Kraid

Kraid
Affiliation	Space Pirates
Base	Zebes
Debut	Metroid

Kraid is a massive reptilian monster that has appeared as a recurring boss character in the early games of the Metroid series.

Background

Not a lot is known about the origins of Kraid, but he has long been one of the chief guardians used by the Space Pirates. His domain has always been Brinstar, although originally a part of Brinstar was named after him. He is an incredibly large creature, far larger than any of Samus's other foes. The origin of his species is unknown and is likely he originates from another planet or was bio-engineered by the Space Pirates.

In appearance he is quite like a upright dinosaur that walks on two legs with a long tail as support. His stomach area has three odd 'holes' that are capable of producing long 'spikes' that can be propelled out. His head is lined with a few horns forming a crown on the top of his head as well as one on the end of his snout. Interestingly, he has three eyes rather than just one. His two hands have only two single fingers and are often used offensively.

Samus Aran first met Kraid on her first mission on Zebes in Metroid. Kraid's position was rather important and his defeat was necessary to access Tourian. Samus was able to take advantage of Kraid's one weakspot, his mouth, and destroyed him. When Samus Aran returned again to Zebes in Super Metroid, Kraid now had a smaller 'Mini-Kraid' copy outside of his lair. Samus Aran was able to quickly defeat that monster and found the real Kraid just beyond. Again Samus was able to defeat Kraid by firing missiles in his mouth. Afterwards, he presumably was killed permanently in the explosion of Zebes.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• Kraid appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee in the Brinstar Depths level as a colossal background enemy that causes the stage to rotate. He and the stage returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with graphical enhancements. Kraid has also been represented by a trophy in Melee, a sticker (using art from Zero Mission) in Brawl and as a Master Spirit in the Adventure Mode of Ultimate. In his Spirit battle, Kraid's Spirit possessed a giant King K. Rool with heightened strength and lowered speed, and he was fought in a stamina battle. After being defeated, Kraid's Spirit ran a nearby dojo where he could teach other Spirits the Tank Style, which increased offense and defense at the cost of movement speed and jumping ability. He communicated only in growls, with guesses at what he was saying in parentheses.

Other Media

• Kraid, as seen in Metroid, appeared in Issue 4 of the Captain N comics. He was shown as weak and runty, and during her escape from Prisonworld Samus coerced Kraid (who was also a prisoner) into acting as a decoy during her escape. He also made a cameo appearance with Ridley in a flashback of Samus's in Issue 5.
• Kraid made an appearance in the Metroid manga during the chapters adapting Zero Mission. Introduced as "Ridley's comrade", Kraid is shown battling Samus while Mother Brain communicates with her, and Samus ultimately defeats him.

Canceled Appearances

• Kraid was apparently planned to appear in Metroid Prime, and a 3-D model of Kraid was made, but he was ultimately not included due to time constraints.

Trivia

• In his original Metroid appearance, he was as tall as Samus Aran was. Mini-Kraid in Super Metriod seems to have been conceived to throw off Super Metroid gamers who remembered facing a small Kraid.