Metroid Prime 4: How to Get the Thunder Chip

In classic Metroid fashion, players need to find a ton of upgrades in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to progress through the main story. One of the required upgrades is the Thunder Chip, which allows players to use Thunder Shots for combat and accessing blocked rooms.

However, while the game makes it clear that you need to find the Thunder Chip, actually knowing where to look is the hard part. Also, the fact that you need a handful of different upgrades in order to reach the Thunder Chip makes it even harder.

If you’re having trouble progressing in Metroid Prime 4 due to not being able to find the Thunder Chip, this guide is for you. Here’s how to get the Thunder Chip in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

How to Get the Thunder Chip in Metroid Prime 4

Players can get the Thunder Chip from the Volt Forge dungeon in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. However, just like in any other Metroid game, there are a few prerequisites players must meet before they can claim the Thunder Chip from this area.

First, players must acquire the Lasso from the Ice Belt and the Grapple from Flare Pool before the Thunder Chip becomes obtainable. These are two of the main levels in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and both gadgets are obtained on the main path of these dungeons and are impossible to miss.

Remember, to traverse the lava in Flare Pool to reach the Grapple’s location, players must acquire the IC suit upgrade from Volt Forge, which is found in Tower 3. You must first obtain the Psychic Boost Ball upgrade from the Ice Belt before getting the IC suit upgrade.

In simpler terms, below is the order of steps players must take before they can get the Thunder Chip in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond:

1. Get the Lasso and Psychic Boost Ball upgrade from the Ice Belt level.
2. Get the IC suit upgrade from Volt Forge to traverse the lava in Flare Pool
3. Get the Lasso from Flare Pool
4. Return to Volt Forge and find the Thunder Chip

The next section walks you through how to find the Thunder Chip inside Volt Forge, since it can be a pretty tricky area to navigate.

Thunder Chip Location in Volt Forge

The Thunder Chip can be found in Tower 1 in Volt Forge. By using your map, make your way to the bottom level of Tower 1 and progress to the only location that is greyed out. The grey indicates an area that you haven’t fully explored yet, while blue represents locations you have been to. The exact location of where to go is shown in the image below.

Once you reach the area shown on the map, you will encounter a ground covered in electricity. Use your grapple ability to grab onto the hooks on the wall and use them to jump over the electric floor.

Reach the other side and progress through the door to reach an open area with large containers. In this room, you want to find the only container with yellow electricity coming out of it. Most of the containers have only blue electricity, but one has yellow and blue.

Approach this container and use your lasso to pull off the broken bracket, revealing the Thunder Chip. Interact with the Thunder Chip to officially obtain it, and get ready for a mini-boss fight.

How to Use the Thunder Chip

Once you have acquired the Thunder Chip, bring it back to Myles McKenzie at your home base in Fury Green. He will use the Thunder Chip to grant you Thunder Shot, an ability that allows you to shoot Thunder Shots. This is the final ammo type, with Missiles, Ice Shots, and Fire Shots as the others.

Thunder Shots will allow you to open doors with a yellow lock attached to them. This not only allows you to progress further through Metroid Prime 4's main story, but Thunder Shots also allows you to access rooms from earlier levels that have hidden upgrades.

Additionally, Thunder Shots are great in combat and can be used to stun the enemy and bosses. To use the Thunder Shot, switch to it by pressing left on the D-Pad and then use the special ammo button (R) to shoot it.