Changes: Ridley

Latest revision as of 02:32, 29 March 2024

This is a featured article.

This article refers to the recurring boss. For other uses of the name Ridley, see Ridley (Disambiguation).

“	Heh, humans are always so weak to the death of their own kind! Who knows, perhaps I even ate your "mama" so that my cells may live, hmm? Is she here... or here?! AT LEAST PAY YOUR RESPECTS!	„
—Ridley^[2]

Ridley (リドリー, Ridorī^?) is a high-ranking Space Pirate and one of the most recurring characters in the Metroid series, appearing as a boss in over half of the games released thus far. He is the archenemy of Samus Aran, a status he gained over the years since his prominent role in Super Metroid; in addition to this, he also became widely regarded as the main villain of the entire franchise despite never being the primary antagonist of any game. Ridley's actual role is that of a secondary antagonist where he answers to a higher power and/or his presence is overshadowed by an unrelated threat, depending on the game.

Summary

Sadistic and bloodthirsty, Ridley delights in death and destruction, and was responsible for the massacre of the colony K-2L. Since then, he and Samus have clashed several times, with Samus usually emerging the victor. But Ridley's brutality is matched only by his resilience, and he regularly returns from apparent death to do battle with Samus once more. As such, he is fittingly referred to as the Cunning God of Death (狡猾の死神^?) in his Zero Mission official art on the Japanese website.

Resembling an emaciated pterodactyl-dragon with glowing eyes, the true name of Ridley's species is unknown. Despite his appearance and often bestial behavior within the games, Ridley's position as a Space Pirate leader has been confirmed since back in Super Metroid's instruction booklet, with the Metroid Prime manual and in-game scans further describing him as a mainstay and enforcer of the Pirate armies. The Magazine Z manga depicts him as being highly intelligent and even capable of speech. He also successfully built a robot in his own likeness, according to the co-creator of the Metroid series. Ridley is often depicted as a comrade of Kraid in supplementary materials such as official merchandise, artwork, media and the manga, while the games themselves vaguely reference this through their statues.

Although Ridley often appears in different forms and varying sizes, it is clarified not only through scans in the Metroid Prime series but also through events in Metroid: Other M that all his incarnations chronologically seen before the latter game are indeed the same individual despite his numerous defeats (the exception being Mecha Ridley). Strangely, some of his prior battles ended with his entire body seemingly exploding but in-game lore states he somehow survived these violent defeats until his final battle in Super Metroid. His proficiency for survival is also displayed in the manga: following the destruction of his flagship and its wreckage falling on top of Ridley, he reappears unscathed later on, claiming to have healed his wounds by consuming the bodies of the dead humans in K-2L.

Ridley has been present in all but five Metroid games - Metroid II: Return of Samus, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Prime: Federation Force and Metroid Dread. Minor references to him can still be found in several of these via his associated theme in their demos, cosmetic Paint Jobs based on him and images of the character present in galleries. Ridley is usually the penultimate or ante-penultimate boss in the games he's featured in, and half of them present multiple battles against him and/or some manifestation of him. His sole appearance as a final boss is in Metroid: Samus Returns, the remake of Metroid II.

Biography

Main article: Biography of Ridley

Boss Battles

Metroid

In Metroid for the NES and Famicom, Ridley is one of the two bosses on Zebes who must be defeated to access Tourian. He awaits in a chamber in Mini-Boss Hideout II. Here, Ridley is approximately Samus' height.

Ridley only attacks by hopping in place while shooting zig-zagging fireballs. He can be damaged by any weapon; his fireballs, however, are indestructible and excel as a defense mechanism, blocking long-range weapons and nullifying Bombs. If Samus possesses the Ice Beam, she can freeze the fireballs, keeping Ridley from shooting any more until the ice thaws. Depending on the position the fireballs are frozen in, this can either leave Ridley exposed to attack or completely block him off.

Ridley's battle is more challenging in the Japanese Famicom version of the game, due to the console's superior specs over the American NES version. The Famicom randomly chooses a different trajectory for each fireball, meaning players must deal with a wide variety of speeds and patterns. The NES can only choose a single trajectory for all fireballs each time the NES is turned on, consistently leaving safe zones where the fireballs never reach.

Once Samus defeats Ridley, 75 Missiles are added to her maximum amount. His defeat also activates one of the two Stone Statues overlooking the path to Tourian.

Metroid: Zero Mission

In the remake Metroid: Zero Mission, Ridley is off-world aboard the Space Pirate Mother Ship when Samus infiltrates the Pirate base on Zebes. Following the defeat of Kraid, he returns to Zebes to ambush Samus in Lower Norfair.

Ridley is much taller and more agile than in the original Metroid. He flies around using his attacks from Super Metroid, spitting fireballs and swiping at Samus with his tail. His fireballs can be destroyed by any of Samus' weaponry, unless he has grabbed her in his talons first. He falls quite quickly to Super Missiles.

Ridley explodes upon his defeat, allowing Samus to leave with the Unknown Item she had obtained just before the battle. This also unlocks one of the Stone Statues blocking the way to Tourian.

Also in the same game is his incomplete project Mecha Ridley, a robot which guards the Space Pirate Mother Ship and serves as the final boss of Zero Mission.

Metroid Prime series

Main articles: Meta Ridley and Omega Ridley

SSBU Spirits Meta Ridley — Meta Ridley in *Metroid Prime*.

After his defeat on Zebes, Ridley's remains were recovered and reconstructed with cybernetic implants, turning him into a cyborg. He is known as Meta Ridley for the entirety of the first Prime game and the prologue of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, until his final battle in the latter game where he becomes the Phazon-infused Omega Ridley.

Metroid: Samus Returns

Main article: Proteus Ridley

MSR ProteusRidley artwork — Proteus Ridley in *Metroid: Samus Returns*

Despite not appearing in Metroid II: Return of Samus, Ridley is present in the game's remake as Proteus Ridley. Returning from his defeats in the Metroid Prime series with fewer cybernetic implants, he ambushes Samus and attempts to capture the last Metroid just as they are about to leave SR388. This marks the first time in the series where Ridley acts as a final boss.

Super Metroid

Ridley is first fought in the Ceres Space Colony, carrying the last Metroid in his talons after slaughtering the scientists of Ceres. He attacks with fireballs as usual, but neither he nor Samus can be defeated - once Samus takes a certain amount of damage, Ridley retreats with the Metroid and returns to Zebes, with it being implied that Ridley set Ceres to self-destruct. If the player shoots Ridley 100 times without losing, Ridley briefly drops the baby, but quickly recovers it and flees before Samus can retrieve it.

Ridley is one of the four bosses that must be defeated to unlock the Golden Statues and access Tourian. He and Samus clash again in the depths of Lower Norfair. He is a nimble flier who uses the height of the chamber to his advantage, raining down fireballs from above. Ridley can also use his invulnerable tail to shield himself, even against the Screw Attack. He also uses his tail for offensive maneuvers, many of which would be seen in future Metroid games, such as the whip and pogo stick-like attacks. With no weak points, Samus must simply dodge Ridley's attacks while landing hits of her own - it takes 30 Super Missiles to bring him down. Upon losing all of his health, he aggressively moves to grab Samus one last time. If he succeeds, he flies her to the center of the room to make one last roar before exploding into pieces, dropping Samus. If she manages to evade his final attempts at grabbing her, Ridley eventually dies anyway.

Ridley's defeat offers Samus no reward besides access to Tourian; in the next room she finds a shattered capsule that once held the last Metroid, a final jab from her nemesis. Once Samus kills Mother Brain, planet Zebes explodes, taking Ridley's remains with it. Metroid: Other M states that this defeat marks the first true death of Samus's arch-nemesis; Ridley had seemingly survived all of his previous battles, regardless of apparent occasions of disintegration.

Metroid: Other M

Main article: Ridley (clone)

Following his death, Ridley's DNA lingered on the surface of Samus' Power Suit. As the Galactic Federation took samples from it to clone the Zebes wildlife, they unknowingly cloned Ridley as well, not recognizing his juvenile form Little Birdie. On the BOTTLE SHIP, Samus encounters Little Birdie in the Biosphere, and once it molts into a Mystery Creature, it attacks her at the Exam Center. She tracks it to the Geothermal Power Plant, where it emerges in its adult form as the draconic Ridley. He seemingly kills Anthony Higgs before fighting Samus, but she defeats him using the Plasma Beam. He then retreats to the Bioweapon Research Center, only to be killed and reduced to a husk by the Queen Metroid.

Metroid Fusion

Main article: Neo-Ridley

Neo Ridley Animation — Neo-Ridley in *Metroid Fusion*.

The husk of Ridley's clone was transferred to the Sub-Zero Containment in the BSL research station, where it was eventually copied and disintegrated by an X Parasite. Using the corpse's DNA, the X transforms into an unnatural imitation known as Neo-Ridley, which Samus defeats and absorbs to gain the Screw Attack.

The original Ridley appears in one of the endings of the Japanese version, acquired by completing Normal Mode in over four hours. He is seen advancing on a young Samus and what are presumably her mother and father, the latter of whom is shooting Ridley to no avail. It should be noted that this was the first time that Ridley's involvement in the K-2L raid was ever referenced by official Metroid media.

Physical appearance

Ridley's signature traits are scaly skin, wings, a pointed head, a bent neck, and a long tail with a bladed tip; overall, he closely resembles a European dragon or pteranodon. He is most commonly depicted with vibrant purple skin and yellow eyes, though this varies.

In the first Metroid, his Japanese artwork depicts him as a dragon with large eyes and blue skin, while his American artwork portrays him with a vastly more alien design, featuring a sucker-like mouth and numerous ocular organs. Due to technical limitations of the time, Ridley's sprite had purple skin and green eyes, and his wings were very small in proportion to the rest of his body.

Super Metroid established a more consistent look for Ridley. He has didactyl feet, glowing eyes, a longer neck, and an exaggerated tail so long that it is used as a weapon. His head has even more pterodactyloid features, including a head-crest. His physique is also grotesquely emaciated, exposing his ribcage and musculature just beneath his flesh. While arwork gave him red skin and orange eyes, sprites gave him his signature purple skin and yellow eyes.

In subsequent appearances, Ridley maintained most of the design traits introduced in Super Metroid, though his colors leaned towards purple rather than red. Notable design departures include his mutation as Neo-Ridley in Metroid Fusion, his green-brown skin, red eyes, and red patagium in Metroid: Zero Mission, the Metroid Prime series which introduced his Meta Ridley form, and his clone in Metroid: Other M who had a more muscular build, opposable thumbs and tridactyl feet, and red patagium.

Ridley's size has fluctuated greatly throughout the series. In the first Metroid he was barely taller than Samus, while in Super Metroid he was over twice her size. His Meta Ridley form in Metroid Prime 3 may be the largest he has ever been as Samus can fit almost entirely in his mouth, though later on in the same game he reappears noticeably shrunken down as Omega Ridley, now only large enough to fit her Arm Cannon in his jaws.

Personality and traits

“	First, enjoy the slaughter to the fullest!!	„
—Ridley, to the Space Pirates, immediately prior to their massacre of K-2L in the Metroid manga.

Not much is known about Ridley within the games, as most of his time on screen consists of being in combat with Samus while rampaging and roaring like an animal. This makes him an ideal killing machine to fight on the front lines of the Space Pirate forces and likely why he is frequently seen alone.

ZM Ridley cutscene — Ridley sits quietly in the Space Pirate Mother Ship, in *Metroid: Zero Mission*.

However, there are nonetheless glimpses of intelligence and deviousness. A cutscene in Metroid: Zero Mission showed him sitting quietly aboard the Space Pirate Mother Ship, exhibiting self-control. Another moment of self-control is in Super Metroid, where he hid in the shadows and left the Baby in plain view for Samus to find before making his presence known to her, at which point he gave her ample time to strike first while he stared her down. It is also implied he activated the Ceres Colony's Self-Destruct System. In Metroid Prime, Ridley bombed the Cradle on Tallon IV specifically to prevent Samus from accessing and destroying the source of Phazon within the Impact Crater. In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, he attacked Samus on Norion when she was traversing through ducts in her Morph Ball form to limit her defensive options. Later, he made sure to have Samus fall down the Generator C shaft with him to ensure she would at least fall to her death if he was beaten. Interestingly, Ridley's cunning seems to be embedded on a genetic level, as his clone, who was feral as a result of lacking civilized upbringing, was nevertheless capable of manipulating or provoking fellow bioweapons into attacking the 07th Platoon while he focused on Samus.

His capacity to reason was shown during his fight with Samus on SR388, where despite clearly being aware of the Baby's role in aiding Samus late into the fight, he made no attempt at killing it with the implication that he still needed to capture it alive for the Space Pirates on Zebes. Additionally, if she were to inflict enough damage to him at Ceres he will preemptively flee with the Metroid, demonstrating he can assess the situation and disengages from a losing battle to avoid jeopardizing the plans of his organization.

Ridley is also shown to be prideful and to have a sadistic sense of humor. He had Mecha Ridley created in his image, displaying narcissism.^[3] His bloodthirsty tendencies were indicated in a Pirate Data scan explaining his reconstruction as Meta Ridley, where the crew stated that Ridley becoming the mainstay of security was "a job he will certainly relish."^[4] His sadism also manifests in his clone when he toys with the emotionally shocked Samus using the sharp-end of his tail as holds her in his hands. This characterization is also displayed in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; in his third victory pose, he is seen from behind raking the ground with his claws as if eviscerating a downed opponent, before grinning wickedly at the camera. In his character trailer, A Piercing Screech, Ridley twirls Mario's cap on one finger to mock his victim and taunt the latter's companion, Samus. In addition, one of the gameplay scenes in the same trailer has a brief hint towards his sadistic nature where, after using Skewer on Link, he proceeded to crouch and watch as Link keeled over.

Because of this capacity for pride, Ridley has developed a bitter rivalry with Samus Aran due to her constant interference and his various defeats at her hands. He is shown to make spiteful jabs at her, such as leaving the Baby's empty capsule in the adjacent room behind him to ensure he gets the last laugh if she defeats him. His pride and hatred has sometimes been a detriment as well: Ridley's final ambush on Norion leads to both him and Samus falling down a pit but instead of flying away and leaving her to die, he tries to kill her himself during the free-fall and consequently suffers injuries that make him incapable of stopping Rundas from rescuing her. It's also implied that his hatred of Samus may be rooted as genetic memory, due to his clone being especially eager to kill Samus, with the Mystery Creature's Trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / 3DS hinting that its antagonism was rooted in Ridley's murder of Samus's family. His hatred of Samus is given a reference with his Final Smash Plasma Scream, where he always attacks her Gunship irrespective of whether Samus herself is one of the fighters launched into it.

The manga and comics are the only sources of media where Ridley is seen talking. A possible explanation is that the sounds Ridley and the Pirates make in the games are the Space Pirate language, translated for the reader's benefit. Regardless, Ridley's speech and thoughts being shown to the reader reveal details of his personality that are not entirely communicated in the games while other aspects are exclusive to these literature works.

In the manga, Ridley is presented far more clearly as a leader of the Space Pirates, showing the character giving orders to his subordinates who respect him and obey without question. He is portrayed with an incredibly brutal disposition and love of destruction when, during a Pirate raid on K2-L with the main goal of stealing Afloraltite, he orders his army to annihilate the planet's peaceful inhabitants as a priority, going as far as to tell them in the midst of the chaos to "First, enjoy the slaughter to the fullest". His cruelty is further made apparent when he attacks a small girl trying to befriend him, pretending to pity her at first and then killing her mother in the process. Ridley even went so far as to taunt Samus by saying that he may have eaten and incorporated the cells of her mother's corpse, and sardonically wondered where her cells rested in his body, as well as sarcastically demanding while forcing a then-catatonic Samus to kneel that she "at least pay her respects" in reference to her mother. Despite the emphasis on Ridley's malice, the manga manages to portray him with some rationality and self-control, such as when he tells his soldiers on K2-L to nevertheless take caution around the highly explosive Alfloraltite during their enlivened attack, and how he seemingly withdraws himself from the raid at some point to be content with simply watching his subordinates continue the massacre, at least until he got confirmation that the Alfloraltite was secured.

