Load Delay

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Load Delay is a trick in the Prime series in which the loading time of any given room can be delayed by repeatedly pausing or bringing up the map screen. This can be used while Out of Bounds in order to have the room load around you in a desired spot, usually to obtain an otherwise unreachable item. In the fastest any% route of Metroid Prime, this is done during Power Bombs Before Bombs in order to get to the PB expansion while remaining out of bounds. Also, in the fastest any% route of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, this is done during Vault Skip in order to get Screw Attack without doing the puzzle in Vault.

There may be limits on how long a room can be delayed humanly, but it may be theoretically possible to delay a room's loading indefinitely. Staying paused for too long will cause the room to start loading, so it's important to not spend too much time paused or unpaused when doing this sequence, otherwise it may fail and you may be forced to unload the room again. How many pauses are needed will vary depending on factors relating to the room, including the room's normal load times and the distance needed to travel to the desired spot in the room.

See Also