In the Metroid universe Zebes is the fictional planet that hosts the headquarters of the Space Pirates in the Metroid video game franchise. Zebes is the locational setting of the original Metroid, and its enhanced remake, Metroid: Zero Mission, and Super Metroid. An inhabitant of Zebes is called a Zebesian.
When Metroid was first released in 1986, the planet was called Zebes, but this was a translation error. In the 2004 re-released as "Classic NES series: Metroid" the translation error was fixed and the planet was renamed to Zebeth. This edition also changed all occurrences of the word 'he' in the manual to 'she', in reference to Samus Aran. Many other games in the Classic NES series fixed similar translation errors, such as "Classic NES series: The Legend of Zelda" which renamed 'Gannon' to 'Ganon'. But apparently it was too late, as most people still want to call it Zebes.
Samus Aran, the heroine of the Metroid franchise, was raised on Zebes by some Chozo after her birthplace, a colony on the planet K-2L, was destroyed by the Space Pirates.
Areas[ | ]
Brinstar[ | ]
Subterranean area comprising of rock and jungle areas. Featured in Metroid, Super Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission, and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Crateria[ | ]
Surface of Zebes. Featured in Super Metroid and Metroid: Zero Mission.
Maridia[ | ]
Flooded caves. Featured in Super Metroid. Similar to Phendrana Drifts in Metroid Prime.
Norfair[ | ]
Deep below the surface, this area is extremely hot and filled with magma. Featured in Metroid, Super Metroid, Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Metroid: Zero Mission. Similar to Magmoor Caverns in Metroid Prime.
Wrecked Ship[ | ]
Remnants of a space ship belonging to an ancient race that crash landed into Zebes. Possibly the Space Pirate Mothership in Metroid: Zero Mission (though a small area underneath the Space Pirate Mothership that has very similar architecture to the Wrecked Ship makes this seem unlikely). Also theorized by some to be the ship by which the Chozo originally came to Zebes. Featured in Super Metroid.
Tourian[ | ]
Subterranean fortress of Zebes, and where the Mother Brain and the Metroids lurk. The only way to enter Tourian is by defeating the duo Kraid and Ridley. Featured in Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid: Zero Mission.
Chozodia[ | ]
Ruins of the ancient Chozo civilization. Featured in Metroid: Zero Mission.