Ridley also displays a foul temper and an arrogant belief that nothing can defeat him. He seems to hold a grudge against Samus for her deceased father's role in the massive failure of Ridley's raid on K2-L. He also refers to Samus's existence when meeting her for the first time since the K-2L raid as a "nightmare", implying that his hatred for Samus stemmed also from the fact that she survived the massacre at all. He, like many Space Pirates, also believes in the superiority of certain races over others, counting himself among the privileged elites and seeing the "lower" races such as humans as pests to exterminate. Interestingly, Ridley grudgingly shows respect to those who are natural leaders, such as when Gray Voice ordered the Pirates to their battle stations; Ridley, taken aback, smirked at being told by Gray Voice to attend to his job and sarcastically addressed him as "Sir Military Commander" as he left.

Powers and abilities

MetaRidleyCutscene — Meta Ridley charges his Plasma Breath, in *Metroid Prime Remastered*.

Ridley is a cunning and brutal warrior. His most recurring ability is his plasma breath, which can take the form of rolling fireballs or short-ranged plumes of flame. While fighting hand-to-hand, Ridley slashes with his long claws and bites with his giant teeth. His nimble tail has a razor-sharp blade at the end, which he uses to slice or impale targets. He is an adept flier whose wings let him move through the air at incredible speeds to outrun and ambush opponents. He can even fly through outer space to an unknown extent, able to at least fly from the Frigate Orpheon to Tallon IV unaided (it remains unseen if he flew from the Ceres Space Colony to Zebes unaided or not). One of Ridley's signature combat techniques is grabbing victims with his superior strength, able to hold Samus in one claw for point-blank plasma blasts or to bash and scrape her along surfaces.

In Metroid: Other M, Ridley's clone displays the ability to change the pigments of his skin and harden it, a state called Black Ridley that enhances his speed and strength and makes him immune to Samus' beam attacks. He can only be damaged by Super Missiles in this state. In Super Metroid, he appears briefly camouflaged into the darkness of his arenas, possibly thanks to this ability to change skin pigments.

As Meta Ridley, he was installed with various built-in weaponry that enhanced his firepower. These included a plasma breath laser, aerial bombs, missile salvos, and stomp shockwaves. As Omega Ridley, he could also channel Phazon into these attacks.

Ridley is incredibly adept at survival, able to heal himself by consuming others and incorporating their cells into his body.^[5] He is infamous for his uncanny ability to cheat death on many occasions. Notable occasions of his survival include:

In the manga, his survival of an explosion on K2-L by consuming the bodies of dead humans.
Being reconstructed after his first defeat by Samus on Zebes, becoming Meta Ridley.
Surviving his fall into the Impact Crater on Tallon IV, being given an improved armorskin.
Surviving his fall into Generator C on Norion, being infused with Phazon to become Omega Ridley.
Returning via unknown means as Proteus Ridley, with no traces of Phazon and fewer cybernetic implants, following his defeat in the Pirate Homeworld's Leviathan Seed.
Shedding his remaining cybernetics after his defeat on SR388, appearing whole once more on the Ceres Space Colony.

His battle against Samus during her final visit to Zebes is the definitive end of the original Ridley. However, true to his title as the "God of Death", Ridley quite literally returns from the dead through astonishing circumstances:

Ridley's DNA lingered on Samus' Power Suit after their battle on Zebes, allowing Galactic Federation personnel to unknowingly collect his DNA and create his clone on the BOTTLE SHIP.
Following the death of Ridley's clone, his deceased body was moved to the BSL research station, where his DNA was copied by an X Parasite to form the mimicry Neo-Ridley.

Official data

Metroid manual

Ridley: "It's the head of Mini-Boss Hideout II. It jumps up into the air and breathes fire. It's the original life form of the planet Zebes and is controlled by Mother Brain. Destroy it and you win 75 missile blasts!!!"

Virtual Console retranslation

Ridley: "Flies up into the air and breathes fire. An indigenous life-form of Zebes, this creature is being controlled by Mother Brain."

The Official Nintendo Player's Guide

RIDLEY: "It attacks Samus by spewing fireballs. A missile attack is very effective, but if you have the wave beam, it would be a good idea to use the beam continuously while jumping through the lava."

Nintendo Power Volume 29

RIDLEY: The First MINI-BOSS: "When you enter the chamber, Ridley begins firing balls of flame. Make sure your energy tanks and missiles are filled up. Two methods of attack can be successful. Using the Wave Beam, maneuver beneath Ridley's platform and fire upwards. Keep jumping to reduce the damage. The other method is to use missiles from point blank range or near the door.
Not only does Ridley shoot fire, it hops around on the platform.
If you stand in the lava while attacking, jump continuously to reduce the damage."

Super Metroid manual

RIDLEY: "(The Boss of Norfair)
Ridley headed the mission to the Space Colony and stole the Metroid Hatchling. It whips out at enemies with its long tail and spits fire while flying through the air."

Super Metroid Players' Guide

"Samus met him at the start of the game, just before the science academy went down in flames. The winged space pirate leader had other things on his mind at that point, like getting away with the last Metroid. This time he has only one objective - to see Samus' quest come to an untimely and stomach churning end...
Ridley attacks in three main ways. First off, he flies off the top of the screen then swoops down quickly. When he disappears, it's best to jump up as you'll catch a glimpse of him hovering. If you know where he's swooping from it's easier to take evasive action. The second attack takes the form of swipes from his spiny tail. These are very hard to avoid so just keep jumping. He can also launch a series of fireballs from his mouth which have to be avoided. If Samus isn't careful, Ridley may catch her in his mouth. In this case, wiggle the pad left and right while pounding the buttons to try and shake free of his grip.
A good strategy is to morph down on the opposite side of the screen to Ridley's next swoop and drop a power bomb. Keep this going until you run out, then switch to super missiles. Finish him off with regular missiles and charge beams."

Defeating Ridley: Jump up when Ridley flies off...; Leap over his spiny attacks...; Use bombs and missiles against him.

Samus (JoyRide Studios)

"The dragon-like Ridley is the first boss you'll encounter in Metroid for the NES. To slay the beast, use powerful attacks such as the Wave Beam or a missile fired at point-blank range."

"Use the Ice Beam to freeze Ridley's projectiles, then close in and fire missiles at point-blank range."

"If you use the Wave Beam, you'll have to stand in the lava to take your shot. Keep jumping to minimize your damage."

Metroid: Zero Mission interview

"Though there are many secrets in the Metroid series, my instant thought is why is Ridley preserved in the freezing chamber? What was the Galactic Federation planning to do with him?"

Yoshio Sakamoto: "For the time being, I don't know. Maybe it will be revealed in the near future?" ^[6]

Official Metroid: Zero Mission website

RidleyZMsite — Image from the *Zero Mission* website.

"Extremely dangerous! Enormous wing-span and long, whip-like tail. Moves very fast and attacks with alarming ferocity. Emits fireballs of gas from elongated beak. Will try to pick up enemies and crush them with razor-sharp talons. Vulnerable to Super Missiles. DANGER LEVEL: VERY HIGH."

"Powerful wings"
"Razor sharp talons"
"Elongated beak"

Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes Q&A

QUESTION: I have again great things to say [about Metroid Prime 2]. The details to the settings are amazing... Anyway, as for my question: Metroid Prime 2 comes after Metroid Prime 1, correct? And, since the Space Pirates are also present... does this mean that Ridley will be back, too?

ANSWER: If you play to the end, I think you’ll figure it out.[1]

QUESTION: I'm in the middle of playing the game right now. It's very interesting. I have a small question. In the previous game there were limited time scans (pained smile) and was wondering if there any of those in this one? In my opinion so far the game has a great presentation that does not lose your interest. I often forget what time it is. And even if I play for a short amount of time it feels like you’ve made a good amount of progress. I’m expecting Ridley to appear at any moment because for me he is the true Metroid nemesis. I hope to be snatched and taken away. Basically I’d like to see Ridley in literally every game...

ANSWER: If you see something, scan it! It’s the basics. If not, you may regret it... Whether or not Ridley will appear, you’ll be able to tell if you finish the game.[2]

Nintendo of America tweet

"Did you know? If you’re able to do enough damage to Ridley, he’ll momentarily drop the Infant Metroid before leaving the Ceres Research Station.

Play Super Metroid and other classic #SNES games now with #NintendoSwitchOnline! https://nintendo.com/switch/online-service/nes/"^[7]

Cameo appearances

"What's the matter? All I said was that Komaytos look like little Metr-"

Non-canon warning: This article or section contains information that may not be considered an official part of the Metroid series in the overall storyline by Nintendo.

Ridley appeared in the Captain N: The Game Master comics and TV series.
- Ridley appears in the comic stories Welcome to Videoland, Money Changes Everything (in name), Breakout, and When Friends Fall Out (as a flashback) based on his original concept art. In Breakout, he impersonated Judge Racklas, another member of his species, after Mother Brain had all of her own crimes reattributed to Princess Lana. In the comics, his design was derived from the art for Ridley for the NES version.
- In the TV series, Ridley appears as an orange potbellied dragon. Although this is very different from his original design, it is identified as "Ridley" in concept artwork, and storyboards show Ridley with an appearance that much more closely matches his original NES manual artwork, with multiple eyes and a pointed tail. Ridley appears in the episode GameBoy as one of the monsters generated by Game Boy while under Mother Brain's control.
Ridley appears in the Super Metroid comic from Nintendo Power, with largely the same role as in the game. However, a notable difference from the game is that, other than their brief encounter on Ceres Space Station, he never actually fights Samus, and instead "called a retreat" and left the Space Pirates to fend for themselves when Samus arrived, with Armstrong Houston also noting that Ridley was a coward upon witnessing this. As such, he never actually was killed by Samus.
Ridley is on the box and cartridge art for Super Metroid, which also appears in WarioWare: Smooth Moves on the Wii, in the microgame Super Nostalgic Entertainment System.
As part of another collaboration between Nintendo and Team Ninja, Ridley's clone and his signature theme make a cameo appearance in Dead or Alive Dimensions. He attacks characters from the background of the Geothermal Power Plant arena, and is killed by a Power Bombing Samus when a sound is made in the mic.

NL Kraid and Ridley — Kraid and Ridley animatronics in Metroid Blast

Ridley appears in Nintendo Land as an animatronic boss in the Metroid Blast attraction. Ice Ridley is an additional variant whose attacks freeze the Mii players. Depending on the mission, Ridley may be fought alone, or he may be teamed up with Ice Ridley or Kraid. Ridley can also be unlocked as a prize, placing a non-hostile version of the animatronic in the main plaza. Its description is "Violent, villainous, and highly intelligent, Ridley is Samus's nemesis, commander of the Space Pirates, and the galaxy's greatest threat. Attack him from the back when he's stunned."
Defeating Ridley acted as one of the challenges in NES Remix 2 as well as its 3DS port, Ultimate NES Remix. A promotional 3DS wallpaper for the latter game also featured Ridley fighting Link (the latter in his Zelda II: The Adventure of Link sprite).
A flashback of Samus's battle with Ridley in Metroid appears in the Discover the Hunter Trailer for Metroid Dread.

Super Smash Bros. series

Main article: Ridley (Super Smash Bros.)

Ridley has made appearances in all games in the Super Smash Bros. series in some form, but it was not until Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that he became a playable character.

Development notes

An unused Fake Ridley, similar to Mini-Kraid, exists in the data for Metroid. It was cut for unknown reasons, though other Ridley imposters would eventually be introduced in later games.

Ridley has multiple different vocalizations throughout his appearances. In Super Metroid, his vocalizations were directly taken from the roars of the character Anguirus from the Godzilla film series. In Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission, Ridley (or in the case of Fusion, Neo-Ridley) gave notoriously loud shrieks similar to a parrot. In his 3D appearances as well as Metroid: Samus Returns, he is given more bestial roars, which were also given a slight alien filter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Etymology

The name "Ridley" is an English name which means "Reed clearing; cleared land; barren land",^[8]. Although technically befitting his bloodthirsty and sadistic nature, Ridley's name is commonly assumed to have derived from Ridley Scott, the director of the first film of the Alien film series, which was acknowledged as a significant influence on Metroid. As further evidence of this homage to Ridley Scott, Ridley's stinger-tipped tail and (since Super Metroid) his lean skeletal appearance bear a close resemblance to the titular Alien Xenomorph.

Size

Main article: Ridley is too big

Ridley's size has mostly wavered throughout the series, and even from panel to panel in the prequel manga. The only constant since Super Metroid is that he is larger than Samus. This led to the "Ridley is too big" meme among fans who disagreed with his suitability as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a sentiment Masahiro Sakurai agreed with. However, he was eventually made playable in Ultimate, now standing roughly as tall as Bowser for ease of implementation.

During the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate conference, Sakurai stated that Ridley was about four meters tall (or 13'1½"). Based on previous games, Ridley could very well be the smallest of the Space Pirate generals at a confirmed height of four meters, as Phantoon is massive in Other M, Kraid is quite large in Super Metroid and Zero Mission, Draygon is slightly taller, and Mother Brain's main body in Super Metroid significantly adds to her height.

Metroid Prime 3 frequently changes Ridley's size between gameplay and cutscenes, as well as in-between camera shots within the latter. Hacking into the data reveals Meta Ridley is at 450% of his "default" size when he is first seen in Cargo Dock C, then changes repeatedly from 275% to 350% in the cutscene within Generator C. His size settles on 450% during the battle in the Generator Shaft, but is reduced to 250% for the cutscene at the end of the battle. Omega Ridley is at 100% size during the intro & outro cutscenes, but 250% size for the entire fight.

In all of his 2D appearances, Ridley's wings are disproportionately smaller than his body to the point of making them unlikely to even lift Ridley off the ground, and yet he soars through the air with ease. This was likely an intentional design choice to prevent him from taking up most of the screen in his in-game fights. His 3-D appearances and manga rectify this by giving him wings that exceed the size of his main body.

Metroid: Other M is the only game where Ridley's upper jaw is not longer than the lower one, and is also the only game where it points upwards, not down.

Music

Ridley's signature battle theme was originally used as a generic boss fight background music in Super Metroid (also being used for the Torizo, Golden Torizo and Draygon fights), but in later games, it has been associated solely with Ridley. Although there have been variations of Ridley's theme in each game (different tempo, extra beats, etc.), the music's rhythm and sound are consistent and used for every incarnation except for his very first boss fight in the original Metroid. The theme has also been used during the countdown sequences of Super Metroid, Fusion and Other M, with the first one having alarm blaring being heard in the background for this reason.

Trivia

Japan Baby Ridley — *Super Metroid* commercial.

In every 2-D game featuring him, Ridley's fireballs have an uncanny resemblance to Mario's 2-D fireballs. Whether or not this similarity is intentional is unknown. Except in Corruption and Zero Mission, Ridley's fireballs are always indestructible.
No explanation is seemingly given for Ridley suddenly leaving Ceres when he gains the upper hand in the battle against Samus. When the latter's health is lowered to a critical point, he chooses to let her live instead of ending the life of the greatest threat to all Space Pirates and their ambitions. This decision dooms the remaining Space Pirates on Zebes, as Samus soon recovers and builds up enough strength to single-handedly wipe them all out, including killing the original Ridley for good.
Ridley's absence in Federation Force was explained by the developers as wanting to distance themselves away from familiar Metroid elements,^[9].
While Meta Ridley's theme is found in Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt and Metroid Prime 2: Bonus Disc, it is only in the former where it is featured in regular gameplay. In the latter, the theme's existence is only known through its internal data and is a variant slowed down by 50%. Unused text in the full version of Metroid Prime 2 implies that Meta Ridley's theme was going to be present in the multiplayer mode.
Ridley's physical similarities to the Aliens/Xenomorphs from Alien are further highlighted with his design in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Additionally, in his reveal trailer, he kills Mario and Mega Man in a similar fashion to the Xenomorphs.
Ridley appears on the Super Metroid Stare-E-O Poster.

Ridley Pirate Homeworld monitors — Space Pirate monitors depicting Ridley's image.

In the Pirate Command sector of the Pirate Homeworld, images of Ridley can be found on the glowing orange monitors. Rooms with these monitors include Command Courtyard and Command Station.
Samus has kept a tendency in most games to shoot Ridley directly inside his mouth and throat, either during cutscenes or in-game battles.
Meta Ridley can be seen on Nintendo Monopoly representing Tennessee Avenue for $180, though the property is simply referred to as "Ridley". It features a claw-like appendage at the tip of his tail instead of the usual spear-tip, and his wings are attached below his arms akin to a bat.
Ridley apparently does not seem to need oxygen to live. Metroid Prime clearly portrayed him flying out into space without any gear as he escapes the Orpheon, though this may be due to his cybernetics. Additionally, the Super Metroid comic features him exiting out into space and his Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy states that he flies through space with his wings; however, these sources are considered non-canon.

