the creatures were intentionally or unintentionally spread to both worlds by the spacefaring race, making this particular species of Shriekbat extremely tolerant to changes in temperature.
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Aether[]
An Aetherian Shriekbat
The Shriekbats of Aether present in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes have a unique design from prior, identically-named species. They instead take on the appearance of purple horseshoe-shaped creatures with a pair of bat-like wings, and floating at the center of the hollow space closed off by its body are several energy-like rings. Nevertheless, they behave mostly the same except they do not perform aileron rolls but rather flap their wings to maintain normal orientation.
Bryyo[]
The first of four different types found throughout Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the Shriekbat from planet Bryyo is reptilian in appearance. Featuring three pairs of limbs, the first two have a skin membrane in-between that form the wings while the last pair are used to hang from ceilings. They fly similarly to the Shriekbats from Aether.
Elysia[]
The second type of Shriekbats in Corruption are found on Elysia and are actually machines built to imitate living counterparts. They are vaguely cylindrical in shape with a holographic red light displayed at the front. Two wing-like objects are on the sides and flap as the robots move through the air.
G.F.S. Valhalla[]
The Phazon Shriekbat is the third type encountered in Metroid Prime 3. They are not seen on any of the planets in the game, instead inhabiting the derelict G.F.S. Valhalla and relying on the Phazon left behind on the ship for sustenance. They appear somewhat similar to real-life marine worms, and the manner in which they dive-bomb towards Samus is akin to swimming motions.
Pirate Homeworld (Urtraghus)[]
The fourth Shriekbat type in Corruption lives on the Pirate Homeworld. The Urtragian Shriekbat's form is the same as the species seen previously on Aether in Metroid Prime 2 except for the colors: gray and red for the body and wings respectively instead of purple and blue, while also featuring orange-colored ridges at its front. Additionally, mist-like energy with a red core fills the space closed off by its uniquely-shaped body instead of energy rings.
Excelcion & Bion[]
Metroid Prime: Federation Force introduces Fire Shriekbats on the dry and volcanic Bion, as well as another species of Ice Shriekbat on the cold and snow-covered Excelcion. Both possess physiology that differ from other Shriekbats and are gigantic in size, being approximately the size of a Mech's upper body. The Fire Shriekbat displays a unique, never-before-seen symbiosis with another lifeform known as a Rohkor Beetle.
Locations[]
Metroid Prime[]
- Arboretum Access
- Ruined Gallery
- Gathering Hall
- Watery Hall Access
- East Atrium
- Energy Core
- Burning Trail
Metroid Prime Hunters[]
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes[]
Official data[]
Logbook entries[]
Shriekbat
Morphology: Shriekbat
Territorial ceiling-dweller. Body temperature peaks at 121° centigrade.
Shriekbats have high internal temperature, making them easy to spot with thermal imaging. They roost on cave ceilings while hunting for small prey. Fiercely territorial, they dive-bomb anything that wanders near.
Shriekbat
A winged creature that explodes on contact to defends its territory, it will attack any creature approaching its nesting grounds. Inhabitants of TALLON IV have called for its extermination because of the threat it poses to the infrastructure and cultural heritage of the planet.
Shriekbat
Morphology: Shriekbat
Territorial flying rodents. Rapid-flying, explosive enemies. Target and eliminate enemy at range if possible.
Shriekbats have high internal temperatures, leading them to seek cool climates to dwell in. They prefer caverns, roosting on ceilings while hunting for small prey. Fiercely terratorial, they dive-bomb anything that wanders near. This attack is fatal for the Shriekbat, as the impact sets off a discharge of thermal energy.
Biohazard Containment[]
Specimen Holding
Morphology: Shriekbat
Info >> Native of Tallon IV
Metroid Prime website[]
"Shriekbats are fiercely territorial ceiling dwellers. They roost on cave ceilings from tiny posterior legs while hunting small prey, and will aggressively dive-bomb anything they perceive to be too large to consume. A high internal temperature makes them easy to spot with thermal imaging.
Its small body is dwarfed by razor-sharp wings. Body temperature peaks at 121 degrees centigrade."
Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide[]
- Shriekbat
- "Shriekbats are aptly named for the sound they make when they attack. They usually hang upside down high on walls and charge you as you near them. Until you get the Thermal Visor you can't target Shriekbats while they are hanging. You must either manually target them or wait until they are airborne to fire at them. Once the Shriekbats begin their dive-bomb attack at you, they can't change course. The Power Beam is quick enough that you can usually target and shoot each one before it reaches you. Add your dash maneuver while you're shooting, and any you miss will crash into the ground where you formerly stood."
- Shriekbat
- Found In: Chozo Ruins, Phendrana Drifts
- Recommended Weapon: Power Beam
- "Shriekbats hang upside down from ceilings and are best detected by using your Thermal Visor. If you detect them while they still hang on the ceilings, you can pick them off without danger. If you don't destroy them before they detect you, they launch a screeching attack toward where you stand. Use your quick-firing Power Beam to pick them off as they fly toward you. Once they are in the air, they cannot change direction. If you simply step out of the way, they go crashing into the spot where you once stood."
Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]
- SHRIEKBAT
- "The denizens of Tallon IV weren't kidding around when they named one of the local creatures "Shriekbat." The animal attaches itself to ceilings, then dive-bombs any would-be attacker while emitting a horrible, high-pitched squeal. If you can't blast a Shriekbat, back up so it doesn't slam into you on its kamikaze run."
Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]
- SHRIEKBAT
- MORPHOLOGY
- "The Shriekbat is a territorial ceiling dweller. Body temperature peaks at 121 centigrade. Shriekbats have high internal temperature, making them easy to spot with thermal imaging. They roost on cave ceilings while hunting for small prey. Fiercely territorial, they dive-bomb anything that wanders near."
- COMBAT TIPS
- "Shriekbats are a suicide enemy in that they dive-bomb straight at Samus and explode upon impact. A Power Beam is more than enough to take them out, but act quickly once they're spotted or they'll swoop in and deal significant damage."
Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]
- SHRIEKBAT
- "Shriekbats will suicidally chase at you--lock on with the L Button and start firing as soon as you see them."
Metroid Prime Pinball manual[]
"A fast moving creature that dive-bombs its target while emitting a high-pitched squeal."
Development notes[]
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.
The Shriekbat idenified as a Metaree in the beta demo
In the beta demo of Metroid Prime, the Shriekbat specimen in Biohazard Containment is identified as a Metaree. Furthermore, the Nintendo GameCube Preview Disc identifies the Shriekbat and Ice Shriekbat's concept artwork as "METAREE / SKREE", and internal voice clip files for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes lists the Shriekbat's file name as Metaree. This suggests that Shriekbats were originally intended to be Metarees before development shifted in favor of replacing classic Zebesian enemies with new original species,[1] explaining the strong similarities between Shriekbats and Skrees.
Unused Shriekbat subspecies are featured in the internal data of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, suggesting these were intended to be enemies, but likely scrapped for being too similar to regular Shriekbats. Infant Shriekbats (internally known as Minirees) only exist as a name with no programmed data, sounds, models or textures. There is an unused Logbook entry for a Dark Shriekbat, which is said to be more durable than one on Aether. A model is also associated with this scan, but it is a direct reuse of the Shriekbat model from Metroid Prime.[2]
Dark Shriekbat
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Morphology: Dark Shriekbat
Darkling cavern dweller.
Presence of symbiote increases durability of target. Use high-damage or light-based attacks when targeting this creature.
Darkling Shriekbats prefer the cooler climates found on Dark Aether, gaining strength from the lack of pure light and heat.
Though more durable, they still explode on impact when performing an assault run on an enemy.
Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.
Trivia[]
- The logbook entry of a Shriekbat from either Alinos or Arcterra references the Tallon IV variant(s) and the previously mentioned threat it poses to the cultural heritage; this may imply that the Shriekbats of the Alimbic Cluster are originally from Tallon IV, explaining their striking resemblance to each other in comparison to the other similarly-named species introduced in later Metroid Prime games. As to how the creatures reached the Alimbic Cluster, the Chozo are known to have met several sapient races across their interstellar travels, exchanging knowledge and possibly lifeforms as suggested by the Triclops' presence on both Tallon IV and Aether.
- Similar to the War Wasps, many Shriekbats throughout the Metroid Prime series have significantly different appearances despite sharing the same name and behavior. The similarities between them might be the result of convergent evolution, in which unrelated organisms independently evolved identical traits.
- In ReCore, a 2016 Xbox One game developed by veterans of the original Metroid Prime, the Diver enemies resemble Shriekbats in their behavior and method of attack.
- In Metroid Prime, if the player somehow bypasses the trigger in a room that causes the Shriekbats to attack, they will remain docile. They can then be safely viewed and scanned up close, but will still damage the player if touched. This can most readily be observed in the top of the Gathering Hall, where the player can use the Space Jump to 'climb' up part of the crumbling bridge and skip part of the platforming. There will be a few Shriekbats just in front of the door.
- Despite being described as "rodents" in Metroid Prime 2's Logbook entry, Shriekbats actually have zero qualities in common with actual rodents. Similarly, real-life bats are falsely deemed by some to be "flying rats".
- During Samus's mission on Zebes with her comrades in the Metroid manga, she states that the Skree is a unique predator found nowhere else in the galaxy, This statement is contradicted with the existence of Shriekbats on multiple planets, since they're in fact very much like the Skrees.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ "The entire first year’s worth of characters I modeled for the game were cut. At first, we were making all the enemies looking just like the old Metroid 2D enemies. Nintendo later decided that they wanted the enemies to have a new look, so we scrapped all of those creatures. These weren’t just models that were scrapped, but these were enemies that had a full set of animations and some even had AI programmed. I’m actually very glad Nintendo made that call because I think the newer designs that Jones and Keller came up with were a big improvement over the original 2D designs." https://shinesparkers.net/interviews/mike-sneath/
- ^ http://tcrf.net/Metroid_Prime_2:_Echoes/Old_Scan_Data_Lists
| Shriekbats | |
|---|---|
| Subspecies | Shriekbat • Ice • Bryyonian • Elysian • Urtragian • Phazon • Fire |
| Similar | Skree • Metaree • Cyclaw |