Speculation surrounding the next installment in Nintendo's Metroid franchise has intensified following the appearance of a title, "Metroid Ravenous," on the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security's ratings board. The listing, which has since been removed, indicated a production start date of 2026 in the United States and mentioned content advisories for "violence--weapons, blood, death--and light sexual content."
This potential new entry could represent a sequel to MercurySteam's 2021 release, Metroid Dread. That 2.5D adventure modernized the classic Metroid formula for the Nintendo Switch and garnered positive reviews, selling over three million units. MercurySteam had previously announced in 2023 that two projects were in development, with their fantasy game, Blades of Fire, launching last year. The timing of the Metroid Ravenous listing, following the 2025 release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, suggests a potential shift in focus for the series.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which saw a lengthy development cycle, has achieved over one million units sold as of February 2026, a figure that combines sales across both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2. However, this figure is notably lower compared to other major Nintendo intellectual properties. For instance, the Switch 2 Edition of Pokemon Legends: Z-A reached 3.89 million units sold, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be a consistent top seller. Historically, the Metroid franchise has faced challenges in matching the sales performance of Nintendo's other prominent series.
While Nintendo has not officially confirmed any details regarding "Metroid Ravenous" or future Metroid titles, the company recently revealed that its primary focus for the holiday season will be a remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. The announcement was made during a recent Nintendo Direct livestream, which also teased additional surprises slated for 2026. The Metroid franchise's future, beyond the recently released Prime 4: Beyond, remains a subject of keen interest for fans.