Silver Space Pirate

Silver Space Pirates are a very strong species of Space Pirate encountered in Super Metroid in Lower Norfair (several rooms before Samus fights Ridley) and near Tourian. They are always met in pairs of two and are invulnerable to all types of weaponry at their normal state, characterized by their silver color, but mysteriously turn gold at a specific moment in which they can be damaged. They attack by throwing their claws at Samus, somersaulting and by using two kick variations (one of them is used only at close-range). In order for her to defeat them she must jump over them, which will make them somersault into the air, quickly followed with a jump kick; it is at this moment where they turn gold and Samus can fire Missiles, Super Missiles, or Charge Beam shots at them. Their defeat opens up a locked door; Samus encounters Ridley several rooms afterward. Their second appearance is during the escape sequence after Mother Brain's defeat when Samus reaches old Tourian: one shot from her Hyper Beam kills both Silver Pirates. Interestingly, all the Space Pirates featured during the self-destruct sequence are silver colored, but attack like standard pirates.

Silver Space Pirates can also be found in several locations aboard the Space Pirate Mother Ship in Metroid: Zero Mission, most notably just before the hangar with the Space Pirate Fighter Samus needs in order to escape. This version attack like any ordinary Space Pirate, but is considerably faster and more durable, requiring a great many shots to defeat. They are vulnerable to Beam attacks only.

The Golden Pirates of Metroid Fusion strongly resemble Silver Space Pirates in Super Metroid as they must be defeated before access to Neo Ridley is granted and two must be defeated to open the door. These can only be damaged by attacking their backs, though the Screw Attack easily defeats them.