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Metroid Prime/Version Differences

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This is a sub-page of Metroid Prime.

Hmmm...
To do:
Metroid2002 has a ton of content that needs to be ported over. Unfortunately, all of his videos are uploaded in Quicktime format, so the important ones need to be downloaded and transferred to YouTube. See the Talk page for more info.
  • Document the Japanese Wii and US/European Trilogy versions.

Version Number

MP version number.png

Metroid Prime has ten distinct versions: three US, one Japanese, one PAL, one Korean, three on the Wii, and the remaster on the Nintendo Switch. The version can be found on the back of the disc around the center - it's the last number before the manufacturing region (USA in the example). Said number is two digits on GameCube discs and one digit on Wii discs. The number can also be found in the disc image header, although as a general rule for any Nintendo game, the one printed onto the physical media is more accurate. But this isn't an issue in this case.

Product Code Version Number Build Date/Time Notes
DOL-GM8E 00 10/29/2002 2:21:25 The original North American version.
DOL-GM8E 01 11/5/2002 19:50:01 The second North American version.
DOL-GM8E 30 12/19/2002 16:03:43 The Korean version.
DOL-GM8P 00 2/4/2003 22:16:07 The PAL version (Europe, Australia). A version optimized to run on PAL TVs and GameCubes. Aside from the PAL format and the extensive changes in content, the game uses a new "slower" loader that prevents crashes.
DOL-GM8J 00 2/11/2003 10:03:22 The Japanese version. Aside from the language and NTSC-J format, the Japanese version is very similar to the PAL version in content but uses the original loader that may cause occasional crashes.
DOL-GM8E 02 3/10/2003 17:56:21 The North American Player's Choice release was the last revision of the game on GameCube. It also came with the Metroid Prime Bonus Bundle, which included a silver GameCube and a Metroid Prime 2 demo disc. Aside from using the "slower" loader, this version fixes most of the bugs that made popular sequence break and speedrun tricks possible in previous versions.
RVL-R3IJ 0 2008/07/22 12:23 The Japanese Wii version. The first version released for the Wii, which includes updated controls similar to Metroid Prime 3.
RVL-R3ME 0 2008/08/21 17:09 The NTSC-U version of Metroid Prime Trilogy. The compilation rendition, with minor changes from the standalone Japanese release.
RVL-R3MP 0 2009/01/15 14:08 The PAL version of Metroid Prime Trilogy. The compilation rendition, with minor changes from the standalone Japanese release.

GameCube

Hmmm...
To do:
The Korean GameCube version and the Switch remaster aren't documented here.

USA 0-00

The original North American version.

  • As you travel between Tallon Overworld and the Impact Crater, the area name is displayed but not voiced (this also applies to USA 0-01 and USA 0-02).

USA 0-01

  • An invisible wall is placed over the Runic Gate at the top of the Arboretum in Chozo Ruins, preventing a sequence break.
  • Minor tweaks to the Thardus battle. In particular, it seems like they made some changes to a few particle effects.
  • Fixed a softlock in Phendrana Drifts - Research Core Access. In 0-00, if you enter the room from Research Core and stand next to the door, kill the drones, then walk forward, the doors lock and get you permanently stuck in the room. This was fixed in 0-01.
  • Fixed the morph ball camera getting stuck on the Double Bomb Jump ledge in the underwater version of Biohazard Containment. Starting in 0-01, if the camera gets stuck on that ledge, it will reset when you touch the bottom floor of the room.
  • Added a trigger in Phazon Mines - Ore Processing that alerts the Wave Trooper on the top floor if the player enters from Main Quarry. (It's not clear why they made this change since you aren't supposed to be able to enter from that side until after the pirates are gone. This version doesn't have the Main Quarry door lock.)
  • Minor collision adjustments in Metroid Quarantine B on the wall to the right of the Quarantine Access B door. In particular, it looks like they fixed a couple vertices that were pulled out too far in 0-00. This has the side effect of decreasing the size of the collision bounding box, which means the aether is a bit closer to the room in 0-01.
  • Fixed the bug in the intro for the Metroid Prime battle where the white flash stays up permanently if you skip the cutscene at the wrong time.
  • Fixed Kerry Ann Odem's name being misspelled in the credits as "Kerry Anne Odem".
(Source: M2K2 Forum)

