The story so far
What we know about Metroid Ravenous
Metroid Ravenous is a 2D action-adventure for Nintendo Switch 2, revealed during the Nintendo Direct of 9 September 2026 and scheduled for release on 28 January 2027. Players control bounty hunter Samus Aran, who is ambushed by unknown attackers and left stranded on an unfamiliar moon. From there she has to work her way through a maze of corridors, gather an arsenal and hunt down powerful bosses to survive.
According to Nintendo's description, the game adds a predatory twist: Samus has newly awakened Metroid instincts that let her consume defeated enemies, and combat is framed around striking quickly and aggressively with beams and missiles. The reveal trailer showed rapid-fire arm cannon shots, a pursuing spaceship, duels against cloaked figures with energy weapons and Samus taking on a Metroid Suit form. Press coverage also noted that free aim, counters and Aeion abilities such as Flash Shift appear to return, now with movement in more directions.
Nintendo is the publisher, but its store page does not name a developer studio, so the team behind the game has not been officially confirmed. The game is single player and supports TV, tabletop and handheld play, with a download size listed at 20.2 GB. A digital edition costs $59.99 in the US, and a Special Edition adds a physical copy, a SteelBook and a Samus amiibo. Pre-orders have opened through Nintendo's store, and standard Samus and Chozo Statue amiibo are planned for launch. Story details beyond the premise, campaign length and any demo have not been shared.
What to expect from Metroid Ravenous
Based on what the developer and publisher have shown so far.
- 01
Eat or be eaten
Nintendo says Samus can use newly awakened Metroid instincts to consume defeated foes. The trailer showed her sapping enemies and taking on a Metroid Suit form, so absorbing enemies looks central to combat.
- 02
Aggressive combat
The store page tells players to strike quickly and aggressively with beams, missiles and more. In the reveal, press noted free aim, counters and a stronger Flash Shift that can move vertically as well as sideways.
- 03
Corridors, bosses and an arsenal
According to Nintendo, Samus gathers her arsenal, navigates a maze of corridors and hunts powerful bosses on the moon. This points to the exploration and upgrade loop the series is known for.
- 04
Built for Switch 2
The game is a Switch 2 exclusive that supports TV, tabletop and handheld play, HDR, 120 Hz output and amiibo. Cloud saves work with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and the download is listed at 20.2 GB.
See it for yourself
Confirmed. Unconfirmed. Clear.
A quick way to separate official information from speculation.
Confirmed
- Release date: 28 January 2027Nintendo
- Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, single player, with TV, tabletop and handheld modesNintendo
- Digital edition priced at $59.99 in the US; download size 20.2 GBNintendo
- Special Edition with physical game, SteelBook and Samus (Metroid Suit) amiiboNintendo
- Standard Samus and Chozo Statue amiibo planned for launchGematsu
- Revealed in the Nintendo Direct of 9 September 2026Nintendo (press release)
Not confirmed
Developer
Nintendo is named as publisher, but the store page does not credit a studio. Some press links the gameplay to MercurySteam, but that has not been confirmed.
Full story
Beyond the premise of Samus stranded on a moon after an ambush, plot details have not been shared.
Length and difficulty
Nintendo has not said how long the campaign is or whether difficulty options will be offered.
Demo
No demo or pre-release content has been announced.
Rumours are labelled and linked to their source.
Timeline
The road to release, from announcement to launch.
9 September 2026
Metroid Ravenous is revealed for Switch 2 in a Nintendo Direct, with a release date of 28 January 2027. Nintendo (press release)
9 September 2026
Nintendo lists the digital edition at $59.99 and a Special Edition with SteelBook and Samus amiibo. Nintendo
9 September 2026
Standard Samus and Chozo Statue amiibo are announced to arrive alongside the game. Gematsu
9 September 2026
Pre-orders open through Nintendo's store, according to press coverage of the reveal. Omega Metroid
28 January 2027
Scheduled release on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo
Waiting for Metroid Ravenous? Play these
Our best guesses until it is out, picked for the same kind of experience.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Another acclaimed 2D action-adventure with fast, precise combat, tough bosses and a large interconnected world to explore.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
A polished 2D metroidvania with fluid acrobatic movement and flashy combat, close in spirit to recent Samus adventures.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Smooth platforming, boss fights and gradual ability unlocks in a hand-crafted 2D world, with a stronger focus on atmosphere.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Classic exploration-driven metroidvania built around backtracking, upgrades and gradually opening up a large castle map.
Axiom Verge 2
Sci-fi metroidvania with a lonely, alien atmosphere and ability-gated exploration in the classic Metroid tradition.
Dead Cells
Fast, aggressive 2D combat where timing and constant offence matter, with a heavy emphasis on tight controls.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people search for most.
When is Metroid Ravenous released?
Metroid Ravenous is scheduled for 28 January 2027, according to Nintendo. It was revealed in the Nintendo Direct of 9 September 2026.
Which platforms is Metroid Ravenous coming to?
Only Nintendo Switch 2 has been announced. Nintendo lists it as a Switch 2 exclusive, and no other platforms have been confirmed.
Is there a trailer for Metroid Ravenous?
Yes. Nintendo published the reveal trailer from the Nintendo Direct of 9 September 2026 on its YouTube channel, and it is embedded on this page.
How much does Metroid Ravenous cost?
The digital edition is listed at $59.99 in the US. A Special Edition with the physical game, a SteelBook and a Samus amiibo is also available to pre-order.
Is there a demo for Metroid Ravenous?
No demo has been announced so far. If Nintendo shares one, it will be added here.
Who is developing Metroid Ravenous?
Nintendo is the publisher, but no developer studio is credited on its store page. Some press ties the gameplay to MercurySteam, but that is not confirmed.