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Zoomer (ジーマ Jeema) is a species of semi-spherical, hard-shelled creatures with spikes along their backs.
Description[]
Zoomers are the first creatures ever encountered in the series. They originally only appeared in two colors: yellow and red. Zoomers are found on a wide variety of planets, with various distinct physical features and adaptations. For example, the Zoomers located on Tallon IV have gray shells and 18 eyes, while those found in the Tetra galaxy have a reddish coloration and 5 eyes.
In all of its incarnations, the simple-minded Zoomer is capable only of walking in set patterns. It will not directly attack Samus: she must instead accidentally or intentionally touch one in order to take damage. As such, they exclusively feed on corpses of other creatures instead of attacking live ones.
According to the Biohazard Containment scan, the Zoomer is native to Tallon IV. This suggests that it is an invasive species on other planets. The Metroid Prime Hunters logbook entry for the Zoomer states that it was the primary transmission vector of a flesh-eating bacteria on Zebes, which caused the extinction of many native species.
The more resilient Geemers are an evolutionary offshoot of the Zoomer family. They often share habitats and can be found on the same planets. By extension, Nintendo Official Guidebook for Metroid Other M also establishes Snomers and Sovas to be other related species.
Metroid Prime Hunters[]
Zoomers in the Tetra Galaxy have a body type similar to Tallon IV Zoomers, but with reddish carapaces. They possess five eyes, but the bottom three are frequently hidden, giving them the appearance of having two eyes similar to Zebesian Zoomers.
They are susceptible to all types of damage. Two regular hits from the Power Beam or a hit from any other attack is sufficient to defeat one.
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First Hunt[]
Simulation Zoomers have a darker, blueish-grey shell with silver-like spines and a pink underbelly with yellow toes. They are seen roaming corridors and conduits, going back in forth along a set movement path. Their evasive patterns of movement can make it difficult to score a direct hit.
In Regulator, all the Zoomers in a room must be defeated before Samus can proceed to the next one. In Survivor, Zoomers appear along the small corridors near the center of the map along the lower floor, but are (usually) not in the player's path. Three regular Power Beam shots, 2 Bombs or a single Missile can defeat a Zoomer. If the target Zoomer is crawling along the floor, Bombs may be a safer attack method (to retain the player's score) since they do not require a precise hit to damage one.
Zoomers also appear in Morph Ball (and is the only enemy type to appear in all single-player modes). They only serve as an minor obstacle, rather than an objective, staying along the walls and avoiding the floor where Samus is rolling around.
Connection to the Geemer[]
The original Metroid for the Family Computer Disk System introduced the species named ジーマ, which was renamed "Zoomer" when the game was localized for the Nintendo Entertainment System. When Super Metroid was released, the species's Japanese name remained unchanged, but its English name was changed to "Geemer", a more accurate romanization of the Japanese name. The internal data of Super Metroid still refers to Geemers as "Zoomer", but all official published media adopted the new "Geemer" name. Several other species, such as Menu and Sova, likewise had their names changed, with the new name effectively retconning the old name.
However, Metroid Prime reconciled the old "Zoomer" and new "Geemer" names by canonically establishing both as related species of single evolutionary family. This distinction is continued through subsequent English releases of the 2D Metroid games. When Metroid was remade as Metroid: Zero Mission and later ported to the Game Boy Advance as part of the Classic NES Series, these appearances retain the old "Zoomer" name; similarly, when Nintendo of America tweeted Metroid artwork for its 35th anniversary, this species was once again called "Zoomer".[1] Furthermore, its appearance in Metroid: Other M, which is based on its Super Metroid design, uses the new "Geemer" name.[2] Therefore, while the Japanese canon considers Zoomers and Geemers to be the same species with the same name (except in the Prime series), the English canon considers them separate species with distinct names.
However, this means that untranslated Japanese media (such as Victory Techniques for Metroid or Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order) will always refer to the species as ジーマ, which can refer to either Zoomers or Geemers. In this instance, the media's context will be factored in when determining whether the creature should be considered a Zoomer or Geemer. For example, since Zebes Invasion Order is based upon the original game (which only featured Zoomers), then its creatures will be considered Zoomers.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Zero Mission artwork of a Zoomer is referred to as a Geemer, which unfortunately muddles the previously-established distinction between Geemers and Zoomers in the 2D games. However, material directly from the Metroid series should be considered "more canon" than Super Smash Bros., which is known to make a few factual errors.