USA 0-02

  • The Missile Launcher can no longer be grabbed without triggering the Hive Mecha boss fight unless the player approaches it from behind, since the battle trigger area has been made much larger. And like in the Japanese version, the door will also lock during the boss fight to prevent players from leaving the room until the battle is finished.
  • After defeating the Phazon Elite in Elite Research, the doors will remain locked until the Artifact of Warrior is collected. If you defeated the Phazon Elite and left the room without picking up the artifact in previous revisions, it would disappear, preventing you from beating the game.
  • The door leading to the Grapple Beam is locked until the Power Bomb is collected, preventing a sequence break.
  • The door leading to the Plasma Beam is locked until the Grapple Beam is collected, preventing a sequence break.
  • Like in the EU/JP versions, "Scan-Dashing" used for sequence breaking is no longer possible.
  • Like in the EU/JP versions, the root in Chozo Ruins - Ruined Shrine that could be used for sequence breaking is removed.
  • Like in the EU/JP versions, the power conduit in Phendrana Drifts - Ruined Courtyard cannot be activated before the Thermal Visor is collected.
  • Like in the EU/JP versions, during the battle with the Cloaked Drone in the Central Dynamo, the door behind the Bendezium rubble locks like the rest of the doors until Samus gets the Power Bomb upgrade.
  • Like in the EU/JP versions, the Omega Pirate can no longer be caught off guard by boosting into the room towards the right of his tank and immediately skipping his cutscene.
  • Like in the EU version, the Hunter Metroid in Phendrana Drifts - Frost Cave is removed.
  • Like in the EU version, the door to Waste Disposal in Main Quarry is locked until the Power Bomb is collected.
  • Like in the EU version, the door to Phazon Processing Center takes longer to open due to a new loader which fixes the crashes in the original North American and Japanese versions.
  • Like in the EU version, the elevator cutscenes are slightly extended due to the new loader.

Europe/Japan

Main Menu

USA Europe Japan
MPFileSelectUSA.png MPFileSelectEU.png MPFileSelectJPN.png

In the European and Japanese versions, the menu can be exited by pressing B, while in the US versions, there is no such option. The elapsed time is displayed differently (US: ##:## Elapsed, EU/JP: Time ##:##). Additionally, the European version has a language selection option. Finally, the Japanese version has a unique font exclusive to that version.

Save Format

USA Europe/Japan
MPSaveFileUS.png MPSaveFileEUR&JPN.png

The European and Japanese versions use 3 blocks of memory, while the US versions use 1. Saving is also much quicker.

  • The title screen has a new animation for the Metroid Prime logo. The colors have been muted and the Copyright is also updated.
  • The Inventory screen displays Samus' current Item and Scan percentages. Also, the "Back" and "Next" options have switched places.
  • The English font has been changed: the lower case letter "i" has a dot for example.
  • Pirate Data and Chozo Lore Log Book entries were changed and rewritten, substantially altering the plotline.
  • The listed order of Log Book entries are rearranged.
  • There are three types of Missile Ammo (all with their own Log Book entry) that restore 3, 5, and 10 Missiles instead of just one type that restores 5. The 5-Missile Ammo in the North American versions is used for the new 3-Missile Ammo.
  • The Missile Counter displays total missiles along with remaining missiles. (US: 15, EU/JP: 015/015)
  • The word "ENERGY" above the HP bar on the Combat Visor is smaller, has higher opacity, and is not in brackets.
  • The map screen displays a compass point.
  • When a new beam is obtained, the beam just acquired is automatically equipped.
  • A full image of Samus with or without her helmet depending on ending appears on the Mission Final screen.
  • Holding down the analog stick to speed up the end credits no longer works.
  • Damage incurred from touching Phazon is lowered by 13% with the Varia Suit, and 20% with the Gravity Suit. However, damage incurred from touching toxic water is more than doubled.
  • New particle effects were added to the Ice Beam's shots.
  • Combat dashing off scan points ("Scan-Dashing") no longer works.
  • If Samus defeats the Phazon Elite in Elite Research and leaves the room, the Artifact of Warrior does not disappear.
  • The switches that you need to shoot to disable the force fields on the Exterior Docking Hangar no longer displays the targeting reticle when activated by using lock-on. The target lock-on is also disabled once a switch is activated while in the North American versions, the target lock-on isn't disabled until you release the L Button.

