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GameStop Hints At Another Playable Character For Resident Evil Requiem

Although Capcom has remained tightlipped on the prospect of Leon Kennedy cropping up in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, a good number of fans are adamant that the veteran character will indeed appear.
However, a new listing over on GameStop drops some new information regarding the Deluxe Edition of the game which, if accurate, seems to hint at a completely different playable character: Rosemary Winters (thanks, IGN).
Rose Winters is, if you remember, the protagonist in the Shadows of Rose DLC for Resident Evil: Village, having previously appeared in the main game as, uh... a bunch of dismembered limbs. Look, it's a pretty wild story.
The listing from GameStop specifically mentioned some cosmetic items for Rose, including the 'Morphic Visor' and 'Shadow Walker' costume pack.
This is all very bizarre indeed, not least because of how old Rose would be in Requiem's story. The new game is said to take place in 2028, which would essentially make her seven or eight years old. The Shadows of Rose DLC shot the story forward to the year 2037 in which she was portrayed as a teenager.
So if Rose does indeed appear as a child, would she really wear a visor of some sort? Would she wear a 'Shadow Walker' costume set? We're not so sure. Either way, the listing from GameStop is still up at the time of writing, so there seems to be at least some modicum of accuracy to it.
The listing also seems to imply that the popular Mercenaries Mode will also make a return in Requiem, while two new story scenarios are also being planned for the future.
Rockstar

You'll Probably Be Able to Pre-Order Saros PS5 Soon

It looks like Housemarque plans to open digital PS5 pre-orders for Saros in the very near future, as standard and Digital Deluxe editions of the game were rated in Taiwan earlier today.
Of course, with The Game Awards set to take place later this week, it appears likely that the PS5 title will appear during the show with a new trailer and official pre-order details. It's already scheduled in for 20th March 2026, meaning that the release is only three months away now.
In recent years, Digital Deluxe editions of games have moved away from the season pass model, and — Sony's special editions in particular — instead, they bundle the base game with additional outfits, weapons, and upgrade tokens.
You can probably expect this one for Saros to be similar, with protagonist Arjun Devraj getting some extra costumes for the intense trek across Carcosa. For when you can likely tune in for the announcement, check out our When Is The Game Awards 2025 guide.
Are you looking forward to Saros off the back of Returnal? Let us know in the comments below.
Rockstar

Sony's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic PS5 Remake May Soon Return

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Sony announced Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake, a timed PS5 exclusive modernisation of the classic RPG.
We first heard about this project way back in September 2021, but reported difficulties with development have significantly delayed its production.
Now, rumour has it that it may finally be time for the game to make a reappearance.
This comes from a leaker known as Kurakasis, who says a "big Star Wars game announcement is coming very soon", later clarifying that the game's title ends with "The Old Republic":
Knights of the Old Republic Remake was originally in development at Aspyr, but duties were reportedly handed over to Saber Interactive, delaying the game indefinitely.
The only thing made public about the project is its CG teaser trailer, which isn't even on official channels anymore, apparently due to the music licence expiring.
We've heard very little about the game over the years, but Saber Interactive insists that it's still alive and in development.
It would be great to see this game come back, hopefully with more to show, and The Game Awards would be a great venue for it.
It is possible that this rumour could be related to some other project within the Old Republic universe; some speculate it could be a Total War game, for example.
What are your thoughts on this? Have you been waiting to see the KOTOR remake return? Tell us in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Not Even Hideo Kojima Is Sure if Xbox Game OD Will Be Any Good

Hideo Kojima and his team have only ever made great games, but even he is unsure about how OD, the title he's making with Xbox, will turn out.
In an interview with Ananweb (via Automaton), Kojima is asked about his upcoming projects now that Death Stranding 2 is out. He says that while the latest trailer may make it look like a traditional horror game, it's actually "something completely different".
He continues: "I can't say what it is yet, and I don't know if it will work. We've made games that haven't been done before, like games where you can't be found or games where you have to make deliveries, but the system is the same as other games."
In the case of OD, Kojima says the developer is attempting to create "a different service format from the system", and it could be "quite challenging" to make.
OD is thought to be the next project Kojima Productions will release, as Physint — which is being developed in partnership with PlayStation — is still incredibly early in development. Horror movie maker Jordan Peele is working with Kojima on the project, but it's only confirmed for Xbox Series X|S so far. Given the multi-platform moves Microsoft has made recently, however, there's a good chance OD releases for PS5 too.
On Physint, Kojima jokingly says it could be made in his sleep since it's an espionage game. According to Kojima, the challenge with Physint comes from coming up with "new gimmicks" and crossing "the line between film and game".
Kojima Productions is thinking of having filmmakers on board for Physint as staff, not just as part of the cast. It's so early in production, though, that the chances are we're realistically looking at a PS6 title.
Do you want to play OD on PS5? Let us know in the comments below.
Rockstar

Dead Space Is 'On Ice', Could Be Sold Off to Help Cover EA's Acquisition Debt

Even though 2023's Dead Space remake was a hit both critically and commercially, publisher EA apparently has "no plans" to develop another instalment in the series.
And perhaps even more revealing, there's now talk of the company selling the horror IP off, in a bid to correct the debt that'll inevitably envelop EA when its acquisition deal closes next year.
This is according to anonymous sources from within the publisher, as per Insider Gaming. Said sources are "hoping" that EA will want to move Dead Space on to a new owner.
Indeed, it sounds like Dead Space could be one of numerous properties to be leveraged; it's described as being put "on ice", suggesting that the publisher has no interest in continuing the franchise itself.
Just to quickly recap, EA is set to be bought out by a consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside US-based investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. Recent reports have said that the PIF will own the vast majority (93.4%) of the company.
The acquisition will cost the consortium a whopping $55 billion, but a huge part of that sum will be borrowed, dumping around $20 billion worth of debt on EA. In other words, there are going to be a lot of sales, closures, and layoffs throughout the company over the next few years.
And so, onlookers — and EA employees — are currently weighing up the bits and pieces that its new owners could deem to be sellable assets. Again, Dead Space could be one such IP.
Would you be okay with Dead Space jumping ship? Are you surprised there's no new game in the works? Stomp on some abominations in the comments section below.
Rockstar

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow Review

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is disappointing. This latest from Vertigo Games, although developed by Maze Theory, had some real promise on the lead-up to launch. But having rolled credits, we don’t feel much beyond relief that it’s over.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow is the continuation of a franchise that we last saw in 2014. Here, you play as Magpie, a cunning thief who is accidentally merged with the power of ancient Keeper technology, and as a result, has the voice of former protagonist Garrett in her head.
Narratively, you’re tasked with pinching ancient artefacts from a ruthless ruler who plans to perform a dodgy ritual during the blood moon, all to do with said Keeper technology. Sounds ominous.
You’ll sneak around old manors and pubs repurposed into faction strongholds, nicking just about everything that isn’t nailed down, whilst avoiding guards and sticking to the shadows.

Upon first impressions, Thief VR is incredibly exciting. Like Vertigo Games’ previous PSVR2 titles, Metro Awakening, and Arizona Sunshine 2, Thief VR has a great sense of place, with that dour Dishonored-like aesthetic.
We really enjoyed the vibe of those early levels, as you scale pipes and reach for goodies in unlocked windows, and the process of sneaking through hidden passageways or finding new keys is quite fun.
Each level typically presents you with multiple ways to get inside, and while it’s nowhere near as expansive as a full-blown AAA release, it is fun to discover these on your own.
Thief VR’s controls and interactions are very fluid, too, whether you are climbing, interacting with doors and drawers, or lining up a shot with your bow. It all feels great.

We particularly enjoyed the lock-pick mechanic. The default settings have UI to line up with to unlock doors, but we turned this off, going for the more immersive setting where you turn the pick to feel the locks lining up with the Sense controller rumble. It never gets old.
There’s just enough to play around with, too. Your bow comes equipped with different kinds of arrows, from water to rope arrows. This allows you to douse fires or scale the side of buildings, encouraging you to look around maps and actually interact with them.
The darkness mechanic means you can stick to the shadows unseen, and your visibility is noted by a glowing gem on your right hand. We would have loved a brightness slider, though, as it’s never quite dark enough.
And thanks to that handy Keeper technology, you can use Keeper sight, which will highlight potentially hidden pathways or treasures. There are false walls, mechanically sliding bookshelf doors, or even pictures with gems stuffed behind them. There’s always a reason to have a quick glance around a room.

As you delve a little deeper into the game, however, that’s where more and more of the issues start to arise.
For one, enemy AI is horrendously dumb. They can take forever to notice you sometimes, and have cat-like eyes the next. Sticking to rigid pathways, they will not chase you down, nor will they notify other guards if they spot you.
They’ll run towards you, where you’ll either hide for a moment and they’ll forget about you, or you’ll engage in a rudimentary parry interaction before swiftly knocking them out.
You can deal with guards quietly by sneaking up behind and knocking them out with your truncheon, too, but that really is the extent of your interaction with them.

You can drag bodies to hide them in the shadow, but unless there is another guard that overlaps with their set path, there is no point, because nobody will find them.
Obviously, stealth is the name of the game in a Thief entry, and we wouldn’t expect full-blown combat here. But we also expected a little bit more from enemies to keep us on our toes.
To make matters worse, we also came across numerous glitches during our playthrough.
On a few occasions, we couldn’t actually steal items or use our truncheon, which required a full restart each time. Other times, we randomly became really short, where crouching and standing made zero difference to our height, making it impossible to reach certain ledges or handles. Again, that required a full restart.

Having to boot up the game on multiple occasions also highlighted a big flaw in the checkpointing system. Each time we booted up, we were forced to rewatch an unskippable cutscene and restart the level from scratch. You can’t just jump in where you left off.
What this did give us the opportunity to check out, though, was the replayability of its levels. As we mentioned, each level has multiple entrance points and various secrets to uncover.
Upon closer inspection, we didn’t find that the levels had the density needed to really warrant replaying. Most of what its levels have to offer can be seen in a single playthrough.
Each level comes with a set of challenges, some of which will offer you permanent perks if completed, like starting each level with three water arrows or making less noise when you drop from higher ledges.

All of the actual thievery (all of the trinkets you collect) is sort of tied to this. You're tasked with collecting half of a level's loot, but beyond that, it's just for the completionists out there. The collected currency cannot be spent on anything to upgrade your character or buy supplies when you return to your base.
And while, yes, the variety in missions means you could sneak in an open side window instead of the underground sewer pathway, the actual conclusion to each mission only ever has one solution.
It is disappointingly thin, and the game fizzles out by basically repurposing two of its earlier levels for the conclusion of the story.
Conclusion
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow had so much potential. It’s got a great aesthetic, and VR movement feels as fluid as you’d hope. However, glitches, disappointingly thin levels, dumb enemy AI, and a lack of replayability result in an undercooked experience.
Rockstar

The ROG Xbox Ally Has Just Received Its First Major Discount

Just under two months since the ROG Xbox Ally first arrived, it's just received its first major discount! Xbox has officially reduced its price by $100 in the US until December 20th, although only at certain retailers.
This brings the price of the standard ROG Xbox Ally down from $599 to $499 USD (or actually slightly lower in some cases) in time for Christmas, although keep in mind that supplies are limited and may not last until that Dec. 20 date.
Here's a look at Xbox's marketing for this deal:
A quick glance shows us that the ROG Xbox Ally is currently discounted at ASUS, Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, but it's sold out on the Microsoft Store (and will likely disappear at Amazon soon too). The discount unfortunately doesn't apply here in the UK, where the lowest price we've found is at Harvey Norman for £479.00.
In terms of whether it's worth it, we've only been hands on with the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X version, but that system is fantastic and offers great ergonomics, cooling and access to a ridiculous number of games through the Xbox app, Steam, Epic Games Store and various other storefronts. The standard ROG Xbox Ally offers the same thing, but with reduced performance - similar to how the Xbox Series S stacks up against the more powerful Xbox Series X.
Here's a look at those deals, and do let us know if you spot any other great offers beyond the US!
Rockstar

Xbox Series X|S Had No Black Friday Deals, So They Lost To A Console We've Never Heard Of (US)

There's been an unfortunate narrative doing the rounds on social media this weekend about Xbox consoles, and it's all to do with some new Black Friday 2025 data that suggests the Series X and Series S sold poorly during BF week.
Specifically, Mat Piscatella of the analysis group "Circana" took to Bluesky on Sunday to share how the PlayStation 5 dominated Black Friday week with 47% of gaming hardware sales in the US, followed by the Switch 2 at 24% and the little-known NEX Playground at 14%. The other 15% will have been shared by the Xbox Series X, Series S, Switch 1 and whatever else falls into the hardware category (not specified).
To be honest, we had to look up the NEX Playground to figure out what it was — apparently it's a Kinect-like system for "kids and families" that's got amazing reviews and only costs $249 USD. The things you learn!

As you can see, it wasn't great in the UK either. The Game Business reported that Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S only accounted for 10% of the market during Black Friday week, with the PS5 racking up a whopping 62%.
Before we get all doom and gloom though, this is exactly what was to be expected. Xbox basically had no Black Friday deals for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S apart from some extremely slight reductions at a handful of retailers (mostly in the UK), whereas the PS5 received massive reductions and therefore ended up selling predictably well.
Industry experts have warned that the BF sales data doesn't tell us much about "consumer demand" for Xbox:
Nevertheless, the fact that Xbox Series X|S apparently lost to the NEX Playground in the US not only makes for an interesting angle, but adds fuel to the narrative that nobody's buying Xbox consoles anymore. There is a good reason behind it in this case, but that part's inevitably getting overlooked by many fans of the industry.
Should Xbox have made a bigger effort to sell Series X and S consoles during Black Friday this year? Maybe that's a lesson to learn for next time, but we have a feeling Microsoft's more focused on the future of its hardware, services and software rather than continuing to push the Series X and S right now.
Rockstar

System Shock Remake Hacks Onto Switch & Switch 2 Later This Month

Nightdive Studios is bringing its awesome System Shock remake to the Switch and Switch 2, and we can now exclusively reveal that it'll be available to play from 18th December 2025.
Originally released in 2023, System Shock is a comprehensive yet faithful remake of the 1994 FPS from Looking Light Studios. Development was lengthy and somewhat troubled, with Nightdive striving to reboot the original with more modern design principles.
In the end, however, to deliver on the promises of its initial Kickstarter campaign, the team chose to lean more towards a remake, keeping the core elements of the original intact while introducing a plethora of quality-of-life updates.
Ultimately, Nightdive succeeded in its goal, and System Shock received mostly positive critical acclaim upon release. Taking place in the year 2072, you play as an unnamed hacker who awakens in a station under total control of SHODAN, an AI completely removed from its moral and ethical restraints. Grotesque mutations and cyborgs roam the station, and it's up to you to defeat SHODAN.
With visuals blending pixel art textures and modern lighting technology, the System Shock remake is, to put it lightly, a vibe. It's a significantly different experience compared to System Shock 2, which Nightdive also released on the Switch earlier this year. If you're curious, we definitely recommend giving it a shot. For those on Switch 2, the game will offer up both gyro aiming and optional mouse controls.


