Metroid Ravenous Revealed for Switch 2 With January 2027 Release Date

Nintendo has officially unveiled Metroid Ravenous, the next 2D adventure starring Samus Aran, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release set for January 28, 2027. Revealed during the September Nintendo Direct, the game sends Samus to an unfamiliar moon after an ambush leaves her badly wounded and cut off from her ship.

Ravenous follows the side-scrolling lineage of Metroid Dread rather than the first-person Metroid Prime branch. Nintendo describes the new game as an intense 2D action adventure built around a more aggressive survival loop: Samus can tap into her latent Metroid powers, stun enemies with counters and drain their energy to recover.

Samus is the hunter — and the hunted

The setup gives the title its meaning. After crash-landing, Samus must work her way through a labyrinthine underground environment while being pursued by the mysterious attackers responsible for her injuries. Nintendo identifies five of these enemies as Space Ninjas, each waiting somewhere in the world for a one-on-one confrontation.

That premise appears to push the close-range aggression seen in Metroid Dread further. Counters are not simply defensive moves: Nintendo says stunned enemies can become opportunities for Samus to feed and regain energy. Beams and missiles remain part of her arsenal, while exploration still revolves around navigating interconnected corridors, acquiring abilities and finding a route back to the surface.

A new 2D Metroid built for Switch 2

Metroid Ravenous is being released exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement footage retains the familiar side-on exploration of the modern 2D games while using 3D environments and cinematic camera work during more dramatic encounters. The reveal also establishes Ravenous as the latest game in the 2D Metroid series, giving Switch 2 a dedicated Samus adventure alongside the franchise's separate Prime line.

Nintendo has not yet detailed every ability, area or boss Samus will encounter, so the reveal leaves plenty unexplained. What is confirmed is a structure built around escaping the moon, hunting powerful bosses and confronting the five assassins who stranded her there. The energy-draining mechanic is the clearest new gameplay hook disclosed so far.

Standard and Special Editions are coming

Nintendo will launch both standard and Special Edition versions on January 28, 2027. The Special Edition includes a physical copy of the game, a steel game case and an exclusive Samus (Metroid Suit) amiibo. Nintendo is also releasing separate Samus and Chozo Statue amiibo figures alongside the game.

Nintendo's US announcement lists the standard game at $59.99. Regional pricing can differ, so that figure should not be treated as a direct indication of the eventual Swedish or European retail price.

What the reveal tells us

The first look at Metroid Ravenous makes its direction unusually clear for an announcement trailer. This is still recognisably a 2D Metroid built around exploration, upgrades and hostile corridors, but Samus' Metroid abilities are no longer just story baggage. Feeding on enemies now sits directly inside the combat loop, reinforcing the game's “eat or be eaten” theme.

The January launch date also means the wait is relatively short. With the basic premise, central combat mechanic, platform and editions now confirmed, the biggest unanswered questions concern the scale of the moon, the full ability set and how extensively the new feeding mechanic changes exploration and boss encounters. Nintendo has not provided those details yet.

Where to find it

• Metroid Ravenous — official Nintendo page