The Wavebuster (ウェイブバスター Weibubasutā ) is the Charge Combo of the electrical Wave Beam, found exclusively in Metroid Prime. Along with the Flamethrower, it is one of two Sustained Fire Charge Combos in Metroid Prime, that is to say it fires an uninterrupted stream of electricity with a range of up to 10 meters, as opposed to individual bursts or blasts.
Effects and acquisition[]
The Wavebuster fires a sustained stream of electricity. It retains the paralyzing effect of a fully-charged Wave Beam in the original release of the game, though not in the later Wii version. Victims to the Wavebuster will be rendered totally incapable of movement, and will be flung violently backwards when the Wavebuster ceases to fire (seen on Space Pirate forces). An enemy that survives a Wavebuster's assault will be momentarily paralyzed before getting back up. An unusual effect of the Wavebuster is its auto-targeting feature. If fired without first locking-on to an enemy, the Wavebuster will acquire a target by itself, shooting off at an angle from the tip of Samus' Arm Cannon. It is recommended to fire the weapon from a distance and not at too close of range. Should Samus touch a wall or object at point-blank range, the Wavebuster will immediately cease firing.
This weapon is activated by first charging the Wave Beam and then pressing the Missile button. It requires 10 Missiles for the initial shot, and then drains 5 Missiles per second afterwards. Because of this, even though it is very powerful, the Wavebuster is best used sparingly lest Samus run out of Missiles. In addition to this high ammo usage, many Missiles are required to obtain it. In the Tower of Light, blocks that require three Missiles to destroy (six in Hard/Hypermode) are holding up the tower itself. There are three layers of tower, each with four of said blocks, whilst Oculi, which will reflect any Missiles that come near them, crawl over these blocks. These factors can make it difficult to obtain if Samus does not have many Missile Expansions.
Its appearance and effects are very similar to a real-life directed energy weapon, the electrolaser, which uses a laser to ionize surrounding air whilst a secondary charge releases an electrical shock.
Uses[]
The Wavebuster is most useful against multiple Wave Troopers in a room, Meta Ridley's grounded form, and the Metroid Prime's exoskeleton. The Wavebuster's auto-targeting features also makes the weapon the quickest and easiest way to dispatch the Cloaked Drone. When used on Metroid Prime, the Wavebuster will paralyze the boss while it is in use, seemingly slowing down the creature as visible purple electricity surrounds its body. Though due to the creature's immense power, it may still attack while receiving damage from the Wavebuster.
Official Data[]
Inventory data[]
Wavebuster
The Wavebuster is the Wave Charge Combo. This potent blast auto-seeks targets in the area.
The Wavebuster is a Sustained Fire Charge Combo. It costs 10 Missiles to activate, then 5 Missiles per second afterward.
The Wavebuster will seek enemies without a lock-on.
Metroid Prime acquisition message[]
"Wavebuster acquired!
This powerful attack uses Missiles while active! Using the Wave Beam, press and hold [A] to charge, then press [Y]/[Control Pad (Down)] to fire. Hold [A] for continuous fire.
Additional data downloaded to Inventory Screen. Press [START]/[2] to access the Inventory Screen."
Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]
- WAVEBUSTER
- "A blast from the Wavebuster will send anyone running. The weapon arcs a charged Wave Beam through the air and continues firing for as long as you hold the Y Button. The attack drains your Missile supply quickly--it costs 15 Missiles to fire the beam and about 10 per second to keep it going."
Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]
- WAVEBUSTER
- "The Wavebuster is the Wave Charge Combo. This potent blast auto-seeks targets in the area. Wavebuster is a Sustained Fire Charge Combo. It costs 10 Missiles to activate, then 5 Missiles per second afterward. The Wavebuster seeks enemies without a lock-on."
Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]
- WAVEBUSTER
- "This is the final Beam Combo that you'll find in the game. To use the Wavebuster, switch to your Wave Beam, charge up its power, and then press Y and hold A down to continuously fire an obscenely powerful blast that will deplete your Missile reserve more quickly than you'd probably ever wished to see."
Trivia[]
- If Samus Sequence Breaks to obtain the Wavebuster before the Varia Suit, she can use it to damage Flaahgra.
- Its stream-like appearance is very similar to the proton packs regularly used in the 1984 comedy Ghostbusters, which may explain its name.
- Using the Wavebuster on a Missile Door Lock will not destroy the Lock. Oddly, the door itself will still open. Such doors behave the same when Samus uses the Flamethrower on them.
- In the original GameCube versions of Metroid Prime, The Wavebuster was capable of damaging and stunlocking Meta Ridley's grounded phase quickly enough that consecutive usage of the weapon would temporarily glitch him into invincibility while stunned.
Gallery[]
Charge Combos |
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Super Missile | Wavebuster | Ice Spreader | Flamethrower Darkburst | Sunburst | Sonic Boom Special Charge Beam Attacks | Phazon Combo (unused) |