The Best Metroidvania Games Available on Nintendo Switch, Ranked

Highlights

Metroidvania genre demands strategic exploration, skills, and revisiting areas for progression, creating a rich gameplay experience.
Nintendo Switch thrives with innovative Metroidvania titles, offering a diverse selection that honors and expands the iconic genre.
Afterimage, Blasphemous 2, and Dead Cells excel in immersive exploration, challenging combat, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours traversing pixelated landscapes and vanquishing spectral foes, I can confidently say that the Metroidvania genre has long held a special place in my heart. Over the years, I’ve seen some fantastic titles emerge from this sublime blend of exploration and action, but none have quite captured my imagination like these four games.

In this genre, called Metroidvania, players traverse vast and interwoven maps reminiscent of the original games Metroid and Castlevania. The gameplay involves exploring, gathering abilities, and revisiting previously explored locations to advance. This style necessitates careful movement and strategic application of newly acquired skills to uncover hidden elements and new areas.

On the Nintendo Switch, this category flourishes with numerous games that excel in design and introduce novel concepts. The console’s mobility and robust indie game support make it an excellent choice for fans of Metroidvania, providing a diverse array of titles that respect and broaden this renowned genre.

10 Afterimage

A Stunning Metroidvania With Inconsistent Pacing

In 2023, one of the most captivating Metroidvania games, known as Afterimage, was released, distinguished by its hand-drawn environments and a wealth of hidden secrets. Yet, the extensive exploration, though visually stunning, can occasionally lead to an unbalanced tempo or rhythm.

In ‘Afterimage’, the intricate storyline and confusing layout of the map can sometimes leave players feeling lost and progress seeming sluggish and disjointed. However, the tough battles and stunning visual aesthetic set this game apart in the Metroidvania genre, even if it’s not the smoothest or most refined experience.

9 Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow

A Metroidvania That Perfected The Formula

Among the top-tier Metroidvania games, Aria of Sorrow, found in the Castlevania Advance Collection for Nintendo Switch, enhances and perfects the formula laid out by its predecessors. This game innovates with the Soul Capture system, which offers a strategic twist as players can seize new powers from every foe they conquer.

Boasting detailed map layouts and striking 2D visuals, Aria of Sorrow delivers an engrossing gaming experience. The captivating plot filled with unexpected twists, coupled with polished combat and challenging exploration, makes this game a must-have for fans of the genre. It offers a level of depth that most Metroidvania games struggle to attain.

8 Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown

Classic Franchise Reinvented As A Metroidvania

“Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” signifies the comeback of Ubisoft’s cherished franchise in a captivating Metroidvania style. This game refreshes the series by offering an immersive and tough expedition, complete with meticulous controls and a finely crafted map layout.”

Venturing through Mount Qaf is an exhilarating and fulfilling journey, where players are always eager to discover hidden mysteries and acquire fresh skills throughout the expansive terrain. The Lost Crown delivers with its stylish fight sequences and tough jumping puzzles, providing a smooth and incredibly satisfying gameplay experience. What sets this game apart is Sargon’s adaptable strategies, combined with thoughtfully designed levels that seamlessly incorporate both traditional and contemporary elements of the Metroidvania genre.

7 Axiom Verge

A Homage To The Classics With Its Own Identity

As a gamer, I can wholeheartedly say that “Axiom Verge” on the Nintendo Switch is an exceptional Metroidvania title. It masterfully blends nostalgia with modern gameplay mechanics. This game pays homage to the genre’s legendary predecessors while simultaneously offering fresh, unconventional elements like innovative weapons and skills that push the boundaries of traditional game design.

Intricately designed maps and an engaging atmosphere make Axiom Verge a game where exploration and combat keep players hooked right from the start till the end. The game’s advancement is satisfying, as each new revelation deepens the complexity of its vast world, demonstrating how a Metroidvania game can honor its origins while forging a unique path.

