Metroid Dreadtrailers continue to roll out as the game approaches release, and with those trailers comes new information. Samus Aran is back and better than ever, with plenty of new tools to help her navigate the unexplored Planet ZDR. Anew missile targeting system inDread’s latest trailercombined with Samus' upgraded melee counter brings her combat abilities to the next level, and a new slide combined with an air dash called “Phase Shift” has given her a whole new lease on exploration. She’ll need all the help she can get, as her foes seem to hail from a mysterious ancient race that raises major questions aboutMetroid’s backstory.
However, amid all the pre-release excitement, many older fans are wondering how far they can push the new mechanics.Metroid, especiallySuper MetroidandMetroid Prime, have very dedicated speedrunning scenes that have been around since before speedrunning became widespread. AsDreadis a 2DMetroidgame,Super Metroidfans are looking at it with particular interest.Metroid Dread’s mixture of fan-favorite power-ups and new abilities seem to advertise many opportunities to build up speed, and that could make for an awesome new speedrun once the game is out.
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Metroid’s Speedrunning Lineage
Generally speaking, more options means more chances to move quickly. In a speedrun context, it also means more potential ways to skip sections of the game or develop unorthodox movement techniques.Metroid’slong and storied speedrunning historyis often credited with starting atSuper Metroidin earnest, though swift completion had always been encouraged by the games' multiple endings. That entry has become a staple at speedrun marathons like Awesome Games Done Quick thanks to its open nature and various exploits. From pumping Samus' arm cannon up and down to move forward slightly faster to using ceiling spikes to hurtle across rooms backward, there are plenty of small tricks that save time.
There are plenty of stapleMetroidabilities that can speed Samus up to ludicrous degrees. The Speed Booster is the obvious candidate, but many consider it to be the prelude to the even faster Shinespark. By storing energy from Samus' top speed, Samus can blast off in any direction in a blaze of light. This can be used to travel in angles Samus would normally not be able to, and is potentially more useful than the infinite Space Jump if used correctly. While 3DMetroidcomes with its own bag of tricks, includingMetroid Prime’s invaluable scan dash jumps,Super Metroidis the speed game that sticks outin everyone’s minds.
By the look of it,Metroid Dreadtakes all the fast-paced platforming actionMetroidis known for and makes it the most fluid it has ever been. With melee strikes no longer slowing players down and a new slide to make even normal navigation faster,Dreadseems committed to being the smoothestMetroidto date. This can only benefit speedruns, especially when one remembers the prevalence of alternative movement options in other games.Sliding and dashing inMega Man, whenever it’s available, is paramount to decreasing run times, and masteringMetroid Dread’s slide (along with the returning Speed Booster) could make for a world of difference during runs.
That won’t be the only new trickDreadruns could use. It’s currently unclear whether or notSuper Metroid’s infinite wall jumps have made a return, but there is now another technique speedrunners can use to go where they aren’t supposed to: Phase Shift. This functions as a quick airdash similar to theMothwing Cloak fromHollow Knight, and aside from serving as another alternative movement option to speed up basic navigation, it will almost certainly be the source of some skips. Even a seemingly small new movement mechanic can be used to great effect in speedruns. It will be fun to see what routesMetroid Dreadrunners develop once the game is in their hands.
Metroid Dreadreleases June 27, 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
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