Room Changes

  • The steps leading up to the platform in Hive Totem where the player fights the Hive Mecha have been changed from large blocks circling the platform to stairs on all sides. This makes it easier to get up on the platform if the player falls into the water during the fight.
  • The root in Chozo Ruins - Ruined Shrine that could be used for sequence breaking is removed.
  • Magmoor Caverns - Twin Fires has two horizontal fire sprayers instead of two vertical ones and one horizontal one.
  • The metal structure that runs along the walls of Magmoor Caverns - Geothermal Core, is made unmountable. Also, Bendezium was added in front of the door leading to the Plasma Beam, requiring a Power Bomb to get by.
  • The power conduit in Phendrana Drifts - Ruined Courtyard cannot be activated before the Thermal Visor is collected.
  • Seven of the nine rooms in Phendrana Drifts that turns dark once the Thermal Visor is acquired gets even darker. The added effect is similar to being underwater without the Gravity Suit. This appears to have been done to force players to use the Thermal Visor.
  • In Phendrana Drifts - Research Lab Hydra, the scannable message "Strain 776-V has been successfully replicated. We have named it Strain Vertigo. Mutation of Beta Xenomes proceeding." could be found on two separate panels in the North American versions. This duplicate scan point was removed.
  • The door leading to the Grapple Beam is covered with Bendezium, requiring a Power Bomb to get by.
  • During the battle with the Cloaked Drone in the Central Dynamo, the door behind the Bendezium rubble locks like the rest of the doors until Samus gets the Power Bomb upgrade.
  • The electrical rotating devices in Phazon Mines - Research Access now send electricity through the center of the room.
  • To make the fight with Metroid Prime a bit tougher, Subchamber 3 has two grooves instead of three, while Subchamber 4 only has one groove instead of three.

Enemy Differences

  • The Space Pirate in front of the exploding ventilation cap in Biotech Research Area 1 during the escape from the frigate is removed.
  • Once the Gravity Suit is acquired, the Frigate Crash Site contains three Beetles (three injured Space Pirates on first visit) and two Jelzaps in addition to the two Flying Pirates.
  • Some enemies drop more pickups when defeated:
    • Scarabs can drop Missile Ammo.
    • Puffers in the Magmoor Caverns - Triclops Pit can drop Ultra Energy.
  • The location of Hive Mecha's Scan Point was moved up out of the toxic water for easier scanning.
  • The Ice Shriekbats no longer disappear in Phendrana Drifts - Ice Ruins West. In the North American versions, they permanently disappear once the Thermal Visor is acquired.
  • The two unique and more resilient Metroids found in Research Lab Aether, identified as "This High Energy Lifeform is a Metroid: Alpha Type" if scanned outside their stasis tanks in the North American versions, are now designated with the regular Metroid Log Book Entry.
  • Sentry Drones have three times as much health.
  • Baby Sheegoths have twice as much health.
  • All types of Trooper Pirates (Beam Troopers) can be instantly killed by a Power Bomb explosion.
  • The Omega Pirate can no longer be caught off guard by boosting into the room towards the right of his tank and immediately skipping his cutscene.
  • Power Bombs can be used to destroy the Omega Pirate's armor. In the North American versions, it will only cause the Omega Pirate to briefly stumble.
  • After defeating the Omega Pirate, Fission Metroids will begin to appear in the Phazon Mines, including Elite Quarters and Phazon Processing Center. In the North American versions, Fission Metroids only appear in the Impact Crater.
  • The second part of the Meta Ridley boss fight has several changes:
    • He can perform a ground-stomping attack.
    • He can be successfully stunned using lock-on as he leans back to charge.
    • The Wavebuster's effectiveness against him is reduced.
    • Ultra Energy pickups are dropped:
      • When he completely destroys a Chozo Totem. (This also applies during the first part of the fight.)
      • When he is stunned the split second before he charges.
  • The Lumigeks encountered inside the Impact Crater travels in a different trajectory.
  • The fight with Metroid Prime has several changes:
    • When Metroid Prime charges across the room, Samus does not bounce out of the grooves.
    • Samus' reflected beam shots no longer harm her.
    • When Metroid Prime uses its Snare Beam on Samus, it will close its face, preventing harm to it. In the North American versions, Samus can escape the Snare Beam by shooting the face. In the EU/JP versions, the Snare Beam can only be escaped by the use of the Boost Ball.
    • Metroid Prime's Core Essence form has twice as much health and moves twice as fast.

Audio

Hmmm...
To do:
Upload audio.

Suit Voice

In the European and Japanese versions of the game, the suit had more to say than in the US versions.

"Defeat Enemies To Unlock Doors." (When trying to open a locked door with enemies still left.)

"Doors Unlocked." (When a locked room is cleared of enemies.)

"Poison Gas Detected." (When entering the Ventilation Shaft in Phazon Mines.)

"Radiation Detected." (When walking near the Phazon in Tallon Overworld - Transport Tunnel E.)

"Danger." (?)

"Heat Level Critical." (When entering high temperature areas without the Varia Suit.)

"Varia Suit Malfunction. Morphball Malfunction. Missile Malfunction. Charge Beam Malfunction. Grapple Beam Malfunction." (When these abilities are lost aboard the frigate.)

