Metroid Prime Speed Demon!

[A Black Falcon]

This fellow likely used said secret paths to rush through the game ultra quick, only gathering powerups when they were right on the way.

To me that means going through as fast as possible, not mapping a route through the whole game that goes past every single powerup location and following it like you seem to explain that you meant... if you meant that why not SAY it? I don't see how my interpretation was so strange given that its the most logical thing... speed, fastest route, not going past every hidden item spot along the way (that'd slow yo down I'm sure...) seems simple connection to me...