Summary:
Metroid Ravenous has been officially announced for Nintendo Switch 2 and multiple outlets now list MercurySteam as the developer. The new 2D Metroid entry brings a darker, more aggressive edge to Samus by leaning into an energy-draining feeding mechanic that encourages high-risk combat and quick counters. Nintendo’s store page confirms the January 28, 2027 release and provides details on platform, file size and editions, while coverage from major outlets names MercurySteam and links the title directly to the team behind Samus Returns and Metroid Dread. For fans this means a familiar creative voice returning to 2D Metroid design, plus new mechanics, a special edition, and preorders to track as launch approaches.
MercurySteam confirmed as the developer behind Metroid Ravenous
Several reputable outlets and listings published after Nintendo’s reveal now credit MercurySteam as the studio developing Metroid Ravenous. That aligns with fan expectations, given MercurySteam’s modern work on the 2D Metroid entries Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread. Nintendo’s product page confirms Ravenous as a Nintendo Switch 2 release with a January 28, 2027 date, and follow-up coverage from industry sites ties the title to MercurySteam explicitly. For readers who have followed the studio’s history, the confirmation explains the gameplay tone and the trailer’s visual language. NintendoReporters will keep watching official channels for developer statements and further confirmation, but at this point multiple sources are reporting MercurySteam as the developer.
How the announcement unfolded and where confirmation appeared
Nintendo revealed Metroid Ravenous during a Direct showcase, then updated product listings and storefront pages with launch details. Media coverage on the same day picked up the reveal and, beyond the trailer, boxed editions and pricing were shared publicly. Outlets including Nintendo’s storefront and gaming publications added their reporting within hours, and some news sites listed MercurySteam as the credited developer. While Nintendo’s store page focuses on publisher and platform details, independent reporting and box art listings provided the developer line. This chain of announcements is typical: Nintendo leads the reveal, then third-party press and regional box art/retail listings add developer credits and edition details for collectors and preorders.
What the trailer and official listing tell us about Ravenous’s direction
The trailer paints a clear picture: Metroid Ravenous is a tense, aggressive 2D Metroid that leans into close-quarters survival. Samus wakes up wounded on a hostile moon and must regain energy by using Metroid-like feeding mechanics on foes. The footage highlights hit-and-counter combat, quick drains for survival, and a one-on-one feel for major encounters – all elements that suggest a more visceral take on the series. Nintendo’s listing also mentions multiple play modes and estimated file size, and special editions that include a SteelBook and an amiibo. Taken together, the reveal and listing provide both mechanical hints and the commercial structure around the launch.
Release date, platforms and editions you need to know
Nintendo’s official store page lists Metroid Ravenous for Nintendo Switch 2 with a release date of January 28, 2027. The page includes details such as an estimated file size of 20.2 GB, supported play modes and information about a special edition that bundles a SteelBook and an amiibo. Retail and digital pricing was reported alongside the reveal, and several outlets shared box art and edition specifics shortly after the Direct. If you own a Switch 2, make a note of the date and watch preorders; collectors should expect more details about the special edition and amiibo availability to arrive soon. For Switch 2 specifics, see NintendoReporters’ Switch 2 section at Nintendo Switch 2.
Why MercurySteam’s track record matters for Ravenous
MercurySteam helped bring modern 2D Metroid titles back into the spotlight with Metroid: Samus Returns on the Nintendo 3DS and Metroid Dread on the Switch. Their familiarity with Samus’s movement, counter mechanics and tense boss fights means Ravenous will likely continue many design threads from Dread while pushing into new territory like the feeding mechanic. Fans can expect polished side-scrolling controls, careful encounter design, and attention to pacing – elements MercurySteam nailed previously. That pedigree is why many outlets and fans quickly linked Ravenous to MercurySteam after the reveal, and why the studio’s involvement matters when weighing expectations for quality, difficulty and faithful Metroid atmosphere.
Gameplay mechanics highlighted so far and what they suggest
From footage and official descriptions we know Ravenous emphasizes a survival loop built around regaining energy by draining enemies. That mechanic changes priorities in combat: rather than passive avoidance players must actively stun and drain foes to recover. The trailer and descriptions show quick counter windows, risky close-range plays, and high-stakes boss encounters – implying a faster, more aggressive design than some past entries. Expect exploration to remain important, but with combat encounters that reward timing and aggression. Developers with experience balancing counter-heavy systems, like MercurySteam, are well positioned to tune this kind of risk-and-reward gameplay without breaking the exploration flow players expect from Metroid.
Preorders, editions and amiibo details to watch
Nintendo’s listing confirms a Special Edition with a SteelBook and a Samus amiibo based on the Metroid Ravenous design. Pricing and limited availability for that edition have been reported by retailers and media, so collectors should bookmark official storefront pages and trusted retailers. amiibo functionality is noted as coming later, so expect Nintendo to detail what the figure does closer to launch. If you collect physical releases or amiibo, keep an eye on preorder windows and stock announcements; demand can be high for special editions. NintendoReporters will publish updates for preorder links and edition comparisons as official pages go live.
What this confirmation means for the Metroid community and fans
For many fans, MercurySteam’s return means continuity: the team that helped modernize 2D Metroid is back, and Ravenous promises a fresh twist on Samus’s toolkit. The feeding mechanic signals a bolder tone and different combat emphasis, which may divide players who prefer slower exploration over aggressive play – but it also opens interesting design possibilities for boss fights and upgrades. Community discussion will focus on difficulty balance, how the feeding interacts with exploration, and what the one-on-one Space Ninja encounters mean for pacing. Whether you’re a longtime Metroid player or new to Samus’s world, MercurySteam’s involvement offers a familiar creative voice with room to surprise.
Conclusion
Metroid Ravenous is now official for Nintendo Switch 2 with a January 28, 2027 launch, and multiple media outlets are crediting MercurySteam as the developer. Nintendo’s storefront provides the launch metadata and edition notes while the broader press fills in developer attribution and box art details. For fans, that combination points to a Samus experience crafted by a studio that understands the franchise’s 2D DNA but is willing to push new mechanics. NintendoReporters will continue covering updates, preorder windows and deeper looks at gameplay as more information becomes available.
FAQs
- Who is developing Metroid Ravenous?
- Multiple outlets list MercurySteam as the developer for Metroid Ravenous, matching the studio’s prior work on modern 2D Metroid titles.
- When does Metroid Ravenous release?
- Nintendo’s official storefront lists the release date as January 28, 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Will there be a physical special edition or amiibo?
- Yes. Nintendo’s page and later reporting mention a Special Edition with a SteelBook and a Samus amiibo; full details will be shared by Nintendo ahead of launch.
- What is the new feeding mechanic?
- The game lets Samus regain energy by stunning and draining enemies, encouraging aggressive, counter-focused combat rather than passive avoidance.
- Where can I track official updates and preorders?
- Track Nintendo’s store pages and follow trusted outlets for preorder windows; NintendoReporters will post updates and guides as preorders and edition details go live.
Sources
- Metroid™ Ravenous for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo, September 9, 2026
- Official: Metroid Ravenous is MercurySteam’s new Metroid 6, GameReactor, September 9, 2026
- Metroid Ravenous Announced For Switch 2, Release Date Confirmed, Nintendo Life, September 9, 2026
- Metroid Ravenous, the first 2D Metroid since Dread, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in January, GamesRadar, September 9, 2026