Images: Nightdive Studios
Rockstar

This Modder Turned Their Humble Wii U GamePad Into A Fully Functional Switch

What do you do when you're surfing the old interwebs and happen upon a bunch of lovely gaming folk wondering if anyone has ever stuffed a Switch — in fully working order — into a Wii U GamePad (also still in complete working order)?
Well, if it were us, we'd shut off our internet and go for a nice, long walk outside. Maybe we'd never come back. However, (and as reported by GoNintendo) retro gaming YouTuber and modder extraordinaire @KouzexMods accepted it as a challenge and decided it was time to take matters into their own hands.
As you can see in the impressively detailed video up top, this was no half-hearted job either. Nope, this expert retro modder has gone all in, drawing up a list of rules to stick by and everything, and it's fascinating to watch along as a Switch Lite console is stripped right down, very carefully, whilst designs are drawn up for how to have every part of the Wii U GamePad still fully functional whilst making it useable and comfortable.


Images: @KouzexMods


Images: @KouzexMods
There are even some improvements made to the base Switch console's performance during the process here, with upgrades to its battery, screen and a few other things that you can check out in the vid. Honestly, it's worth watching the full thing to see just how much effort and ingenuity went in here, and how problems met along the way were circumvented.
The vid wraps up with what we have to say looks like a very polished hybrid console, and muscle memory tells us that — let's face it — it's probably way more comfortable to hold than a vanilla Switch Lite. Man, that GamePad was comfortable.
Like the modding job that's been done here? Fancy turning your GamePad (if you're one of the seventy or so people who owned one) into a Switch? Let us know! (But also, don't blame us when you break it)
Rockstar

Polymega Collection Vol. 6 - Heavy Barrel - A Double-Shot Of Run-And-Gun Brilliance

Polymega Collection Vol. 6 - Heavy Barrel features two Data East-made run-and-gun shooters, neither of which really achieved the same level of fame as the likes of Commando, Ikari Warriors and Mercs back in the day.
1987's Heavy Barrel was clearly an attempt by Data East to muscle in on the craze for horizontally-scrolling shooters, and for the most part, it's a successful clone of the more notable examples from Capcom and SNK.
Supporting two players at the same time, Heavy Barrel's levels scroll both horizontally and vertically, while keys you pick up during gameplay can be used to unlock chests and gain access to different weapons (a bit like Midnight Resistance, another Data East title). The most notable firearm is the titular 'Heavy Barrel', which cannot be acquired at once but has to be assembled from six different parts.
It's the most potent weapon in the game and cuts through enemies like a hot knife through butter – but with a catch. It lasts for half a minute before it vanishes, which avoids you being so overpowered that you can literally sleepwalk through the game.
Heavy Barrel got an NES port back in the day, but it can't really hold a candle to the arcade original – so it's great to see it get a new lease of life on Polymega. The aforementioned port is included, at least – so you can see just how weak it is when compared to the original. I would imagine there will be plenty of people out there who got their first taste of the game on Nintendo's console, so this could have some nostalgic appeal.
However, even more appealing is the second game on this collection, 1991's Desert Assault (also known as Thunder Zone). This title was never ported to any home system back in the '90s, which is a crying shame as it's one of Data East's most accomplished arcade games.
With its gorgeous visuals, insane set-pieces and support for up to four players, Desert Assault is simply brilliant – and, if you're interested in this kind of thing, there are a bunch of changes between the 'World' and Japanese versions of the game, which means it's worth experiencing both.
Given that we've seen a lot of previous Polymega Collection releases with multiple games included, it feels a bit cheap for Playmaji to only have included two on this release (well, three if you count the NES port as a stand-alone game). Where's 1988's Bloody Wolf, for example, which is often considered by fans to be part of the same loose series as Heavy Barrel and Desert Assault?
Still, while it's hard to argue that this sixth Polymega Collection is especially good value for money, at least the two games included are of a high standard.
Rockstar

Hitoshi Sakimoto's 40-Year Career In Video Game Music Is Being Celebrated With A New Concert

Hitoshi Sakimoto has been composing music for video games for 40 years, and his remarkable contribution to the medium is being marked with a unique concert in London next year.
"The Colors of Harmony will be the 40th anniversary of Hitoshi Sakimoto‘s work on soundtracks which brought to life many enchanting worlds created by legendary Japanese studios Vanillaware and Square Enix," says GameMusic.net, the company behind the event. "The composer will join us in person for this special evening, accompanied by the London Mozart Players orchestra and a host of talented soloists."
Sakimoto has worked on titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Radiant Silvergun, Odin Sphere, Final Fantasy XII, Vagrant Story, Gradius V, Valkyria Chronicles and many, many more. He founded the music and audio production firm Basiscape in 2002, after leaving Square.
"Music crafted by Basiscape under the direction of Hitoshi Sakimoto has always held a special place in the hearts of millions of gamers worldwide," adds Game Music.net. "The Colors of Harmony concert will feature beloved themes from Vanillaware titles such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, as well as Square Enix classics including Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII. Beyond the concert itself, there is an accompanying event planned with Hitoshi Sakimoto, the details of which will be revealed at a later stage."
You can secure your tickets here.
Rockstar

"We Believe This Is The Right Step" - Unofficial FPGA Sega Neptune Gets Pushed Into 2026

The launch of the GF1 Neptune – a FPGA recreation of the Genesis / Mega Drive and 32X combo that never actually hit store shelves – has been delayed.
GamesCare, the Brazilian company behind the project, has stated that the delay will enable it to "ensure that both the software and the cores provide a stable and high-quality experience."
Here's the PR from GamesCare:
Sega originally announced the Neptune project back in the mid-'90s, just as it was preparing to release the 32X and Saturn. Neptune would have combined the Genesis and 32X into a single system, offering a more elegant entry point for those who weren't ready to invest in a Saturn.
Mock-ups of the console were shown off to the press, but the poor performance of the 32X convinced Sega to pull the plug and focus all of its energies on Saturn instead.
Rockstar

Here's What Might Leave Xbox Game Pass In January 2026

What's leaving Xbox Game Pass in January 2026? Well, Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything just yet, but based on some games that were added to the service this time last year, we can at least make a few predictions ahead of time.
We know that a lot of Xbox users want more advance notice of games leaving Xbox Game Pass, but Microsoft usually gives us around two weeks right now - and don't forget, publishers sometimes secure late deals with Microsoft to keep their games on Game Pass, even after they've been announced to be leaving!
So, before we take a look at the following list of potential games leaving Xbox Game Pass in January 2026, we want to stress that nothing has been confirmed yet, and this will not be a 100% accurate list by any means. Some of these games might leave, some of these games might stay, and many others might be added to the list.
The most common (but definitely not the only) trend with Xbox Game Pass seems to be that games stick around for one year, so we've gone back to January 2025 to look at the games that were added to Game Pass at the time. That said, we've also gone back to the January 2024 list as well, just to see what may potentially stick around for two years in total. Based on those original announcements, here's what we think could potentially leave Xbox Game Pass in January 2026:
Date It Joined Xbox Game Pass
Game
Platform
January 9, 2024
Assassin's Creed Valhalla (seems unlikely?)
Console, PC, Cloud
January 16, 2024
Resident Evil 2
Console, PC, Cloud
January 19, 2024
Palworld
Console, PC, Cloud
January 25, 2024
Go Mecha Ball
Console, PC, Cloud
January 30, 2024
Brotato
Console, PC, Cloud
January 7, 2025
Road 96
Console, PC, Cloud
January 21, 2025
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Console, PC, Cloud
January 22, 2025
Starbound
Console, PC, Cloud
January 23, 2025
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (seems unlikely?)
Series X|S, PC, Cloud
January 28, 2025
Eternal Strands
Console, PC, Cloud
January 28, 2025
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Series X|S, PC, Cloud
January 29, 2025
Shady Part of Me
Console, PC, Cloud
January 30, 2025
Sniper Elite: Resistance
Console, PC, Cloud
January 31, 2025
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Console, PC, Cloud
As usual, there could be plenty of additions to this list, and a few of these games might stick around on Xbox Game Pass for even longer, but it seems likely that we'll lose at least some of these in January 2026. Our predictions usually turn out to be anywhere from 30%-80% correct - you never know how accurate they'll be!
We still have another batch of titles to come to the service this month too, including Mortal Kombat 1 which headlines next week on Xbox Game Pass!
Rockstar

The Bloodlines 2 Team Is Giving Away A ROG Xbox Ally X For Free

Since the release of the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X a couple of months ago, it's been hard to find any kind of discounts or giveaways for the two devices, but we've just come across something via the Bloodlines 2 team on social media.
As you can see below, they're giving away a free ROG Xbox Ally X, which is pretty crazy considering how expensive (£799.99, €899.99, $999.99) that device is! You're going to need some serious luck to win it, but you might as well try.
Here's a look at what you'll need to like and comment on:
We're sure there's some kind of terms and conditions page for this somewhere, but we haven't managed to locate one yet and nothing's mentioned in this tweet. Just like it, comment on it, and see what happens later this month...
I'm personally of the belief that the ROG Xbox Ally X is a really cool handheld that opens up so many possibilities for PC gaming on the go, and if you can manage to grab one for free, you've pretty much won the jackpot in our eyes!
Rockstar

Assassin's Creed Shadows On Switch 2 Supposedly "Unplayable" For Some Players After Repeated Crashes

Apart from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, one other significant Switch 2 release this week was the third-party title Assassin's Creed Shadows. While Ubisoft's new feudal Japan outing has been mostly well-received by critics on Nintendo's new hybrid platform, it seems the experience hasn't been quite as enjoyable for some players.
Multiple message board posts and social media threads online are filled with player reports about the game randomly crashing. Some players have even experienced repeated crashes, forcing them to completely halt their play sessions until Ubisoft deploys a patch.
The following comments in a thread on the Switch 2 subreddit highlights just how much of a problem this has become for some players:
There is seemingly no clear solution or fix to stop these game crashes, but it hasn't stopped players sharing their own ideas.
Some suggest playing the title exclusively in docked mode, making sure the game is installed on Switch 2's internal storage, changing the system resolution, turning off HDR, disabling various other options, and even reinstalling the game...
Some users here on Nintendo Life have also reported encountering crashes in Assassin's Creed Shadows for Switch 2.
Critics have noted issues with frame-pacing, and recommend handheld mode for the best experience, but there seems to be fewer reports about game crashes during the review phase. TheSixthAxis was one site that directly acknowledged this "underlying issue" – referencing "a series of crashes" not long into the adventure, but "no clear trigger". Nintendo World Report also mentioned the "occasional" software crash.
In our own review here on Nintendo Life, we admitted Assassin's Creed Shadows wasn't the perfect port, but still felt it was a colossal achievement on Nintendo's new system.
So, when might we see a patch for this problem? As highlighted in the Reddit thread above, the YouTube channel 'What's It Like?' (which also "experienced several crashes" during its review of the game) says it reached out to Ubisoft's support and there's supposedly a patch planned for mid-December, which will apparently address "some" technical issues with the Switch 2 version. And with so many player reports now, Ubisoft has hopefully got the message.
Until we get an update from Ubisoft, tell us how your time with Assassin's Creed Shadows on the Switch 2 has been so far? Have you experienced any crashes? Vote in our poll, and let us know in the comments.
Rockstar

Mario Kart World - Course Changes Side-By-Side Comparison (Original & Version 1.4.0 Update)

Earlier this week, Nintendo released a new update for the Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World, bumping the racer up to Version 1.4.0.
In case you missed it, this is a major update, including all sorts of adjustments, changes and improvements. One highlight, in particular, is tied to the game's courses. As mentioned in the patch notes, the layout of select tracks has been changed for certain modes.
YouTube channel 'RetroArchive' has now shared a look at all these changes and redesigns in a side-by-side comparison video featuring footage of the original versions. As a point of reference, here's what's been updated according to Nintendo's official patch notes:
Mario Kart World - Version 1.4.0
Changed the course layout of below courses for "VS Race", or "Race" in "Online Play" or "Wireless Play".
Race that heads from "Koopa Troopa Beach" to "DK Spaceport".
Race that heads from "Koopa Troopa Beach" to "Crown City".
Race that heads from "Koopa Troopa Beach" to "Peach Stadium".
Race that heads from "Whistlestop Summit" to "Koopa Troopa Beach".
Race that heads from "Desert Hills" to "Koopa Troopa Beach".
Race that heads from "DK Spaceport" to "Koopa Troopa Beach".
Race that heads from "Crown City" to "Koopa Troopa Beach".
Race that heads from "Peach Stadium" to "Koopa Troopa Beach".
*Changed it so that, in all races heading toward "Koopa Troopa Beach", including the above courses, you will cross the finish line after two laps once you arrive at "Koopa Troopa Beach".
What do you think of these course layout updates? How are you finding this new patch for Mario Kart World? Let us know in the comments.
Rockstar

Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Decayed Master Sword "Life-Size" Statue Coming Soon, Here's A Silhouette Teaser

If you played Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you're probably familiar with the Decayed Master Sword. First 4 Figures now has plans for a "life-size" statue of it, with pre-orders scheduled to open on 18th December 2025.
Pricing hasn't been revealed just yet, but if you sign up to the First 4 Figures email, you can get $10.00 off. For now, here's a teaser in the form of a silhouette reveal:

First 4 Figures also has a range of other Zelda-themed items including a Sheikah Slate, Majora's Mask, Hylian Shield and various statues based on characters from Breath of the Wild.
Rockstar

Unofficial Dreamcast Port Of Star Fox 64 Now Available

Update [Sat 6th Dec 2025, 1:30pm]:
The Dreamcast port of Star Fox 64 is now available:
Original Story: JNMartin's unofficial Sega Dreamcast port of Mario Kart 64 is getting pretty close to its first public release. However, it appears that its lead developer has already started working on his next port of an N64 classic.
The Dreamcast developer @Falco_Girgis shared the news earlier today on Twitter/X, stating while he has been busy fixing the last couple of bugs in the Mario Kart 64 DC port, ahead of the game's alpha release, JNMartin has started the process of porting the rail shooter Star Fox 64 over to the Sega console.
Better yet, it appears the developer has already got the game running on the machine after just two days, with the usual caveats being applied here, such as missing sound and graphical glitches — issues that will likely be ironed out as time goes on (much as they were with the Mario Kart 64 port before this).
Star Fox 64 (or Lylat Wars as it was known in Europe) was originally released on the N64 in 1997, and is widely considered to be one of the best games available on the console.
As a Nintendo property, it was never released on a Sega console back in the day, but now thanks to Sonicdcer's decompilation project and homebrew developers like JNMartin, it appears we'll finally see this become a reality, giving us a brand new version of the title to experience at home.
Given the Sega Dreamcast was launched a couple of years after the N64, it will be interesting to see whether this will be a straightforward conversion, or whether the team will try and incorporate some new Dreamcast-specific features.
We'll try and keep you posted as more news becomes available.
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: How To Beat The Final Boss

Welcome to the final section in our Metroid Prime 4: Beyond boss guides.
This is it, folks, the final boss. The big cheese, as Leon Kennedy would say. Naturally, we'll be going up against Sylux, the bounty hunter harboring an intense hatred for Samus and the Galactic Federation. This fight comprises three phases, the first of which sees you fight alongside your Federation companions.
It's a difficult one, we won't lie. So let's dive right into it.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - How to Beat the Final Boss
Phase One

Image: Nintendo
You'll be fighting side-by-side with your companions for this first phase.
Sylux will be sporting a bunch of tentacles for some reason, so they'll be your primary focus here. Shoot the green orbs at the end of each tentacle. When you've dealt enough damage, you can use the lasso to pull the tentacle off Sylux.

