History VideoGame / MetroidSamusReturns

[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhOx-FpEAQk The trailer can be found here.]] A 3D version of the trailer can also be downloaded on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

** Like in hte original game, Arachnus is just part of [=SR388=]'s wildlife and isn't affiliated with the Metroids.

* OneRiotOneRanger: A villainous example: [[spoiler:Ridley goes on a lone mission to capture Metroids for the Space Pirates. The plan goes wrong when he arrives a little too late and finds that Samus already killed all of them except one. [[FinalBoss He's not too happy about it]].]]

** As per Metroid tradition, the game's ending varies slightly depending on your clear time and difficulty, with Samus appearing in a different pose and state of dress depending on how quickly you clear the game and on what difficulty level. The poses shown for hard mode cleared under 8 hours give Samus green hair and the one under four hours gives her a pink leotard, both mimicking her appearance in the original NES game in the post-credits sequence.

* MarathonBoss: Area 3 has a large, robust layout, many powerups and items to find, and 10 Metroids to hunt. There's also Area 8 (the final one), a long road towards Queen Metroid that includes a tall, imposing vertical chamber, a sequence where Samus has to slay newborn Metroids, the battle against the Metroid Queen, and the way back to the surface (at the end of which a surprise extra boss battle awaits).

** Superheated rooms recycle the music for [[LethalLavaLand Magmoor Caverns]] from ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime''.

** The Lower Norfair theme first heard in ''Super Metroid'' is again reused for the lava areas (like in ''Metroid Prime'').

* ShootTheShaggyDog: [[spoiler: As shown in TheStinger, Samus's actions on [=SR388=] undo the work the Chozo put in to try and contain the X, one of the most terrifying species known in the Metroid universe (and that's saying something). Even worse, she doesn't even accomplish her original objective of trying to kill off all the Metroids in order to keep them out of the hands of those who would use them as bioweapons by opting to spare the baby Metroid, something that comes back to bite her in ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid''. Samus's actions in this game arguably made the galaxy substantially ''less'' safe than if she'd just never taken the job from the Federation.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome:
** The outcome of the story (where Samus spares the last remaining Metroid) is the same as [[VideoGame/MetroidIIReturnOfSamus in the original game]]; but in this case, Samus is prepared to kill the Baby Metroid as soon it hatches. Even ignoring that Samus was sent to [=SR388=] to exterminate the Metroids because they've been repeatedly used as living [=WMDs=], one should still be cautious around the newborn spawn of a hostile animal (and even larval Metroids are notoriously hostile). Samus only dissipates her Charge Beam after enough time to conclude that the hatchling has no interest in harming her.
** During the fight with [[spoiler:Proteus Ridley]], the Baby Metroid tries to drain the boss's life energy a few times to help out Samus. While larval Metroids are difficult to dislodge while feeding on prey (Samus requires bombs to do so), the baby was only recently hatched, and thus, its fangs are tiny and not fully developed. As such, [[spoiler:Ridley]], being a much larger and more powerful creature, is able to shake it off easily, [[spoiler:and the only reason he doesn't kill it is that he needs it alive for the Pirates' plans]].

** Area 3, Sector 1's BGM includes beeping sound effects that are eerily similar to those of an [[VideoGame/MetroidDread EMMI]].

* AbilityMixing: The "Spider Boost" can be performed by using the [[WallCrawl Spider Ball]] and [[SmartBomb Power Bomb]] in conjunction, launching Samus in the direction she's facing at high speed. This [[SpiritualSuccessor functions much the same way as]] the "Ballspark" from ''Zero Mission''.

* BribingYourWayToVictory: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed.]] The ''Super Smash Bros.'' Samus amiibo unlocks the Missile Reserve Tank, the Zero Suit Samus amiibo unlocks the Energy Reserve Tank, the ''Samus Returns'' Samus amiibo unlocks the Aeion Reserve Tank, and the Metroid amiibo marks the location of the closest Metroid on your map. You don't need the amiibo to get the full experience of the game, though you do get a very slight advantage with them enabled.
** PlayedStraight with [[HarderthanHard Fusion Mode]] which is locked behind the Metroid amiibo.

* LethalLavaLand: No one area focuses on fire, but Areas 1 to 5 all have superheated rooms that require the Varia Suit, like in other Metroid games.

** Arachnus is just part of [=SR388=]'s wildlife and isn't affiliated with the Metroids.
** The Diggernaut is just an old Chozo machine gone haywire.
** [[spoiler:Ridley has his own agenda.]]

** When all of the Metroids except for the Queen and the as of yet unborn hatchling are dead, you hear a roar of rage from off screen. (Mommy's ''very'' angry.) And like last time, the Queen is protecting the last Metroid egg.

