Metroid: Samus Returns Amiibo Functionality

During this year’s E3 conference, Nintendo gave fans a double dose of Metroid news. The biggest surprise to most fans was the announcement of Metroid Prime 4 being in development for the Nintendo Switch. This news perhaps overshadowed the fact that a full-blown remake of Metroid 2 is coming to the Nintendo 3DS this year.

The remake, dubbed Metroid: Samus Returns, puts characters back into the role of their favorite intergalactic bounty hunter and the familiar environment they know and love. However, it isn’t just a carbon copy of the 1991 classic. With Metroid: Samus Returns, players have access to the 3DS and all of its features, which means players will use the bottom screen as the map and have the ability to play in 3D.

A major quality of life change is coming with this game as well. Previous Metroid games featured a lot of backtracking but this remake will make that a thing of the past. Instead of having to backtrack, players will have access to teleportation stations that will take them to the different areas, cutting out a lot of the monotony. This may turn away a lot of the diehard fans but it should make the game more accessible to fans in 2017 and beyond.

Also new to this remake is amiibo support. On top of the two amiibo releasing with the game, there’s already a handful of amiibo available from the Metroid series. The older amiibo will also have exclusive functionality in the game so you don’t have to worry about buying the new ones right away.

Here’s what your Metroid amiibo will do in-game, according to Nintendo:

Metroid – With the squidgy Metroid amiibo, you can tap it to reveal the location of any Metroid nearby on your map. After completing the game, you can use this amiibo to unlock Fusion mode, an all-new difficulty level that comes complete with Samus’ Fusion Suit from Metroid Fusion.

Metroid: Samus Returns Samus – By tapping the Samus Aran amiibo, you can unlock an Aeion Reserve Tank, which automatically restores a certain amount of Aeion energy should you run out. After completing the game, you can tap this amiibo to unlock Metroid II Art in the Gallery.

Super Smash Bros. Samus – You can tap the Samus amiibo to unlock a Missile Reserve Tank, which replenishes your missile supply should you run out. You can also use this amiibo to unlock exclusive Concept Art from Metroid: Samus Returns in the Gallery upon completing the game.

Zero Suit Samus – If you tap the Zero Suit Samus amiibo, you can unlock an Energy Reserve Tank, which restores a certain amount of energy should you run out. After completing the game, you can use this amiibo to unlock Music in the Gallery, which lets you listen to BGMs from Metroid: Samus Returns.

Metroid: Samus Returns hits the 3DS family of systems on September 15, 2017.