The Slide is an ability of Samus Aran in Metroid Dread.

Description

Slide allows Samus to quickly slide under short gaps, allowing her to pass through them. Dread marks the first time that Samus can navigate small tunnels in her Power Suit, but without the Morph Ball, which she still acquires in the game, albeit later on. However, Samus can only slide through tunnels that are on ground level, rendering her unable to enter tunnels that are some distance off the ground. Her sliding ability first appears during the flashback cutscene to her first encounter with Raven Beak, where she utilizes it to dodge the latter's Arm Cannon blast.

If Samus successfully blocks an E.M.M.I.'s attack before it can kill her, it will be stunned, allowing her to slide underneath it and flee. Additionally, Samus is able to slide under the legs of some regular enemies too, effectively dodging straight past them without receiving damage. Samus is also able to perform Melee Counters while sliding, which assume the form of an overhead bicycle kick. If the Speed Booster is active, Samus can slide to pass through tunnels without losing the boost, which is critical for some of the game's Shinespark puzzles.

Samus can change direction after sliding with a fine-tuned animation.^[1]

Before obtaining the Gravity Suit, sliding does not function underwater.

Samus can perform a Slide Jump by jumping just as she slides off a ledge, providing her slightly more jumping distance.

Precursor

Sliding previously appears in Metroid: Other M. During the countdown at the end of the game, Zero Suit Samus can slide under closing shutters and obstructions as she returns to her Star Ship. In Metroid: Zero Mission, Zero Suit Samus crawls through tunnels.

Official data

Metroid Dread Report

"Slide is a new action in the series, allowing Samus to move through small gaps without stopping."

Metroid.nintendo.com (Metroid Dread)

SLIDE

"Keep momentum going by moving through small gaps without stopping."

Metroid Dread on-screen tutorial

SLIDE

While tilting [L Stick] to run, press [ZL] to slide.

Trivia

• Without the Morph Ball, Samus can slide infinitely until colliding a block, at which point Samus becomes normal.

Gallery

Metroid Dread Report screenshot

Metroid Dread artwork

Samus's Metroid Dread Figma in her Sliding pose.

Sliding in Other M.

References