SECRETS, CODES, & INTEL | Metroid Declassified NES | NESComplex

70 unique Secrets, Codes, Glitches, Development Stories, and bits of Forgotten Lore about one of the most beloved games of the NES era: Metroid for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Famicom Disk System.
Special thanks to Metroid-Database, Metroid Wiki (Wikitroid), and Historian and KZbin creator Kate Willaert who wrote an amazing article about "Metroid's Justin Bailey is a Real Person"
Official Heatley Bros Channel Credit:
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Audio Jungle: Standard Music License “80s Synth Wave”, “Synth Waves 89”, “Mr. Hacker”
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legendsoflocalization.com/the...
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NESComplex NES Games Review and Retrospective Super Nintendo SNES Collection Super Metroid The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past Nintendo 64 N64 Retro Gaming Is it fun? Nintendo Power Time Machine Top 20 Game Boy Metroid Dread
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[@NESComplex]

Metroid was the 4th cartridge my brother and I got after getting our NES. We used to look at the Official Player's Guide in the store to figure out where to go next. It was so innovative at the time with interesting power-ups, a compelling design, and a super cool main character. We loved the Sci-fi theme. What stories do you have about your early experiences with Metroid?

[@nakamaswarrior292]

What were the first three?

[@justincorber7528]

When you do the walldoor/secret world stuff most of it's jumbled mess. Well there's an old picture of a room that has the morph ball with 2 pillars on either side of it. No one has ever been able to explain why this is. If it's a depiction of an earlier build or what. If you Google it you'll see what I mean. Maybe something to look into.

[@BenCeazarAzarcon2007]

You're the best Legend of all Nintendo Games

[@japyoo2248]

Ah ok

[@pizzavenkman9401]

When my parents went grocery shopping, my brother and I would sit in the magazine isle and look through Nintendo Power. Our parents would rarely buy them for us, so we committed a lot to memory back then.

[@clinttheboss2117]

My family rented metroid and kept it almost two months until we beat it. It took me and my parents working together, drawing maps...it was the absolute best!

[@NESComplex]

That was the most fun. Figuring it out with others. My brother and I did the same thing.

[@mr.pavone9719]

It probably would have been cheaper to buy the game!

[@Christianson53]

This has to be one of the most wholesome comments I have ever seen.

[@hunterericson6782]

That’s what was great about those days - no internet spoilers - you had to find out on your own !!!

[@benskidmore6523]

This is absolutely wonderful, I would be so happy if I end up being able to enjoy computer games with my kids like this!

[@RetroBubz]

Your "Declassified" series is the absolute best docuseries of NES games on youtube!!!

[@NESComplex]

Dude! Wow! Best comment ever!!!

[@jasoncrandall5320]

This is alot of great shit for Fans I knew ALIEN was the main inspiration but didnt notice many of the similarities in the artwork till now.

[@reznor6507]

@@NESComplex Do you happen to remember the dog you could play as in the original NES Metroid?

[@briand7381]

I agree. You need to keep making this series. DK, Mega Man etc…

[@soakedbearrd]

Yeah high quality

[@tsubasashi]

The Zebes naming convention actually also explained to me the controversy of Aeris vs Aerith in FFVII.

[@tomyyoung2624]

Yes--profit,

[@sor3999]

Same with the PSP translation of Final Fantasy Tactics. Lisp or no lisp?

[@otakubullfrog1665]

When my local video store started renting out NES games, Metroid was my favorite of the dozen or so that they originally had. Passwords actually worked really well for game rentals since you could pick up where you left off next time no matter who else had the game in between.

[@NESComplex]

That’s a really good point. Battery backed games wouldn’t fair nearly as well

[@CLSharpman5000]

That's actually a very interesting observation of the password system. It's wild knowing games will never be like that again.

[@Cyril29a]

@@CLSharpman5000 People who rented later games often had their own memory cards to save progress. This was a good solution to that issue that was more convenient than PWs

[@SweetBean92]

@@Cyril29a right, lol, this feels like one of those generational differences. Gen X had passwords, Gen Y used memory cards, now Gen Z gets on-board hard drives. Too bad game rentals aren't nearly as much of a thing nowadays....

[@Cyril29a]

@@SweetBean92 and Gen Alpha get cloud gaming.

[@pleasuretokill]

One of many NES games that defined my childhood in the mid-late 80s. I cant tell you how many times I beat this game when I was young... it was a ton.

[@netsendjoe]

In the early 90's, I found this game when I was young and living in a motel when we waiting to move into a new home. The game completely changed my life and held my interest because of the lore. Super Metroid solidified this interest into the series.

