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{{ArticleIcons|ssbb=y|ssb4=y}}
{{ArticleIcons|brawl=y|ssb4=y|ultimate=y}}
{{AssistTrophy
{{forfighter|SSBU=y}}
{{Infobox Character General
|name=Dark Samus
|name=Dark Samus
|image= [[File:Dark Samus.png|250px]]
|image= [[File:Dark Samus.png|250px]]
|caption=[[File:MetroidSymbol.png|50px]]
|caption=[[File:MetroidSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]]<br>Official artwork of Dark Samus from ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}''.
Official artwork of Dark Samus from ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}''.
|universe={{uv|Metroid}}
|universe={{uv|Metroid}}
|debut=''[[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]'' (2002)
|firstgame=''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime|game}}'' (2002, cameo)<br>''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}'' (2004)
|games=''[[Brawl]]''<br>''[[SSB4]]''
|games=''[[Brawl]]''<br>''[[SSB4]]''<br>''[[Ultimate]]''
|lastappearance=''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime: Trilogy}}'' (2009)
|lastappearance=''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime Remastered}}'' (2023, cameo)
|console= Nintendo GameCube
|console=[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|species= Phazon
|species={{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid|species}}/{{s|metroidwiki|Human}} hybrid (cybernetically augmented with the {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}} and naturally infused with {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon}}){{ref|a}}
|gender =Female{{ref|b}}
|placeoforigin={{s|metroidwiki|Tallon IV}} ({{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime|specimen}})<br>{{s|metroidwiki|Phaaze}} (Phazon)
|artist=Andrew Jones
|interwiki=metroidwiki
|interwiki=metroidwiki
|interwikiname=Metroid Wiki
|interwikiname=Metroid Wiki
|interwikipage=Dark Samus
|interwikipage=Dark Samus
}}
}}
'''Dark Samus''' ({{ja|ダークサムス}}, ''Dākusamusu'') is a character from the ''{{uv|Metroid}}'' series, specifically the ''Metroid Prime'' games. She is a doppelganger of Samus Aran, created when the defeated Metroid Prime absorbed the Hunter's Phazon Suit after the final battle of ''Metroid Prime''. The result was a phenomenally strong creature, with the same abilites as the real Samus, as well as powerful Phazon-based attacks. She has made appearances in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], specifically in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.
'''Dark Samus''' ({{ja|ダークサムス|Dāku Samusu}}, ''Dark Samus'') is a character from the {{uv|Metroid}} series. Born from the monstrous [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]] and data stolen from [[Samus Aran]]'s {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}}, Dark Samus is an embodiment of the toxic mutagen {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon}}, serving as the primary antagonist of the [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime: Trilogy|''Metroid Prime'' series]]. She is one of Samus's greatest enemies, alongside [[Ridley]] and [[Mother Brain]].
 
After making cameos as a [[trophy]] and [[sticker]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and as a trophy and [[Assist Trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', Dark Samus became a playable Fighter in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.
 
==Origin==
[[File:SSBU spirit Dark Samus.png|thumb|left|150px|Official artwork of Dark Samus in ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''. This design is the basis of her trophy design in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', and inspired some features of her design in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]
In ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime}}'', [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (specimen)|its titular creature and final boss]] was vanquished by [[Samus Aran]] within the {{s|metroidwiki|Impact Crater}}. It lashed out at Samus and stole her {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}} upgrade before dissolving into a pool of Phazon. While Samus evacuated the collapsing crater, Metroid Prime had, unbeknownst to her, exited the battle in a new form. In a post-credits stinger scene, an armored hand emerged from the same Phazon pool, signaling the rebirth of Metroid Prime as a Phazon-based cyborg known as Dark Samus. This hybrid acquired all of Samus' abilities, as well as a human-like sapience. However, she was also obsessed with consuming Phazon, a trait retained from her time as Metroid Prime.
 
Dark Samus, as she would come to be known by the Space Pirates, is mentioned by the Pirate Logs in ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}''. They initially assume she is Samus wearing a new suit, but are disturbed as she only cares about absorbing the Phazon mined on {{s|metroidwiki|Aether}}. Her meddling results in the Pirates' operation being discovered by the Galactic Federation, leading to Samus' arrival. Dark Samus attacks Samus on sight and the duo fight multiple times across Aether. Once Samus defeats the {{s|metroidwiki|Ing}} and triggers the dimensional collapse of Dark Aether, Dark Samus interrupts her escape. Overloaded by Phazon, she holds her own against Samus despite the latter's powerful {{s|metroidwiki|Light Suit}}, but is ultimately bested again. She then disintegrates after failing to steal Samus' Light Suit and appears to perish in Dark Aether.
 
