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.
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 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 .
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.
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 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.