Metroid Leak Hints at Two New Switch 2 Games Ahead

Brazilian ratings board listing fuels speculation of Metroid Ravenous and revives rumors of a Super Metroid remake for Nintendo Switch 2.

A recent ratings board leak has had Metroid fans excited all over again, as Nintendo is reportedly prepping not one, but two new entries in the iconic sci-fi brand for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The new rumors are based on a listing that was briefly posted by Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security and apparently included an unannounced title dubbed Metroid Ravenous. The listing was swiftly withdrawn, but not before it was captured, giving fans their first glimpse of what may be Nintendo's next Metroid game.

The ad reportedly offered little more than the game’s name and a 2026 development year.

However, the presence of a ratings categorization has led many to think that the project is far enough along to have already been submitted for approval, making a formal announcement all the more likely. The leak spread far and wide after Universo Nintendo posted a screenshot of the removed item, with Video Games Chronicle (VGC) reporting the discovery.

Nintendo has not commented on the leak, but ratings board listings have historically been a reliable indicator of upcoming game releases. If the listing is real, many assume that Metroid: Ravenous is unlikely to be another first-person adventure like Metroid Prime 4, given how long it takes to produce that series. Rather, speculation points to an all-new 2.5D side-scrolling Metroid title.

That theory has some support from the Metroid Dread timeline, which was out five years ago and was widely praised by critics. Spanish company MercurySteam's game revived the franchise's core side-scrolling gameplay, with updated visuals, theatrical storytelling, and challenging survival tactics. It also finished the long-running story arc that began with the original Metroid games, making it the latest entry in the series’ chronology.

Before Metroid Dread, MercurySteam developed the remake of the iconic Game Boy game Metroid: Samus Returns. With both titles proving successful, many fans assume that Nintendo would naturally return to the studio for another unique installment. The studio itself may have already teased other projects years ago. Back in 2023, MercurySteam teased two big titles that hadn’t been announced.

One of these eventually launched as Blades of Fire last year, while the other project remains under wraps for now. Many people assume that Metroid: Samus Returns could be that secret title. Metroid Dread is still considered by many to be one of Nintendo's best current offerings. The slick visuals, dramatic presentation, iconic boss fights, and persistent E.M.M.I. robots provided a tense experience unlike any prior entry.

That was part of the charm, as players honed defensive countermeasures and rapid reflexes while traversing interconnected areas.

Nintendo later released a free update that added a lower difficulty mode, though many fans preferred the original balance and rewarding difficulty curve. The title was also nominated for Game of the Year in 2021, cementing its place as one of Nintendo’s biggest hits of the Switch generation. Given its critical and commercial performance, it wouldn't be a surprise to see another original 2D Metroid from MercurySteam.

Others also feel the project may turn out to be a cross-generational release. And because a side-scrolling Metroid game would need far less hardware than a big-budget first-person game, it could also be cross-platform on the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, opening it up to a wider audience and helping ease the transition to the new machine.

The biggest surprise about the leak might not be Metroid Ravenous itself, but the hints that Nintendo has another Metroid project in the works at the same time. Following the publishing of the ratings board report, VGC Editor-in-Chief Andy Robinson said that he’d been told “more than one” Metroid game was in the works, sparking speculation that Nintendo has many announcements in the pipeline, not just one new game.

That comment has reignited old speculation that first surfaced several months ago. A post on the Gaming Leaks and Rumors forum cites material that appears to match what a previous report said. Predictions for Nintendo in the post included a Super Metroid remake, another Star Fox project, or a new Wario Land game.

While those rumors have not been formally confirmed, backers point out that some forecasts from the leak have since become increasingly true.

If Robinson's statements prove to be correct, many assume the second Metroid project might be a remake of the Super Nintendo classic. Now speculation is turning to the timing of Nintendo's official unveiling of these initiatives. A chunk of an upcoming Nintendo Direct may be dedicated to the series. Fans have speculated that the corporation could surprise players by digitally shadow-dropping a remake of Super Metroid, to be followed shortly by a physical release.

Nintendo may also reveal Metroid Ravenous, the next entry in the series, at the same event, with a planned release in late 2026 or early 2027. Others think that if development is ahead of schedule, the game may easily fall into Nintendo’s usual September or October release window. Some reports have even indicated that a Super Metroid remake would adopt a modern pixel-art presentation, avoiding complete 3D visuals and retaining the original's look and feel, with updated mechanics and quality-of-life improvements.

For the present, all reports except the ratings board listing are hypothetical. However, many fans consider an official rating one of the strongest forms of evidence before a publisher makes an official pronouncement. Whether Metroid: Ravenous ends up being Nintendo’s next big 2D adventure, a companion release with a Super Metroid remake, or something else entirely, the new leak has revived interest in one of Nintendo’s most beloved titles. Until Nintendo steps up to the plate, fans will be waiting for the next Nintendo Direct, hoping that Samus Aran’s next adventure is finally ready to come out of the shadows.