10 Video Game Mechanics You Totally Ignored (But Shouldn't Have)
3. Crystal Flash - Super Metroid
In each Metroid title, Samus Aran can unlock an array of powers to aid her in her mission, including the Grapple Beam, the Screw Attack, and the Speed Booster. Although the games normally explain how to perform these enhancers in a straightforward manner, Super Metroid neglects to mentions how to summon Samus' greatest power.
By pressing L,R, down, and the fire button after activating a Power Bomb, Samus will perform a Crystal Flash. In doing so, the galactic bounty hunter enters a light-powered cocoon, replenishing most of her Energy Tanks within seconds. Performing this manoeuvre costs ten Missiles, ten Super Missiles, and ten Power Bombs, but that's a small price to pay if you're moments away from death.
Despite how handy the Crystal Flash is, the game never hints how to pull it off. Heck, it's not even mentioned in the instruction manual.
Super Metroid was released in the 1990s, so there was no easy outlet to learn about this life-saving trick back in the day. As a result, players died in this rock-hard side-scroller again and again, oblivious there was a simple method to avoid such a fate.