Hard Mode In Metroid: Samus Returns Isn’t Locked Behind Amiibo

Rumors that the hard difficulty in Metroid: Samus Returns could only be unlocked by tapping one of the new Metroid amiibo appear to be incorrect.

At a recent Nintendo press event, USgamer asked a Nintendo representative about whether the amiibos would unlock the harder difficulty. The representative made the distinction that the new Metroid amiibo would unlock a “Fusion Mode.”

This new “Fusion Mode” will give players access to Samus’ Fusion Suit as well as a more challenging difficulty. Fusion Mode is unlocked by tapping the new Metroid amiibo, not the new Samus amiibo.

This new difficulty is different from the Hard Mode unlocked after completing the game on the Standard difficulty. Fusion Mode will not be offered as DLC, and the difficulty goes from Standard to Hard to Fusion Mode, with Fusion being the most demanding.

Players looking for a challenge will want to pick up the new Metroid amiibo and tap it into Metroid: Samus Returns. You’ll also get that snazzy Fusion suit for Samus. It’s not clear what else comes with the Fusion Mode, but we’ll learn more when the game releases later this year.

It seems players were confused as to whether the Hard Mode and Fusion Mode in Metroid: Samus Returns were one in the same.

Back in July, the official Japanese Nintendo site revealed the functions of the amiibo in Metroid: Samus Returns. The new Samus figure in the Metroid series of amiibo will give you the Elon Reserve Tank, which is a special ability recovery. When your health runs out, the reserve tank will automatically be consumed. Additionally, this amiibo will unlock a Metroid II art gallery once the game is completed.

The Samus figure from the Super Smash Bros. line of amiibo will unlock a missile reserve tank. This means you’ll be able to get an emergency supply of missiles if you ever run out. Once the game has been completed, the Smash Samus amiibo will unlock extra concept art.

The Zero Suit Samus amiibo will unlock the energy reserve tank. When energy runs out, the reserve tank will kick in, giving players more energy to use. Once the game has been completed, the Zero Suit Samus amiibo will unlock something called a “Sound Test” that Nintendo says you can listen to the game’s background music.

The new Metroid figure will give you a “Metroid Marker” when tapped on a 3DS. This marker will show players the location of the nearest Metroid on the map as well as the aforementioned Fusion Mode.

Metroid: Samus Returns releases for Nintendo 3DS on Sept. 15.

What do you think of the amiibo unlocking an even harder difficulty? Do you like amiibo unlocking aspects of games or do you think they are just cash-grabs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.