The Ice Belt dungeon in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond introduces one of the game’s more interesting puzzle mechanics: Psychic Locks. These mysterious barriers will stop you dead in your tracks twice during your exploration, and the only way past them is by collecting TK Codes scattered throughout the facility.
This guide covers all six TK Code locations across both Psychic Locks in Ice Belt, complete with detailed instructions on how to solve each cipher puzzle and progress through the dungeon.
Understanding TK Codes and Psychic Locks
Before we dive into specific locations, here’s what you need to know:
What are Psychic Locks? These are special barriers that block your progression through Ice Belt. When scanned, they reveal a pattern that can only be deciphered by collecting the correct TK Codes hidden nearby.
TK Code Ciphers: Each TK Code comes with a puzzle where you need to manipulate geometric pieces to form a specific shape. Once solved, the code fragment is added to your collection.
Required Abilities: You’ll need the Psychic Lasso (a precursor to the Psychic Grapple) to access some codes, so expect to do some backtracking.
Ice Belt Psychic Lock 1 – All TK Code Locations
Psychic Lock 1 Location
You’ll encounter the first Psychic Lock in the Bio-labs section of Ice Belt. It’s positioned at the end of the lab hallway, right where the branching paths split left and right. You can interact with it immediately, but without the TK Codes, it’s just an interesting obstacle to scan and note for later.
TK Code 1 – Left Lab Chamber
Location: Small lab on the left side of the main path (when facing the Psychic Lock)
This is the easiest code to grab since it’s right there waiting for you:
- Enter the chamber and locate the three green pods
- Scan the central pod to reveal the first TK Code
- Solve the cipher by manipulating the pieces to form a diamond shape (as shown in the reference image)
- The code automatically adds to your collection once the puzzle is complete
TK Code 2 – Right Lab Chamber (Requires Psychic Lasso)
Location: Small chamber off the right side of the main path leading to the Psychic Lock
This one requires a bit more progression:
- First, you’ll need to venture into the larger SE chamber and obtain the Psychic Lasso upgrade
- Return to the smaller lab on the right side
- Inside, you’ll see several small cases with transparent coverings containing colorless objects
- Look for the one case with an object that’s still green—that’s your target
- Use the Lasso to remove the cover
- Scan the green object to reveal the TK Code
- Form the cipher into the proper shape
Opening Psychic Lock 1:
With both TK Codes collected, the solution pattern appears to the right of the Psychic Lock. Activate your Psychic Visor and use the Control Beam to trace out the pattern on the lock’s surface. The door opens, and you’re free to continue deeper into Ice Belt!
For more tips on surviving the Ice Belt’s environmental hazards, check out our Snow Wolves survival guide.
Ice Belt Psychic Lock 2 – All TK Code Locations
Psychic Lock 2 Location
The second Psychic Lock appears on the Medical Bays level in the Staging Corridor section. Almost immediately after descending from Bio-labs to Medical Bays, you’ll spot this lock on the left side, blocking the main path forward. This one requires four TK Codes instead of two, so you’ve got more exploring to do.
TK Code 1 – Lab Canister
Location: Small lab along the corridor leading out of the Staging Area
Here’s how to find this one:
- Head down the corridor from the Staging Area where the lock is located
- At the corridor’s end, turn into the unlocked lab on the right
- Enter the Morph Ball slot that connects to the next lab
- Inside, scan the small canister sitting on a shelf to reveal the TK Code
TK Code 2 – Surgery Bay
Location: Surgery Bay chamber at the far edge of the level
This code has a slightly unsettling location:
- Navigate to the Surgery Bay chamber (identifiable by the two long Morph Ball slots extending from both sides)
- Look up at the strange surgical devices suspended above the medical bed
- Scan the devices to reveal the TK Code
- Solve the cipher puzzle to add it to your collection
The surgical equipment in this room is definitely creepy, but at least it’s useful for puzzle-solving!