Images: Nintendo
When all tentacles have been removed, you can damage Sylux, so we recommend fully charging your Thunder Shot and locking on to take full advantage of the short time provided.
While you're shooting the tentacles, Sylux will swing them about and shoot projectiles at you, so watch out. All attacks from him will take off a huge chunk of your health if you're hit.

Images: Nintendo
After damaging Sylux, more tentacles will emerge, but initially, they'll be shaped like dragon heads and have elemental powers, just like your Power Beam. You can either shoot these heads to gain health or ammo, or simply wait it out until they turn back into the green orbs.
It's likely your companions will also need healing at various points during this fight. This is almost guaranteed when Sylux breaks out the Thunder dragon heads. They'll use these to unleash a flurry of lightning strikes across the entire arena, downing one or two companions in one go. Approach your companion, press 'X' to enter psychic mode, and hold 'L' to heal
Repeat this process until a cutscene triggers.
Phase Two

Image: Nintendo
The next phase of the fight sees Samus and Sylux hurtling through hyperspace.
Here, you simply need to try and keep him in your sights and keep firing with your Power Beam.

Images: Nintendo
Crucial health drops will emerge from Sylux, so try and grab them by moving through the hyperspace arena. You'll also need to stay on the move to avoid his attacks. These comprise of various projectiles, some shaped like circles and others like spinning batons.
Sylux will also occasionally shoot at you with its standard weapon. Just keep on the move and keep firing. Eventually, the fight will move into phase three.

Image: Nintendo
Phase Three

Image: Nintendo
The final phase takes place on a basic platform in the dark reaches of space. The best way to damage Sylux here is to keep charging up your Thunder Shot.

Images: Nintendo
Sylux will have lots of devastating attacks here. Watch out for the LockJaw, Sylux's equivalent to the morph ball. Sylux will slam into Samus, knocking one of her Energy Tanks to the ground. When this happens, you'll have a split second to grab it before he does. If this does happen, you can boost into Sylux to steal it back.
Occasionally, Sylux will also power up, suspended in mid-air. Your normal weapons won't work here, since they'll be absorbed into his weapon. Instead, use the Control Beam and guide the shot into Sylux.

Images: Nintendo
Sylux will also have standard attacks like shockwaves, melee attacks, and a beam of energy that will lock Samus in place while sapping her health. The aim of the game here is to dodge, dodge, dodge. Dash to the sides whenever you can.
Keep firing with your Charged Thunder Shot when Sylux is in view and you'll eventually emerge triumphant.

Image: Nintendo
Ha, serves Sylux right, huh? If you need any more help with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, then do check out our full walkthrough when you have a chance.
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Chrono Tower Guide

Hello, and welcome to the final walkthrough section for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond!
Here, we'll cover any remaining items and scans needed to obtain that 100% completion rating. In the meantime, we'll be looking for Galactic Federation Mech Parts in order to gain entry to Chrono Tower and use the Master Teleporter Keys.
Chrono Tower Walkthrough
First, there are a couple of items in Fury Green we need to pick up.
Missile Expansion #36

Image: Nintendo
Head over to Reflection Chamber near the Base Camp, where the remains of the mech 'Betsy' are located. Behind the mech's leg is a large container.
Shoot this with a Super Missile to reveal the Missile Expansion.
Power Bomb Expansion #2

Image: Nintendo
Work your way back to the Quiet Clearing area. There will be a Lamorn statue on the right side. Use a Power Bomb to destroy it and reveal a Power Bomb Expansion.
Okay, now let's go back out into Sol Valley and head on over to Flare Pool.
Scan Entry: Leaping Spitter

Image: Nintendo
Start making your way over the Lave Lake Bridge. As you do, a new enemy will burst out of the lava: the Leaping Spitter. Scan it!
Use the Scout Bot at the end of Lava Lake Bridge to reveal the exact locations of the remaining items in Flare Pool.
Shot Expansion #35

Image: Nintendo
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The first item is right next to the Scout Bot. Use the Tether Nodes in morph ball mode to shoot up to the Shot Expansion suspended above.
Now take Vi-O-La and head through the large door and into Volcano Heart.
Scan Entry: Blow Hopper

Image: Nintendo
You'll see a new creature hovering above the lava. This is the Blow Hopper. It won't pose much of a threat, so go ahead and scan it, then drive off.
Shot Expansion #36

Image: Nintendo
Down to the left as you enter Volcano Heart is a large ramp. Behind it is a Shot Expansion. Drive into it to grab it.
Missile Expansion #37

Image: Nintendo
On the other side of Volcano Heart is a Missile Expansion, tucked away behind a huge piece of debris – you can't miss it.
Finally, there's an Energy Tank in the centre of Volcano Heart, but before you can grab it, it'll be snatched away by...
Scan Entry: Swim Snatcher

Image: Nintendo
Be aware, if you miss scanning the Swim Snatcher, you won't see it again!
Energy Tank #14

Image: Nintendo
Chase the Swim Snatcher around Volcano Heart, using 'A' to fire a projectile when you're able to get close enough to lock on. Hit it about five or six times, and it'll die and drop the Energy Tank.
Missile Expansion #38

Image: Nintendo
Head on over to Ventilation Works. Use the half-pipe to reach the Spider Track on the left. Take this over to the Missile Expansion.
Shot Expansion #37

Image: Nintendo
Go up the elevator by the Ventilation Works and move into Inspection Station. At the end, use the Fire Shot on the grating to the right and morph ball into the underground tunnel. Follow it up to grab the next Shot Expansion.
From the Entry Bay, take the left corridor into the Boiler Room. You'll see a large machine at the back. Use the lasso to pull the hatch off, then fire your Thunder Shot several times to power up the machine. Two doors will open, revealing both a Shot Expansion and a Missile Expansion.
Shot Expansion #38

Image: Nintendo
Missile Expansion #39

Image: Nintendo
Missile Expansion #40

Image: Nintendo
In the Entry Bay, use the Thunder Shot to open the door next to the large hangar door. Head through to the Cooling Room, then deal with the Lamorn Beam Turret. The Missile Expansion is waiting behind it.
Missile Expansion #41

Image: Nintendo
From the Cooling Room, go into the Energy Extraction room. There's a Spider Track right in front of you. Take it up and press 'A' to use a bomb and leap over the small gaps when the electricity has died down. You'll eventually come to the Missile Expansion.
Now head to the Map Station and use the Thunder Shot on the locked door. Move through the corridor until you come to the Subobservation Room (what a name!).
Missile Expansion #42

Image: Nintendo
You'll be attacked by a range of Psy-Bots, so focus on destroying these first. Then blow the hatch off the back wall with a missile, and use the lasso to pull the platforms down. Morph ball in, and work your way up to the Missile Expansion.
Move into the Energy Injection room.
Shot Expansion #39

Image: Nintendo
Move to the centre of the room where you'll fall into a small half-pipe. Use the spinner at the end to reveal electrical circuits. Shoot these with the Thunder Shot to open the hatch in the middle. Inside is your next Shot Expansion.
Shot Expansion #40

Image: Nintendo
Work your way up to the top of Energy Injection using the grapple nodes. At the top, use the grapple points to swing over to the topmost platform and grab the Shot Expansion.
Missile Expansion #43

Image: Nintendo
Now go into the Overseer Room. Use your lasso to pull open a hatch up above. Drop a psychic bomb and throw it into the newly-revealed slot. Then, use your Control Beam to hit the three nodes as they pop out of the device.
When you're done, the Missile Expansion will reveal itself.
Now head back to Lava Lake Bridge. Disembark from Vi-O-La on the side closest to Sol Valley. Use your Super Missile on the large rock blocking the way into the entrance opposite the Volcano Heart. Head on through.
Get off Vi-O-La when you come to a small bit of land. Fire a missile at the morph ball tunnel, then roll on through. Make your way around the short maze, waiting for any lava falling from above to stop. You'll notice a Power Bomb Expansion up above, but you can't get it thanks to the lava.
Head to the end of the maze, then use the grapple points and nodes to swing over to an island where you can turn off the flow of lava.
Power Bomb Expansion #3

Image: Nintendo
When the lava has turned off, head back into the morph ball maze and work your way up to the Power Bomb Expansion.
Shot Expansion #41

Image: Nintendo
Now head to the Scrapyard area near the entrance to Flare Pool. Use a Power Bomb on the rubble to the left, then head up the Spider Track to get your Shot Expansion.
Okay, we're done in Flare Pool... For now.
Our goal now is to locate the Galactic Federation Mech Parts, but we'll need a Transporter Chip to obtain them.
Exit Flare Pool and make your way back into Sol Valley. Near the entrance, you'll see some smoke rising up from a group of large rocks. Head over there.


Images: Nintendo
You'll come across Reger Tokabi, who's decided to set up camp here. Watch the cutscene – Tokabi will gift Samus with the Teleporter Chip, allowing you to send the Mech Parts back to Base Camp.
Take the Chip back to Base Camp and give it to Myles in exchange for the Teleporter Patches.

Image: Nintendo
Now let's go search for the Mech Parts. Most of them are located at the Galactic Federation Debris Sites scattered around Sol Valley, so let's go to those first.
Mech Part #1


Images: Nintendo
The first Mech Part is located near the entrance to Fury Green. You'll see a vehicle lodged into the building. Use the lasso to pull it out, and the Mech Part is waiting behind. Press 'A' next to it to send it to Base Camp.
Missile Expansion #44

Image: Nintendo
While we're here, use a Control Beam to hit the target within the antenna located way up high at the Debris Site. This will cause the antenna to fall over, revealing a grapple point.
Take the grapple point over to the roof of the building and grab the Missile Expansion.
Missile Expansion #45


Images: Nintendo
From the Debris Site, you should be able to see another column of smoke coming from some rocks. Head on over there and you'll meet Tokabi again. He'll gift you with a Missile Expansion.
Now head southeast to reach the next Debris Site.
Mech Part #2


Images: Nintendo
At the Debris Site in the south, jump up onto the building using the boxes scattered around. You'll find the part on top. Simple.
Missile Expansion #46

Image: Nintendo
There's another Missile Expansion to grab while we're here. Walk around the building and you'll eventually find a hatch that you can open with a simple burst of electricity from your Thunder Shot. Morph ball through the opening and roll through to find the Expansion.
Now head north-east to find the next Debris Site.
Power Bomb Expansion #4

Image: Nintendo
Before we head for the next mech part, let's grab our next Power Bomb Expansion. Use the grapple node on the Debris building and then make your way around until you can climb up to the top.
Use a Power Bomb on the durable box to reveal the Power Bomb Expansion.
Mech Part #3

Image: Nintendo
Just to the west of the Debris Site – as indicated on the map above – is a large box. This is the mech part you need.
Unfortunately, as you approach it, a giant Varmis creature will come and snatch it. What the heck!
Follow the Varmis over to a large clearing. You'll need to fight it to retrieve the mech part. This fight isn't too difficult at all, but if you need help, check out our guide on How to Beat Varmis.
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Easy, girl
When you're done, you can send the Mech Part back to Base Camp.
Now let's head to the Debris Site at the north of the map.
Mech Part #4


Images: Nintendo
On the western side of the Debris Site, you'll see a Mech arm dangling down. Shoot it with your Thunder Shot to cause the fingers to articulate. The arm will fall to the ground, allowing you to approach it and send it back to Base Camp.
Mech Part #5


Images: Nintendo
Now head to the entrance for Ice Belt.
Go inside the first door leading to Ice Belt, then straight through to the other side of the elevator to the other exit – basically, you want to wind up where we found the Psychic Boost Rail earlier.
Now we need to head back to Flare Pool.
When you get to the Lava Lake Bridge, go through the entrance to Lava Works, where we found the Power Bomb Expansion earlier.
Scan Entry: Behemoth

Image: Nintendo
Make your way through to the Lava Works room.
Scan the Behemoth when it makes its entrance. Warning: if you miss scanning this enemy, you won't get another chance!
Defeat the Behemoth by targeting its red eyes. The Super Thunder Shot will work wonders in this fight, so don't be afraid to use it.
Mech Part #6


Images: Nintendo
When the Behemoth is down, you can approach the Mech Part and send it back to Base Camp.
That's it! You've got them all. Well done.
Shot Expansion #42


Images: Nintendo
Head back to the Galactic Federation Debris Site where we picked up the Mech arm.
Tokabi will be waiting for you. Watch the cutscene and he'll gift you with a Shot Expansion.
Now you'll need to meet up with Tokabi one last time to gain your final item. To make him spawn in the last location, just head into any major region, then make your way back out into Sol Valley.
Power Bomb Expansion #5


Images: Nintendo
Tokabi's last location is just north of the entrance to Fury Green. Speak with him, and he'll gift you with a Power Bomb Expansion.
You've now obtained 100% of items. Nice!
Okay, time to head back to Base Camp and begin the final jaunt to Chrono Tower. Make sure you've collected all items and all available scans by this point. You should be on 100% items and 98% scans, with the last remaining scans being in the Sylux Forces category.
Speak with your team at Base Camp. You'll be warned that you can't turn back if you choose to proceed. So if you're definitely ready, let's head to Chrono Tower.
Watch the following cutscenes as Samus and her Galactic Federation companions approach Chrono Tower and blast through the force field with the Mech.
When you finally regain control, you'll be inside the tower. Head forward into the net room and watch the next cutscene. The Guardian robots will awaken and guide you through the next room.
When you reach the Lamorn statue, scan it to reveal a final message from the Lamorn.
Head through to the next room, then scan the object suspended in the air. The elevator will activate, so take it up. Feel free to chat with your companions along the way.
When you reach the top, scan the purple haze to the left of the Lamorn statue to reveal a Spider Track. Take it up in morph ball mode.

