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A checkpoint is a point in a video game in which progress is automatically saved, so that if the player character dies, they will respawn at this point. While most Metroid games require manual saving through Save Stations, more recent titles in the series have featured some checkpoints as well.
Checkpoints are present in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Metroid: Other M, Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread. They usually appear before some bosses or especially difficult points, such as the Tetra Vista, after destroying a Seed Shield Generator[1], Aurora Unit 217's last conversation with Samus, the final battles with Dark Samus, Rundas, the Mining cannon, battles with Metroids in Samus Returns and before E.M.M.I. Zones in Dread. In Corruption, if Samus dies during the battle with Aurora Unit 313, she will be forced to restart the final battle from the conflict with Dark Samus herself.
Checkpoints are not permanent. They last until the game is turned off, exited, or the player declines to continue the game on the Continue Screen, and then they will have to resume the game from the last used Save Station.
Official data[]
Metroid: Other M manual[]
- About Checkpoints
- "You can restart your game from these spots as you progress. Checkpoints are not saved, so if you choose NO on the Continue Screen, exit the game or turn the power off, the next time you play the game, you will start from the last save point."
Metroid: Samus Returns manual[]
- If Samus's energy reaches zero...
- "You will be returned to where you last saved the game, or to the last checkpoint. Checkpoints are created when you pick up important items or interact with certain devices (page 9).
- Checkpoints are not saved. If you quit your game you will have to restart from where you last saved."
Trivia[]
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is the first instance where a Checkpoint is used within the entire Metroid series and it is only used in one instance: during the Countdown sequence from Dark Aether's escape. The checkpoint's placement is likely so the player wouldn't forcefully restart the entire Emperor Ing battle from the beginning.
References[]
- ^ https://www.twitch.tv/videos/841985605 Starts at 02:57:22