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Nintendo's 2026 Leak: What's Now Confirmed (and What's Still Just a Rumor)

A reported leak laid out Nintendo's entire 2026 slate — Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox. Here's what has actually been confirmed and what's still an unverified rumor.

L Luigi R. Jul 8, 2026 7 min read 4 views
Nintendo's 2026 Leak: What's Now Confirmed (and What's Still Just a Rumor)
Remember when a single leaker seemed to spill Nintendo's entire 2026 playbook — Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, the works — and everyone rolled their eyes? Here's the uncomfortable part: a lot of it has already come true.

Over the past few months, a reported leak tied largely to well-known insider NateTheHate laid out what was supposedly Nintendo's full slate for the Switch 2's second year. It included a from-the-ground-up remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a brand-new Star Fox, fresh Metroid, and a stack of Switch 2 titles. At the time, none of it was official. Now, in July 2026, two of the biggest swings have landed exactly as reported — while others are still firmly in "believe it when Nintendo says it" territory.

Let's separate what's actually confirmed from what's still just a very persuasive rumor.

The leak that seemingly called everything

The story starts with NateTheHate, a leaker with a long track record of accurate Nintendo scoops. According to multiple outlets, he essentially outlined Nintendo's 2026 lineup across recent podcast episodes and videos — naming projects Nintendo hadn't breathed a word about publicly.

That's the key context for this whole "entire 2026 leaked" narrative. It wasn't one dramatic document dump. It was a credible insider describing a slate, piece by piece, that later started matching reality. Reporting consistently frames Nate as careful, usually waiting for multiple sources before going public. That reputation is exactly why fans took the list seriously instead of laughing it off.

Important caveat up front: even accurate leakers get timing and details wrong, and Nintendo changes plans. So treat everything below through that lens — confirmed is confirmed, and everything else is reported, not fact.

Star Fox: from rumor to a game you can actually play

This is the one that flipped the conversation. The leak claimed a new, classic-style Star Fox was coming to Switch 2 in summer 2026. Even so, the exact reveal timing stayed fuzzy in leak chatter right up until Nintendo made it official — a reminder that dates are usually the shakiest part of any leak.

Then Nintendo held a surprise Star Fox Direct on May 7, 2026 and revealed the game for real. It launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026 (July 2 in South Korea). Developed by Velan Studios, it's a full remake of Star Fox 64, rebuilding the original's rail-shooter level design and story with a new, more realistic art style, expanded story cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack. Reviews have been generally positive — it sits in the low-80s on Metacritic — with praise for the crisp visuals and snappy controls, alongside criticism that it plays things a little safe.

So the "new Star Fox" from the leak? Confirmed, released, and reviewed. That single outcome is a big reason the rest of the list suddenly looked a lot more credible.

Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake — now officially real

For months this was the crown jewel of the rumor pile: a modern, ground-up remake of 1998's Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, not a lazy HD port. And for months, Nintendo said nothing, which kept it labeled "all but confirmed" rather than actually confirmed.

That changed on June 9, 2026. During a Nintendo Direct, the company closed the show with a bombshell: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is officially returning, built for Nintendo Switch 2, and targeted for 2026. Reports put the Direct at more than 25 announced titles and a peak of around 3.78 million concurrent viewers, with the Zelda reveal saved as the finale.

Here's the honest fine print, though: Nintendo only showed a short teaser with a new art style and a first look at Young Link. There's no gameplay footage, no specific release date, and no price yet — though several analysts have speculated about a holiday 2026 window, which Nintendo has not confirmed. The remake existing is now fact. When exactly it arrives — and whether that 2026 target holds or slips — is still unconfirmed. Some earlier chatter about a special-edition Ocarina of Time Switch 2 console also remains an unverified rumor.

Metroid: still living in rumor territory

Now the part that hasn't been officially confirmed. The leak talk pointed to new Metroid activity, and two separate threads keep circulating.

