She was introduced in the video game Metroid. Samus Aran is an ex-soldier of the Galactic Federation who became a galactic bounty hunter , usually fitted with a powered exoskeleton that is equipped with weapons such as directed-energy weapons and missiles. Throughout the series, she executes missions given to her by the Galactic Federation while hunting the antagonistic Space Pirates and their leader Ridley , along with the parasitic energy-draining organisms called Metroids. Samus has appeared in every Metroid video game and has also been featured in media outside of the series, including in the Super Smash Bros. She is well known as one of the earliest female protagonists in video game history and has remained a popular character since her first appearance. Samus Aran is typically seen wearing the Power Suit, a powered exoskeleton which protects her from most dangers she encounters and can be enhanced by power-ups collected during gameplay.