Metroidvania is a genre in which exploring the world is just as important as combat. The best games, in the spirit of Metroid and Castlevania, gradually reveal the map, hide new abilities behind locked passages and encourage you to revisit familiar locations to discover secrets, bosses and additional challenges. This collection brings together the finest Metroidvania games available on PC, consoles and handheld platforms, ranging from cherished classics to contemporary indie sensations.

Before we move on to the games themselves, it’s worth clarifying what defines a Metroidvania game. We’re talking primarily about 2D or 3D titles that emphasise exploration of a single, interconnected world where the player’s new abilities or gadgets unlock previously inaccessible locations. While many popular games, such as Dark Souls or Resident Evil 2, feature certain Metroidvania elements, such as backtracking or labyrinthine levels, they lack the key characteristics required to be considered full-fledged examples of the genre.

These games laid the foundations for the genre and set the standard for modern Metroidvania titles. Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Hollow Knight are prime examples of what makes these adventures so highly regarded: large, interconnected maps; the gradual discovery of new paths and secrets; challenging bosses; and a constant desire to explore the world further.

• September 24, 2017

Beneath the fading town of Dirtmouth sleeps an ancient, ruined kingdom. Many are drawn below the surface, searching for riches, or glory, or answers to old secrets.

Hollow Knight is a classically styled 2D action adventure across a vast interconnected world. Explore twisting caverns, ancient cities and deadly wastes; battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs; and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom’s heart.

• March 19, 1994

The name of the genre is derived from a combination of the titles ‘Metroid’ and ‘Castlevania’. It is Super Metroid that established the key elements now carried over from one Metroidvania game to the next. These include the concept of progression tied to the hero’s abilities, or the abilities themselves, such as enhanced jumping or super speed.

Despite its age, Super Metroid is still worth playing today. The graphics may be outdated, but the game still delights with retro charm, which indie developers strive to emulate. Most importantly, the game’s structure remains exemplary by the genre’s standards.

• October 2, 1997

Unlike Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night did not introduce any radically new ideas to the formula. However, it was this game that popularised the Metroidvania genre, earning it the right to be called its second “parent”. The success of Symphony of the Night on the PlayStation brought similar games to a wide audience and inspired many developers.

That said, it wasn’t entirely without innovation. For example, it introduced RPG elements such as levelling up, loot and bosses with health bars — features that were later copied by dozens of games.

• March 11, 2015

This beautiful and emotional Metroidvania game places a strong emphasis on platforming, exploration and fluid movement. Ori and the Blind Forest tells the story of Ori, a small spirit who sets out to save the dying Nibel Forest. As he progresses, he gradually unlocks new abilities, such as double jumps, gliding, and wall-climbing, which allow him to access new areas. The game impresses with its hand-drawn graphics and music, a seamless world without loading screens, and level design. However, it is noticeably more challenging than its cartoonish appearance suggests, especially during tense runs without checkpoints when you have to die many times and learn from your mistakes.

• March 11, 2020

It’s arguably the most atmospheric and beautiful Metroidvania game yet—and that’s no mean feat. But beyond its gorgeous, high-quality, cartoon-style art, Ori and the Will of the Wisps also boasts a touching story, significantly different levels, and exceptionally enjoyable gameplay. The combination of responsive controls, mesmerizing animations and visual effects creates an immersive experience that allows players to become fully engrossed in the action on screen.

• February 8, 2023

The original Metroid Prime proved that 3D Metroidvania games had a right to exist. Retro Studios created an exciting first-person shooter which successfully adapted the concepts and mechanics of Super Metroid — something that had previously been considered impossible. Metroid Prime impressed gamers so much that, among Nintendo fans, it earned a reputation comparable to that of the original Half-Life. The game remains relevant today, particularly when played on the Nintendo Switch in the form of Metroid Prime Remastered.

If you find standard Metroidvania games too simple, you should check out Metroidvania games in the Souls style. Here, exploration is combined with intense battles and dangerous enemies that require you to study their attacks and learn from your mistakes. The rewards for your patience are a sense of real progress and an especially satisfying feeling of victory.

• March 15, 2016

This is a dark Metroidvania that essentially transposes the Dark Souls formula into a 2D action game. Salt and Sanctuary revolves around brutal combat and quick deaths, and is set in a labyrinthine world filled with castles, swamps and dungeons. Instead of souls, salt is used as the currency for leveling up and upgrading equipment. Drawing heavily on FromSoftware’s ideas, the game adds its own sanctuary system and the atmosphere of classic Castlevania titles, as well as split-screen co-op. It can easily be counted among the best local co-op games.

