Metroid Prime 2 beam weapons, ammo and visor uses
Compare Power, Dark, Light and Annihilator Beams and the visors supporting them.
Edition covered
Original Nintendo GameCube release. Wii Trilogy pointer controls and its adjusted encounters are not used for this guide.
Spend special ammunition deliberately
The Power Beam has no ammo reserve. Dark and Light Beams use their own ammunition, and the Annihilator Beam consumes both types; do not use it for every ordinary container when supplies are low.
| Beam | Ammo | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Power Beam | Unlimited | Routine combat and basic switches |
| Dark Beam | Dark Ammo | Freezing or binding targets and dark mechanisms |
| Light Beam | Light Ammo | Strong against dark creatures and light mechanisms |
| Annihilator Beam | Both types | Homing shots and sonic mechanisms |
Use the right visor for the clue
Combat and Scan handle most exploration. Dark Visor reveals targets hidden from ordinary sight, while Echo Visor exposes sound-based information and mechanisms.
| Visor | Reveals | When to switch |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Visor | Normal surroundings | Movement and standard fighting |
| Scan Visor | Target records and device information | New creatures, lore and controls |
| Dark Visor | Hidden dark-dimensional objects | Invisible targets and key-related searches |
| Echo Visor | Sound-based information | Sonic locks and concealed sound targets |
Recover the opposite ammunition
Destroy suitable containers with the Dark Beam to seek Light Ammo, or with the Light Beam to seek Dark Ammo. This makes beam choice part of resource management rather than a simple damage ranking.
An empty beam can still open its doors
When the relevant ammo is empty, holding a charge permits a basic special-beam shot. It is slower than ordinary fire but prevents colored doors from becoming a permanent ammunition lock.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Original Nintendo manual archive | www.metroid.retropixel.net |
| Major upgrades | metroid.retropixel.net |
| Temple and Sky Temple Keys | metroid.retropixel.net |
| Door and obstacle reference | metroid.retropixel.net |
| Logbook reference | metroid.retropixel.net |