Metroid Database Bestiary

A genetically enhanced Ridley metaform, Meta Ridley is a mainstay of the Space Pirates' army. After being defeated by bounty hunter Samus Aran, Meta Ridley has been reborn and evolved through Space Pirate technology. Meta Ridley is a fearsome enforcer. Its armored hide is extremely resilient, save for the chest, which has thinner plating. The Pirates have fused a number of potent weapons to the creature, including a Multi-Missile System, a Kinetic Breath Weapon, a Meson Bomb Launcher, and an Ultrathermal Flamestrike Projector. Meta Ridley is also a formidable melee combatant, making any sort of engagement a risky proposition.

Once you place all the Chozo Artifacts on the Cipher, Meta Ridley appears. The first part of the battle is not too difficult. Meta Ridley flies around the arena, trying to attack you with his missiles and Pulse Beam laser he shoots from his mouth. Most of these attacks are predictable, so you should be able to avoid them. When he lands, aim straight for his chest and shoot charged Plasma Beam shots. Keep your distance from him and save your Missiles for round 2.

Round 2 takes place after you destroy Meta Ridley's wings. He is forced to stay on land, but that doesn't affect his agility. Meta Ridley will charge at you and then spin around, hitting you with his tail. Dodge this maneuver by side dashing twice, then turn around, lock on, and jump over his tail swipe. With practice, you will be able to avoid this attack completely. It is important to avoid since this attack can hit you up to three times.

Attack his mouth when it's open - use the Wavebuster if you acquired it. This will push Meta Ridley backward, causing the plate on his chest to open up. This is when you should break out a Super Missile (or stick with the Wavebuster). If you run out of Missiles, use charged Plasma or Wave Beam shots.

If this is the first time you fight Meta Ridley, there's a very good chance you will die. Make sure you go in with 100% Energy and Missiles - use your Gunship to get all this back quickly.

Like all bosses, Meta Ridley is a rare scan.

In the PAL and Japanese versions of the game, Meta Ridley was given a jump/shockwave attack during his ground phase. This was brought back in Trilogy.

In the Gamecube release, Meta Ridley's first form could be easily defeated using the Boost Ball to get between his legs and quickly drain his health. This glitch was removed in the Wii versions of the game.

Meta Ridley is first encountered on the Space Pirate Frigate Orpheon. Scans from the area suggest Meta Ridley was recently activated and show he is powered by a plasma fuel cell and armed with Stinger ballistic missiles. The Space Pirates refer to him as Geoform 187 and was revived through a rapid and painful metamorphosis.

Meta Ridley was concepted by Todd Keller and Andrew Jones and modeled by Mike Sneath. Sneath stated in an interview with Shinesparkers that he had created two versions of Meta Ridley, the first being very detailed and asymmetrical, with a mechanical side and a biological side, as well as wings that were mechanical, rather than holographic.