6 Blasphemous 2

A Challenging Metroidvania With Grotesque And Innovative Art

One of the best Metroidvania games you can play on Nintendo Switch is “Blasphemous 2”. This game takes the genre to new heights with its dark, detailed art style and smooth, enjoyable gameplay. It builds upon its predecessor in every way, providing a tough-but-rewarding journey through an intricately connected map layout.

In Blasphemous 2, players are captivated by fresh battle and navigation strategies with its groundbreaking weapons. As they delve into the ominous realm of Cvstodia, the game’s compelling bosses and unsettling storyline make it a must-have for Metroidvania enthusiasts. This title showcases a distinctive artistic style that sets it apart within the genre.

5 Dead Cells

A Brilliant Fusion Of Roguelike And Metroidvania

The game titled “Dead Cells” on Nintendo Switch breathes new life into the Metroidvania genre by combining exploration with roguelike characteristics. Featuring intuitive controls and smooth gameplay, players are tasked with navigating a castle that’s always changing, battling unyielding adversaries and powerful bosses along the way.>

Each death brings new learnings and abilities, encouraging repeated playthroughs and the discovery of hidden secrets. The game’s success even led to a collaboration with the Castlevania franchise for a DLC. Dead Cells delivers an engaging and challenging experience that continues to captivate players, standing out as a genre-defining title on the Switch.

4 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

An Enhanced Experience In The Metroidvania Genre

Although Ori and the Blind Forest offers a captivating narrative within an attractive gaming environment, Will of the Wisps elevates its gameplay mechanics and open-ended exploration. Originally launched on Microsoft platforms before finding its way onto the Nintendo Switch, it polishes the overall experience that the series is known for.

In an exceptionally polished and captivating manner, the game Ori and the Will of the Wisps takes the Metroidvania genre to unprecedented levels. The smooth navigation and effortless incorporation of new skills make for a thrilling adventure in which every revelation within the expansive game world feels rewarding. The visual and aural splendor harmonizes beautifully with the gameplay, solidifying its status as an outstanding Metroidvania title on the Switch and setting a high bar for future games in this genre.

3 Metroid Prime Remastered

A Revamped Classic In The 3d Metroidvania Space

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how Metroid Prime revolutionized the Metroidvania genre by masterfully adapting its core principles to a breathtaking 3D world. To this day, it stands as one of the most remarkable representations of the genre on the Nintendo Switch, offering an engaging and tough gameplay experience that beautifully captures the spirit of its predecessors.

The revamped edition of Metroid Prime doesn’t revolutionize the initial game but incorporates substantial upgrades like refined controls and graphical advancements that amplify the gaming experience. These modifications make the gameplay more fluid and user-friendly, making it a must-have for the Nintendo Switch library and a benchmark in the development of 3D Metroidvanias.

2 Metroid Dread

The Pinnacle Of Metroidvania Mechanics

For over two decades, fans finally got a continuation of Samus Aron’s story in the game Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch. This game marked a victorious comeback to the Metroidvania genre, offering a shine and novelty that satisfied both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

Boasting polished game mechanics and a meticulously crafted map, Metroid Dread delivers an exhilarating mix of exploration and combat. The introduction of fresh maneuvers and consistent advancement ensure the gameplay remains exciting and immersive. This game not only elevated the Metroidvania genre but also set a new benchmark for upcoming titles in the Metroid series, making it essential playing for any fan of this style of game.

1 Hollow Knight

A Modern Classic That Perfects The Metroidvania Formula

Hollow Knight, created by Team Cherry and playable on the Nintendo Switch, stands out among modern games that follow the Metroidvania formula, originally pioneered by Metroid and Castlevania. In recent years, this game has emerged as one of the most exceptional examples of the genre, earning recognition as an indie gaming legend for its exceptional quality in all areas.

In the game known as “Hollow Knight“, gamers assume the role of an explorer knight delving into a sprawling, enigmatic subterranean universe brimming with hidden treasures. The game’s challenging combat, non-standard level structure, and the impactful addition of each new skill make it highly engaging. “Hollow Knight” not only sets itself apart as one of the top Metroidvania games; it pushes the boundaries of what this genre is capable of, providing a richness and difficulty that deeply resonates with players.

2024-08-15 05:06