Star Trek's Kelvin Timeline Is Officially Returning

Published Oct 8, 2026, 12:45 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Star Trek kicked off one of the most unique storylines in franchise history 17 years ago with the release of the 2009 Star Trek film that established the official Kelvin timeline, which created an alternate reality alongside the franchise's original continuity. The timeline diverges after the Romulan captain Nero travels into the past and destroys the USS Kelvin, fundamentally changing the lives of Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise crew.

That alternate history ultimately produced three feature films: the aforementioned 2009 film, Star Trek Into Darkness in 2013, and Star Trek Beyond in 2016. Although the Kelvin films have sometimes proven divisive among longtime fans for their more action-heavy approach and changes to established lore, critical reception suggests they're among the highest-rated entries of all time. The original holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Into Darkness and Beyond currently sit at 84% and 86%, respectively.

Whatever your feelings about the Kelvin films, Star Trek is officially returning to that timeline in a brand-new release that celebrates the franchise's 60th anniversary in grand fashion (via TM).

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The Kelvin timeline is making a major return in a new Star Trek release, with one of the most iconic ships from the 2009 reboot finally becoming playable in STO. The Narada, Nero's massive Romulan vessel from Star Trek, has joined the MMO as the Tier 6 Narada Miracle Worker Juggernaut, following closely behind July's Kelvin Timeline Starship Bundle featuring the Salcombe, Armstrong, and Newton classes.

In the 2009 film, the Narada is the ship responsible for creating the Kelvin timeline in the first place. Originally a Romulan mining vessel from the late 24th century, it is pulled into the past alongside Ambassador Spock after the destruction of Romulus. Nero's arrival in 2233 and subsequent attack on the USS Kelvin causes history to diverge from the established Prime Timeline, sending fans on a brand-new adventure explored across the three films.

Star Trek Online is translating the Narada's terrifying look and powerful ability into a Miracle Worker Juggernaut equipped with a plasma drill lance, heavy weapon capacity, and extreme survivability. The game's description also incorporates expanded Narada lore, suggesting it was enhanced with hybrid Romulan-Borg technology to boot.

The Narada is part of a much larger celebration currently happening in Star Trek Online, with Rediscovered launching on PC September 22 and sending players across different periods of Star Trek history, including encounters with multiple versions of Spock played by Ethan Peck, Piotr Michael, and even Leonard Nimoy (through archival audio). The season introduces the remade "The City on the Edge of Never" episode alongside the "Know Thy Enemy" Task Force Operation (or TFO).

There is also a load of more content on the way, with October's roadmap including a new Deep Space Encounter anomaly, the Halloween event, a Vidiian ship, and experimental graphics improvements on PC. November will bring Legendary Veteran Heavy Destroyers, a Dominion War Starfleet ship pack, and the console rollout of Rediscovered.

December marks the official Winter Event, a Tarellian vessel, and a Terran NX-class ship, while January will add a Vau N'Akat vessel and another TFO event. The roadmap currently culminates in February 2027 with Season 38, Star Trek Online's 17th anniversary, new Deep Space content, yet another TFO, the game's first "Tier 7 Reputation," and a Federation ship tied to Starfleet Academy. It's a truly stacked schedule for the beloved Star Trek MMO, and fans will have their hands busy well into February 2027, with more updates likely to follow.

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