Metroid II: Return of Samus - Gameplay

Gameplay

Metroid II is an action-adventure video game in which the player controls the protagonist Samus Aran on the fictional planet SR388. In this side-scroller, players advance through the game by using Samus's weapons to kill a fixed number of Metroid creatures. The player is given a detector that displays the number of Metroids remaining in the area. Once all the creatures are eliminated, an earthquake occurs and the planet's lava levels decrease, allowing Samus to travel deeper through its tunnels. Metroid II features save modules located around the planet, which allow players to save their progress and continue in another session. After the game's end credits are displayed, the total time taken to complete the game is shown, which determines whether Samus poses with or without her suit.

The game features two weapons new to the Metroid series: the tri-splitting Spazer Laser Beam, and the Plasma Beam, which passes through enemies when shot. Samus can only equip one beam at a time; however, she can switch between them by returning to where they are first found. Metroid II features the Space Jump, a new suit enhancement that allows Samus to jump infinitely and access otherwise unreachable areas. The game also sees the return of Samus's Morph Ball, a mode in which she curls up into a ball to travel through small tunnels. Unlike the previous game, Samus starts off with the Long Beam and Morph Ball in possession rather than having to find them. In addition, the game is the first in the series to feature the Spider Ball and Spring Ball. The Spider Ball allows Samus to climb most walls or ceilings, giving her freedom to explore both the surfaces and ceilings of caverns, and the Spring Ball gives Samus the ability to jump while curled up into a ball in the Morph Ball form.