=============================================================================== SUPER METROID SHORTCUT FAQ - copyright (c) 2004 Ethan Kaminski (Bulbaboy) =============================================================================== Formatting check: /----------\ |0123456789| |..........| \----------/ This should appear as a box with straight edges and slanted corners. If it is NOT a box, then you should change your font to a mono-spaced font, or this guide probably won't display properly. Also, make sure you can display at least 79 characters in a straight line (the bar at the very top is 79 characters wide, btw). The following sites are currently allowed to host this FAQ: http://www.gamefaqs.com/ http://www.istori.com/bulbaboy/ (my site) Also, these two sites have the "official" version - they've only got a lag of a few days, at most, between when I update this FAQ and when it's uploaded, and they're also definitely the correct version. /===================\ | Table of Contents | \===================/ 1: Version history 2: Introduction 2.1: Moves and glitches 2.2: Reading the shortcuts 3: Shortcut list [20] 3.1: Crateria [5] 3.2: Brinstar [7] 3.3: Upper Norfair [6] 3.4: Wrecked Ship [1] 3.5: Maridia [1] 4: Misc. info 5: FAQ 6: Requested info 7: About this FAQ 7.1: Contact info 7.2: Copyright/legal info 7.3: Credits To search for a specific section, just enter exactly what appears in the above list (except for anything in square brackets) into the search function of whatever you're using to view this FAQ (control+F for some browsers; this will probably differ for text editors). Tip: when searching for, say, a major shortcut, making it case sensitive is helpful. /====================\ | 1: Version History | \====================/ Version 1.0.1 - June 2nd, 2004 - Some idiot (me) forgot to upload the proofread version *sigh*. And no, this is NOT the update I told you to expect. Version 1.0 - June 1st, 2004 - First version, basically I just did a normal run and tried to find (and remember) as many shortcuts as possible, though I also stuck a few other shortcuts in, too. I didn't include any bomb jumping shortcuts in this version, mind you. And, since this is the first version, expect another version soon. /=================\ | 2: Introduction | \=================/ Welcome to my Super Metroid Shortcut FAQ. This is actually my first FAQ, so let's hope I did a good job on it. Now, if you're wondering what this FAQ is about, it's a list of all the shortcuts, backdoors, and other sneaky methods of getting somewhere in the game. Most of these, of course, use (or rather, abuse) the physics engine in Super Metroid, which, as you might already know, allows you to do many things. And of course, in a game where not only can you jump (repeatedly!) off of walls, but also climb to any height by using the bomb jump, you just know there's gonna be shortcuts. Heck, I'm almost *positive* they planned at least some of these (although, clearly not all of them). Now, keep in mind that this guide is written for someone who's somewhat familiar with the game, at least. Meaning it might be a good idea to play through the game a bit before looking at this FAQ, since I'll presume you've at least beaten the game once. This isn't to deter new players from reading this FAQ; it's just to tell you that this wasn't written with new players in mind. Also, you may derive more enjoyment from the game if you beat it once - using the normal method - before trying some of these. Also, you should be reasonably adept with the controls - some of these shortcuts can be quite difficult. It would definitely be good to at least master the wall jump. Another thing to note is that I have the North American SNES version of Super Metroid, and am playing it on the original console. This means that even if I've confirmed a shortcut, there IS a possibility that it might not work - especially the ones that rely on glitches. I'm also using the original controller, so even if it does work, it may be difficult for you - particularly if you're using an emulator, since I've heard the controls are a bit harder to use on a keyboard. Oh, and one last thing: if you have any suggestions about this guide, or shortcuts you'd like to submit, or notice an error, or anything like that, please email me about it (try to be helpful, about it, though). Obviously, you'll receive a mention in the credits if your email helps me. Contact info is near the end of guide. /=========================\ | 2.1: Moves and glitches | \=========================/ Here's a list of the moves and glitches you'll need to know in order to use some of these shortcuts. However, this will only be a partial list, for two reasons: first, I'm presuming you know at least *something* about the game, so I won't bother to list the really basic stuff. And the other reasons is, well, it's not my job - GameFAQs has both a Move List and a Glitch FAQ, so you should check those out if you want more info. ==================== Spin jump ---------- To do a spin jump you need to jump while moving. This allows you to travel faster when jumping, and you can go even faster if you dash, and it seems like you'll also