• September 10, 2019

This captivating Metroidvania game is praised for its intriguing level exploration, intense combat and dark art style and atmosphere. Inspired by Spanish Baroque and the religious motifs of medieval Andalusia, Blasphemous is a grotesque fantasy. The game is filled with imagery of pain and sacrifice: Gothic sculptures, mutilated bodies and enemies that appear to have stepped out of paintings depicting martyrs. You won’t find visuals like these in any other game in the genre.

• August 24, 2023

Blasphemous 2 builds on the ideas of the original game, adding three different weapons, a more flexible combat system, full movement abilities and less frustrating platforming. However, the game still relies on brutal combat, strange non-player characters (NPCs), hidden lore, eerie imagery and a convoluted map with plenty of blocked-off paths. Compared to the original, the sequel is noticeably more varied and maintains a better pace. However, it does suffer from excessive backtracking and somewhat clunky movement between locations at times.

• May 28, 2024

While we’re discussing challenging Metroidvania games, it would be remiss not to mention Nine Sols. In this game, the cat protagonist Yi faces off against enemies that resemble a blend of robots and divine figures from Chinese mythology. Combat is reminiscent of Sekiro: enemies have a stamina bar and lose their balance and become vulnerable if you parry their attacks. This means you can’t just attack mindlessly; you need to read the timing and rhythm carefully. Make a mistake and you’ll take heavy damage. Parry in time, however, and you’ll end the fight faster. All of this takes place within a game that pays as much attention to level exploration as other titles in the genre.

This category includes modern games that build on or expand the concepts of the genre on a larger scale. For instance, Metroid Dread demonstrates how the classic formula works today, whereas Star Wars Jedi: Survivor adds cinematic action, the exploration of large environments, new abilities and the ability to revisit previously explored areas.

• October 8, 2021

If you own a Nintendo Switch, Metroid Dread is a worthy alternative to Hollow Knight for your first foray into the Metroidvania genre. It’s an extremely well-crafted game with a production quality that other titles in the genre can only envy. For example, it regularly treats players to full-fledged cinematic cutscenes.

Metroid Dread boasts all the strengths of the genre, including engaging levels, excellent boss battles and fascinating abilities. However, in terms of its overall structure, it’s a relatively linear game, which is more of an advantage than a disadvantage for newcomers since it’s harder to get lost.

• June 18, 2019

This is the spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, created under the direction of Koji Igarashi, who worked on the cult classic Symphony of the Night. Fans of the original games will immediately feel at home with the massive Gothic castle full of secrets, hidden rooms and bosses, interesting abilities that unlock previously inaccessible areas and a similar atmosphere and soundtrack. At the same time, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night isn’t just inspired by old Castlevania games; it also offers new features, such as the shard system where new abilities are obtained by defeating enemies.

• August 6, 2018

Dead Cells is a dynamic Metroidvania with roguelike elements, where each run changes the level layout, enemy placement and weapon selection. Dead Cells features fast-paced combat, responsive movement and engaging progression. Even after dying, players can unlock new abilities, blueprints, routes and strategies. Players can rush forward to claim time-based rewards, clear every corner carefully, or devise strategies involving traps, ranged combat, poison, fire and melee attacks.

• January 18, 2024

The unexpected return of a cult franchise in the form of a full-fledged 2D Metroidvania with a complex world, secrets, bosses and backtracking. The protagonist, Sargon, performs top-notch platforming moves such as jumps, wall-running and other acrobatics, which play a crucial role in both combat and exploration, enabling you to reach hard-to-reach areas. In order to progress further in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, you will also need to actively utilize special abilities such as mid-air dashes. Overall, it adheres to the conventions of the genre.

A key distinguishing feature of the game is its focus on an in-depth combat system that is also extremely spectacular. Similar to Metroid Dread, the camera in The Lost Crown captures the action from cinematic angles during boss battles, emphasizing the drama of the fight.

• September 21, 2017

This is an unusual Metroid-style game in which the player doesn’t run through corridors designed by the developers, but instead carves their own underground tunnels. You won’t get very far with just the starting pickaxe — the hard rock will block your path. However, as you upgrade your pickaxe and find other tools, such as a drill or a grappling hook, access to new areas of the mine becomes available. This is precisely how SteamWorld Dig 2 achieves the gradual progression characteristic of the genre.

