Summary
A recent rumor suggests that a new 2DMetroidgame could already be in development for release later this year. The past few years have been an interesting time forMetroidfans, as Samus Aran has been headlining many exciting projects. 2021 saw the series return to its side-scrolling roots inMetroid Dread, which earned high praise from gamers for blending the classic gameplay of olderMetroidtitles with modern graphics. In 2023, Nintendo releasedMetroid Prime Remastered, an update to the 2002 GameCube FPS,to similar success.
The future ofMetroidis also looking bright, asMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis currently scheduled to launch sometime in 2025. There currently isn’t an exact release date, but many fans think that a newMetroid Primesequel would be an ideallaunch title for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 consolethat is also set to hit store shelves this year. Now, one inside source believes that Samus could embark on another, more traditionally-styled mission before the year is out.
That source is Nash Weedle, a Spanish gaming news leaker who correctly predictedthe release ofMetroid Dreadback in 2021. According toReddit user Wertypiteon the r/GamingLeaksAndRumours forum, Weedle recently reported that a new 2DMetroidgame is in the works byMetroid Dreaddeveloper MercurySteam for release in 2025, perhaps as another first-party title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
A New 2D Metroid Could Be Coming in 2025
It should be noted that all leaks should be met with skepticism until more concrete evidence presents itself. Even commenters on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours are questioning this latestMetroidscoop, believing that Nintendo would likely hold off on releasing anotherMetroidgameso close toMetroid Prime 4: Beyond. Others note that this supposed 2DMetroidgame would also come only three years after the release ofMetroid Dread.
On the other hand,Metroid Dreadwas only four years after2017’sMetroid: Samus Returns, so having twoMetroidsidescrollers launch so closely apart from one another wouldn’t be completely unprecedented. The gameplay differences between this unconfirmed 2DMetroidandMetroid Prime 4: Beyondwould also be theoretically different enough to avoid clashing with each other too much, assuming that Nash Weedle’s latest leak is indeed true. However, some fans argue that if this is the case, then Nintendo might choose to play it safe and release this mystery 2DMetroidgame in 2026, safely away fromMetroid Prime 4: Beyond’s reported launch later this year.
Metroid
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An NES classic, Metroid introduced the world to Samus Aran and established the fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre.
