- Not to be confused with the X-Ray Visor from the Prime series.
| “ | It's definitely my X-ray scope. This scope allows me to reveal secret passages on the planet of Zebes. This planet has tons of hidden caves and I need to find these if I want to defeat the Mother Brain. | „ |
The X-Ray Scope (Xレイスコープ Xrei Sukōpu), also referred to as the X-Ray device[2] is an exclusive item found in Super Metroid. It allows Samus Aran to see hidden passages and reveal destructible blocks, a similar function to the Power Bomb used in Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission. It is found in Brinstar. One should note that the Scope will initially "freeze time", making all present movement halt. However, any countdown timers and game timers will continue running as the Scope is in effect.
Official data[]
Super Metroid manual[]
- X-RAY SCOPE
- "Method of use: Dash Button held down
(Samus cannot move while using this item)
This item allows you to see hidden passages."
Super Metroid acquisition message[]
"X-RAY SCOPE
select [X-Ray Scope Icon] press & hold the B button."
Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide[]
- X-RAY SCOPE
- "Being able to see through walls and other surfaces will help Samus tremendously as she searches for Items and passages."
- X-RAY SCOPE
- "Located in Brinstar. Locate hidden passages, hidden Items and traps with the penetrating qualities of the X-Ray Scope. This Item isn't essential for finishing the game, but it sure helps!"
Super Metroid Players' Guide[]
- Terminals (page 8)
- "A very useful piece of kit, this. When in use, it generates a beam allowing you to see any hidden passage on the current screen. To use the X-ray, you must be stationary. Highlight the icon with SELECT and hold [B]. You can now move the beam around via the pad. Location: Brinstar."
Nintendo Power Volume 59[]
- X-RAY SCOPE
- "Many Zebesian tunnels cannot be seen by the naked eye. This device reveals hidden passages."
Super Metroid GamePro Strategy Guide[]
- X-Ray Scope
- "The scope reveals secret passages."
Glitches[]
- There is a glitch which allows Samus to make 'clones'. First, she must have the item before the X-Ray Scope is equipped (usually the Power Bombs or the Grapple Beam). Then, using the Speed Booster, Samus must run until she starts to glow and then clones of Samus will appear behind her. Once that happens, she can switch to the X-Ray Scope and the sprites behind Samus will follow her every movement until she lets go of the button.
- If the run button is released at the right time, Samus will be put in a standing position, even if she otherwise would not be able to do so. This can be abused to get out of bounds by intentionally getting stuck in a door. Additionally, using the X-Ray Scope while out of bounds can corrupt the RAM, which can be used to activate the escape sequence flag and end the game without defeating Mother Brain.
- When activated, the X-Ray Scope disables Samus's and every enemy's invulnerability frames. This can be combined with the Plasma Beam to quickly kill any enemy that can be pierced by the latter.
- By getting hit to zero health with Reserve Tanks set to automatic and precisely activating and deactivating X-Ray Scope, it is possible to enter a glitched state nicknamed "G-Mode" where certain objects do not properly function.
Trivia[]
- In the Super Metroid manga story Peeping, Samus accidentally sees two Etecoons engaging in foreplay using the X-Ray Scope.
- The X-Ray Scope is the precursor to the X-Ray Visor of the Metroid Prime series. Chronologically, however, the X-Ray Visors were the first to be acquired by Samus.
- Its function is also very similar to the Scan Visor as they are both used to identify destructible objects.
- The X-Ray Scope is one of three items in Super Metroid that is not used in Metroid: Other M, the other two being the Spazer Beam and High Jump Boots. The Search View feature in the game serves a similar role as the scope, however.
- The X-Ray Scope is achieved through means of the SNES Window function with HDMA, combined with copying the foreground layer over the background layer with fake tiles removed or replaced.[3]
- A Metroid Hat offered through a Nintendo Power catalog was described in said catalog: "This cotton twill hat may not have an X Ray Scope, but it does have a cool Samus trademark logo."
- Ridley's Lair contains a fake wall that that the X-Ray Scope identifies as a real wall. This is the only known wall for the X-Ray Scope to behave this way. The reason for this is related to the Firefleas' dimming effect. As this wall conceals the exit to Ridley's Lair (as a previous room is flooded by scalding-hot lava), it has led to some players becoming unsure of how to leave the area.
Gallery[]
References[]
| Visors |
|---|
| Combat Visor | Scan Visor | Thermal Visor | X-Ray Visor Dark Visor | Echo Visor | Command Visor Hacker Mode | X-Ray Scope | Search View |