Mother Brain as she appeared in Metroid: Zero Mission
Game(s)
Metroid: Zero Mission
Off-Game Appearance(s)
Metroid (manga)
Zebes
Gender-neutral, female persona
Mother is the greatest being in existence and does everything perfectly.[1]
— Gray Voice
Mother Brain (occasionally referred to as Mother) is a recurring character in the Metroid series. It[2] is featured in Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission, Super Metroid and Metroid: Other M and most importantly in the Metroid manga.[3] According to Metroid director and co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto, Mother Brain was an indispensable artificial intelligence that served as the center of the advanced Chozo civilization. However, as an extremely superior standalone intelligence, it sprouted dangerous thoughts eventually going berserk.[4]
When the Space Pirates later took over Zebes, where the Chozo kept Mother Brain, it became the leader of the entire Space Pirate organization, using its telepathic abilities. Mother Brain is responsible for the spread of Metroids.
1.1 Metroid Manga
1.2 Metroid
1.3 Metroid: Zero Mission
1.4 Super Metroid
1.5 Metroid: Other M
2.1 Trophy Info
2.1.1 Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
2.2 Tips Info
2.2.1 Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Metroid Manga
Mother Brain, introduced as a benevolent supercomputer, was created by the Chozo to oversee planet Zebes and to bring species of the Milky Way to harmony.[2][3] As revealed in the Iono Feria incident and during the approach of the Space Pirates, Mother Brain assesses dangers and suggests resolutions, and is capable of detecting threats in orbit.[5][6]
When the Chozo first reveal an infant Samus to Mother Brain, it assesses that her human body will not be able to withstand the harsh environment of Zebes for more than a few days,[7] and so the Chozo infuse Samus with their DNA.[8] Later, Mother Brain modified the Chozo battlesuit technology to create Samus's Power Suit.[9]
Samus confronts Mother Brain
Mother Brain was also involved in overseeing the development of the Metroids, created to defeat the X infestation threatening the galaxy. It regularly gave the Chozo reports concerning the progress of the X extermination on SR388.[10] Upon revealing the completed Metroids to other Chozo, however, Space Pirates attacked Zebes and subsequently expelled the Chozo from the planet. Mother Brain assumed control of the Space Pirates, who it realized were genetically predisposed to following the orders of a powerful leader.[11][12]
The supercomputer's purpose, to unify the species of the galaxy, had backfired. Mother Brain now sought to bring order to the universe itself, through whatever means was necessary.[13] Thus, the Chozo staged an elaborate deception in which Gray Voice seemed to side with Mother Brain and her army of Space Pirates. When the moment was right, he betrayed them and caused significant damage before being killed by Ridley. Meanwhile, Samus and the other Chozo escaped.
Years later, Samus returns to Zebes. The geography and ecosystem of the planet had changed significantly, all to further Mother Brain's plans for universal domination.[14] After fighting her way to Tourian, defeating Kraid and Ridley along the way, Samus finds Mother Brain surrounded by Metroids. The manga ends with the battle ensuing, in which Samus will be victorious and Mother Brain will rebuild itself as depicted in Super Metroid.
In Metroid and its remake, Mother Brain is the main antagonist of the game. It is located in Tourian, and controls all Space Pirate actions on the planet, including Kraid and Ridley. Mother Brain's room is protected by turrets and Rinkas. Samus makes her way into Tourian, and manages to destroy Mother Brain, activating a time bomb which destroys the facility. Mother Brain is protected by a glass made of Zebetite that is resistant to Samus's Power Beam.[15] Samus, however, can break it by using Missiles. Once it breaks, Samus can attack Mother Brain freely until it is destroyed.
Mother Brain's Zero Mission appearance is identical to her appearance in Metroid. The room is still full with turrets and Rinkas and there is still a classic setup with Mother Brain at the left of the room in her Zebetite shield. Samus can now break the shield with Missiles or Super Missiles. There is additionally a lot of lava around the floor and a much larger area around. There are three platforms which Samus can use to stand on and attack Mother Brain from. Once Mother Brain is destroyed, Samus must escape to her gunship in time. Unlike Metroid, Samus can return to Mother Brain's chamber after receiving the Legendary Power Suit. Even with Samus's Gravity Suit, the strongest suit available in the game, Samus still receives damage if she touches residual acid left behind in Mother Brain's chamber. The only reason to return to Tourian after acquiring the Legendary Power Suit is to find a couple of additional Suit Expansions.
Mother Brain's bipedal form
In Super Metroid, Mother Brain appears identical to its previous incarnation. After destroying the Zebetite shield, however, and delivering significant damage, Mother Brain transforms into an extremely powerful bipedal being. In this form, Mother Brain also possesses a potent Hyper Beam that drains massive amounts of energy and ammunition and leaves Samus paralyzed. If Samus manages to survive long enough, the infant Metroid will appear and attack Mother Brain, draining its energy and returning it to Samus. The hatchling attempts to protect Samus from further damage but is destroyed by Mother Brain. The hatchling's destruction somehow bestows the power of the Hyper Beam to Samus, who then uses it to destroy Mother Brain.
It is actually impossible for Samus to defeat Mother Brain; only the appearance of the infant Metroid allows Samus to emerge victorious.
Main article: MB
Mother Brain appears in one of Samus's many flashbacks. In this specific flashback, Samus is reliving her climactic encounter with Mother on her second mission to Zebes. The Metroid Hatchling heals Samus and then is destroyed by a Hyper Beam above her head.
