METROID fans could have a new version of the 2D side-scroller to look forward to.

Rumour has it that a brand new Metroid game is in the works, with a return to the classic two-dimensional stylings.

3 Nintendo's Metroid game franchise first launched in 1986 Credit: Nintendo

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According to a post on the NeoGAF forums, development has already begun.

"There's an unannounced 2D metroid game in development on a really early production state."

"Can't say the studio though, don't want to jeopardise my source."

While we can't verify the leak, the poster is a known leaker. He had previously teased details about the recently released Metroid: Samus Returns games – before it had been announced.

3 By 2012, Nintendo had sold over 17.44 million copies of Metroid games Credit: Nintendo

3 The series is set in space, and follows bounty hunter Samus Aran, and is famous as being one of the first playable human female characters in video gaming Credit: Nintendo

The timing makes sense, too.

At the E3 2017 gaming convention, two new Metroid games – Metroid Prime 4 and a Metroid 2 remake – were announced.

Now we're just a few months away from E3 2018, and so it's likely that any games being announced at the show would already be in development by now.

What we don't know is which console the rumoured 2D Metroid game would be released on.

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The game is a Nintendo franchise, so there are two clear options: Nintendo Switch or Nintendo 3DS.

We'd hope for the former, as the increasingly popular Nintendo Switch is desperately in need of more original games.

When asked for comment, a Nintendo spokesperson said that the only game announced in the series is the upcoming Metroid Prime 4.