Luminoth – Corvusdepastel

Luminoth – Corvusdepastel
Image: Corvusdepastel

Another non-Samus character for the list is Luminoth. The Luminoth are technologically advanced creatures based on the planet Aether. The name Luminoth is a combination of luminous and moth, which fits nicely with the fact they are moth-like creatures obsessed with light. After years of the Luminoth fighting with the Ing, Samus landed on their infested planet and helped destroy them.

Corvusdepastel has loved the Luminoths since U-Mos’s appearance in Metroid Prime 2. With not much sewing knowledge, and inspired by fellow cosplayer Dan Cattell, she constructed a Luminoth cosplay from cardboard tubes and old boxes, as well as clay and sand for a textured effect.

Alongside her Luminoth cosplay, Corvusdepastel has also made a pixel Chozo from Metroid: Zero Mission and a golden Torizo from Super Metroid.

Base Power Suit – Pigtails and Power Tools Cosplay

Base Power Suit – Pigtails and Power Tools Cosplay
Image: Pigtails and Power tools cosplay

A version of Samus that is rarely seen these days is the classic Power Suit. A main difference between this and other costumes is the flat shoulder armour rather than big round parts, as it is the first suit Samus gets before any upgrades.

Pigtails and Power Tools Cosplay is behind this particular version. An award-winning cosplayer, Pigtails uses her skills professionally to create armour, monsters, and merchandise for companies and films. What makes this cosplay stand out from the rest is the stunning backdrops of the photos that make it look like Pigtails and Power Tools is really on a planet in outer space.

Pigtails and Power Tools has also created the Varia suit for the Metroid film made by Ideas for Hollywood, as well as the Zero suit, Chozo and Metroid hatchling.

Kraid – AtomicStickFigure

Kraid – AtomicStickFigure
Image: Atomic Stick Figure

Kraid, of course, is a massive alien antagonist in the Metroid games. The huge green space pirate monster has a reptilian look and attacks using spikes from his body. He has only appeared in four of the games so far, but has been considered a fan-favourite core enemy since the first Metroid game.

AtomicStickFigure is a cosplayer and costume designer that has made many creatures over the years, including Kraid. He has a YouTube channel that shows his builds, including the making of his costumes, test fits and final videos at events.

AtomicStickFigure said the thing that appealed to him most about cosplaying Kraid was the Starbomb song Regretroid, and he even added the basket of puppies to the cosplay to give it that little something extra.

Varia Suit – Willow Creative

Varia Suit – Willow Creative
Image: Willow Creative / Tobias Schmelzer

The last Samus variant on the list is the most popular version to build aside from the Zero suit. The Varia suit is an upgrade that Samus receives from the classic Power sui. The Varia version is perhaps the most sought-after as it is the one most commonly depicted in other games and media.

Willow Creative’s handmade and award-winning Varia suit is one of her most well-known cosplays. Willow Creative is a professional cosplayer from the Netherlands with a college background in gaming and digital art.

In order to create this and similar works, Willow learned a lot of 3D patterning and printing, as well as some self-taught sewing, foamsmithing, wig styling, and using LEDs and electronics. Willow’s Varia suit is made mostly out of EVA foam with some 3D printed details and LEDs, and includes a cannon that fully expands into the missile launcher.

Ridley - Kekkuda

Ridley - Kekkuda
Image: Kekkuda / Rynaga Photography

Ridley is a key character in the Metroid world, being Samus’s archnemesis after (SPOILERS!) killing her family in a Space Pirate raid. Thought to be named after Ridley Scott due to the influence Alien had on the Metroid franchise, the dragon-like extraterrestrial is forever being destroyed but then resurrected again to live to bother Samus another day.

Other forms of Ridely include the cybernetically-enhanced Meta-Ridley, and phazon-infused Omega Ridley. Being a fan of '80s performance horror, it made perfect sense for Kekkuda to make a giant Ridley cosplay. Kekkuda is mainly a PC gamer, but was drawn to the Metroid series due to the balance in the game between bright, vivid colours and sci-fi aesthetics.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Kekkuda’s Ridley cosplay is the fact it is made almost entirely of cheap $2.99 dollar-a-yard fleece with upholstery and EVA foam underneath for structure. The wings are made of a cable and pulley system for ease of movement, with the body suit being handsewn and airbrushed.

Impressive, no? Let us know your favourites from this fine selection, and be sure to share other examples in the comments.