The first is Metroid Ravenous. Its name reportedly surfaced in a listing within Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security ratings system, spotted by Brazilian journalist Necro Felipe Lima before the page was pulled. According to that leak, the game carries a 2026 production year and a 12+ rating based on roughly 41 minutes of reviewed footage flagged for violence and light sexual content. Many expect it could be the long-awaited 2D follow-up to Metroid Dread — the naming and timeline line up — but to be clear, Nintendo has not announced Metroid Ravenous. A ratings-board listing is a strong signal, not a confirmation.

The second thread is a rumored Super Metroid remake for Switch 2, tied to the same leaker ecosystem. That one has even less to stand on right now and should be treated as pure speculation until Nintendo says otherwise.

So on Metroid specifically: exciting smoke, real-looking signals, but no official fire yet.

The rest of the reported 2026 slate

Beyond the headline three, the leaks describe a genuinely stacked Switch 2 summer and beyond. Here's where each reportedly stands — rumor unless noted:

  • Rhythm Heaven Groove — no longer a rumor: Nintendo released it on July 2, 2026 for Nintendo Switch (and it's playable on Switch 2), landing right in the leaked window.
  • Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave — rumored for the summer window, with a European PEGI 12 rating lending credibility, though some reports suggest it could slip.
  • Splatoon Raiders — reported for the coming months, also popping up in European ratings (a PEGI 7).
  • New Nintendo Switch Sports — rumored Switch 2 entry.
  • Pikmin 4: Switch 2 Edition and Xenoblade 2: Switch 2 Edition — reported enhanced re-releases.
At the June Direct, Nintendo did officially unveil other big names alongside Zelda, including Xenoblade Genesis and Kingdom Hearts IV, plus a broader wave of third-party Switch 2 ports. That's confirmed lineup material, separate from the still-unverified rumors above.

What's reportedly NOT coming in 2026

Just as telling is what the leak pushes out of this year. According to NateTheHate's reporting, a new 3D Mario isn't a 2026 game — it's tracking for 2027. A new 2D Zelda is likewise pegged for 2027 in leak chatter. So if you were hoping the "entire 2026 lineup" included a fresh mainline Mario platformer, the very leak everyone's citing says to temper that expectation. Nintendo hasn't commented, so treat both as unconfirmed.

So how much should you trust the leak?

Here's the balanced read. The leak's biggest, boldest calls — a new Star Fox and an Ocarina of Time remake — went from rumor to officially confirmed, and Star Fox is already out. That's a strong hit rate that makes the rest worth watching.

But "the leaker was right before" is not the same as "everything on the list is happening." Exact dates in leaks routinely move, release dates and prices for the confirmed games are still blank, and marquee rumors like Metroid Ravenous and a Super Metroid remake remain unannounced by Nintendo. The smart move is to enjoy the hype while keeping the "reportedly" firmly attached until the next Direct fills in the blanks.

If you're already eyeing the confirmed games, it's also worth checking whether your current setup is Switch 2-ready — though for PC players curious about comparable specs, a quick can-I-run check is an optional aside, not the main event here.

FAQ

Is the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake actually confirmed?

Yes. Nintendo officially announced a Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at its June 9, 2026 Direct, targeting 2026. However, only a short teaser was shown — there's no gameplay, no exact release date, and no price yet.

Did the new Star Fox really come out?

Yes. Star Fox, a Switch 2 remake of Star Fox 64 developed by Velan Studios, was revealed in a surprise May 7, 2026 Direct and launched on June 25, 2026 to generally positive reviews. It's the leak claim that has most clearly come true.

Is Metroid Ravenous a real, announced game?

Not officially. Metroid Ravenous reportedly appeared in a Brazilian ratings-board listing with a 2026 production year and a 12+ rating, and many suspect it's a 2D Metroid Dread follow-up. But Nintendo has not confirmed it, so treat it as a rumor for now.

Is a new 3D Mario coming in 2026?

Reportedly no. According to the same leaker behind much of this lineup, a new 3D Mario is tracking for 2027 rather than 2026, along with a rumored new 2D Zelda. Nintendo hasn't commented, so this remains unconfirmed.

Tags:Nintendo 2026 leakNintendo Switch 2Zelda Ocarina of Time remakeMetroid RavenousStar Fox Switch 2NateTheHateNintendo Direct