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Metroid Dread (Switch)

Controls Guide: Basic Controls and Button Settings

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Check out our Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Walkthrough!

☆ Dread Rush | Boss Rush | Survival Rush | Practice
★ Speedrun and Sequence Breaks Guide
☆ Locations: Missile Tanks / Energy Tanks / Power Bomb Tanks

Metroid Dread Controls and Best Settings

This is a guide to all the game controls in Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to see details on all the button controls for moving Samus, as well as map controls!

List of Contents

List of Basic Controls

metroid-dread-power-beam.png
These are the basic controls for Metroid Dread. The info shown here reflects how Samus can be controlled as the game starts out.

Controls Action
Left Analog.png Move
Crouch
(Tilt downwards once)
Left DPad.png Expand Minimap
Buttons A.png Interact with characters and objects
Continue dialogue
Selecting options
Buttons B.png
 Jump
Wall Jump (Press B near a wall while spin jumping)
Buttons X.png Melee Counter
(While running: Dash Melee)
Buttons Y.png Shoot a beam
Button L.png +Left Analog.png
 Free Aim
Left Analog.png+ Buttons zL.png
 Slide
(Move L-Stick left and right while holding down ZL)
Button R.png Missile Mode
Button R.png + Buttons Y.png
 Shoot a Missile
Minus Button.png Options
Buttons Plus Button.png Map

This page will be updated to reflect more upgrades and abilities are discovered.

List of Map Controls

Artaria Map.jpg

Controls Action
Left Analog.png Move Cursor
Buttons zL.png/Button zR.png
 Zoom Out / In
Press Left Analog.png
 Reset Position
Press Right Analog.png
 Fast Cursor
Buttons X.png View Global Map
Buttons Y.png Highlight Icons
Buttons A.png Place Marker
Buttons B.png Close Map

All Locations and Maps Guide

How to Use Basic Controls

Free Aim

Metroid Dread Free Aim.png
You can free aim at any time by holding down the L button and moving the left analog stick. This ability is best used when you need to accurately aim to hit a target, or when you are required to use missiles.

The drawback is that Samus is almost completely immobile when free aiming. You can still jump while free aiming, but only vertically, with no horizontal mobility.

Wall Jumps

Metroid Dread Wall Jump.png

To perform a wall jump, Samus' first jump towards the wall must have a certain amount of horizontal momentum and she will begin spinning in mid air. Upon coming in contact with the wall, reverse directions on the analog stick and hit the jump button again. This ability is best used when trying to explore areas that a normal jump cannot reach.

Note that Wall Jumps Cannot be performed underwater.

Counters

Melee Counter.jpg
Counters are performed by tapping the X button with the correct timing while an enemy is attacking you, and following up by pressing the Y button to finish off the enemy.

Note that only some enemy attacks can be countered, with those attacks showing a flash to indicate the counter timing. This ability is best used when facing specific enemies whose attacks can be countered. Enemies that have been countered will also give more Missiles and Energy when defeated.

Sliding

Metroid Dread Slide.jpg
Sliding is performed by pressing the ZL button while running. This ability is best used to get under low terrain or to avoid enemies. Note that sliding cannot be performed underwater.

Best Control Settings

samus returns.jpg
For those who have played through the Samus Returns remake on the 3DS, the default controls of Metroid Dread should feel right at home. The control layouts have mostly remained the same including the jump, aim, missile mode, and melee counter buttons.

For those that have not played Samus Returns or even new players to the series, you are also able to customize your button layout to fit your preferences.

Can Controls Be Changed?

Change Button Mapping through the Nintendo Switch System Settings

As of April 13, 2020, the Nintendo Switch V10.0.0 system update added the option to change your controller button mapping. You can see more of the update patch notes on Nintendo's official site.

How to Change Button Mapping

ACNH - Changing the Button Mapping in Nintendo Switch Settings

  1. From the Home screen, open up System Settings.
  2. Go down to Controllers and Sensors, and select Change Button Mapping.
  3. Select the controller you wish to remap.

    This is only compatible with Joy-Con Controllers, Pro Controllers, and the Nintendo Switch Lite.

  4. Remap the buttons inputs you need and you can save it as a preset.

Metroid Dread Related Guides

Tips and Tricks Partial Banner.png

Tips and Tricks Top Page

Items and Collectables
All Missile Tank Locations All Energy Tank Locations
All Power Bomb Tank Locations All Gallery Images and Chozo Files
100% Unlockables All Speed Booster and Shinespark Puzzles
Tips and Tricks
What Happens When You Get a Game Over Ending Explained
What to Do If You Get Stuck How to Unlock Hard Mode
Post Game Content How to Speedrun Metroid Dread
How to Counter EMMI How to Shoot Through Walls
How to Unlock Dread Mode How to Unlock Rookie Mode
Boss Rush Mode Guide Difficulty Mode Differences
Survival Rush Mode Guide Dread Rush Mode Guide
Practice Mode Guide -
Game Mechanics
All Door Types and Blocks Game Length
How to Parry How to Heal
Controls and Best Settings All Teleportal Locations
All Recharge Station Locations All Network Station Locations
All Save Station Locations All Map Station Locations

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Metroid Dread Walkthrough Team
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