Beating Experiment No. Z-57 in Cataris is one of the more challenging boss fights in Metroid Dread. It has wide area attacks, and it’s easy to get trapped and die. However, there are a few strategies that players can use against Experiment No. Z-57, including an insta-kill (like with Kraid), but we’ll cover the technique we used to beat this boss quickly.
What’s the easiest way to beat the Experiment No. Z-57 boss in Metroid Dread?
Like the other bosses in Metroid Dread, the boss fight with Experiment No. Z-57 has multiple stages. While Samus can get an insta-kill on Z-57 in the second phase of the fight (which we’ll cover further down the page), it’s very tough to pull off. Fortunately, there’s a safer and easier way to beat this boss.
During the first phase of this boss fight, Z-57 will perform three attack patterns. It typically starts with a swipe to the left, then a swipe to the right, which covers the entire floor area. This isn’t too hard to avoid by just jumping at the right time. The second attack begins with Z-57 firing a beam starting in the corner furthest from Samus and raking the ground. The monster will pause for a moment before resuming its attack, and players need to dodge the damaging radiation it left behind and jump into the small clear area to remain safe.
The third attack, and the one we’re most concerned with, has Z-57 moving to one side of the screen. It’ll then fire a beam that rakes from the opposite ceiling to the ground just in front of it. To avoid this, players need to get roughly under its head. Fortunately, this is a great opportunity to pelt its face with missiles. Now, for the part that makes this fight easy. When it finishes this attack, if it hasn’t hit Samus with the beam, it’ll try and charge her. When the telltale flash comes up, players can counter this and Samus will latch onto Z-57. During the cutscene, players can pelt the boss with ten or so missiles.
Once players do enough damage, Z-57 will attach itself to the ceiling and begin charging up an attack. To prevent this, players should charge the Storm Missiles (while dodging around) and blast its limbs. This will prevent it from firing and start the next phase of the battle.
In its most annoying attack, Z-57 will move to the right side of the stream and start a wind current. This will blow Samus against the left wall, which is coated in a damaging acid. Shortly after, It’ll begin shooting energy blasts that players will have to hurdle over to avoid. The key here is to remain calm and take the energy shockwaves as they come. Some just require a single jump, while others will require a double jump.
After this phase, Z-57 will get mad and roar around a bit. Players can sit and nail it with missiles freely while it’s doing this. Afterward, the boss will go for a left and right slash, which is usually followed by a double slash that covers most of the room. The only way to avoid this attack is to double jump up in the middle of the room. However, be careful not to jump into the boss’s head, or Samus will still take damage.
This fight is easy if players concentrate on avoiding damage. Keep on the defense and wait for opportunities to score free hits. The best time to do this is during its sideways beam attack that ends in a charge that can be countered. Samus gets a chance to do major damage with impunity here, so there’s no sense in taking unnecessary risks.
Experiment Z-57 doesn’t need to be beaten in any particular phase of the fight, so players just need to concentrate on surviving. However, those that are bold can take this boss down even quicker with a difficult-to-perform insta-kill.
How to insta-kill Experiment Z-57
There is a way to instantly end the fight with Experiment Z-57 during the wind phase. However, it does require impeccable timing and skill with the Speed Boost/Shinespark.
To perform the instant kill, players needs to activate the Speed Booster and store a Shinespark. The moment they stop firing, the boss hangs its head in the arena for just a few seconds, and during this time, players must jump in the air and unleash the Shinespark at it. If performed correctly, its death cutscene will immediately play, and Samus can continue on her way.
