X-Ray Visor

Not to be confused with the X-Ray Scope from Super Metroid.

The X-Ray Visor is a Visor upgrade that can be collected in Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. It uses X-rays to see in situations where the visible spectrum of light may prove inadequate.

In Metroid Prime[]

The X-Ray Visor can be used to spot invisible enemies, even those that don't appear to the Thermal Visor, and it also allows Samus to see through flesh (when she lifts her arm in front of the visor, the bones in her arm can be seen), Bendezium, Cordite, and Sandstone. The disadvantages to the visor include its monochrome image, which can make it difficult to differentiate between several objects or enemies, and its very low visibility range. Enemies that can be tracked with the X-Ray Visor include Flickerbats and the Chozo Ghosts.

Samus obtains the X-Ray Visor in the Life Grove in a secret part of Tallon Overworld.

In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption[]

The X-Ray visor appears in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption with a revamped look. While most objects are varying shades of blue, the heat signatures of some objects appear to be visible as an orange tint, much like when Samus uses the Thermal Visor from Metroid Prime. Power-ups are also visible while using the X-Ray Visor, which can be useful if Samus is searching for any power-ups in the surrounding area. This visor turns the Targeting Reticule white.

The material Phazite is penetrable by X-rays, allowing Samus' visor to see through it. This, when used in combination with the Nova Beam, a beam weapon that can pass through Phazite, is very helpful. If this visor is used in conjunction with the Nova Beam, Samus can target the weak spots of certain enemies (such as the brains of Commando Pirates and Berserker Knights and the internal nuclei of Phazon Metroids and Metroid Hatchers) for a one-hit-kill. Collecting the visor makes certain devices usable as well, such as the Pirate X-Ray Pads scattered across their Homeworld.

However, this version of the X-Ray Visor still retains the weaknesses of its previous incarnation: enemies and some objects will appear in monochrome, making it difficult to notice weapons and attacks. Enemies without weak points will also become harder to see with the visor active. Finally, if a nearby enemy enters Hypermode while Samus is using the X-Ray Visor, it will overload the visor and fill the HUD with static. That said, the headshot feature is still active, if significantly more difficult to use.

Samus acquires the new X-Ray Visor in the Command Vault in the Pirate Command sector of the Pirate Homeworld. She needs to deactivate a Multi-Lock Blast Shield with the Seeker Missiles to obtain it.

Official data[]

Inventory data[]

X-Ray Visor

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Inventory entry

The X-Ray Visor can be used to see through objects made of Phazite.
Push and hold to bring up Visor Select. Move the cursor into the lower-left zone and release to enter X-Ray Visor.

Notes

The X-Ray Visor can be used to see the inner workings of devices and hidden weak points behind Phazite armor. Targets behind Phazite will require a high-frequency Beam to hit.

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

X-ray Visor

"This wondrous piece of equipment allows Samus to look through some walls to find hidden rooms and alcoves. More important, it's used to find invisible platforms in some areas. Should you find an area where it seems there's no way to cross, try peeking through the X-ray Visor to see if there's a hidden path. This visor also allows you to easily track any enemies that use optical camouflage, and sometimes reveals hidden weaknesses in enemies."

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

X-RAY VISOR

"The X-Ray Visor allows Samus to see and use invisible platforms, ledges and other objects. It can also spot power-ups that are placed behind solid walls. Some enemies, such as the Chozo Ghost, can be tracked only with the X-Ray Visor."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]

X-RAY VISOR

"The X-Ray Visor can see through certain types of materials, including some walls and floors. This Visor reveals invisible items, areas, and enemies. Robotic enemies jam the X-Ray Visor's frequency. Eliminate them to restore function to the Visor. There are many areas where only the X-Ray Visor will show a ledge, or a secret room where a Missile Upgrade (or some other power-up) resides."

Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]

X-RAY VISOR

"Press right on the Control Pad to activate the X-Ray Visor. This item allows you to spot invisible enemies (such as Chozo Ghosts and certain bosses) in addition to invisible platforms. The X-Ray Visor also allows you to spot hollow walls among solid ones and glimpse behind their facades to see whether special items or passages are being concealed."

Metroid Prime acquisition message[]

"X-Ray Visor acquired!
Press [Control Pad (Right)] to activate Visor./Press [-] then point right to activate Visor.
Additional data downloaded to Inventory Screen. Press [START]/[2] to access the Inventory Screen."

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption acquisition message[]

"Armorsuit upgrade acquired. X-Ray Visor online.
Use the X-Ray Visor to see through Phazite. Press and hold [-] and point to the lower-left zone to enter X-Ray Visor.
Additional data downloaded to Inventory Screen."

Metroid Prime manual[]

X-RAY VISOR

"After Samus tracks down the X-Ray Visor, she'll be able to peer through walls to find hidden passages and even see hidden objects. This visor also helps track any enemies that use optical camouflage to render themselves invisible to the naked eye. As with the Thermal Visor, the X-Ray Visor can often identify alternate means of attacking foes."

