The most advanced form of Ripper. Jet-propelled with exhaust flames at their rears, Ripper IIs travel at speeds surpassing that of any Ripper. They also have more bulk and are more rectangular in shape. According to the 1986 manga/strategy guide, a Ripper can evolve into a Ripper II, though It is unknown if this remains canon. The [[Tripper]] seems to be a variant of the Ripper II.
The most advanced form of Ripper. Jet-propelled with exhaust flames at their rears, Ripper IIs travel at speeds surpassing that of any Ripper. They also have more bulk and are more rectangular in shape. According to the 1986 manga/strategy guide, a Ripper can evolve into a Ripper II, though It is unknown if this remains canon. The [[Tripper]] seems to be a variant of the Ripper II.
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=== ''Main article: '''[[Winged Ripper]]''''' ===
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===[[Winged Ripper]]===
A rare and unique Ripper, seen only during [[Kiru Giru|a boss fight]] in ''Metroid: Zero Mission''. The Winged Ripper's defining characteristic are its pair of small insect wings which allow it to travel at varying altitudes, rather than the usual back-and-forth patrol. It is the most durable variation of Ripper; the only way to kill it is by making the boss fall on top of it.
A rare and unique Ripper, seen only during [[Kiru Giru|a boss fight]] in ''Metroid: Zero Mission''. The Winged Ripper's defining characteristic are its pair of small insect wings which allow it to travel at varying altitudes, rather than the usual back-and-forth patrol. It is the most durable variation of Ripper; the only way to kill it is by making the boss fall on top of it.
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=== ''Ripper-X'' ===
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===Ripper-X===
[[File:Ripper-X SRX Screen1.jpg|thumb|Multiple infected and/or mimicked Rippers as seen in ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''.]]
[[File:Ripper-X SRX Screen1.jpg|thumb|Multiple infected and/or mimicked Rippers as seen in ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''.]]
Prior to the events of ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', Rippers were captured by [[Galactic Federation]] scientists and brought on-board the [[BSL Station|BSL station]] for research, but due to the [[X Parasite]] outbreak, they were all infected and mimicked by the latter, creating Ripper-X. Contrary to most other lifeforms on the station, the X did not alter the DNA of the Rippers to give them new abilities, different behavior or any physiological changes except for a slight increase in size. Thus, Ripper-X are all brown and float horizontally back and forth, making them perfect imitations.
Prior to the events of ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', Rippers were captured by [[Galactic Federation]] scientists and brought on-board the [[BSL Station|BSL station]] for research, but due to the [[X Parasite]] outbreak, they were all infected and mimicked by the latter, creating Ripper-X. Contrary to most other lifeforms on the station, the X did not alter the DNA of the Rippers to give them new abilities, different behavior or any physiological changes except for a slight increase in size. Thus, Ripper-X are all brown and float horizontally back and forth, making them perfect imitations.
Revision as of 14:05, 21 August 2014
Rippers are small, floating insect-like creatures native to Zebes which move strictly horizontally in a back and forth pattern. Best known for their near-invulnerability, they usually require a Super Missile, the Speed Booster/Shinespark or the Screw Attack to kill them. The original Famicom/NESMetroid game featured two different colored Rippers; the weakest of the two needed either 100 Beam shots or a single Missile to kill.
Because of their slow movements, they can be quite inconvenient when moving through halls or shafts (particularly when using the Wall Jump technique). However, in Metroid: Zero Mission, there are purple-colored Rippers who move noticeably faster than the common brown variant.
Within the games, Rippers are commonly frozen by Samus and used as platforms to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. In Super Metroid, they can also be used as Grapple Points for the Grappling Beam to cross over hazards and with enough momentum, Samus can throw herself high into the air; the Rippers stop moving as soon as they're connected to Samus.
The most advanced form of Ripper. Jet-propelled with exhaust flames at their rears, Ripper IIs travel at speeds surpassing that of any Ripper. They also have more bulk and are more rectangular in shape. According to the 1986 manga/strategy guide, a Ripper can evolve into a Ripper II, though It is unknown if this remains canon. The Tripper seems to be a variant of the Ripper II.
A rare and unique Ripper, seen only during a boss fight in Metroid: Zero Mission. The Winged Ripper's defining characteristic are its pair of small insect wings which allow it to travel at varying altitudes, rather than the usual back-and-forth patrol. It is the most durable variation of Ripper; the only way to kill it is by making the boss fall on top of it.
Ripper-X
Multiple infected and/or mimicked Rippers as seen in Metroid Fusion.
Prior to the events of Metroid Fusion, Rippers were captured by Galactic Federation scientists and brought on-board the BSL station for research, but due to the X Parasite outbreak, they were all infected and mimicked by the latter, creating Ripper-X. Contrary to most other lifeforms on the station, the X did not alter the DNA of the Rippers to give them new abilities, different behavior or any physiological changes except for a slight increase in size. Thus, Ripper-X are all brown and float horizontally back and forth, making them perfect imitations.
The Ripper is drastically different from its 2D counterpart, having a more alien-look to it. It has a sort of "hook" at the bottom, which may have been intended to serve as a Grapple Point for Samus. A funnel is also featured on the rear end of the creature, likely where the plasma propelling the creature was to be exhausted. The Glider creature encountered in-game potentially replaced the Ripper in its role as a mobile Grapple Point.
"These enemies can be frozen to use as steps in long shafts."
Metroid: Zero Mission manual
"For the most part, these organisms just slowly fly through the air in straight lines. They are impervious to most attacks."
Official Website
"SPECIMEN ID# SR-478"Exterior armor plating makes this specimen a hearty foe. Keen vision suggests a preference for deep, cavernous areas - probably to hunt for food. DANGER LEVEL: LOW."
"Armor plate"
"Light-sensitive retinas"
"Powerful legs"
Trivia
Unused block
An unused Block in Super Metroid portrays half of a Ripper and does not allow enemies or shots to pass. Only Samus and the Wave Beam. It is not revealed when using the X-Ray Visor.
Rippers feature prominently in the Catch Mode of Tetris DS in the background.
A Galactic Federation Ripper specimen was dubbed SR-478. It is unknown whether the planet SR388, also sometimes written as the very-similar SR-388, is related to this specimen name. [2]
The Ripper's in-game sprite seems to resemble a turtle due to the hard shell and head, though without limbs.
The Ripper is one of a few objects that will shake when Samus Wall Jumps off them in Super Metroid.
