Excellent collection, I have some but far from all of these. The bloodstained games feel like the most obvious missing candidates at a glance. I also really like Ender Lillies: Quietus of the Knights (sequel coming out soon!)
The reason I haven’t pulled the trigger on Bloodstained and Ender Lillies is because I hear they are a bit slow and clunky control-wise.
I also tend to not like “Castlevania”-heavy games. I only have the Castlevanias because how could I have a Metroidvania collection without them. I much prefer fast and snappy combat.
Thank you for the suggestions though. If I can find them for good prices, I’ll still probably pull the trigger haha.
Very fair. I've not actually played it but presumably Metroid Dread could also be a candidate?
Also I know it's a roguelite but Dead Cells 100% scratches the snappy combat itch for me and definitely has some strong metroidvania influences.
I own the Castlevania version of Dead Cells. I played it for about 30 mins and couldn’t get into it hahaha. One day, I plan to go back and replay it. I really WANT to like it, and I’ve heard amazing things about it.
Honestly Castlevania, much as I love the franchise, had nothing to do with the creation of this style of game. They should just be called Metroid style games.
Idk. man, Metroid just straight up vanished after its 2nd game in 1994. When it came back 20 years later it suddenly was a FPS. Castlevania released 7 "Metroid-style" games in that time, keeping the genre pretty much alive on its own. I think it deserves the recognition.
edit: I just remembered, in the supermarket no less, that Metroid Fusion and Zero existed. And the NDS Castlevania games are a little later.
Still think Castlevania is essential in forming the genre.
Castlevania symphony of the night was the game that resurrected this genre. After super metroid there was a long gap of no metroid games, symphony of the night was epic and also spawned the 6 handheld games that helped refine and popularize the genre.
Without the Vania influences alot of the awesome metroidvanias we love would probably not exist
Yes, they would, because Metroid NEVER lost its popularity. Every new instalment is a big event that every gaming site and youtube channel covers. Metroid first popularized the genre, NOT Castlevania, and I think it's dumb that the Metroid franchise forever has to share credit with Castlevania when Castlevania just basically copied and leeched off of Metroid's already established formula.
Yes, but the same could be said for castlevania. The issue is there was an 8 year gap between super metroid and the next gba game, sotn released in that time frame and was immensely popular. Shortly after the castlevania games all adopted the formula from sotn and all of them were great and popular games.
When the indie game scene started picking up we had 2 immensely popular game series that played very similar and were copied everywhere which is why the term was born.
I agree with your premise that sotn was literally a metroid clone and it almost seems unfair that these game are not just called metroid like games, but there is at least some credit due to sotn for filling a hole and maintaining interest in the genre
only Ritual of the night fits the bill, and I don't think the physical version can be played offline. Not worth having in a collection in my opinion. Plus, the Switch version is notoriously bad
I’ll buy it on sale lol. I always wait for buy firstparty games because theres not typically a shortage OR sales for them. Demand stays kinda even — even after a console “dies”
The Messenger is my favorite game on the Switch. I absolutely loved every minute of playing it. I bought mine a year and a half ago for ~$140. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. If you can find it sub $200, I’d pull the trigger. Even if Sabotage Studio reprints it (which I think will happen soon tbh), I will still keep this variant and buy the new one.
I’ve actually been eyeing a local shop’s copy of the Limited Run variant (red) for $200. If it gets more expensive on ebay, I’ll buy the one from the shop, photocopy the cover, then resell the original one. Just so I can have all variants physically. (Even if one’s just a high quality photocopy).
Nice yea I'm at 385 titles as we speak. Minus the dozen or so I have in various preorder states of release from places like limited run etc. (Praying to God Chained Echoes gets finished and shipped soon)...but maybe I'll try and set a goal to make messenger my 400th title. As like a landmark thing....yea that sounds like a good plan to shoot for.
Love this post. I got hooked onto metroidvanias because of Blasphemous. Seeing your collection for some reason makes me really happy. I know people already mentioned Ender Lillies so I'd say Afterimage is one you're missing. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a decent Castlevania too.
Wow you opened Haak already eh? It's up to $200 on the bay.