Following her defeat, ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}'' opens with Dark Samus' remains being unknowingly collected by the Space Pirates, allowing her to reconstitute in one of their Phazon transports. She absorbs all Phazon aboard the ship, which further develops her sapience alongside streamlining her physical body. Thanks to this sapience, Dark Samus brainwashes the Pirates with Phazon and initiates a new goal – galactic conquest via the spread of Phazon. Leading the brainwashed Pirates, including a revived [[Meta Ridley]], Dark Samus begins by capturing {{s|metroidwiki|Aurora Unit 313}}, a Federation supercomputer, and implants it into {{s|metroidwiki|Phaaze}}, the sentient planet that is the source of all Phazon. Through this conduit, Dark Samus controls the spread of Phazon by launching Phaaze's {{s|metroidwiki|Leviathan}}s, living Phazon asteroids that corrupt the planets they strike into Phazon wastelands. She targets key Federation planets to cripple their galactic defenses.
 
Although Samus stops one of the Leviathans before it strikes {{s|metroidwiki|Norion}}, Dark Samus corrupts her and three other bounty hunters ({{s|metroidwiki|Rundas}}, {{s|metroidwiki|Ghor}} and {{s|metroidwiki|Gandrayda}}) with Phazon. The other hunters ultimately fall victim to Phazon corruption, forcing Samus to fight and kill each of them on her journey across multiple planets to destroy three key Leviathans. In the finale, Dark Samus confronts Samus for the final time on Phaaze, first in direct combat and then after merging with Aurora Unit 313. Samus soon destroys 313 and, because of its symbiotic connection to both Dark Samus and Phaaze, seemingly vanquishes Dark Samus and renders all Phazon inert.
{{clrl}}


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==
Dark Samus appears as a trophy and as a sticker. Additionally, a "Dark Samus" appears in [[Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides]], though it is merely a blackened version of Samus and not her Phazon doppelganger. She teams up with [[Dark Link]] against the two players that plays as their light counterparts, Link as player one and Samus as player two.
[[File:DarkSamusBrawl.jpg|thumb|left|100px|"Dark Samus" as she appears in the ''Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides'' in ''Brawl''.]]
Dark Samus appears as a trophy and as a sticker. Additionally, a "Dark Samus" appears in [[Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides]], though it is merely a blackened version of Samus and not the actual Dark Samus. It teams up with [[Dark Link]] against two players that play as their normal counterparts, with Link as player one and Samus as player two.
{{clrl}}


===Trophy===
===Trophy===
[[File:Dark Samus - Brawl Trophy.png|125px|thumb|left]]
{{Trophy
;Dark Samus
|name=Dark Samus
:''A twin image of Samus, encountered near the beginning of ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''. Dark Samus is identical to Samus in every way but color—she even uses similar attacks. There are many theories on the origin of Dark Samus, but none are proven. Dark Samus uses Phazon for energy and can absorb it to heal damage. Samus encounters Dark Samus a number of times.
|image=Dark Samus - Brawl Trophy.png
:{{Trophy games|console1=GC|game1=Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}
|desc=A twin image of Samus, encountered near the beginning of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Dark Samus is identical to Samus in every way but color--she even uses similar attacks. There are many theories on the origin of Dark Samus, but none are proven. Dark Samus uses Phazon for energy and can absorb it to heal damage. Samus encounters Dark Samus a number of times.
 
|gamelist={{Trophy games|console1=GCN|game1=Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}
The description is inaccurate as Dark Samus' suit is a warped version of hers, and her origins are known: she was reincarnated from Metroid Prime when it absorbed Samus' Phazon Suit at the end of the game.
|game=Brawl
}}
{{clrl}}