Image: Nintendo
When you reach the top and you're back in the tower, scan the terminal around the back.
Enjoy the following cutscene, but get ready for your final fight.
Scan Entry: Sylux

Image: Nintendo
Scan Entry: LockJaw

Image: Nintendo
Yes, your final fight is with Sylux, that dastardly fiend. Make your you scan Sylux as soon as you can, you won't get another chance!
Similarly, in the third phase of the fight, Sylux will drop down into LockJaw mode. Scan this too!
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Great Mines Guide

Hello, welcome back to our full walkthrough for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
This time, we're heading into The Great Mines to obtain our fourth and final Master Teleporter Key. This is it, folks. The end is (kind of) in sight. The Great Mines is a dangerous place, full of nasty enemies along with what might be the most ferocious boss of the entire game. Be ready.
The Great Mines Walkthrough
In Sol Valley, head to The Great Mines; it'll be marked on your map in the north-east corner.
When you reach the mines, a cutscene will trigger. You'll need to use the Spider Track to get across the gap, but don't go over just yet. Instead, jump off the side. Trust us!
Shot Expansion #21

Image: Nintendo
Underneath the bridge, you'll see a bunch of grapple points. Use the grapple to swing across and grab the Shot Expansion. Okay, now head back up and go across the Spider Track. Press the terminal on the other side to extend the bridge.
Use the next terminal to activate the terminal, then take it down.
When you reach the bottom, activate the terminal to open the door to The Great Mines.
Scan Entry: Winged Lizard

Image: Nintendo
You'll see some creatures flying around the area; these are Winged Lizards. Scan one!
Missile Expansion #25

Image: Nintendo
Walk around to the right and jump over the gap. Take the Spider Track up. Jump over the next two gaps and jump down the next Spider Track. Hop over the next gap and you'll see a third Spider Track going up. Take this up to grab the Missile Expansion.
Work your way back around until you see a Spider Track leading across the huge gap. Take this across, then use the spinner at the end to extend the bridge.
Allow Armstrong and Duke to pull the Energy Lock apart, then shoot its centre with the Thunder Shot. Head through the door into the Entry Tunnel.
Take the door on the left, then go straight ahead for the Save Station. Now exit and take the door on the left into the Command Center.
Scan the terminal in the middle to gain the Area Map. Now use the bomb slot to open the door on the right.
Scan Entry: Spin Dartwing

Image: Nintendo
Immediately drop out of morph ball mode, then scan the Spin Dartwings hanging from the ceiling before they dash at you.
Head through the door into Transit Tunnel A, then keep going into the Drilling Site.
Scan and activate the terminal over on the right.
Head around to the back of the large drill and morph ball into the end. Boost around clockwise to power it up.
After the cutscene, jump up the platforms and use the lasso to pull the drill into a vertical position. Now get ready for a fight.
Scan Entry: Maul Griever

Image: Nintendo
Two Griever variants will attack, so scan them both. The first and more populous is the Maul Griever.
Scan Entry: Griever Bomber

Image: Nintendo
The Griever Bombers are easy to spot thanks to their green glow. Watch out, though - if they get too close, they'll explode.
During the fight, if either Duke or Armstrong gets downed, go into psychic mode and hold 'L' next to them to heal them back to full health.
When the drill successfully burrows through the floor, jump down.
Scan Entry: Metareetta

Image: Nintendo
Move through the cave until you see the Metareetta. Scan one of them.
Head through the door and use missiles on the blockage in front of you. More Maul Grievers and Griever Bombers will attack, so fend them off.
Scan Entry: Pop Crawler

Image: Nintendo
Head through the next door and you'll see a curious creature pop out of the ground. Scan it, then shoot it a few times to dispatch it.
Shoot the small bulbs at the end, then the larger one when it opens up. Jump down the hole.
Shoot the bulb in front, then use the Control Beam to guide a shot up through the hole in the left of the ceiling. Aim it towards the second bulb inside. Do the same for the hole on the right, then blast the main bulb when it opens up.
Jump down again.
Scan Entry: Snare Weed

Image: Nintendo
You'll see some purple weeds ahead. Scan this, then shoot to cause them to shrink back into the ground.
Use the lasso on the blockage ahead. Continue through, shooting the Snare Weeds in your way. Clear the next blockage, then jump down.
Scan Entry: Cave Shren

Image: Nintendo
After the brief cutscene, scan the Cave Shrens that appear in front of you.
Head through the door and fire missiles at the next blockage. Fight the Grievers that descend upon you. Jump across the short gap and turn around.
Scan Entry: Crystal Crawler

Image: Nintendo
You'll see a couple of Crystal Crawlers on the walls opposite, so scan one of them. You can now also use them to grapple across the gap.
Missile Expansion #26

Image: Nintendo
When you successfully cross the gap using the Crystal Crawlers, you'll come to your next Missile Expansion. Grab it, then grapple your way back.
Use the lasso on the next blockage, then head through the door and into Construction Site.
Scan Entry: Cave Roach

Image: Nintendo
Work your way around the Construction Site and you'll see some cute little Cave Roaches at the end. Scan one of them!
Now use a Fire Shot on the webbing above. Drop a morph ball bomb and psychically throw it into the slot above. Move through the door and the following corridor until you reach the Cave Eater, a very useful vehicle. Get rid of the webbing on its controls, then scan it.
You'll now need to provide cover for Armstrong while she uses the Cave Eater to get through to the next area. Just keep moving and shooting, and those Grievers will be toast.
When Armstrong gets through, head through the door and say your goodbyes.
In Transit Junction, there's a Save Station on the right, so use it if you wish. Now head through to Main Shaft - Level 2 by removing the webbing covering the door and moving through the morph ball tunnel.
Jump over the gaps, then go left at the large elevator shaft. Turn left again and scan the purple haze to reveal a Psychic Boost Rail.
Shot Expansion #22

Image: Nintendo
Use the Boost Rail to hurtle around the environment and grab your next Shot Expansion.
Now use the combination of Tether Nodes and Spider Tracks to reach the other side of the Main Shaft room. Grapple over the gap, then use the spinner to extend the bridge.
Energy Tank #12

Image: Nintendo
You'll see some Psychic Platforms by the bridge. Scan these to materialise them, and jump across to grab the Energy Tank.
Head through the door and go straight through Transit Tunnel D to reach the Quarry. Move forwards to trigger a cutscene.
Scan Entry: Maul Griever Brute

Image: Nintendo
He's a big boy! Scan the Brute, then defeat it with combinations of your Charge Shot, Thunder Shot, and more. VUE-995 will join you partway through the fight, so that's nice!
When you're done, let VUE-995 clear the blockage, then head through the door into Easing Tunnel.
Boost up the half-pipe to reach the Spider Track. Work your way around and use boost on the large screws to remove the structure from the ceiling. When it drops, a bunch of Grievers will attack, so get rid of them.
Scan the structure to allow VUE-995 to remove the blockage.
Power Suit Upgrade - Super Missile

Image: Nintendo
Fire a missile at the glass, then go into the structure and grab the Super Missile.
Missile Expansion #27

Image: Nintendo
Use the Super Missile on the blue crystals on the wall to destroy them. Inside is your next Missile Expansion.
Head back into the Quarry and use the Super Missile on the blue crystal wall at the back. Head through and work your way through the corridor.
You'll wind up in Crystal Crevice.
Shot Expansion #23

Image: Nintendo
Before you use the Crystal Crawlers in front of you, turn around and target the one directly above. Now hp over the platforms to get your next Shot Expansion.
When you're done, you can just jump down to reach the other side. Turn around and use a Super Missile on the broken platform to your left. This will fall down and allow VUE-995 to follow you. Scan the blockage at the end to command VUE-995 to remove it.
Remove the next blockage with your grapple, then jump down the hole.
Scan Entry: Goura Ghaspore

Image: Nintendo
Move through the door and follow the corridor around. You'll eventually find a Goura Ghaspore, a powered-up version of an early enemy from Fury Green. Scan it.
Keep moving through the tunnels until you come to the Main Nest. Move forwards and scan the blockage ahead. Before VUE-995 can get to it, you're both attacked by another Maul Griever Brute. Get rid of it just like you did with the earlier one.
Now quickly move through the next few tunnels, fending off Grievers along the way. Eventually, you'll reach the Chasm. After an intense fight with the Grievers, you and VUE-995 will go your separate ways.
When you're on the other side of the Chasm, pull the hatch with the lasso and morph ball through the tunnel ahead.
Move through Main Shaft - Level 3 and touch the hologram on the large door. On the other side, you'll see a massive Griever cocoon. Uh oh...
If you turn left immediately at this point, you'll spot the Scout Bot for The Great Mines. Since you have the Thunder Shot, you might as well activate it there and then.
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Wake up, bots!
Missile Expansion #28

Image: Nintendo
Go through into Transit Tunnel E. On the right, you'll see a hatch that you can rip open with the lasso. Drop down into morph ball mode and work your way left to grab the next Missile Expansion.
Go back out, then take the opposite door to save your game.
Head straight through Transit Tunnel F and into the Crystal Extraction room. You'll see a Sacred Shrine ahead, but you're going to have to fight something big to get to it...
Scan Entry: Omega Griever

Image: Nintendo
Yes, it's the Omega Griever! Get ready for a pretty nasty fight, but first, make sure to scan it.
Now, if you need help with this one, then do check out our guide on How to Beat Omega Griever.
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The alpha and the...
Power Suit Upgrade: Psychic Power Bomb

Image: Nintendo
When you're done, you can go ahead and grab the next Power Suit Upgrade: the exceedingly destructive Psychic Power Bomb.
When the Sacred Shrine reappears, drop into morph ball mode and lay down a power bomb in the middle of the four lights. Look up into the light as usual, then move forward to grab the Master Teleporter Key.
Use a power bomb on the door to leave the Crystal Extraction room. Head to the Save Station and save your game.
We'll make our way out of The Great Mines for the time being, but we'll be coming back for some more items shortly. Use a Super Missile on the Enhanced Lock Unit in the elevator shaft, then power it up with a Power Bomb.
Touch the terminal and watch the following cutscene.
Shot Expansion #24

Image: Nintendo
When you're back out in Sol Valley, you'll see an Enhanced Lock unit above the elevator for The Great Mines that you can blast off with a Super Missile. Grapple up, blast off the panel, then morph ball through the tunnel to find the Shot Expansion.
Now head back into The Great Mines. We know, we know, we just left. But we want 100% completion, right?
We'll whip through these quickly, so pay attention to the rooms listed in each entry.
Shot Expansion #25

Image: Nintendo
Head to the Command Center first of all.
You'll see a container suspended from the ceiling. Use your lasso to pull the cover off and reveal a Shot Expansion inside.
Missile Expansion #29

Image: Nintendo
Move through to Transit Tunnel A. You'll see an Enhanced Lock Unit on the right, so use your Super Missile to blast it open, then go through and grab the Missile Expansion.
Shot Expansion #26

Image: Nintendo
Go down to the next floor and head to Garnbocask Site B.
Use a Power Bomb on the hardened blockage to the right, then jump through and pick up the Shot Expansion.
Missile Expansion #30

Image: Nintendo
Go down to the next floor and make your way to Transit Tunnel B. You'll see another Enhanced Lock Unit amongst the debris. Get rid of it with a Super Missile, then get the Missile Expansion.
Shot Expansion #27

Image: Nintendo
Work your way back to the Quarry, where we first met the Maul Griever Brute. Use a Super Missile on the Enhanced Lock Unit to the right. Pull the hatch off the morph ball tunnel inside, then work your way around.
You'll need to bomb the slots to change the direction of the tunnels, eventually working your way around to the Shot Expansion.
Missile Expansion #31

Image: Nintendo
Next to the Quarry is the Easing Tunnel. Use the Power Bomb on the slot to the right. A vehicle will rise up from underground. So jump onto it and get rid of the crystals with a Super Missile. Now grab the Missile Expansion.
Power Bomb Expansion #1

Image: Nintendo
Go down to the next level. In the first room, the Power Pit, turn around and shoot the webbing with your Fire Shot. Morph ball through, then use a Power Bomb on the blockage. Grab the Power Bomb Expansion.
Now head to the Main Next Tunnel and use a Power Bomb on the hardened wall.
Work your way into the Chasm Tunnel.
Energy Tank #13

Image: Nintendo
Use Fire Shot on the webbing. Drop into morph ball mode and work your way around the maze in Chasm Tunnel, using a combination of boost ball, the Tether Nodes, and bombs. You'll find the Energy Tank at the top.
Shot Expansion #28

Image: Nintendo
Head to Main Shaft - Level 3.
Before you get to the elevator, head right and you'll see a target on the wall. Shoot it to reveal a Spider Track. This won't be active for long, so head up and onto the roof before it deactivates.
From there, use the Control Beam to hit the target again. Quickly work your way up the Spider Track to gain your next Shot Expansion.
That's it for The Great Mines! And as luck would have it, we're right by the elevator. Take it back up into Sol Valley.
Now let's head to Volt Forge and mop up the remaining items there.
Shot Expansion #29

Image: Nintendo
First, head to the Tower 2 Generator and hit the Scout Bot with a Thunder Shot for a proper look at the item locations on your map.
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Wake up, bots!
While you're there, you'll see a Spider Track on the wall. Use the psychic abilities to reveal the Tether Nodes, then make your way across to the platform on the far side. The Shot Expansion will be in a box.
Missile Expansion #32

Image: Nintendo
Head up to the top of Tower 2 via the morph ball elevator, then head down to Processing.
There's a spinner in the centre of the room. Use it to reveal a Missile Expansion.
Shot Expansion #30

Image: Nintendo
Head further down and into Storage.
Jump on top of one of the containers around the outer edge of the room. Use this to reach the grapple point in the middle, then swing over to the Shot Expansion on the platform.
Shot Expansion #31

Image: Nintendo
Just over the corridor in Tower 2: Elevator 3, you'll see a Shot Expansion hidden in the ceiling above the elevator. Pull the cover with your lasso, then use the morph ball to squeeze in and grab it.
Shot Expansion #32

Image: Nintendo
Down in Archives, pull the latches on the suspended containers to cause them to drop to the floor. Jump up and pull the latch off the highest container to open its door and reveal the Shot Expansion.
Now head straight down to Certification in Tower 3.
Missile Expansion #33

Image: Nintendo
Use the lasso on the hatch to your immediate right when you enter Certification. When it's open, hit the target with several Thunder Shots. This will open the hatch and reveal the Missile Expansion.
Missile Expansion #34

Image: Nintendo
Walk down to the door leading to Facility Core. On your right is a weakened wall, so use your missile to destroy it. Open the psychic container inside and grab the Missile Expansion.
Head on over to the bottom of Tower 1. From there, go to the Collapsed Catwalk.
Shot Expansion #33

Image: Nintendo
At the bottom of the Collapsed Catwalk, use the lasso to pull the cover off a small, morph ball-sized vent. Work your way through, dealing with the Maintenance Tank on the way with bombs. Eventually, you'll roll into the Shot Expansion.
Shot Expansion #34

Image: Nintendo
Make your way to the Manufacturing Floor.
Let the machines take you up a floor by dropping into morph ball mode and rolling into the relevant slot. As you roll around the edge, you'll come across a Spider Track.
Take this into the centre of the room. You'll enter a cylindrical chamber. Roll up the sides in Spider Ball mode, avoiding the electricity as you go. The Shot Expansion will be at the top
Missile Expansion #35

Image: Nintendo
For the last remaining item in Volt Forge, head back to Facility Approach. The Missile Expansion can be found in a container toward the Vi-O-La tunnel. Just walk around to its backside and you'll see it. Easy, huh?
That'll about do it for this section. Next time, we'll collect our last remaining items from Fury Green, Sol Valley, and Flare Pool. Then, we'll collect the Galactic Federation Mech Parts necessary to gain access to Chrono Tower.
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Flare Pool Guide