* MinimalistRun: It's entirely possible, albeit ''very'' difficult, to complete the game with 0% (no optional items collected) and without certain power-ups like the Spider Ball and Hi-Jump Boots.

** A minor example: when the reveal trailer featured [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v-IcTUddoc a song]] that sounds suspiciously similar to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezodVG5rLCA Arachnus-X battle theme]] from ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'', fans expected that Arachnus would use this song during its battle as a CallForward. Though Arachnus does feature [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1R7V8EX-Es a unique song]] for its boss fight (unlike the original ''Return of Samus''), it is neither the song heard in the trailer nor a remix of its ''Fusion'' theme. The song from the trailer is instead used for the encounters with Diggernaut.

* PistolWhipping: The method by which Samus uses the Melee Counter. When used offensively, though, it does little damage, but doing it on a frozen enemy will instantly shatter it.

* PointOfNoReturn: Breaking into the Queen Metroid's chamber is still this, but not for the same reasons. Unlike the original game, you can still backtrack through [=SR388=] even after you've acquired the baby Metroid. In fact, you're required to for 100% completion, as the baby Metroid's ability to eat rock crystals is needed to access certain items. [[spoiler:Instead, you can no longer use your gunship to heal, as going there triggers the final battle with Proteus Ridley.]]

* SlippySlideyIceWorld: The Chozo laboratory found in Area 7 is filled with ice.

* SuspiciousVideoGameGenerosity: [[spoiler:After you defeat the Metroid Queen (the final boss of the original game), the tunnel to take you to the surface provides you energy/weapon expansions, enemies to still fight, save/recharge stations and a teleporter (never mind that the Metroid hatchling is required to get some expansions in the earlier areas). Yeah, you're not done yet.]]

* OneHundredPercentCompletion: Getting 100% for collecting all item collectibles will unlock the Chozo Memories, showing the backstory of the Chozos on [=SR388=].
* EleventhHourSuperpower: After you [[spoiler:defeat the penultimate boss, the Queen Metroid, the baby Metroid will follow you and destroy crystal formations that block your way]], which is the only way to obtain certain upgrades if you backtrack to previous areas before returning to Samus's gunship.

* AIIsACrapshoot: Diggernaut is an old machine that tries to kill Samus and otherwise inconveniences her after she inadvertently activates it.
* AbandonedLaboratory: Area 7 is a large laboratory complex, which the Chozo Memories shows is the place where the Metroids were originally created.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: [[spoiler:The 11th Chozo Memory established the character of Raven Beak years before he would make his proper debut in ''VideoGame/MetroidDread''. Namely that [[TheUnfettered he betrayed and murdered the Chozo]] on [=SR388=] in a surprise attack, and he was concealing [[EvilCounterpart a Power Suit]] similar to Samus's under his cloak.]]

* GroundPound:

* EarlyGameHell: Although missile expansions are plentiful at the start, Energy Tanks are incredibly scarce - either being well hidden, unreachable due to requiring certain equipment, or both. Combined with the [[SequelDifficultySpike sharp increase in difficulty and damage taken in comparison to previous games]], the first few hours can be true hell.

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Just when you think you've beaten [[spoiler:the Queen Metroid]] and are ready to head back to your ship, [[spoiler:suddenly... flying through the clouds of [=SR388=]... Space Pirate Ridley appears! Given that he doesn't appear in the original ''Metroid II'', his presence as the new FinalBoss may come off as surprising (though not that surprising given [[AdaptationalExpansion the expansion of the story and several plot holes that get filled for the Prime series and Super Metroid due to his appearance]]) for some veterans]].

** The "Spiderspark" move (using a power bomb while in Spider Ball mode launches you straight away from the surface you're attached to). It's required to get a few upgrades that are behind rows of spikes, but the game never explains how to do it. This move can also be used to interrupt some of the [[spoiler:Queen Metroid]]'s lengthier attacks by shooting off the wall directly into its head.

* KillerRabbit: The baby Metroid is absolutely adorable, flying around Samus, eating the rock crystals blocking her path, and chirping happily... [[spoiler:but if you try to hurt its mama then it will drain you dry]].

* LiterallyShatteredLives: Most enemies frozen with the Ice Beam will shatter instantly if Samus hits them with a melee swing before they can thaw.

** When all of the Metroids except for the Queen and the as of yet unborn hatchling are dead, you hear a roar of rage from off screen. "Mommy's very angry". And like last time, the Queen is protecting the last Metroid egg.

* MeatMoss: The Metroid nest in Area 8 is full of webbing-like material caking the walls and floors; large twisted pillars that appear to be composed of organic material; and sharp tooth-like structures reminiscent of those found in the [[VideoGame/MetroidPrime Impact Crater]]. Similar to the [[Film/{{Aliens}} alien-infested colony on LV-426]], the Metroids can apparently warp their environment, causing these same organic structures to appear in rooms occupied by Metroids in any other area of [=SR388=].

