A checkpoint is a point in a video game in which progress is automatically saved, so that if the player character dies, they will respawn at this point. While most Metroid games require manual saving through Save Stations, more recent titles in the series have featured checkpoints as well.

Checkpoints exist in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Metroid: Other M, Metroid: Samus Returns, Metroid Dread, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. They usually appear before major bosses or especially difficult points. Examples of checkpoints are the Tetra Vista, after destroying a Seed Shield Generator^[1], Aurora Unit 217's last conversation with Samus Aran, the final battles with Dark Samus, battles with Metroids in Samus Returns, and before E.M.M.I. Zones in Dread. The only checkpoint in Echoes is placed at the start of the Countdown sequence as Dark Aether begins to collapse; this checkpoint spares players from needing to fight the Emperor Ing again if they fail to defeat Dark Samus in time.

Checkpoints are not permanent. They last until the game is turned off, exited, or the player declines to continue the game on the Continue Screen, and then they will have to resume the game from the last used Save Station.

Official data

Metroid: Other M manual

About Checkpoints

"You can restart your game from these spots as you progress. Checkpoints are not saved, so if you choose NO on the Continue Screen, exit the game or turn the power off, the next time you play the game, you will start from the last save point."

Metroid: Samus Returns manual

If Samus's energy reaches zero...

"You will be returned to where you last saved the game, or to the last checkpoint. Checkpoints are created when you pick up important items or interact with certain devices (page 9).

• Checkpoints are not saved. If you quit your game you will have to restart from where you last saved."

References