View source for SA-X

{{Infobox character
| name = SA-X
| image = File:SA X Metroid.PNG
| image_upright =
| caption = SA-X in ''Metroid Fusion''
| series = [[Metroid]]
| first = ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' (2002)
| designer = [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]<br />Katsuya Yamano
}}
The '''SA-X''' is the [[main antagonist]] of the [[video game]] ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''. She is a parasite that originally infected the protagonist, [[Samus Aran]], as well as her Power Suit, before Samus was cured by injecting [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]] DNA into her. The SA-X later appears, having replicated her Power Suit, including all of her most powerful weapons from ''[[Super Metroid]]''. She is pursuing Samus throughout the game, who is much weaker and thus must avoid her until she is able to fight back against the SA-X.
The SA-X was designed to mimic Samus' movements and actions, with designer [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] identifying such a concept as unsettling. The concept of being chased by the SA-X was reused in the video game ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' with the antagonists, the EMMI, as Sakamoto wanted to reproduce that tension.
The SA-X has been met with generally positive reception, praised as an iconic character as well as one of the scariest characters in video games. Her power, particularly in contrast with Samus', was met with praise, with critics identifying the chase scenes between the SA-X and Samus as the best moments in ''Metroid Fusion''. She has also been compared to the EMMI in ''[[Metroid Dread]]'', which were themselves inspired by the SA-X.
==Concept and creation==
When designing ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', designer [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] aimed to make the SA-X mimic Samus' movements and action, feeling that it was an unpleasant concept to have someone mimic someone. Enemy programmer Katsuya Yamano identified SA-X as the thing he spent most of his time on.<ref name="StaffInterview">{{cite interview|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/32/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721232322/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/32/index.html |script-title=ja:メトロイドフュージョン 制作スタッフ インタビュー |type=Interview: Transcript |language=ja |last=Hosokawa |first=Takehiko |last2=Yamano |first2=Katsuya |last3=Yamane |first3=Tomomi |last4=Hamano |first4=Minako |date=March 2003 |issue=56 |work=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="StaffInterview2">{{cite interview|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/31/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722231454/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/31/index.html |script-title=ja:メトロイドフュージョン プレイレポート |type=Interview: Transcript |language=ja |last=Hosokawa |first=Takehiko |last2=Yamano |first2=Katsuya |last3=Yamane |first3=Tomomi |last4=Hamano |first4=Minako |date=March 2003 |issue=56 |work=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="StaffInterview3">{{cite interview|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/4/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721232326/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0303/4/index.html |script-title=ja:「メトロイド」に託す思い 坂本賀勇インタビュー |type=Interview: Transcript |language=ja |last=Hosokawa |first=Takehiko |last2=Yamano |first2=Katsuya |last3=Yamane |first3=Tomomi |last4=Hamano |first4=Minako |date=March 2003 |issue=56 |work=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The SA-X was also designed to have all of Samus' equipment from ''[[Super Metroid]]'', contrasting a defenseless Samus.<ref name="shmup">{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/metroidgba/ |title=Metroid Fusion – 2003 Developer Interview |work=Shmuplations |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192240/https://shmuplations.com/metroidgba/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The video game ''[[Metroid Dread]]'' features robots called EMMI that hunt down Samus. The concept comes from SA-X, with Sakamoto wanting to recreate the tension SA-X produced in another game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/yoshio-sakamoto-metroid-dread |title=Inside Metroid Dread's Development With Producer Yoshio Sakamoto |work=[[IGN]] |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=June 17, 2021 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617132151/https://www.ign.com/articles/yoshio-sakamoto-metroid-dread |url-status=live}}</ref> They specifically wanted to feature the chase style of gameplay in a ''[[Metroid]]'' game with more traditional gameplay than ''Fusion''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metroid-dread-is-the-realization-of-a-15-year-vision/1100-6493022/ |title=Metroid Dread Is The Realization Of A 15-Year Vision |work=[[GameSpot]] |last=Knezevic |first=Kevin |date=June 17, 2021 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192240/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metroid-dread-is-the-realization-of-a-15-year-vision/1100-6493022/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Appearances==
