In the upcoming release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — or simply “Metroid Prime 4” — you will encounter obstacles known as “Thunder-locked” doors or areas. These blockades prevent progress until you unlock a special weapon: the Thunder Shot. In this guide, I explain how to get past those Thunder blockers, step-by-step, in easy-to-understand English.
The Thunder Shot is a special “Shot” weapon upgrade in Metroid Prime 4. Once unlocked, it deals powerful electric damage — and more importantly, it can activate or disable electric locks, doors, or barriers. Consider it like a master key for anything locked by electricity.
Without the Thunder Shot, “Thunder blockers” — like locked doors or sealed passages — remain impassable. That means getting the Thunder Shot early is often essential to continue exploring certain parts of the world and unlocking critical upgrades or secrets.
How to Unlock the Thunder Shot
Follow these steps to acquire the Thunder Shot in Metroid Prime 4:
- Venture to the area called Volt Forge.
- Head through the “Collapsed Catwalk” found at the bottom of Tower 1. On your way, you’ll reach a generator room that grants a Shot Expansion once you grapple across.
- Defeat the boss found there — note: this fight may include electrified floor hazards, so watch your movement.
- After defeating the boss, pick up the “Thunder Chip” from the generator. Then return to base in the area called Fury Green and give the chip to the technician. This unlocks the Thunder Shot for you.
Once unlocked, Thunder Shot becomes available in your weapon selection. It uses “Shot Ammo” — the same pool used by other special shots like Fire or Ice.
Using Thunder Shot to Bypass Thunder Blockers
After obtaining the Thunder Shot, here’s how to actually get around Thunder-locked areas:
- Simply aim and fire the Thunder Shot at the locked door, gate, or electric lock. This usually deactivates the electricity powering the barrier and unlocks the path.
- For certain puzzles or locks inside special areas (like shrine puzzles or generator doors), you may need to both unlock and power elevators or mechanisms using Thunder Shot.
- Remember to keep an eye on your Shot Ammo — if you run out, you won’t be able to trigger locks until you restock.
Important Upgrades & Shrines Related to Thunder Shot
Getting Thunder Shot is not just about unlocking a door — it also opens up additional upgrades and hidden shrines. Some of these shrines can only be accessed after you have Thunder Shot. Noteworthy examples:
- The Ring of Thunder Shrine: once inside, you use Thunder Shot to activate a ring mechanism that leads to deeper areas and often grants special upgrades — for example, a “Super Thunder Shot.”
- The Falling Labyrinth Shrine: another area where Thunder Shot is required to reach a “Charged Thunder Shot” upgrade — a more powerful version of the weapon.
These upgrades expand what you can do with Thunder Shot — including stronger attacks or enabling previously unreachable content.
Beyond the Blockers: Extra Uses of Thunder Shot
Thunder Shot isn’t only about disabling locks. Once unlocked, it becomes a significant tool for exploration and completionism:
- Unlocking the ability to scan and activate hidden items: There are hidden “Scout Bots” scattered across map areas that only function once Thunder Shot is available. Shooting them with Thunder Shot causes them to activate, which then reveals all the remaining upgrade pickups in that region.
- Accessing Shot Expansions inside locked rooms: Some upgrade crates or rooms are behind Thunder-locked doors — meaning that without Thunder Shot, you might never reach those expansions.
- Progressing the main story: In certain parts of the game, Thunder blockers are used to gate progression until you’ve reached a particular power level or obtained the proper upgrades — ensuring that you follow the game’s intended pacing.
