Summary

• There has been a recent resurgence of Metroidvania games on modern hardware, with the genre evolving in new and exciting ways.
• Some notable Metroidvania games on the Switch include Elderand, Witchcrafty, Ghost Song, SteamWorld Dig 2, Gato Roboto, Ori and the Blind Forest, Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, Axiom Verge, Castlevania Advance Collection, Blasphemous, Dead Cells, Super Metroid, Hollow Knight, and Metroid Dread.

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Metroidvanias have been around for a long time. First appearing on the NES with the titular Metroid in 1986, the genre gained a reputation for going left, getting lost, and secrets hidden behind every block. It was 1994 that saw the launch of the game that perfected the rough formula set out by the genre's (and series) progenitor Super Metroid.

In combination with some help from Konami’s Castlevania a few years later, Super Metroid catapulted the genre into the limelight. The genre has dipped in and out of popularity over the decades, but there has been a solid s﷽tint of launches on modern hardware, and the genre has started to evolve in new and exciting ways.

Updated on January 6, 2024, by William Quick: Even if you haven't played a Metroid game or a Castlevania game, you've heard of the term Metroidvania. Both series are at the opposite ends of the genre spectrum, yet they still have so many things in common. These things generally involve large sprawling maps broken up into different sections with enemies crawling all over, big bosses waiting in chambers, and a whole cache of powerful items to find. They're the type of game that you can pick away at and the Switch being portable makes it a great platform to do just that. On that note, here are some of the best Metroidvania games you can get on the Switch.

14 Elderand

A 2D Soulslike Without Souls

Those who are looking for a less complex and more toned-down Soulslike game with faster exploration have plenty of options to choose from, but that kind of defeats the purpose. We want to feel the satisfaction that comes from losing to the same OP boss attack that gives a quarter-second warning before wiping out most of our health, so we come to Elderand.

In a far-off mystical land, some bad stuff is going down bro, and you've got to sort it all out. A dark and deadly cult that may be masquerading as a religious order is extending its influence across a once beautiful land, leading to animals becoming hostile, monsters coming out of the woodwork, and people facing certain doom. Get your washed-up warrior looking a way you like and then venture forth swinging all sorts of weapons, throwing all sorts of projectiles, mastering useful magic, and finding the most in-stylish armor to eliminate the cult's VIP guest list.

13 Witchcrafty 𓆏 ൩

A Crafty Adventure For A Witch

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Witches have come a long way in popular media, and we can only wonder how broad the definition is going to become. They started as gnarled old hags wearing dark rags and🅰 living in the wood🅰s as the OG cat ladies, but have since become more inclusive in terms of style, attitude, gender, and age, as you can see in Witchcrafty.

Though it had a shaky launch, this game has found a comfortable place as a portable platformer. You are a local witch who has had her mail stolen for unknown reasons that appear to be linked to several strange occurrences in the natural world. It's a personal quest, but you may as well figure out what's going on and punch some big bad bosses back into line to get some clues. While running and jumping, you'll need to alternate what magic you have to solve the problems and enemies of the day.

12 Ghostღ 🐻Song

A Sci-Fi Mystery Mission

Some games are so mysterious that even after playing them for hours you still don't know entirely what's going on. Trying to explain Ghost Song in one sentence to someone is like trying to stuff an entire cheeseburger in your mouth. It sounds possible, but you really should think twice about it.

This sci-fi story follows an unusual robotic being that may or may not be a living machine or a literal ghost in a shell, but what you do know is that the place you've arrived at is anything but safe. While exploring, you'll encounter a variety of strange and twisted creatures that you aren't sure were born like this or recently became such. They are blocking your way to old technology and hidden treasures that will make your body more functional and formidable, so you'll just have to power through to find the answers.

11 SteamWorld Dig 2 ✱

Steam-Powered Robot Excavation Action

Robots evoke a very distinct image in the brain, and it's unlikely to be an adorable one. That being said, many games have cute and friendly-looking robot characters, which makes us want to get to know them all the more. The 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:SteamWorld series has mastered this and SteamWo🔯rld Dig 2 follows up from an enjoyable introduction to its universe.

