Metroid II: Return of Samus / energy tanks, missiles and completion goals

Metroid II energy tanks, missiles and completion goals

Separate permanent upgrades, resources and the ending timer.

Edition covered

Original monochrome Game Boy adventure. Metroid: Samus Returns on Nintendo 3DS is a separate remake with different maps, combat and upgrades.

4 items · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

energy tanks, missiles and completion goals

Benefit: Higher energy capacity

What to inspect: Side chambers and hidden passages.

Benefit: Higher missile capacity

What to inspect: Chozo ruins and Morph Ball paths.

Benefit: Reduced damage

What to inspect: Suit upgrade room.

Benefit: Powerful spinning attack

What to inspect: Late exploration routes.

Collect upgrades off the direct hunt route. Energy Tanks raise capacity and Missile Expansions increase ammunition storage.
Treat speed and exploration as separate goals. Ending presentation depends on completion time: under three hours gives the fastest ending, three to five hours the middle version, and more than five hours the longer-time version.
Use recovery before entering a new region. A new earthquake can tempt an immediate descent.
Keep the ending route clear. After the Queen, the newly hatched Metroid changes the tone and purpose of the return journey.

Ending times and run goals
Goal	Condition or priority	Planning note
Fastest ending	Finish in under 3 hours	Learn the route before a timed attempt
Middle ending	Finish in 3–5 hours	Allows more exploration time
Longer-time ending	Finish in over 5 hours	Still completes the story
First clear	Learn junctions and defeat each group	Prioritize survival and recovery
Upgrade sweep	Search missed branches	Keep equipment separate from the timer

References

Guide references
Reference	Website
Original Nintendo instruction booklet	www.thegameisafootarcade.com
Equipment reference	metroid.retropixel.net
Metroid forms	metroid.retropixel.net
Ending times	metroid.retropixel.net