Okay so today I tried mapping out Metroid Zero Mission by myself. Always loved that game but never made a full map before. Figured it was time.
Started Simple… Way Too Simple
Grabbed some graph paper – like, old-school stuff – thinking “how hard could this be?” Just picked Brinstar as my starting area. Opened the game on my GBA SP, paused every two seconds to scribble down where corridors went and where those stupid flying thingies attacked. Messed up immediately. Forgot that room on the right drops down, not left! Scribbled all over, paper looked like a toddler’s drawing. Threw that page away, felt dumb.
Went Digital, Still Messy
Tried moving to my laptop. Opened Paint, started drawing little squares for rooms. Painfully slow. Kept getting lost between areas because the map doesn’t show elevators clearly! You go down a shaft, boom, you’re in Norfair? Kraid’s area? Got super confused. Colors helped a bit – made green for Brinstar, red for Norfair. But tracking items? Total nightmare. Forgot where three missile tanks were after filling in the map around them. Had to replay entire sections, felt like wasting hours.
The “Duh” Moment
Took a break, got mad at myself. Remembered actual game maps exist online! Didn’t peek though, wanted my own version. Made a huge grid first this time – BIG paper sheets taped together. Traced every single room slowly. Marked doors with arrows showing direction: up, down, left, right. Different shapes for save points and energy tanks. HUGE difference. Took ages to reach Ridley’s area but finally felt organized. Used highlighters for items: yellow for missiles, pink for energy.
Lessons Learned? Few!
- Graph paper stinks for complex maps. Too cramped.
- Start with one tiny area, finish it completely before moving on. Don’t jump around like I did!
- Key marking items immediately! If you pick up a missile tank, MARK THAT SPOT RIGHT THEN before forgetting.
- Elevators and transports? Give them their own special symbols. Saved my sanity later.
Finished it? Mostly. Missing like three secret passage details but good enough. Taped the whole mess on my wall. Looks chaotic but kinda proud of that hot mess. Won’t do it again next week though… elbows hurt from leaning.