During the events of Other M, Galactic Federation scientists develop a program based on Mother's artificial intelligence and create an android known as MB. MB develops Mother's consciousness and becomes violent, stirring the creatures aboard the Bottle Ship into a frenzy, which forces Madeline Bergman to send out the distress signal that leads Samus to the facility, a much different version of events than is told by MB, who assumes Bergman's identity upon meeting Samus. MB is eventually killed through the combined efforts of Bergman and Galactic Federation troops.
Trophy Info
Mother Brain Trophy
NTSC-U: Hailing from the Metroid series, this evil boss resides on the planet Zebes. When she appears in Smash Bros., she attacks with energy projectiles and a beam from her eye. It's actually possible to defeat her, and for once doing so won't start a self-destruct sequence.
PAL: A mainstay of the Metroid series and the final boss Samus faces on Planet Zebes. In this game, she grows to a gargantuan size and fires all sorts of energy blasts at you. Good news: you can beat her! Better news: doing so won't trigger a self-destruct sequence forcing you to make your escape!
How to Obtain: Randomly Obtainble
Tips Info
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
"Mother Brain will fire ring-shaped projectiles called Rinkas from off-screen. These are energy based, so they can be absorbed or reflected."
"It's totally fine to use Mother Brain to shield yourself from the attacks of your rivals."
"Attack Mother Brain to defeat her! The glass around her will shatter after she fires lasers—that's your chance to strike!"
"Mother Brain will send colorful lasers shooting up and down the screen. They can't be absorbed or reflected, so you'll have to just avoid them!"
Metroid artwork
Zero Mission artwork
Super Metroid artwork
Mother Brain recruits Samus
The ending slide of the Metroid manga
Appearance in Metroid
Mother Brain spying on Samus's progress
Mother Brain in Zero Mission
Mother's Zebetite shield and mechanical attachments
Mother Brain's initial appearance in Super Metroid
The office of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the former president of Nintendo, was called Mother Brain. Yamauchi was also the executive producer of the first three Metroid games.
The Aurora Units are based on Mother Brain; this is shown in Corruption previews. Aside from being physically similar, Aurora Units and Mother Brain both serve the function of maintaining the planet on which they reside—serving as nerve centers of their respective planets. It is possible that the Galactic Federation took inspiration from the Chozo's creation of Mother Brain.
↑ "Mother is the greatest being in existence and does everything perfectly." —Metroid (manga), Gray Voice, Vol 1 Ch 7 Pg(s) 8
↑ 2.0 2.1 "It's okay Samus. It won't harm you. It's the computer interface that oversees this planet." —Metroid (manga), Old Bird, Vol 1 Ch 2 Pg(s) 4
↑ 3.0 3.1 "But, after all, they were a race in steep decline, and they saw their end coming swiftly. To put it simply, the Chozo saw the need to accelerate their plan to link the galaxy into one unified society, and decided to consolidate their data with that of the Federation. And so, I was born." —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 7 Pg(s) 8
↑ Sakamoto interview translation - Page 1 - Metroid Database
↑ "Reporting. Traces of an alkaloid detected on the Iono Feria. They were the carriers. Danger!!" —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 2 Pg(s) 21
↑ "A large unknown object is approaching Zebes' planetary protection shield!!" —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 5 Pg(s) 18
↑ "As expected, this weak creature is incapable of living in Zebes' harsh environment. I do not expect her to last more than a few days..." —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 2 Pg(s) 5
↑ "And so, to increase my body's ability to adapt to this dangerous world, the Chozo integrated their DNA into mine." —Metroid (manga), Samus Aran, Vol 1 Ch 2 Pg(s) 6
↑ "And I, to support the Chozo's marital strength, made the Power Suit. In other words, I gave birth to you!" —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 7 Pg(s) 12
↑ "Please give the SR-388 report as usual, Mother Brain." —Metroid (manga), Old Bird, Vol 1 Ch 2 Pg(s) 16
↑ "Please relax. We are currently switching to a satisfactory cooperative relationship with the Space Pirates. In other words, they are under our control." —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 7 Pg(s) 3
↑ "The feared and mysterious Space Pirates. In truth they are a subordinate species that naturally follows the orders of a strong master. It is just like how worker bees follow the queen bee, their hierarchical programming is decided at the genetic level." —Mother Brain (1)
↑ "Our 'defective product' that self-programmed the directive 'I will bring order to the universe myself' must be destroyed!" —Metroid (manga), Gray Voice, Vol 2 Ch 11 Pg(s) 15
↑ "What is this... Zebes' ecosystem has gone mad!! It's like everything is trying to protect Mother.... This isn't the Zebes that I grew up on!" —Metroid (manga), Samus Aran, Vol 2 Ch 15 Pg(s) 8
↑ "My, my, what's wrong? This shield is made by molecule transference of Zebetite. It uses the same system that governs the planet's shield. You should know your weapon is useless here. What are you so worked up about?" —Metroid (manga), Mother Brain, Vol 1 Ch 7 Pg(s) 18
Japanese マザーブレイン Mother Brain
Spanish Cerebro Madre Mother Brain
French Mother Brain -
German Mother Brain -
Italian Mother Brain -
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Chozo Technology
Metroid Bosses
Metroid: Zero Mission Bosses
Super Metroid Bosses