go higher. To break out of a spin jump, you can either land, or fire your gun (or just aim it with the aim up and aim down buttons or D-pad). ==================== ==================== Wall jump ---------- This is a VERY valuable move, as it sometimes allows you to get somewhere you're not supposed to, at least not yet. Anyway, to do a wall jump, spin jump and hit a wall, then turn yourself around. There should be a brief period when Samus appears to have her feet touching the wall; that's when you press the jump button. This can be chained, since you continue with your spin jump even after wall jumping - and that lets you climb even higher :). ==================== ==================== Speed dash ---------- To do a speed dash, you need the Speed Booster equipped. Then, you simply hold down the dash button, and keep running until there are blue "echoes" behind Samus. This DOES take a little bit of time, mind you. ==================== ==================== Super jump (it also has other names) ---------- To do a super jump, you need to be speed dashing, and then press down on the D-pad to crouch. Instead of flashing blue, Samus should now be flashing white (I think). Then, you just press the jump button, and Samus should zoom up until she hits something she can't get through. She loses the ability to do a super jump after a while, though, so you should hurry. It's also possible to do a diagonal or sideways super jump by pressing that direction right after pressing the jump button. With diagonal super jumps (which I may also refer to as "angled"), you can also use the aim up button. Oh, and one more thing: if you do a spin jump while you've got a super jump charged, you *won't* super jump. That fact is actually useful for getting into the Wrecked Ship. ==================== ==================== Quick-charge speed dash (glitch) ---------- This allows you to do a speed dash in a smaller amount of space than normal. Basically, all you need to do is take a few steps at your normal walking pace and THEN start dashing. ==================== ==================== Speedball/Mockball (definitely a glitch) ---------- The mockball is dashing in ball form, and the speedball is speed dashing in ball form. In order to do this, run at full speed, and jump. Then, you need to press down so that you're aiming down, and just before you hit the ground, press down again (to morph into a ball), and roll your finger onto the left or right button (depending upon which direction you're going). Also, you should keep the dash button pressed down at all times. This little trick will take some practice, btw, and it might be a good idea to practice with the speedball (so you can tell more easily if you've done it or not). ==================== ==================== Bomb jumping ---------- Bomb jumping actually has several forms. The most basic form can be accomplished by laying a bomb, and not moving until it explodes. However, when I say "bomb jumping", I will almost always be referring to a more advanced form that allows you to go higher than normal, move horizontally, or even diagonally. This advanced forms require extremely accurate timing, and are quite difficult - check out mrFergo's Move List if you want to try them. ==================== /============================\ | 2.2: Reading the shortcuts | \============================/ Now, since I'm using a specific format for the shortcuts, I thought I'd explain it a little. If the shortcut has the words "Major shortcut" at the very top, then that means I consider it to be more important than usual - usually, a major shortcut lets you get a one-of-a-kind item, get the first of an item (i.e. super missiles) a different way than you're supposed to, or lets you beat the game without doing something that you're technically supposed to. The line that begins with "Shortcut" and then a number is actually for identification purposes, and therefore won't always be in numeric order. The thing that DOES give the numeric order is the number on the same line in parentheses (the words in the parentheses, btw, tell you which part of the planet you need to be in). The line that begins with "source" or "submitted by" indicates where I got it from. Note that this is only where *I* got it from, not who originally figured it out. Also note that if I say "Source: Myself", that means that I'm pretty sure I figured it out myself (although, in at least one case I was tipped off by someone, but that's noted). The lines that begin with "skips", "required" and "rewards" tell you what item or move you skip by doing the shortcut, what items and moves you need to use to do the shortcut, and what you get by doing the shortcut. Keep in mind that the requirements don't usually include anything you need to get *to* that part of the game, since, well, there's always the possibility of a shortcut ;). The sections that begin with "Description", "Location", "Method" and "Comments" should be self-evident. /==================\ | 3: Shortcut list | \==================/ Total number of shortcuts: 20 And now, for the actual list. I'll divide the shortcuts up by which area you do them in, and then they'll be put into the rough