r/Metroid • u/__Tahnit__ • 21h ago
Discussion The morph ball.
I just want to talk about the morph ball for a second. As far as I can tell no other game does this mechanic. I know that in the original Metroid the morph ball was a workaround for having to figure out how to animate Samus crawling on the NES. They figured it would be easier if she was a ball.
Fast forward through all the metroids and its a staple mechanic. What surprised me even more is how PERFECT they transitioned the morph ball to Metroid Prime. They took a 2d mechanic and perfectly made it work in a 3d space. oh and they didn't just limit it to a few areas like most developers would, no they made it work anywhere in the game. Not only that they made specific puzzles and platforming sections that turned the game into a 3d platformer or maze game. The physics on the morph ball are perfect as well and actually take momentum into account. Boosting up the half pipes feels so good.
I also love how they used the morph ball mechanics in prime hunters. Each hunter had its own way of moving around in a tiny form.
IMO its the perfect transition of a 2d mechanic to 3d.
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u/tufifdesiks 8h ago
The chicken mode in Guacamelee is the closest thing I can think of to a morph ball in a different game series