{{clrl}}
===Sticker===
===Sticker===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Name  
! Name
! Game  
! Game
! Effect  
! Effect
! Character(s)  
! Fighter(s)
|-
|-
| {{s|metroidwiki|Dark Samus}}
| {{s|metroidwiki|Dark Samus}}
| {{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}
| {{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}
| {{EffectIcon|Normal}} Resistance +11
| {{EffectIcon|Normal}} Resistance +11
| {{Head|Samus|s=16px|l=Samus (SSBB)}}{{Head|ZeroSuitSamus|s=16px|l=Zero Suit Samus (SSBB)}}
| {{StickerHead|Samus|Zero Suit Samus}}
|}
|}
{{StickerPicBox|Dark Samus|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}
{{StickerPicBox|Dark Samus|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
{{recent release}}
===As an [[Assist Trophy]]===
Dark Samus appears as an [[Assist Trophy]] in these games. Her attacks involve firing her arm cannon and summoning Phazon tentacles from the ground. She also poses with her Arm Cannon in front of her face. Her design in this game is based on ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''.
[[File:SamusandDarkSamus.jpg|left|thumb|Samus using her forward aerial alongside Dark Samus.]]
Dark Samus appears as an Assist Trophy in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''. Unlike her trophy in ''Brawl'', she uses her design from ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''. Some of Dark Samus' attack animations are similar to {{SSB4|Samus}}', such as her down tilt and her up smash. She hops around with long jumps, attacking with three different moves:
 
[[File:DarkSamusWiiU 2.png|thumb|Dark Samus generating Phazon tentacles as an attack.]]
* Her first attack involves firing a volley from her {{s|metroidwiki|Arm Cannon}} straight forward, dealing multiple low damage hits and knocking opponents away on the final hit. The volley deals a total of 21% and has low knockback.
* Her second attack sees her firing four homing energy spheres into the air. Each sphere deals 6% and has moderately low knockback.
* The third attack only occurs if she is near an opponent. In this case, she generates Phazon tentacles to erupt from the ground, which deal 12% and have moderate knockback.
 
Before leaving, Dark Samus strikes a pose in which she holds her Arm Cannon in front of her face. Like several other Assist Trophies, she can be defeated if she takes enough hits. Upon being defeated, Dark Samus will disappear by fading out in a bright blue flash, similarly to when she is defeated in ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''.
{{clrl}}


Dark Samus's color scheme is also the basis of one of {{SSB4|Samus}}'s [[Palette swap (SSB4)#Samus|alternate colors]].
===As an alternate costume===
[[File:SSB4 Dark Samus Alt.jpeg|thumb|150px|Samus' Dark Samus color scheme.]]
Dark Samus' color scheme is also the basis of one of Samus' [[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Samus|alternate costumes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://miiverse.nintendo.net/replies/AYMHAAACAAAYUKllULyh8Q |title=Director's Room |accessdate=2016-02-05 |author=Masahiro Sakurai |date=2014-09-03 |publisher=Miiverse |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017180512/https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAADMUKl_zHGQzw |archivedate=2017-10-17 |quote=…And here she is in the color schemes of the Gravity Suit from Metroid Prime, Green Samus (a regular in the Smash series), the Light Suit, and Dark Samus. A total of eight colors.}}</ref> In the [[Galactic Avenger]] [[Event Match]], this color scheme is used to simulate Samus battling Dark Samus. Similarly, the color scheme appears in the [[Final Battle Team-Up]] co-op Event Match that features several playable antagonists as opponents.
{{clr}}
 
===Trophy===
{{Trophy
|name=Dark Samus
|image-3ds=DarkSamusTrophy3DS.png
|image-wiiu=DarkSamusTrophyWiiU.png
|desc-ntsc=This terrifying creature is made of Phazon. Along with regenerative abilities, she can also brainwash her victims and clone herself. Summoned into Smash Bros., she resembles Samus Aran and mimics some of her moves, firing Arm Cannon blasts, launching homing energy blasts, or even unleashing Phazon.
|desc-pal=An exceptionally strong and terrifying being made of Phazon. She's able to regenerate, brainwash her victims and even clone herself. When summoned in this game, she'll either fire rapid shots from her Arm Cannon, launch homing energy blasts, or unleash Phazon across the surrounding area, depending on where her target is.
|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GCN|game1=Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|release1=11/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|release2=08/2007}}
|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GCN|game1=Metroid Prime 2: Echoes|release1=11/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|release2=10/2007}}
}}
{{clrl}}
 
