The Metroidvania genre comes from unusual beginnings, merging the core conceits established in the original Metroid and Castlevania games in 1986. Since then, the genre has grown and evolved, becoming something of a juggernaut today.
With an emphasis on exploration and continually uncovering more of the map with new abilities, Metroidvanias reward creativity and perseverance. Due to the genre’s boom in popularity, it’s important to reflect on the best and most influential titles since the genre’s inception. Here’s a list of the best Metroidvania games around.
12 Metroid Fusion
Metroid: Fusion isn’t the best Metroid game on this list, but it earns its place for being a competent game with fantastic level design and some real cool narrative moments that make it one of the most story-heavy Metroid games around.
The game is criticized by many for being far too linear and directed compared to other Metroid games, as you’re primarily navigating a well-organized space station trying to stem an outbreak of the X Parasite. Navigating gets a lot more interesting when systems begin shutting down across the station, and you must find routes between levels outside of the more mundane elevator system.
11 Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a bit of a controversial entry, as it’s more considered a Roguevania than an outright Metroidvania, but it earns its place on this list for incorporating some key elements of a Metroidvania and offering an incredible gaming experience across the board. You take on the role of the Prisoner, who wakes up in a cell deep in a strange dungeon.
You fight through several levels, acquire items that unlock alternate paths through the world, all while facing a variety of vicious enemies and real challenging bosses. The weapon variety in this game is unparalleled, offering axes, swords, spears, magical boots, lutes, crowbars, and a literal shark, and all of these items provide some game-changing abilities that keep each running feeling fresh and fun. With each death, you’ll start over again, with the levels rearranging and changing, always making for a unique and fun journey.
10 Metroid: Zero Mission
The original Metroid (1986) was an instant classic, and despite establishing many of the principles of what would become the Metroidvania genre, the game suffered quite a bit from the technological limitations of the NES. Metroid: Zero Mission is the 2004 remake of the original Metroid but with updated graphics and designs to perfect that renowned but rocky origin.
Zero Mission smoothed out the design issues present in the original and even added some additional narrative beats to flesh out the game. It also introduced Zero Suit Samus, which has become something of a fan favorite ever since.
9 Blasphemous
Perhaps the goriest game on this list, Blasphemous takes inspiration from Roman Catholic iconography and cranks the horror aspects up to 11. It’s not itself a horror game, but is strongly a dark fantasy. You travel through the corrupted lands of Cvstodia, battling grotesque creatures, slaying monsters, and meeting cryptic allies.
The wonderfully realized setting and atmosphere of Blaspehemous earn it a place on this list, though the difficulty spikes can frustrate even the most seasoned Metroidvania enthusiast.
8 Guacamelee! 2
The first Guacamelee! didn’t require a sequel, but Guacamelee! 2 earns its place on this list by streamlining the game’s combat and co-op experience while continuing the whimsical story and Luchador-themed humor found in the first game. Guacamelee! 2 expands the world of the first title by exploring the Mexiverse, a hilarious Mexican-themed spin on the multiverse.
The gameplay incorporates fantastic wrestling combos and fleshes out the combat mechanics of being a chicken. It can be argued whether or not Guacamelee! 2 is actually better than the first game, but both of these titles are very worth checking out for any fans of the Metroidvania genre.
7 SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig was a very fun game, but in retrospect, it feels a bit more like a proof of concept compared to improvements found in its sequel. SteamWorld Dig 2 fleshed out the mechanics, controls, and general flow of the game to a sparkling perfection, creating a fantastic experience from start to finish.
If you really want to dig into the wonderfully creative setting that is SteamWorld, give the first game a shot — but SteamWorld Dig 2 is a far superior experience and a much more polished Metroidvania.
6 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Heavily inspired by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night offers a unique combat feel as you explore a strange castle filled with ghoulish and bizarre creatures. The game showcases some beautiful visuals and smooth gameplay, and it offers wonderfully flexible gameplay options.
You might focus on guns, martial arts, spells, big slow weapons, or any combination of these. While this game doesn’t reach the same heights that Symphony of the Night offers, it’s a competent and accomplished spiritual successor to the best that Castlevania has to offer.
5 Metroid: Dread
The long-awaited sequel to 2002’s Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Dread released nineteen years(!) later to rave reviews. Samus Aran is dispatched to the mysterious planet ZDR to investigate the Federation’s missing EMMI units (who were in turn dispatched to investigate sightings of the mysterious X Parasite).
Samus quickly discovers a hostile world, battling and avoiding the corrupted EMMI as she explores the depths of alien ruins, ancient laboratories, and foreboding cave systems. Familiar fare for a Metroid title, but Metroid: Dread manages to split the difference between the strong linearity of Fusion and the open exploration of Super Metroid, delivering a powerful experienceworthy of the Metroid franchise.
4 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Considered by many to be one of the best of the Castlevania series, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night originally released in 1997 and has since developed into a legendary title. The game follows Dracula’s half-vampire son, Alucard, as he explores his father’s castle and collects various upgrades, items, and weaponry to battle with the forces of the damned.
Symphony of the Night emphasizes exploration and the uncovering of secrets while also incorporating various RPG elements throughout the adventure. While there have been plenty of great Castlevania games over the years (and some not-so-great), Symphony of the Night will always stand out as one of the pioneers of the Metroidvania genre.
3 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Yet another sequel than builds on and improves the aspects of its predecessor, Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivers a hauntingly beautiful continuation of the forest spirit Ori’s story as he explores a new land in search of his lost friend. The game is full of whimsical creatures, emotionally poignant moments, and absolutely gorgeous levels to explore.
If you’re only going to play one, definitely check out Ori and the Will of the Wisps, but it builds so beautifully onto Ori and the Blind Forest that you’d be remiss not to check them both out back-to-back.
2 Super Metroid
It couldn’t really be a list of the best Metroidvania games without Super Metroid, now could it? While the original Metroid might have started it all with creating a non-linear platformer, Super Metroid perfected the gameplay — full stop.
Considered by many to be the poster child of the Metroidvania genre, Super Metroid sees Samus returning to the planet Zebes and exploring the changes since her previous visit in the original Metroid. Battling new and familiar foes, Super Metroid rewards clever exploration and delivers a beautifully ominous and iconic soundtrack.
1 Hollow Knight
Team Cherry, a small dev team from Australia, hit the scene with the monumental release of Hollow Knight in 2017. An instant classic, Hollow Knight captured the hearts and minds of countless Metroidvania fans with its beautiful art direction, stunning soundtrack, and masterful level design. You follow the Knight has he delves deep underground, exploring labyrinthine tunnels and once great cities.
He battles with monstrous creatures and powerful warriors, meets many friendly and not-so-friendly faces, and uncovers the dark history of the once great kingdom of Hallownest. Taking nearly 60 hours to do everything in the game, Hollow Knight has an enormous amount of curated content to enjoy and hidden areas to discover.
