The X Parasite, also known as Unidentified Parasite Creature-X by the Federation and Erris (or perhaps Eddis) by the Chozo, is an extremely hostile, shape-shifting organism native to planet SR388. They appear in Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Samus Returns, Metroid Dread, and the prequel manga. They serve as the main antagonistic force of Fusion and the tertiary antagonists of Dread.
X Parasites are able to assimilate both the DNA and knowledge of other life forms, as well as to incorporate those features when they take new hosts, and their single-minded drive to consume and spread leaves them a threat to all other life in the cosmos, making it urgent to eradicate them.
The extreme danger of the X Parasites is what led the ancient Chozo to design the titular Metroid species, precipitating the events of the series. The galaxy at large learns of the Parasites in Metroid Fusion after Samus successfully eradicated the Metroids on their homeworld in Metroid: Samus Returns, and the detection of surviving X on ZDR in Metroid Dread forces Samus to once again confirm their extinction. Despite this risk, the extreme versatility of the X Parasite has led some among the Chozo and Galactic Federation to show interest in them as potential resources.
Variations[]
Yellow X[]
The most basic and common type of X Parasite. When absorbed, they restore ten units of Energy in Metroid Fusion and forty units in Metroid Dread. A single Yellow X was responsible for infecting Samus and nearly killed her if it was not for the Metroid vaccine.
Green X[]
Green X appear after Samus regains her Missile Launcher. Similar to Yellow X, the Green X can be found anywhere on the BSL station and excrete from most enemies. They restore two units of Missile Ammo in Metroid Fusion and five units in Metroid Dread when absorbed.
Red X[]
The rarest out of the three common X Parasites. Normally appearing from Gadora-X and other strong enemies, they restore five hundred units of Energy, ten units of Power Bomb Ammo (five in Metroid Dread), and fifty units of Missile Ammo upon absorption.
Blue X[]
The Blue X (or Cold X in Japanese) are a special type of X Parasite that have adapted themselves to the cold temperature of Sector 5 of the BSL station. Apparently, the X Parasites deliberately forced their evolution to stop Samus from exploring the rest of the space station, explaining why Blue X have invaded Sector 6 as well. Until Samus obtains the Varia Suit, Blue X will chase down after Samus and, due to the Metroid vaccine, absorb themselves into her in order to damage her, although Samus can shoot at them to temporarily stun them. After Samus regains her Varia Suit, Blue X will try one last time to contact her, but after this, any future Blue X will learn from this mistake and flee from Samus instead. Blue X will both inflict and restore thirty units of Energy when absorbed. Because of their added cold immunity, they are much larger than regular X Parasites and are oddly unable to infect and possess a host, presumably due to their size or cold body temperature.
Orange X[]
Exclusive to Metroid Dread, the Orange X appear after Samus obtains Power Bombs, restoring three units of Power Bomb Ammo when absorbed.
Purple X[]
A single Purple X appears at the end of Metroid Dread, where it infects Raven Beak, turning him into an abomination of the bosses of ZDR, notably Kraid, implying this X assimilated them as well at some point. Samus effortlessly destroys the monster with the Hyper Beam and obliterates the X as well.
Mini X[]
Mini X are smaller versions of Yellow X and Green X in Metroid Dread, dropping from small swarm enemies. Unlike other X, they will remain idle when defeated. Mini Yellow X restore five units of Energy and Mini Green X restore one unit of Missile Ammo when absorbed.
Core-X[]
Core-X are the largest and strongest members of the X Parasites. They have incorporated themselves into either an important ability from the DNA of their victims or one of Samus' lost power-ups. They take the form of a boss and, upon defeat, reveal their natural form. They will then pursue Samus until she or it is defeated, and its nucleus is exposed for Samus to absorb. The Core-X were originally regular X Parasites, but the source of their prey made them stronger and allowed them to produce X Parasites at an alarming rate. Using the Screw Attack or shooting at them with a beam or missiles will make Yellow and Green X fly out of it. Upon destroying the shell and absorbing its nucleus, Samus will obtain one of her power-ups, along with four hundred units of Energy, fifty units of Missile Ammo, and ten units of Power Bomb Ammo. In Metroid Dread, absorbing a Core-X does not restore any health or ammunition.
First Variant[]
These Core-X are protected by a strong outside shell that have to be broken with Missiles until their nucleus can be obtainable.
- Arachnus: Morph Ball
- Zazabi: High Jump Boots and Jumpball
- Serris: Speed Booster
- Barrier Core-X: Varia Suit
- Yakuza: Space Jump
- Nightmare: Gravity Suit
- Neo-Ridley: Screw Attack
- Escue: Storm Missile
- Golzuna: Cross Bomb
- Experiment No. Z-57
Second Variant[]
These Core-X hold a power-up beam that can only be damaged when they expose their nucleus-like eye from underneath their Missile immune exterior. Their eyes only open when they are about to shoot out a laser, meaning Samus should be cautious about timing her shots to avoid theirs. This variant is only present in Metroid Fusion.
- Fake Chozo Statue/Elephant Bird: Charge Beam
- Scientist: Wide Beam
- Nettori: Plasma Beam
- B.O.X.: Wave Beam
- SA-X: Ice Beam and Unnamed Suit
Trivia[]
- The X-Parasites were also chosen as one of Fawful's Minion's Scariest Enemies, in his old one.
Gallery[]