There is no explanation on how he is able to fly in an environment which does not contain air or gas, a necessary medium for any creature with wings to take flight; he is nevertheless seen flapping his wings. Meta Ridley's wings appear to be energy-based, which may hold some significance.

The Ridley clone's blood is green, as shown in Other M. This is a common trope for alien creatures in science fiction environments. However, Ridley's blood is shown to be red in Corruption during the boss battle on Norion before he falls down the shaft. Coincidentally, some reptiles in real life also have green blood.
Although Ridley is canonically male, several official sources (including the manuals for Metroid and Super Metroid) refer to Ridley with gender-neutral pronouns.
An April Fool's Day cover for the magazine Game Informer that jokingly claimed that Team Ninja would work on the next Metroid game depicted Ridley wearing a two-piece bikini reserved for females (which had itself been a reference to Team Ninja's Dead or Alive Xtreme series).
Other M reveals that Ridley's vision is tinted green, possibly as a result of nictitating membranes that cover and protect his eyes.
His animated reveal trailer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the first time since Ridley's role in the Metroid manga where Ridley has displayed a sense of humor, playfully twirling the hat of a defeated Mario when revealing himself to Samus with something of a grin.
In Super Metroid, there is a glitch where Ridley gets stuck on the platform in his lair, thus (like the Omega Ridley glitch) leaving him unable to do anything.^{[citation needed]} This can be fixed by reloading the game.
The Metal Alien from the Contra series (another series inspired by the Alien franchise) bears a slight resemblance to Ridley. Further referencing this is the Metal Alien's strikingly similar attacks.

Appearances

Metroid

Victory Techniques for Metroid
Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order
Famiken Ryu: Metroid and Super Xevious - The Riddle of Gamp
Metroid: The decisive battle against Ridley!

Super Metroid

Metroid Fusion
Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet

Metroid: Other M

Past is Prologue

Miitomo (Pet)
Metroid Prime: Federation Force (Paint Job)
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid Dread (Chozo Archives)

Crossover Appearances

Nintendoland — Ridley's trophy in the main hub of *Nintendo Land*.

Captain N: The Game Master

Comics

Welcome to Videoland
Money Changes Everything (Mentioned)
Breakout
When Friends Fall Out (Flashback)

Cartoon

Game Boy

Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Super Nostalgic Entertainment System

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Gallery

For concept art, see Ridley/Gallery.

Metroid

Super Metroid

Metroid: Zero Mission

Other appearances

References

^ Q&A: Is Ridley from Metroid Really Native to Zebes? « Legends of Localization. Mato Tree (2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-04.
^ Metroid: Volume 2 pg. 12, based on the translation by Metroid Database
^ Development Room, Metroid: Zero Mission Official Site
^ "Meta Ridley" Pirate Data. Metroid Prime.
^ Metroid: Volume 2, Chapter 8, Page 10. Metroid Database (2002). Retrieved on 2013-10-03.
^ http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/?g=features&p=faq3#stage03
^ Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 21 January 2020 4:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1219726360291053568
^ https://www.thenamemeaning.com/ridley/
^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-01-metroid-prime-federation-force-dev-explains-decision-to-not-focus-on-samus
^ Nintendo of Europe (Nintendo Europe). "Happy #ReptileAwarenessDay! To celebrate, why not tell us who your favourite reptilian juggernaut is to fight against in #SuperMetroid, now available to play with #SuperNES – #NintendoSwitchOnline!" Oct 21, 2019 9:46 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1186277558368661504

Ridley
Forms	Mecha Ridley • Meta Ridley • Omega Ridley • Proteus Ridley • Little Birdie Mystery Creature • Clone • Black Ridley • Neo-Ridley • Fake Ridley • Ridley-2 • Ice Ridley
Areas/Rooms	Ridley's room (Ridley's Lair) • Biotech Research Area 2 • Exterior Docking Hangar Phendrana Shorelines • Artifact Temple • Generator Shaft • Pirate Homeworld Leviathan Core Landing Site • Geothermal Power Plant • Neo-Ridley's room
Attacks	Kinetic Breath Weapon • Meson Bomb Launcher • Ultrathermal Flamestrike Projector Multi-Missile System • Phazon-enhanced armorskin • Fireball shockwave • Hyper claw slash Arcing-fireball attack • Rocket • Spike Bomb
Music	Ridley's Chamber • Tourian • Vs. Ridley • Vs. Meta Ridley • Omega Ridley • Nemesis Ridley
Other	Biography • Gallery • Greed • Judge Racklas • Space Dragon • Chapter 17 Ridley in Super Smash Bros. • A Piercing Screech • 65: Ridley • "Ridley is too big"

Main antagonists
Metroid series	Ridley • Mother Brain • Queen Metroid • MB • James Pierce • SA-X • Raven Beak
Metroid Prime series	Metroid Prime • Gorea • Emperor Ing • Dark Samus • Doomseye
Spinoff/Other Media	True Chozo • Dragüd • Amok Mommy • Dominion • Greed • Mad AI

*Bosses in the Metroid* series**
Metroid	Kraid • Ridley • Mother Brain
Metroid: Zero Mission	Charge Beam Beast • Acid Worm • Kraid • Kiru Giru • Imago • Ridley • Mother Brain • Ruins Test • Mecha Ridley (Unused: Crocomire)
Metroid II: Return of Samus	Alpha Metroid • Arachnus • Gamma Metroid • Zeta Metroid • Omega Metroid • Queen Metroid
Metroid: Samus Returns	Alpha Metroid • Arachnus • Gamma Metroid • Zeta Metroid • Diggernaut • Omega Metroid • Queen Metroid • Proteus Ridley
Super Metroid	Torizo • Spore Spawn • Kraid • Crocomire • Phantoon • Botwoon • Draygon • Golden Torizo • Ridley • Big Metroid • Mother Brain
Metroid: Other M	Brug Mass • Fune • Namihe • King Kihunter • Groganch • Mystery Creature • Goyagma • Fumbleye • RB176 Ferrocrusher • Rhedogian • Vorash • Ridley • Nightmare • Queen Metroid • MB (Desbrachians) • Phantoon
Metroid Fusion	Arachnus • Elephant Bird • Zazabi • Serris • Security Robot B.O.X. • Barrier Core-X • Scientist • Yakuza • Nettori • Nightmare • Neo-Ridley • SA-X • Omega Metroid
Metroid Dread	E.M.M.I. (01P, 02SM, 03MB, 04SB, 05IM, 06WB, 07PB) • Central Unit • Corpius • Kraid • Robot Chozo Soldier • Drogyga • Chozo Soldier • Escue • Experiment No. Z-57 • Golzuna • Elite Chozo Soldier • Raven Beak (Raven Beak X)
*See also: Bosses in the Metroid Prime* series**

Space Pirates
Pirate Classes	Pirate • Militia • Trooper (Dark) • Shadow • Grenadier • Trooper Pirate • Hussar • Commando Pirate Pirate Commando (Dark) • Commander • Armored • Bruiser • Melee Trooper (Cloaked) Deck Commander • Phazite Armored
Zebesians	Gray • Gold • Silver • Cyborg • Super • Aqua • Hologram
Aerotroopers	Flying Pirate • Aqua Pirate • Armored • Advanced • Assault • -G Dark
Elite Pirates	Phazon Elite • Omega Pirate • EPG-8644 and EPG-8656 • EPG-8701 and EPG-8702
Turrets, Robots, Mines and Drones	Auto Defense • Mega • Despair-Class • Dread-Class • Remorse-Class • "Vigilance" Class • Sentry Drone • Aqua Drone • Cloaked Drone • Preed (Dark) • Puffer Mine • Aeromine • Jumpmine Proximity Mine • Crawltank • Crawlmine • "Jolly Roger" Drone • Phazon Harvester Drone • Pirate Surveillance Drone • Pirate Cargo Drone
Pirate Creatures	Atomic • Badger Clover • Berserker Lord • Berserker Knight • Bombu (Pulse/Scatter) • Evir • Gronkat • Korakk Beast • Kihunter (King) • Mimic • Olbap • Scarp • Scritter • Thardus • Urtragian Shriekbat • Zero Shock beast • Thrash-hunters
Pirate Leaders	Ridley • Mother Brain • Kraid (Mini-Kraid) • Dark Samus • Gandrayda • Phantoon • Draygon • High Command • Weavel Pirate Boss • Boss • Dragüd • Doruba
Pirate Characters	Bug Brain • Chief Astrogation Officer • Commando unit 87 • Experiment 7526 • P-1 • Technician 12 • Units 013 and 043 • Unit 686 • Rundas • Ghor • Gandrayda • Aurora Unit 313
Locations	Agon Mining Facility • Glacier One • Pirate Homeworld • HQ • Tourian Citadel • Metroid
Organizations	Facility Command • Project Helix • Project Titan • Removal Squad • Security Command • Science Team • Sympathisers • Special-forces unit • Team Sclera Planteers of Krom
Miscellaneous	Assault on the Pirate Homeworld • Class Platinum-AAA threat level • Code Blue • Crane • Datanet • History • Lotus Milestone • Metroid project "Dread" • MB • Rotation Control Unit • Command Network • Gallery • Language • Boarding Pod • Crate Kraid's Missile Gun

Biomechanical
Hybrids	Asborean • Chozo Statue • Darkling • Dark Samus • Dark Suit • Light Suit • PED Suit • Samus Aran • Omega Suit
Biomechanical	Aurora Unit • Security Robot B.O.X. • Cortex Chamber • Dark Diligence Drone • Dark Ingsmasher • Dark Quad • Fusion Suit • Mother Brain • Nightmare • Quadraxis • SA-X • Space Pirate Boarding Pod
Cyborgs	Crash Pillar • Ghor (-G) • Kyratian • Leviathan Battleship • Pirate Militia • Preed (Dark) • Puffer Mine • Ridley (Meta/Omega/Proteus) • Samus Aran • Slench • Space Pirate • Weavel • Zebesian (Cyborg/Super) Large Leviathan-class armed ship • U-ton

Diets
Carnivores	Phazon tendril • Ridley • Vorash • Yapping Maw Plants: Bloodflower • Dark Phlogus • Samus Eater • Shrieker • Sporb • Tangle Vine • Tangle Weed • Venom Weed • Zazabi
Detritivores	Grizby • Phazon Leech • Parasite (Plated/Ice/Queen) • Sbug
Insectivores	Bryyonian Shriekbat • Flickerbat • Gel Ray • Glowing spidervine • Ice Shriekbat
Omnivores	Green Kralee • Human • Ice Parasite • Little birdie • Space Pirate

Galactic Federation
Politics	Chairman of the Galactic Federation • Galactic Federation Council • Federation governor • Galactic Federation Circuit Court
Figureheads	Commander Adam Malkovich† • Chairman Vogl • Chairman Keaton • Chief Hardy • Chief Rodney Aran† • Ensign • General Alex Miles • The Colonel • the ringleaders • Virginia Aran† Judge Racklas
Enemies	Space Pirates • Metroids • Ridley† • Horus Rebellion • Mother Brain† • Rundas† • Ghor† • Gandrayda† (NZG41) • Dark Samus† • MB† • the ringleaders • Zombie researcher
Members	Commander Mauk • Damara • Doctor Wells • Dr. Madeline Bergman • Federation Empath • "Federation official" • Federation surgeon • Federation survey team • Fleet Troopers Fleet Admiral Castor Dane • Fleet Mechanics • G-5 • Gray Voice • Head Quarantine Officer • Kreatz • Lab Workers • Luis Ramirez† • Michael Kelbaugh† • Old Bird • Operators • Platinum Chest • Potato Farmer • Quarantine Officer • Ryan Powell† • Scott Petersen† • Sir • Trooper 002 Big Bro • Captain Dare • Commander Nemo • grave digger • Jeff McCloud† • Klaus Schneider† • Lily Thran† • Miguel Luis Garcia† • Officer • Police-Man • Bomad • Zegan Doh • Fleet Admiral
Military	07th Platoon (Members) • Chief • Chozo R&D Division • Commanding Officer • Federation Bureau • Federation Force • Federation Police Force Federation Marines (PED/Missile/Demolition/Dark/Dark Missile) • 3rd Division of the Federation Space Army • Special Investigations Group Federation Fleet • Talon, Blade and Nova Squadrons • Galactic Federation Marine Corps (Task Force Herakles/Squad Bravo/Forces One-Two/Crew†) Galactic Federation Army • Galactic Federation Special Squadron† • GF Database • GF Naval Base Demeter • Olympus-class battleship • Operation Golem • Project Metroid Warriors • Special-forces unit
Spacecraft	Beatrix III† • Carrier • Extractor • Federation Army Special Ops Battleship VIXIV IV • Federation Cruisers Icarus and Baldur • Galactic Federation mothership (Quarantine room/Empty training room/Meeting room) • G.F.S. Aegis • G.F.S. Anhur • G.F.S. Enkidu • G.F.S. Olympus • G.F.S. Theseus • G.F.S. Tyr • G.F.S. Valhalla • Galactic Federation Battleship VIXIV • G.F.S. Daedalus • Lusitania (Drive unit†) • Galactic Federation dropship Federated Force research station‏‎ • Starship
Controlled Locations	Aliehs III • Biologic Space Laboratories research station† • BOTTLE SHIP† • Ceres Space Colony† (Space Science Academy†) • Corella 5 Daiban (Federation Meeting Assembly Hall/Galactic Federation Academy) • Dasha region • Excelcion (Research station/mining outpost) • Norion (Base Sector Zero) • Jamoru • Jigrad Kalandor region (Federation Solar System Bryyo/Elysia/Norion) • K-2L • Leviathan Battleship† • Space Research Vessel Marina† • SR388† Sun (Earth/Galactic Federation Headquarters) • Zebes† • Federation Bureau Headquarters • RX 338
Miscellaneous	Biologic's research team • Bottle Ship P.A. Announcer • Bounty Claim Form • Cycle • Federation Formal Dress • Federation mark • Galactic Federation Data Galactic Federation Crate (Ordnance/Transport) • GF Research and Development Division • Industrial-grade pesticide • Intelligence team • Leviathan Command Codes • Mech • Mission File PED Delta squad • Planet Reclamation Division • Power Suit • RB176 Ferrocrusher • Rogue Contract • Seguru • Technology • Tivus • "Elfin" • "Simian" • "Ceratopsid" Vaccine "Metroid" • Zero Mission
† means this person, location or object is deceased or destroyed.

[1] Q&A: Is Ridley from Metroid Really Native to Zebes? « Legends of Localization. Mato Tree (2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-04.

[2] Metroid: Volume 2 pg. 12, based on the translation by Metroid Database

[3] Development Room, Metroid: Zero Mission Official Site

[:0-4] "Meta Ridley" Pirate Data. Metroid Prime.

[5] Metroid: Volume 2, Chapter 8, Page 10. Metroid Database (2002). Retrieved on 2013-10-03.