• April 9, 2013

This vibrant Metroidvania game features beat ’em up elements, Mexican flair and pop culture-inspired humor. In Guacamelee!, the protagonist Juan is thrown into a world of the living and the dead, where he battles monsters, unlocks new moves and gradually gains access to previously inaccessible areas. Moves such as uppercuts, body slams and super attacks are useful not only in combat, but also when exploring locations. The game maintains a good pace and offers side quests, local co-op and stylish visuals. However, the difficulty of the platforming and combat increases sharply towards the end.

• August 21, 2018

Like the first game, this is a colorful and dynamic game, full of humor and charm and inspired by Mexican culture. Every fight is thrilling, as the protagonist Juan uses spectacular wrestling moves against his enemies. Even more importantly, Guacamelee! 2 features engaging platforming. As you explore, you’ll need to use various abilities, including the ability to transform into a chicken, to solve puzzles and discover new paths.

• August 25, 2009

Although Batman: Arkham Asylum laid the foundation for the popular Arkham series, it differs from its sequels. Subsequent games in the franchise have evolved into more traditional open-world action titles, whereas Arkham Asylum is a pure 3D Metroidvania game. The first game features intimate level design, interconnected locations, progression tied to abilities and gadgets, and a deliberate return to previously explored areas. Tools such as explosive gel, the grappling hook and the rope launcher grant access to new areas and expand combat capabilities, bridging the gap between the game’s two main elements: exploration and combat.

• April 27, 2023

This 3D Metroidvania borrows quite a few elements from Souls-like games, such as stamina and parrying. However, the gameplay closely follows the traditions of Metroid and Castlevania: without new abilities, accessing subsequent locations in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is impossible, and revisiting areas with expanded capabilities plays a key role. In other words, it’s exactly what fans of the genre love.

• August 27, 2020

Remedy Entertainment’s project draws on a wide variety of genres, but the influence of the Metroid series, which shaped the structure of the game, is most strongly felt in Control. The story is set in the Oldest House, a vast building with intertwining rooms and corridors. Access to new areas is limited by the abilities of the main character, Jesse, which are unlocked as the game progresses, as well as by security clearance levels. You’ll have to return repeatedly to locations you’ve already explored to access rooms that were previously inaccessible, especially later in the game when the levitation ability appears and radically changes how you navigate the Old House.

The genre continues to evolve in 2025 and 2026: developers are releasing classic 2D Metroidvania games, as well as hybrids featuring elements of action, platforming and Souls-like gameplay. This category is ideal for players who have completed the genre’s most popular games and are seeking new titles offering world exploration, secrets, bosses, and the gradual unlocking of abilities.

• March 25, 2024

A Metroidvania in the style of Hollow Knight and Blasphemous, combining the exploration of a ruined world with intense combat and light RPG elements. While not reinventing the genre, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist confidently employs its key mechanics: a non-linear map, rewarding exploration, new movement abilities, flexible character progression and combat that requires you to watch for enemy attacks rather than just mashing buttons. The beautiful hand-drawn graphics are a particular highlight.

• February 13, 2025

This dynamic Metroidvania game blends the exploration of a vast map with Metal Slug-style action. In Guns of Fury, players are sent into a futuristic world to rescue a scientist, search for a stolen energy source and thwart the plans of an industrialist intent on creating a superweapon. The game captivates with its shooting and platforming elements, not to mention its retro atmosphere reminiscent of ’90s arcade games. While it’s not quite the best Metroidvania due to an awkward map, a controversial save system and unnecessary wandering, the new abilities, route discoveries and brisk pace make it a successful hybrid for old-school fans.

• December 4, 2025

The long-awaited return of Metroid Prime adds new ideas to the series’ classic formula, including an open-world desert hub, moons, and Samus’s psychic abilities. However, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond truly excels in isolated locations, where players can explore gloomy sci-fi zones, scan the environment, solve puzzles, find upgrades and battle bosses in first-person. While not all of the new features are equally successful, at its best it’s still the same atmospheric and beautiful Metroid Prime.

• February 12, 2026

This unexpected new game in the God of War series is in the Metroidvania genre. In God of War: Sons of Sparta, players control young Kratos and his brother Deimos as they embark on a grand journey through Laconia. They must search for a missing comrade, battle creatures from Greek mythology, and unlock the gifts of Olympus to aid them in combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving. While the game effectively utilises the genre’s structure, incorporating large maps, blocked paths, double jumps, climbing and revisiting old areas, it suffers from a slow pace, drawn-out playthroughs, questionable controls and repetitive combat. Overall, the project is most interesting as an unconventional look at Kratos’s early years rather than as a flawless Metroidvania game.