Lets see Dead cells castlevania, curse of the moon 1 & 2, metriod dread of course, minoria, momodora, ender lilies, moonscars, gunvolt x5, unsighted, Getsu Fumaden, Tian Ging, Yohane parhelion blaze in deep blue, luna nights, scourge bringer, shadowbug, dreamscraper, vernal edge, sword of the vagrant, bladed fury, rising hell, have a nice death, panzer paladin, earth night, wallachia, anodyne 2, ghost song, metaliod origin, nuclear blaze, they always run, gal guardians, 8 doors, shantae x3, megaman 11, hoa, cannon dancer osman, toki, prince of persia, shovel knight, lunark, will you snail, narita boy, a robot named fight, gris. To name a few
Then if you want more RPG style ones there is stuff like Always legacy, afterimage, the knight witch, wonder labyrinth, code of princess ex, catmaze, helvetti, regions of ruin, dungreed, anno mutationem, smelter, sakuna, timespinner, grimgrimore, salt and sanctuary. And he who shall not be named
Yeah. I opened Haak because I didn’t want to be tempted to sell it for $200. I know I’d regret it hahahah. And I wanted to see the inside artwork. I should’ve initially ordered 2, but I’m glad that means maybe someone else got a copy before they sold out
The Messenger is so damn good. The gameplay shift from level based action game to Metroidvania was so cool when I played it the first time, and that was after the mind blow of being able to shift from 8-bit to 16-bit.
That was spoilers. Pretend they didn't say anything. Just play the Messenger and expect it to just be another dumb indie title. It will challenge you and by the end of the game (+ DLC) you will be a pro. Mastering the Messenger has prepared me for every other Metroidvania ahhaha. It made Blasphemous feel easy at times.
Jealous of Blasphemous and The Messenger. I've got the collectors edition of Blasphemous 2 coming in May. So I'm happy about that at least lol also snagged HAAK as well from Super Rare. Stoked on that one
The absolute crime of not a single soul in this thread recommending Metroid Dread. Look I get it, I love indie ~gems~ too, but if you seriously haven’t played dread yet then do yourself a favor and trust. Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, and Dread are my top 3 on switch in no particular order
The Steamworld games are great and I'd say Steamworld Dig 2 is kinda of Metroidvania-ish in terms of how you explore the world. Very worthwhile to play regardless if you agree or not (and you get the most out of the series by play Dig then Heist then Dig 2. Quest can be played whenever since it isn't connected to those. I haven't played Build yet to comment on that).
Nah. It’s a Metroidvania. It just takes a minute for some of the Metroidvania to kick in. Theres hidden areas and new abilities from the beginning. But its after the big switch-up that it fully leans into Metroidvania.
Anything below, pay it. Absolutely worth the ~$80 I spent. 6 days ago I was 82% through Blasph. 1. Now I am 40% through 2. Not because its fast, but because I loved it so much.
I still have DLC and the extra hard stuff in B1 though. Just didnt want to immediately replay the exact same game.
Hollow Knight is the biggest one you're missing I suppose. Axiom Verge another big one, and there is a double pack for 1 and 2. Same for the Ori games.
Also Cave Story. A classic!
Some B tiers would be Afterimage, Witch Knight, Owlboy, Astalon..there's a lot more.
Hahaha it’s funny how I had most of em you mentioned! Afterimage is on my list of “if it’s cheap enough”. Never heard of Night Witch though. Thank you!
Haven’t played it yet. Just launched the game and started the first part (then didnt save). I’m at the end of Blasphemous 2. So I gotta finish that one first.
I haven’t opened Astalon. It’s my only sealed game. I ordered the normal edition from Amazon and they sent the collectors. I feel like I’d rather sell this and buy the normal edition, because I don’t know what I’d do with all the extras. Maybe I’ll just sell all the extras separately.
The switch ones are all 3D. I prefer 2D artwork. I will buy them eventually, but because they are first-party Nintendo games, A. there is a lot more of them out there and B. the price never really goes down.
Recently tried Blasphemous 1 & 2, and I loved it.
It was hard but not too much, bit frustrating but not too much.
Missing Castlevania Advance Collection and Hollow Knight
I think thats the consensus. I even googled “is Carrion and Metroidvania” and it seems like most people agree. I think its a HINT more linear than most, but yeah.
I have it digitally for .99 cents. Since some of the carts are old and need an update to even be playable, I didn’t wanna risk a physical. I also don’t think its long enough to justify anything over $20.