Hello, and welcome back to our full walkthrough for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. In this section, we'll be going through Flare Pool to grab our third of four Master Teleporter Keys.
This place is dangerous; full of machines that are simply itching to take you down. Don't worry, though, we'll guide you through as best we can. And if you're after 100% of items and scans, we'll have all of that covered too. So let's get cracking.
Flare Pool Walkthrough
When you've made your way to the wall of lava blocking your path, use the Ice Shot to freeze it, then fire a missile to destroy the blockage. Head on through, then use the morph ball spinner to stop any further lava from flowing down from the ceiling.
Head on through to Shoreline Access.
Missile Expansion #19

Image: Nintendo
Before you go through to the Lava Lake Bridge, you'll see lava flowing down over on the left. Freeze it, destroy it, then jump on through to grab your next Missile Expansion.
In Lava Lake Bridge, head down to the lava atop Vi-O-La and drive over it. Vi-O-La will automatically enter 'IC Mode' and float over the lava.
Disembark on the right side of the lava when you reach the back of the room. Take note of the Scout Bot lurking on the ground toward the back of the area.
Scan Entry: Tether Node

Image: Nintendo
On the wall at the back, you'll see a spherical ball of energy. Scan it to reveal the Tether Node. You'll need to use these when you obtain the Spider Ball ability later on.
Scan the purple haze next to the lava to reveal a Psychic Boost Rail.
Shot Expansion #10

Image: Nintendo
Boost into the Psychic Boost Rail while in morph ball mode. It will send you hurtling around the Lava Lake Bridge until you hit your next Shot Expansion.
Head on over to the left side of the room and go through the door into Service Elevator. Scan the terminal to activate the elevator, then go up.
Go around the Undercarriage and you'll receive a Galactic Federation Distress Signal. Use the Fire Shot on the grating to your right and morph ball through. In Ventilation Works, use the Spinner to open the passageway and head on through.
Deal with the Lamorn Beam Turret, and fire a missile at the broken window. Jump through and back into Ventilation Works. Use the boost ball to reach the other side, then go through the door. Scan the terminal to activate the next elevator and go up.
Take the door on the right into Inspection Station, then move on through to Entry Bay.
Scan Entry: Heavy Maintenance Tank

Image: Nintendo
A short cutscene will trigger to introduce you to the Heavy Maintenance Tank. Scan it, then defeat it.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Delivery Status'

Image: Nintendo
There's a cheeky Lamorn Data Log hidden in the Entry Day. Just as you enter, turn right. Just to the right of a delivery truck is a small counter. The Data Log can be found there.
When you're done, take the door on the right and follow the corridor around to locate a Save Station. Save your game.
Now take the door on the left in Entry Bay and follow the corridor around. In the Boiler Room, you'll see a morph ball tunnel on the left, so go on through and you'll emerge by the Lamorn Lava Heat Boiler. Take the next morph ball tunnel on the other side.
Scan Entry: Ezra Duke

Image: Nintendo
Enjoy the cutscene introducing Ezra Duke. When it's done, make sure to scan him. Scan the terminal beside him, then press 'A' next to it.
A morph ball spinner will activate over by the Heat Boiler. Go back through the tunnel and use the morph ball boost in the spinner. You'll now need to use the Ice Shot on the blocks of fire in the boiler. When the boiler starts spinning, drop down into morph ball mode to avoid the fire.
When you're done, head back out into the Entry Bay with Duke in tow. A cutscene will trigger to reveal that another Trooper, Nora Armstrong, needs assistance. Take a left in the Entry Bay and head to the large circular door. Press 'A' on the left terminal, and Duke will take the right.
Head through the corridor and use the next dual door.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Extraction Process'

Image: Nintendo
When you enter Energy Extraction, look to your left and you'll see your next Lamorn Data Log on the counter. Scan it.
Now walk to the right and scan the terminal to activate the small elevator. Take it up. Deal with the Lamorn Beam Turret, then scan and activate the terminal to open up a vent in the room. Fire a missile at the grating next to you, then guide your Control Beam through to hit the target in the vent.
A shutter will open by Duke, so go back down and head through the door.
Head through the door on the left into the Map Station and scan the terminal to get the Area Map.
Now go back and turn left. Take the door into Energy Injection.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Injection Process'

Image: Nintendo
Work your way up and around the Energy Injection room. On the other side, you'll find a Lamorn Data Log on the counter to your left.
Now scan the terminal to activate the elevator and take it up.
After the short cutscene, the Psy-Bots littered around the area will awaken. You've already scanned these ones, so just focus on defeating them.
More will show up as you head up the ramps, so just keep dispatching them before activating the elevator at the top.
Head through the door at the top to enter the Overseer Room. Now take the door on the left into the Storage Room.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Facility Shutdown'

Image: Nintendo
Work your way around the central structure and you'll see a Lamorn Data Log on the counter. Congrats, this is the last Lamorn Data Log of the game!
Energy Tank #6

Image: Nintendo
Next to the Data Log is a Psychic Container, so follow the pattern with your psychic powers to unlock it. Now grab the Energy Tank.
Go back into the Overseer Room and through the door on the left to access the Control Room Bridge. Defeat the two Psy-Bot Soldiers.
Scan Entry: Psy-Bot Gunner

Image: Nintendo
A Psy-Bot Gunner will now enter the fray. Scan it, then unleash Ice Shots to freeze it in place and keep firing your standard Power Beam to defeat it.
Another will emerge flanked by two Psy-Bot Shields. Befeat the Shield variants first, then focus your firepower on the Gunner. When you're done, head through the door.
Scan Entry: Heavy Lamorn Beam Turret

Image: Nintendo
Upon entering the Control Room, a Heavy Lamorn Beam Turret will pop out of the ceiling ahead. Scan it, then use a combination of Ice Shots and Charge Shots to take it down.
More Psy-Bot Soldiers will emerge, so defeat these too.
Scan the console at the front to trigger a cutscene. You'll gain an Area Map.
Head through to the North Tram Dock, then take a left to save your game. Now take the opposite door in the Control Room to the South Tram Dock.
Hop into the tram, then scan and activate the terminal. After the next cutscene, exit the tram and head through the door at the end of the corridor.
Scan Entry: Nora Armstrong

Image: Nintendo
You've reached Nora Armstrong! After she's done fawning over Samus in the cutscene, make sure to scan her.
Drop down to the floor below in the South Clamp, then scan the hatch in the central structure. Use the lasso to pull off the cover, then morph ball into the opening. Use boost in a clockwise direction to power up the structure.
Head back into the tram from here. After the cutscene, head through the next door into the North Clamp. Here, scan the Maintenance Elevator Hatch at the back of the room, then Armstrong and Duke will open it up.
Take it down via the morph ball. Then roll into the central structure. Bomb the lower slot to activate platforms on which you can reach the upper bomb slot. You're on a timer here, so be quick and bomb the upper slot ASAP.
Now head back up the hatch.
Repeat the process from the South Clamp. Pull the cover off the opening, morph ball into the structure, then boost in a clockwise direction.
Hop back into the tram again. On your journey, a mysterious flying machine will attack. After a crash landing, you'll want to save your game again.
Now head back out onto the Control Room Bridge.
Scan Entry: Hover Shuttle Transport

Image: Nintendo
Make sure to scan the Hover Shuttle Transport! If you miss this, that's it, you won't see it again.
This is a mini-boss of sorts, so you'll have plenty of time to scan it. In the meantime, focus your firepower on the obvious weak spot on the front of the Shuttle. Use a combination of quick Power Beam shots and missiles.
When you damage the Shuttle enough, it'll swap to the other side of the bridge. Keep dashing to avoid its attacks, and dispatch any Psy-Bot Soldiers that enter the fight.
When you're done, morph ball down into the tunnel and follow it around until you're able to bomb a slot. This will send you hurtling back to the Entry Bay.
Scan Entry: Psy-Bot Shocker

Image: Nintendo
A Psy-Bot Shocker will appear as you move forward.
Scan it, then defeat it with a combination of Ice Shots and Charged Shots. When you're done, head through to Undercarriage.
Use the lasso to open the gate on the right, then take the elevator down.
Shot Expansion #11

Image: Nintendo
At the bottom of the elevator, you'll see some grating covering a Shot Expansion. Hit it with a missile, then grab the expansion.
Scan the terminal to open the shutter and head through. Do the same with the next one and keep working your way back until you reach the Lava Lake Bridge.
When you're there, hop into Vi-O-La and move into the new opening to reach Volano Heart.
Scan Entry: Phenoros

Image: Nintendo
It's boss time, baby!
Phenoros is a menacing beast, huh? Make sure you scan it, then if you need any help defeating it, check out our guide on How to Beat Phenoros.
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Cutting the head off the snake
Power Suit Upgrade: Psychic Grapple

Image: Nintendo
When you're done with Phenoros, go ahead and grab the Psychic Grapple upgrade.
A Sacred Shrine will appear, so you'll need to use your grapple to reach it. Press 'L' to shoot up to the Grapple Nodes and reach the Shrine. Now look into the light as usual, and move forwards to get the Master Teleporter Key.
Now grapple onto the column to your left to head back up and into Cannon Exhaust.
You're on a timer now, so make your way through the environment, utilising a combination of your grapple and morph ball to weave through the obstacles. When you emerge in the Control Room, approach Armstrong and Duke to initiate a cutscene.
Scan and activate the terminal to your left when the cutscene concludes.
After the next cutscene, you'll emerge back out into Sol Valley, safe and sound.
Shot Expansion #12

Image: Nintendo
Before you leave, drop into the spinner ahead of you and shoot on up to the ledge over on the left. A Shot Expansion will be just below. Meanwhile, you can hop over the gap to scan the Lamorn statue and watch a short cutscene.
While you're out in Sol Valley, be sure to crash into any new Green Energy Crystals that have popped up since your jaunt in Flare Pool.
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Smash 'em all
When you're done, we'll want to head back to Volt Forge again and make our way to the Collapsed Catwalk.
So when you get to Volt Forge, head to the elevator in Tower 1, then bomb the slot next to the elevator. This will take you straight down to the Tower 1 Generator.
Shot Expansion #13

Image: Nintendo
When you emerge, shoot the boxes right next to you to reveal a Shot Expansion.
Now grapple across to the other side. Morph ball through the tunnel to the Manufacturing Floor, then head through the door on the opposite side to reach the Collapsed Catwalk. Grapple over to the other side with your new ability.
Scan the terminal and take the elevator down.
Go down the corridor (and deal with the Maintenance Tank) and through the door into the Power Core.
One of the beams of electricity over on the left is malfunctioning. Use your lasso to pull the cover off the central unit and grab the Thunder Chip.
Uh oh! A cutscene will commence to show Sylux emerging again to take you on.
Much like before, you can't scan Sylux, so instead you'll just have to engage in the boss fight. For help on how to do so, check out our guide on How to Beat Sylux (02).
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We meet again
Energy Tank #7


Image: Nintendo
When you're done, go ahead and grab the Energy Tank.
Now start making your way back up to the top of Tower 1. On your way, stop off at the Irradiation Floor.
Hit the morph ball tunnel access in the centre of the room three times.
Missile Expansion #20

Image: Nintendo
Roll into the structure and use your boost ability to hurl yourself up the half-pipes and up the next couple of floors. At the top, you'll find your next Missile Expansion.
Now use the spinner to unlock the gate. Head back up and out into Sol Valley once again.
Head back to Base Camp in Fury Green to give your Thunder Chip to Myles. When you get there, enjoy a brief reunion with Armstrong and Duke. Similarly, approach Myles and Tokabi for a brief catch-up.
Power Suit Upgrade: Thunder Shot

Image: Nintendo
Give the Thunder Chip to Myles and he'll gift you with the Thunder Shot – nice! You can now activate any Scout Bots you've found if you need an extra hand locating undiscovered items.
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Wake up, bots!
Our goal now is The Great Mines, but we'll need another upgrade before we can get there. Before we do anything else, deposit your Green Energy Crystals in the Altar of Legacy. By this point, you should have collected enough to gain the Control Beam Boost, which lets you increase the speed of your Control Beam shots.
Shot Expansion #14

Image: Nintendo
Head into the Cargo Staging Area next to Base Camp. See the Lamorn storage crate? Shoot both ends of it with your Thunder Shot. It'll open up and reveal a Shot Expansion.
Now head into Sacred Flame Ceremony and shoot the door on the right with the Thunder Shot. Go into the Rods of Transference room.
Shot Expansion #15

Image: Nintendo
Use your psychic powers to manipulate the three structures hanging down from the ceiling. You'll want to pull them all down to their lowest points while ensuring they're all pointing towards the main structure in the middle.
When you've done that, shoot all three with the Thunder Shot to open the main structure, revealing a Shot Expansion.
Head back out into Sacred Flame Ceremony.
Energy Tank #8

Image: Nintendo
The statue on the right will now activate, revealing another Energy Tank. Grab it!
We've almost gathered all available items in Fury Green, but we need to leave for the time being. Head to the Cargo Launcher and back into Sol Valley.
Vi-O-La Boost Tank #3


Images: Nintendo
Ride towards Chrono Tower in the centre of the map. Just south is another Vi-O-La Boost Tank, so shoot the target with the Thunder Shot to reveal it.
Ride directly south until you reach the Floating Path Shrine. Use the Thunder Shot to open it up.


Images: Nintendo
Shot Expansion #16

Image: Nintendo
You'll need to use your psychic powers to move the motes into the relevant sockets, allowing for makeshift platforms to move out and allow traversal across the gap.
Before you do this, drop down to the lower level and walk to the back of the room. Don't worry about scanning the Neo Rootspurs – they just count as normal Rootspurs in the logbook, and we scanned those way back.
Insert a mote into the pillar at the back of the room to reveal a Shot Expansion.
Power Suit Upgrade: Super Ice Shot

Image: Nintendo
Now use the motes on the platforms to reach the other side of the upper floor. Take one of the motes from the platforms and throw it into the door. Head on through to grab the Super Ice Shot. Now touch the teleporter to exit the Shrine.
Now head in a slight north-easterly direction to reach the Ring of Thunder Shrine. Enter!


Images: Nintendo
To activate the elevator in the centre, use your psychic powers to raise the two small pillars glowing purple. Then, fire at one of the pillars with your Thunder Shot. The electricity will travel around the ring and activate the elevator.
Power Suit Upgrade - Charged Thunder Shot

Image: Nintendo
Head through the door down below and move forwards to grab the Charged Thunder Shot. Use the teleporter to exit.
Energy Tank #9

Image: Nintendo
When you exit the Ring of Thunder Shrine, walk around the back and use your psychic abilities to lower the hatch and reveal your next Energy Tank.
Now travel north. Just north-east of Chrono Tower is another Shrine – the Falling Labyrinth Shrine. Enter.


