Metroid Dread Returns to eShop No. 1 as Ravenous Reveal Drives Sales

Key points

• Metroid Dread is currently the best-selling Switch title in the US, a position it held at launch in October 2021.
• The sales spike follows the September 2026 Nintendo Direct reveal of Metroid Ravenous, which was the most-watched trailer of the event with 3.2 million views.
• Metroid Ravenous is a Switch 2 exclusive scheduled for release on January 28, 2027, and continues the story of Dread.
• The new game introduces a mechanic where Samus drains life force from foes, described by Nintendo as 'eat or be eaten.'
• Metroid Dread is currently part of the Customer Appreciation Sale, offering a 30% discount that likely contributed to its chart climb.

Background

Metroid Dread originally launched in October 2021 and became the best-selling entry in the franchise at the time. The Metroid series has seen a recent resurgence, including a 2023 remaster of Metroid Prime and the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in 2025, which received mixed reception. The current success of Dread highlights the enduring popularity of the 2D sub-series despite the mixed performance of the 3D titles.

How outlets are covering it

GoNintendo attributes the sales surge primarily to the hype surrounding the Metroid Ravenous reveal, noting that the 30% discount 'sweetened the pot.' Game Informer and The Verge focus on the gameplay mechanics of Ravenous, highlighting the new energy-siphoning ability and 3D graphics within a 2D framework. Gizmodo emphasizes the 'vampire vibes' of the new game, contrasting it with the disappointment of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. While all outlets agree on the release date and platform, GoNintendo notes that the Ravenous trailer was the most-watched of the entire Direct, suggesting the marketing push was the primary driver for Dread's sales.

Why it matters

The return of Metroid Dread to the top of the charts demonstrates the long-term viability of Nintendo's 2D Metroid games and suggests a strong appetite for the franchise. The success of the Ravenous reveal indicates that the market is receptive to a return to the 2D format after the mixed reception of the 3D Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This trend could influence future development priorities for the series, potentially shifting focus back to the 2D entries that have proven to be more commercially successful in recent years.

What to watch

Metroid Ravenous is scheduled for release on January 28, 2027, for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game will include a special edition with two new amiibo figures. Players can expect a darker tone and new mechanics, including the ability to drain energy from enemies. The success of the current sales surge for Metroid Dread may also lead to further discounts or promotions for the original title in the coming months.