Targeting Reticule

Metroid: Other M

The Targeting Reticule is a feature of Samus Aran's Visor system that works in tandem with her Arm Cannon, to automatically target enemy bioforms, scan points and pin-point areas of interest. The Targeting Reticule is used throughout the Metroid Prime series and in Metroid: Other M.

Description

In combat, this reticule allows Samus to lock her field of vision to an enemy's movements, so she can fire more precise shots and strafe around the target. During scanning, the reticule takes a different appearance and enables Samus to collect data from various enemies and her surrounding environment. The Targeting Reticule is normally not present in non-combat situations in the GameCube versions of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. It will, however, appear if Samus encounters an enemy. During lock-on, the Reticule will appear as a small crosshair, bordered by a spinning targeting scope. This scope will change according to the Visor Samus uses, but its function will remain the same. When using the Combat Visor, a charge meter will be displayed for the Charge Beam, as well as an orange ring when firing Missiles.

Green Targeting Reticule in Metroid Prime (Wii version)

In the Wii versions of the Metroid Prime games, the combat Targeting Reticule can be used somewhat differently. Samus has the option to enable the "Lock On/Free Aim" feature. Doing so means that Samus can manually aim her Arm Cannon during lock-on, but still has a fixed perspective on the enemy. This feature can be toggled on and off to suit Samus' preference. The Targeting Reticule takes on a different appearance in the Wii games. During normal exploration, the Reticule will appear as a green, three-pronged cursor with a small dot in the centre. The distance between the dot and the prongs depends on the distance between Samus and whatever the reticule is pointing at. However, during enemy targeting the Reticule will turn red and a "Target Scope" will appear around the cursor to assist in aiming.

Trace's HUD. Note the different targeting reticule.

In Metroid Prime Hunters, each bounty hunter has two unique targeting reticules as part of their HUD: one standard reticule and a smaller (although similar) one that is used while firing or charging an Arm Cannon weapon. For example, Samus' standard reticule is a green dot surrounded by the same three lines as in the Wii versions of the trilogy, although they are now rounded to form a circle; when using a weapon, the dot in the middle disappears and the circle tightens. Spire's standard reticule is an ornate pattern with a targeting dot and fragments of a square and a triangle respectively; when he uses a weapon, the dot disappears and the remaining patterns merge to form a simple diamond shape with a filled-in triangle on top of it. The Imperialist has two reticules of its own, though both are still colored according to the user's color scheme (for example, green for Samus and orange for Spire) and do not change when firing the Imperialist: a simple, circular reticule for the standard view and a larger crosshair for precise aiming when it is zoomed in.

The laser scope of the Free Aim mode in Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread serves an almost identical function to the Targeting Reticule, but in a third-person perspective.

Official data

Metroid Prime manual

TARGETING RETICULE

"This reticule will automatically track enemies or scan points. By pressing the L Button, you will lock onto whatever point is currently highlighted. Bear in mind that the reticule will change in appearance depending on which visor Samus is currently using"

Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Targeting Reticule

"It's used to track and target enemies and scan points. If you press [L], you'll lock onto a target or scan point, allowing you to easily scan or blast the targeted object or enemy. The targeting reticule automatically shifts between nearby targets as you shoot or scan the area to make fighting easier, but the range is limited."

Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide

TARGETING

"The targeting icon pops up whenever an enemy is in range. If you want to aim manually, press the R Button."

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes manual

TARGETING RETICULE

"This reticule will automatically track enemies. By pressing the L Button, you will lock onto whatever point is currently highlighted. Bear in mind that the reticule will change in appearance depending on which visor Samus is currently using"

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide

TARGETING RETICULE

"If you can lock on to an object, you will see a circle around it. Press and hold L to lock with the targeting reticule."

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption manual

"This reticule will move in conjunction with the pointer. By pressing the Z Button, you will lock on to whatever point is currently highlighted. In the OPTIONS you can also choose the LOCK ON/FREE AIM setting that you prefer"

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Premiere Edition

Aiming Reticle

"This is how you target enemies and look around your environment. Use the Wii Remote to move this green reticle around the screen. When the reticle is moved to the screen's outer perimeter, Samus turns/looks in that direction. To stop panning, move the reticle toward the center of the screen."

Metroid Prime Trilogy manual

Lock-on Cursor & Target Scope

"When you get close to an object or enemy that you can lock onto, the lock-on cursor will appear. When you lock on, the cursor will change to the target scope."

Metroid Prime Hunters manual

Sight

"Aim your shots using the sight's targeting reticle."

Metroid Prime: Federation Force manual

Weapon Sights

"Lock on to targets to display their energy gauge."

Development notes

Early reticule in Corruption.

In an early version of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the Targeting Reticule was different. A circular one would appear when riding a Zipline Cable.

Trivia

• In the Wii versions of Prime and Echoes, the Targeting Reticule can detect invisible enemies that would require an advanced visor to be seen. This can be done because when the body of the creature passes through the cursor, the latter becomes red. However, most of these enemies cannot be attacked until the visor is acquired or they become visible again, if at all. This feature can even be used on bosses before the battle is triggered.