I'd seen this topic discussed a few times. And I didn't want to see this section go to Hell in a handbasket like the Zelda section had until Phantom Hourglass.
So lets get some discussion going, who is ranked higher amongst the Space Pirates. Ridley or Mother Brain? Discuss.
Hmm, I played the original Metroid a very long time ago so I know more of Mother Brain than Ridley but I don't think there were even space pirates in the first Metroid. I thought that on one of the Metroid games you had to kill Ridley before you reached Mother Brain... Goes to show that I'm getting old and my memory is going...
I've never beaten the original, but I know that Mother Brain came last. I think that the Mother Brain is the source of all of the Space Pirates data and processes through their base. Ridley is just a line of defense for the Mother Brain. Therefore, I'd say that the Mother Brain is regarded as the whole base of operations for the Pirates, and must be protected at all costs.
The impression I get is that Mother Brain doesn't actually have a rank, but rather is an just an AI that helps to coordinate the Pirate's efforts (like the Federation's Aurora Unit in Metroid Prime 3). Ridley is probably one of the highest ranked Pirates, possibly a member of the "High Command" mentioned in the logs in Metroid Prime.
The Aurora Unit was essentially Mother Brain in MP3. To Ridely seems like he's the top of the Pirates. He has had so many forms and he seems to be the best out of all Pirates since he's always comes back. Mother Brain is the head of all the pirates though. I wonder who would win in battle?
Well, Mother Brain's first stage is pretty lame. Ridley would own the hell out of her, however when she transforms it'd be hard to tell. Both have ranged attacks except Ridley flies.
As for why they reconstruct Ridley all the time, he is their general and they need him to lead them into battle. I mean, what enemy soldier wouldn't be scared by a giant space dragon (besides Samus of course)
by my personal choice it would have to be Ridley. He can fly.
But Mother Brain is probably ranked a little higher in terms of their military ranks I suppose. Ridley is just like a General or something.
I'm sure the Space Pirates would respect Ridley more than Mother Brain too, since he is the one who leads them into their battles.
I always thought Ridley and Kraid were top generals, while mother brain was like president or something.
Mother Brain's role in the Metroid series is vague. There is a debate as to whether she or Ridley is the leader of the Space Pirates (this question being more confused with the inclusion of High Command from the "Metroid Prime" games).
According to Super Metroid's manual, Metroid: Zero Mission's manual, and both official manga, Ridley is the general of the Space Pirates while Mother Brain is the biological computer which controls Zebes' defenses. However, Metroid's manual, Metroid Fusion's manual, the Super Metroid Nintendo Power comic, and Super Metroid's in-game introduction refer to Mother Brain as the leader of the Space Pirates, with Metroid's manual saying that Ridley is controlled by Mother Brain.
The Space Pirate Data in Metroid Prime refers to a High Command that commands the Space Pirates, which included ordering Ridley to be reconstructed.
Just throwing it into the mix.
No use looking at official sources then.
I really don't think Ridley is controlled by Mother Brain, otherwise how would he be able to appear in the Metroid Prime games?
That's the thing. The events of Metroid Prime take place before Super Metroid. Thus allowing Mother Brain to still be their source of all data. But even in Metroid Fusion (after MB is destroyed and the latest game in the timeline) still features a clone of Ridley. Showing that the Space Pirates must have clearly been quite desperate to keep him alive. And yet from what it appears they really made no effort for Mother Brain, of course this is all assumption... the next Metroid game could take place between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion and feature another Mother Brain. I just doubt it. Ridley has really stuck around though, thus me believing he does rank higher than Mother Brain.
Well, they may value Ridley more than MB, but at the beginning of Super Metroid, it does say the following:
"[...] Mother Brain, leader of the Space Pirates."
Leading me to assume that MB is "ranked" higher than Ridley. Of course, Ridley has appeared more, has had more devastating attacks, and overall is more bad-@rs3. I'm not sure which is "ranked" higher, but I'm not going to fret over it. As long as I enjoy the game. xD
I still wouldn't rank a biological computer higher than a general.
Aye, the Federation didn't stick the Aurora Units in charge of their ships in MP3, why would the Pirates be led by a computer?
Well, think about who would construct solid defenses better... a biological super-computer or a Space Pirate general, who is a dragon?
Mother Brain was needed (kinda... ish. :p) while the Pirates were lodged on Zebes, but now that they're roaming all over the place (from what I've gathered, anyway, they're doing just that), they more need an offense than something to protect them, so... I guess it depends.
Not that I'm saying this because I like MB more than Ridley. I just want to provide some discussion. xP
</pointless post.... whoops ._.>
(I seriously need to look some of this stuff up before I post. >< )
Its true that Mother Brain would have provided better defenses for Zebes. But I'm assuming once it was lost that was it. I'm not sure whether the Mother Brain in Super Metroid is a different one that they had created at the same time as the first Metroid or whether it was a recreation of the original one.
I'd seen this topic discussed a few times. And I didn't want to see this section go to Hell in a handbasket like the Zelda section had until Phantom Hourglass.
So lets get some discussion going, who is ranked higher amongst the Space Pirates. Ridley or Mother Brain? Discuss.
Ridley! 
IDK about rank... but Ridley is teh pwnzorz. He's showed up a lot more if I've counted correctly.
Ridley the best! (and the coolest!)