Originally posted by Violent2Dope
Power Beam: Very fast but weak.Wave Beam: Stuns enemies and when charged has limited homing effects, but is fairly slow.
Ice Beam: Freezes enemies but is VERY slow.
Plasma Beam: Fast and very strong, has no drawbacks.
Phazon Beam: Automatic fire and is extremely powerful.
That's another thing too, the terrain they're in. Both combatants can use it to their advantage, melting cover, etc. Technically Samus can freeze the ground and make it slippery but Chief has good grips on the soles of his feet, and besides he's not stupid enough to blunder straight into a skating rink.
They're fighting at Shadow Moses, which I have absolutely no clue about.