[6] ttp://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/?g=features&p=faq3#stage03

[7] Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 21 January 2020 4:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1219726360291053568

[8] ttps://www.thenamemeaning.com/ridley/

[9] ttp://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-01-metroid-prime-federation-force-dev-explains-decision-to-not-focus-on-samus

[10] Nintendo of Europe (Nintendo Europe). "Happy #ReptileAwarenessDay! To celebrate, why not tell us who your favourite reptilian juggernaut is to fight against in #SuperMetroid, now available to play with #SuperNES – #NintendoSwitchOnline!" Oct 21, 2019 9:46 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1186277558368661504

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{semi-protected|small=yes}}
+{{-}}
+{{Featured article}}
+{{-}}
 :''This article refers to the recurring boss. For other uses of the name Ridley, see [[Ridley (Disambiguation)]].''
 {{Infobox Character
 |name        = Ridley
-|image       = [[File:Ridley zerom.jpg|280px]]
+|image       = SSBU Spirits Ridley.png
 |caption     = Official artwork of Ridley as he appears in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''.
-|species     = Unknown ("[[Space Dragon]]" in non-canon media)
+|species     = Unknown ([[space dragon]] in non-canon media)
 |homeworld   = [[Zebes]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://legendsoflocalization.com/qa-is-ridley-from-metroid-really-native-to-zebes/|title=Q&A: Is Ridley from Metroid Really Native to Zebes? « Legends of Localization|publisher=Mato Tree| year=2014| accessdate=2014-04-04}}</ref>
-|born        = Prior to ''[[Metroid]]''.<br />Reborn through cloning in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.
+|born        = Prior to all events of the [[Metroid timeline|''Metroid'' timeline]].<br />Reborn through cloning in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.
 |gender      = Male
 |eyes        = Yellow, orange, yellow-green (varies between appearances)
-|affiliation = [[Space Pirate]] military commander.|death = ''[[Super Metroid]]''<br/>''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' (Clone)<br/>''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' (X Parasite clone)}}
+|affiliation = [[Space Pirate]] military commander.|death = ''[[Super Metroid]]''<br/>''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' ([[Ridley (clone)|clone]])<br/>''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' ([[X Parasite]] [[Neo Ridley|clone]])|hair=None}}
+{{cquotetxt|''Heh, humans are always so weak to the death of their own kind! Who knows, perhaps I even ate your "mama" so that my cells may live, hmm? Is she here... or here?! AT LEAST PAY YOUR RESPECTS!''|Ridley<ref>''[[Metroid: Volume 2]]'' [https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_2_jp/ch_0008/MetroidManga2-06.jpg pg. 12], based on the [https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_2_en/ch_0008/metroid_v02_ch008_012.png translation] by [[Metroid Database]]</ref>|color=gray|size=360%}}
+{{nihongo|'''Ridley'''|リドリー|Ridorī}} is a high-ranking [[Space Pirate]] and one of the most recurring characters in the [[Metroid (series)|''Metroid'' series]], appearing as a boss in over half of the games released thus far. He is the archenemy of [[Samus Aran]], a status he gained over the years since his prominent role in ''[[Super Metroid]]''; in addition to this, he also became widely regarded as the main villain of the entire franchise despite never being the primary antagonist of any game. Ridley's actual role is that of a secondary antagonist where he answers to a higher power and/or his presence is overshadowed by an unrelated threat, depending on the game.
-{{cquotetxt|''Kill as much as you want! Have fun!''|Ridley|color=gray|size=360%}}
+==Summary==
+Sadistic and bloodthirsty, Ridley delights in death and destruction, and was responsible for the massacre of the colony [[K-2L]]. Since then, he and Samus have clashed several times, with Samus usually emerging the victor. But Ridley's brutality is matched only by his resilience, and he regularly returns from apparent death to do battle with Samus once more. As such, he is fittingly referred to as the '''{{Nihongo|Cunning God of Death|狡猾の死神}}''' in his ''Zero Mission'' official art on the [[Metroid Zero Mission Official Site|Japanese website]].
+Resembling an emaciated pterodactyl-dragon with glowing eyes, the true name of Ridley's species is unknown. Despite his appearance and often bestial behavior within the games, Ridley's position as a Space Pirate leader has been confirmed since back in ''Super Metroid''<nowiki/>'s instruction booklet, with the ''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]'' manual and in-game scans further describing him as a mainstay and enforcer of the Pirate armies. The [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|''Magazine Z'' manga]] depicts him as being highly intelligent and even capable of speech. He also successfully built a [[Mecha Ridley|robot in his own likeness]], according to the [[Yoshio Sakamoto|co-creator]] of the ''Metroid'' series. Ridley is often depicted as a comrade of [[Kraid]] in supplementary materials such as official merchandise, artwork, media and the manga, while the games themselves vaguely reference this through [[Stone Statues|their]] [[Golden Statues|statues]].
-{{nihongo|'''Ridley'''|リドリー|Ridorī}} is a high-ranking [[Space Pirate]], the archenemy of [[Samus Aran]], and one of the most common recurring characters in the [[Metroid series]], appearing in almost every ''[[Metroid (series)|Metroid]]'' game with the exception of ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', and ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]''. Ridley's appearance is considered similar to a skeletal dragon with glowing eyes. Ridley is known for being very defiant and persistent; though Samus has defeated him many times, he always manages to return and do battle with her, either through his healing abilities or robotic enhancements. As such, Ridley is fittingly referred to as the '''Cunning God of Death''' in his ''Zero Mission'' official art. Ridley is considered the main antagonist of the series, despite not typically acting as such in any individual games.
+Although Ridley often appears in different forms and varying sizes, it is clarified not only through scans in the [[Metroid Prime series|''Metroid Prime'' series]] but also through events in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' that all his incarnations chronologically seen before the latter game are indeed the same individual despite his numerous defeats (the exception being Mecha Ridley). Strangely, some of his prior battles ended with his entire body seemingly exploding but in-game lore states he somehow survived these violent defeats until his final battle in ''Super Metroid''. His proficiency for survival is also displayed in the manga: following the destruction of his flagship and its wreckage falling on top of Ridley, he reappears unscathed later on, claiming to have healed his wounds by consuming the bodies of the dead humans in K-2L.
-Despite his fearsome and bestial appearance, Ridley is known to be highly intelligent and is shown to even be capable of speaking in the manga; with his intelligence, he was also evidently capable of building a [[Ridley Robot|synthetic construct made in his own image]]. He is known to have a bloodthirsty personality and takes great personal enjoyment in destruction. Though Ridley often appears in different forms, through scans found in the [[Metroid Prime series|''Metroid Prime'' series]] and events portrayed in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'', it is confirmed that every one of his incarnations chronologically seen before both ''Other M'' and ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' are indeed the same being (save for the Ridley Robot) despite his multiple defeats (some of which involve his body exploding). In most games he appears in, he has been the penultimate or ante-penultimate boss, save for ''Zero Mission'' and ''Other M''; however, the Ridley Robot is the final boss in the former game.
+Ridley has been present in all but five ''Metroid'' games - ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]'' and ''[[Metroid Dread]]''. Minor references to him can still be found in several of these via his associated [[Vs. Meta Ridley|theme]] in [[Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt|their]] [[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc|demos]], cosmetic [[Paint Job]]s based on him and images of the character present in [[Gallery#Metroid_Dread|galleries]]. Ridley is usually the penultimate or ante-penultimate boss in the games he's featured in, and half of them present multiple battles against him and/or some manifestation of him. His sole appearance as a final boss is in ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'', the remake of ''Metroid II''.
-The manga also has revealed that Ridley is extremely adept at survival. Ridley was apparently capable of healing his wounds by eating human flesh, as illustrated in the manga in a part where he claimed that he survived the destruction of his flagship by consuming the bodies and cells of the dead humans in [[K-2L]].
 ==Biography==
@@ Line 25: / Line 31: @@
 ==Boss Battles==
 ===''[[Metroid]]''===
+{{Infobox Boss
-In ''Metroid'' for the ''Famicom Disk System'' and ''Nintendo Entertainment System'', Ridley is located in his subterranean base, [[Ridley's Lair|Mini-Boss hideout II]]. His room consists of a large, floating platform with two levels of differing height (with the boss on the highest), and a pool of [[lava]] located below. In his debut, Ridley is approximately Samus' height, and despite having wings (albeit very small ones), he merely hops up and down while spitting zigzagging fireballs at her. The American artwork of Ridley portray him with a vastly more alien design, featuring a head with a leech-like mouth and numerous ocular organs of varying sizes scattered about (as seen in the '''Gallery''' at the bottom of this page).
+|name=Ridley
+|image=Metroid Boss Ridley.gif
+|caption=Ridley's sprite in ''[[Metroid]]''
+|location=[[Ridley's room]]
+|attacks=Fireballs
+|weakness=[[Missile]]s, [[Ice Beam]]
+|music="[[Tourian (theme)]]"
+|reward=75 Missiles
+}}
+In ''Metroid'' for the NES and Famicom, Ridley is one of the two bosses on [[Zebes]] who must be defeated to access [[Tourian]]. He awaits in a [[Ridley's room|chamber]] in [[Ridley's Lair|Mini-Boss Hideout II]]. Here, Ridley is approximately Samus' height.
-Samus can use any weapon her [[Power Suit]] possesses to damage him. His fireballs, however, are indestructible and excel as a defense mechanism, destroying any long-range weapon and nullifying the blast from [[Bomb]]s on contact. If Samus possesses the [[Ice Beam]], she can temporarily freeze all of Ridley's projectiles, rendering him incapable of shooting out any others until the ice thaws. Depending on the position the fireballs are frozen in, they can either leave Ridley completely exposed to any attack, or prevent anything, including Samus, from getting close to him, thus careful precision is required when using the Ice Beam.
+Ridley only attacks by hopping in place while shooting zig-zagging fireballs. He can be damaged by any weapon; his fireballs, however, are indestructible and excel as a defense mechanism, blocking long-range weapons and nullifying [[Bomb|Bombs]]. If Samus possesses the [[Ice Beam]], she can freeze the fireballs, keeping Ridley from shooting any more until the ice thaws. Depending on the position the fireballs are frozen in, this can either leave Ridley exposed to attack or completely block him off.
-Interesting to note is that Ridley's battle is noticeably more challenging in the Japanese Famicom version of the game, due to the console's superior specs over the American NES version: in the former console, each individual fireball created by Ridley has a different trajectory randomly picked from a set, meaning that players will have to deal with projectiles traveling at different speeds with small or large zigzag patterns, practically leaving no safe zone. The latter console can only choose a single trajectory for all of Ridley's fireballs every time the NES itself is turned on. This signifies that the American version will ''always'' feature multiple safe zones in the room where the fireballs can never reach, allowing players to either stand next to Ridley and shoot him without repercussions, or stand a set distance away and simply jump and fire at Ridley without receiving damage. It is mostly due to this hardware limitation that makes Ridley the least challenging boss in the NES game.
+Ridley's battle is more challenging in the Japanese Famicom version of the game, due to the console's superior specs over the American NES version. The Famicom randomly chooses a different trajectory for each fireball, meaning players must deal with a wide variety of speeds and patterns. The NES can only choose a single trajectory for all fireballs each time the NES is turned on, consistently leaving safe zones where the fireballs never reach.
-Once Samus defeats him, 75 [[missile]]s are added to her maximum amount. He is one of [[Zebes]]' guardians that must be defeated in order to activate the [[Stone Statues]] overlooking the path to [[Tourian]].
-[[File:Zeromissionridley.gif|thumb|Samus battles Ridley in his lair, in ''Metroid: Zero Mission''.]]
+Once Samus defeats Ridley, 75 [[Missile]]s are added to her maximum amount. His defeat also activates one of the two [[Stone Statues]] overlooking the path to Tourian.
-=== ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission|Zero Mission]]'' ===
-In ''Zero Mission'', Ridley, looking more like his later appearances, is instead initially offworld at the time Samus infiltrates the base, but returns with his ship by the time she reaches [[Lower Norfair]]. Ridley is much taller and more agile than in the original ''Metroid''. He flies around and tries to kill Samus with his "classic attacks" first seen in ''Super Metroid'', though are noticeably far less chaotic and his tail is less maneuverable. Ridley will often spit out different-sized fireballs in a variety of ways, but these can be destroyed with any weapon. He is also capable of using his crushing grip and fireballs in a combined form to heavily damage Samus. When she defeats him, she is allowed to leave with the [[Unknown Item]] she had obtained just before the battle.
+===''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''===
-[[Ridley Robot]], created in the creature's likeness, guards the [[Space Pirate Mother Ship]]. The Robot serves as the end boss of ''Zero Mission''. After Samus explores the Mothership, the nearby [[Chozodia|Chozo hruins]], and recovers her lost [[Power Suit]], she eventually stumbles upon the mechanized version of Ridley which she must destroy in order to leave the ship. After its destruction, it activates a self-destruct mechanism that obliterates the Mothership.
+{{Infobox Boss
+|name=Ridley
+|image=Ridley_(Zero_Mission_Animation).gif
+|caption=Ridley roaring in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
+|location=[[Ridley's room]]
+|attacks=Fireballs, tail strikes, grabbing
+|weakness=[[Super Missile]]s
+|music="[[Vs. Ridley]]"
+|reward=[[Unknown Item]] ([[Gravity Suit]]) in room prior
+}}
+In the remake ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', Ridley is off-world aboard the [[Space Pirate Mother Ship]] when Samus infiltrates the Pirate base on Zebes. Following the defeat of Kraid, he returns to Zebes to ambush Samus in [[Lower Norfair]].
+Ridley is much taller and more agile than in the original ''Metroid''. He flies around using his attacks from ''Super Metroid'', spitting fireballs and swiping at Samus with his tail. His fireballs can be destroyed by any of Samus' weaponry, unless he has grabbed her in his talons first. He falls quite quickly to [[Super Missile|Super Missiles]].
+Ridley explodes upon his defeat, allowing Samus to leave with the [[Unknown Item]] she had obtained just before the battle. This also unlocks one of the Stone Statues blocking the way to Tourian.
+Also in the same game is his incomplete project '''[[Mecha Ridley]]''', a robot which guards the Space Pirate Mother Ship and serves as the final boss of ''Zero Mission''.
+===[[Metroid Prime series|''Metroid Prime'' series]]===
+{{Main|Meta Ridley|Omega Ridley}}
+[[File:SSBU Spirits Meta Ridley.png|thumb|Meta Ridley in ''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]''.]]
+After his defeat on Zebes, Ridley's remains were recovered and reconstructed with cybernetic implants, turning him into a cyborg. He is known as '''Meta Ridley''' for the entirety of the first ''Prime'' game and the prologue of ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', until his final battle in the latter game where he becomes the [[Phazon]]-infused '''Omega Ridley'''.
+===''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]''===
+{{Main|Proteus Ridley}}
+[[File:MSR ProteusRidley artwork.png|thumb|Proteus Ridley in ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'']]
+Despite not appearing in ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'', Ridley is present in the game's remake as '''Proteus Ridley'''. Returning from his defeats in the ''Metroid Prime'' series with fewer cybernetic implants, he ambushes Samus and attempts to capture [[Baby|the last Metroid]] just as they are about to leave [[SR388]]. This marks the first time in the series where Ridley acts as a final boss.
 ===''[[Super Metroid]]''===
+{{Infobox Boss
-[[File:Metroid ridley.jpg|thumb|Ridley in ''Super Metroid''.]]
+|name=Ridley
-Ridley is first fought in the [[Ceres Space Colony]], carrying the [[baby|last Metroid]] in his claws. He uses the same attacks as his later encounter, but neither he nor Samus can be defeated - after he or Samus takes a certain amount of damage, Ridley escapes the colony with the Metroid and goes back to [[Zebes]].
+|image=SuperMetroid Ridley Sprite.gif
+|caption=Ridley's sprite in ''[[Super Metroid]]''
