As someone who has spent countless hours exploring the dark, mysterious corners of video games, I can confidently say that these Metroidvania classics have left an indelible mark on my gaming life. From the grandeur of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night to the haunting atmosphere of Super Metroid, each game offers a unique blend of exploration, combat, and discovery that keeps me coming back for more.
Nowadays, there are countless games categorized as Metroidvanias, yet their popularity wouldn’t be as widespread if it weren’t for the original groundbreaking titles that initially established the genre’s prominence.
Essentially, Metroidvania-style games offer a structure where the player’s advancement is somewhat restricted. To explore and traverse various parts of the game world, players often need to acquire specific items or abilities first. This leads to a degree of decision-making regarding the direction of progression as the story unfolds.
This definition applies to many games, including the Legend of Zelda series, however, die-hard fans can easily identify a classic Metroidvania style.
Let’s explore the most outstanding examples among the traditional Metroidvania games, as their 2D roots played a significant role in shaping the unique aesthetics of the genre.
10. Demon’s Crest
Firebrand steals the spotlight
Among the series of games known as the Gargoyle’s Quest trilogy, it is Demon Crest that truly distinguishes itself from its counterparts.
In the game Demon’s Crest, the protagonist is Firebrand, a malevolent being whose powerful magical symbols, known as Crests, were taken from him at the beginning of the story. Throughout the adventure, he traverses the netherworld to retrieve each Crest by defeating one demon after another.
Right off the bat, Demon’s Crest boasts some of the most stunning visuals on the good old SNES, with downright chilling boss designs that’ll give you goosebumps. As Firebrand, I can tell you firsthand that my agility and the power-ups I unlock make navigating this game world a total blast. Each stage throws some seriously tough challenges at me, but hey, it’s all part of the fun!
Demon’s Crest leans towards both the Metroidvania and platformer genres, providing opportunities for advancement while maintaining a level of freedom. It’s an excellent game that may appeal to fans of characters like the Belmonts or Aran due to its inherent elements of free-form gameplay.
9. Metroid Fusion
Great game, Weak Threads
In a fresh space station setting on the Game Boy Advance, Samus Aran finds herself in a thrilling predicament: hunted by an adversary that imitates her very likeness and abilities, known as SA-X.
Fortunately, Samus isn’t fighting solo this time; her Power Suit has been invaded by X Parasites, endowing her with fresh capabilities. These skills will prove essential, as the relentless SA-X is doggedly pursuing her at all times.
Admittedly, the Fusion Suit has a hideous color scheme, but that doesn’t prevent Metroid Fusion from being an amazing handheld Metroidvania.
The ambiance is astonishing, even when confined to a compact gadget, and it boasts some of the toughest yet entertaining boss battles across the whole series.
8. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Packing Castlevania into a GBA
Naturally, if the Game Boy Advance had a great Metroid, it needed a Castlevania alongside it.
In a fresh rendition, consider this: Aria of Sorrow introduces us to Soma Cruz, who is none other than Dracula’s reincarnation, equipped with an extraordinary power – the ability to seize the souls of monstrous beings. The ominous castle once owned by Dracula has resurfaced, and it’s up to Soma to confront his fate as he delves into its haunting corridors.
Grinding for monster souls becomes an exciting prospect, since capturing these spirits grants Soma additional powers. Each acquired spirit enhances Soma’s strength, complementing the assortment of weapons and treasures discoverable within the castle.
Although Soma may lack the charm of characters like Alucard or a later Belmont, his narrative can be set aside without much consequence. What truly shines in Aria of Sorrow is the engaging journey it offers, and remarkably, it manages to excel at this despite being on a handheld system.
7. Blaster Master
The real ’80s Metroidvania
Remarkably, Blaster Master, initially launched for NES in 1988, seemed to anticipate the future of gaming. In many aspects, it could be considered one of the earliest examples of the Metroidvania genre.
In this game, the main idea presents a whimsical twist: our hero is a youthful character named Jason, who one day finds his beloved frog missing down a burrow in his backyard. Intriguingly, Jason pursues the disappearance and encounters a battle tank, which he subsequently employs to locate his missing pet.
In Blaster Master, you get both 2D side-scrolling action sequences and a top-down view when Jason is exploring different zones. This blend adds immense diversity to an already expansive (for its time) game environment, as the player collects new tools to unlock additional locations within previously visited areas.
Remarkably impressive is Blaster Master, given the constraints of the NES system. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature save points or passwords, making it quite challenging in the Metroidvania genre. However, playing it on the Nintendo Switch Online service with the save state function can greatly enhance the experience.
6. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap
Shapeshifting Monster Metroidvania
Demonstrating that even the Sega Master System was capable of housing a masterpiece from the Metroidvania genre, the uncommon Sega title Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap showcases its prowess.
In The Dragon’s Trap, the story commences with Wonder Boy being metamorphosed into a monstrous creature. This transformation aspect is crucial, as he acquires various forms during gameplay, including Hawk-Man, capable of flight, Pirahna-Man, proficient in swimming, and Mouse-Man, who can scale walls by crawling on them.
