Kirby, a lesser series than Metroid?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FopyRHHlt3M
I also wouldn't say Sakurai "totally" screwed over the Metroid series. He clearly tried to give the series its due. A new character (despite being part of Samus, Zero Suit still counts as a character in herself), three stages (one being a Melee stage), not one, but TWO bosses (he clearly just did not see Ridley working out, but he knew he was still popular, and made him a boss.
Twice.), and an Assist (with Ridley also being planned as an Assist as well, which would've given the series TWO Assists, which no other series has except for Mario's three Assists). That's not including the crapton of trophies the series got as well.
Just because Ridley was not playable doesn't mean Sakurai has some "vendetta" against the series, nor did he "screw it over".
That being said, what helps Ridley's case now is that Sakurai now is aware that being a boss in not enough, and has even mentioned that he could work.
Also, what helps Ridley, no matter how people try to deny it, is Other M. Think about it; it gave framework for how Ridley would be fighting. Prior to Other M, Ridley had always fought by flying above the ground and merely shoot fireballs or some other projectile (this is of course exclusing his enhanced Meta and Omega counterparts). Come Other M, we have a Ridley that fights primarily ON THE GROUND for once, with tail swipes, fire breath, charge attacks with a grabbing attack, and even a new ability in his scale hardening.