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''==
===As a playable character===
{{main|Dark Samus (SSBU)}}
[[File:Dark Samus SSBU.png|thumb|Dark Samus, as she appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]
Dark Samus appears as a [[newcomer]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', and was formally announced alongside {{SSBU|Simon}}, {{SSBU|Richter}}, {{SSBU|Chrom}} and {{SSBU|King K. Rool}} during the ''Super Smash Bros.'' [[Nintendo Direct|Direct]] on August 8th, 2018.<ref name=Direct>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-kQWJrjRV4 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct 8.8.2018]</ref> According to [[Masahiro Sakurai]], Dark Samus and Chrom were included because of significant fan demand from overseas and Japan, respectively.<ref name=Sakurai>[https://www.sourcegaming.info/2018/08/22/more-information-about-the-smash-direct-sakurais-famitsu-column-vol-561/ "More Information about the Smash Direct" Sakurai's Famitsu Column Vol. 561]</ref> Unlike in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'', Dark Samus' design is a cross between her organic features and color scheme from ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' and her redesigned Phazon Suit from ''Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''.
 
As an [[Echo Fighter]] of {{SSBU|Samus}}, Dark Samus is virtually identical in regard to function, although she does deviate from Samus in a few ways.<ref name=Direct/> As with other Echo Fighters, she has different animations, taunts, and victory poses (including a distinct victory fanfare).<ref name=Sakurai/> Unlike Samus, Dark Samus' rolls do not involve her transforming into a {{s|metroidwiki|Morph Ball}}, but are compensated with slightly less ending lag. She also uses Phazon in her moveset, which is indicated by blue flames with the [[electric]] [[effect]] for all [[Missile|but]] [[Bomb (Samus)|two]] of Samus' respective [[flame]]-based moves, and dark blue energy for both [[Charge Shot]] and [[Phazon Laser]] (her version of the {{b|Zero Laser|Samus}}).
{{clr}}
 
===Spirit===
<center>
<gallery>
SSBU spirit Dark Samus.png|265. '''''Dark Samus'''''
</gallery>
</center>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 53: Line 112:
Dark Samus SSB4.png|Dark Samus in {{forwiiu}}.
Dark Samus SSB4.png|Dark Samus in {{forwiiu}}.
DarkSamusWiiU 3.png|Full view of Dark Samus.
DarkSamusWiiU 3.png|Full view of Dark Samus.
DarkSamusWiiU.png|Dark Samus firing her arm cannon at {{SSB4|Mega Man}}.
DarkSamusWiiU.png|Dark Samus firing her scattershot {{s|metroidwiki|Power Beam}} at {{SSB4|Mega Man}}.
DarkSamusWiiU 2.png|Dark Samus using Phazon tentacles as an attack.
SSB4 Samus colors 2.jpg|Samus's Dark Samus color scheme (far left).
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Names in other languages==
{{langtable
|ja={{ja|ダークサムス|Dāku Samusu}}, ''Dark Samus''
|en=Dark Samus
|fr=Samus Sombre
|frM=Dark Samus
|es=Samus Oscura
|esM=Dark Samus; "Oscura" is a feminine form.
|de=Dunkle Samus
|deM=Dark Samus
|it=Samus Oscura
|itM=Dark Samus; "Oscura" is a feminine form.
|nl=Dark Samus
|pt=Samus Sombra
|ptM=Shadow Samus
|ru={{rollover|Темная Самус|Temnaya Samus|?}}
|ruM=Dark Samus; {{rollover|Темная|Temnaya|?}} is a feminine form.
|ko={{rollover|다크 사무스|Dakeu Samuseu|?}}, ''Dark Samus''
|zh_tw={{rollover|黑暗薩姆斯|Hēi'àn Sàmǔsī|?}},''Dark Samus''
|zh_cn={{rollover|黑暗萨姆斯|Hēi'àn Sàmǔsī|?}},''Dark Samus''
}}
==Trivia==
*Dark Samus is the third of four summonable characters to become playable in a later installment. The first was [[Charizard]], the second was [[Little Mac]], and the fourth was [[Isabelle]].
**Like Little Mac and Isabelle, she was an [[Assist Trophy]] prior to gaining this distinction.
**She is also the only playable former assist character to have made an appearance in the series prior to her appearance as an assist character, as she appeared as a trophy and a sticker in ''Brawl''.
*Dark Samus is the second playable character to be created outside of Japan, and the first to be created in the United States.
**She is also the second playable character not created by Nintendo to be solely created by a Nintendo-owned subsidiary (being [[Retro Studios]]). The first was [[Shulk]], who was created by [[Monolith Soft]].
*Dark Samus' ''Brawl'' trophy description is not entirely accurate. If the player achieves 100% completion in ''Metroid Prime'', a cutscene will play that shows Metroid Prime's essence being reborn into Samus' stolen {{iw|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}}. However, this fact is only hinted at in-universe from Samus' first {{iw|metroidwiki|logbook}} scan of Dark Samus in ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes''.
*Dark Samus is the second moveset [[clone]] in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series to also be a canonical clone of the character she is derived from. The first is [[Dark Pit]].
**Unlike Dark Pit, she is a cybernetically enhanced hybrid instead of a genetically identical clone, and is a villain instead of an anti-hero.
*Dark Samus and [[Kazooie]] are the only playable fighters whose games of origin were neither released first in Japan nor worldwide, with both (''Metroid Prime 2'' and ''Banjo-Kazooie'', respectively) releasing in North America first.
==Notes==
:1.{{note|a}}During [[Samus Aran]]'s final battles against Dark Samus in ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}'' and ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}'', Samus' {{iw|metroidwiki|logbook}} scans mention that Dark Samus, upon absorbing significant levels of {{iw|metroidwiki|Phazon}}, becomes comprised purely of Phazon.
:2{{note|b}}Although the {{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime|specimen}} has no definitive gender, Dark Samus is considered female because of her unintentional absorption of a sample of Samus Aran's DNA. On a related note, Dark Samus is described with female pronouns consistently in Samus' logbook scans and in her own ''Super Smash Bros.'' trophies.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Characters}}
{{AssistTrophies}}
{{AssistTrophies}}
{{Metroid universe}}
{{Metroid universe}}
[[Category:Trophies (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-3DS)]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-3DS)]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-Wii U)]]
[[Category:Dark Samus| ]]
[[Category:Stickers]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[es:Samus Oscura]]