TK Code 3 – Recovery Bay Control Chamber
Location: Small control chamber in the Recovery Bay
This code involves a bit more interaction:
- Head to the Recovery Bay’s small control chamber
- Use your Psychic Lasso to remove the hatch from the door
- Inside, examine the screens hanging near the window
- One screen is covered in ice—use your Ice Shot or missiles to clear it
- Use the Lasso to pull the screen down to the ground
- Scan the screen to reveal the TK Code
TK Code 4 – Storage Bay (Final Code)
Location: Central chamber of the Storage Bay (large cylindrical chamber opposite from Recovery Bay)
The final TK Code in Ice Belt requires a bit of combat and puzzle-solving:
- Enter the central chamber of the Storage Bay
- Locate the crane arm with a powered joint that’s frozen solid
- Shoot the frozen joint with a missile or charge beam shot
- The crane drops a griever pod into the nearby apparatus
- Interact with the confirmation hologram to open the pod
- Scan the frozen griever specimen inside to reveal the final TK Code
- Complete the shape puzzle
Opening Psychic Lock 2:
With all four TK Codes in hand, return to Psychic Lock 2 in the Staging Corridor. The complete pattern displays next to the lock. Use your Psychic Visor and Control Beam to trace the inscription, and the path forward opens at last!
Tips for Finding TK Codes in Ice Belt
- Scan everything: TK Codes are hidden in various objects throughout the facility. When in doubt, scan any unusual items, especially those with distinctive colors or features.
- Backtrack with new abilities: Some codes require the Psychic Lasso, which you won’t have on your first pass through certain areas. Mark locations you can’t access yet.
- Check your map: The Ice Belt dungeon has multiple interconnected levels. Keep track of where you’ve been and which labs you haven’t fully explored.
- Use environmental clues: Ice-covered screens, frozen joints, and locked compartments often hint at hidden TK Codes nearby.
- Don’t rush: Take your time exploring each chamber thoroughly. The TK Codes aren’t going anywhere, and you’ll need them all eventually.
For more Ice Belt guidance, check out our guide on getting past ice blockers and our Power Generator Energy Tank location.
What Happens After Unlocking Both Psychic Locks?
Once you’ve cracked both Psychic Locks, you can progress deeper into Ice Belt and eventually work toward unlocking crucial upgrades. The Ice Belt dungeon serves as a gateway to Sol Valley’s desert region, where you’ll find powerful elemental upgrades for your weapons.
The TK Code system is a clever twist on traditional dungeon puzzles, requiring both exploration skills and pattern recognition. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the usual “find key, open door” formula and really encourages you to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny of Ice Belt’s labyrinthine medical facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many TK Codes are in Ice Belt?
There are 6 TK Codes total in Ice Belt across two Psychic Locks. The first Psychic Lock requires 2 TK Codes, while the second requires 4 TK Codes. You need to collect all codes to progress through the dungeon.
Can I collect TK Codes in any order?
Generally yes, though some TK Codes require the Psychic Lasso ability to access. You’ll naturally encounter the first Psychic Lock’s codes before getting the Lasso, but for the second lock, you may need to backtrack to certain areas once you’ve obtained this upgrade. The game’s layout encourages you to explore thoroughly as you gain new abilities.
What happens if I miss a TK Code?
You can’t progress past a Psychic Lock without collecting all its required TK Codes, so missing one will halt your progress temporarily. Fortunately, all TK Codes are located in the surrounding areas near their respective locks, making backtracking relatively straightforward. Check your map for unexplored rooms and use your scan visor liberally.
Do I need special abilities to solve TK Code cipher puzzles?
No special abilities are required to solve the cipher puzzles themselves—they’re purely logic-based shape manipulation challenges. However, you do need specific abilities (mainly the Psychic Lasso and basic combat weapons) to access the locations where some TK Codes are hidden. The cipher solving is all about rotating and arranging geometric pieces into the correct pattern.
With all six TK Codes collected and both Psychic Locks opened, you’re free to explore the deeper reaches of Ice Belt and beyond. The Ice Belt dungeon is just one piece of Metroid Prime 4’s intricate world—for more help navigating the game’s various regions, check out our beginner tips guide and our comprehensive collectibles guides. Happy exploring, bounty hunter!
