Metroid Dread is not actually new — it was meant to be the sequel to the 2002 Metroid Fusion — but its original release date of 2006 never materialised.

Well, it's time to party like it's 2006, because Metroid Dread is BACK, and it's glorious. The fifth game in the Metroid core series is a 2D side-scrolling platformer, coming on the 8th October.

It's a joint production between Nintendo and Mercury Steam, the developers behind Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS — an excellent Metroid II remake that one particular Nintendo-related website awarded 10/10 back in 2017.

Here's some PR with some details on the dual amiibo pack coming as well as a tasty-looking Special Edition of the game:

The first 2D Metroid game with a new story in 19 years is coming this year to Nintendo Switch. Metroid Dread is a direct sequel to 2002’s Metroid Fusion and concludes the five-part saga focusing on the strange, interconnected fates of bounty hunter Samus and the Metroids, which kicked off with the original Metroid for NES. In this game, Samus heads alone to a mysterious remote planet and is hunted by a dangerous new mechanical threat: the E.M.M.I. robots. By gaining abilities, players can return to areas they’ve already visited to find new places and hidden upgrades in classic Metroid gameplay. Explore the sprawling map, evade the E.M.M.I. robots, and overcome the dread plaguing the planet when Metroid Dread launches for Nintendo Switch on 8th October.

Pre-orders are now available in Nintendo eShop. A Metroid Dread Special Edition will also be available at launch, which includes the game, a SteelBook case, a 190-page 2D Metroid franchise artbook and five cards that feature box art from all the games in the five-part saga. Finally, a new Samus amiibo figure featuring her suit from Metroid Dread and an E.M.M.I. amiibo figure will be available in a two-pack set at launch.

Metroid Dread

All that, plus it's the first (totally new) 2D Metroid game in NINETEEN YEARS. There are probably people reading this right now that came out after the last Metroid. It's up for pre-order from Nintendo for £49.99 / $59.99.

We know it's not Metroid Prime 4, but hopefully this goes some way to satisfying the Metroid fans among you. Let us know if you're satiated for the time being in the comments!