order of when you can - normally - do them. /===============\ | 3.1: Crateria | \===============/ Shortcuts in Crateria: 5 ==================== Description: Get to the green door to the right of your ship ---------- Shortcut 1 (#1, Crateria) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Bombs Required: wall jumping Rewards: no reward ---------- Method: To do this trick, all you have to do is go to the right from your ship until you find some weird-looking (bombable) blocks. Above you should be a narrow ledge; use the edge to wall jump on top of it. Then repeat with the others. ---------- Comments: This is the one of the most POINTLESS shortcuts in the game. After all, by the time you can do anything with it, you can get there normally, and one of the items you'd normally use (bombs) CAN NOT be skipped. *sigh* This is also the only shortcut possible in Crateria before heading to Brinstar (that I know of, anyway). Also, this has the unusual distinction of, arguably, not being possible with bomb jumping, even though it's possible with wall jumping - after all, by the time you can bomb jump, it's not really a shortcut anymore. ==================== ==================== Shortcut 2 (#2, Crateria) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The lake with the missiles to the right of your ship ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: nothing Rewards: 1 missile ---------- Method: Start at the lake with the missiles, making sure the door on the left is closed. Move right up against the door, hold down the dash button, and run! You need to spin jump over to the missiles. ---------- Comments: This is a little difficult, but not too much. Of course, why not just use shortcut 3, coming up right next? It also gets you to the Wrecked Ship, as a bonus. ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get to the Wrecked Ship without the Grappling Beam or bomb jumping, part 1 ---------- Shortcut 3-a (#3-a, Crateria) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam/bomb jumping Required: Speed Booster Rewards: getting into the Wrecked Ship Source: Myself ---------- Method: Start in the room to the left of the lake with the missiles, kill both enemies, and open the door on the right (that leads to the lake). Don't open the door on the left (the one that leads to your ship). Move all the way over on the left, charge up a super jump, then spin jump up the ledges/steps/whatever next to the open door. Once you're on the top ledge, just super jump to the right. Note that if you haven't already collected the missiles, you'll super jump right through them, collecting them without stopping. ---------- Comments: Ah, a method to beat the game without the Grappling Beam that DOESN'T involve bomb jumping. This is useful, and what I use when I want to do a Grappling Beam-less run. ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get to the Wrecked Ship without the Grappling Beam or bomb jumping, part 2 (speed booster and minor glitch required) ---------- Shortcut 3-b (#3-b, Crateria) Source: Myself (though the quick-charge speed dash is from the Glitch FAQ) ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: Speed Booster, quick-charge speed dash (minor glitch) Rewards: getting into the Wrecked Ship ---------- Method: Once you're in the outside area just before the Wrecked Ship, you need to do a super jump just like in shortcut 3-a. Now, in order to do this, start at the very edge of the water, and dash to the left. You WILL need to quick-charge the speed dash, however. ---------- Comments: This one is actually possible three or four ways: grappling (which isn't a shortcut), horizontal bomb jumping (ARGH! HARD!), super jumping, and regular jumping. This particular shortcut is for those who don't mind quick-charging a speed dash. ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get to the Wrecked Ship without the Grappling Beam or bomb jumping, part 2 (does not require speed booster or glitches) ---------- Shortcut 4 (#4, Crateria) Source: Myself, with inspiration from Brickroad's Glitch FAQ ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: Hi-jump Boots Rewards: getting into the Wrecked Ship ---------- Method: First, unequip your Hi-jump Boots, that will make the first part easier. Then, to get past the grappling blocks, dash on the small platforms and spin jump - you MUST hit the BOTTOM, FLAT portion of the pillars that hang down, or you'll fall into the water. To get past the flying turtle, just re-equip the Hi-jump Boots, and jump *over* the turtle - you'll easily be able to reach the next platform. Heck, even WITH the Grappling Beam, jumping over the turtle is probably easier. ---------- Comments: This one is actually possible three or four ways: grappling (which isn't a shortcut), horizontal bomb jumping (ARGH! HARD!), super jumping, and regular jumping. This particular shortcut is for those who either don't have the Speed Booster, or don't want to use the quick-charge speed dash (since it is, technically, a glitch). ==================== ==================== Description: Get to the two doors high up by your ship ---------- Shortcut 5 (#5, Crateria) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Space