The SA-X originally appeared in ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', having developed from an X parasite originally found on the planet SR388. It first infects both the protagonist [[Samus Aran]] and her bio-organic Power Suit after Samus killed the creature it was originally inhabiting during a Galactic Federation research mission on the planet. Samus nearly dies but is saved by having [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]] DNA injected into her body, with most of her Power Suit having to be surgically removed. This Metroid DNA ultimately makes her immune to infection, due to Metroids being natural predators of the parasite.<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/metroid-fusion/ |title=Metroid Fusion |work=Hardcore Gaming 101 |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=December 27, 2017 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192240/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/metroid-fusion/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The X parasite residing in her Power Suit remains eventually transforms into a replica of Samus on the BSL Space Station, able to use the arsenal of weapons and upgrades she wielded in ''[[Super Metroid]]'', while Samus herself is left relatively weakened and unable to survive the SA-X's ice weapons.<ref name="HG101"/><ref name="shmup"/> The SA-X stalks Samus throughout the game, forcing her to hide or flee for most of it. As the plot develops, the player discovers that there are multiple SA-X, the X virus having replicated itself, and are targeting the station's Metroid breeding facilities, which includes Samus due to her DNA. When Samus learns of the Galactic Federation's intention to capture the SA-X, potentially allowing the parasite to spread across the galaxy, she programs the station to crash into and destroy SR388 to wipe out the X.<ref name="DS"/> After Samus has grown powerful enough, she faces off against the SA-X, managing to kill it even after it evolves into a more physically imposing form.
After being defeated, the SA-X flees in its parasite form, reforming later when Samus is facing off against an Omega Metroid. It is ultimately defeated by the Omega Metroid, at which point Samus fuses with it and regains her powers from ''Super Metroid'', allowing her to kill the Omega Metroid and escape from the space station before it collided into SR388, destroying both.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo |title=Everything you need to know before you play Metroid Dread |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |last=Myers |first=Maddy |date=October 8, 2021 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012213559/https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception==
The SA-X has been generally well-received by critics, considered one of the best new villains of 2002 by ''[[Nintendo Power]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=May 2003 |issue=168 |page=166 |title=2002 Nintendo Power Awards}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' staff called her iconic, attributing her icon status to her overwhelming power and intimidation.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] - The History of Nintendo |year=2019 |volume=3 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games |page=149}}</ref> ''Retro Gamer'' writer Darran Jones also noted her first appearance, where she looks straight at the player with her "cold, dead eyes", which they stated still makes their stomach "turn in terror".<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |title=Metroid Fusion |page=87 |last=Jones |first=Darran}}</ref> She has been identified as a particularly frightening encounter in video games, with ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' writer Connor Sheridan finding her the "coolest part" of ''Metroid Fusion''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/rethinking-metroid-should-be-the-next-step-for-nintendo-switch-after-zelda-breath-of-the-wild/ |title=Rethinking Metroid should be the next step for Nintendo Switch after Zelda: Breath of the Wild |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |date=April 5, 2017 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192240/https://www.gamesradar.com/rethinking-metroid-should-be-the-next-step-for-nintendo-switch-after-zelda-breath-of-the-wild/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' writer Kurt Kalata considered the moments with the SA-X to be the best part of ''Metroid Fusion'', though felt that the boss battle was too basic.<ref name="HG101"/> ''[[GameSpot]]'' writer Jordan Ramée commented on SA-X being "[Samus] at her best", and how it reflected how Samus, now infused with Metroid DNA, was being hunted by herself, reflecting how she once hunted the Metroids to extinction. He praised the writers for creating a character so "chillingly horrifying" that they are still memorable years later.<ref name="GS">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metroid-dread-still-doesnt-quite-deliver-the-horror-experience-i-know-the-series-can-be/1100-6496939/ |title=Metroid Dread Still Doesn't Quite Deliver The Horror Experience I Know The Series Can Be |work=[[GameSpot]] |last=Ramée |first=Jordan |date=October 9, 2021 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192241/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metroid-dread-still-doesnt-quite-deliver-the-horror-experience-i-know-the-series-can-be/1100-6496939/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