[@NESComplex]

It never ceases to amaze me how these games changed and shaped our lives.

[@GenerationGapGaming]

25 minutes just passed by like a second. Hypnotic and masterful as always 👏

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Tyler! Miss ya buddy!!

[@richardoaks8333]

Definitely miss G3!!!!❤

[@8bitbros]

Top 5 NES game for me. The music and atmosphere was so good for the time and hits that nostalgic button for me. Spawned a whole genre! Well done NES Complex!

[@TheDarkLink7]

Speaking for just playing the NES version? If you can and if you have the switch. Create a new profile, set region for Japan, and download the Famicom and Super Famicom. Dude....... extra sounds makes a great game better. What........ wait how? Just do it.

[@jacksawack6724]

@@TheDarkLink7 Wouldn't you need to make a whole new NSO subscription?

[@TheDarkLink7]

@@jacksawack6724 as long as one of your profiles has NSO then if you create a second profile then no. I had a NSO for my main profile and created a second one with the region for Japan.

[@jacksawack6724]

@@TheDarkLink7 Oh ok. I'll try it then.

[@TheDarkLink7]

@@jacksawack6724 oh yeah please do so. I enjoyed playing the American version of Metroid and Zelda. *However* playing the Famicom Disc version of Metroud and Zelda. I had a "Dude extra sound effects? *THAT IS SO COOL!*"

[@bbirda1287]

My favorite title screen music, the intro is so mysterious, and the bleak bass chords at the end always get me. It amazes me how these games had such awesome music with so little memory.

[@Oskanderstine]

I got Metroid for my 14th birthday the year it was released in the US. One of the best gifts I got throughout my entire life. The lasting impact of that first Metroid game, is phenomenal. Many, many amazing memories were made from that one perfect, NES game.

[@gitgeronimo9375]

Dude! Your content is outstanding! For years, Gaming Historian was the gold standard for NES history. You’ve gone above and beyond with your research to present some surprising and truly new information. Bravo!

[@cMa7os]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the care and love with which you make your videos really comes through and that, in my opinion, is what makes your channel one of the best in all of KZbin. Every time you put out a new video, I'm always sure it'll be another masterpiece. And it always is. Thank you for caring for your subscribers and for making these gems, Chris!

[@NESComplex]

I will always give it my all. That’s why they take so long. I try to be like Nintendo and I strive for excellence!

[@colt5189]

Metroid like Legend of Zelda back in the day, I'd tape together graph paper and go screen to screen making a map. Really wish they had some kind of a map feature. And I really liked the music in Metroid, it sounded very otherworldly.

[@NESComplex]

Haha! Those were the days!

[@exactspace]

I loved drawing maps. I did this with Metroid II.

[@jharvey62778]

A map would have made the game much shorter for your first play through

[@EtherealLifeline]

There are ROM hacks that add this exact functionality.

[@exactspace]

I really think part of the fun is getting lost and absorbing the alien atmosphere. Even in NES Metroid.

[@GoodVibeCollecting]

Metroid took the side scrolling platforming from Mario and the non linear exploration from Zelda and gave us a game that completed the trio. While I think other Metroid games improve on the original, there's no doubt this one is a classic and laid the foundation for the many many non linear games of today.

[@bartsullivan4866]

Sure did, It was a unique game you had to have patience for and backtrack to explore more. It wasn't a cupcake either that last section is hard. Breaking through the barriers to get to mother brain. Just found out recently you could break all 4 barriers then just exit the room to kill the Metroid's to harvest missiles and health and go right back to the brain. Why didn't I think of that when I was 11 or 12. Note to younger self.

[@K3NnY_G]

I've been watching content like this for almost ten years... Basically every video it's "Yeah I knew this." But this channel, it's amazing; I know whenever there's an upload there's gonna be at-least one tid-bit I hadn't even fathomed. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@bartsullivan4866]

Me as well, but I never got to see the original instruction manuals for these games or the silly commercials. Just don't remember them, also his videos are well laid out and still interesting.

[@ThomasHostvedt]

Absolutely fantastic job NES Complex!Love the quality and the raw nostalgia, great work!!!

[@roznstyle]

The childhood nostalgia is strong with this one 😃

[@armand4116]

I remember playing this game on my old NES and finishing it with the help of the Club Nintendo magazine (México) , it was a game ahead of its time , rough and difficult , but the foundations of this series and the genre were stablished here. One of the things that I liked the most was the music , very different from the usual style used in other nes games, you can feel the mystery of exploring an alien planet through the music , and many of the iconic themes of the series are also here. Thank you for your content NESComplex.