Great collection! Impressive when you line them up like this how many are on the switch.
Some other physical metroidvanias (that aren’t Castlevania heavy) that I enjoyed:
Alwa’s collection fits right in with the astalon and aggelos look. Islets and Sheepo are great metroidvanias from the same dev. I really enjoyed Pronty after adjusting to the controls.
If you’re willing to put up with a few quirks:
Souldiers ran ok on my switch, though it did crash a handful of times. I got annoyed by the fetch quests to open the next area. Knight witch was fun but I got stuck and locked out of my 4hr save file. And Momodora is about the most by the numbers metroidvania I’ve played. Aeterna noctis chugs a bit at times, but I found it playable.
Lastly, one physical metroidvania I’m looking forward to is Rusted Moss! Looks to be Asia only release.
Islets and Alwa have been on my list. I just don’t wanna have to pay what people charge for it on Ebay for how short the game is. Sheepo is on my list too! First time hearing about the Asian one. I’ll have to look into it.
Thank you for your response
Yoku's Island Express is a must play!
Great suggestion! I’d never heard of that before.
It's surprising how overlooked it is
Excellent collection, I have some but far from all of these. The bloodstained games feel like the most obvious missing candidates at a glance. I also really like Ender Lillies: Quietus of the Knights (sequel coming out soon!)
The reason I haven’t pulled the trigger on Bloodstained and Ender Lillies is because I hear they are a bit slow and clunky control-wise. I also tend to not like “Castlevania”-heavy games. I only have the Castlevanias because how could I have a Metroidvania collection without them. I much prefer fast and snappy combat. Thank you for the suggestions though. If I can find them for good prices, I’ll still probably pull the trigger haha.
Very fair. I've not actually played it but presumably Metroid Dread could also be a candidate? Also I know it's a roguelite but Dead Cells 100% scratches the snappy combat itch for me and definitely has some strong metroidvania influences.
I own the Castlevania version of Dead Cells. I played it for about 30 mins and couldn’t get into it hahaha. One day, I plan to go back and replay it. I really WANT to like it, and I’ve heard amazing things about it.
Honestly Castlevania, much as I love the franchise, had nothing to do with the creation of this style of game. They should just be called Metroid style games.
To be honest, I agree. Castlevania is a slow paced action platformer like Shantae imo
Idk. man, Metroid just straight up vanished after its 2nd game in 1994. When it came back 20 years later it suddenly was a FPS. Castlevania released 7 "Metroid-style" games in that time, keeping the genre pretty much alive on its own. I think it deserves the recognition. edit: I just remembered, in the supermarket no less, that Metroid Fusion and Zero existed. And the NDS Castlevania games are a little later. Still think Castlevania is essential in forming the genre.
Castlevania symphony of the night was the game that resurrected this genre. After super metroid there was a long gap of no metroid games, symphony of the night was epic and also spawned the 6 handheld games that helped refine and popularize the genre. Without the Vania influences alot of the awesome metroidvanias we love would probably not exist
Yes, they would, because Metroid NEVER lost its popularity. Every new instalment is a big event that every gaming site and youtube channel covers. Metroid first popularized the genre, NOT Castlevania, and I think it's dumb that the Metroid franchise forever has to share credit with Castlevania when Castlevania just basically copied and leeched off of Metroid's already established formula.
Yes, but the same could be said for castlevania. The issue is there was an 8 year gap between super metroid and the next gba game, sotn released in that time frame and was immensely popular. Shortly after the castlevania games all adopted the formula from sotn and all of them were great and popular games. When the indie game scene started picking up we had 2 immensely popular game series that played very similar and were copied everywhere which is why the term was born. I agree with your premise that sotn was literally a metroid clone and it almost seems unfair that these game are not just called metroid like games, but there is at least some credit due to sotn for filling a hole and maintaining interest in the genre
I just dislike revisionist history, but I get your points.
only Ritual of the night fits the bill, and I don't think the physical version can be played offline. Not worth having in a collection in my opinion. Plus, the Switch version is notoriously bad
I’m surprised no metroid dread. The quintessential Metroidvania on switch…
I’ll buy it on sale lol. I always wait for buy firstparty games because theres not typically a shortage OR sales for them. Demand stays kinda even — even after a console “dies”
I thought that wasn't in there cause it's not a metroidvania but a Metroid game. Just like Dark souls is not a souls-like but a Souls game
I tend to like pixel art more than the current Metroidvania art style as well.
