History YMMV / MetroidPrime3Corruption

* {{Woolseyism}}: An English-to-Japanese example for once. The Japanese version mentions in Meta Ridley's scans that he's a ''different organism'' from the Ridley fought on Tallon IV back in ''Prime 1'', rather a clone of him. This would explain the drastic redesign, and why he can explode into Phazon dust in this game but return just fine in ''Samus Returns'', but it's not mentioned anywhere in the original English version.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation:

** Mogenar, the Core Guardian of the Leviathan on Bryyo. To defeat it, you have to destroy its four power cores one at a time, then use Hypermode to destroy the cores' sockets so that it can't replace the destroyed cores. Problem is, [[DamageSpongeBoss not only are those cores very durable]], don't stay exposed for long, frequently switch sockets and repair themselves if left alone long enough, Mogenar is one of the earliest bosses in the game. As such, you'll only have five energy tanks at maximum and the measly Power Beam, and [[CastFromHitPoints sacrificing health for Hypermode]] means you'll likely be very weak towards the end of the battle. The last of its power cores is on its back, making shooting it and its socket even harder. There are ways of slowing Mogenar down, like using Ice Missiles to freeze its face when it fires its mouth laser, but otherwise it's a very difficult boss at this early stage in the game. It gets worse on Hypermode difficulty, as the cores' increased hit-points make it next to impossible to prevent it from replacing destroyed cores [[AIRoulette if it attempts to do so]] (it always grabs two cores for replacement, and they both can take a lot of punishment from the Hyper Beam), [[MarathonBoss potentially causing a long fight to drag out even longer]].

* ImprovedSecondAttempt:
** After a few extreme cases of CheckpointStarvation before bosses in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' due to how some areas were designed and save stations being your only form of checkpoint (most infamously before the [[ThatOneBoss Alpha Blogg]] and [[GoddamnedBoss Spider Guardian]]), the game always sets up temporary checkpoints before boss fights, major battles, or segments that can result in a NonStandardGameOver if failed.
** Another often criticized aspect of ''Echoes'' was the endgame scavenger hunt for the Sky Temple Keys, which was considered to be the most tedious late-game collectathon in the series (and one of for the ActionAdventure genre) due to incredibly cryptic clues, a lot of backtracking to find the keys, and most of the keys requiring ''very'' late-game upgrades to collect. In ''Corruption'', not only are a good number of the Power Cells (this game's "final area keys") found barely out of the way (and sometimes ''in'' the way, as collecting those specific Cells is mandatory for immediate progression) and are evenly accessible throughout your adventure, you don't have to collect all of them to finish the main story. The only reason you'll have to find them all is if you're going for OneHundredPercentCompletion and want the hidden endings.
** After two straight games of the DisappointingLastLevel you've spent the whole game preparing for being very short, nonhostile and essentially just a lobby for the boss room, ''Corruption'''s final level is Phaaze, which comprises a very long trek through an extremely hostile living planet while you try to stave off terminal corruption long enough to find and kill Dark Samus. You also can't leave once you get there.

** Mogenar, the Core Guardian of the Leviathan on Bryyo. To defeat it, you have to destroy its four power cores one at a time, then use Hypermode to destroy the cores' sockets so that it can't replace the destroyed cores. Problem is, [[DamageSpongeBoss not only are those cores very durable]], don't stay exposed for long, frequently switch sockets and repair themselves if left alone long enough, Mogenar is one of the earliest bosses in the game. As such, you'll only have five energy tanks at maximum and the measly Power Beam, and [[CastFromHitPoints sacrificing health for Hypermode]] means you'll likely be very weak towards the end of the battle. The last of its power cores is on its back, making shooting it and its socket even harder. There are ways of slowing Mogenar down, like using Ice Missiles to freeze its face when it fires its mouth laser, but otherwise it's a very difficult boss at this early stage in the game. It gets worse on Hypermode difficulty, as the cores' increased hit-points make it nearly impossible to prevent it from replacing destroyed cores [[AIRoulette if it attempts to do so]] (you'd have to be ''really'' quick for even Hypermode to stop it), [[MarathonBoss potentially causing the fight to drag out even longer]].