+|location=[[Ridley's room]]
+|attacks=Fireballs, tail strikes, grabbing
+|weakness=[[Super Missile]]s
+|music="[[Vs. Ridley]]"
+|reward=Access to [[Tourian]]
+}}
+Ridley is first fought in the [[Ceres Space Colony]], carrying the [[baby|last Metroid]] in his talons after [[Metroid Theft Incident|slaughtering]] the scientists of Ceres. He attacks with fireballs as usual, but neither he nor Samus can be defeated - once Samus takes a certain amount of damage, Ridley retreats with the Metroid and returns to [[Zebes]], with it being implied that Ridley set Ceres to [[Self-Destruct System|self-destruct]]. If the player shoots Ridley 100 times without losing, Ridley briefly drops the baby, but quickly recovers it and flees before Samus can retrieve it.
-Samus fights Ridley again in his lair in the depths of [[Norfair]]. He is one of the four bosses that must be defeated to unlock access to [[Tourian]]. Unlike his previous forms, [[Meta Ridley]] and [[Omega Ridley]], the space dragon is vulnerable to many different types of weapons, from any angle. However, Ridley can use his invulnerable tail to shield himself against any attack, including breaking through the near invincible [[Screw Attack]]. In addition to defense, he uses his tail for unique offensive attacks, many of which would be seen in future releases of ''Metroid'' games, such as the whip and pogo stick-like attacks. Body slams, indestructible fireballs and damaging grips are also used in battle. With no weak points or special tactics available, Samus must simply dodge Ridley's attacks while landing hits of her own - it takes 30 Super Missiles to bring the monster down.
+Ridley is one of the four bosses that must be defeated to unlock the [[Golden Statues]] and access Tourian. He and Samus clash again in the depths of Lower Norfair. He is a nimble flier who uses the height of the chamber to his advantage, raining down fireballs from above. Ridley can also use his invulnerable tail to shield himself, even against the [[Screw Attack]]. He also uses his tail for offensive maneuvers, many of which would be seen in future ''Metroid'' games, such as the whip and pogo stick-like attacks. With no weak points, Samus must simply dodge Ridley's attacks while landing hits of her own - it takes 30 Super Missiles to bring him down. Upon losing all of his health, he aggressively moves to grab Samus one last time. If he succeeds, he flies her to the center of the room to make one last roar before exploding into pieces, dropping Samus. If she manages to evade his final attempts at grabbing her, Ridley eventually dies anyway.
-When defeated in Norfair, Ridley's body combusts and breaks apart, with every individual piece disintegrating into ash. After Samus kills [[Mother Brain]], [[Zebes]] explodes, taking Ridley's remains with it. ''Metroid: Other M'' states that this defeat marks the first '''''true death''''' of Samus's arch-nemesis; Ridley had survived all his defeats chronologically taking place prior to ''Super Metroid''.
+Ridley's defeat offers Samus no reward besides access to Tourian; in the next room she finds a shattered capsule that once held the last Metroid, a final jab from her nemesis. Once Samus kills [[Mother Brain]], planet Zebes explodes, taking Ridley's remains with it. ''Metroid: Other M'' states that this defeat marks the first '''''true death''''' of Samus's arch-nemesis; Ridley had seemingly survived all of his previous battles, regardless of apparent occasions of disintegration.
 ===''[[Metroid: Other M]]''===
+{{Main|Ridley (clone)}}
-[[File:Samus grasped by Ridley Plasma Beam charge Geothermal Power Plant Pyrosphere HD.jpg|thumb|Samus battles Ridley's clone.]]
+[[File:MetroidOtherM OfficialGuidebook Ridley Render.png|thumb|Ridley's clone in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]''.]]
-Samus tracks a [[Mystery Creature]] that molted from [[Little birdie]] into the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] in an effort to finish it off, believing that it has metamorphosed into a more powerful form after finding a second molted skin. The creature emerges from the shadows as Ridley, and Samus battles him once more.
+Following his death, Ridley's DNA lingered on the surface of Samus' [[Power Suit]]. As the [[Galactic Federation]] took samples from it to clone the Zebes wildlife, they unknowingly cloned Ridley as well, not recognizing his juvenile form [[Little Birdie]]. On the [[BOTTLE SHIP]], Samus encounters Little Birdie in the [[Sector 1 / Biosphere|Biosphere]], and once it molts into a [[Mystery Creature]], it attacks her at the [[Exam Center]]. She tracks it to the [[Geothermal Power Plant]], where it emerges in its adult form as the draconic Ridley. He seemingly kills [[Anthony Higgs]] before fighting Samus, but she defeats him using the Plasma Beam. He then retreats to the [[Bioweapon Research Center]], only to be killed and reduced to a [[Brittle husk|husk]] by the [[Queen Metroid]].
+===''[[Metroid Fusion]]''===
-Like his predecessor, the Ridley clone is equipped with some of the original's "classic" attacks, as well as a few new moves of his own. His main form of attack is to swipe Samus with his claws, as well as whip her with his tail. Both attacks can be dodged with the [[SenseMove]]. Ridley will also breathe a short-ranged burst of flame if Samus is close enough, and can also charge up a large stream of fire. Ridley's most devastating attack is to charge at Samus and, if successful, drag her along the wall (reminiscent of his battle in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''), causing major damage (this attack can be predicted as he will raise his left hand to grab her). After this, Ridley will stop for a moment and prepares to breathe fire at her at point-blank range to knock her back onto the battlefield and deal more damage to her, though this allows Samus to fire a charged shot at him.
+{{Main|Neo-Ridley}}[[File:Neo Ridley Animation.gif|thumb|190px|Neo-Ridley in ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''.]]
+The husk of Ridley's clone was transferred to the [[Sub-Zero Containment]] in the [[BSL Station|BSL research station]], where it was eventually copied and disintegrated by an [[X Parasite]]. Using the corpse's DNA, the X transforms into an unnatural imitation known as '''Neo-Ridley''', which Samus defeats and absorbs to gain the Screw Attack.
+The original Ridley appears in one of the [[List of Metroid endings#Japanese endings|endings]] of the Japanese version, acquired by completing [[Normal Mode]] in over four hours. He is seen advancing on a young Samus and what are presumably [[Virginia Aran|her mother]] and [[Chief Rodney Aran|father]], the latter of whom is shooting Ridley to no avail. It should be noted that this was the first time that Ridley's involvement in the K-2L raid was ever referenced by official ''Metroid'' media.
-Ridley also has two aerial attacks at his disposal. His first move consists of stabbing the Hunter with his tail, then attempting to crush her from above. Well-timed SenseMoves can dodge this assault. His other attack consists of charging up a huge fireball and firing it at the center of the arena, creating a large shockwave that must be jumped over.
+==Physical appearance==
-Once Samus has inflicted enough damage to Ridley, the Pirate leader will fall over, stunned and vulnerable to a [[Lethal Strike]], where Samus grabs hold of Ridley and fires a charged shot down his throat. After performing a Lethal Strike, Ridley will immediately counter with a new move: he will harden his skin and gain a darker look, rendering him invulnerable to Samus' Plasma Beam shots. Samus can either wait until the effect wears off or fire a [[Super Missile]] at him, returning him to normal immediately. After hardening his skin, he will immediately fly up to unleash a fireball to the ground, though while he hardens his skin Samus can charge and fire a Super Missile at him before he can fly.
+Ridley's signature traits are scaly skin, wings, a pointed head, a bent neck, and a long tail with a bladed tip; overall, he closely resembles a European dragon or pteranodon. He is most commonly depicted with vibrant purple skin and yellow eyes, though this varies.
+In the first ''Metroid'', his Japanese artwork depicts him as a dragon with large eyes and blue skin, while his American artwork portrays him with a vastly more alien design, featuring a sucker-like mouth and numerous ocular organs. Due to technical limitations of the time, Ridley's sprite had purple skin and green eyes, and his wings were very small in proportion to the rest of his body.
-Interestingly, as Ridley takes damage, his body becomes more and more ravaged. Once Ridley has taken sufficient damage, he will fall over, unconscious, but quickly gets back up and escapes, where he is later killed by a [[Queen Metroid]].
+''Super Metroid'' established a more consistent look for Ridley. He has didactyl feet, glowing eyes, a longer neck, and an exaggerated tail so long that it is used as a weapon. His head has even more pterodactyloid features, including a head-crest. His physique is also grotesquely emaciated, exposing his ribcage and musculature just beneath his flesh. While arwork gave him red skin and orange eyes, sprites gave him his signature purple skin and yellow eyes.
+In subsequent appearances, Ridley maintained most of the design traits introduced in ''Super Metroid'', though his colors leaned towards purple rather than red. Notable design departures include his mutation as [[Neo-Ridley]] in ''Metroid Fusion'', his green-brown skin, red eyes, and red patagium in ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', the ''Metroid Prime'' series which introduced his [[Meta Ridley]] form, and his [[Ridley (clone)|clone]] in ''Metroid: Other M'' who had a more muscular build, opposable thumbs and tridactyl feet, and red patagium.
+Ridley's size has fluctuated greatly throughout the series. In the first ''Metroid'' he was barely taller than Samus, while in ''Super Metroid'' he was over twice her size. His Meta Ridley form in ''Metroid Prime 3'' may be the largest he has ever been as Samus can fit almost entirely in his mouth, though later on in the same game he reappears noticeably shrunken down as Omega Ridley, now only large enough to fit her Arm Cannon in his jaws.
 ==Personality and traits==
+{{cquotetxt|''First, enjoy the slaughter to the fullest!!''|Ridley, to the Space Pirates, immediately prior to their massacre of K-2L in the ''Metroid'' manga.|color=gray|size=360%}}
-While Ridley is commonly misinterpreted by players as a destructive beast, the official [[Metroid manga]] delved a great deal deeper into the persona of the Space Pirate General. Ridley first appeared in chapter one, where his violent disposition and love of death and destruction are made apparent when he orders his entire legion of Space Pirates to annihilate the peaceful inhabitants of [[K2-L]] as he looked on. His ability for cruelty is further made concrete in the manga, when he attempts to kill a [[Samus Aran|small girl]] who tries to befriend him; killing her [[Virginia Aran|mother]] while trying to shield the child. He, like many of his Space Pirate brethren, also believes in the superiority of certain races over others, counting himself among the privileged elite species and seeing the "lower" races as something only to exterminate.
+Not much is known about Ridley within the games, as most of his time on screen consists of being in combat with Samus while rampaging and roaring like an animal. This makes him an ideal killing machine to fight on the front lines of the [[Space Pirate]] forces and likely why he is frequently seen alone.
+[[File:ZM Ridley cutscene.png|thumb|Ridley sits quietly in the Space Pirate Mother Ship, in ''Metroid: Zero Mission''.]]
+However, there are nonetheless glimpses of intelligence and deviousness. A cutscene in ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' showed him sitting quietly aboard the [[Space Pirate Mother Ship]], exhibiting self-control. Another moment of self-control is in ''[[Super Metroid]]'', where he hid in the shadows and left the [[Baby]] in plain view for Samus to find before making his presence known to her, at which point he gave her ample time to strike first while he stared her down. It is also implied he activated the [[Ceres Space Colony|Ceres Colony]]'s [[Self-Destruct System]]. In ''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]'', Ridley bombed the [[Cradle]] on [[Tallon IV]] specifically to prevent Samus from accessing and destroying the source of Phazon within the [[Impact Crater]]. In ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', he attacked Samus on Norion when she was traversing through ducts in her [[Morph Ball]] form to limit her defensive options. Later, he made sure to have Samus fall down the [[Generator C]] shaft with him to ensure she would at least fall to her death if he was beaten. Interestingly, Ridley's cunning seems to be embedded on a genetic level, as [[Ridley (clone)|his clone]], who was feral as a result of lacking civilized upbringing, was nevertheless capable of manipulating or provoking fellow bioweapons into attacking the [[07th Platoon]] while he focused on Samus.
+His capacity to reason was shown during his fight with Samus on SR388, where despite clearly being aware of the [[Baby]]'s role in aiding Samus late into the fight, he made no attempt at killing it with the implication that he still needed to capture it alive for the Space Pirates on Zebes. Additionally, if she were to inflict enough damage to him at Ceres he will preemptively flee with the Metroid, demonstrating he can assess the situation and disengages from a losing battle to avoid jeopardizing the plans of his organization.
-Despite these bloodthirsty tendencies, Ridley has shown to be an intelligent and competent battle tactician, orchestrating a great many successful battles, as well as proving a serious threat on his own. Interestingly, his traits as a competent leader seem to even be on a genetic level, as his clone, who was raised without any education (making him feral), was seemingly leading various creatures into attacking [[Adam Malkovich]]'s [[Galactic Federation 07th Platoon|squad]] while he handled Samus alone in his [[Mystery Creature|adolescent form]]. However, his quick temper and his arrogant belief that nothing can defeat him often undermines these qualities, leading to a great many defeats for him as well.
+Ridley is also shown to be prideful and to have a sadistic sense of humor. He had [[Mecha Ridley]] created in his image, displaying narcissism.<ref>[[Metroid Zero Mission Official Site#Development Room|Development Room, ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' Official Site]]</ref> His bloodthirsty tendencies were indicated in a Pirate Data scan explaining his reconstruction as Meta Ridley, where the crew stated that Ridley becoming the mainstay of security was "a job he will certainly relish."<ref name=":0">"Meta Ridley" [[Pirate Data]]. ''Metroid Prime''.</ref> His sadism also manifests in his clone when he toys with the emotionally shocked Samus using the sharp-end of his tail as holds her in his hands. This characterization is also displayed in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''; in his third [[victory pose]], he is seen from behind raking the ground with his claws as if eviscerating a downed opponent, before grinning wickedly at the camera. In his character trailer, ''[[A Piercing Screech]]'', Ridley twirls [[List of characters in the Super Smash Bros. series#Mario|Mario]]'s cap on one finger to mock his victim and taunt the latter's companion, Samus. In addition, one of the gameplay scenes in the same trailer has a brief hint towards his sadistic nature where, after using Skewer on Link, he proceeded to crouch and watch as Link keeled over.
-Ridley also seems to grudgingly show respect to those that are natural at commanding others, such as when [[Gray Voice]] is ordering the Pirate Troops to their battle stations; Ridley, taken aback, smirks at being told by Gray Voice to attend to his job and sarcastically addresses him as "Sir Military Commander" when he flies off.
+Because of this capacity for pride, Ridley has developed a bitter rivalry with Samus Aran due to her constant interference and his various defeats at her hands. He is shown to make spiteful jabs at her, such as leaving the Baby's empty capsule in the adjacent room behind him to ensure he gets the last laugh if she defeats him. His pride and hatred has sometimes been a detriment as well: Ridley's final ambush on Norion leads to both him and Samus falling down a pit but instead of flying away and leaving her to die, he tries to kill her himself during the free-fall and consequently suffers injuries that make him incapable of stopping [[Rundas]] from rescuing her. It's also implied that his hatred of Samus may be rooted as genetic memory, due to his clone being especially eager to kill Samus, with the [[Mystery Creature]]'s Trophy in [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / 3DS'']] hinting that its antagonism was rooted in Ridley's murder of Samus's family. His hatred of Samus is given a reference with his Final Smash [[Plasma Scream]], where he always attacks her [[Gunship (Return of Samus)|Gunship]] irrespective of whether Samus herself is one of the fighters launched into it.
-He has also frequently displayed a very sadistic sense of humor, evidenced by his various comments against Samus upon their first meeting since K2-L. Ridley even goes so far as to taunt her by saying that he may have eaten and incorporated the cells of her mother's corpse into his body and sardonically wonders what part her cells reside in. He then proceeds to bring his foot down on Samus, angrily saying ''"At least pay your respects!"''; referring to her dead mother, showing just how much joy he takes in the suffering of others. This sadism can also be seen in ''Other M'', as the cloned Ridley appears to toy with Samus before being interrupted by Anthony.
-While they have speaking roles in the manga and comics, Ridley and the Space Pirates have never displayed this ability in-game. A likely explanation is that the sounds Ridley and the Pirates make in-game are the Space Pirate language, translated for the reader's benefit in the manga.