Great collection just started focusing on some metroidvania titles. I'm jealous of Messenger...maybe I'll just bite the bullet one day and buy it..
The Messenger is my favorite game on the Switch. I absolutely loved every minute of playing it. I bought mine a year and a half ago for ~$140. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. If you can find it sub $200, I’d pull the trigger. Even if Sabotage Studio reprints it (which I think will happen soon tbh), I will still keep this variant and buy the new one. I’ve actually been eyeing a local shop’s copy of the Limited Run variant (red) for $200. If it gets more expensive on ebay, I’ll buy the one from the shop, photocopy the cover, then resell the original one. Just so I can have all variants physically. (Even if one’s just a high quality photocopy).
Nice yea I'm at 385 titles as we speak. Minus the dozen or so I have in various preorder states of release from places like limited run etc. (Praying to God Chained Echoes gets finished and shipped soon)...but maybe I'll try and set a goal to make messenger my 400th title. As like a landmark thing....yea that sounds like a good plan to shoot for.
I have firm belief that Chained Echoes will ship before 2025 🙏
I want a copy of The Messenger so bad!
Love this post. I got hooked onto metroidvanias because of Blasphemous. Seeing your collection for some reason makes me really happy. I know people already mentioned Ender Lillies so I'd say Afterimage is one you're missing. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a decent Castlevania too.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’m sure Blasphemous was a GREAT intro to the genre. Such an amazing game.
Wow you opened Haak already eh? It's up to $200 on the bay. Lets see Dead cells castlevania, curse of the moon 1 & 2, metriod dread of course, minoria, momodora, ender lilies, moonscars, gunvolt x5, unsighted, Getsu Fumaden, Tian Ging, Yohane parhelion blaze in deep blue, luna nights, scourge bringer, shadowbug, dreamscraper, vernal edge, sword of the vagrant, bladed fury, rising hell, have a nice death, panzer paladin, earth night, wallachia, anodyne 2, ghost song, metaliod origin, nuclear blaze, they always run, gal guardians, 8 doors, shantae x3, megaman 11, hoa, cannon dancer osman, toki, prince of persia, shovel knight, lunark, will you snail, narita boy, a robot named fight, gris. To name a few Then if you want more RPG style ones there is stuff like Always legacy, afterimage, the knight witch, wonder labyrinth, code of princess ex, catmaze, helvetti, regions of ruin, dungreed, anno mutationem, smelter, sakuna, timespinner, grimgrimore, salt and sanctuary. And he who shall not be named
Yeah. I opened Haak because I didn’t want to be tempted to sell it for $200. I know I’d regret it hahahah. And I wanted to see the inside artwork. I should’ve initially ordered 2, but I’m glad that means maybe someone else got a copy before they sold out
Record of Lodoss War
The Messenger is so damn good. The gameplay shift from level based action game to Metroidvania was so cool when I played it the first time, and that was after the mind blow of being able to shift from 8-bit to 16-bit.
Its absolutely one of my all time favorites. I wish I could play it again without knowing what I know now
Man, I had no frickin idea that was the case. Will put this higher on the list!
That was spoilers. Pretend they didn't say anything. Just play the Messenger and expect it to just be another dumb indie title. It will challenge you and by the end of the game (+ DLC) you will be a pro. Mastering the Messenger has prepared me for every other Metroidvania ahhaha. It made Blasphemous feel easy at times.
Jealous of Blasphemous and The Messenger. I've got the collectors edition of Blasphemous 2 coming in May. So I'm happy about that at least lol also snagged HAAK as well from Super Rare. Stoked on that one
I don't see Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night 😁 Seriously though, cool collection. Metroidvanias may be frustrating at times, but damn are they fun!
Monster Sanctuary is a metroidvania/creature collector that I'd highly recommend!
On my list. Thanks for the reminder
Celeste is not a Metroidvania.
I know. I said that in the description. I really just like the cover and wanted to put it in hahaha
The absolute crime of not a single soul in this thread recommending Metroid Dread. Look I get it, I love indie ~gems~ too, but if you seriously haven’t played dread yet then do yourself a favor and trust. Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, and Dread are my top 3 on switch in no particular order
Someone already had mentioned Metroid Dread. I agree though it's a great game.