  • The suit says "Recording to Log Book" whenever you have scanned a new Log Book entry.
  • The suit says "Data received" when a new hint appears, and the sounds made when the Hint System opens the map are different.

Warning Sound

USA Europe/Japan

For whatever reason, Retro decided to change the sound used when the player goes near a dangerous area in all versions of the game other than the US versions. Although they sound different, they are actually the same sound, except that the latter sound is pitched down.

Other Changes

  • The Flaahgra boss theme is greatly expanded.
  • The Elite Pirates have a new sound effect when blocking Samus' fire.
  • Metroid Prime's first form makes a special noise when it reflects Samus' fire.

Cutscenes

Hmmm...
To do:
Upload videos.
  • In the opening cutscene, there is a rocket blast effect when Samus jumps off of her ship and a projection shadow has been added under her when she lands.
  • Samus is always present during the first scanning cutscene, even if you are very far away from the Scan Point when the scan is finished. You will also continue from where Samus stood in the cutscene.
  • The cutscene that plays when Samus enters the Space Pirate Frigate - Map Facility, showing parasites entering a tunnel in the wall has been updated. It now contains a lot more parasites instead of just two.
  • The Parasite Queen's death animation begins before the cutscene plays, making the cutscene a little bit shorter.
  • The Grapple Beam acquisition cutscene now shows Samus using it, rather than showing the cutscene that plays after collecting a Chozo Artifact.
  • The cutscene when receiving the Phazon Suit has been changed.
  • Samus' Gunship looks more detailed as it goes to warp in the final cinematic, and the engine flare is improved.
  • Several cutscenes that are unskippable in the North American versions, can be skipped:
    • Frigate: Parasites
    • Frigate: Meta Ridley
    • Frigate: Escaped/Pursuing Meta Ridley
    • Incinerator Drone Intro
    • Sheegoth Intro
    • Research Entrance
    • Space Pirate Labs: Metroid
    • First Elite Pirate Intro
    • Impact Crater (entering the Artifact Temple)

European Differences

  • Optimized to run on PAL TVs and GameCubes. 50Hz and 60Hz refresh rates are available; the game asks when booted if it should switch to 60Hz mode from 50Hz mode, which it will do automatically after several seconds if nothing is selected.
  • The game demos are different and fewer in numbers compared to the North American versions.
  • The opening and ending cutscenes have voice-overs by a male narrator. If the language is set to English, there are no subtitles for them. For any other European language setting, there are translated subtitles.
  • The Hunter Metroid in Phendrana Drifts - Frost Cave is removed.
  • The door to Waste Disposal in Phazon Mines - Main Quarry is locked until the Power Bomb is collected.
  • The launcher on an Elite Pirate's back is destroyed by attacking the Pirate itself instead of the launcher.
  • European staff credits are present in this version.
  • As you travel between Tallon Overworld and the Impact Crater, the area name is displayed. It also has voice-overs by the male narrator.
  • After defeating Omega Pirate, the door to Phazon Processing Center takes longer to open due to the new loader which fixes the crashes in the original North American and Japanese versions.
  • The elevator cutscenes are slightly extended due to the new loader.

Japanese Differences

  • The game demos are different from both the North American and European versions.
  • The English text in the intro: "Unidentified distress beacon has been tracked to a derelict space vessel in orbit above Tallon IV." is blue instead of white.
  • The opening and ending cutscenes have voice-overs by the male narrator. There are neither Japanese nor English subtitles for them.
  • The digits on the Missile Counter was given a darker blue palette and a drop shadow.
  • The door will lock during the Hive Mecha boss fight to prevent players from leaving the room until the battle is finished.
  • The stalagmite in Magmoor Caverns - Geothermal Core that could be used for sequence breaking is removed.
  • If you skip the cutscene that triggers the fight with Metroid Prime's Core Essence form, the boss theme will still play. Fixing the audio bug found in other versions.
  • When loading a save file, the male narrator will announce the name of the current area: Frigate Orpheon, Tallon Overworld, Chozo Ruins, Lava Caves, Ice Valley, Phazon Mines, or Impact Crater.
  • The area name is neither displayed nor voiced when moving to and from Tallon Overworld and Impact Crater.
  • The Japanese Nintendo staff are listed first in the end credits instead of Retro Studios.
  • Original Metroid: One of the bonuses earned through connecting Metroid Prime with a completed Metroid Fusion save file is the ability to play the original Metroid. The North American and European versions use the NES cartridge ROM, and the Japanese version uses the Famicom Disk System ROM.