Locations[]
Metroid Prime[]
- Biohazard Containment
- Tallon Canyon
- Transport Tunnel A
- Transport Tunnel B
- Root Cave
- Transport Tunnel C
- Workstation Tunnel
Metroid Prime Hunters[]
Other appearances[]
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.
Nintendo Comics System[]
In Deceit Du Jour, there is a talking red Zoomer serving Mother Brain on board the mechanical asteroid, Metroid. Unlike the canonical Metroid series, this Zoomer is depicted as sapient, and is able to speak and hold a blaster.
Another red Zoomer appeared on the cover of a Captain N: The Game Master issue. One purple Zoomer is a prisoner of RX 338, while a red Zoomer is among the enemies attacking Kid Icarus in A King of Shreds and Patches.
Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt[]
In Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, Zoomers appear as Xenomorph holograms during the Survivor, Regulator, and Morph Ball modes. They are essentially identical to their appearance in the full Metroid Prime Hunters game.
Tetris DS[]
Zoomers are featured prominently in the Catch Mode of Tetris DS.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
Although the Geemer appears as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it uses the artwork of a Zoomer from Zero Mission.
Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.
Official data[]
Metroid manual[]
- Zoomer
- "These fierce little creatures spray sticky fluid from their feet so they can move along the floor or up and down walls. There are two kinds: red zoomers and less powerful yellow zoomers."
Victory Techniques for Metroid[]
This article, section, or file contains text that is unofficially translated by Metroid fans. Some information (such as proper English names) may not be accurate. If an official translation becomes available, the fan translation(s) may be replaced.
"This organism excretes a mucus from its legs while crawling on the rocks. The yellow Zoomer can be destroyed with two shots from the normal beam. The red ones are destroyed with four."
The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]
CHARACTERS (p. 54)
- ZOOMER
- "The first enemy Samus meets. He approaches by crawling along the floors and walls."
Nintendo Power Volume 29[]
- ENEMIES OF BRINSTAR AND NORFAIR (pg. 41)
- ZOOMER
- "Round and round the stones they go, and they are easy to defeat."
Logbook entries[]
Zoomer
Morphology: Zoomer
Anchors itself to walls and other surfaces. Avoid contact with spikes.
A basic nerve center located directly above the Zoomer's mandibles detects nutrients. Sharp spines protect it from casual predators, but the lack of a reinforced carapace makes the Zoomer vulnerable to any indirect attacks.
Zoomer
Best known for breeding rapidly and carrying disease, ZOOMERS are responsible for the spread of flesh-eating bacteria on ZEBES, resulting in the extinction of many native species.
Biohazard Containment[]
Specimen Holding
Morphology: Zoomer
Info >> Native of Tallon IV
Unused Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Logbook entry[]
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.
Zoomer
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Morphology: Zoomer
Armored nomadic scavenger.
Spines on creature can cause minor damage. Shell vulnerable to attack from multiple weapon systems.
A basic nerve center located directly above the Zoomer's mandibles detects nutrients.
Sharp spines protect it from casual predators, but the lack of a reinforced carapace makes the Zoomer vulnerable to any indirect attacks.
Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.
Official Metroid Prime website[]
"Zoomers anchor themselves to walls and other surfaces. Basic nerve centers located directly above the mandibles are able to detect nutrients which the Zoomers digest. Sharp spines protect them from casual predators, but the lack of a reinforced carapace makes them vulnerable to more persistent foes.
The Zoomer is protected by a spiny shell which covers a basic nerve center located directly above the mandibles."
Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide[]
- Zoomer
- "Zoomers are spiky creatures that crawl on the sides of rocks. Their spikes are dangerous, so don't step on them. You can destroy these critters with any weapon you like."
