Screw Attack

A somersaulting maneuver that destroys enemies in its path.

The Screw Attack is a pivotal power-up within the original 1986 Metroid, serving as both a devastating offensive maneuver and a critical traversal tool. In this sprite-rendered two-dimensional landscape of planet Zebes, Samus Aran begins her mission with only a weak power beam and the ability to jump. To progress through the cavernous world, she must locate specific upgrades that grant new abilities. Among these is the Screw Attack as a somersaulting move capable of destroying enemies directly in its path. This upgrade transforms Samus's movement, allowing her to eliminate foes while rolling and effectively clearing obstacles that would otherwise halt her advance.

Lore & Background

The narrative context for the Screw Attack is rooted in Samus Aran's infiltration of the Space Pirates' base on Zebes. In the year 20X5, after the Galactic Federation failed to stop the pirates from seizing Metroid samples, they dispatched Samus as a lone bounty hunter. Her objective was to navigate the planet's caverns and defeat key figures like Kraid and Ridley before confronting Mother Brain. Samus travels through these areas finding upgrades such as missiles, bombs, energy tanks, the Morph Ball, Ice Beam, and the Screw Attack. She utilizes these weapons to dispatch alien creatures blocking her way. The Screw Attack specifically aids in this hunt by allowing her to destroy enemies encountered during her traversal of the hostile environment.

Reader's Guide

In gameplay terms, the Screw Attack is an upgrade that enhances Samus's combat capabilities within the action-adventure format of Metroid. It is one of the included power-ups alongside the Morph Ball and Bombs. While the Morph Ball allows rolling into tunnels and Bombs open hidden paths when used in ball form, the Screw Attack functions as a somersaulting move that destroys enemies in its path. This ability is part of the game's core loop where players collect power-ups to reach previously inaccessible areas.

Did You Know?

Metroid was originally released in Japan for the Family Computer Disk System in August 1986, with the North American NES release following in August 1987.
Western versions of Metroid use a 24-letter password system, which also allows for the cheat code 'NARPAS SWORD' to grant infinite health and ammo.

Genre-Defining Gameplay Mechanics

Metroid pioneered a formula focusing on exploration and searching for power-ups to access new areas, defining what is now known as the Metroidvania genre. The game takes place on planet Zebes, a large world connected by doors and elevators. Players control Samus starting with limited abilities, then collect upgrades like the Morph Ball, Bombs, and Screw Attack. These items allow entry into previously inaccessible zones. The source explicitly notes that Kraid and Ridley must be defeated to open the path to Mother Brain. This nonlinear design required players to retrace steps with new tools, creating a sense of desperation and solitude while emphasizing permanent ability enhancements over temporary boosts.

Narrative Structure and Protagonist

The plot is set in 20X5 when Space Pirates steal Metroid creatures from a Galactic Federation vessel. The pirates plan to replicate these lifeforms using beta rays for biological warfare. After a failed assault by the Federation, Samus Aran is sent as a last resort to destroy Mother Brain. She lands on Zebes and explores its caverns, gathering upgrades including the Screw Attack to defeat aliens and bosses. A significant narrative element revealed in the source is that the game features varied endings based on completion time. In the third, fourth, and fifth endings, Samus appears without her suit, revealing she is a woman—a twist not present in the early manuals which used masculine pronouns.

Developmental Origins and Influences

Developed by Nintendo R&D1 and Intelligent Systems, Metroid was produced by Gunpei Yokoi and directed by Satoru Okada and Masao Yamamoto. The Screw Attack was created as part of this team's effort to distinguish the game through nonlinear adventure-based exploration. Composer Hirokazu Tanaka, who also provided input on graphics, aimed for a score that felt like a living organism. The development team faced resource constraints, leading Yoshio Sakamoto to leverage existing assets creatively. The idea for Samus being a woman was introduced mid-development by a staff member asking if it would be cool if the person in the suit were female. This concept influenced the game's multiple endings.

Critical Reception and Enduring Legacy

Metroid was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its graphics, soundtrack by Hirokazu Tanaka, and tight controls. It is considered one of the first games to feature a female protagonist and pioneered the Metroidvania genre. The source notes it ranked 11th on Nintendo Power's best games list, 7th by Game Informer, and 69th by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Its multiple endings made it an early popular title for speedrunning. The game has been rereleased on the Game Boy Advance in 2004 (also as Metroid: Zero Mission), and via Virtual Console on Wii, Wii U, and 3DS, as well as Nintendo Classics on Switch.