Jump/bomb jumping Required: Speed Booster Rewards: 1 power bomb in right-hand door; 1 energy tank and 2 missiles in left-hand door ---------- Method: Simple, really. All you need to do, is do an angled super jump from the small hill immediately to the left of your ship. Piece of cake. ==================== /===============\ | 3.2: Brinstar | \===============/ Shortcuts in Brinstar: 7 This section covers shortcuts possible in all parts of Brinstar. Note that it's broken up into mini-sections. -----First visit----- ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Shortcut 6 (#6, Brinstar) Source: Brickroad's Glitch FAQ ---------- Location: First door on the right after coming to Brinstar ---------- Skips: Speed Booster, possibly Spore Spawn Required: mockball (glitch) Rewards: 1 super missile, 1 reserve tank, 2 missiles ---------- Method: Use the mockball to get under the gates that close on you. This is kinda hard; I, personally, have yet to do it, although it's apparently possible. I think it's the crumbling floor that's throwing me off... ---------- This shortcut/glitch, my friends, is quite useful: you can actually beat the game without fighting Spore Spawn, and it's what makes the NBMB run possible. It's also got good rewards. However, it IS obvious that this is not only an unintended shortcut, but also an unintended behavior (translation: glitch). ==================== ==================== Shortcut 7 (#7, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Location: Big, tall, pink room (Brinstar) ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping Rewards: 1 missile, 1 power bomb later on ---------- Method: First, you know that grappling area in the big pink room? Get there. Now, kill the two hopping enemies - it'll make life a lot easier. Then, being careful not to fall through the floor, wall jump off of the bottom of the wall on the left, in order to get high enough to wall jump off the portion that sticks out. Then, just waltz over and collect the missiles. If you return here after you've got the super missiles and the power bombs, you can also grab some more power bombs. ==================== ==================== Shortcut 8 (#8, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The green room with pipes after the first green door (Brinstar) ---------- Skips: Hi-jump Boots/Space Jump Required: wall jumping Rewards: 1 missile ---------- Method: Get to the fake pipe (there's nothing spewing out of it), and get below it. Then, wall jump up the wall beneath it, and get into the pipe - you should be kneeling when you're in the pipe. Morph into a ball, and collect your reward. ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get Spazer without Hi-jump Boots ---------- Shortcut 9 (#9, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Hi-jump Boots Required: wall jumping Rewards: Spazer ---------- Method: You know where you get the Spazer? Know when you need to jump kinda high to get it? Just wall jump instead. Pretty simple, really. ---------- Comments: This is really only useful if you're going for a speed run or something, since you do get the Hi-jump Boots right after this (normally). I do use this when I want to fight Kraid without the Hi-jump Boots, though. ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get to Kraid without the Hi-jump Boots ---------- Shortcut 10 (#10, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Hi-jump Boots Required: wall jumping Rewards: getting to Kraid ---------- Method: Start by the elevator to Norfair. Now, instead of going down, as you normally would, get past the super missile blocks to the right. Now, this next part is difficult: from the TOP of the ledges, hold the dash button, run to the right, and jump - you need to wall jump off the ledge just below the frozen creature and make it into its mouth. ---------- Comments: I like doing this, since I don't really need the missiles or energy tank you get by the Hi-jump Boots to defeat Kraid. Note, however, that you'll need to do some more wall jumping to get back out, and you might have a hard time with Kraid's second mode of attack if you're not good at wall jumping. Of course, if you can actually DO this, you're probably good enough at wall jumping that you don't need to worry. ==================== ==================== Shortcut 11 (#11, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping, Wave beam Rewards: Energy Tank ---------- Location: On the other side of the of the power bomb door in the tall pink room ---------- Method: Instead of swinging on top of the grappling block, just wall jump up and use the Wave beam to open the one-way gate, then wall jump into the opening. ---------- Comments: I shouldn't even need to mention this, since you normally need the Grappling Beam in order to get the Wave beam. But, since I want to be as comprehensive as possible... ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get the X-Ray Scope without grappling ---------- Shortcut 12 (#12, Brinstar) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping, ice beam, some method of surviving the damage Rewards: X-Ray Scope ---------- Method: First, you know how there are two empty areas that you have to grapple over? Drop to the bottom of the first one - it's safe - and then start dashing, and wall jump up onto some spikes. Try to freeze the enemies if possible, and don't *kill* any enemies. Now, when you get to the second empty area, you need to find a safe spot (free of spikes) to stand on. Freeze one of the flying enemies, and use it to jump or wall jump up to the door with the X-Ray Scope. ---------- Comments: If you use this method, YOU WILL BE DAMAGED. Face it, there's no way around it. Therefore, you need, as I mentioned in the requirements, to be able to survive the damage - if you collect all the energy tanks up to this point and have the Varia, that *should* be enough. You still might want to use the Crystal Flash, though. ==================== /====================\ | 3.3: Upper Norfair | \====================/ Shortcuts in Upper Norfair: 6 This section covers shortcuts in Upper Norfair - basically, the area that you don't (normally) need the space jump to get to. ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get Ice beam without Speed Booster ---------- Shortcut 13 (#13, Upper Norfair) Source: Brickroad's Glitch FAQ ---------- Skips: Speed Booster Required: mockball (glitch) Rewards: Ice beam ---------- Method: Use the mockball to get under the gates that close on you just before reaching the Ice beam. I'd recommend doing it after the first gate, though, since there's more room there. ---------- Comments: Once again, an important shortcut, and once again, it requires a glitch. This is what makes the 14% run possible using the Ice beam instead of the Speed Booster. ==================== ==================== Shortcut 14 (#14, Upper Norfair) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The first room with the green bubbles on the way to the Speed Booster ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping Rewards: 1 or 2 missiles, reserve tank (1 of the missiles and the reserve tank are hard without the Spring Ball) ---------- Method: Either freeze the enemies that fly around the room in order to jump/wall jump up to the green door, or wall jump on the wall just above the save room's door, and then wall jump off the edge of the ledge just below the green door. Note that it's HARD, but possible, if you don't use the Ice beam. ==================== ==================== Description: Skip the long, drawn-out path to the Speed Booster ---------- Shortcut 15 (#15, Upper Norfair) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The first room with the green bubbles on the way to the Speed Booster ---------- Skips: N/A Required: Ice beam, possibly wall jumping Rewards: a shortcut to the Speed Booster ---------- Method: Freeze the enemies flying around the room in order to jump or wall jump over to the Speed Booster, skipping some of the path. You can either get to the green door in the upper-left (see shortcut 14) and jump across using frozen enemies, or you can just wall jump up by using the enemies to climb up the wall on the right. ---------- Comments: This isn't really useful, except for bragging rights, skipping some enemies, or saving some time. Oh, well, still better than shortcut 1... ==================== ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get the Wave beam without using the Grappling Beam ---------- Shortcut 16 (#16, Upper Norfair) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping Rewards: Wave beam ---------- Method: Start by where the missiles were, on the other side of the one-way gate, hold the dash button, run and jump to the right (this is to minimize damage from spikes). Then, once you're next to the wall on the right, just wall jump up. Yay! Wave beam! ---------- I like this one. It lets you get the Wave beam early, and it's useful if I want to do a run without the Grappling Beam. It also allows you to defeat Crocomire without using the Speed Booster! Though, you'd need to figure out how to get the Grappling Beam without using the Speed Booster, but still... ==================== ==================== Shortcut 17 (#17, Upper Norfair) Source: Myself ---------- Location: Crocomire's room ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: wall jumping Rewards: Energy Tank ---------- Method: To get to the Energy Tank in Crocomire's room, you need to wall jump up the wall just below it. But how do you get there? Well, there are two ways. You can either do a sideways super jump, or you can walk through the acid. Then, once you're done, you just walk back. Just remember: getting an energy tank refills your energy, so don't worry too much about any damage you take before getting it. Also, it would be a Good Idea to spin jump as much as possible when you're moving through the acid, since that decreases the time you spend in the acid, and therefore the amount of damage you take. ==================== ==================== Shortcut 18 (#18, Upper Norfair) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The room just before getting the Grappling Beam ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam/Space Jump Required: Speed Booster, wall jumping Rewards: missiles ---------- Method: Well, you