Official Metroid Prime website[]

"The X-Ray Visor upgrades Samus Aran's Heads Up Display with the ability to see through certain types of materials. Samus uses the X-Ray visor to reveal invisible enemies, areas and items. Caution is used around robotic enemies, which can jam the X-Ray Visor's frequency."

Metroid Prime flash[]

"Once acquired, the X-Ray Visor will make hidden areas and objects visible, and enable you to view enemies that use optical camouflage. This visor is essential for uncovering all of Tallon IV's secrets."

Metroid Prime Trilogy manual[]

Metroid Prime[]

X-Ray Visor

"This allows you to see through walls and find hidden passages or invisible objects. It is also possible to use it to see enemies that use optical camouflage to make themselves invisible."

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption[]

X-Ray Visor

"This visor displays the same information as the standard view (Combat Visor), but allows you to see through walls and find hidden targets or invisible objects. If you lock onto a target, this visor will zoom in on your target's weaknesses which are highlighted in red."

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Premiere Edition[]

X-Ray Visor

Location: Pirate Homeworld, Command Center

Room: Command Vault

"The X-Ray Visor can see through objects made of Phazite. Push and hold [-] to bring up Visor Select. Move the cursor into the lower-left zone and release [-] to enter X-Ray Visor mode. The X-Ray Visor allows you to see the inner workings of devices and hidden weak points behind Phazite armor. The high-frequency Nova Beam is required to hit targets behind Phazite.
TIP: If you're stuck somewhere, activate the X-Ray Visor and look around--you may see something you couldn't see before. On the Pirate Homeworld, use this visor prior to interacting with various code-matching switches."

Development notes[]

Ted Chauviere engineered the X-Ray Visor in Metroid Prime.^[1]

Clark Wen, the audio lead for Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, said that he enjoys the sound of the original X-Ray Visor, which was the first to be implemented in the game. The sound is a mix of synthetic textures that he created in MetaSynth, and ran through a resonant filter on Access Virus. Five minutes after it was added to the game, Mike Wikan called him to tell him he loved it.^[2]

Trivia[]

• The X-Ray Visor was preceded by a similar upgrade in Super Metroid, the X-Ray Scope. This item allowed Samus to see through false walls and water as well as see invisible walls, special blocks, and hidden items. The Dark Visor in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is also very similar to the X-Ray Visor, especially when compared to its appearance in Corruption.
• In Corruption, there appears to be an in-game joke (pictured right). When the X-Ray Visor is collected, Samus stares right at the screen as though she could see through it and watch the player, seeming to break the fourth wall. She also makes a faint gasp during the cutscene.

• In Metroid Prime, the X-Ray Visor reveals that Samus changes her Arm Cannon's beam types by positioning her fingers in a shape resembling the symbol of the weapon in question. To see this, the background must be an area mostly devoid of machinery (such as the Root Cave in the Tallon Overworld) since machinery appears white like Samus' bones, while organic material appears mostly dark.
  • A graphical glitch occurs in the Wii versions of the game (featuring motion sensing controls): using the X-Ray Visor reveals that Samus's hand is not affected by recoil when firing the Arm Cannon, and remains still, although the cannon is pushed back. A Charge Beam shot can even make the hand clip outside of the cannon (best seen with the Wave Beam).
• In Corruption, it would appear that several or all Space Pirates also possess an X-Ray Visor (or some alternative) as several random code terminals on their Homeworld require the Visor to be used.
• The Corruption X-Ray Visor is the only Visor Samus collects in the game, since she already has three (though the Command Visor is only usable after authorization).
• In Corruption, Samus's Varia Suit, and PED suit at 10% and 25% corruption all lack visible leg bones within the Gunship. Development wise, it may be due to no model ever being applied since the X-Ray Visor isn't normally obtainable until after 50% corruption status.
• Oddly, Marines and Fleet Troopers have no visible bones. If Samus uses the X-Ray Visor on the latter, one can see their eyeball and lip mouth models more visibly.
  • Even more strangely, if glitching is used to return to the G.F.S. Olympus with the X-Ray Visor via the Control Tower cutscene, the Lab Assistant is shown to have a highlighted mouth and eye models.
• In a trailer for Prime from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, the Cloaked Drone is seen fought with the X-Ray Visor, which Samus does not have by that point in the final game.

Gallery[]

Early X-Ray Visor in Prime.

X-Ray Visor in the Metroid Prime Demo. Samus's face can be visible if a Charge Beam is fired at close quarters.

Metroid Prime visor symbol

Metroid Prime concept art

The X-Ray Visor is used in Metroid Prime comic

The X-Ray Visor in its Item Form.

Using the Visor to locate an Invisible platform.

Engaging an enemy with the X-Ray Visor

Samus' skeleton is visible when using the Grapple Beam in Metroid Prime.

The X-Ray Visor being used in Metroid Prime Remastered.

The X-Ray Visor being used on the Omega Pirate, seen in the Nintendo Direct for Metroid Prime Remastered.

The X-Ray Visor in its Item Form in Corruption.

Using the X-Ray Visor to decipher a Space Pirate password terminal.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

From Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The X-Ray Visor can see the innards of many creatures.

Samus and Joey. In chapter 11, Samus uses it to detect the true U-ton when it splits into several clones.

References[]