It's a universe where robots are the dominant sentient species, so it takes place in the future (though they do run on steam, which might mess up the timeline). Either way, you are playing the plucky pig-tailed Dorothy, who sets out to mine into the depths to find Rusty, the hero of the previous game. This means you'll be doing a lot of creative digging, gathering as many minerals as possible, upgrading your abilities, discovering new tools and gear, as well as uncovering things long-forgotten.

10 Gato Roboto ꦦ

Pilot A Mech Made For Cats

Gato Roboto is unique in many ways. Firstly, the game is monochromatic, chunky, and gorgeous. Secondly, you 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:play a cat in a big ෴suit. Stomping around, blasting enemy robots, and slowly uncovering a deceptively large and fie꧒ndishly designed maze is only part of the fun here.

Whe🐻n you aren’t trundling about in your suit, you are scampering around like a house cat. Your mobility is enhanced considerably, but the trade-off is instant death if an enemy catches you. It adds an element of cat-and-mouse gameplay that helps break up the game nicely.

9 💮 Ori And The Blind Forest

The Spirit Of The Forest Fights Corruption

Nintendo and🔯 Microsoft like to give off the impression that they are best buddies. One of the ways they’ve showcased this is with Ori and the Blind Forest — a former Xbox exclusive. Interesting ꦡbackstory aside, Ori and the Blind Forest is a seriously good game worth picking up.

Ori is less focused on combat and much more on smooth platforming a✃nd mobility. This adds a unique layer of difficulty not always found in the genre. Ori and the Blind Forest also has a powerful story that will cause even the sternest of gamers to break down into fits of tears. A🥂ll of this is supported by stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack like no other — almost. There’s an equally fantastic sequel ready to play too.

8 Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championsh๊ip Edition

An Action-Adventure Wrestling Odyssey

Guacamelee is rather unique in its approach to tackling the genre. Instead of large maps littered with enemies, Guacamelee keeps its combat restricted to small beat-'em-up sections that give Juan a place to unleash the power of the luchador. You will punch, kick and throw enemies in over-the-top wrestling combos, before returning to the world to do some light platforming.

As disjointed as this may sound, the game pulls it off wonderfully. It’s also filled with tongue-in-cheek humor, references, and jabs at the genre as a whole. 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Guacamelee is also set in Mexico and uses this unique setting to great effect. ⛎It even has a sequel worth checking ඣout.

7 ܫ Axiom Verge 🦩

Alien Meets System Shock In Another World

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Axiom Verge wears its inspiration on its sleeve — at least visually. It has this moist, viscous aesthetic th🐷at is highly reminiscent of the original Metroid. Weird globules litter the environment, and everythi💧ng just looks bio-organic. It’s sickeningly beautiful to behold.

It’s also a damn good game. Expertly meshing combat, platforming, and exploration with a nice mix of w💮eapons and traversal upgrades, Axiom Verge does stand out. There’s even an interesting narrative that helps tie everything together into a mystery begging to be uncovered. It got a phenomenal sequel in 2021 to boot.

6 Castlevania Advance Collecti𒁃on

Journey To Slay Dracula Again And Again

Metroid may have started the genre, and Super might have perfected it, but Castlevania carried the torch🐻 during Metroid’s two-decade nap. The Castlevania Advance Collection compiles some of the best Metroidvanias from the 2000s, and it even throws in Vampire Kiss/Dracula X for good measure.

Being Game Boy Advance titles, none of these games pack the visual fidelity found in modern Metroidvanias — they do, however, have a timeless art style and kick-ass music. More importantly, the games still hold up in the gameplay department, with only Circle of the Moon feeling a little bit clunky from time to time. This is still 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:a fantastic package, and every game here is worth experiencing.

5 ﷺ Blasphemous

A Brutal Fight Through The Inquisition

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Blasphemous may be the most disturbing game on this list. Visually, and narratively, the game is incredibly explicit in its dark depiction of Catholicism. It may be stomach-turning at times, but this gothic horror is steeped in what can only be described as genuine love and respect for its source. It's also stunningly beautiful despite all of this.

As is to be expected, a game with a theme this strong isn’t going to be easy. It takes a few notes from the Dark Souls school 💞of design, giving Blasphemous a unique blend of mechanics and systems. Com𝓰bat, visuals, and sound design were the focus here, and while there are plenty of secrets to be found and platforms to be mounted, they take a bit of a backseat.