4 Things Even Metroid Fans Didn’t Know About Ridley (Like His TRUE Origin)

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When considering the Metroid games, it’s often Samus Aran that initially pops into our heads as the main character. Yet, Ridley, a reptilian adversary with dragon-like qualities, is almost always associated with these games. Although he doesn’t feature in every Metroid game, Ridley has been a regular character, appearing in nearly all of Samus’s escapades. Across the Metroid series, Ridley has taken on various forms and played multiple roles, making him a familiar face to fans.

Ridley stands out as a captivating character within the Metroid universe. He’s made numerous appearances in different forms, often coming back after meeting his demise in earlier games. Commonly seen as a dragon-like entity, it’s hard to forget his controversial appearance in The Other M. With all the cloning and regeneration, Ridley’s backstory becomes quite convoluted. There are also intriguing details about this popular Metroid character that even dedicated fans might not be aware of.

4. He’s Been Present In Every Super Smash Bros. Game

Despite skipping some Metroid titles, Ridley never misses an appearance in each version of Super Smash Bros. He officially joined the playable characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but has made appearances since the original game, with a cameo on the Zebes stage as early as then.

In the initial scene of Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ridley and Samus engage in combat. The character Ridley has a larger part in Brawl, where he and Meta Ridley are introduced as Boss Battles in the Research Facility and Subspace Bomb Factory (Part II) stages respectively. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Ridley takes on a dual role – serving as a boss character while also making his debut as a trophy.

3. According to the Manga, He Can Talk

Fans who’ve only played Metroid games might not realize that Ridley is quite talkative in the Metroid manga since he doesn’t speak at all in-game. However, dialogue from Space Pirates in the Metroid series is typically scarce, making it understandable why Ridley doesn’t have many lines.

Because Ridley has dialogue in the manga, a lot of his lore and backstory is explained here. Fans debate whether what he reveals about himself there is canon to the games, but it certainly is an interesting way to flesh out this recurring character. Whether he will return in Metroid 4and finally get actual dialogue remains anyone’s guess.

2. He Has Regenerative Powers

Just like any video game boss, it’s puzzling why Ridley continues to reappear even after being defeated multiple times. The games provide some theories, such as his Meta Ridley form having cybernetic upgrades and later on, using cloning techniques. However, the manga provides an alternative reason for his recurring appearances.

In the Metroid comic, Ridley informs Samus that he possesses the ability to regenerate. He clarifies this grotesquely in the story by mentioning that he consumes flesh for this purpose. This implies that when he manages to survive the final boss battles, he doesn’t merely lick his wounds but uses a more powerful method of healing. The original Ridley is deceased in later games within the series, yet it’s suggested that part of why he endures for so long is due to these unique regenerative capabilities.

1. His True Origins

In the thrilling world of Metroid games, I’ve always wondered about the backstory of this fearsome foe known as Ridley. Before he became a Space Pirate, his past remained shrouded in mystery. The games never reveal what species he belongs to, as no other characters like him are present. Interestingly, a manga does introduce another member of his species, but the name of their race remains undisclosed. However, hints from early game material do provide a glimpse into his origins.

In the manual of the Metroid game, Ridley is referred to as “the original lifeform of Zebes.” This implies that he’s incredibly old and hails from the planet where Samus was brought up. However, this piece of information hasn’t been reiterated in any subsequent game materials. Similar to tidbits from the manga, its authenticity within the series lore is still subject to interpretation. Nonetheless, since it originated from official game resources, I personally consider it canon.

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2025-09-10 17:46