Images: Nintendo
Scan Entry: Sand Crawler

Image: Nintendo
When you enter the main room, you'll see a few creatures crawling along the walls: these are Sand Crawlers. Scan one of them.
Shot Expansion #17

Image: Nintendo
Drop down to the lower level. Destroy the Green Energy Crystals. One of the clusters will be blocking a morph ball tunnel. Roll on through to grab the Shot Expansion.
Now go back to the upper floor and use the spinner in the centre of the room. Grab the mote with your psychic powers and throw it into the socket in the ceiling, revealing an elaborate Spider Track maze. We can't go any further for now without the Spider Ball, so let's go back out into Sol Valley.
Now head north-west toward Ice Belt. On the way, you'll come across the Rings of Stone Shrine. Go inside.


Images: Nintendo
Scan the rings in the centre of the room. They'll rise up into the air and spin rapidly. Use your Control Beam to hit the target in the centre. This will activate the elevator. Take it down.
Power Suit Upgrade: Super Fire Shot

Image: Nintendo
Move forwards and grab the Super Fire Shot upgrade. Now take the teleporter back out.
Energy Tank #10

Image: Nintendo
Before we go to Ice Belt again, let's grab one more Energy Tank. Head south to Volt Forge. If you remember our first visit, we highlighted a column containing an Energy Tank. Now that you have the Thunder Shot, you can open it up and grab it.
Okay, now drive straight over to Ice Belt.
When you reach the region, you'll want to use the Thunder Shot on the door to the right in the Lobby area. Follow the corridor around and enter Equipment Storage.
Roll into the morph ball tunnel until you reach the main room. Shoot the robot creature atop the platform with your Thunder Shot. Say hello to VUE-995!
Scan Entry: VUE-995

Image: Nintendo
When the cutscene concludes, be sure to scan your new companion.
Now scan the door and VUE-995 will punch it into oblivion, letting you back through into the corridor.
Scan the Barricade Clamp on the door at the end. VUE-995 will let you through and out into the Cliffside.
Scan the window on the right and VUE-995 will weaken it with a punch. Fire a missile to destroy it, then jump out. Use the Psychic Grapple Points to cross the gap, but mind the icy blasts of wind.
Melt the ice blocking the way and head through the door. Morph ball through the tunnel, then scan the statue to view a cutscene. In the Ancient Lift, melt the ice on the ground, then jump down.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Lore 'Sacred Testament'

Image: Nintendo
When you reach the bottom after melting a couple more walls of ice, you'll see a Lamorn Lore block at the bottom. Scan it! Well done, this is your last Lamorn Lore of the game.
Go through the door and into the Ancient Temple. Melt the ice on the surrounding statues, then use your psychic powers to grab the two motes and throw them into the central statue.
Power Suit Upgrade: Psychic Spider Ball

Image: Nintendo
The statue will move to the side, revealing the Psychic Spider Ball. Grab it!
Missile Expansion #21

Image: Nintendo
Before we leave, circle around the collapsed walkway to find a Missile Expansion.
Scan the purple haze and use the newly formed Spider Track to exit the room. Do the same again in Ancient Lift, using the Tether Nodes to fling your morph ball up high.
There was a Spider Track in Equipment Storage, so let's quickly head back there.
Shot Expansion #18

Image: Nintendo
Follow the Spider Track around until you get the Shot Expansion.
There are a few more items in Ice Belt before we leave. First, head into the Lobby Conduit and take a left at the bottom. You'll see some Tether Nodes.
Missile Expansion #22

Image: Nintendo
Use the Tether Nodes to propel yourself up the vent. Bomb the two red nodes to reveal the Missile Expansion, then use a Tether Node to fling yourself into it.
Now head to the Storage Bay. Where you found those frozen Grievers in the cryopods earlier, take the morph ball elevator down.
Missile Expansion #23

Image: Nintendo
Use the Spider Track around the circular platform. You'll see a Missile Expansion above you. Use bombs to reach it.
From the Storage Bay, take the morph ball tunnel into the Surgery Conduit.
Shot Expansion #18

Image: Nintendo
In Surgery Conduit, follow the path round until you see a Spider Track. Take it up, then use your boost ability to dash through to the Shot Expansion before the electricity gets you.
Energy Tank #11

Image: Nintendo
Head over to the Ice Canyon. You'll remember we saw some grapple points here earlier, so now's the time to use them. Swing on over to the Energy Tank and grab it.
Now head back down to the main Power Generator from earlier. When you reach Deep Archive, shoot the hatch on the wall with the Thunder Shot to reveal a morph ball elevator. This will take you right back up to the Control Room – very handy. Now proceed to the Power Generator.
Shot Expansion #19

Image: Nintendo
In the Power Generator, there's a Spider Track on the lower level. Take this up and use the Tether Nodes to fling yourself up onto the second Spider Track on the ceiling. Follow this around to the Shot Expansion.
Take the morph ball elevator in Deep Archives back up to the Control Room. Now take the big elevator in the Lobby down to Elevator Landing.
Missile Expansion #24

Image: Nintendo
Shoot the huge hangar door to the right with your Thunder Shot. Deal with the Grievers inside, then grab the Missile Expansion on the right.
Shot Expansion #20

Image: Nintendo
Proceed into Security Gates. Down on the left is an opening you can blast with a missile. When it's open, morph ball through and grab the Shot Expansion.
That's it! No more items or scans in the Ice Belt region. We don't have to come back here again. Make your way out.
When you take the large elevator back up into Sol Valley, don't go forward. Instead, go back and use the grapple on the node ahead. Take this exit back out into Sol Valley.
Missile Expansion #25

Image: Nintendo
You'll exit Ice Belt on the opposite side to normal. By the edge of the platform, you'll see a Psychic Boost Rail. Boost into it, and it'll take you around to get your next Missile Expansion.
Now that we're back in Sol Valley, head back to the Falling Labyrinth Shrine.
Remember the elaborate Spider Track we unveiled earlier? We can now use it. Observe the track first from the upper platform and plan your route to the top. Bomb any Sand Crawlers in your way.
Power Suit Upgrade: Super Thunder Shot

Image: Nintendo
When you reach the top of the Shrine, head through the door and grab the Super Thunder Shot. Teleport out and back into Sol Valley.
That just about does it for this section. Next time, we'll be conquering the oppressive region of The Great Mines. See you there, bounty hunter.
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Ice Belt Guide

Hello, fellow bounty hunters! We're back with our next section of the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond walkthrough, this time exploring the cold, oppressing region of Ice Belt.
There are lots more items and scans to collect here, so if you're looking to achieve that coveted 100% completion rating, then look no further – we've got 'em all right here. Let's dive right in.
Ice Belt Walkthrough
Upon exiting the Sky Shuttle, head into the Loading Crane area.
Missile Expansion #9

Image: Nintendo
The door on your left is a Save Room, so make use of it. Circle around to the right and you'll find a bomb slot behind some breakable boxes. Bomb it to open the door nearby and grab your next Missile Expansion.
Now move through the door to the Snowfield Accessway.
Scan Entry: Ice Crawler

Image: Nintendo
Immediately ahead is your first scan from Ice Belt: the Ice Crawler. Kinda looks like the Crystallite from Phendrana Drifts in Prime 1, right?
The end of this room is blocked with ice, so use your Fire Shot to get rid of it, then proceed through to the Snowfield
Scan Entry: Snow Wolf

Image: Nintendo
Work your way around the Snowfield until you come to a large clearing. Fog will enshroud the area and a bunch of Snow Wolves will attack. Scan one of them, then fend them off.
A single Fire Shot should be enough to defeat a single Wolf, and if you've been following this walkthrough so far, the Shot Expansions you've picked up should ensure you have just enough bullets to survive; pick up any ammo drops to be sure, and keep moving to avoid attacks.
Just as the wolves start to overwhelm Samus, gunfire from afar will cause them to dissipate, so you're now free to proceed.
Before you do so, however, take note of the Scout Bot located on the edge of the Snowfield, near the wreckage of a delivery truck as you walk down from the Accessway.
Shot Expansion #5

Image: Nintendo
Near the Scout Bot, a Shot Expansion can be seen behind some ice underneath the delivery truck wreckage. Shoot this with your Fire Shot, then morph ball into the opening to grab the expansion.
Now walk to the end of the Snowfield, through the door into Facility Entrance, then again into the Lobby. The opening to the left will take you up to the next floor. Then take the door at the back into the Control Room. Here, you'll meet Galactic Federation Sniper: Reger Tokabi.
Scan Entry: Reger Tokabi

Image: Nintendo
When the cutscene ends, be sure to scan Tokabi to add him to your logbook. Then scan the terminal to proceed with the next cutscene. When it finishes, you'll have the Area Map and you'll need to reach the Power Generator.
Outside the Control Room, take the door to your left, then shoot the opening in the floor. Drop down.
Now whip out your scan visor. There are two creatures to scan in the Cryopod Conveyor.
Scan Entry: Snow Roach

Image: Nintendo
Scan Entry: Dartwing

Image: Nintendo
Be careful not to get too close to the Dartwings. They will, as the name implies, dart towards Samus and likely prevent you from scanning one. Keep your distance and scan from afar.
Follow the corridor around and melt the ice blockage with the Fire Shot. Melt a smaller opening with the Fire Shot and morph ball through, then get rid of the Dartwings on the other side.
In the Biolabs area, scan the Psychic Lock Unit at the far end. You'll need to locate TK Codes found in the immediate vicinity.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Endeavor'

Image: Nintendo
Go through the door to the left of the Lock Unit to reach Bio-Labs Security. Immediately, you'll see a data pad on the right. This is your first Lamorn Data Log scan of the game, so scan it.
Next to the Data Log, you'll see some ice just begging to be melted, so oblige it with your Fire Shot. Now use the newly-revealed Bomb Slot, and then press 'A' against the powered-up terminal.
Head back out and around to the newly-unlocked doors. First, go into Cryopod Prep.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Security'

Image: Nintendo
On the right is another Lamorn Data Log on the table – scan it. Now go back out and take the opposite door into Specimen Lab.
Scan the pod in the middle to reveal your first TK Code of two. You'll need to use your psychic powers to move the fragments into place to form a complete object.
Go back out and head down the corridor to the room leading to DNA Sequencing. Over on the right is a blocked bomb tunnel. Fire a missile to uncover it, then head on through. You'll emerge in the room opposite called Tracking Operations.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Gift'

Image: Nintendo
As you exit the morph ball tunnel, another Lamorn Data Log can be found on the floor nearby. Scan it.
There's a Psychic Container in the middle of the room, so use your powers to unlock it.
Power Suit Upgrade: Lasso

Image: Nintendo
Woohoo, you got the Lasso. Now scan the lock on the door behind you. Click the left analogue stick in to launch your lasso, then pull backwards to yank the lock off the door.
Shot Expansion #6

Image: Nintendo
Before you leave, use the lasso to pull the cover off the Bomb Slot on the right. Meanwhile, you'll see two morph ball tracks that you can yank down using the lasso, so do this on both.
Now head up the morph ball tunnel and weave your way around it to eventually reach your next Shot Expansion.
Now go back into DNA Sequencing. Use the lasso on the containers. One of them will contain a green vial, so scan this to reveal your second TK Code.
Head to the room on the right of the Lock Unit – you'll need to use your lasso to unlock it. Now move around to the right and scan the terminal to get the Area Map. Go back out.
Missile Expansion #10

Image: Nintendo
Opposite, you'll see two crates blocking the way, so use your lasso to remove them. Follow the corridor around, get rid of any Snow Roaches along the way, then melt the ice to find a Missile Expansion.
Okay, now you can use your two TK Codes on the Lock Unit. Use your psychic powers to follow the same pattern indicated on the right of the screen to unlock the way.
Scan Entry: Light Maintenance Tank

Image: Nintendo
Go through the Medical Bays Access. Just around the corner is a Light Maintenance Tank, so scan it, then kill it.
When you get into the Staging Corridor, you'll see another Psychic Lock Unit on your left. You'll need four TK Codes for this one, so let's go search for them.
The only door available right now leads to a Save Room, so use it. Turn right upon exiting.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Anxiety'

Image: Nintendo
On the counter, you'll see another Lamorn Data Log, so scan it.
To the right of this is a broken window, so use a missile to shatter it and jump through.
As you head down the corridor, one door on the right will be open. Walk through, then morph ball through the tunnel into the next room across. Scan the capsule on the side to reveal a TK Code.
Head through the door at the end of the corridor to reach Medical Hub. There are three doors here with lasso locks. Let's take the one on the left first to reach Storage Corridor.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Attempt'

Image: Nintendo
Move forward and turn left to see your next Lamorn Data Log on the far wall.
Now go through the next door into the Storage Bay. Move right and use the lasso on the door lock. Dispatch the Light Maintenance Tanks on the other side, then take the door on your left. Touch the two terminals to open the cryopods, then use the Fire Shot on the block of ice above to lower a third cryopod.
Touch the terminal to open the cryopod, then scan the Griever specimen to reveal your second TK Code.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Limit'

Image: Nintendo
Before we leave, there's another Lamorn Data Log to get. Go back out the room containing the Griever specimens and head all the way around to the other side. The Log will be waiting in the corner.
Go back into Medical Hub and take the next lasso-locked door to your left into Surgery Corridor.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Breakthrough'

Image: Nintendo
On the counter to the left is your next Lamorn Data Log – scan it.
Missile Expansion #11

Image: Nintendo
Before we go into the next room, melt the block of ice on the wall in Surgery Corridor. Use the lasso to pull the lock off the morph ball tunnel and roll on through. Bomb the gate blocking access to the Missile Expansion, then roll through to grab it.
Now move through into Surgery Bay.
Walk to the back of the room and scan the terminal to activate the Balsallae System. Scan this to reveal your third TK Code.
Go back to Medical Hub and take the third lasso-locked door to your left.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Awakening'

Image: Nintendo
Immediately on your right is the next Lamorn Data Log on the counter, so scan it.
Move on through to Recovery Bay.
Work your way to the back of the room and fire a missile at the grating on the wall. Jump through in morph ball mode.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Analysis'

Image: Nintendo
On the table opposite is another Lamorn Data Log. Scan it, then defeat the Light Maintenance Tank.
On the wall by the window is a block of ice. Melt it, then use your lasso to pull the monitor down from the wall. Scan this monitor for your fourth and final TK Code.
Unlock the door with your lasso, then make your way back to Staging Corridor and the Psychic Lock Unit. Save your progress upon your return, if you wish.
Use the Lock Unit in the same way as before – follow the pattern on the right with your psychic powers.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Resignation'

Image: Nintendo
Move down the corridor and you'll see a Lamorn Data Log in front of you. You know what to do.
Move through the next room and into Upper Airlock. Melt the ice blocking the way, and head through into Ravine Monitoring. Now move left and through the next room until you reach Ice Canyon.
Scan Entry: Blue Krauk

Image: Nintendo
When you emerge outside, you'll see some creatures fly by. These are Blue Krauks, so scan one of them.
Now work your way across the walkways, being careful not to let the icy blasts of wind knock you off the edge. Take note of the Energy Tank on the island to the right – we'll come back for that later.
Move around the mountain and use your missile to destroy a walkway over on your left. This will allow you to jump to the platform in the middle, but again, watch that wind. Walk across the last walkway and fire a missile at the window. Jump through.
Open the door and melt the ice to access Lower Airlock. Melt the next block of ice to morph ball through the opening.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Records'