[@NESComplex]

Exactly!! You could feel the mystery. I wish I’d used that line 🤔

[@DJToneRI]

Great watch! NEStroid, by far one of my all time favorites! Thanks for the fascinating depth and detail!

[@gameboydadtm37]

This is such a great series you’ve made please keep them coming. I’m looking forward to much more.

[@JopieHaargel]

These videos are just SO GOOD! I thoroughly appreciate the crazy amount of work and attention to detail you put in them.

[@Eric_Plunk]

Chris just morphed into a ball and dropped knowledge bombs on every one of us. We’re better gamers for it. Well done!

[@NESComplex]

“Knowledge bombs” another Plunkism

[@thecunninlynguist]

So many memories of metroid growing up. Never beat it legit...always used the Justin Bailey code. The rumors of that code were huge on the playground

[@NESComplex]

Same… of course my brother’s name is Justin so it definitely resonated with us too!

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@NESComplex I miss the old Retro Liberty days

[@hondragrid]

This video was really neat! Its fun learning about games, their history, the developers, the development cycle, and even the inner workings of a game.

[@emekoo1027]

You really deserve much more subs! Your content is so good! I remember finding you about 2 to 3 years back and have watched all of your videos! Keep doing good job my man!

[@Starscreamlive]

Stellar work as always! It was a pleasure getting to see the live episode in Greenville.

[@eugeneaxe]

Amazing video. Incredibly insightful behind the scenes of Metroid and Mario. Great work.

[@MaidenHell1977]

Dude, you've done it again, this an absolute excellent little doc and retrospect. Again, just incredible that after 35 years the things I still didn't know about this game. Cheers buddy.

[@price41899]

This Declassified show is fantastic. Thank you for the hard work.

[@oli1682]

Love this series! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and look forward to your uploads. Thank you for your content and all the nostalgic entertainment… and they say time travel is impossible.

[@NESComplex]

Thank YOU for taking the time to write that awesome comment

[@JoshuaJaeger]

This was a fantastic look at a game series that is talked about to death!! I'm shocked you were able to pull together so much info into 25 minutes! Thank you!!

[@snowyweather1]

Your declassified videos are great! My favorite thing on KZbin! Thanks for the hard work!

[@notaflightreactsfan3706]

Yes! Love when nescomplex uploads,haven't even started the vid yet but I know I'm gonna enjoy every minute of this ;)

[@JMDSPhotography]

You have been missed dude! Was absolutely buzzing when I saw this video dropped and you did not disappoint!! Please keep up the great work that you do as I (not alone) get so much joy from your vids 👍🏻.

[@B33FY2011]

I am loving this series. There is so much about the NES games you have covered so far that I had no idea about. Hope you continue with this series because it's quickly becoming on of my favourite on the whole of KZbin.

[@NESComplex]

I’m definitely going to continue. Already working on the next one

[@impoopnrightnow906]

Your editing never ceases to amaze me. Even the way you frame the shots. 👌 You're really good at this. Awesome video!!

[@NESComplex]

I really appreciate that! I spend waaay to much time looking for perfect shots and timing them so that characters even jump and land at appropriate times in the edit. Lol.

[@nicholerigsby5033]

My mind is just blown. There are so many things I've learned from your videos about my favorite childhood video games and I'm thankful that I've found your channel. After seeing this Metroid and the Zelda videos, I'm hooked and I just had to subscribe. Exceptionally well done, and please keep making these videos, they bring immense joy to gamers everywhere like me. Again, thank you so much for creating and sharing these videos, they're amazing.

[@mally1124]

A great video on a great game! I love the format of your Declassified series! Hands down the best on KZbin!

[@dmatthews7423]

Thanks for including images from the manual; really takes us back.

[@JackStolz]

Dude the amount of work you put into these vids does not fall on deaf ears or blind eyes. Infinite blessings to you my dude.

[@willnox1]

NESComplex. Knocking it out of the park. Thank you so much. Your videos have always been such a joy

[@NESComplex]

I always appreciate your comments. Thanks for the kind words!! On to the next one!

[@willnox1]

@@NESComplex On to the next! Really appreciate you remembering your loyal fans! Been watching you since day 1. Thanks for being awesome! Can't wait.

[@tedpedersen123]

This is such a fantastic series, I love the detail of restraints the programmers had. What a task to creatively turn restraints and squeeze the most bits into a incredible experience! ✌️

[@gru3som3rick]

Wow! Well worth the wait! Knocked it out of the park again NESComplex!!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Erick

[@skunknuts1]

I really enjoy these Declassified videos. The slick editing + content just make 'em so easy to get into.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I feel like these are my wheelhouse as a historian.

