There has been an outright boom in the Metroidvania genre in recent years, from as early as games like Cave Story to as recent as Metroid Dread, the desire and love for explorative action-platformers seems to be on an upward trajectory in the gaming community. However, nowhere is that more apparent than on the Nintendo Switch.
The eShop is absolutely packed with several intriguing and engaging Metroidvanias that have hours of content and levels to thoroughly trek. From bright and colorful adventure titles to dark and isolated horror experiences, the Switch has no shortage of games to scratch that action and exploration itch.
Super Metroid
Everyone has to start somewhere, and since Symphony of the Night has yet to receive a Switch port, that honor goes to Super Metroid on Nintendo Online's SNES collection. The iconic Castlevania entry might have perfected the genre as fans know it, but Samus's venture to Zebes invented it.
The game takes what the original NES title brought to the table and improves on it in nearly every way. By pulling focus on action, horror, and atmosphere, players are treated to an action game worthy of a Ridley Scott movie. As Samus, players will explore a dangerous alien world, loaded to the brim with monsters and hostile environments. It'll take more than an arm cannon to get off this planet alive.
Steamworld Dig Series
While it's not the most conventional game to earn the title of Metroidvania, the Steamworld Dig games do bring something new to the genre by having the players literally carve their way through an alien landscape in search of wealth, loot, and more. For players looking for something more exploration-focused, they won't be disappointed.
Players will indeed need a variety of equipment, as is to be expected in a game like this, to get from A to B and to overcome the various obstacles in the underground. With a steampunk aesthetic and a cluster of colorful robot characters, it's definitely one of the most original concepts on the eShop.
Guacamelee Series
While the premise of a superpowered luchador roughing his way through the land of the dead might sound like something out of left field, Guacamelee is a brilliant love letter to the Metroidvania genre with a unique Latin spin. The games' world is loaded with winks and nods to other Metroidvanias, including a few blatantly placed Chozo statues from Super Metroid.
Its tongue-in-cheek approach paired with its smart and fast-paced action is what makes the two games stand out from the crowd. It comes highly recommended for players looking for a more eccentric twist on their traditional action-platformers.
The Messenger
Like Guacamelee, The Messenger is a game that is a blatant and unashamed tribute to the genre that makes no attempts to hide it. Taking inspiration from classic Metroidvanias and games like Ninja Gaiden, the game serves as an amalgamation of retro-gaming tributes. While the action-platforming is indeed the star of the show, it's still a Metroidvania at its core.
Not only does the game offer the familiar exploratory action-platforming fans of the genre know and love, but its dimension shifting mechanic sends the player back and forth between 8-bit and 16-bit ages. Unlike games like Ninja Gaiden however, there's loads of backtracking and nooks and crannies on the quest to destroy the Demon King.
Timespinner
Timespinner is an interesting creature, that much is certain. The game is like a strange hybrid of Symphony of the Night and Chrono Trigger, but that's not saying that it doesn't work. On the contrary, it makes for a beautiful blending of genres to create a very distinct adventure.
There are few games that blend sci-fi and fantasy so well as Timespinner does, and the dedication to preserving the classic '90s game vibes is also worth mentioning. The platforming and exploration are both sharp and polished, and the use of magic in a strange futuristic world will definitely earn it some serious recognition.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Created by former Castlevania designer Koji Igarashi, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an absurdly deep Metroidvania worthy of the name. Considered the spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night, the game definitely packs the same amount of exploration and action to warrant the comparison.
Although she's no Alucard, Miriam can definitely hold her own against the demonic entities of the Hellhold. While the game has a few more bells and whistles compared to the games that inspired it, there's more than enough familiarity for even the newest fans of the genre to fall into the experience with relative ease.
Blasphemous
While the game takes a lot more from the Vania half of the genre, Blasphemous is a gruesome and gory action platformer that will have any fan of Dark Souls ready to take up the blade of the Penitent One and hack-and-slash their way through a host of unholy abominations. Some might be prepared to die, but they won't go down without a fight.
The visuals are easily the game's most defining feature, and it's honestly impressive to see how creative and graphic 16-bit sprite work can be. Easily the most violent and monstrous Metroidvania on Switch, players picking this one up better be ready to fight for their lives.
Dead Cells
Metroidvanias are fine on their own, but when roguelikes get thrown into the mix, it's a whole new ballgame. As one of the shining examples of this combination of genres, Dead Cells has more than enough action, platforming, exploration, and challenge to keep even the most avid player busy for hours.
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The plot is minimal, but the idea is to escape the dimensions of an island prison as a headless hero in search of a way out. Broad is the path, wide is the gate, but perilous is the journey to earn one's freedom in this "roguevania." It's a great entry to the genre, but it's certainly an investment.
Axiom Verge
There are few games that display the love for classic Metroidvanias more than Axiom Verge. Drawing inspiration from both Metroid and Super Metroid, as well as possibly the artwork of H.R. Giger, this retro-inspired indie darling is exactly what a solid entry into the genre should be.
An isolated alien world, a plethora of different enemies and alien monsters, and an incredible 16-bit art style all come together to make one of the most successful action-platformers on the system. Simply put, the game throws all the right punches.
Hollow Knight
Sometimes, bugs are a good thing for a game. Hollow Knight is one of the most well-crafted and imaginative Metroidvania experiences on the Switch. Not only does it meet all the requirements for an explorative action-platformer, but its world, characters, lore, and menagerie of monsters are all beautifully and wonderfully designed.
There's a definite Tim-Burton-esque aesthetic to this dark fantasy adventure, and with all the bonus and post-game content available, there are worlds upon worlds for the Knight to explore. It has everything a Metroidvania needs but has even more to enjoy after the final boss is defeated.