Latest revision as of 21:27, November 10, 2024

For fighter info, see Dark Samus (SSBU).
Dark Samus
Dark Samus.png
MetroidSymbol.svg
Official artwork of Dark Samus from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
Universe Metroid
Debut Metroid Prime (2002, cameo)
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)
Smash Bros. appearances Brawl
SSB4
Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance Metroid Prime Remastered (2023, cameo)
Console/platform of origin Nintendo GameCube
Species Metroid/Human hybrid (cybernetically augmented with the Phazon Suit and naturally infused with Phazon)[1]
Gender Female[2]
Place of origin Tallon IV (Metroid Prime)
Phaaze (Phazon)
Designed by Andrew Jones
Article on Metroid Wiki Dark Samus

Dark Samus (ダークサムス, Dark Samus) is a character from the Metroid series. Born from the monstrous Metroid Prime and data stolen from Samus Aran's Phazon Suit, Dark Samus is an embodiment of the toxic mutagen Phazon, serving as the primary antagonist of the Metroid Prime series. She is one of Samus's greatest enemies, alongside Ridley and Mother Brain.

After making cameos as a trophy and sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and as a trophy and Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4, Dark Samus became a playable Fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Origin[edit]

Official artwork of Dark Samus in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. This design is the basis of her trophy design in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and inspired some features of her design in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

In Metroid Prime, its titular creature and final boss was vanquished by Samus Aran within the Impact Crater. It lashed out at Samus and stole her Phazon Suit upgrade before dissolving into a pool of Phazon. While Samus evacuated the collapsing crater, Metroid Prime had, unbeknownst to her, exited the battle in a new form. In a post-credits stinger scene, an armored hand emerged from the same Phazon pool, signaling the rebirth of Metroid Prime as a Phazon-based cyborg known as Dark Samus. This hybrid acquired all of Samus' abilities, as well as a human-like sapience. However, she was also obsessed with consuming Phazon, a trait retained from her time as Metroid Prime.

Dark Samus, as she would come to be known by the Space Pirates, is mentioned by the Pirate Logs in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. They initially assume she is Samus wearing a new suit, but are disturbed as she only cares about absorbing the Phazon mined on Aether. Her meddling results in the Pirates' operation being discovered by the Galactic Federation, leading to Samus' arrival. Dark Samus attacks Samus on sight and the duo fight multiple times across Aether. Once Samus defeats the Ing and triggers the dimensional collapse of Dark Aether, Dark Samus interrupts her escape. Overloaded by Phazon, she holds her own against Samus despite the latter's powerful Light Suit, but is ultimately bested again. She then disintegrates after failing to steal Samus' Light Suit and appears to perish in Dark Aether.