[@Mantekilla22]

@@NESComplex excellent way to phrase these videos

[@TheReNesance]

I enjoyed the hell out of this, but your quality always keeps me engaged. Love this game and loved learning the new quirks I didn't know about. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@X_Leonhart]

This series is so good I feel bad every time each episode ends, I could watch this for hours. Amazing job!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! More to come!!

[@johnnyduran4019]

Heck yes. NESComplex posted another video. So freaking thorough it's crazy.

[@NESComplex]

Hey Johnny! And yet… I’m finding new stuff already. 😂

[@SideScrollersPodcast]

Man, great series. Really admire the work you put in.

[@BangBang-hk4rg]

I grew up with the NES and I’m absolutely loving these declassified videos!

[@Ascendingstorm]

Always so happy to see new videos by you man! Top tier stuff.

[@NESComplex]

Even if it takes foreverrrrrr?

[@Ascendingstorm]

@@NESComplex Always worth it! I'd rather leave a video feeling moved and happy, something that touches me and reminds me of my childhood that took a year, instead of being bombarded with..."youtube"

[@fredrick8691]

This was a great watch! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@optigrabbingit]

I wish I could double-like this video! I learned a lot more about a game I spent countless hours with in my childhood.

[@RetroGamingPandemic]

This just made our Friday! Eric just picked up Metroid for his new and shiny top loader.

[@NESComplex]

I’m back from the dead! Ahhhh Metroid + toploader = pure fun 🤩

[@RetroGamingPandemic]

@@NESComplex we are glad to have you back, friend!

[@gentlemancaller4058]

One of my favorite retro game channels. Deserves way more attention than it gets.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you so much! Spread the love! Tell your friends and random people you meet at random stores

[@explodingjuice]

I just came across your channel and I must say that you did an amazing job with this video. I was highly entertained and even learned a few things about this game I wish I knew when I was a kid playing it. Well done!

[@apollocreed7668]

That was incredibly well done, excellent work!

[@sinthalous3649]

Three days of Binge watching your videos! Looking forward to so much more of your content. Fantastic work.

[@Devolutionator]

These are really really good. I plan to watch them all. This one and the one on Zelda were amazing. Thumbs up!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks! I only have 3 so far. More are on the way though. The retrospectives are basically the same but more emotionally charged.

[@keithreay]

I was so happy to see that screen wrapping made it to this video… well done video indeed.

[@gaylordfocker7990]

I remember getting this game and Kid Icarus on a bday and Xmas around the same time. These games were so deep and mind-blowing for the time. Compared to single screeners like Donkey Kong and Popeye. I honestly had no clue what to do or where to go until the Nintendo Buyer's Guide and Fun Club News.

[@NESComplex]

What a double punch combo that must’ve been! Awesome! Those were the days!!!!

[@exetone]

This was a really fun watch, thanks for doing so much research

[@goldenphonautogram6141]

This video was totally worth the wait. This must have taken an eternity to edit!

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

The editing and script writing is top notch in these.

[@princepersona]

Glad to see you made another one of these. You do such a good job at these and the dedication really makes great content.

[@princepersona]

I remember hearing a long time ago that the Justin Bailey code was something one of the devs put in for themselves and they were mad when a hacker did a data dump of the cartridge and revealed that the code existed. Would love to know if you came across that tibit.

[@Hawk_Eye_Retro]

As always - thanks for the great content! You always knock it out of the park.

[@LorenHelgeson]

One of my favorite NES games. First one I beat, all the way in 1989. Been playing it on and off ever since, and it has yet to get tiring for me. One of these days, I need to check out the FDS version. As to your question at the end, I think you covered it all. I've heard each of those points you covered, and having opened my own NES copy of Metroid out of curiosity, I can confirm there is indeed a slot on the board reserved for that battery which never got used. Another great video! Hope to see more from you in the future.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Loren! Metroid was interesting because there weren’t as many deep dive interviews from the time as there were for Mario or Zelda. I tried to compensate by using interesting images and editing techniques.

[@soledezruiz2860]

Man loved these series! Thank you!!

[@RussLyman]

Fantastic episode as always. Love me some Metroid back story

[@Kryxx07]

Wow! 25 minutes just flew by. Love this series. Well done!

[@NESComplex]

That’s always one of the best compliments. Thank you very much

[@Mantekilla22]

I love these videos so much, the quality is unmatched

[@SmashJT]

Always a blast to watch these - even more amped for Dread now! Great job as always 👊🏼

[@NESComplex]

Friday!!!! Woo hoo

[@SmashJT]

@@NESComplex let’s GOOOOOoOoooOo!!!!!

