Originally released by Nintendo in 2002,Metroid Primewas the first game in theMetroidfranchise to feature a 3D design. Though fans at the time were skeptical of this departure fromMetroidtradition, the game proved to be a huge success and was instrumental in reviving the series’ popularity among North American audiences.
WithMetroidcontinuing to be one of Nintendo’s more successful properties, it’s no surprise that the game still has many fans out there. The game’s popularity is strong enough that a remastered version ofMetroid Primereleased in February 2023. With a plethora of weapons available in the game, here are the best that appear inMetroid Primeand its remastered version.
7Morph Ball Bombs
One ofMetroid Primeprotagonist Samus Aran’s most useful abilities is her Morph Ball power up. This ability allows her to shrink into a small sphere to access many otherwise inaccessible spaces. But in addition to its granting of more maneuverability, this handy tactic also gives players access to the use of bombs.
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Depicted in this game as balls of blue energy, Samus’ Morph Ball Bombs come in handy when breaking certain obstacles, activating devices, and even utilizing them in a Bomb Jump. Though Morph Ball Bombs aren’t useful when fighting most enemies, they are essential indefeating Flaahgra, a boss battle in the Chozo Ruins.
6Wave Beam
This particular beam has featured inMetroidgames in two distinct versions. However, itsMetroid Primecounterpart is undoubtedly more powerful. Unlike other games, the Wave Beam is one of three elemental beams that feature in the game. This beam takes the form of theelement of electricity.
When used at its default capacity, the Wave Beam fires three undulating rounds that follow an enemy until they hit. If players charge this weapon, it instead fires a slower single round. The Wave Beam is incredibly useful when fighting against machine-based enemies, as it will cause them to malfunction or become stunned. When used as part of a Charge Combo, this weapon allows players to fire a wave of continuous electrical energy in a reasonable short range.
5Missiles
Missiles are projectile weapons that can be used on their own, or in conjunction with Samus’ beam weapons to make a powerful Charge Combo. They are afinite resource within the gameand require players to track down ammunition in order to use them. They can be upgraded into a Super Missile form, which is a stronger and more destructive version of the weapon.
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At their default capacity, missiles are incredibly useful weapons as they have a higher impact than some default beams do. In Super Missile form, they are much faster and do great damage to specific enemies. Super Missiles also allow Samus to blast through locked doors. When used in conjunction with a beam weapon, missiles transform the shot into a powerful Charge Combo.
4Power Beam
Though this beam may seem undeserving of being ranked so highly in this list, players should not write off Samus’ default beam weapon too early.EveryMetroidgamestarts with access to the Power Beam and, on the surface, it may seem like a weapon that players will quickly outgrow.
However, the Power Beam is particularly essential inMetroid Prime. This particular weapon, when used with the Charge Beam and missiles, gives players access to the powerful Super Missile blast. In addition, the Power Beam has an incredibly high rate of fire when compared to other weapons.
3Ice Beam
This frigid weapon has an unmatched ability to incapacitate Samus’ enemies and allows her to kill them with greater ease and much less interference. Like its name suggests, this weapon is another of the elemental beams – this time taking the form of theelement of ice. The Ice Beam also has the ability to open white doors.
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When the standard capacity Ice Beam fires at a solid surface, its shot will freeze into an ice fragment and then shatter. When it is charged, the same process occurs with a larger ice fragment. This charged shot will freeze enemies in their place where they can then be shattered using a missile. In its Charge Combo form, this beam unleashes sheet of ice that spreads rapidly across the targeted surface.
2Phazon Beam
One of the most powerful weapons inMetroid Prime,and indeed the wider franchise as a whole, is the Phazon Beam. Obtained toward the end of the game, this weapon allows Samus to fire powerful shots of Phazon energy when she comes into contact with the substance. However, the high of its destructive power is short-lived, as the Phazon Beam is lost after defeatingthe game’s final boss.
The Phazon Beam is a result of Samus’ Power Suit becoming corrupted by Phazon energy, a superorganism that forms a highly radioactive and mutagenic substance. Once in possession of this Phazon Suit, Samus can channel the liquid Phazon that is created by the final boss to her arm cannon. The Phazon Beam is a perpetual stream of destructive energy that will overload and destroy the titular Metroid Prime.
1Plasma Beam
Surpassing the Phazon Beam due to slightly better utility is the Plasma Beam, another massively powerful weapon in theMetroiduniverse. Similar to the Wave Beam, this weapon has an alternate version in other games, but itsPrimecounterpart is far superior. Put simply, the Plasma Beam fires superheated plasma at Samus’ enemies.
As the third and final elemental beam, this weapon takes on the role of theelement of fire. When charged, the Plasma Beam kills ordinarily resilient enemies in just one hit. Those that don’t die immediately take burn damage from the blast and die some time after. Its Charge Combo takes the form of a short-ranged flamethrower, however the damage it deals more than makes up for the weapon’s lack of range.
Metroid Prime Remasteredwas released on Jul 13, 2025, and is available on Switch.