Following her defeat, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption opens with Dark Samus' remains being unknowingly collected by the Space Pirates, allowing her to reconstitute in one of their Phazon transports. She absorbs all Phazon aboard the ship, which further develops her sapience alongside streamlining her physical body. Thanks to this sapience, Dark Samus brainwashes the Pirates with Phazon and initiates a new goal – galactic conquest via the spread of Phazon. Leading the brainwashed Pirates, including a revived Meta Ridley, Dark Samus begins by capturing Aurora Unit 313, a Federation supercomputer, and implants it into Phaaze, the sentient planet that is the source of all Phazon. Through this conduit, Dark Samus controls the spread of Phazon by launching Phaaze's Leviathans, living Phazon asteroids that corrupt the planets they strike into Phazon wastelands. She targets key Federation planets to cripple their galactic defenses.

Although Samus stops one of the Leviathans before it strikes Norion, Dark Samus corrupts her and three other bounty hunters (Rundas, Ghor and Gandrayda) with Phazon. The other hunters ultimately fall victim to Phazon corruption, forcing Samus to fight and kill each of them on her journey across multiple planets to destroy three key Leviathans. In the finale, Dark Samus confronts Samus for the final time on Phaaze, first in direct combat and then after merging with Aurora Unit 313. Samus soon destroys 313 and, because of its symbiotic connection to both Dark Samus and Phaaze, seemingly vanquishes Dark Samus and renders all Phazon inert.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

"Dark Samus" as she appears in the Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides in Brawl.

Dark Samus appears as a trophy and as a sticker. Additionally, a "Dark Samus" appears in Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides, though it is merely a blackened version of Samus and not the actual Dark Samus. It teams up with Dark Link against two players that play as their normal counterparts, with Link as player one and Samus as player two.

Trophy[edit]

Dark Samus's trophy in Brawl
Dark Samus
A twin image of Samus, encountered near the beginning of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Dark Samus is identical to Samus in every way but color--she even uses similar attacks. There are many theories on the origin of Dark Samus, but none are proven. Dark Samus uses Phazon for energy and can absorb it to heal damage. Samus encounters Dark Samus a number of times.
GameCube: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Sticker[edit]

Name Game Effect Fighter(s)
Dark Samus Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Normal (effect) Resistance +11 Samus Zero Suit Samus Samus (SSBB)Zero Suit Samus (SSBB)
Brawl Sticker Dark Samus (Metroid Prime 2 Echoes).png
Dark Samus
(Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)

In Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]

As an Assist Trophy[edit]

Samus using her forward aerial alongside Dark Samus.

Dark Samus appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4. Unlike her trophy in Brawl, she uses her design from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Some of Dark Samus' attack animations are similar to Samus', such as her down tilt and her up smash. She hops around with long jumps, attacking with three different moves:

Dark Samus generating Phazon tentacles as an attack.
  • Her first attack involves firing a volley from her Arm Cannon straight forward, dealing multiple low damage hits and knocking opponents away on the final hit. The volley deals a total of 21% and has low knockback.
  • Her second attack sees her firing four homing energy spheres into the air. Each sphere deals 6% and has moderately low knockback.
  • The third attack only occurs if she is near an opponent. In this case, she generates Phazon tentacles to erupt from the ground, which deal 12% and have moderate knockback.

Before leaving, Dark Samus strikes a pose in which she holds her Arm Cannon in front of her face. Like several other Assist Trophies, she can be defeated if she takes enough hits. Upon being defeated, Dark Samus will disappear by fading out in a bright blue flash, similarly to when she is defeated in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.

As an alternate costume[edit]

Samus' Dark Samus color scheme.

Dark Samus' color scheme is also the basis of one of Samus' alternate costumes.[1] In the Galactic Avenger Event Match, this color scheme is used to simulate Samus battling Dark Samus. Similarly, the color scheme appears in the Final Battle Team-Up co-op Event Match that features several playable antagonists as opponents.

