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! This is a rare creature/object. It may only be scanned in one or few encounters.


This article is about the creature in the Metroid Prime series. For other uses, see Parasite (Disambiguation).

The Parasite[1][2][3] or Parasite Larva[4][5] is a hardy species native to Tallon IV.

Description[]

Parasites are able to adapt to any environment within three generations.[6] Parasites were selected for Phazon mutation by the Space Pirates for its species' resilience.[4] Although they are repeatedly stated to be indigenous to Tallon IV, the normal variant is never found once Samus Aran makes planetfall in Metroid Prime; only the Plated Parasite and Ice Parasite strains are encountered instead.

Parasites hatch from eggs, presumably laid from the tail orifice of females. The Space Pirates used Phazon to genetically modify some female Parasite specimens into the largest known variant called Parasite Queens, which are seen on Frigate Orpheon in Metroid Prime and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Similar-looking corpses can be seen on Elysia's Xenoresearch Labs, suggesting that the Pirates were still attempting to make use of them after the Frigate Orpheon incident, although ordinary Parasites are not seen on Elysia.

Parasites do almost no damage. At the beginning of Metroid Prime, they are encountered in swarms, and explode upon contact, splattering their green blood on Samus's visor. They can impede vision because of this, but little else.

Parasites also appear in Metroid Prime Pinball, where they appear on the Tallon Overworld pinball stage along with the mini-game Parasite Purge. In this game, they appear with a very different design that more closely resembles a Grizby. The manual refers to this creature as new strain of the Parasites.

Although they are native to Tallon IV, Parasites are also classified as interstellar vermin. This is demonstrated in Metroid Prime: Federation Force, in which Parasites are present on Talvania during the first part of M06: Infiltration, and within the Excelcion Federation mining outpost in M15: Mother Lode. In the latter mission, they spawn from a destructible hive.

Locations[]

Official data[]

Logbook entry[]

Parasite scanpic - RemasteredParasite scanpic
RemasteredOriginal

Parasite

Metroid Prime

Logbook entry

Morphology: Parasite
Interstellar vermin. Travel in swarms.

Indigenous to Tallon IV, a single Parasite is harmless to larger life-forms. However, they tend to travel in large groups, swarming over potential prey. Such swarms can be dangerous.


! This is a rare creature/object. It may only be scanned in one or few encounters.

 
[Remastered][Original]

Pirate Data[]

Parasite Larva

Metroid Prime

Logbook entry

Log 10.515.8

Our initial tests exposing Tallon IV's indigenous parasites to Phazon appears to be successful. Increases in size, strength and aggressiveness are common in all test subjects, as well as unforeseen evolutions like additional poison sacs within the abdomen and the appearance of a second ring of mandibles in several subjects. These creatures were chosen because of their resilience, and it appears possible that, given enough exposure to Phazon, they may one day be able to survive on any planet we transport them to. Our methods will have to be refined; we currently have a 100% extinction rate after the fourth infusion period, and most survivors of the third infusion stage are so violent and uncontrollable that they have to be euthanized. Even still, we remain hopeful that further experimentation will result in success.

Biohazard Containment[]

Parasite scanpic - RemasteredParasite scanpic
RemasteredOriginal

Specimen Holding

Temporary scan

Morphology: Parasite Larva
Info >> Harmless unless encountered in large numbers.


[Remastered][Original]

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

Parasites
"Parasites aren't very dangerous unless they are swarming. When in tunnels, they swarm in a spiraling pattern and must be taken out as quickly as possible. A couple hits from these creatures isn't fatal, but a few hundred hits can be."
Parasite
Found In: Space Pirate Frigate
Recommended Weapon: Any
"Parasites travel in swarms and are found in tunnels and corridors. A few of them aren't dangerous, but a few hundred can be fatal. Shoot as many as possible from a distance. The Power Beam is quick enough for you to destroy most of them before they reach you. Parasites are suicidal in nature. They hurl themselves at you when you draw near. In most cases, it's best to just enter Morph Ball mode and run through them quickly. You shouldn't take more than a couple of points of damage in this manner."

Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]

PARASITE
"Parasites are common creatures. They are harmless alone but can be a nuisance in numbers. Once you reach the surface of Tallon IV, you'll discover many different breeds of Parasite--some of which are quite difficult to take down. For the moment, just blast them with the Power Beam."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]

PARASITE
MORPHOLOGY
"The Parasite is an interstellar vermin that travels in swarms and is indigenous to Tallon IV. A single Parasite is harmless to larger life forms. However, they tend to travel in large groups, swarming over potential prey."
COMBAT TIPS
"Parasite swarms are generally not a major threat, although if Samus' energy is low and she gets caught in the middle of a swarm they may be able to overwhelm her. Use auto-targeting and the Power Beam to take out the majority of the Parasite Swarms encountered. Turning into a Morph Ball and rolling past them is an effective way to getting past a Parasite swarm."

Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]

PARASITE
"These small creatures like to feed on dead Space Pirates, but scurry as you approach. They will later travel in swarms. Encountering them in either circumstance is no cause for alarm--they do very little damage, and die with one Power Beam blast."

Metroid Prime Pinball manual[]

PPINBALL

Metroid Prime Pinball variant

"A new strain of parasitic creature that are dangerous in numbers"

Development notes[]

The Parasite was called Parasitic larva in the beta demo[7] and early press materials.[8]

According to Jack Mathews, the tech lead for Prime, it was notably challenging to render large swarms of Parasites on the GameCube without impacting performance.[9] This may have been the reason why the regular Parasites were only found on the Orpheon despite it being made clear they were indigenous to Tallon IV.

Three Parasites appear under the floor in Deck Alpha Access Hall. Internally, they are named Larry, Curly and Moe, after the Three Stooges.[10]

Trivia[]

  • The deceased Parasite specimens encountered in stasis on the Frigate Orpheon are noticeably larger than the escaped living ones.
  • The Parasites aboard the Frigate Orpheon are what allow Samus to escape the ship with her life. Parasite swarms that had infested the ventilation shafts prior to Samus' arrival cause the ventilation caps to overheat and finally blow off while Samus is evacuating. This opens a new route through the ventilation shafts that must be taken since the old route is inaccessible.
  • Although Parasites onboard the Frigate do possess a heat signature (seen with the Thermal Visor via hacking), the large swarms of Parasites inside the Ventilation Shafts do not.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ Metroid Prime Logbook entry
  2. ^ Metroid Prime Pinball
  3. ^ Metroid Prime: Federation Force
  4. ^ a b Metroid Prime Pirate Data (PAL version only)
  5. ^ Biohazard Containment Scan
  6. ^ Ice Parasite Logbook entry
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ File:IGN Unplugged Issue 15 2002-08 IGN.com US 0007.jpg
  9. ^ (2015, December 7). Extra Life 2015 (Part 2) [Stream]. Crackdown. Twitch. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Shinesparkers. "Top Facts You Didn't Know About Metroid". December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.


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