Nintendo has revealed Metroid Ravenous, an all-new 2D Metroid adventure launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on 28 January 2027.
Samus Aran is returning to the 2D Metroid series in Metroid Ravenous, a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive revealed during Nintendo’s 9 September Direct. We had already highlighted the presentation in our Nintendo Direct preview earlier this week.
Nintendo has confirmed the game will launch on 28 January 2027, making it the first new entry in the 2D branch of the series since Metroid Dread arrived on Nintendo Switch in October 2021.
The announcement was more than a title reveal. Nintendo showed the first gameplay footage, giving an early look at how Ravenous develops the familiar side-scrolling Metroid formula with a more cinematic presentation and what appears to be an important new survival mechanic for Samus.
Samus faces a new threat in Metroid Ravenous
The reveal begins badly for Samus.
She is confronted and overwhelmed by a mysterious group of enemies, setting a darker tone before the footage moves into the side-scrolling exploration and combat that define the 2D series.
Structurally, Ravenous remains recognisably Metroid. Samus can be seen moving through 3D environments from the traditional side-on perspective, fighting enemies, parrying attacks and using familiar abilities including her Morph Ball.
But one mechanic immediately stands out.
The footage appears to show Samus absorbing energy from enemies, apparently allowing her to recover or sustain herself during combat. Nintendo has built the reveal around the phrase “eat or be eaten”, suggesting the idea will play an important role in the new adventure. The Verge’s report on the reveal also highlights the new energy-absorption mechanic shown during the presentation.
Exactly how the system works has not yet been explained, so it is too early to know whether energy absorption replaces an existing mechanic, forms part of a new progression system or is tied directly to the story.
A more cinematic evolution of Metroid Dread
The first footage also suggests Ravenous is building directly on the modern presentation established by Metroid Dread.
Dread combined traditional 2D exploration with fully 3D character models and environments while retaining the interconnected level design, upgrades and exploration that have defined the series. Nintendo described Dread as Samus’s latest 2D adventure when it launched in 2021. Nintendo’s official Metroid Dread page provides the background on that release.
Ravenous maintains that foundation but appears to push its cinematic presentation further.
Combat transitions, camera movement and encounters with the new enemies all look more elaborate than the traditional fixed side-on view might suggest, while the energy-absorption mechanic could give combat a different rhythm if it becomes central to keeping Samus alive.
For now, though, Nintendo has only shown an initial glimpse. The wider world, progression system, story and complete set of abilities remain largely under wraps.
Special Edition and new Metroid amiibo confirmed
Nintendo is also giving Ravenous a substantial physical launch.
Two individual Metroid Ravenous amiibo figures — Samus and a Chozo Statue — will arrive alongside the game.
A third figure, Samus (Metroid Suit), will be included with the Metroid Ravenous: Special Edition. Nintendo says that edition will also contain the game and a steel game case.
Both the standard and Special Edition are scheduled for 28 January 2027, with pre-orders opening following today’s Direct.
Tech Torque Verdict
Metroid Dread successfully brought Nintendo’s 2D Metroid series back into the spotlight in 2021. Ravenous now looks like Nintendo intends to keep that branch of the franchise moving forward rather than treating Dread as a one-off return.
The strongest part of today’s reveal is that Ravenous does not simply look like more Dread.
The familiar exploration, Morph Ball movement and side-scrolling combat remain, but the darker opening, more cinematic presentation and apparent energy-absorption mechanic give the new game an identity of its own already.
There is still plenty Nintendo has not explained, particularly around Samus’s new abilities and exactly what the mysterious attackers mean for the story.
But with a firm 28 January 2027 release date, we will not have to wait long to find out.
Metroid Ravenous launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on 28 January 2027.