+The [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|manga]] [[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)|and]] [[Nintendo Comics System|comics]] are the only sources of media where Ridley is seen talking. A possible explanation is that the sounds Ridley and the Pirates make in the games are the Space Pirate language, translated for the reader's benefit. Regardless, Ridley's speech and thoughts being shown to the reader reveal details of his personality that are not entirely communicated in the games while other aspects are exclusive to these literature works.
+In the manga, Ridley is presented far more clearly as a leader of the Space Pirates, showing the character giving orders to his subordinates who respect him and obey without question. He is portrayed with an incredibly brutal disposition and love of destruction when, during a Pirate raid on [[K-2L|K2-L]] with the main goal of stealing [[Afloraltite]], he orders his army to annihilate the planet's peaceful inhabitants as a priority, going as far as to tell them in the midst of the chaos to "First, enjoy the slaughter to the fullest". His cruelty is further made apparent when he attacks a [[Samus Aran|small girl]] trying to befriend him, pretending to pity her at first and then killing her [[Virginia Aran|mother]] in the process. Ridley even went so far as to taunt Samus by saying that he may have eaten and incorporated the cells of her mother's corpse, and sardonically wondered where her cells rested in his body, as well as sarcastically demanding while forcing [[Posttraumatic stress disorder|a then-catatonic Samus]] to kneel that she "at least pay her respects" in reference to her mother. Despite the emphasis on Ridley's malice, the manga manages to portray him with some rationality and self-control, such as when he tells his soldiers on K2-L to nevertheless take caution around the highly explosive Alfloraltite during their enlivened attack, and how he seemingly withdraws himself from the raid at some point to be content with simply watching his subordinates continue the massacre, at least until he got confirmation that the Alfloraltite was secured.
+Ridley also displays a foul temper and an arrogant belief that nothing can defeat him. He seems to hold a grudge against Samus for her deceased father's role in the massive failure of Ridley's raid on K2-L. He also refers to Samus's existence when meeting her for the first time since the K-2L raid as a "nightmare", implying that his hatred for Samus stemmed also from the fact that she survived the massacre at all. He, like many Space Pirates, also believes in the superiority of certain races over others, counting himself among the privileged elites and seeing the "lower" races such as [[Human|humans]] as pests to exterminate. Interestingly, Ridley grudgingly shows respect to those who are natural leaders, such as when [[Gray Voice]] ordered the Pirates to their battle stations; Ridley, taken aback, smirked at being told by Gray Voice to attend to his job and sarcastically addressed him as "Sir Military Commander" as he left.
 ==Powers and abilities==
-[[File:Orpheon screenshot 16.png|thumb|300px|[[Meta Ridley]], escaping the [[Frigate Orpheon]].]]
+[[File:MetaRidleyCutscene.gif|thumb|left|Meta Ridley charges his Plasma Breath, in ''Metroid Prime Remastered''.]]
+Ridley is a cunning and brutal warrior. His most recurring ability is his plasma breath, which can take the form of rolling fireballs or short-ranged plumes of flame. While fighting hand-to-hand, Ridley slashes with his long claws and bites with his giant teeth. His nimble tail has a razor-sharp blade at the end, which he uses to slice or impale targets. He is an adept flier whose wings let him move through the air at incredible speeds to outrun and ambush opponents. He can even fly through outer space to an unknown extent, able to at least fly from the [[Frigate Orpheon]] to [[Tallon IV]] unaided (it remains unseen if he flew from the [[Ceres Space Colony]] to [[Zebes]] unaided or not). One of Ridley's signature combat techniques is grabbing victims with his superior strength, able to hold Samus in one claw for point-blank plasma blasts or to bash and scrape her along surfaces.
-Ridley has proven to be a fierce opponent in battle. While fighting hand-to-hand, Ridley primarily makes use of his lethal claws, talons, and tail. Ridley is also capable of breathing plasma in battle, either in the form of large fireballs, or a large stream. His wings enable him to fly at fast speeds to outrun opponents. Ridley also possesses physical strength sufficient enough to grab Samus with one hand and drag her along the wall, as evident in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' and ''Metroid: Other M''. He is also shown to be adept at survival, able to heal himself by consuming others and incorporating their cells into his body.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metroid-database.com/manga/official_vol_2_en/ch_0008/metroid_v02_ch008_012.png |title=[[Metroid: Volume 2]], Chapter 8, Page 10 |publisher=Metroid Database | year=2002 | accessdate=2013-10-03}}</ref> In ''Metroid: Other M'', Ridley's clone displays the ability to change the pigments of his skin and harden it, making him immune to Samus' beam attacks. While in this hardened state, Ridley's attacks also gain greater speed and strength. He also appears invisible or camouflaged when encountered in Super Metroid, also likely an ability resulting from his ability to change the pigments of his skin.
+In ''Metroid: Other M'', Ridley's clone displays the ability to change the pigments of his skin and harden it, a state called [[Black Ridley]] that enhances his speed and strength and makes him immune to Samus' beam attacks. He can only be damaged by Super Missiles in this state. In ''Super Metroid'', he appears briefly camouflaged into the darkness of his arenas, possibly thanks to this ability to change skin pigments.
-Ridley is infamous for his uncanny ability to cheat death on many occasions. He is referred to as the "'''Cunning God of Death'''" in the official artwork of ''Zero Mission''. Notable occasions of this are:
+As Meta Ridley, he was installed with various built-in weaponry that enhanced his firepower. These included a [[Kinetic Breath Weapon|plasma breath laser]], [[Meson Bomb Launcher|aerial bombs]], [[Multi-Missile System|missile salvos]], and [[Ultrathermal Flamestrike Projector|stomp shockwaves]]. As Omega Ridley, he could also channel [[Phazon]] into these attacks.
-*His survival of the destruction of [[K2-L]] by consuming the bodies of the dead humans, according to the manga.
-*His "resurrection" as [[Meta Ridley]] following his first defeat on [[Zebes]].
+Ridley is incredibly adept at survival, able to heal himself by consuming others and incorporating their cells into his body.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/manga/official_vol_2_en/ch_0008/metroid_v02_ch008_012.png |title=[[Metroid: Volume 2]], Chapter 8, Page 10 |publisher=Metroid Database | year=2002 | accessdate=2013-10-03}}</ref> He is infamous for his uncanny ability to cheat death on many occasions. Notable occasions of his survival include:
-*Having survived his fall on the [[Impact Crater]] by seemingly fusing with [[Phazon]] and later transformed into [[Omega Ridley]] after his defeat on [[Norion]].
-*In ''Super Metroid'', he returns with a purely organic body with no traces of Phazon.
+*In the manga, his survival of an explosion on [[K2-L]] by consuming the bodies of dead humans.
-*He is unintentionally [[little birdie|cloned]] by the [[Galactic Federation]].
-*An [[X Parasite]] mimics his DNA, transforming him into [[Neo-Ridley]].
+* Being reconstructed after his first defeat by Samus on [[Zebes]], becoming [[Meta Ridley]].
+*Surviving his fall into the [[Impact Crater]] on [[Tallon IV]], being given an improved armorskin.
+*Surviving his fall into [[Generator C]] on [[Norion]], being infused with Phazon to become [[Omega Ridley]].
+*Returning via unknown means as [[Proteus Ridley]], with no traces of Phazon and fewer cybernetic implants, following his defeat in the [[Pirate Homeworld]]'s [[Pirate Homeworld Seed|Leviathan Seed]].
+* Shedding his remaining cybernetics after his defeat on [[SR388]], appearing whole once more on the [[Ceres Space Colony]].
+His battle against Samus during her final visit to Zebes is the definitive end of the original Ridley. However, true to his title as the "God of Death", Ridley quite literally returns from the dead through astonishing circumstances:
+*Ridley's DNA lingered on Samus' Power Suit after their battle on Zebes, allowing Galactic Federation personnel to unknowingly collect his DNA and create [[Ridley (clone)|his clone]] on the [[BOTTLE SHIP]].
+*Following the death of Ridley's clone, his deceased body was moved to the [[Biologic Space Laboratories research station|BSL research station]], where his DNA was copied by an [[X Parasite]] to form the mimicry [[Neo-Ridley]].
 ==Official data==
-===''Metroid: Zero Mission'' interview===
+===''Metroid'' manual===
+; Ridley
-''"Though there are many secrets in the [[Metroid series]], my instant thought is why is Ridley preserved in the freezing chamber? What was the [[Galactic Federation]] planning to do with him?"''
+:''"It's the head of Mini-Boss Hideout II. It jumps up into the air and breathes fire. It's the original life form of the planet [[Zebes]] and is controlled by [[Mother Brain]]. Destroy it and you win 75 [[missile]] blasts!!!"''
-*'''[[Yoshio Sakamoto]]:''' ''"For the time being, I don't know. Maybe it will be revealed in the near future?"'' [http://www.metroid-database.com/?g=features&p=faq3#stage03]
+====Virtual Console retranslation====
-===''Metroid'' manual===
+;Ridley
-''"It's the head of Mini-Boss Hideout II. It jumps up into the air and breathes fire. It's the original life form of the planet [[Zebes]] and is controlled by [[Mother Brain]]. Destroy it and you win 75 [[missile]] blasts!!!"''
+:''"Flies up into the air and breathes fire. An indigenous life-form of Zebes, this creature is being controlled by Mother Brain."''
-===Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
+===''[[The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]''===
+; RIDLEY
-''"It attacks Samus by spewing fireballs. A missile attack is very effective, but if you have the wave beam, it would be a good idea to use the beam continuously while jumping through the lava."''
+:''"It attacks Samus by spewing fireballs. A missile attack is very effective, but if you have the wave beam, it would be a good idea to use the beam continuously while jumping through the lava."''
-===''Super Metroid'' manual===
+===''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Volume 29===
+;<nowiki>RIDLEY: The First MINI-BOSS</nowiki>
-''"Ridley headed the mission to the [[Space Colony]] and stole the [[Metroid Hatchling]]. It whips out at enemies with its long tail and spits fire while flying through the air."''
+:''"When you enter the chamber, Ridley begins firing balls of flame. Make sure your energy tanks and missiles are filled up. Two methods of attack can be successful. Using the Wave Beam, maneuver beneath Ridley's platform and fire upwards. Keep jumping to reduce the damage. The other method is to use missiles from point blank range or near the door.<br />Not only does Ridley shoot fire, it hops around on the platform.<br />If you stand in the lava while attacking, jump continuously to reduce the damage."''
+===''Super Metroid'' manual===
+;RIDLEY
+:''"(The Boss of Norfair)<br />Ridley headed the mission to the [[Space Colony]] and stole the [[Metroid Hatchling]]. It whips out at enemies with its long tail and spits fire while flying through the air."''
+===''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]''===
+''"Samus met him at the start of the game, just before the science academy went down in flames. The winged space pirate leader had other things on his mind at that point, like getting away with the last Metroid. This time he has only one objective - to see Samus' quest come to an untimely and stomach churning end...<br />Ridley attacks in three main ways. First off, he flies off the top of the screen then swoops down quickly. When he disappears, it's best to jump up as you'll catch a glimpse of him hovering. If you know where he's swooping from it's easier to take evasive action. The second attack takes the form of swipes from his spiny tail. These are very hard to avoid so just keep jumping. He can also launch a series of fireballs from his mouth which have to be avoided. If Samus isn't careful, Ridley may catch her in his mouth. In this case, wiggle the pad left and right while pounding the buttons to try and shake free of his grip.<br />A good strategy is to morph down on the opposite side of the screen to Ridley's next swoop and drop a power bomb. Keep this going until you run out, then switch to super missiles. Finish him off with regular missiles and charge beams."''
+;Defeating Ridley
+:''Jump up when Ridley flies off...''
+:''Leap over his spiny attacks...''
+:''Use bombs and missiles against him.''
+===[[Samus (JoyRide Studios)]]===
+''"The dragon-like Ridley is the first boss you'll encounter in Metroid for the NES. To slay the beast, use powerful attacks such as the [[Wave Beam]] or a missile fired at point-blank range."''
+''"Use the [[Ice Beam]] to freeze Ridley's projectiles, then close in and fire missiles at point-blank range."''
+''"If you use the Wave Beam, you'll have to stand in the [[lava]] to take your shot. Keep jumping to minimize your damage."''
+===''Metroid: Zero Mission'' interview===
+''"Though there are many secrets in the [[Metroid series]], my instant thought is why is Ridley preserved in the freezing chamber? What was the [[Galactic Federation]] planning to do with him?"''
+*'''[[Yoshio Sakamoto]]:''' ''"For the time being, I don't know. Maybe it will be revealed in the near future?"'' <ref>http://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/?g=features&p=faq3#stage03</ref>
 ===Official ''Metroid: Zero Mission'' website===
@@ Line 104: / Line 205: @@
 *''"Razor sharp talons"''
 *''"Elongated beak"''
-==Cameo appearances==
-{{Noncanon}}
-*Ridley appeared in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comic stories ''Welcome to Videoland'', ''Money Changes Everything'' (in name), ''Breakout'', and ''When Friends Fall Out'' (as a flashback) based on his original concept art. In ''Breakout'', he impersonated Judge Racklas, who is of his own species, after [[Mother Brain]] had all of her own crimes reattributed to Princess Lana. Packs of creatures similar to him attack the heroes on [[Metroid (Asteroid)|Metroid]] in the episodes ''Metroid, Sweet Metroid'' and ''GameBoy''.
-*Ridley is on the box and cartridge art for ''[[Super Metroid]]'', which also appears in ''WarioWare: Smooth Moves'' on the [[Wii]], in the microgame Super Nostalgic Entertainment System.
-*As part of another collaboration between [[Nintendo]] and [[Team Ninja]], Ridley and his signature theme make a cameo appearance in ''Dead or Alive Dimensions''. He attacks characters from the background of the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] arena, and is killed by a [[Power Bomb]]ing Samus when a sound is made in the mic.
-*Ridley appears in ''[[Nintendo Land]]'' as an animatronic boss in Metroid Blast, and as a prize. Its description is ''"Violent, villainous, and highly intelligent, Ridley is Samus's nemesis, commander of the Space Pirates, and the galaxy's greatest threat. Attack him from the back when he's stunned."''
+===[[Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes Q&A|''Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes'' Q&amp;A]]===
-==''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
+QUESTION: I have again great things to say [about Metroid Prime 2]. The details to the settings are amazing... Anyway, as for my question: Metroid Prime 2 comes after Metroid Prime 1, correct? And, since the Space Pirates are also present... does this mean that Ridley will be back, too?
-[[File:Sbshot ridley.jpg||thumb|[[Planet Zebes]] background cameo.]]
-[[File:Sb2shot 03.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' website.]]
+ANSWER: If you play to the end, I think you’ll figure it out.[https://shinesparkers.net/metroid-prime-2-dark-echoes-qa/2/]
-Ridley has made appearances in all games in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series in some form. While his appearances in the first two were only cameos, he took on a greater role in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as a boss and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' as a stage hazard.
+QUESTION: I'm in the middle of playing the game right now. It's very interesting. I have a small question. In the previous game there were limited time [[scan]]s (pained smile) and was wondering if there any of those in this one? In my opinion so far the game has a great presentation that does not lose your interest. I often forget what time it is. And even if I play for a short amount of time it feels like you’ve made a good amount of progress. I’m expecting Ridley to appear at any moment because for me he is the true Metroid nemesis. I hope to be snatched and taken away. Basically I’d like to see Ridley in literally every game...
-Ridley was and still is highly requested as a playable character in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. On the Japanese website, he was the second-most requested character behind [[King Dedede]].<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20061107182538/www.smashbros.com/jp/toukou/index.html</ref> However, some fans argue he is too large to be playable and to include him would mean scaling him down in size. The contentious nature of Ridley has spawned the "Ridley is too big" meme.<ref>http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ridley-is-too-big</ref> Masahiro Sakurai himself commented on the idea of a playable Ridley in an interview with ''[[Nintendo Power]]'':