* FanficFuel: The Aurora Units and their possible connection to Mother Brain. A pre-release trailer briefly showed a blueprint for a "Future Aurora Complex" that looked almost identical to Mother Brain's chamber in ''Super Metroid'', and [[spoiler:the FinalBoss is an Aurora Unit converted into the control unit of Phaaze much like Mother Brain was the control unit of Zebes]], all of which imply that their presence here is related to her reappearance in ''Super''. Furthermore, a DummiedOut scan log mentions that Aurora Unit 242 is nicknamed "Other Brain" by G. F. S. Olympus veterans, indicating that the Federation characters are well aware of the Mother Brain similarities. But the game never fully clarifies the connection, and the timeline of when Mother Brain was built by the Chozo compared to when the [=AU=]s were built by the Federation is unknown. Future games haven't clarified this either: the plot of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' involves [[spoiler:an evil Federation-built android whose artificial intelligence and psychic powers are directly based on Mother Brain's]], and ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeFederationForce'' features the Pirate-designed Master Brain controlling the Doomseye, but what if any connections those have to the [=AU=]s are never mentioned.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Despite the game's shift to a slightly more cinematic and less melodic soundtrack, there are still a handful of bops courtesy of Creator/KenjiYamamoto, once again in top form.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** After a few extreme cases of CheckpointStarvation before bosses in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' due to how some areas were designed and save stations being your only form of checkpoint (most infamously before the [[ThatOneBoss Alpha Blogg]] and [[GoddamnedBoss Spider Guardian]]), the game always sets up temporary checkpoints before boss fights, major battles, or segments that can result in a NonStandardGameOver if failed.
** Another often criticized aspect of ''Echoes'' was the endgame scavenger hunt for the Sky Temple Keys, which was considered to be the most tedious late-game collectathon in the series (and one of for the ActionAdventure genre) due to incredibly cryptic clues, a lot of backtracking to find the keys, and most of the keys requiring ''very'' late-game upgrades to collect. In ''Corruption'', not only are a good number of the Power Cells (this game's "final area keys") found barely out of the way (and sometimes ''in'' the way, as collecting those specific Cells is mandatory for immediate progression) and are evenly accessible throughout your adventure, you don't have to collect all of them to finish the main story. The only reason you'll have to find them all is if you're going for OneHundredPercentCompletion and want the hidden endings.
** After two straight games of the DisappointingLastLevel you've spent the whole game preparing for being very short, nonhostile and essentially just a lobby for the boss room, ''Corruption'''s final level is Phaaze, which comprises a very long trek through an extremely hostile living planet while you try to stave off terminal corruption long enough to find and kill Dark Samus. You also can't leave once you get there.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Inputting secret codes into the transmission console of Samus’s gunship unlocks secret messages from various Nintendo higher-ups, including the likes of Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto and Creator/SatoruIwata. The translations of these messages can be found [[https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Transmission_console here]]. What did series co-creator Creator/YoshioSakamoto have to say? “Have you been enjoying ''Metroid Prime 3 Corruption'', the final episode of the Metroid Prime trilogy? You have been enjoying it, I hope? Samus’s missions will still continue outside of this series. Please keep waiting for them. So, please look forward to the next Metroid.” Three years later, this game was followed by the incredibly divisive ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', which turned out to be the series’ FranchiseKiller for more than half a decade. Even worse, several of the most controversial elements of that game were directly caused by Sakamoto himself no less, due to his severe MagnumOpusDissonance and his apparent misunderstanding of what most of the audience wanted out of a ''Metroid'' game. Looking back on his excitement of the series’ future at this point in time, right before he himself killed it off for a while, is a bit painful to look at.

* HarsherInHindsight: A hidden audio file (accessible by entering Samus' gunship and putting a code inconspicuously provided in the hidden area of planet Norion) has then-Nintendo President Creator/SatoruIwata lament that no one seems to believe he's taking his role as head of the company seriously, as he doesn't appear to be physically affected by the stress of the job. Fast-forward to 2015, where Iwata died due to surgical complications with a bile duct growth. In the months prior to his death, fans could see him physically deteriorating in each new WebVideo/NintendoDirect as a result of his tumor and the stress of running Nintendo during a financially rough period.

* EightPointEight: In Gamespot's review of ''Corruption'', points were deducted because the control scheme was [[DoWellButNotPerfect so good]] that it made the game [[ItsEasySoItSucks too easy]], and that it wasn't ''{{Franchise/Halo}}''.