Image: Nintendo
Over on your left is another Lamorn Data Log, so scan it.
Take the door on the left and move through the corridor into Deep Archive. Go right into Maintenance Access and use the Save Room on the left.
Now take the door on the left into Heat Exchange Column.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Query'

Image: Nintendo
You'll see your next Lamorn Data Log on the counter to your right, so scan it.
Work your way down the corridor and through the door into Energy Regulator. Melt the blocks of ice in your path and continue through to the Power Generator.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Data Log 'Prayer'

Image: Nintendo
Look down to your left and you'll see another Lamorn Data Log. Scan it!
Scan Entry: Psychic Ball Track

Image: Nintendo
On the lower level directly underneath the floor above, you'll see some purple haze. Scan it to reveal the Psychic Ball Track, then scan again to add it to your logbook.
Okay, now melt the block of ice on the lower level to reveal a Bomb Slot. Before you use a bomb, lasso the slot around the track to the other side. Then, lasso the Slot Connector above to connect the Bomb Slot to the Generator. Once it's connected, drop into morph ball mode and bomb it.
You can now interact with the terminal on the upper floor, so head on up and press 'A' next to it.
The turbines will start, and then abruptly stall. You'll need to use your Control Beam to hit the targets on each turbine. The first is directly in the middle, the second on the lower left, and the third on the upper right. You'll see the latter two easily thanks to the light that they emit from the sides of the walls.
The turbines will kick into high gear and the room will fill with light (the proper Ice Belt theme tune will kick in now, too – it's another banger).
Before you head back to Tokabi, use the terminal on the lower right to activate a ramp leading further down.
Energy Tank #4

Image: Nintendo
Use a missile to uncover the morph ball tunnel, then work your way through, avoiding the columns of electricity as they move toward the screen. Bomb the opening on the right, then head through to grab your next Energy Tank.
Head back up to the Deep Archive, saving your game along the way.
A newly-activated Bomb Slot will be available, so use it. Watch the cutscene to learn more about the Lamorn and the Grievers.
A morph ball tunnel will also now be open to the right, so head on through until you emerge back in the Lower Airlock.
Shot Expansion #7

Image: Nintendo
You'll see a bomb slot above a large gate, so use your psychic abilities to throw a bomb and activate it. The gate will open, revealing three cryopods: three directly ahead, and one to your immediate left.
Open the pod on the left to get your next Shot Expansion.
When you get back into the Ice Canyon, you can head left and activate the shuttle to move back up to the other side,
In the Upper Airlock, an alarm will trigger and lock the doors. Take the morph ball tunnel to your left into the Storage Conduit.
Scan Entry: Frostburn Griever

Image: Nintendo
When you emerge in the Storage Bay, the cryopods will open, revealing the Frostburn Grievers. Scan them, then focus on using your Fire Shot primarily to beat them.
Another morph ball tunnel will be open near the exit to Storage Corridor, so go through there and into Surgery Conduit. You'll see a Shot Expansion as you go through, but we'll have to come back for it later.
Exit into the Surgery Bay, then use the next morph ball tunnel opposite. Roll on through the Recovery Conduit until you reach Recovery Bay.
Head through into the Recovery corridor and kill the Grievers that emerge. Go into the Medical Hub and dispatch the Grievers there, then use a missile to unblock the door leading back into Staging Corridor.
Missile Expansion #12

Image: Nintendo
A Griever will burst out of a previously locked-off door on the right. Defeat it, then go through the door and into the morph ball tunnel inside. In the adjacent room, you'll find your next Missile Expansion.
Use the Save Room next to the Staging Corridor, if you wish. Otherwise, head back up the Medical Bays Access, straight through the Bio-Labs, and up the cryopod conveyor. You'll need to use the morph ball tunnel here to access Lobby Conduit, then bomb the vents to shoot you back up to the top.
When you reach the lobby, help Tokabi fend off the Grievers. Keep an eye on his health, and prioritise any Grievers that might be targeting him.
Watch the cutscene, then take the large elevator in the middle of the Lobby.
Use the Save Room to the left when you enter Elevator Landing – you'll likely need it. When you reach Security Gates, scan the clamps on the large door, then use the lasso to pull them both off. Tokabi will remotely open the door. Get ready for a big fight...
Jump down into the middle of the Quarantine Chamber.
Scan Entry: Keratos

Image: Nintendo
Keratos is a big boy, huh? Scan it, then consult our full guide on How to Beat Keratos if you're struggling with this one.
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Guide Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: How To Beat Keratos
Rock 'n' Roll
Power Suit Upgrade: Psychic Boost Ball


Image: Nintendo
When Keratos is down, you can go ahead and grab the Psychic Boost Ball.
A Sacred Shrine will appear, so drop into morph ball and boost around the circular opening with 'B' to power it up. Now step onto the platform and look up to the light. Move forwards to grab your next Master Teleporter Key.
Use the boost ball on the small half-pipe to exit the Quarantine Chamber. Back in Elevator Landing, use the morph ball spinner to open up the ceiling and allow access to the elevator. Take it up.
Head back to the Loading Crane entrance to Ice Belt. Move to the upper floor and use a missile on the broken glass. Now fire a Control Bream around the corner until you hit the malfunctioning door on the other side.
When it's open, head through and use the morph ball spinner. Now press 'A' to activate the powered-up console.
Jump down and approach the cryopod. Press 'A' to obtain the Ice Chip.
Okay, so we'll want to head back to Myles again in Fury Green to exchange the Ice Chip for a new weapon upgrade. Take the Sky Shuttle from Ice Belt back to Sol Valley, then take the elevator back up.
When you're back in Sol Valley, there are a few items we can grab now that we have the lasso. We'll mark the locations on the map as we go, but each will be visible by a gold glow in the distance. When you approach each small debris site, use the lasso to pull the item up from underground.
Missile Expansion #13


Images: Nintendo
Missile Expansion #14


Images: Nintendo
Missile Expansion #15


Images: Nintendo
While you're seeking out the above items, it's also worth driving around the whole of Sol Valley and crashing into any Green Energy Crystals that have materialised since your stint in Ice Belt.
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Smash 'em all
Scan Entry: Aeronaut

Image: Nintendo
There's a chance you might have seen one of these already, but this is where the Aeronaut first cropped up for us. These will pop up out of the sand at random points on the map and fly around Samus, dropping bombs in your path as you ride around on Vi-O-La.
Simply shoot at it once with 'A', then when it's grounding, boost and slide into it to destroy it. But scan it first, of course.
Missile Expansion #16


Images: Nintendo
Now head up to the Galactic Federation Debris Site in the north.
Inside the small building, you'll see two boxes on a ledge. Shoot these to reveal a Missile Expansion.
Scan Entry: Sand Griever

Image: Nintendo
After you've grabbed the Missile Expansion, Sand Grievers will pop up out of the ground and attack you. Scan one of them!
Now let's make our way back to Myles. Head to the Cargo Launcher to Memory Temple.
Shot Expansion #8

Image: Nintendo
Before you use the Launcher, head through the corridor to the left and work your way around. Use the Fire Shot on the webbing until you eventually come to your next Shot Expansion. Okay, now go back and use the launcher.
Power Suit Upgrade: Ice Shot

Image: Nintendo
Make your way back to Base Camp and hand the Ice Chip to Myles. He'll give you the Ice Shot in return. Nice!
Now go through to the Altar of Legacy and drop off any Green Energy Crystals you've collected. By this point, you should have gathered enough to gain the Psychic Beam Upgrade, adding more power to your standard shots.
Now make your way to the Sacred Flame Ceremony near Base Camp. Use your newly acquired Ice Shot on the door to the left.
Shot Expansion #9

Image: Nintendo
In Fountain of Tranquility, you'll want to freeze the water underneath the left platform with the Ice Shot. Use your psychic abilities to swap the node over to the right column, then freeze the water again. Use these newly created platforms to reach the Shot Expansion.
Now let's head back out into Sol Valley via the Cargo Launcher.
We need to go back to Volt Forge, but first, go north until you reach the Ladder of Thought Shrine.


Images: Nintendo
Use your psychic powers to enter the shrine, then use your Fire Shot to destroy the webbing and proceed through into the main room.
Scan Entry: Web Crawler

Image: Nintendo
No, this isn't Spiderman, but rather a bunch of spider-like creatures scuttling across the ground. Scan one of them.
While you're here, use your missile on any clusters of Green Energy Crystals, as destroying any found within the Shrines will count toward your total.
Destroy all of the webbing in the room with your Fire Shot. Now use your psychic powers to raise the two platforms enough so you can jump on them and reach the ledge above.
Before you go through the door, destroy the webbing on the right with a Fire Shot.
Energy Tank #5

Image: Nintendo
Use a combination of your morph ball jump and bomb to reach the small slot. Proceed through the tunnel and you'll reach an Energy Tank.
Okay, now go through the door.
Power Suit Upgrade - Charged Fire Shot

Image: Nintendo
Move forward and pick up the Charged Fire Shot upgrade. Leave the Shrine via the teleporter.
Now head on over to the far east of Sol Valley.
Vi-O-La Boost Tank #2


Images: Nintendo
Along the edge of the map north of Flare Pool, you'll find your next Vi-O-La Boost Tank, but you'll need to use your Ice Shot to reveal it.
From there, drive directly south until you reach the Source of Spring Shrine.


Images: Nintendo
Missile Expansion #17

Image: Nintendo
Enter the Shrine. On the lower level, destroy some debris over on the left to reveal a short morph ball tunnel. Follow it around to reach the Missile Expansion. Don't forget the destroy any Green Energy Crystals you happen to see.
Okay, now head back up to the upper level.
You'll see three small streams of water cascading down the wall ahead. Freeze the streams on the left and right to focus the flow into the middle. This will cause the platform to drop and allow you to proceed through the door.
Power Suit Upgrade: Charged Ice Shot

Image: Nintendo
Go ahead and pick up the Charged Ice Shot. Now leave the Shrine via the teleporter.
Now we need to go to Volt Forge and upgrade our suit so we can cross the Lava Lake into Flare Pool. Drive over to Volt Forge and enter the facility through the usual means.
Head over to Test Circuit Security in Tower 3 via Vi-O-La. Use the morph ball spinner in front of the monitor by the window.
Power Suit Upgrade: Vi-O-La IC Suit

Image: Nintendo
Okay, you've upgraded your suit! Nice. You now have expanded heat-resistance and Vi-O-La can now transform to traverse lava with ease.
Take Transport Tunnel C back to Tower 1, but hop out just after you jump over the gap.
Missile Expansion #17

Image: Nintendo
You see a conduit above you with an opening at the end. Use the Control Beam to weave through the conduit, avoiding the Maintenance Tanks along the way, until you hit the target at the end. You can now jump up and grab a Missile Expansion.
Missile Expansion #18

Image: Nintendo
Time to make our way back out. In the Loading Airlock, however, you'll see another morph ball spinner. Keep using it to cause the two Transportation Containers above to hit each other. Keep going until one of them falls. The door will open to reveal a Missile Expansion.
Now leave Volt Forge and make your way to Flare Pool in the south-east corner of Sol Valley. Make your way into the area until you reach the wall of fire blocking your way.
Rockstar

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Volt Forge Guide

Hello! Welcome to the next part in our Metroid Prime 4: Beyond walkthrough, in which we'll be diving headfirst into Volt Forge, the electrically-charged fortress housing a boatload of mechs and, more importantly, the motorbike Vi-O-La.
Lots more scans and items to get through again here, so if you're looking to achieve 100% completion, then you've come to the right place.
Volt Forge Walkthrough
Upon entering Volt Forge via the morph ball slot detailed in our Fury Green guide, you need to walk down a short corridor, then fire a missile at a window to burst it open and jump through.
From here, you'll see another morph ball slot, so head down. Now, walk down the corridor again and you see another morph ball slot to the left. Get down there.
You'll exit at the end of the Tunnel Entrance, at which point you can head into the Facility Approach and enjoy a brief cutscene introducing you to Volt Forge.
Scan Entry: Denzard
Move into the Loading Airlock. Here, you'll see little creatures scurrying around call Denzards. Scan one of them, but don't worry about shooting them; they won't both you.

Image: Nintendo
Now move through into the Showroom.
Scan Entry: Vi-O-La
Straight ahead, you'll see Vi-O-La taking pride a place atop a podium. Scan it to add it to your logbook.

Image: Nintendo
Now scan the terminal at the end of the room by the large window to trigger a cutscene. You'll gain the Area Map in doing so.
Two doors are available to you from here: to the right is the Save Room, and to the left is your critical path. Save if you wish, then head to the left.
Move into Tower 1: Elevator 1 and scan the terminal to activate the elevator. Head down.
As you enter the Irradiation Floor, you'll see a Missile Expansion in the centre; don't worry, we'll come back for it later. Instead, jump on the platforms protruding from the centre. They'll each drop slightly as you land on them.
Scan Entry: Mecha Rat
At the bottom, you'll see a bunch of small rat-like mechs moving across the ground, appropriately called Mecha Rats. Scan one of them.

Image: Nintendo
Shooting a switch on the wall will cause the platforms to rise slightly and allow for access to the upper floor, but they'll almost immediately fall back down. So, head onto the platform right next to the upper floor, then use your Control Beam to guide your shot to the switch. Immediately jump from the platform after it rises up.
Head through to Tower 1: Elevator 2 and scan the terminal. Take the elevator down.
On your left, blow the lock off the door with a missile and move through. Walk around the corridor; you'll see more Mecha Rats if you happened to miss these earlier.
Jump down into the main Assembly Floor and clear out some of the rats to allow access to the door.
Scan the terminal in Tower 1: Elevator 3 and take it down. Watch the floor here; it'll periodically burst with electricity, so just run into the elevator when it's all clear.
Move down into the main chamber of the Manufacturing Floor.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Magnetic Rail
Up above, you'll see what looks like a familiar Spider Rail from the rest of the Metroid series. Scan it!

Image: Nintendo
Now blow the lock off the door with a missile and head into the Collapsed Catwalk.
Scan Entry: Grapple Node
You'll see three lights on the walls; two on the left and one on the right. These are Grapple Nodes, and we'll be coming back later to use these. For now, scan the closest one.

Image: Nintendo
For now, go back into the Manufacturing Floor and drop down into the morph ball hatch on the opposite side.
Move through until you reach Tower 1 Generator. Before you do anything else, head to the left.
Scan Entry: Grapple Point
You can't use them yet, but you'll see Grapple Points dangling from the lightning rods above. Scan one of them.

Image: Nintendo
Now go back and jump into the bomb slots either side of the lightning antenna. Drop bombs to activate them.
Now drop into the morph ball hologram to start making your way up the antenna. At the end, circle around and drop a bomb into the slot. Well done, you've now powered up Tower 1. Move back up the antenna, but slot yourself into the platforms on either side to temporarily avoid the lightning strikes.
Move back into the morph ball slot to start heading back up to the Showroom. Watch the electricity in Maintenance Shaft 1.
In the Manufacturing Floor, touch the central terminal with 'A' to activate the assembly line.
To reach the upper floor, you'll need to drop into morph ball mode and fool one of the machines into thinking you're the wheel of a Vi-O-La. The machine will pick you up and place you onto the upper floor.
Move through the space and avoid the cylinders of electricity. Move into the door on the right and back up the elevator.
Scan Entry: Maintenance Tank
In the Assembly Floor, reawakened Maintenance Tanks will attack you. Scan them, then dispatch them with charged shots and missiles.