''Dual Shockers'' writer Marcus Jones considered her the scariest Nintendo character, citing her original appearance - where she blows her way through a door and slowly walks - as a "dreadful" moment. That Samus has to evade the SA-X rather than fight her was considered by Jones to be Nintendo's "greatest unorthodox take on survival horror".<ref name="DS">{{cite web |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/metroid-sa-x-scariest-nintendo-character/ |title=Metroid's SA-X Is The Scariest Nintendo Character |work=Dual Shockers |last=Jones |first=Marcus |date=August 28, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020110422/https://www.dualshockers.com/metroid-sa-x-scariest-nintendo-character/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''VG247'' writer Fran Ruiz compared SA-X to the titular antagonists of ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'' and ''[[The Terminator]]'', as well as [[Nemesis T-Type]] from ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'', all of whom stalk their respective protagonists. She felt that running and hiding from the SA-X was stressful, but that the final encounter feels "earned and empowering", saying that she is her "personal boogeyman to this day".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/metroid-fusion-remains-the-scariest-2d-game-ever |title=Metroid Fusion remains the scariest 2D game ever |work=VG247 |last=Ruiz |first=Fran |date=March 16, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216230736/https://www.vg247.com/metroid-fusion-remains-the-scariest-2d-game-ever |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Yahoo! News]]'' staff identified her as the most frightening stalker character in video games, feeling that she is the "real meat of the horror" in ''Fusion''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/discussion-scariest-game-ve-ever-played-010034731.html |title=Discussion: what's the scariest game you've ever played? |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=August 17, 2014 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192240/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/discussion-scariest-game-ve-ever-played-010034731.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nintendo World Report'' writer James Dawson considered her the standout antagonist in ''Metroid'', saying that encounters with her were among his "most memorable moments in gaming" from his childhood. He noted that it was the first time he felt helpless in a video game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27434/memories-of-metroid |title=Memories of Metroid |work=Nintendo World Report |last=Dawson |first=James |date=August 14, 2011 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192241/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27434/memories-of-metroid |url-status=live}}</ref>
The SA-X has been compared to other characters in the ''Metroid'' series, including the EMMI from ''[[Metroid Dread]]'', with the EMMI criticized as being an inconvenience compared to SA-X.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/metroid-dread-review-a-strong-adventure-thatll-delight-fans |title=Metroid Dread review: a strong adventure that'll delight fans |work=VG247 |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=October 6, 2021 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221155034/https://www.vg247.com/metroid-dread-review-a-strong-adventure-thatll-delight-fans |url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan Ramée felt that the EMMI was an evolution of the SA-X concept mechanically, but a step back thematically. He felt that revealing that the EMMI could be killed early in the game took away from its impact, noting that the SA-X being a "terrifying threat" is enhanced by being invulnerable to Samus until the end of the game.<ref name="GS"/> Kurt Kalata felt similarly, feeling that EMMI are an improvement mechanically, and while they created "some incredibly tense standoffs", the SA-X were more frightening.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/metroid-dread/ |title=Metroid Dread |work=Hardcore Gaming 101 |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=April 13, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204212257/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/metroid-dread/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'' writer Ollie Reynolds felt that Dark Samus lacked impact due to SA-X, feeling SA-X was superior and Dark Samus felt "been there done that".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/6-things-wed-love-to-see-in-metroid-prime-4 |title=Feature: 6 Things We'd Love To See In Metroid Prime 4 |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=January 25, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204192241/https://www.nintendolife.com/features/6-things-wed-love-to-see-in-metroid-prime-4 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Metroid}}
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[[Category:Extraterrestrial characters in video games]]
[[Category:Female characters in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional impostors]]
[[Category:Fictional monsters]]
[[Category:Fictional parasite characters]]
[[Category:Hybrid characters in video games]]
[[Category:Metroid characters]]
[[Category:Nintendo antagonists]]
[[Category:Shapeshifter characters in video games]]
[[Category:Video game bosses]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 2002]]
[[Category:Video game characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]
[[Category:Video game characters with superhuman strength]]