BACKTRACKING GAMES. No you can't go there yet, you need the double-jump powerup.
Note: Despite conflicts with "definitions" and diction, the generally accepted term for these sorts of games is "Metroidvania".
Multi-platform[]
Title | Formats | Description | Picture |
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Another Metroid 2 Remake | Windows & Android | Fan remake of the classic Metroid II. Author was DCMA'd by Nintendo but luckily only after release. Later received updates and additional content from fans at le Reddit, and also an Android port.
For those who want to experience the AM2R that the original author made: |
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Aquaria | Windows, OS X, Linux | Massive award-winning indie title created by Spelunky programmer Derek Yu and Crayon Physics Deluxe composer Alec Holowka. Aquaria features huge underwater environments with an emphasis on exploration, challenging-but-not-stupid boss battles and an absolutely phenomenally AWESOME soundtrack. Before you ask: yes, there is a nude mod. An absolute must-have for any Metroidvania game fan. | |
Aztaka | Windows, OS X | Aztaka is an indie throwback to the good old side-scrolling action RPG genre. In this gorgeous hand-painted world, you play Huitzilo, heir of the Sun God, able to equip gears and cast spells. http://www.citeremis.com/index.php/games | |
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate | 3DS, PS Vita, PS3, Xbox 360, WiiU, Windows |
Developed by Armature Studios (consisting of former key staff of Retro Studios), this game has Metroid written all over it's DNA, while staying true to the Rocksteady's beloved incarnation of Gotham's Dark Knight. Armature took the elements of the 'big budget' titles in the series and carefully and expertly restructured them into a 2.5D Metroidvania environment. Control Batman as you grapple, swing, and sleuth your way around. Dynamic camera angles break from the 2D plane to create a better gameflow, as well as initiate a more 3D-brawler style of combat akin to the 'main' games. Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops-inspired comic cutscenes craft the story, adding to the already gothic atmosphere. All in all, a great game to pick up. |
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Blaster Master Zero | 3DS, Switch, Windows | Remake of the original NES classic done in retro style but including lots of stuff. DLCs are available which allow you to play with cameo characters. | |
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | PS1, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360 | The first "Metroidvania", which combined Castlevania with Metroid's signature non-linear exploration. Also the debut of (Ayami) Kojima's distinct, effete character designs and Michiru's melodramatic score, which gave the series its later overwrought, Gothic flavor. Also, famously terrible voice acting. Full to the brim with secrets and extras, will keep you busy for months if you want it to. | |
Cave Story | Windows, OS X, Linux, PSP, Wii, DS, 3DS, Switch | Widely considered to be one of the best freeware games and the great pioneer of modern indie game development. Good story, great gameplay and cute pixel graphics and chiptune music (composed on the creator's custom program no less!). Doesn't "really" have backtracking, so you might be let down when it comes to re-exploration. | |
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition | Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U | You are Juan Aguacate, an agave farmer by day and a luchador by night, who must defeat an evil skeleton's army to save the daughter of El Presidente. Do cool grappling moves! Make wicked cool combos! And before you ask, you can ignore the memes in the background. Includes co-op, too. | |
Hydra Castle Labyrinth | Windows, Nintendo 3DS?, Linux, Pandora | Guardian of Paradise creator, Buster, decided to take on a Metroidvania game in the vein of classics like Knightmare II and the original Metroid. It's done in his crew's well-known style, but the gameplay may be unfamiliar to those new to old styled games. Outside of boss fights, the game is fairly non-linear. You can find a shitload of gear before you even take on the first boss. However, it can be difficult because of this, and quite easy to get lost. If you're patient and can get the hang of it, you'll find an enjoyable game here. | |
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet | Windows, Xbox 360 | The game is set on an alien planet and includes exploration elements similar to Metroid and Castlevania. | |
La-Mulana | Windows, Mac, Linux, Wii | A game meant to induce memories of the old MSX2 Konami adventure games, La-Mulana is one of the best. With deep challenge, free-roaming, intricate puzzles, and even quirks like using an MSX in game, La-Mulana is just great.
