A ratings board listing has apparently revealed Nintendo's next Metroid project. Metroid Ravenous surfaced in an official rating, suggesting the game targets Nintendo Switch 2, the company's upcoming console successor.
The leak comes from a ratings classification database rather than a retailer or traditional press channel. No official Nintendo announcement accompanies the listing, meaning details remain thin. The title "Ravenous" marks a departure from the established Metroid naming convention, which typically uses single words like "Prime," "Fusion," or "Dread."
This represents the first concrete evidence of a new mainline Metroid entry since Metroid Dread released on Switch in 2021. That title sold over 3 million copies and revitalized the franchise after years of dormancy. A sequel or new installment was inevitable, though Nintendo kept development under wraps.
Switch 2 confirmation carries weight here. Nintendo hasn't officially announced the console yet, though industry speculation and supply chain leaks have circulated for months. A premium first-party exclusive like Metroid landing at the system's launch window would signal the company's confidence in the new hardware and mirror strategies used with previous Nintendo console transitions.
The leaked title raises questions about gameplay direction. Metroid Dread emphasized 2D side-scrolling action with Metroidvania exploration. Ravenous could continue that formula, pivot toward the first-person Prime series, or introduce something entirely new. The franchise has successfully balanced both styles, so multiple approaches remain viable.
Nintendo typically controls leaks aggressively and may issue takedown requests against websites hosting the rating details. The company will likely announce Metroid Ravenous formally once it's ready, possibly alongside Switch 2's official reveal. That hardware announcement itself remains one of gaming's most anticipated events, with analysts expecting it sometime in early 2025.