Metroid Dread Sequel Potentially Revealed: Is “Metroid Ravenous” Coming to Nintendo Switch 2?

A leak circulating within gaming communities suggests that MercurySteam, the Spanish developer behind the critically acclaimed Metroid Dread, is currently developing the next installment in the 2D Metroid franchise, potentially titled “Metroid Ravenous” for the Nintendo Switch 2. While Nintendo has not officially confirmed this project, the rumor aligns with insider reports indicating the studio is working on two unannounced titles, one of which industry observers believe is a direct sequel to 2021’s blockbuster Metroid Dread.

MercurySteam Tapped for the Next 2D Metroid Game

According to leaked information that emerged from gaming communities, MercurySteam has been contracted to develop the successor to Metroid Dread, continuing the studio’s role as Nintendo’s primary partner for 2D Metroid experiences. The leak originally suggested a 2025 release window, though that timeline may have shifted given current industry developments. MercurySteam previously delivered Metroid: Samus Returns for the Nintendo 3DS and the award-winning Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch, establishing the studio as the definitive house for side-scrolling Metroid adventures.

Industry observers tracking MercurySteam’s activity have identified two unannounced projects in the studio’s development pipeline. While one project is believed to be a new intellectual property—a third-person action dark fantasy RPG in development for another publisher—the second project aligns closely with expectations for a Metroid Dread sequel. The confirmation that MercurySteam is actively developing multiple titles provides credible foundation for speculation that a new 2D Metroid game is moving through production.

The Commercial Imperative Behind a Sequel

Metroid Dread’s extraordinary commercial performance has created unmistakable momentum for a franchise continuation. The 2021 Nintendo Switch exclusive achieved a historic milestone by selling 3 million copies worldwide by August 2023, surpassing the previous franchise sales record held by Metroid Prime and becoming the best-selling Metroid game in the series’ 35-year history. This success fundamentally altered Nintendo’s calculus regarding the franchise’s viability and market demand.

Released on October 8, 2021, Metroid Dread marked the first original side-scrolling Metroid adventure since Metroid Fusion in 2002, ending a 19-year gap in the 2D subseries. The game’s critical and commercial success reversed decades of franchise dormancy, proving that players maintained genuine appetite for Samus Aran’s adventures in the traditional action-platformer format. The 3 million sales figure demonstrates that Metroid Dread transcended niche appeal to become a mainstream Nintendo property capable of driving hardware adoption and sustained engagement.

The Story Arc Question and Fan Expectations

Series producer Yoshio Sakamoto previously stated that Metroid Dread would conclude the current narrative arc spanning 35 years of franchise storytelling, creating uncertainty about whether a direct sequel would ever materialize. That declaration positioned Dread as a definitive endpoint rather than a springboard for continuation, making any leak of a sequel a potentially controversial contradiction to official creative direction. However, the franchise’s commercial triumph and the launch of new hardware have apparently altered those calculus.

The Nintendo Switch 2, which launched on June 5, 2025, has become the focal point for major Nintendo franchises seeking next-generation experiences. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the confirmed 3D entry in the franchise, released on December 4, 2025, across both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with the newer console accounting for 83 percent of the game’s over 1 million copies sold by February 2026. This hardware transition and strong early adoption suggest Nintendo views the Switch 2 as the ideal platform for revitalizing the Metroid brand across multiple gameplay styles.

Broader Franchise Context and Metroid Prime 4’s Performance

While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond represents the franchise’s officially confirmed next chapter, the 3D adventure received a Metacritic score of 78/100 on the Switch 2 version and a 79 percent recommendation rating on OpenCritic. The game’s respectable but not exceptional critical reception suggests room for complementary experiences within the franchise ecosystem. A successful 2D sequel could provide the franchise with a dual-platform strategy, leveraging both first-person exploration and classic side-scrolling action to maximize player engagement across Nintendo’s install base.

The tenth main entry in the Metroid franchise, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was developed by Retro Studios rather than MercurySteam, establishing that Nintendo maintains multiple development relationships for the property. This multi-studio approach reflects the franchise’s elevated status within Nintendo’s portfolio and suggests sufficient commercial confidence to fund parallel projects across different gameplay genres and development teams.

The Long Road to Dread: Historical Perspective on Metroid’s Development Cycles

Understanding the potential for a Metroid Dread sequel requires acknowledging the franchise’s notorious development history. Metroid Dread was originally conceived in 2005 as a Nintendo DS title but was cancelled due to technical limitations, languishing in development hell for 15 years before being revived following the success of Metroid: Samus Returns in 2017. This extended period of cancellation and dormancy created a devoted fanbase desperate for new entries, making the eventual 2021 release of Dread a cathartic moment for longtime series enthusiasts.

The franchise’s cyclical nature—marked by extended absences, surprise revivals, and sudden accelerations—means that sequel development timelines may extend beyond typical industry standards. If MercurySteam is indeed developing a Metroid Dread successor, the project likely entered full production following the 2021 original’s release, suggesting a multi-year development window consistent with the studio’s previous efforts.

What Players Should Monitor Going Forward

Nintendo’s official announcement regarding a potential Metroid Dread sequel remains the critical date to watch, as the company has not yet publicly confirmed any such project. The Nintendo Switch 2’s successful launch and strong early software performance, particularly with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s 83 percent sales concentration on the new hardware, may prompt Nintendo to accelerate announcements for additional franchise entries targeting the console. Industry events including Nintendo Direct presentations and the Electronic Entertainment Expo period represent likely venues for official confirmation or denial of the rumored sequel.

The intersection of MercurySteam’s confirmed development activity, the Metroid franchise’s elevated commercial status, and the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware momentum creates conditions favorable for a 2D sequel announcement. Whether the project carries the “Ravenous” subtitle or alternative branding remains unconfirmed, but the fundamental narrative—that Nintendo and MercurySteam are collaborating on the next chapter of Samus Aran’s 2D adventures—appears increasingly plausible based on current industry activity and market dynamics.