What the ClassInd Listing Showed

• Title: Metroid Ravenous
• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
• Age rating: Initially submitted as "not recommended for children under 10," with a final classification of "not recommended for under 12"
• Production year: Listed as 2026
• Rating authority: ClassInd, the official Brazilian age-rating board under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
• Content evaluated: Reports indicate the board evaluated approximately 41 minutes of gameplay footage provided by Nintendo to assign the rating

Developer Speculation: Is MercurySteam Returning for a 2D Entry?

Multiple outlets report speculation that MercurySteam — the Spanish studio behind Metroid Dread (2021) — is returning to develop this title as a new 2D entry in the series . This is widely seen as a potential follow-up to Metroid Dread, continuing the 2D side-scrolling lineage rather than the first-person Prime branch . The listing itself, however, did not name a developer, so this remains unconfirmed speculation.

Release Timing and Announcement Speculation

Because the production year is listed as 2026 and ratings board listings often appear shortly before an official announcement, several outlets suggest the game could be revealed soon and possibly launch as early as 2026 . Some commentators have pointed to a 2027 release as a more realistic timeline, but no official date exists .

Nintendo's Official Silence

Nintendo has not issued any official statement regarding the leak or the existence of Metroid Ravenous. As of July 2, 2026, the company has made no public acknowledgment of the title .

Verification Caveats: What IGN and Others Have Said

Multiple sources note that IGN has stated it cannot verify the authenticity of the leaked document, and the only evidence is a screenshot captured before the page was taken down — no independently verifiable source or direct database link remains . The listing is treated as an unconfirmed rumor.

ClassInd's History of Leaking Unannounced Titles

Brazil's ClassInd board has a well-documented history of accidentally leaking unannounced games ahead of official reveals. Previous examples include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond receiving a Brazilian rating before its release date announcement (September 2025) , and multiple third-party Switch 2 ports being outed by the same board in April 2026 . This track record is why the Metroid Ravenous listing is taken seriously by the gaming press despite the lack of official confirmation.

The Bottom Line on the Metroid Ravenous Leak

The Metroid Ravenous leak is one of the most intriguing unconfirmed rumors surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. The title, 2026 production year, rating, and ClassInd's history give it credibility, but the lack of any Nintendo statement and IGN's inability to verify the source screenshot mean it should be treated as a strong rumor — not a confirmed announcement. Until Nintendo speaks, the next 2D Metroid remains an exciting possibility, not a promise.

What the ClassInd Listing Showed

• Title: Metroid Ravenous
• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
• Age rating: Initially submitted as "not recommended for children under 10," with a final classification of "not recommended for under 12"
• Production year: Listed as 2026
• Rating authority: ClassInd, the official Brazilian age-rating board under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
• Content evaluated: Reports indicate the board evaluated approximately 41 minutes of gameplay footage provided by Nintendo to assign the rating

Developer Speculation: Is MercurySteam Returning for a 2D Entry?

Multiple outlets report speculation that MercurySteam — the Spanish studio behind Metroid Dread (2021) — is returning to develop this title as a new 2D entry in the series . This is widely seen as a potential follow-up to Metroid Dread, continuing the 2D side-scrolling lineage rather than the first-person Prime branch . The listing itself, however, did not name a developer, so this remains unconfirmed speculation.

Release Timing and Announcement Speculation

Because the production year is listed as 2026 and ratings board listings often appear shortly before an official announcement, several outlets suggest the game could be revealed soon and possibly launch as early as 2026 . Some commentators have pointed to a 2027 release as a more realistic timeline, but no official date exists .

Nintendo's Official Silence

Nintendo has not issued any official statement regarding the leak or the existence of Metroid Ravenous. As of July 2, 2026, the company has made no public acknowledgment of the title .

Verification Caveats: What IGN and Others Have Said

Multiple sources note that IGN has stated it cannot verify the authenticity of the leaked document, and the only evidence is a screenshot captured before the page was taken down — no independently verifiable source or direct database link remains . The listing is treated as an unconfirmed rumor.

ClassInd's History of Leaking Unannounced Titles

Brazil's ClassInd board has a well-documented history of accidentally leaking unannounced games ahead of official reveals. Previous examples include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond receiving a Brazilian rating before its release date announcement (September 2025) , and multiple third-party Switch 2 ports being outed by the same board in April 2026 . This track record is why the Metroid Ravenous listing is taken seriously by the gaming press despite the lack of official confirmation.

The Bottom Line on the Metroid Ravenous Leak

The Metroid Ravenous leak is one of the most intriguing unconfirmed rumors surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. The title, 2026 production year, rating, and ClassInd's history give it credibility, but the lack of any Nintendo statement and IGN's inability to verify the source screenshot mean it should be treated as a strong rumor — not a confirmed announcement. Until Nintendo speaks, the next 2D Metroid remains an exciting possibility, not a promise.