** For true completionists who want to get every possible credit in the game, the Gold Credit for completing the Federation demolition trooper EscortMission on the Pirate Homeworld without any member of the team dying. Keeping four of the twelve alive to progress the story is difficult enough in its own right. Keeping all twelve alive, however, meaning that even one dying fails to achieve the credit, is difficult enough to make a player want to hit their head against the wall repeatedly. Most noteworthy is that this is still excruciatingly difficult even on the easier difficulties. So good luck even trying it on Hypermode difficulty.

* BrokenBase: Many like how this game kicked up the story telling to provide an epic conclusion to the ''Prime'' trilogy. Others dislike the greater focus on story telling because it ended up making the game very linear, probably being one of the most linear games in the Metroid franchise. Many point out that's incredibly easy to get 100% on this game, with many managing to accomplish it on their first playthrough without use of a guide. [[FranchiseOriginalSin The much more linear]] ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' releasing afterwards and putting much greater focus on story telling didn't help, either.

* {{Mondegreen}}: The theme for Bryyo includes a choir chanting what sounds like "Pounds and pounds and pounds of beef" over and over.

** While the other characters speak, Samus stays [[HeroicMime silent]], so it can seem awkward when others converse with her and Samus never responds. Makes her seem like a SilentBob, despite other games showing otherwise.

** The theme for Bryyo includes a choir chanting what sounds like "Pounds and pounds and pounds of beef" over and over.

** In the Pirate Homeworld, there's a panel that Samus can scan that details how Metroid Project "Dread" is supposedly nearing the final stages of completion. Well, if it wasn't before, [[VideoGame/MetroidDread it definitely is now]].

** Samus starts the game with the Command Visor, but can't use it until the Federation authorizes her to. It wasn't a problem in this game because said authorization happened very early in the game, there were no opportunities to use the Visor prior to it being authorized, and it was the only instance of authorization in the entire game. However, ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' would make Federation Authorization the main way of obtaining power-ups, which the fanbase found immensely contentious.

** Samus starts the game with the Command Visor, but can't use it until the Federation authorizes her to. It wasn't a problem in this game because said authorization happened very early in the game, and it was the only instance of it. However, ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' would make Federation Authorization the main way of obtaining power-ups, which the fanbase found immensely contentious.

** The Meta Ridley battle in the beginning of the game is generally agreed to be the only thing capable of topping his fight in the original ''Prime''. It's timed, but not so short that you don't have some leeway, it's challenging because of the angles and the way the fight progresses, and it should be mentioned: ''[[FreefallFight You are falling down a 17000-meter shaft to a planet's core trying to kill one another]]''. To make a fun fight even more amazing, the positions switch, with Ridley getting up-close and personal to blast you in the face before righting himself.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Previous games had limited voice acting (grunts from Samus, cut narration, and background lines from ''Prime 2'''s troopers) but ''Prime 3'' was the first game with fully voice-acted dialogue. Reception overall was positive, but it was the second stage of story creep that started with ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'' and then became divisive in ''[[VideoGame/MetroidOtherM Other M]]''.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** Samus starts the game with the Command Visor, but doesn't get to use it until the Federation authorizes her to do so; while it seemed innocuous at the time, it is remiscient of the "authorization" mechanic that would become so contentious in ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM''.
** A hidden audio file (accessible by entering Samus' gunship and putting a code inconspicuously provided in the hidden area of planet Norion) has then-Nintendo President Creator/SatoruIwata lament that no one seems to believe he's taking his role as head of the company seriously, as he doesn't appear to be physically affected by the stress of the job. Fast-forward to 2015, where Iwata died due to surgical complications with a bile duct growth. In the months prior to his death, fans could see him physically deteriorating in each new WebVideo/NintendoDirect as a result of his tumor and the stress of running Nintendo during a financially rough period.

* HarsherInHindsight: A hidden audio file (accessible by entering Samus' gunship and putting a code inconspicuously provided in the hidden area of planet Norion) has then-Nintendo President Creator/SatoruIwata lament that no one seems to believe he's taking his role as head of the company seriously, as he doesn't appear to be physically affected by the stress of the job. Fast-forward to 2015, where Iwata died due to surgical complications with a bile duct growth. In the months prior to his death, fans could see him physically deteriorating in each new WebVideo/NintendoDirect as a result of his tumor and the stress of running Nintendo during a financially rough period.