Image: Nintendo
There's a bomb slot up high here, so you'll need to drop a bomb, then psychically throw it into the slot. Now morph ball into the central mechanism. The machine will designate you as 'trash' and throw you into the upper floor. Move around the corridor, using the machines on the assembly line as cover from the laser beams.
More Maintenance Tanks will greet you in the next room, so get rid of them. Before moving back into the elevator, touch the panel on the wall with 'A' to release the gate.
Now head back up the elevator.
In the Irradiation floor, use the platforms in the middle to work your way up the room, but watch out, as they'll periodically get electrified.
At the top, touch another panel to release a gate, then go back up the final elevator.
Scan Entry: Scanner Drone
At the top of the elevator, you'll immediately see a Scanner Drone. Scan it back.

Image: Nintendo
Now that you're back in the Showroom, head to the terminal in front of Vi-O-La and touch it with 'A'.
Power Suit Upgrade - Vi-O-La Suit
Boom! You've got the Vi-O-La Suit. Looks cool, huh?

Image: Nintendo
You can now ride the Vi-O-La bike, so hop onto it and use the Vi-O-La Spinner to launch yourself through the door and across the access tunnel. As an aside, if you thought Volt Forge's theme tune was a bit lacking up to this point, this is where the real theme kicks in, and it's a banger.
Scan Entry: Flight Drone
Did you think there was nothing to scan across this tunnel? Think again. You'll see a bunch of Flight Drones zooming through the sky, so break out your scan visor whilst on Vi-O-La and you can scan them.

Image: Nintendo
When you reach the Receiving Lobby, hop off Vi-O-La and scan the terminal by the window to get the next Area Map.
Now head to the back of the room. To the right is another Save Room, so stop by there if you wish.
Scan the terminal and head down the elevator.
Scan Entry: Spinner
Scan the Spinner in the centre of Processing. It's offline for now, but it'll still count toward your logbook.

Image: Nintendo
You'll be stopped from going any further by a few Psy-Bot Soldiers. Once you've defeated two waves of three bots, head through the next door and take the elevator down.
In the Storage room, you'll be stopped again, but this time by a different type of Psy-Bot...
Scan Entry: Psy-Bot Teleporter
Yes, the Psy-Bot Teleporter is a tricky little fiend. You might need to lock on a few times to complete the scan, as it'll teleport away before you finish.

Image: Nintendo
As for defeating this thing, just hit it with a charge shot as soon as it reappears. Missiles are also valid, but they're a little slower, so you might lose the Psy-Bot before you land a hit. Maintenance Tanks will also show up, so get rid of these things first to make life a bit easier.
When you're done, take the next elevator down.
Head through the Morph Ball slot at the end of the Archives room. After a bit of zig-zagging around, you'll emerge in the Tower 2 Generator.
Head left immediately and you'll spot another Scout Bot on the floor. You don't need to scan this if you've already got the one from Fury Green, but take note of its location regardless.
Now use the two bomb slots like you did in Tower 1. You can use the one on the right like normal, but the left slot is inaccessible. Throw a bomb in there using your psychic powers.
Head down the morph ball slot and drop a bomb at the end. Head on back and avoid the lightning strikes by moving into the side platforms. When you get back, you'll be greeted by a new enemy.
Scan Entry: Flight Drone MCU

Image: Nintendo
Scan the Flight Drone MCU. Now get ready to fight. You'll want to use the Control Beam to hit the three nodes surrounding the MCU. Ideally, get rid of a few of the smaller Flight Drones flying about to make this easier.
Once these are gone, the MCU's shield will drop, so shoot it to deal damage. You'll need to repeat this process one more time to beat it.
Head back through Maintenance Shaft 2, being careful to avoid the electricity as you go.
When you emerge back into Archives, you'll be greeted by a familiar face.
You can't scan Sylux at this time, so you'll just need to beat him instead. If you need assistance with this, then check out our guide on How to Beat Sylux (01).
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Guide Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: How To Beat Sylux (01)
Arch nemesis
Energy Tank #3

When you beat Sylux, you'll notice that he wasn't quite what he seemed. Oh well, no time to dwell. Let's grab that sweet Energy Tank and press on, shall we?

Image: Nintendo
Head back up the elevator to Storage. This one's a bit iffy, so it won't quite reach the top – just jump out when it stops.
Scan Entry: Psychic Grapple Point
When you get into Storage, look straight up. You'll see a purple haze, but this isn't a Psychic Platform, oh no. Scan it to reveal a Psychic Grapple Point. We'll be coming back here later to use it.

Image: Nintendo
Walk forwards until a cutscene triggers.
Scan Entry: Psy-Bot Shield
Gosh, yet another Psy-Bot enters the fray for a scrap. This one has a fancy shield. Scan it.

Image: Nintendo
The best way to beat this thing right now is to wait until it charges toward you. Dash to the side and quickly shoot at the Psy-Bot while it's facing away. Rinse and repeat. When it's gone, two standard Psy-Bot Soldiers will show up, so just beat these as you normally would.
Head back up the elevator into Processing.
Scan Entry: Lamorn Beam Turret
Another Psy-Bot Soldier will attack, so get rid of it. Toward the back of the room, two Lamorn Beam Turrets attached to the walls will shoot at you. Scan one of them, then destroy them. A single charged shot should do the trick.

Image: Nintendo
Take the elevator back up to the Receiving Lobby. Save your game in the Save Room. When you exit, turn left and touch the terminal with 'A'.
Missile Expansion #3
Touching the terminal opens up the maintenance hatch in the centre of the room. Morph ball into it and follow the short maze around, avoiding the electricity as you go. Reach the middle and you'll nab a Missile Expansion.

Image: Nintendo
Now hop on Vi-O-La and ride over to Tower 3 and into Test Circuit Security.
At the back of the room is another terminal to scan. This gives yet another area map and allows access to the floors below. You'll need Vi-O-La to do this, so ride on down and then hold accelerate to take the elevator down.
You'll now commence three trials with Vi-O-La, which essentially act as tutorials to explain how Vi-O-La's weapons and boost abilities function. You don't need our help with this, so complete the trials until you reach Certification at the bottom of the tower.

Image: Nintendo
There's another Save Room to your left, so go ahead and savey-wavey.
Make your way down Certification, taking out any pesky Maintenance Tanks along the way. Eventually, you'll reach Facility Core and your next boss battle.
Scan Entry: Xelios

Image: Nintendo
Make sure you scan Xelios before you fight it.
If you need help with this one, check out our full guide on How to Beat Xelios. We've got you covered.
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Power Suit Upgrade - Psychic Boots
Beating Xelios will grant you the fancy Psychic Boots. Remember those psychic platforms from earlier? Yeah, you can step on them now. Oh, and you've got your double-jump back! Winner.

Image: Nintendo
When you've grabbed the Psychic Boots, use double-jump to hop onto the Sacred Shrine and look into the light. Move forwards to grab the next Master Teleporter Key.
Use the Psychic Platforms to make your way out of the Facility Core. Make your way back up to Test Circuit Security and ride Vi-O-La back around to Tower 1.
You can save your game now, if you wish. We're going to head out of Volt Forge altogether and go for our first proper ride around Sol Valley atop Vi-O-La.
Head back into Facility Approach. Dispatch the Maintenance Tanks, then double-jump up the Transportation Containers and morph ball through the gap on the left-hand wall. Bomb the slot to power up the Vi-O-La Spinner. Hop onto Vi-O-La, power up the Spinner, and get outta here.
Now that we're in Sol Valley, now's as good a time as any to collect as many Green Energy Crystals as you can. If you'd prefer to just explore the area organically at this point, that's fine too, since not all Green Crystal clusters will be available at this point in the game.
For advice on how to obtain all of them along with the rewards for doing so, check out our full guide on How to Get All Green Energy Crystals.
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Smash 'em all
For now, turn left immediately after exiting Volt Forge. You'll see an island separate from the main environment, accessed via Psychic Platforms. Activate these to reach the island and take note of the Scout Bot located here. This one will be especially useful, as it'll reveal all undiscovered items in the entirety of Sol Valley
While we're in Sol Valley, let's box off a few more scans. You'll find the following creatures throughout the environment, so let's take a look at each in turn.
Scan Entry: Gullbat

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The Gullbats can be found in groups across Sol Valley and are generally very easy to spot.
Scan Entry: Kyuveria

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The Kyuveria are the pod-like plants found on the ground across Sol Valley. Driving into them will grant a very brief burst of speed while replenishing your boost meter.
Scan Entry: Sand Shren

Image: Nintendo
Sand Shrens are generally found at the Galactic Federation Debris Sites, which are very easy to spot from a distance.
Scan Entry: Polaleisoarala

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What a name, huh? The Polaleisoarala can be found near the centre of Sol Valley, hovering around Chrono Tower.
Scan Entry: Varmis

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These whale-like creatures dive in and out of the sand and can be located toward the southeast segment of the map.
Missile Expansion #4


Images: Nintendo
Whilst we're here, there's an easy Missile Expansion not too far from the exit from Volt Forge. Head east and stick close to the edge of the environment. Eventually, you'll find a large rock with a Missile Expansion in its hole. You can boost up a ramp in Vi-O-La to jump through the hole and grab the Expansion.
Okay, that about does it for now. To progress the story, head toward Flare Pool in the south-east corner of the map.
When you reach the entrance, use the Vi-O-La Spinner to access Flare Pool. We won't be staying here for long.
Scan Entry: Swarm Flyer

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Upon entering Flare Pool, you'll see a swarm of flying creatures hovering about. Scan them.
Scan Entry: Heatstrap

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Meanwhile, up on the wall is a Heatstrap. Scan that too.
Scan Entry: Vaernan

Image: Nintendo
Crawling on the ground is a Vaernan, and it looks a little similar to the Denzard from Volt Forge. Scan it.
Missile Expansion #5

Image: Nintendo
Next to the Heatstrap on the right, you'll see some Psychic Platforms. Scan to activate, then jump up to locate your next Missile Expansion.
From Volcano Entrance, head straight through to Magma Overflow, then through the next door into Shoreline Access, and again into Lava Lake Bridge.
Move forward and watch as the bridge collapses thanks to a bit of tinkering from what looks to be Sylux. You can't get this way yet. Go back into Shoreline Access and three Psy-Bot Soldiers will exit the door on the left. Get rid of them.
Move through the door into Scrapyard Access. There's a Save Room on the right, so make use of it.
Now go through into the Scrapyard. There's an intriguing glow coming from the machine in front of you. But before you head toward it...
Scan Entry: Pyremite

Image: Nintendo
As you drop to the lower level, Pyremite's will rise from the ground. So scan one of them, but don't get too close. These things will cause huge explosions at close distances.
Okay, now jump on the cylindrical platforms at the back of the room. Now jump forward onto the Demolition Crane. Roll through to the end and drop a bomb.
Walk to the debris and press 'A' to collect the Fire Chip. You'll now need to take this back to Myles in Fury Green to obtain a new weapon upgrade. So let's head over there now.
Upon leaving Flare Pool, a giant wall of fire will rain down the entrance, so you can't come back here for now.
Back in Sol Valley, you'll want to head to the west side of the map to get back to Fury Green (focus on the big tree). Before we get there, however, a new enemy will make itself known.
Scan Entry: Marauder

Image: Nintendo
The Marauders will roll on the ground like giant wheels and attack Samus. Scan one, then just use your basic Vi-O-La projectiles to take any out.
Now head into the entrance to Fury Green. You'll want to use the Cargo Launcher to take you back.
Missile Expansion #6

Image: Nintendo
Remember those Psychic Platforms next to the Cargo Launcher in Fury Green? You can use them now to reach your next Missile Expansion. Yes.
Now head back to Base Camp. Talk to Myles and he'll gift you with the Fire Shot.
Power Suit Upgrade: Fire Shot

Image: Nintendo
The Fire Shot will consume a different type of ammo to your missiles, so we'll be on the lookout for Shot Expansions from here on out.
Whilst we're here, let's explore Fury Green again and mop up a few upgrades. First, drop off any Green Energy Crystals you've collected in Altar of Legacy, then head to Jungle Path.
Shot Expansion #1

Image: Nintendo
In Jungle Path, you can now use your Fire Shot against the webbing on the wall. Get rid of this, then morph ball up to the Shot Expansion.
From Base Camp, head to Cleared Path and use your Fire Shot on the door to the right. Go into Sacred Flame Ceremony.
Shot Expansion #2

Image: Nintendo
Use your psychic powers to move the object in the middle of the room. Line it up with the three torch wicks and shoot with your Fire Shot to light them. This will open up the doors and reveal your next Shot Expansion.
There's nothing else to do here for now, so let's move on.
Shot Expansion #3

Image: Nintendo
Go back to the Isopod Lair, near where you rescued Myles. In the middle is a pillar covered with webbing. Hit this with your Fire Shot, then grab your next Shot Expansion.
From the Isopod Lair, go back to Resin Creek.
Missile Expansion #7

Image: Nintendo
On the left-hand wall, you'll see a pod ripe for bombing. Drop into morph ball mode and bomb it, then jump up to grab the Missile Expansion.
Now work your way back to Cliffside Gate.
Missile Expansion #8

Image: Nintendo
The very first Psychic Platforms are now scalable. Jump up them to grab the Missile Expansion.
Finally, go back to Ravine Overlook.
Shot Expansion #4

Image: Nintendo
Hug the wall to the left until you find some webbing. Use your Fire Shot to clear it and the Shot Expansion will be inside.
You don't need to go all the way back to the Cargo Launcher to exit Fury Green from here. Instead, go back to Quiet Clearing and use the exit there.
When you're back in Sol Valley, feel free to explore some more and grab more Green Energy Crystals.
Vi-O-La Boost Tank #1


Images: Nintendo
From the entrance to Fury Green, go directly south. You'll eventually see a raised platform, which you can access by boosting up a ramp. Here, a small structure will have sparks coming from the centre. Shoot at this with your Fire Shot to reveal your first Boost Tank for Vi-O-La.
Okay, now let's head to the northwest corner of the map to the Ice Belt region.
Scan Entry: Psychic Boost Rail

Image: Nintendo
Ride through a small opening to find yourself in the Ice Belt entrance area.
Over on the right, you'll see some Psychic Platforms needed to reach the upper ledge. On the left, meanwhile, is a Psychic Boost Rail. You can't use it yet, but scan it now to add it to your logbook.
Now jump up the Psychic Platforms and head through the door at the end.
Shoot the next door, go around the corridor and onto the giant elevator in the middle. At the bottom, go through the next door and into the hologram for the Sky Shuttle.
That's where we'll end this meaty section of the walkthrough. Next time, we'll be exploring Ice Belt and grabbing a lot more scans and items as we go. See you there.
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