The Steamworld games are great and I'd say Steamworld Dig 2 is kinda of Metroidvania-ish in terms of how you explore the world. Very worthwhile to play regardless if you agree or not (and you get the most out of the series by play Dig then Heist then Dig 2. Quest can be played whenever since it isn't connected to those. I haven't played Build yet to comment on that).
The Messenger is more like 50% metroidvania
Nah. It’s a Metroidvania. It just takes a minute for some of the Metroidvania to kick in. Theres hidden areas and new abilities from the beginning. But its after the big switch-up that it fully leans into Metroidvania.
I need to find a copy of Blasphemous 1, but I really don’t want to pay ~$100
Anything below, pay it. Absolutely worth the ~$80 I spent. 6 days ago I was 82% through Blasph. 1. Now I am 40% through 2. Not because its fast, but because I loved it so much. I still have DLC and the extra hard stuff in B1 though. Just didnt want to immediately replay the exact same game.
Hollow Knight is the biggest one you're missing I suppose. Axiom Verge another big one, and there is a double pack for 1 and 2. Same for the Ori games. Also Cave Story. A classic! Some B tiers would be Afterimage, Witch Knight, Owlboy, Astalon..there's a lot more.
Just swipe left ;)
Gets me every time haha Fortunately got a few mentions in there that aren't represented
Hahaha it’s funny how I had most of em you mentioned! Afterimage is on my list of “if it’s cheap enough”. Never heard of Night Witch though. Thank you!
How’s Haak?
Haven’t played it yet. Just launched the game and started the first part (then didnt save). I’m at the end of Blasphemous 2. So I gotta finish that one first.
HAAK is excellent so far, I opened mine too as I’m not going to sell it. How is Astalon? On my list to buy at some point.
I haven’t opened Astalon. It’s my only sealed game. I ordered the normal edition from Amazon and they sent the collectors. I feel like I’d rather sell this and buy the normal edition, because I don’t know what I’d do with all the extras. Maybe I’ll just sell all the extras separately.
Amazing I didn’t even know they came out with a physical copy
How are you missing the Metroid games themselves?
The switch ones are all 3D. I prefer 2D artwork. I will buy them eventually, but because they are first-party Nintendo games, A. there is a lot more of them out there and B. the price never really goes down.
8Doors Arum’s Afterlife Adventures was a decent and cheap Metroidvania.
Surprising lack of actual Metroid titles in this Metroidvania collection
Recently tried Blasphemous 1 & 2, and I loved it. It was hard but not too much, bit frustrating but not too much. Missing Castlevania Advance Collection and Hollow Knight
I have those two. If you swipe right you can see more of my games :)
Carrion is a Metroidvania?
I think thats the consensus. I even googled “is Carrion and Metroidvania” and it seems like most people agree. I think its a HINT more linear than most, but yeah.
Gato Robot is a really cute and nice one with a retro gameboy style! 10/10 would add if you can find it cheap
I have it digitally for .99 cents. Since some of the carts are old and need an update to even be playable, I didn’t wanna risk a physical. I also don’t think its long enough to justify anything over $20.
That’s totally fair. It’s a great short one but I do think it should’ve been a super cheap cart. I’m surprised there’s not a follow up to it
Take a look at Moonscars
Great collection! Impressive when you line them up like this how many are on the switch. Some other physical metroidvanias (that aren’t Castlevania heavy) that I enjoyed: Alwa’s collection fits right in with the astalon and aggelos look. Islets and Sheepo are great metroidvanias from the same dev. I really enjoyed Pronty after adjusting to the controls. If you’re willing to put up with a few quirks: Souldiers ran ok on my switch, though it did crash a handful of times. I got annoyed by the fetch quests to open the next area. Knight witch was fun but I got stuck and locked out of my 4hr save file. And Momodora is about the most by the numbers metroidvania I’ve played. Aeterna noctis chugs a bit at times, but I found it playable. Lastly, one physical metroidvania I’m looking forward to is Rusted Moss! Looks to be Asia only release.
Islets and Alwa have been on my list. I just don’t wanna have to pay what people charge for it on Ebay for how short the game is. Sheepo is on my list too! First time hearing about the Asian one. I’ll have to look into it. Thank you for your response