* MinimalistRun: It's entirely possible, if very difficult, to complete the game with 0% (no optional items collected) and without certain power-ups like the Spider Ball and Hi-Jump Boots.

** The movement speed in Morph Ball form isn't as fast as it used to be in other games (and as in all other games it appeared in, slower still with the Spider Ball active), thus it's generally faster to just run normally.

** Infinite bomb jumping was previously just an exploit. Not only is it still around, it's shown off in the game's trailer, and in gameplay, there's fans that suck up any placed bombs near them, preventing you from bomb jumping in their presense and out of all games, infinite bomb jumps are probably the easiest to do here than in any other game in the series.

** Though it won't freeze them, Metroids are still vulnerable to the ice beam in their later stages of evolution, another allusion to ''Metroid Fusion''. The Omega Metroid is also a massive beast resembling its ''Fusion'' counterpart.

** Area 3, Sector 1's BGM includes beeping sound effects that are eerily identical to that of an [[VideoGame/Metroid Dread EMMI.]]

* {{Cutscene}}: There are small cutscenes scattered throughout the game, usually when introducing game elements at the beginning or before, during, or after a boss fight.

* DenialOfDiagonalAttack: [[AvertedTrope Averted]]; unlike the original game, Samus can not only aim in all eight directions, with the Free Aim function she can stand or kneel in place and shoot from any angle desired. And we mean ''any'' angle -- she can even shoot ''behind'' herself now.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: [[spoiler:The 11th Chozo Memory established the character of Raven Beak years before he would make his proper debut in ''VideoGame/MetroidDread''. Namely that [[TheUnfettered he betrayed and murdered the Chozo]] on [=SR388=] in a surprise attack, and he was concealing [[EvilCounterpart a Power Suit]] similar to Samus under his cloak.]]

* EverythingTryingToKillYou: If it's alive, it's not Samus, and it isn't inhabiting the background, it's probably trying to kill Samus. And the background thing is not even always true...

* FinalExamBoss: The battle with the Queen Metroid forces you to use virtually every upgrade, even the usually exploration-based spider ball, to win. [[spoiler:This helps disguise the fact it isn't the true final battle.]]

** When all of the Metroids except for the Queen and as of yet unborn hatchling, you hear a roar of rage from off screen. "Mommy's very angry". And like last time, the Queen is protecting the last Metroid egg.

!All spoilers for ''VideoGame/Metroid}1}'' (as well as [[VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission its remake]]) and the ''{{VideoGame/Metroid Prime|Trilogy}}'' trilogy will be left unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned!

!All spoilers for ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' (as well as its remake) and the ''{{VideoGame/Metroid Prime|Trilogy}}'' trilogy will be left unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned!

** Area 3, Sector 1's BGM includes beeping sound effects that are eerily identical to that of an [[EMMI.]]

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/samusreturns.png]]
[[caption-width-right:320:[[ShesBack At last, the Hunter has returned.]]]]

* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: [[spoiler:Complete the game between 4 and 8 hours on Hard Mode, and the results screen has helmet-less Samus appear with green hair, a reference to the playable unarmoured appearance from the original ''[[VideoGame/Metroid1 Metroid]]''. If you manage to complete the game under 4 hours on Hard Mode, Samus' Zero Suit becomes a modernized makeover of her original unarmoured outfit to go with it.]]

* MonstrousScenery: [=SR388=] is home to enormous creatures internally named "[=Bugcrystal02=]" (found in Area 4, resembling a crab with crystals growing out of its back) and "[=Bigbug01=]" (found in Area 6, resembling a spiked slug with one eye), which roam the caverns in the background and never directly interact with Samus Aran. Their titanic sizes serve to make Samus seem even smaller and more alone in these deep expansive underground.

* AmazonianBeauty: Samus is this once again, sporting a Zero Suit design superficially similar to her ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' design but with a more athletic physique.

* EarlyBirdCameo: No {{pun}} intended, but ''Samus Returns'' features a few Chozo characters in the Chozo Memories that would later appear prominently in ''VideoGame/MetroidDread''. They are Quiet Robe of the Thoha tribe and Raven Beak of the Mawkin tribe. Quiet Robe is seen in the background with his unique headpiece in most of the Memories, working on the Metroid creation. And Raven Beak is seen at the last two Memories [[spoiler:discussing with the Thoha tribe about the sealed Metroids... and then suddenly gunning all but Quiet Robe in a surprise attack, with clear ill-intent for the planet that would later be elaborated in ''Dread'']].