+ANSWER: If you see something, scan it! It’s the basics. If not, you may regret it... Whether or not Ridley will appear, you’ll be able to tell if you finish the game.[https://shinesparkers.net/metroid-prime-2-dark-echoes-qa/4/]
-{{cquotetxt|''I think that would probably be pretty impossible. [Laughs] If we had put our best efforts into it, we may have been able to do it. But he might have been a little slow. Would that be all right? [Laughs]''|Masahiro Sakurai|color=gray|size=300%}}
+===[[Nintendo of America]] [[tweet]]===
-Following the release of ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'', Sakurai again addressed the requests of fans for Ridley to be playable but shot down their wishes, stating:
+''"Did you know? If you’re able to do enough damage to Ridley, he’ll momentarily drop the Infant Metroid before leaving the Ceres Research Station.''
+''Play Super Metroid and other classic #SNES games now with #NintendoSwitchOnline! https://nintendo.com/switch/online-service/nes/"''<ref>Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 21 January 2020 4:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1219726360291053568</ref>
-{{cquotetxt|''I definitely know that Ridley’s a much-anticipated name for fans, but if we made Ridley as a fighter, it wouldn’t be Ridley any longer. It’d have to be shrunk down, or its wings reduced in size, or be unable to fly around freely. Instead of going through a lot of very convoluted hocus-pocus to make Ridley a fighter, I figured it’d be better to keep Ridley as it currently is, the correct way, and have it feel like a truly threatening presence.''|Masahiro Sakurai [http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/11/19/why-ridley-isnt-playable-in-smash-bros]|color=gray|size=300%}}
+==Cameo appearances==
-===''Super Smash Bros.''===
+{{Noncanon}}
-In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', Ridley appears occasionally in the background of [[Planet Zebes]]. His appearance is based off of his ''[[Super Metroid]]'' sprite.
+*Ridley appeared in the ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'' comics and TV series.
-===''Super Smash Bros. Melee''===
+**Ridley appears in the comic stories ''Welcome to Videoland'', ''Money Changes Everything'' (in name), ''Breakout'', and ''When Friends Fall Out'' (as a flashback) based on his original concept art. In ''Breakout'', he impersonated [[Judge Racklas]], another member of [[Space Dragon|his species]], after [[Mother Brain]] had all of her own crimes reattributed to Princess Lana. In the comics, his design was derived from the art for Ridley for the NES version.
-In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', Ridley makes a brief appearance in the opening cutscene. In a homage to ''[[Super Metroid]]'', he is shown breaking through a wall and confronting Samus in a corridor, with the capsule containing the [[Metroid Hatchling]] in his talons. He also has a trophy in the game.
+**In the TV series, Ridley appears as an orange potbellied dragon. Although this is very different from his original design, it is identified as "Ridley" in concept artwork, and storyboards show Ridley with an appearance that much more closely matches his original NES manual artwork, with multiple eyes and a pointed tail. Ridley appears in the episode ''GameBoy'' as one of the monsters generated by Game Boy while under Mother Brain's control.
+*Ridley appears in the [[Super Metroid (comic)|''Super Metroid'' comic]] from ''[[Nintendo Power]]'', with largely the same role as in the game. However, a notable difference from the game is that, other than their brief encounter on Ceres Space Station, he never actually fights Samus, and instead "called a retreat" and left the Space Pirates to fend for themselves when Samus arrived, with [[Armstrong Houston]] also noting that Ridley was a coward upon witnessing this. As such, he never actually was killed by Samus.
+*Ridley is on the box and cartridge art for ''[[Super Metroid]]'', which also appears in ''WarioWare: Smooth Moves'' on the [[Wii]], in the microgame Super Nostalgic Entertainment System.
+*As part of another collaboration between [[Nintendo]] and [[Team Ninja]], Ridley's clone and his signature theme make a cameo appearance in ''Dead or Alive Dimensions''. He attacks characters from the background of the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] arena, and is killed by a [[Power Bomb]]ing Samus when a sound is made in the mic.
+[[File:NL Kraid and Ridley.jpg|thumb|Kraid and Ridley animatronics in Metroid Blast]]
+* Ridley appears in ''[[Nintendo Land]]'' as an animatronic boss in the [[Metroid Blast]] attraction. [[Ice Ridley]] is an additional variant whose attacks freeze the Mii players. Depending on the mission, Ridley may be fought alone, or he may be teamed up with Ice Ridley or Kraid. Ridley can also be unlocked as a prize, placing a non-hostile version of the animatronic in the main plaza. Its description is ''"Violent, villainous, and highly intelligent, Ridley is Samus's nemesis, commander of the Space Pirates, and the galaxy's greatest threat. Attack him from the back when he's stunned."''
+*Defeating Ridley acted as one of the challenges in ''[[NES Remix 2]]'' as well as its 3DS port, ''Ultimate NES Remix''. A promotional 3DS wallpaper for the latter game also featured Ridley fighting Link (the latter in his ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' sprite).
+*A flashback of Samus's battle with Ridley in ''Metroid'' appears in the [[Discover the Hunter Trailer]] for ''[[Metroid Dread]]''.
+==''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
-====Trophy====
+:''Main article: [[Ridley (Super Smash Bros.)]]''
-''"The head of the [[Space Pirates]] on [[Zebes]], Ridley soars through space on wicked wings. Ridley may look like a mindless monster, but he's actually quite intelligent. After the [[SR-388]] incident, where [[Samus Aran|Samus]] captured the [[infant Metroid]], Ridley took the [[Space Academy]] by storm, annihilating the complex and taking the Metroid back."''
+Ridley has made appearances in all games in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series in some form, but it was not until ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' that he became a playable character.
-===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''===
-[[File:RidleySSBB.jpg|thumb|250px|Ridley as he appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.]]
-Ridley appears as a member of the Subspace Army and a boss during the [[Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary|Subspace Emissary]], fighting Samus and [[Pikachu]] at the end of the second Research Facility level. In the cutscene prior to the battle, Ridley ambushes and grabs Samus, flying upward and scraping her along the walls. Pikachu breaks Samus free from Ridley's grasp using Thunder. In the first battle, Ridley has higher health and uses moves ranging from claw swipes to a move similar to Rayquaza's Extremespeed to a tail swipe across the entire stage. The tail swipe can do major damage (The move can do around 70% damage if the other person is at 0% damage) on harder difficulties and the extreme speed move is a main killing move. He flies from one side to the other and is similar in style to Master Hand in the way of how it attacks and then pauses.
+==Development notes==
-Ridley later attacks [[Donkey Kong]], [[Diddy Kong]], [[Captain Falcon]], [[Captain Olimar]], [[Samus]], [[Pikachu]], and [[R.O.B.]] as they are all escaping on the Falcon Flyer. In this fight, he is in his "[[Meta Ridley]]" form from ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' as he pursues. His attacks include firing missiles and energy beams from his mouth, diving at the player, and pounding on the Falcon Flyer in an attempt to send the player off-screen. During this fight, the player has only two minutes to defeat Meta Ridley.
+An unused [[Fake Ridley]], similar to [[Mini-Kraid]], exists in the data for ''Metroid''. It was cut for unknown reasons, though other Ridley imposters would eventually be introduced in later games.
+Ridley has [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyUc3xQ3pcQ multiple different vocalizations] throughout his appearances. In ''Super Metroid'', his vocalizations were directly taken from the roars of the character [[wikipedia:Anguirus|Anguirus]] from the ''[[wikipedia:Godzilla_(franchise)|Godzilla]]'' film series. In ''Metroid Fusion'' and ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', Ridley (or in the case of ''Fusion'', Neo-Ridley) gave notoriously loud shrieks similar to a parrot. In his 3D appearances as well as ''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]'', he is given more bestial roars, which were also given a slight alien filter in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.
-Ridley is later resurrected by Tabuu, the main villain of the game, to fight the player in The Great Maze (oddly, Ridley and Meta Ridley are both resurrected as separate beings).
+===Etymology===
-Hacking has uncovered data of Ridley as an Assist Trophy. This was likely scrapped in favor of making him a boss.
+The name "Ridley" is an English name which means "Reed clearing; cleared land; barren land",<ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/ridley/</ref>. Although technically befitting his bloodthirsty and sadistic nature, Ridley's name is commonly assumed to have derived from [[Wikipedia:Ridley Scott|Ridley Scott]], the director of the [[Wikipedia:Alien (film)|first film]] of the [[Wikipedia:Alien (film series)|''Alien'' film series]], which was acknowledged as a significant [[List of similarities between Metroid and Alien|influence]] on ''Metroid''. As further evidence of this homage to Ridley Scott, Ridley's stinger-tipped tail and (since ''Super Metroid'') his lean skeletal appearance bear a close resemblance to the titular Alien Xenomorph.
-====Trophy====
+===Size ===
+{{Main|Ridley is too big}}
-''"The leader of the [[Space Pirates]]. He looks like a pterosaur but has high intelligence and a brutal nature. He plans to steal the [[Baby|baby Metroid]] from Samus for his own use. Ridley utilizes wings for a full range of flight and attacks with fireballs from his mouth and whips of his tail. As the culprit behind the murder of Samus's [[Aran|parents]], the connections with Samus run deep."''
+Ridley's size has mostly wavered throughout the series, and even from panel to panel in the [[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|prequel manga]]. The only constant since ''Super Metroid'' is that he is larger than Samus. This led to the "[[Ridley is too big]]" meme among fans who disagreed with his suitability as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', a sentiment [[Masahiro Sakurai]] agreed with. However, he was eventually made playable in ''Ultimate'', now standing roughly as tall as Bowser for ease of implementation.
+During the ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' conference, Sakurai stated that Ridley was about four meters tall (or 13'1½"). Based on previous games, Ridley could very well be the smallest of the Space Pirate generals at a confirmed height of four meters, as Phantoon is massive in ''Other M'', Kraid is quite large in ''Super Metroid'' and ''Zero Mission'', [[Draygon]] is slightly taller, and Mother Brain's main body in ''Super Metroid'' significantly adds to her height.
-''[[Metroid]]''(1986)
-''[[Super Metroid]]'' (1994)
+''Metroid Prime 3'' frequently changes Ridley's size between gameplay and cutscenes, as well as in-between camera shots within the latter. Hacking into the data reveals Meta Ridley is at 450% of his "default" size when he is first seen in Cargo Dock C, then changes repeatedly from 275% to 350% in the cutscene within Generator C. His size settles on 450% during the battle in the Generator Shaft, but is reduced to 250% for the cutscene at the end of the battle. Omega Ridley is at 100% size during the intro & outro cutscenes, but 250% size for the entire fight.
-'''[[Meta Ridley]]:''' '"''The meta form of Ridley, revived using the [[Space Pirates]]' genetic engineering and cybernetic technologies. His thin chest plate--and weak point--is protected by a highly resistant membrane. Meta Ridley is highly mobile and features a multimissile system, a bomb launcher, and powerful wings. [[Ice Beam|Ice attacks]] are particularly effective in dealing damage to him.''
+In all of his 2D appearances, Ridley's wings are disproportionately smaller than his body to the point of making them unlikely to even lift Ridley off the ground, and yet he soars through the air with ease. This was likely an intentional design choice to prevent him from taking up most of the screen in his in-game fights. His 3-D appearances and manga rectify this by giving him wings that exceed the size of his main body.
-''[[Metroid Prime]]'' (2002)
+''Metroid: Other M'' is the only game where Ridley's upper jaw is not longer than the lower one, and is also the only game where it points upwards, not down.
-====Stickers in ''Brawl''====
-*'''Ridley''' - ''[[Metroid]]'' [Darkness] Attack +30 (Ganondorf)
-*'''Ridley''' - ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' [Arm] Attack +25 (All)
+==Music==
-===''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''===
+[[Vs. Ridley|Ridley's signature battle theme]] was originally used as a generic boss fight background music in ''Super Metroid'' (also being used for the [[Torizo]], [[Golden Torizo]] and [[Draygon]] fights), but in later games, it has been associated solely with Ridley. Although there have been variations of Ridley's theme in each game (different tempo, extra beats, etc.), the music's rhythm and sound are consistent and used for every incarnation except for his very first boss fight in the original ''Metroid''. The theme has also been used during the [[countdown]] sequences of ''Super Metroid'', ''Fusion'' and ''Other M'', with the first one having alarm blaring being heard in the background for this reason.
-[[File:Ridley SSB4.png|thumb|300px]]
-Unusually, Ridley does not appear in any capacity in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', not even as a trophy.
-It was implied by Masahiro Sakurai that an enemy of Samus' would appear on the [[Pyrosphere]] stage. The April 2014 Nintendo Direct featured Ridley's shadow, which suggested that he is to appear as a stage hazard on the [[Geothermal Power Plant]] similar to ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''. This was confirmed as true on October 23, when a "50 Must See Things" video was released showing Ridley. Ridley is an AI character that can be "recruited" by a fighter if enough damage is dealt by that fighter, though it is also possible to KO Ridley (even if he is working with the fighter that KOs him), and he will count as a KO in the final match results. The head icon used for Ridley in these results is taken from his ''Brawl'' artwork. Ridley spawns [[FG-1000]]s, [[Joulion]]s and [[Zero]]. Ridley can consume energy from the purple pods on either side of the main stage platform, if enough damage is dealt, to become "Meta Ridley" (actually just Ridley flashing and with more powerful attacks).
-A battle with Ridley and "[[Dark Samus]]" is simulated in the event match Galactic Avenger, which involves Samus killing the two on Pyrosphere to "avenge my parents".
-====Trophy====
-''"Samus's long-standing rival in battle. In this game, he's a common foe to all the fighters in the Pyrosphere stage. However, if you manage to launch him or knock him over, he'll become an ally to whoever dealt the last blow. Defeating him in a timed battle nets you +1 KO."''
-<gallery>
-File:Ridley Revealed in SSB4.png|Ridley with [[Zero Suit Samus]].
-File:Samus vs Ridley.png|Ridley engages Samus.
-File:Ridley flies in SSB4.png|Ridley flies up from the background.
-File:Ridley flying attack SSB4.png|Ridley flies into the foreground, similar to ''Super Metroid'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.
-File:Ridley fighting SSB4U.png|Ridley fights alongside [[Ness]].
-File:Ridley transforming SSB4U.png|Ridley transforms.
-File:Ridley KO results.png|Ridley in the KO results.
-File:Ridley trophy SSB4U.png|Trophy
-</gallery>
-{{Endnoncanon}}
 ==Trivia==
-[[File:Ridleymzm.PNG|thumb|right|[[Development Room]] concept art.]]
+[[File:Japan Baby Ridley.png|thumb|''Super Metroid'' [[commercial]].]]
+*In every 2-D game featuring him, Ridley's fireballs have an uncanny resemblance to Mario's 2-D fireballs. Whether or not this similarity is intentional is unknown. Except in ''Corruption'' and ''Zero Mission'', Ridley's fireballs are always indestructible.
-[[File:Japan Baby Ridley.png|thumb|''Super Metroid'' [[commercial]].]]
+*No explanation is seemingly given for Ridley suddenly leaving Ceres when he gains the upper hand in the battle against Samus. When the latter's health is lowered to a critical point, he chooses to let her live instead of ending the life of the greatest threat to all Space Pirates and their ambitions. This decision dooms the remaining Space Pirates on Zebes, as Samus soon recovers and builds up enough strength to single-handedly wipe them all out, including killing the original Ridley for good.
-*Ridley's name is likely derived from [[Wikipedia:Ridley Scott|Ridley Scott]], the director of the [[Wikipedia:Alien (film)|first film]] of the [[Wikipedia:Alien (film series)|''Alien'' film series]], from which ''Metroid'' games are [[List of similarities between Metroid and Alien|stated to have taken a lot of inspiration]]. His first appearance in ''Metroid'' also resembles to the Alien creatures from the same series. Throughout the series, Ridley's tail resembles that of the Alien creatures.
+*Ridley's absence in ''Federation Force'' was explained by the developers as wanting to distance themselves away from familiar Metroid elements,<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-01-metroid-prime-federation-force-dev-explains-decision-to-not-focus-on-samus</ref>.
-*In every 2-D game he is involved in, Ridley's fireballs have an uncanny resemblance to [[Mario]]'s 2-D fireballs. Whether or not this similarity is intentional is unknown. Additionally, Ridley's fireballs are invulnerable to all of Samus's weapons in ''Metroid'', ''Super Metroid'' and ''Fusion''. However, in ''Corruption'' and ''Zero Mission'', his fireballs could be easily destroyed, and sometimes yielded pick-ups.