- Zoomer
- Found In: Tallon Overworld, Magmoor Caverns
- Recommended Weapon: Any
- "Zoomers are spiky wall crawlers. They lack a particularly strong shell and can be destroyed by any one of your weapons. Zoomers aren't aggressive, because they are always busy scavenging for food. They don't pose much of a threat but can be a real annoyance when you are trying to navigate floating platforms and ledges. Don't waste missiles on them; destroy them with any other weapon."
Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]
- ZOOMER
- "Zoomers are spiky creatures that have the ability to cling to, and climb, walls, ceilings and other sheer surfaces. They are relatively weak creatures, and can be dispatched with a couple of Power Beam blasts. Avoid touching the creatures' sharp spikes."
Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]
- ZOOMER
- MORPHOLOGY
- "Anchors itself to walls and other surfaces. Avoid contact with the Zoomer's spines. A basic nerve center located directly above the Zoomer's mandibles detects nutrients. Sharp spines protect it from casual predators, but the lack of a reinforced carapace makes the Zoomer vulnerable to any indirect attacks."
- COMBAT TIPS
- "The Zoomer is vulnerable to all attacks. A Missile will take one out with a single hit (even a close near-miss). Three shots from a Power Beam also do the necessary damage to turn a Zoomer into dust."
Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]
- ZOOMER
- "These tiny creatures have a not-very-resilient spiky shell and crawl around flat surfaces. A few Power Beam shots are enough to destroy them."
Metroid: Zero Mission manual[]
- Zoomers
- "These fierce little creatures excrete a sticky liquid from their feet, allowing them to move up, down, and across floors, walls, and ceilings. There are two kinds of Zoomers: red ones and yellow ones. Red ones are much more powerful."
Official Metroid Zero Mission website[]
- "Pointed spikes"
- "Gripping legs"
- "Razor-sharp teeth"
"SPECIMEN ID# X-7260 Wide leg-span and gripping nature of feet allows specimen to easily climb rock formations. Rock-crushing teeth suggests creature feeds on nutrients found in soil and ore. Exterior spikes are defensive in nature, but can be used to immobilize enemies. DANGER LEVEL: MODERATE."
Trivia[]
- Zoomers somewhat resemble Spinies, from the Super Mario series, and are even referred to as Spiny in Nintendo Power Volume 29.[3] They also behave almost identically to Spike Tops, another enemy from the Super Mario series.
- In the original Metroid game, Zoomers had tentacles as limbs. In all later titles, they are depicted with insectoid legs.
- A Zoomer is depicted on the Metroid Trucker Cap.
- Zoomers were planned to appear in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes but were cut from the final game.[4]
- There is a small glitch in Metroid Prime and the New Play Control! Metroid Prime: if a Zoomer is hit with a glancing shot from the Ice Beam, it will freeze in place, but the ice frames won't cover it.
- There is a flaw in the Zoomer AI in the original Metroid. If the object the Zoomer is standing on is destroyed, the Zoomer continually spins in place, as the AI is constantly rotating by -90°. This is fixed in Metroid: Zero Mission, as the Zoomer unceremoniously falls to the floor.
- Creatures closely resembling Zoomers appear in the Captain N: The Game Master episode Germ Wars. However, the episode is based upon the game Faxanadu, which features similarly spiny enemies called Zozuras, making it uncertain whether these creatures were actually intended to be Zoomers.
Gallery[]
![High definition version released in 2021.[1]](/wiki/File:NES_Metroid_HQ_Zoomer_artwork.png "NES Metroid HQ Zoomer artwork.png (806 KB)")
.png "Famicom Choco - Zoomer (underside).png (231 KB)")
Captain N appearances[]
References[]
- ^ a b Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). "Here’s some of the original art of the characters and creatures from Metroid, including Ridley who looks much different than the version you may know most recently from Super #SmashBrosUltimate. ¶ - Samus ¶ - Ridley ¶ - Kraid ¶ - Zoomer" 6 August 2021 9:30 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1423637512401133577
- ^ Metroid: Other M Premiere Edition
- ^ Nintendo Power volume 29, page 40: "To reach the energy tank in the ceiling near the starting room, shoot it, freeze a Spiny or Skree about half way to the tank, jump onto the frozen creature and then jump to the energy tank."
- ^ http://tcrf.net/Metroid_Prime_2:_Echoes
| 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 |