Arm Cannon

From Wikitroid, the Metroid wiki

Samus Aran's Arm Cannon is her primary weapon, allowing for both energy-based and ballistic attacks. The arm cannon, as its name implies, is affixed to Samus's right forearm. What separates the arm cannon from other firearms is its ability to access various weapons systems by quickly changing its configuration, thus eliminating the need for multiple (and sometimes bulky) guns. For example, during her time on Tallon IV, Samus could switch between four beam systems (not including the final beam), missiles, and four Charge Combos. By default, Samus's Arm Cannon always features the Power Beam.

Though Samus's is presumably of Chozo design, other species (as seen in Metroid Prime: Hunters) have Arm Cannons that can perform nearly identical functions.

Contents 1 Physical description 2 Logbook entry 3 Arm Cannon weapon systems 3.1 Beam weapons 3.2 Ballistic systems 3.3 Charge combos 3.4 Other 3.5 Footnotes 4 References

[edit] Physical description

In the Prime Series, the Arm Cannon features six different configurations. The standard, closed configuration, where the Cannon appears completely smooth, is always reserved for the Power Beam. The wide configuration, where the sides of the Cannon expand, is used for the Wave Beam, Light Beam, and Nova Beam. The tall configuration, where the top piece of the Cannon protrudes upwards, is used for the Ice Beam, Dark Beam, and Plasma Beam (though the Plasma Beam is only in this configuration in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.) The long configuration, where the muzzle of the Cannon extends outwards, is used for the Plasma Beam (only in Metroid Prime), and the Annihilator Beam. A fifth configuration, only seen in Corruption when Samus enters Hypermode, shows the Cannon opening up in apparently the wide configuration, but with half-pipe like chutes on the sides, presumably for ventilation.In Prime the Phazon Beam expands the gun in all directions at once. The last configuration, where 4 parts of the Arm Cannon protrude in 4 directions, the tip of the Cannon contracts and turns blue, and a ring separates from the Arm Cannon and widens, is used only for the Zero Laser. In Metroid Prime: Hunters the arm cannons configuration is not changed, however the orange part of the cannon does change colors when using the other hunters affinity weapon.

It is also shown to have many other functions, such as uplinking with computers or other systems, welding, physical combat, and directing the Gunship. In the Prime series, it is occasionally shown to have colored buttons on the inside of the round section, when it flips open. The Arm Cannon can also be picked up and thrown by player in Super Smash Bros. Brawl when Samus sheds her Power Suit. The arm cannon's three rings are shock absorbers.

The interior of the Arm Cannon is more simplisitc and is simply a long narrow tube into which Samus inserts her hand, with some sort of trigger mechanism at the end, but it can only be seen when using the X-Ray Visor in because other visors cannot look through the solid Arm Cannon.

[edit] Logbook entry

Metroid Prime Hunters:"An essential part of SAMUS's POWER SUIT, the ARM CANNON is UPGRADABLE and adaptable to other weaponry. To fire the weapon, press the FIRE button, Switch weapons by tapping the weapon icons at the top of the touch screen."^[1]

[edit] Arm Cannon weapon systems

[edit] Beam weapons

• Power Beam
• Charge Beam
• Long Beam
• Wide Beam
• Spazer Beam
• Wave Beam
• Ice Beam
• Plasma Beam
• Hyper Beam
• Phazon Beam
• Dark Beam
• Light Beam
• Annihilator Beam
• Electro Lob
• Battlehammer
• Volt Driver
• Magmaul
• Judicator
• Shock Coil
• Imperialist
• Omega Cannon
• Nova Beam
• Zero Laser

[edit] Ballistic systems

• Missile
• Ice Missile
• Diffusion Missile
• Super Missile¹
• Seeker Missile
• Hyper Missile

[edit] Charge combos

• Super Missile¹
• Wavebuster
• Ice Spreader
• Flamethrower
• Darkburst
• Sunburst
• Sonic Boom

[edit] Other

• Grappling Beam

[edit] Footnotes

¹The Super Missile is used as a charge combo in the newer games (eg: Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes) that simply drains five Missiles per shot. In older games and remakes (eg: Super Metroid and Metroid: Zero Mission), the Super Missile is a separate weapon with its own ammo much like the Power Bomb. In Metroid Fusion it drains from the same tank and just makes each one more powerful.

[edit] References

1. ^ Metroid Prime Hunters Logbook

Beams
Power Beam | Long Beam | Wave Beam | Ice Beam | Plasma Beam Charge Beam | Spazer Beam | Hyper Beam | Wide Beam Phazon Beam | Dark Beam | Light Beam | Annihilator Beam Volt Driver | Battlehammer | Magmaul | Shock Coil | Judicator | Imperialist Omega Cannon | Nova Beam | Paralyzer

Missiles
Missile | Super Missile | Ice Missile | Diffusion Missile Charge Combo | Seeker Missile | Hyper Missile Ship Missile

Charge Combos
Super Missile | Wavebuster | Ice Spreader | Flamethrower Darkburst | Sunburst | Sonic Boom