Secrets of the Metroid map: the greatest enigma of them all . . .

Has anyone actually explored entire NES Metroid map, and I mean found every bit of it?

We all knew about the wall climbing trick---but also the dire danger of getting trapped and forced to reset the console. But there were certain areas, Brinstar and especially Norfair where the higher you climbed inside a wall, the more the "upper ceiling" was seen. There were places where you had a corridor, and on either side of the screen an ordinary blue door. But when you entered your energy was sucked, and it was irriversible---that reset button again.

These were the places you were never meant to see, not secret sectors of the map for you to find.

And sometimes you found these truly wacky looking areas. They weren't large, just a short contour of formations. Does anyone remember this, know what I'm talking about?

 

I am suddenly filled with great intregue, has there been any type of correspondance written up about the secret bits of Metroid on the interweb?

 

Has anyone actually explored entire NES Metroid map, and I mean found every bit of it?

How would you even know for sure that you've actually found all of it?

I remember when I played this as a kid, I would try to draw maps so that I wouldn't get lost in the various locations found withing this game. But I would always manage to lose track of where I was and what I was doing.

But then after having played Metroid: Zero Mission where the game basically holds your hand and tells you where to go at all times, the original Metroid suddenly became a lot easier. I guess this is because I knew the world from playing Zero Mission and could use the memory from that to find my way through the nes version as well.

(Wow, I really lost track of what I was talking about here...)

 

The layout for the original Metroid was quite challenging as, unlike Super Metroid, there was only one way to get back out: you needed to retract your same steps. I don't think there were multiple exits. So venturing into the deepest regions of Norfair forced you to make a serious mental map . . . or not go there at all.

I remember there was a stupid pit in the early part of Brinstar which, if you bombed that walkway, you fell down a deep drop. That wall-climbing trick was your only hope back up . . .

 

Yes! Unlike all the other Metroid games, I never covered all the territory. In fact, I never found the wave beam! It always bugged me but some areas of Brinstar weren't meant to be ventured unless you were suicidal! It would be great to see a full map!