know how one way to get to the Grappling Beam is to do a spin jump while speed dashing and reach the door? Well, instead of doing THAT, you want to spin jump while speed dashing, and then move to the right, so you can wall jump up the ledge to get the missiles. ---------- Comments: This should actually save a fair bit of time - it's quite difficult to get over there by grappling (thanks to the sparse, moving targets), and it takes a while to come back here after you get the Space Jump. I know *I* have trouble with this one, normally... ==================== /===================\ | 3.4: Wrecked Ship | \===================/ Shortcuts in the Wrecked Ship: 1 ==================== Shortcut 19 (#19, Wrecked Ship) Source: Myself ---------- Location: The water-filled room on the way to Maridia ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: Gravity Suit, wall jumping Rewards: Energy Tank ---------- Method: Jump across the falling platforms, as usual. Once you get to the last one, just spin jump over to the wall and wall jump up. There, that's not too hard, is it? ==================== /==============\ | 3.5: Maridia | \==============/ Shortcuts in Maridia: 1 ==================== Major shortcut ==================== Description: Get through Maridia without the Grappling Beam ---------- Shortcut 20 (#20, Maridia) Source: Myself ---------- Skips: Grappling Beam Required: Gravity Suit, wall jumping, Speed Booster Rewards: getting through Maridia ---------- Method: There are two parts to this. The first part, is getting through the big, mostly empty room that you have to grapple through. In order to do this, drop down to the bottom of the room, go to the LEFT, and then run to the right in order to charge a super jump. Then, you spin jump onto the left slope of the lowest hill, and do an angled super jump - you should just *barely* make it up to the door. The next part is actually quite easy, and it involves getting past those vertical walls that you can (normally) hang on to. You just wall jump up those, which should be easy for you by now. QUITE easy. You might have to work at jumping out of the quicksand, though... ---------- Comments: The first part of this is a huge time saver! I mean, it can be tricky trying to grapple across that huge room. Plus, it lets you skip Crocomire - which means you don't have to spend time running back there, and then killing him. ==================== /===============\ | 4: Misc. info | \===============/ This section is where I'll be sticking all the little bits and pieces that don't really belong in a different section. You know the missiles a room or two above Crocomire, next to a one-way super missile gate? I've tried speed dashing in the lava beneath it, and it didn't work - looks like you'll *still* need to use bomb jumping, grappling, or space jumping. /========\ | 5: FAQ | \========/ Ah, yes, the actual FAQ, the thing that is now practically a requirement in FAQs and guides. Of course, since this is the first version, and FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions... Well, it's a wee bit empty. C'mon, people! Help me out here! /===================\ | 6: Requested info | \===================/ Now, since I'm only human, and I'm not exactly a bomb jumping master, there are obviously going to be holes in my information, and so clearly there's also going to be things that even I want to know. This is a place to list this stuff - and if you can help me, great. And, of course, you'll be credited. Is there ANY way to get the Spring Ball without using the Grappling Beam? I will be VERY grateful to anyone who tells me how, since that's the only major item I can't currently get without the Grappling Beam. It would also allow make it possible to get a 95% clear rate (I think) without facing Crocomire. Sadly, I think this is, and will remain, an impossibility. Unless another glitch is discovered, of course. I'd like to know if it's possible to obtain the energy tank in Brinstar that's a bit to the right of the morph ball - using only the morph ball, missiles, and bombs. I suspect it IS possible, but I also suspect it would be difficult. /===================\ | 7: About this FAQ | \===================/ Here's where all be sticking all the stuff about this FAQ that has no relation whatsoever to the game. In other words, the stuff that nobody ever reads. Oh, and if you want to know what the version numbers mean, the first number is incremented whenever there's a really big change, so expect this to stay small. The second number is incremented whenever there's a normal change, and the third number is incremented whenever there's only a minor change (i.e. typo fix). /===================\ | 7.1: Contact info | \===================/ My email address is bulbaboy@istori.com If you want to email me, feel free to. However, I do have some guidelines I'd like you to follow that will increase the likelihood of me reading and responding to your email. Also, keep in mind that I make no promises about whether or not I'll read or respond to your email - I will make an effort to, however. Now, the guidelines: If your email pertains to this guide, please include the word "FAQ" or "guide" in the subject of your email, as well as "Super Metroid" or "SM" ("Super Metroid is preferred). If you don't include "Super Metroid" in the subject, at least mention the game in the first paragraph - I want to actually know what you're talking about. Please mention (preferably in the subject) that this is about the Shortcut FAQ (unless if it *isn't* about the Shortcut FAQ). Note, however, that this is less important than the above guideline. Please, if you're asking for help with Super Metroid, make sure it relates to this FAQ. I don't want random newbies asking me how to beat the first Chozo statue (the one that has the bombs)... If you're emailing me about a shortcut, it would be helpful if you could tell me what version of Super Metroid you're playing, if possible. If you're pointing out something that's wrong with the guide, be helpful! Be specific! It's much easier to fix a problem if I know what it is - and I'll be more likely to do so if you don't flame me about it. ALL email must be reasonably understandable to someone who is fluent in English. Also, please try to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Read the FAQ first, both the question-and-answer thing and the guide itself. If your question is already answered somewhere, then I'm less likely to answer you. If your question is not only answered, but also easily found (or if it's in the FAQ section), then I probably *won't* answer. Try to avoid embedding images in the email - my current email client sometimes takes a while to display them. Images as attachments are fine, if you've got a reason. Also, try not to go overboard with HTML, either. If possible, keep your email rated PG-13 or lower. ==================== Oh, and if you break any of the guidelines below, there's a good chance I will block all email from you. Particularly if you willingly send me viruses or offensive images. NO SPAM! NO SCAMS! I do NOT want to hear about how you work for the Nigerian government and need to transfer money into my bank account! NO PORN! PARTICULARLY not images! NO VIRUSES! I DO NOT want my computer to be screwed up, and I DO NOT want my hard drive wiped! /===========================\ | 7.2: Copyright/legal info | \===========================/ This document is copyright (c) 2004 Ethan Kaminski. You may not post this guide on the web or otherwise distribute it publicly without my advance permission, nor may you claim it as your own. You may save it to your computer or print it out for private use. You may email this guide to your friends, and you may give it to them in physical form, although I'd prefer if you just provide them with a link to this guide. Any distribution that does occur is subject to the following restrictions: you may not make any profit from this guide, or display ads alongside it. You may not make ads appear at the same time as it, either. You may not place this guide in frames. This guide should remain unedited and intact. This guide should also be distributed in a separate file, using the .txt file type or a similar text-only file type (exception: you may also place it in the body of an email message, provided it's clear where the guide starts and ends - although, once again, a separate file is preferred). You may not misrepresent this guide as your own, and you must give me credit for writing this guide. You may link to this guide on the web, provided the hoster of the file allows it, and you make it clear where it is being hosted. Linking is to be considered distribution, so you must also follow all requirements for distribution. Although facts and ideas cannot be copyrighted, the creative expression of them can be. Therefore, although I cannot copyright the shortcuts themselves, I can copyright how I present them - including the descriptions and formatting. This means that while you're free to rewrite a shortcut in your own words, you may not copy *my* words without permission. However, I do ask that if you use this guide as a source, you credit me. All other copyrights and trademarks are property of their respective owners. I am in no way endorsed by or affiliated with Nintendo. /==============\ | 7.3: Credits | \==============/ Thanks to the following people/entities/pandimensional beings: Nintendo, for making such a great game, and obviously I can't thank Nintendo without thanking... Nintendo's design team, for making so many shortcuts possible (intentionally or not) GameFAQs, for hosting so many FAQs and guides, hopefully including this one. CJayC, for creating and maintaining GameFAQs. You're truly doing a great service to mankind. Okay, okay, maybe just the game players, but still... My dad, for proofreading the first version. Brickroad, for making that Glitch FAQ. I never would've thought of shortcut 3-b or shortcut 4 without reading that FAQ, and I also wouldn't know so many cool and useful glitches. mrFergo, for making a move guide so that I don't have to - after all, ANYone who wants to be a shortcut master must first master some moves - and even I learned some useful moves from the move guide. Everyone who's helped to make a FAQ that I've found useful. Thanks, guys, you're making my life MUCH easier!