* ThatOneLevel: GFS Valhalla, due to CheckpointStarvation. You have to explore the wrecked vessel in one go, as the only save point is Samus's gunship (in the docking bay, where the level starts); and the place is filled with particularly dangerous creatures (including [[DemonicSpiders Phazon Hoppers]] and [[GoddamnedBats Metroids]]) and a limited sight. Once you're done, you have to return on foot to the gunship to save again and leave.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Inputting secret codes into the transmission console of Samus’s gunship unlocks secret messages from various Nintendo higher-ups, including the likes of Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto and Creator/SatoruIwata. The translations of these messages can be found [[https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Transmission_console here]]. What did series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto have to say? “Have you been enjoying ''Metroid Prime 3 Corruption'', the final episode of the Metroid Prime trilogy? You have been enjoying it, I hope? Samus’s missions will still continue outside of this series. Please keep waiting for them. So, please look forward to the next Metroid.” Three years later, this game was followed by the incredibly divisive ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', which turned out to be the series’ FranchiseKiller for more than half a decade. Even worse, several of the most controversial elements of that game were directly caused by Sakamoto himself no less, due to his severe MagnumOpusDissonance and his apparent misunderstanding of what most of the audience wanted out of a ''Metroid'' game. Looking back on his excitement of the series’ future at this point in time, right before he himself killed it off for a while, is a bit painful to look at.

* ThatOneSidequest:
** For true completionists who want to get every possible credit in the game, one of these credits involves a perfect run of the EscortMission protecting the twelve Federation demolition troopers. Keeping four of the twelve alive to progress the story is difficult enough in its own right. Keeping all twelve alive, however, meaning that even one dying fails to achieve the credit, is difficult enough to make a player want to hit their head against the wall repeatedly. Most noteworthy is that this is still excruciatingly difficult even on the easier difficulties. So good luck even trying it on Hyper Mode difficulty.
** If the player is going for all of the friend vouchers, one of the most difficult to achieve is during the Morph Ball segment against Meta Ridley, which requires you to repel him without taking any damage. The whole time you’re stuck in a very cramped space dodging Ridley’s laser attacks, and your movements have to be super precise. Press too hard on the joystick and Samus will get hurt by Ridley’s claw; but press too lightly and she won’t be far enough from the laser to avoid it. To make matters worse, if the player fails and needs to reset the game, the closest save room is six whole rooms away.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: The other three hunters made such an impression as rivals to Samus that it's only natural to hope they'll be playable later or be recurring characters in the series. [[spoiler:Too bad they get corrupted by Phazon and you're forced to kill them off before very much can be done with their development.]]

* LesYay: Gandrayda acts very familiar and flirtatious with Samus, and is the only character to ever call her "Sammy". Samus never seems particularly bothered by this behavior, and it puts a different spin on Samus closing her eyes when [[spoiler: Gandrayda dies]].

** While the other characters speak, Samus stays silent, so it can seem awkward when others converse with her and Samus never responds.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Inputting secret codes into the transmission console of Samus’s gunship unlocks secret messages from various Nintendo higher-ups, including the likes of Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto and Creator/SatoruIwata. The translations of these messages can be found [[https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Transmission_console here]]. What did series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto have to say? “Have you been enjoying ''Metroid Prime 3 Corruption'', the final episode of the Metroid Prime trilogy? You have been enjoying it, I hope? Samus’s missions will still continue outside of this series. Please keep waiting for them. So, please look forward to the next Metroid.” Three years later, this game was followed by the incredibly divisive ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', which turned out to be the series’ FranchiseKiller for more than half a decade. Even worse, several of the most controversial elements of that game were directly caused by Sakamoto himself no less, due to his severe MagnumOpusDissonance and his apparent misunderstanding of what most of the audience wanted out of a Metroid game. Looking back on his excitement of the series’ future at this point in time, right before he himself killed it off for a while, is a bit painful to look at.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: The narrator of Bryyo's backstory is far from subtle in pointing out how the refusal to compromise and increasing extremism of both sides of the war led to such destruction that it [[PyrrhicVictory cost the "victors" what they valued]] and left such resentment that attempts to fix the damage led to further bloodshed. Given how applicable such is elsewhere, such a warning proves very well merited.