How to unlock every Metroid ending and suitless Samus
The five NES Metroid endings, the completion times they need and how to play as Samus without her suit.
Original 1986 Metroid as adapted for the international NES release in 1987. These guides use the NES password system and original Zebes areas. The Famicom Disk System save menu, Zero Mission remake, later Metroid movement abilities and sequence-breaking glitches are excluded.
Best ending: under 1 hour
Finish the game in less than one hour. Samus removes her whole suit in the ending.
Under 3 hours
Finish in less than three hours. Samus removes her suit, and the game gives a password that starts a new game with Samus out of her armour.
3 to 5 hours
Samus removes her helmet, revealing that she is a woman.
5 to 10 hours
Samus stays in her suit.
10 hours or more
The worst ending: Samus stays in her suit and turns away.
Play without the suit
Use the password given after an ending under three hours, or the JUSTIN BAILEY password. Samus plays the same; only her appearance changes.
More Metroid quick answers
Metroid passwords: JUSTIN BAILEY and other NES codesWhere to find every major item in Metroid (NES)Plan a route with the item locations page before going for the one-hour ending; time spent lost in Brinstar adds up quickly.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.