[@ItsMeNobody666]

Dropping a like and comment for the algorithm for one of my favorite channels. Thanks for the awesome videos. Even my girlfriend who was born in 1991 and didn’t grow up with the NES/SNES era loves your work.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! That’s the true test… will a non-nes or non-gamer still enjoy it! That means a lot that she still finds in entertaining.

[@jomeso]

I love the secrets, codes, and intel series. Please continue making them

[@TickGO]

dude, this channel is great! Nice work :)

[@DeathScorpi0]

Loved the video! Metroid was the first game of the saga I played and I still find it really fun despite knowing the map like the back of my hand

[@crestfallenwarrior6996]

I’m 34. I’m honestly a SNES kid. I got it on Xmas with Batman. My lord what a Xmas that was. I just got an original NES to ply the games I never got to , and a SNES to replay the games I always played religiously. What a time to be alive.

[@barny15]

As a kid I absolutely loved this game. The focus on exploration and open-world design combined with the forboding music really captivated me. I borrowed it many times from the kid across the street and just wandered around the map, never getting anywhere or coming remotely close to beating the game.

[@rickythompson2591]

Your videos are truly a gift. Thank You!

[@randomizzer2389]

This game still holds its awesomeness to this very day. My only disappointment is that the game was too short. You had 2 mini-bosses, 1 fake mini-boss, and 1 final boss. Great content by the way. I don't own any fancy equipment, but that is definitely going to be one of the 1st two games I will be covering when I start making gaming videos regularly.

[@6Rudolph6Shitler6]

Great video. I always feel like I'm learning forbidden knowledge with your formatting. I though I was a cool guy knowing the Justin Bailey code, had no idea all these other cool tricks.

[@carrauntoohil86]

I'm not a Nintendo kid, I grew up on Sega in Europe, but your content is just fantastic. One of the best gaming channels on KZbin. Your enthusiasm and passion for gaming shines through!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks G Man! I grew up with Nintendo but have come to really appreciate Sega over the years! I wish I’d had Sega systems as a kid too so I could make videos with that same nostalgic passion

[@vincentr.6109]

You would think one could not appreciate a game anymore than they do; then you watch something like this, and WOW, speechless.

[@fireresq7]

What a great documentary !!!! Thank you for the hard work!!!

[@timwasylyszyn9838]

Omg I’m blown away every time you make one of these videos! Amazing job again Chris!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Tim! It’s nice to know the depth of research and time in the edit is being received well…. It makes it all worth it

[@timwasylyszyn9838]

@@NESComplex you’re truly creating masterpieces of gaming history. Thanks again for your hard work in creating these.

[@daver7178]

Best retro video game channel on KZbin, period.

[@ChristopherPayneMUA]

This video series is amazing, please continue!

[@andytypes8271]

KZbin recommended this to me. I'm extremely happy it did. Great video!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Andrew! Really appreciate the kind words!

[@PKmuffdiver]

Thanks for the video. I absolutely loved this game! I bet I was over the 10 hour mark.

[@Sknueppel85]

I really really love and apreciate the work you put in this series and your Chanel! Thank you so much!!!!!

[@NESComplex]

It means a lot to me that you would take the time to write a comment like that thank you

[@Sknueppel85]

@@NESComplex youre welcome 🥰

[@MasDouc]

Hope you come back man. Your videos are the best and most comprehensive retro game retrospectives on youtube.

[@NESComplex]

I haven’t left. These just take a long time to make. I’m almost done with the next one though. A week or so left

[@thatwasprettyneat]

I'm mesmerized by your editing skills. I wish I could pull this off.

[@NobodyUR]

Figured nothing new would be learned but that take out in the credits was a completely new thing to me very cool

[@woolgum]

This video made my day. Thanks for the sweet nostalgia. :)

[@Snottle1]

I'm so glad I came across this channel, your content is fantastic!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Austin! I’m glad you enjoy it!

[@ericneuman9130]

Awesome job on this! One of my favorite Nintendo games of all time and the pinnacle of adventure gaming, next to Zelda

[@childofcascadia]

Moar declassified! I love all your content but this is my fav series about retro games period.

[@hugovargas9067]

My favorite! So many great memories 🙏 1986 Metroid Los Angeles California I was 6 years old playing. Thank you for this great information. Hello from Beverly Hills California

[@PhoenixResale]

So freakin good man. I really look forward to these.

[@NESComplex]

Really appreciate it Caleb! Good to see you man!

[@icecold337]

Excellent video, Brother! Keep them coming! 🤘🏼