SPOILERS AHEAD

Samus Aran. She is the most skilled female in the Nintendo universe, bringing sci-fi to a whole new level, and redefining heroism. But this article isn't about Samus. It's about a Metroid. A very brave, awe-inspiring Metroid.

A quick disclaimer: I am going for a comedic effect here, but no lie: I DID want to cry at the end of this game.

If you will recall, Metroid II: The Return of Samus ended as a baby Metroid followed our spacesuit-clad heroine to the surface, thinking she was it's mother. Samus proceeds to turn the Metroid over to scientists at the beginning of Super Metroid. Then, when Ridley steals it for the Space Pirates, Samus returns to Zebes in search of the Last Metroid.

Once reaching New Tourian, she finds the larval Metroid...and many others. It has grown to an amazing size, and its DNA is being used by the Space Pirates to duplicate more Metroid killing machines. The larva goes on a rampage throughout the lab, until finally attacking Samus. Just before her life is drained away though, our heroine is saved -- the Metroid recognizes its target, and flees in shame.

That enough made me wiggly.

Then, Samus learns that her old archenemy, believed to have been destroyed on Zebes in the original Metroid, is back. Mother Brain emerges once again, but this time, as an unbeatable foe. Just as Samus is being clobbered by the Space Pirate mastermind, the Baby Metroid returns.

I told you it was brave.

It drained life from the Mother Brain and then siphoned it back into the bludgeoned Samus. The stunned Mama Brain then snapped into action, killing the baby Metroid. ("Metroid Fusion? No, we've never heard of it -- is that someone else's game?") The soul of the waning Metroid then dissolves into its believed parent, and bestows upon Samus one final act of love: the Hyper Beam.

*Snrrrk* What a trooper!

Then, you can guess what happens next...Samus avenges the Metroid, and blows the brains out of...well you get where I was going with that.

In a classic series-finish, Samus escapes from the self-destructing planet of Zebes and carries the spirit of her savior, the cute lll' killer...Baby Metroid, on in her heart.

Am I making you sob?

I just couldn't resist sharing this. The Metroid series is chock full of these kinds of things...remnants of the original masterpiece...cameo rooms...and let's not forget those oh-so-discreet homages to Kid Icarus! By joe! It's great to see an ending so powerful...it makes you smile!

...Until you see your clear time...

...And your item rate.