http://agtp.romhack.net/project.php?id=lamulana |
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Maze of Galious, The | Windows, OS X, Linux, MSX, NES | A remake of the best La-Mulana inspiration you've never heard of, which is also the cornerstone that the entire genre was built upon. Unlike later games, this one does NOT mess around. You have to find out everything by yourself in a huge game filled with areas and enemies ready to EASILY kill you. Protip: If you play the original on an MSX (or MSX emulator) you can take advantage of 2nd slot rom carts, which add power-ups from the get-go. Had a NES version which is notably different in several areas. Although there's a large hub-world, the bosses all have their own sub-worlds to tackle (somewhat like the later Portrait of Ruin on DS). | |
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition | Windows, Xbox One | Very beautiful game with cute story, and good metroidvania gameplay. | |
Scurge: Hive | Gba, Nds | The game follows the protagonist Jenosa Arma, a female bounty hunter tasked with hunting a parasitic lifeform called the "Scurge" an alien entity capable of rapidly adapting to and infecting biological, mechanical, and digital systems, including the player. | |
Shadow Complex | Windows, Mac, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One | Modern interpretation of a Metroidvania where you have to rescue your girlfriend from an evil underground army. | |
The Mummy Demastered | Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Great metroidvania by WayForward, loosely based on that awful Tom Cruise movie. You play as a generic spec-ops soldier, and when you die your corpse becomes a zombie so when you load the game you're playing as another soldier who then must kill the now zombified soldier to retrieve all the gear you collected. |
Microsoft[]
DOS[]
Windows[]
Title | Description | Picture |
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An Untitled Story | A platform game including a few Metroidvania elements, like a unified giant level with a map and different abilities to access new paths. MS Paint graphics, but without the usual background/platform confusion associated with it. Game is gigantic, with tons of secret zones. You'll need at least 10 hours to finish the game and 20 hours for a 100%. Also has a cute but not important story. | |
Chelsea and the 7 Devils (AKA Bunny Must Die) | Being that it's Platine, expect an innocuous, sort of cute-looking game that kills you repeatedly and without mercy. | |
Hasslevania: The Quest For Shuteye |
A Castlevania parody starring an average guy named Rovert who must stop Dracula's scandalous noise so he can sleep. Though hard and sometimes unfair (you gotta really grind for money because save points won't heal you), the game can be a lot fun if you can get some momentum. Also includes intentionally narmful voice acting. | |
Hero/Hero Core | These are about a jetpack man out in a mission to destroy Cruiser Tetron and his world domination plans. These games have a charming minimalistic style both in visuals using only black and white and in gameplay as you can only shoot left or right. Though both games have the same style and mechanics, only the sequel (Hero Core) is a full fledged Metroidvania game as the first one lacks some traits like power ups to get to new areas, a map and the backtracking feel as it is more straightforward. Both have multiple difficulties wich must be unlocked, secrets and bonus content. First game. It also has a handy guide for if you get stuck. Second game. There is no guide since it doesnt need it. | |
Ikachan | Daisuke Amaya/Pixel's first masterpiece (the guy behind Cave Story). This game, Ikachan, is the original title that the gameplay engine used in Cave Story was developed for, and it shows. Instead of running around, you're swimming around however as you play the squid Ikachan in this amazingly charming title that mixes in elements of Metroidvania platformers (without actually platforming seeing as how you swim) and RPGs. While there's hardly any story to speak of, Ikachan is a must-play for any Cave Story fans. | |
Kurovadis | A hentai game that has a surprisingly good gameplay, mixing Metroid with some beat 'em up elements. The H-scenes you get after dying are pretty average quality, some border on bad. Unfortunately, ultimately short and has few real action abilities for unlocking new areas aside from 3 nearly-identical-in-function beams. Good for an H-game though. | |
Knytt | A game which focuses on exploration. Doesn't have much combat, you can only evade enemies. Have a beautiful world and relaxed gameplay. You may also try Knytt Stories which is a sequel and have level editor. | |
Legend Cave | Reminiscent of old Falcom and Metroidvania games. Each class starts with different equipment, but mostly play the same. There's hint tablets, but the devteam seems to have died before they finished translating it (it's playable without reading though). Find gold for shops, use keys, and generally explore dat dungeon. | |
Poacher | You play as a Yorkshire poacher that gets sucked in to a centuries-old war between two ancient underground civilizations. Good gameplay and story, with two endings to be had.
http://fullyramblomatic-yahtzee.blogspot.pt/2012/04/get-poachin.html |
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Shin Megami Tensei: Synchronicity Prologue | Initially labelled a joke, this was later announced as an actual free game for the 25th anniversary of the SMT series. Takes place during the events of SMT: Strange Journey. | |
The Power | A simple Metroidvania that manages to be pretty fun. Everything looks like it is made out of neon lights. A bit hard at the beginning, but with a little exploration, you should find the difficulty to even out. Controls are a bit stiff but stick with it and you have a neat little game. | |
The Underside | So far there is only a demo made, but it is a DAMN good demo. It's basically Cave Story, but with characters, dialogue, and plot that are reminiscent to Earthbound. Fun platforming, weapon gaining, Metroid-esque game. This game has been under development since 2005 and he is making little progress so don't expect to see the full game any time soon. http://www.superfundungeonrun.com/?page_id=215 |