Upgrades in Metroid Dread are more than just damage amplifiers, as they often offer new ways to explore the map. Many areas in Metroid are hidden behind secret passageways, dangerous enemies, and doors that are locked without the use of certain upgrades. As a result, it is important to know exactly where these upgrades are, and how to get them as quickly as possible. Among the most significant of these upgrades throughout the entire Metroid franchise is the Charge Beam.
The Charge Beam is an upgrade that fires a high-damage burst produced by holding down the Y button. This beam is used to open charge doors; the only way to open a charge door is with the Charge Beam. These doors are commonly found throughout the game, and it is impossible to finish Metroid Dread without the ability to open them. Overall, the Charge Beam is a versatile upgrade that improves Samus' combat ability and provides an important utility that is necessary to finish the game.
The Charge Beam upgrade is located at the bottom-left of the Artaria map, with a couple of dangerous enemies along the route. Two of these enemies are the notoriously scary E.M.M.I. robots of Metroid Dread. In order to access the Charge Beam, the first E.M.M.I. of the game will have to be dispatched, and then the journey to the upgrade can begin.
Where to Find the Charge Beam Upgrade in Metroid Dread
To reach the Charge Beam upgrade, players should exit the first E.M.M.I. area to the right and follow the flooded corridors to eventually run into the second E.M.M.I. area. They can hop over the robot and move to the right until the floor opens up a series of switchback drops, and take these all the way down to the bottom of the area. Once at the bottom, players should run to the left until and hop up onto the raised platform; there will be a tile in the middle to stand on.
Standing on this tile will flood the pit below, raising its floor. At this point, the E.M.M.I. will most likely have caught up, so Samus should get up onto the platform above the flood tile to safety. Then, he should run to the right, and drop down on the other side of the flooded area. The newly raised floor will be level with a secret passage that Samus can now slide through. Finally, they will need to run to the right, drop down, then exit through the door on the bottom left.
The door will open into an atrium with a statue in the middle. Samus should drop down to the statue and exit to its left. There will be two enemies to kill, and a fleshy blob will appear under a charge door on the left side. Samus must shoot the blockage to expose the pass, which will lead to another drop-down corridor. To open the door at the bottom, Samus can use a missile followed by a basic shot. Players should move through the next area to the bottom, where there will be a charge door on each side. Samus can slide through the small opening underneath the door on the left side.
Finally, there will be a statue in this final room holding an orb. Samus must shoot the orb, and the Charge Beam upgrade will be in the statue's hands. Samus can jump into its hands and unlock the upgrade. After this, players will be able to access and enjoy the rest of Metroid Dread.
Metroid Dread is available on Nintendo Switch.