Screw Attack

The Screw Attack is a recurring power and ability utilized by Samus Aran in almost every game of the Metroid series. This attack involves Samus being surrounded in electrical energy while somersaulting in the air. This allows her to defeat enemies by jumping into them, and she in some cases she is invulnerable while using it. The power-up itself resembles a faint purple sphere with a yellow lightning bolt running through it, which also resembles a stylized version of the letter "S". Like most of Samus's power-ups, it seems to be a product of Chozo technology.

Appearances

In Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission and Super Metroid, the Screw Attack was found within Norfair. In Metroid II: The Return of Samus and Metroid: Samus Returns, it is found in Area 5. In Metroid: Other M, Samus had the Screw Attack from the beginning, but left it deactivated until late in the game. After losing contact with Adam Malkovich, she activated it and the Space Jump at the same time. In Metroid Fusion, the Screw Attack was gained within Sector 1 of the Biologic Space Laboratories after defeating Neo-Ridley. In Metroid Dread, it was obtained from a Chozo Statue found in an area of Artaria that could only be accessed late in the game.

A different version of the Screw Attack appeared in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption that was combined with the Gravity Jump. It allowed Samus to make consecutive jumps further into the air while in Morph Ball form and to perform Wall Jumps. This version was still capable of attacking foes while jumping, but it was not as powerful as the Screw Attack of other games. It was found within the Sanctuary Fortress's Vault in Echoes. In Corruption, it was found within the Hall of Remembrance on Bryyo, as it was apparently given to the Reptilicus people by the Chozo as a "gift of knowledge".

In Metroid Prime Pinball, this version of the Screw Attack was used for the Wall Jump minigame.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• The Screw Attack item appeared in Kirby Super Star (and its remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra) as a collectible treasure within The Great Cave Offensive. It was referred to as the Screw Ball in the initial release and by its standard name in Ultra.
• In the Portal: Super Smash Bros. series, the Screw Attack has appeared as Samus's up special move in every game, and it is also used by Dark Samus. The Screw Attack has also appeared as an item in every game from Super Smash Bros. Melee onwards, where it allows characters to use a Screw Attack whenever they jump temporarily. It takes on the form of an item that must be held in Melee and a badge that must be worn in later games. The Screw Attack has also been represented by a trophy in Melee, Brawl and the 3DS/Wii U game.

Trivia

• The Screw Attack's symbol has been used as a logo to represent the Metroid series in general starting in Super Metroid.
• The only games starring Samus in which the Screw Attack does not appear are the original Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime Hunters.