The assortment of transitions in The Dragon’s Trap creates the characteristic Metroidvania ambiance, as these are employed for both re-exploring previous zones and uncovering fresh goods. Although its narrative may not be rich, The Dragon’s Trap remains a delightful adventure even today.
Individuals looking to experience this game in contemporary times can opt for the outstanding 2017 remake, available on both PC and gaming consoles. This version retains the captivating gameplay while enhancing the visuals with vibrant high-definition sprites.
5. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
In A Mirror, Hungry
Instead of sticking with the traditional straight platformer style that’s synonymous with the Kirby name, The Amazing Mirror dared to challenge convention by embracing the Metroidvania genre.
With The Amazing Mirror, for progression, Kirby must obtain certain enemy skills and employ them to discover previously inaccessible areas on the map.
In “The Miraculous Looking Glass,” our heroes Kirby and Meta Knight journey into the realm known as the Reflected Realm. Here, they encounter ominous versions of themselves that they must overcome.
This action causes him to scour every nook and cranny, looking for broken glass shards, enabling him to proceed into the last mirror and vanquish the evil originating from there.
Taking the Kirby gameplay style and adapting it to a Metroidvania was a great choice, and it’s a shame it was only attempted once, as The Amazing Mirror might be the best title in the series.
4. Shantae
Dancing to victory
Speaking more casually, it can be said that the Game Boy Advance boasted numerous excellent Metroidvania-style games, yet how did its forerunner fare? In fact, even the legendary Mario had to compromise his games to fit them onto the Game Boy.
The initial Shantae game demonstrated that a top-notch Metroidvania style game can thrive on the Game Boy Color. Moreover, it opted to abandon the somber mood of its precursors in favor of a cheerful and lively atmosphere instead.
In a nutshell, Shantae is a half-genie who embarks on an adventure to retrieve elemental gems before the pirate Risky Boots can misuse them to construct a devastating weapon. As expected, this journey leads her through various stages where she discovers and harnesses fresh abilities to access new locations.
Shantae excelled at fitting an entertaining Metroidvania game onto a Game Boy Color game cart. Although it didn’t gain much popularity initially, the developers subsequently brought it back to life for contemporary platforms, enabling Shantae to persistently dance on current gaming systems.
3. Cave Story
The Grandfather of Indie Games
Smaller games like Cave Story, which initially gained popularity as an independent title, have demonstrated that not every Metroidvania game needs to be part of a well-known franchise. This classic example has been successfully updated and re-released on contemporary gaming platforms.
The player controls a robot named Quote, who suffers from amnesia and is left stumbling through the darkness. He finds Mimiga Village, whose residents need protection from a mysterious scientist and his creations.
Cave Story could well represent the epitome of pure delight in the genre of Metroidvania games, given that it’s an independent title that’s been around for two decades. Remarkably, it remains just as enjoyable to experience today as it did back then.
In simpler terms, Cave Story doesn’t introduce anything groundbreaking in its design; instead, it refines the formula, even down to its retro pixel art style. While it may not carry the names of games like Metroid or Castlevania, it learned from their teachings and created a game that invites repeated exploration.
2. Super Metroid
Samus’ Best Adventure
Super Metroid stands among the best Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games ever made, a fact underscored by its inclusion in a collection of timeless classics.
In Super Metroid, the character Samus Aran journeys to the planet Zebes to find the remaining Metroid. Since she forgot to pack her best equipment, players must search for and gather everything anew.
Not many games have challenged their hardware like Super Metroid did, boasting stunning graphics and haunting melodies that craft an eerie ambiance often envied by even horror games.
On the cramped, claustrophobic planet of Zebes, Samus must skillfully employ all aspects of her weaponry to navigate and defend herself against relentless assaults within narrow corridors.
Playing this game offers a unique journey, which explains why it played a significant role in coining the term “Metroidvania” for half its name.
1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
The Obvious Top Pick
Essentially, it boiled down to a competition between Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid from the start.
Leading the pack, Symphony of the Night stands out due to its extensive selection of weapons and player abilities. This game offers a multitude of options for customizing Alucard, leading to varied gaming experiences each time you play.
In Symphony of the Night, the character Alucard embarks on a journey to Dracula’s Castle in search of Richter Belmont who has gone missing. Upon arrival, he is amazed by the castle’s grandeur! It is filled with all sorts of monsters to vanquish, mysteries to unravel, and riches to collect. The adventure is so captivating that Alucard (or the player) finds it hard to tear himself away from this fascinating place.
Over such a long period, Symphony of the Night’s massive size and its irresistibly engaging gameplay have been key factors that continue to draw attention to it.
If you’ve never played a game in the Metroidvania genre, consider taking on the challenge of exploring Dracula’s Castle. This classic game is a must-experience for anyone who values gaming masterpieces.
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2024-12-08 16:09