Metroid Dread is already getting its own amiibo figures to coincide with its release, namely one of Samus in her new armor and one of an EMMI robot, the new threat Samus will be facing throughout the game. But Nintendo is also taking the opportunity to re-release older Metroid amiibo. Case in the point: the Ridley amiibo.
Some amiibo figures have unfortunately become incredibly scarce, resulting in many collectors being forced to buy them second hand at higher than average prices. And while the Ridley amiibo, which is part of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate series of amiibo, hasn't quite reached the same level, it's still not easy to get hold of one at a reasonable price. The official Nintendo story doesn't even have it in stock at the moment.
That's why it's good to hear that new stock is planned for when Metroid Dread releases. The downside is that it will only be available at one retailer: GameStop. As shown on GameStop's Twitter announcement, the Ridley amiibo is marked as a GameStop exclusive. Pre-orders are available right now for only $15.99 and it's scheduled to release on the same day as Metroid Dread, October 8th. It should be noted as well that Nintendo will also re-release the Dark Samus amiibo as well on the same day for the same price, but that will be a Best Buy exclusive instead.
It's also unclear exactly whether the Ridley and Dark Samus amiibo will have any sort of compatibility with Metroid Dread. The two new ones offer unique bonuses that can only be used once a day, but there's no official confirmation that any other amiibo can be used with the game. Considering they're not unique to the game, it's likely that any functionality the Ridley and Dark Samus amiibo may have will be very minor. They certainly won't come with bonus features like the new Zelda and Loftwing amiibo made for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
Their re-release also doesn't mean that fans can expect the two characters to make an appearance in Metroid Dread. Well, Ridley could theoretically show up somewhere. He is the series' most prominent villain, Samus' arch-nemesis, and has been included as a boss in nearly every game in the series, only being absent from four of them. At this point in the series timeline, he is dead but clones of him have served as boss fights in previous games such as Metroid Fusion, the latter of which Dread is a direct sequel to. It wouldn't be out of the question to see another clone appear in Metroid Dread.
Metroid Dread releases for Nintendo Switch on October 8th.