Trophy[edit]

Dark Samus's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Dark Samus's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Dark Samus
NTSC This terrifying creature is made of Phazon. Along with regenerative abilities, she can also brainwash her victims and clone herself. Summoned into Smash Bros., she resembles Samus Aran and mimics some of her moves, firing Arm Cannon blasts, launching homing energy blasts, or even unleashing Phazon.
GameCube: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (11/2004)
Wii: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (08/2007)
PAL An exceptionally strong and terrifying being made of Phazon. She's able to regenerate, brainwash her victims and even clone herself. When summoned in this game, she'll either fire rapid shots from her Arm Cannon, launch homing energy blasts, or unleash Phazon across the surrounding area, depending on where her target is.
GameCube: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (11/2004)
Wii: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (10/2007)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Main article: Dark Samus (SSBU)
Dark Samus, as she appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Dark Samus appears as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and was formally announced alongside Simon, Richter, Chrom and King K. Rool during the Super Smash Bros. Direct on August 8th, 2018.[2] According to Masahiro Sakurai, Dark Samus and Chrom were included because of significant fan demand from overseas and Japan, respectively.[3] Unlike in Brawl and SSB4, Dark Samus' design is a cross between her organic features and color scheme from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and her redesigned Phazon Suit from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

As an Echo Fighter of Samus, Dark Samus is virtually identical in regard to function, although she does deviate from Samus in a few ways.[2] As with other Echo Fighters, she has different animations, taunts, and victory poses (including a distinct victory fanfare).[3] Unlike Samus, Dark Samus' rolls do not involve her transforming into a Morph Ball, but are compensated with slightly less ending lag. She also uses Phazon in her moveset, which is indicated by blue flames with the electric effect for all but two of Samus' respective flame-based moves, and dark blue energy for both Charge Shot and Phazon Laser (her version of the Zero Laser).

Spirit[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese ダークサムス, Dark Samus
UK English Dark Samus
France French Samus Sombre Dark Samus
Germany German Dunkle Samus Dark Samus
Spain Spanish Samus Oscura Dark Samus; "Oscura" is a feminine form.
Italy Italian Samus Oscura Dark Samus; "Oscura" is a feminine form.
China Chinese (Simplified) 黑暗萨姆斯,Dark Samus
Taiwan Chinese (Traditional) 黑暗薩姆斯,Dark Samus
South Korea Korean 다크 사무스, Dark Samus
Netherlands Dutch Dark Samus
Russia Russian Темная Самус Dark Samus; Темная is a feminine form.
Portugal Portuguese Samus Sombra Shadow Samus

Trivia[edit]

  • Dark Samus is the third of four summonable characters to become playable in a later installment. The first was Charizard, the second was Little Mac, and the fourth was Isabelle.
    • Like Little Mac and Isabelle, she was an Assist Trophy prior to gaining this distinction.
    • She is also the only playable former assist character to have made an appearance in the series prior to her appearance as an assist character, as she appeared as a trophy and a sticker in Brawl.
  • Dark Samus is the second playable character to be created outside of Japan, and the first to be created in the United States.
    • She is also the second playable character not created by Nintendo to be solely created by a Nintendo-owned subsidiary (being Retro Studios). The first was Shulk, who was created by Monolith Soft.
  • Dark Samus' Brawl trophy description is not entirely accurate. If the player achieves 100% completion in Metroid Prime, a cutscene will play that shows Metroid Prime's essence being reborn into Samus' stolen Phazon Suit. However, this fact is only hinted at in-universe from Samus' first logbook scan of Dark Samus in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
  • Dark Samus is the second moveset clone in the Super Smash Bros. series to also be a canonical clone of the character she is derived from. The first is Dark Pit.
    • Unlike Dark Pit, she is a cybernetically enhanced hybrid instead of a genetically identical clone, and is a villain instead of an anti-hero.
  • Dark Samus and Kazooie are the only playable fighters whose games of origin were neither released first in Japan nor worldwide, with both (Metroid Prime 2 and Banjo-Kazooie, respectively) releasing in North America first.

Notes[edit]

1.^ During Samus Aran's final battles against Dark Samus in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Samus' logbook scans mention that Dark Samus, upon absorbing significant levels of Phazon, becomes comprised purely of Phazon.
2^ Although the Metroid Prime has no definitive gender, Dark Samus is considered female because of her unintentional absorption of a sample of Samus Aran's DNA. On a related note, Dark Samus is described with female pronouns consistently in Samus' logbook scans and in her own Super Smash Bros. trophies.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Masahiro Sakurai (2014-09-03). Director's Room. Miiverse. Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved on 2016-02-05. “…And here she is in the color schemes of the Gravity Suit from Metroid Prime, Green Samus (a regular in the Smash series), the Light Suit, and Dark Samus. A total of eight colors.”
  2. ^ a b Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct 8.8.2018
  3. ^ a b "More Information about the Smash Direct" Sakurai's Famitsu Column Vol. 561