Kinetic Orb Cannon

From Wikitroid, the Metroid wiki

A Kinetic Orb Cannon. Users must enter a sphere into the hologram to use it.

A Kinetic Orb Cannon is a cannon that can launch spherical shaped objects, like the Morph Ball long distances. They are found on Aether and on Elysia in SkyTown (as well as various multiplayer levels such as Sidehopper Station). In the latter location, some Kinetic Orb Cannons need to have power restored to them by entering them and using the Boost Ball to quickly go in circles, causing it to turn. The original purpose of these units is shrouded in mystery, although it is possible they were either a method of transporting goods, (albeit rather sturdy ones) or even a form of weapon.

A device very similar in function appears in Metroid Zero Mission. It sends the morph ball upwards at speeds that can break any blocks. It can even send Samus up through pit fall blocks. Other similar cannons can be found in Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, including cannons that do not require the Morphball mode, but function more like springs.

When another person touches the cannon while it is preparing to fire a target, the person who touches it will die. This is observed in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes multiplayer. Another thing that can occur is if two cannons are opposite, and two people use them at the same time, the two objects or people being fired will collide and explode.

[edit] Logbook entry

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes: "The purpose of the Kinetic Orb Cannon is unclear. It may have originally been designed for industrial use, then converted to a combat system in later times."

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption: "The Kinetic orb Cannon's original purpose is unclear, but they are capable of firing spherical objects at high speeds to a set target. Entering a cannon while in Morph Ball will allow you to reach new areas and traverse great distances quickly. The Kinetic Orb Cannon appears in various locations at SkyTown. However, most units have shut down and require a kinetic charge to reactivate."