Metroidvania: half Metroid, half Castlevania
Metroidvania is a subgenre of action-adventure video games that combines elements from two popular game series: "Metroid" and "Castlevania." The name "Metroidvania" itself is a portmanteau of these two titles. This subgenre is characterized by several key gameplay and design features: exploration, non-linear progression, upgrades and abilities, storytelling and boss battles.
Both the Metroid and Castlevania series served as influential templates for the Metroidvania subgenre, with "Metroid" games focusing more on sci-fi and alien worlds, and "Castlevania" games having a gothic, vampire-hunting theme.
Both the Metroid and Castlevania series served as influential templates for the Metroidvania subgenre, with "Metroid" games focusing more on sci-fi and alien worlds, and "Castlevania" games having a gothic, vampire-hunting theme.
Most popular metroidvania games
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Below The Root
DOS1984 Dale Disharoon, Inc.
Based on a book series almost nobody remembers, Below The Root drops you into a serene world of treehouses, talking children, and deeply philosophical moral choices. Combat does not exist. Instead, you explore, read minds, and try to resolve conflicts by being kind and empathetic. It is like if Mr. Rogers made a fantasy adventure. The game has more...
Captain Comic 2: Fractured Reality
DOS1990freeware
Captain Comic, The Adventures of
DOS1988freeware
Castlevania
DOS1990 Distinctive Software
Castlevania, originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, was developed and published by Konami. The game was known in Japan as Akumajo Dracula (Devil's Castle Dracula) and was later renamed Castlevania for its North American release. In Castlevania, players take on the role of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter from the Bel...
Lyle in Cube Sector
Windows 10/112006
Montezuma's Revenge
DOS1984 Parker Brothers
Montezuma's Revenge is a platforming video game that debuted in 1984. It was designed by Robert Jaeger and originally published by Parker Brothers. The game was available on a variety of platforms, including the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PC. Players control a character named Panama Joe as he explores the undergrou...
Monuments of Mars
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1991freeware Scenerio Software
Rad Warrior
DOS1986 Palace Software
Rusty
DOS1993 C-lab.
Sorcerian
DOS1990 Nihon Falcom
Zeliard
DOS1990 Game Arts
Zeliard is a fantasy platformer - JRPG hybrid with metroidvania gameplay elements developed by Game Arts and released for DOS in 1990. Zeliard is a single-player game.
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