Loosely defined by a combination of maze-like environs and myriad upgrades vital to progression, Metroidvania games have been popular since the debut of Metroid and Castlevania on the NES. With titles like Carion, Iconoclasts, and Blasphemous being a few indie darlings out there that fit the genre, it's hard to believe only a select group of games could claim that title at one point.
While there are many modern action-adventure games that could be described as Metroidvanias, they stand on the shoulders of older and more experimental games that slowly climbed their way to gaming greatness, most of which harken back to the early days of console gaming.
Metroid
The term "Metroidvania" is a compound title referring to two games, Nintendo title featuring the daring bounty hunter Samus Aran and a dark and dismal planet full of horrific alien creatures. Unlike series like Mario Bros. or Zelda, Metroid took a much different direction in of story and tone.
Although a bit primitive compared to other games of its kind, the original Metroid utilized its desolate atmosphere and isolation to create a deep, foreboding world to explore, and it laid the framework for nearly all the titles that followed.
Castlevania
On the other end of the spectrum, Castlevania brought a sprawling environment, but it took more of an action-heavy approach than Metroid. Pair that with the game's infamous tricky platforming, and the foundation for the Metroidvania genre continues to expand.
Simon Belmont's eternal quest to defeat Count Dracula and his army of darkness helped usher in the weapon-based combat seen in the genre—particularly the use of various weapons and powerups to more effectively defeat enemies and bosses. As the games grew more complex, so did the arsenal of screen-clearing weaponry.
Blaster Master
Blaster Master is a bit more complex than those previously mentioned, but its use of exploration did contribute to the constant construction of modern Metroidvanias. It was an ambitious game for its time, combining a side-scrolling platformer with a top-down action game to create a beautiful hybrid. It was pretty impressive for an NES game, to say the least.
It also took several creative choices that would be seen in further entries to the genre such as defeating bosses to earn necessary weaponry, a large map which required backtracking, and a labyrinthine environment full of monsters and enemies. In particular, getting behind the wheel of Sophia III drove the game into new territories.
Super Castlevania IV
Some might consider this entry in the Castlevania series simply a remake of the first game, but that feels like a rather unfair assessment. While it is certainly more linear than most games under the Metroidvania umbrella, it's a demonstration of how a good Metroidvania title needs to have balance and control.
It still has sprawling screens and powerups, but it also adds shifting levels and environments like the ballroom and the revolving tunnel. It allowed the series to experiment and further contribute to proceeding games and spinoffs.
Mega Man X
It might seem strange to lump collecting powerups and defeating the Robot Masters, but it's the delivery that makes it a semi-neglected Metroidvania.
As X, players have to collect the powers of the bosses to uncover hidden areas, complete the X Suit, and sometimes double back to previous levels in order to progress. It certainly meets the basic requirements for the genre.
Shantae
An often overlooked title for the Gameboy Color, Shantae brought a splash of vivid personality to the Metroidvania archetype. Requiring different powers, transformations, and dance moves to save her seaside town from the clutches of Risky Boots, the game earns its status through unconventional means, but it can stand amongst the likes of Metroid without batting an eye.
The game represents the ever-present adventure element that continues to persist through the genre. From tropical islands to deep jungle ruins, Shantae is as adaptable as Samus or Simon when it comes to thrill-seeking, but it's unlikely that either one can belly dance their way out of a snag.
Cave Story
Cave Story could arguably be considered the game that helped launch the renaissance of Metroidvania titles. An indie darling that relied on retro-game-inspired graphics, run-and-gun gameplay, and expansive subterranean territories to explore. If it wasn't for the rabbit people, this would be the plot for a Metroid sequel.
The game took the familiar formula of a typical Metroidvania but increased it in both size and story. With a complex and gripping narrative, multiple endings, and addictive gameplay, there are more than enough reasons to add this to the gaming hall of fame.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is considered by many to be one of the most polished examples of a Metroidvania game. While the saga of Hollow Nest feels more like a standard Castlevania game at times, the deep, dark world of insects has something many of its species seem to lack, that being immersive storytelling.
Hollow Knight uses the various environments of its world to help unfold the Knight's quest. The result is a deeply rich and lore-heavy tale of insects, pestilences, and a gothic fantasy that will pull even the greenest players in without a second thought.
Super Metroid
The original Metroid may have been a hallmark game on the NES, but the series didn't truly come into its own until the sequel, Super Metroid. Considered by many to be one of the best SNES titles, this was the game that defined Samus as her own stand-out character, as it introduced the culmination of gameplay elements that would permanently define the Metroidvania genre.
Like the first game, Super Metroid featured an isolated alien world loaded with hidden nooks and crannies with powerups and weapons galore, and Samus had to contend with fiendish space pirates as well as ravenous alien monsters lurking in the darkness. The game's combination of action and exploration it set the bar for future titles.
Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Super Metroid was only the first half of the two titles that truly defined the genre, as many fans cite Symphony of the Night as the pinnacle of Metroidvanias. Not only did the game incorporate the classic horror elements of its predecessors, but it pushed the limits in of size, scale, and complexity.
The deep and immense Castlevania game took all the elements seen in titles like Super Metroid and mixed it with a classic vampire story, RPG elements, and various tricks and traps to test a gamer's mettle—and that's not even including the upside-down castle gimmick. Often imitated but never duplicated, it's the golden standard for the Metroidvania genre.