As the buzz around Metroid Prime 4: Beyond continues to grow with the impending release of the Switch 2, whispers of another Metroid game potentially hitting the shelves in 2025 are keeping fans on their toes. The success of Metroid Dread in 2021 reignited the love for 2D Metroid adventures, creating a welcoming space for both 2D games and the Metroid Prime series to thrive side by side. This dynamic could soon be put to the test, as a credible Nintendo insider suggests that a new 2D Metroid title may be on the horizon for either 2025 or 2026.
The reliable leaker, Nash Weedle, whose accurate prediction about Metroid Dread’s 2021 release for the Switch gained attention, has once again taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) in 2023. Weedle hints at Nintendo’s plans to unveil another 2D Metroid game by 2025. Given Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s confirmed release in the same year, there’s a chance that this new game might be postponed to 2026. However, the prospect of diving into a fresh 2D Metroid adventure closely following Prime 4: Beyond is thrilling nonetheless. If this rumored title is indeed a continuation of Metroid Dread, it could represent a pivotal moment for the series, building upon the foundation its predecessor established.
Spoilers for Metroid Dread ahead.
Metroid Dread brought Samus’ journey with the Metroid organism full circle. Thanks to the X Parasite vaccine from Metroid Fusion, Samus’ latent Metroid DNA was fully unleashed. Although glimpses of this power were evident throughout the game, the final battle against Raven Beak saw Samus don the complete Metroid Suit, marking an irreversible shift in her character arc. This transformation implies that future 2D Metroid titles will likely have to embrace and expand upon Samus’ new abilities, as retreating from this development would be a difficult narrative hurdle to clear.
Samus’ Metroid powers reached a stable point after absorbing Quiet Robe’s energy at the conclusion of Metroid Dread. However, there remains potential for these powers to be unleashed anew in future adventures.
The next 2D Metroid installment has the potential to redefine the series by wholeheartedly embracing Samus’ newfound Metroid abilities. Should the games leading up to Dread be seen as Samus’ journey to Metroid power, the conclusion of Dread marks the beginning of a fresh arc focused on harnessing these capabilities. Launching a new era alongside the series’ revitalization, a sequel to Metroid Dread would be a fitting entry to usher in this change.
For fans familiar with the classic elements of Metroid, such as the interconnected maps and the pursuit of lost weapons and suit upgrades, the formula has remained largely untouched. However, capitalizing on Samus’ Metroid powers could revolutionize this approach. With her ability to siphon energy, akin to concepts seen in titles like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Samus could adopt enemy powers in new and imaginative ways. This shift could breathe fresh life into 2D Metroid games, opening up diverse gameplay mechanics, exploration tools, and a host of new strategies while reshaping the franchise’s traditional structure.
By expanding Samus’ abilities in such a manner, Metroid games could transition from their traditional linear narrative to a more open-ended design. This innovation would cater to varying play styles, depending on how players choose to wield the abilities absorbed from foes, marking a transformative evolution in the series.
