'Metroid Ravenous' Developer All but Confirms It's Behind Switch 2 Game

Nintendo typically avoids naming the studios behind its games, but MercurySteam’s LinkedIn repost of the Metroid Ravenous trailer with a smiling emoji served as an unofficial confirmation that the developer is behind the sequel. The studio also shared a cryptic message on X, featuring a ninja and heart emoji alongside the trailer, reinforcing the announcement. The trailer itself was officially unveiled during a Nintendo Direct, though Brazil’s game rating board had previously leaked details about the game a month earlier.

Metroid Ravenous continues the series’ sci-fi survival horror theme, with Samus Aran now reversing her role as predator to prey. The game’s title reflects her new ability to absorb energy by consuming monsters, a stark contrast to the disempowerment central to Metroid Dread. The trailer shows Samus stranded on a hostile alien planet, where she must navigate treacherous terrain while leveraging her enhanced abilities to survive.

The game is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on January 28, 2027, marking MercurySteam’s third project in the Metroid franchise. Before Metroid Dread, the studio developed Metroid: Samus Returns, a remake of the series’ second entry, as well as the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series. MercurySteam’s most recent release, Blades of Fire, received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially.

MercurySteam has faced significant scrutiny in recent years, including allegations of abusive labor practices. In September 2025, a Spanish labor union accused the studio of imposing 10-hour mandatory workdays, restricting remote work, and limiting vacation days. Employees described a toxic work environment during Blades of Fire’s development, citing intimidation tactics and retaliation against those taking leave.