+*While Meta Ridley's theme is found in ''Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt'' and ''Metroid Prime 2: Bonus Disc'', it is only in the former where it is featured in regular gameplay. In the latter, the theme's existence is only known through its internal data and is [https://youtu.be/kbFR7qBQOe0?si=nhSqModq0eFBITED a variant slowed down by 50%]. Unused text in the full version of ''Metroid Prime 2'' implies that Meta Ridley's theme was going to be present in the multiplayer mode.
-*Ridley, [[Mother Brain]], the [[Omega Metroid]] in ''Fusion'' and [[Dark Samus]] share the distinction of having bested Samus in a fight by canon. In the ''Super Metroid'' intro, Ridley is able to incapacitate [[Samus]] long enough to steal the last Metroid and accomplish his mission, though Samus can ''somewhat'' defeat Ridley. The result is Ridley losing his grip on the [[baby]]'s canister and dropping it, but quickly grabs it again and flees.
+*Ridley's physical similarities to the Aliens/Xenomorphs from ''Alien'' are further highlighted with his design in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. Additionally, in his [[A Piercing Screech|reveal trailer]], he kills [[Mario]] and [[Mega Man]] in a similar fashion to the Xenomorphs.
-*Ridley is capable of bipedalism, shown in ''Corruption'' in the cutscene at the beginning of the battle, when [[Omega Ridley]] walks up to Samus and attempts to bite her and in the second phase of the battle: once she destroys the joints on his [[Phazite]] armor and his weak spot is exposed, he stands on two feet and clumsily walks around swiping at Samus as she blasts his chest with Phazon energy from [[Hypermode]]. Also, in ''Metroid Prime'', he stumbles on two legs as the [[Chozo]] spirits blast at his exposed chest cavity. However, he also stands on his two feet during the battle when Samus fires a round into his mouth exposing his chest. While preparing his charge attack, he stands on his feet as well. In ''Other: M'' he is also seen standing on two legs while roaring at or grabbing Samus, he also moves on two legs while trying to swipe at her with his arms.
+*Ridley appears on the [[Super Metroid Stare-E-O Poster|''Super Metroid'' Stare-E-O Poster]].
-*In ''all'' of his 2-D appearances, his wings are curiously smaller than his body size, logically making them unlikely to even lift Ridley off the ground, and yet he soars through the air with ease (even his [[Neo-Ridley|X-Parasite mimic]]). His 3-D appearances and manga rectify this mystery by giving him wings that exceed his main body. This is likely to prevent him from taking up most of the screen in his fights.
+[[File:Ridley Pirate Homeworld monitors.png|thumb|Space Pirate monitors depicting Ridley's image.]]
 *In the [[Pirate Command]] sector of the [[Pirate Homeworld]], images of Ridley can be found on the glowing orange monitors. Rooms with these monitors include [[Command Courtyard]] and [[Command Station]].
+* Samus has kept a tendency in most games to shoot Ridley directly inside his mouth and throat, either during cutscenes or in-game battles.
-*The [[Lethal Strike]] Samus uses on Ridley in ''Other M'' is very similar to the way she defeats [[Meta Ridley]] in ''Corruption'': both times she grabs him and fires into his throat.
+*[[Meta Ridley]] can be seen on [[Nintendo Monopoly]] representing Tennessee Avenue for $180, though the property is simply referred to as "Ridley". It features a claw-like appendage at the tip of his tail instead of the usual spear-tip, and his wings are attached below his arms akin to a bat.
-*[[Vs. Ridley|Ridley's signature music theme]] was originally used as a generic boss fight background music in ''Super Metroid'' (also being used for the [[Torizo]], [[Golden Torizo]] and [[Draygon]] fights), but in later games, it has been associated solely with Ridley. Although there have been variations of Ridley's theme in each game (different tempo, extra beats, etc.), the music's rhythm and sound are consistent and used for every incarnation except for his very first boss fight in the original ''Metroid''. The theme has also been used during the [[countdown]] sequences of ''Super Metroid'', ''Fusion'' and ''Other M''.
+*Ridley apparently does not seem to need oxygen to live. ''Metroid Prime'' clearly portrayed him flying out into space without any gear as he escapes the ''Orpheon'', though this may be due to his cybernetics. Additionally, the ''Super Metroid'' comic features him exiting out into space and his ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' trophy states that he flies through space with his wings; however, these sources are considered non-canon.
-*[[Meta Ridley]] can be seen on [[Nintendo Monopoly]] representing Tennessee Avenue for $180, though the property is simply referred to as "Ridley".
+:* There is no explanation on how he is able to fly in an environment which does not contain air or gas, a necessary medium for any creature with wings to take flight; he is nevertheless seen flapping his wings. Meta Ridley's wings appear to be energy-based, which may hold some significance.
-*''Zero Mission'' concept art shows a new form of Ridley known as '''[[Ridley-2]]''' (or perhaps Ridley-Z). This form has an extra clawed hand on the tip of his tail, and his arms and wings are merged.
+*The Ridley clone's blood is green, as shown in ''Other M''. This is a common trope for alien creatures in science fiction environments. However, Ridley's blood is shown to be red in ''Corruption'' during the boss battle on Norion before he falls down the shaft. Coincidentally, some reptiles in real life [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/16/611115055/why-do-some-lizards-have-green-blood also have green blood].
-*''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' is the only game where Ridley's upper jaw is not longer than the lower one, and is also the only game where it points upwards, not down.
+*Although Ridley is canonically male, several official sources (including the manuals for ''Metroid'' and ''Super Metroid'') refer to Ridley with gender-neutral pronouns.
-*Ridley does not seem to need oxygen to live. ''Metroid Prime'' clearly portrayed him flying out into space without any gear as he escapes the Orpheon, though this may be due to his cybernetics. Additionally, the ''Super Metroid'' comic features him exiting out into space and his ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' trophy states that he flies through space with his wings; although these sources are considered non-canon.
+*[[:File:Metroidteamninja 1.jpg|An April Fool's Day cover]] for the magazine ''Game Informer'' that jokingly claimed that [[Team Ninja]] would work on the next ''Metroid'' game depicted Ridley wearing a two-piece bikini reserved for females (which had itself been a reference to Team Ninja's ''Dead or Alive Xtreme'' series).
-:*There is no explanation on how he is able to fly in an environment which does not contain air or gas, a necessary medium for any creature with wings to take flight; he is nevertheless seen flapping his wings. Meta Ridley's wings appear to be energy-based, which may hold some significance.
-*The Ridley clone's blood is green, as shown in ''Other M''. This is a common trope for alien creatures in science fiction environments. However, Ridley's blood is shown to be red in ''Corruption'' during the boss battle on Norion before he falls down the shaft.
-*Despite being shown to be a male through the logbook scans in ''Metroid Prime'', [[Retro Studios]] designer [[Mike Sneath]] refers to Ridley as a female. In the original ''Metroid'' manual, Ridley is referred to as an "it".
 *''Other M'' reveals that Ridley's vision is tinted green, possibly as a result of [[Wikipedia:nictitating membrane|nictitating membranes]] that cover and protect his eyes.
+*His animated reveal trailer in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is the first time since Ridley's role in the ''Metroid'' manga where Ridley has displayed a sense of humor, playfully twirling the hat of a defeated Mario when revealing himself to Samus with something of a grin.
-*Throughout his appearances, Ridley had at least three different vocalizations. In ''Super Metroid'', his vocalizations were based on that of a bird of prey such as a falcon or a hawk. In ''Metroid Fusion'' and ''Metroid: Zero Mission'', Ridley (or in the case of ''Fusion'', Neo-Ridley) gave shrieks similar to a parrot (these vocalizations are notorious for their loud volume).
+*In ''Super Metroid'', there is a glitch where Ridley gets stuck on the platform in his lair, thus (like the Omega Ridley glitch) leaving him unable to do anything.{{fact}} This can be fixed by reloading the game.
-*An unused [[Fake Ridley]], similar to [[Mini-Kraid]], exists in the data for ''Metroid''.
+*The [[w:c:contra:Metal_Alien|Metal Alien]] from the ''[[w:c:contra:Contra_(series)|Contra]]'' series (another series inspired by the ''Alien'' franchise) bears a slight resemblance to Ridley. Further referencing this is the Metal Alien's strikingly similar attacks.<!-- In Contra: Operation Galuga, the Metal Alien uses a tail strike on the ground and a flying side charge, both feel a lot familiar to Ridley's side-scrolling and Smash Brawl attacks respectively.-->
-*Based on previous games, Ridley could very well be the smallest of the Space Pirate generals, as Phantoon is massive in ''Other M'', Kraid is quite large in ''Super Metroid'' and ''Zero Mission'', [[Draygon]] is slightly taller, and Mother Brain's main body in ''Super Metroid'' significantly adds to her height.
 ==Appearances==
-[[File:MOMcommercial.PNG|thumb|''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' commercial]]
+*''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]''
-*''[[Metroid]]''
+:*''[[Victory Techniques for Metroid]]''
-:*''[[Metroid (1986 manga)]]''
+:*''[[Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order]]''
+:*''Famiken Ryu: Metroid and Super Xevious - The Riddle of Gamp''
+:*''Metroid: The decisive battle against Ridley!''
 *''[[Super Metroid]]''
 :*''Super Metroid'' [[commercial]]
 :*''[[Super Metroid (Manga)]]''
-:*''[[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)]]''
+:*[[Super Metroid (Nintendo Power comic)|''Super Metroid'' (Nintendo Power comic)]]
 :*''[[Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide]]''
+:*''[[Super Metroid Players' Guide]]''
 *''[[Metroid Fusion]]''
-*''[[Metroid Prime]]''
+*''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]''
-:*''[[Metroid Prime (Comic)]]''
+:*[[Metroid Prime (Comic)|''Metroid Prime'' (Comic)]]
 :*''[[Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]''
 :*''[[Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide (Brady)]]''
 :*''[[Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]]''
-*''[[Metroid (2002 manga)]]''
+*[[Metroid (Magazine Z manga)|''Metroid'' (''Magazine Z'' manga)]]
 *''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
 *''[[Samus & Joey: Volume 1]]''
+*''[[Metroid EX]]''
 *''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc]]''
 *''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''
@@ Line 227: / Line 311: @@
 *''[[New Play Control! Metroid Prime]]''
 *''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy]]''
-:*''[[Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet]]''
+:*[[Metroid Prime Trilogy art booklet|''Metroid Prime Trilogy'' art booklet]]
 *''[[Metroid: Other M]]''
-*''[[TV Commercial :60 Spot]]''
+:''[[Past is Prologue]]''
+*''[[Miitomo]]'' (Pet)
+*''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]'' ([[Paint Job]])
+*''[[Metroid: Samus Returns]]''
+*''[[Metroid Dread]]'' (Chozo Archives)
 ===Crossover Appearances===
 [[File:Nintendoland.jpg|thumb|Ridley's trophy in the main hub of ''[[Nintendo Land]]''.]]
 *''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]''
+:* Comics
-:*''Money Changes Everything'' (Mentioned)
-:*''Breakout''
+::*''Welcome to Videoland''
-:*''When Friends Fall Out'' (Flashback)
+::*''Money Changes Everything'' (Mentioned)
+::*''Breakout''
+::*''When Friends Fall Out'' (Flashback)
+:*Cartoon
+::*''Game Boy''
 *''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''
 *''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''
@@ Line 243: / Line 337: @@
 *''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''
 *''[[Nintendo Land]]''
-*''NES Remix 2''
+*''[[NES Remix 2]]''
+*''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
+*''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Super Smash Bros.&nbsp;Ultimate]]''
 ==Gallery==
-''For concept art, see [[Ridley/Gallery|Ridley's Gallery]].''
+''For concept art, see [[Ridley/Gallery]].''
-{{Scroll box|content=
+===''Metroid''===
-<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center">
+<gallery>
-Metroid 12.jpg|Original concept art for ''[[Metroid]]''
+NES Metroid HQ Ridley artwork.png|Original artwork for ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]''
-M1bosses.PNG
+M1bosses.PNG|Ridley and Kraid
-Samus artwork_11.png
+Samus artwork_11.png|Ridley and Kraid attacking Samus
-Metroid Boss Ridley.gif|''Metroid''
 Ridleychibi.png|Japanese ''Metroid'' guide
 Zomcard6.PNG|Canadian [[Topps]] card.
+MZIO page 129.png|''Metroid: Zebes Invasion Order''
+Famicom Choco - Ridley.png|[[Famicom Choco]]
+Ridley.png|Ridley as depicted in ''[[Victory Techniques for Metroid]]''
 Nintendo1990Calendar-12-November.jpg|1990 [[The Power Game Calendar]]
+NSO Samus Icons.jpg|Ridley icon available through [[Nintendo Switch]] Online from September 26-October 3, 2022.
-Ridley.png|Ridley as depicted in the [[Metroid (1986 manga)|1986 manga]].
+</gallery>
-Ridleymelee.png|''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' trophy textures.
-ZeroMissionRidleyCutscene.gif|''Metroid Zero Mission''
+===''Super Metroid''===
-Boss battles.jpg
+<gallery>
-Ridley concept.jpg|Artwork of Ridley from ''Prime''.
-Metaridley5.jpg|[[Meta Ridley]]
-File:Ridley Pirate Homeworld monitors.png|Orange monitors featuring Ridley on the Pirate Homeworld.
 Storyboard2.jpg|''[[Super Metroid]]'' storyboard
-SM Ridley.jpg|''Super Metroid'' concept art
+SM Ridley.jpg|''Super Metroid'' artwork
-Npcomics_1-4.jpg|Ridley in the [[Super Metroid comic|''Super Metroid'' comic]].
+Super Metroid box.jpg|Ridley on the game's box art.
-Super Metroid box.jpg|Ridley on the box art of ''Super Metroid''
+Super Metroid statues.png|Ridley's [[Golden Statues|Golden Statue]]
-Super Metroid statues.png|Ridley's statue in ''Super Metroid''
+SM Ridley Facing Forward.png|Ridley facing forward.
-SM - Ridley dies on Samus.png|Ridley dying while holding onto Samus in ''Super Metroid''
+SM - Ridley dies on Samus.png|Ridley dying.
 Ridley SM guide.png|''[[Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide]]''
-Ridley15.PNG|Ridley as seen in ''[[Metroid: Other M]]'' 's E3 2009 trailer.
+Npcomics_1-4.jpg|Ridley in the [[Super Metroid comic|''Super Metroid'' comic]].
+Reptile Awareness Day.jpg|[[Nintendo of Europe]] [[tweet]]ed image on Reptile Awareness Day 2019 (October 21).<ref>Nintendo of Europe (Nintendo Europe). "Happy #ReptileAwarenessDay! To celebrate, why not tell us who your favourite reptilian juggernaut is to fight against in #SuperMetroid, now available to play with #[[SNES|SuperNES]] –  #[[Nintendo Switch|NintendoSwitchOnline]]!" Oct 21, 2019 9:46 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1186277558368661504</ref>
-Geothermal_power_plant_vs_ridley_hd.png|Samus engages Ridley's clone in ''Metroid: Other M''.
-Ridley35.PNG|E3 trailer.
-Wonded_Ridley_Bioweapon_Research_Centre_HD.jpg|A heavily wounded Ridley roars in vain as he meets the released [[Queen Metroid]] in ''Metroid: Other M''
-Rodney_Shoots_the_Afloralite.png|''[[Metroid Fusion]]''/''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''
-Zmf.PNG|''Metroid Fusion''/''Metroid: Zero Mission'' [[ending]]
-RidleyPikachu.jpg|Ridley appears as a boss in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.
-RidleyMelee.jpg|''Melee'' trophy
-BrawlTrophy13.jpg|''Brawl'' trophy
 </gallery>
-}}
+===''Metroid: Zero Mission''===
-==References==
+<gallery>
+Rodney_Shoots_the_Afloralite.png|''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' ending unlockable in ''Metroid: Zero Mission''
+Zmf.PNG|Another unlockable ending.
+ZM Ridley cutscene.png|Ridley in the Space Pirate Mother Ship.
+File:Ridleyspaceship.gif|Cutscene animation.
+Ridleyspaceship2.gif|Cutscene animation.
+ZeroMissionRidleyCutscene.gif|''Zero Mission'' cutscene sprites
+Boss battles.jpg|Ridley and Kraid battling Samus.
+Ridleymzm.PNG|Concept art of Ridley for ''Zero Mission'', alongside a unique design labeled '''Ridley-2'''.
+</gallery>
+===Other appearances===
+<gallery>
+Ridley Famiken Ryu.png|''Famiken Ryu''
+Captain N Ridley.png|Ridley as depicted in ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]''
+File:Ridley Metroid EX cameo.png|''Metroid EX''
+MOMcommercial.PNG|Ridley on K-2L in "[[Past is Prologue]]".
+File:Ridley Miitomo pet.png|''[[Miitomo]]''
+Ridley variants 1.png
+Ridley variants 2.png
+Ridley Paint Job.png|''[[Metroid Prime: Federation Force]]'' unlockable [[Paint Job]].
+MD Chozo Archives 09.jpeg|[[Chozo Archives]] #09, ''Metroid Dread''
+MD Ending Rewards 07.jpg|[[Ending Reward]] variant.
+</gallery>
+== References==
 {{Reflist}}
 {{Ridley}}
@@ Line 288: / Line 404: @@
 {{Bosses in Metroid Series}}
 {{Space Pirates}}
 {{BioMech}}
 {{Diets}}
 {{GF}}
@@ Line 303: / Line 416: @@
 [[Category:K-2L]]
 [[Category:Zebes]]
-[[Category:Norfair]]
 [[Category:Ridley's Lair]]
 [[Category:Tourian]]
@@ Line 316: / Line 428: @@
 [[Category:Pirate Homeworld Seed]]
 [[Category:Ceres Space Colony]]
-[[Category:Bottle Ship]]
-[[Category:Biosphere]]
-[[Category:Pyrosphere]]
-[[Category:Bioweapon Research Center]]
-[[Category:BSL]]
-[[Category:Main Deck]]
-[[Category:Sector 1]]
 [[Category:Super Smash Bros.]]
 [[Category:Trophies]]
 [[Category:Stickers]]
+[[Category:Spirits]]
 [[Category:Ridley]]
 [[Category:Deceased]]
 [[Category:Recurring Characters]]
-[[Category:Examine Targets]]
 [[Category:Carnivores]]
 [[Category:Detritivores]]
+[[Category:Nintendo Land]]
+[[Category:Reptilian]]