10 Metroidvanias That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

One of my favorite genres is Metroidvania. In part, that's because I learned to play video games with platformers, and in part, that's because I like games with a clear structure that leads you towards an inevitable conclusion. Some may scoff about linearity, but I find it a delight so long as the game lets you wander a bit in the process.

There are many Metroidvanias that have only gotten better with age, maturing like a fine wine. And not all of them are old games, but every game on this list has been around prior to the 2020s. Because sometimes you want an ancient vintage, and other times you want a perkier one.

The following games have been arranged primarily according to my own preferences, as well as factoring in how well they hold up after my initial encounter with them, and how readily replayable they are. Some of the games you'll instantly recognize, others are a bit more niche, but they're all very fun adventures that you'll want to play again.

10 Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight

Leaf and Bow

Even though it was the fourth installment in the series, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight was my first experience with rdein's adventures. Which meant I really didn't know what to expect. Thankfully, it proved an enjoyable Metroidvania that mixed pixel art seamlessly with fanservice and anime style.

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight has you play the priestess Kaho, tasked with stopping a deadly curse corrupting the land. She does that with some unusual weapons. One is a bow and arrow, for ranged assaults, but the other is a lot more unconventional. It's a leaf that Kaho wields like a sword.

While the game might have old-school graphics, it's still undeniably beautiful, with lush atmosphere and haunted locales to traverse. And because the game is a relatively short burn, you'll want to play it more than once to get the best ending and experience everything all over again.

9 The Messenger

Rewind the Clock

I find that Metroidvanias embrace platforming to various degrees. But one that really leans into precise, challenging platforming in a way that worked was The Messenger. It sort of plays like if the classic Ninja Gaiden games were a Metroidvania, but it's a lot more fun than that might sound. Especially since it has you jumping between present and future, shifting between NES and SNES style.

Put simply, I found the platforming thrilling in the game, and the bosses weren't anything to scoff at either. There are plenty of fierce demons to slash with your katana. My only small complaint about the game is that I personally found the pacing and balance much better in the NES sections than the SNES ones, but that doesn't change how fun it is.

The reason that The Messenger has aged so well, other than the classic visuals, is the outstanding music composed by Rainbowdragoneyes. Put simply, it's transcendent, and effortlessly displays why I love chiptunes so very much.

8 Ori and the Blind Forest

The Forest of Nibel

Moon Studios really knocked it out of the park with the Ori games. But the one that made me a fan was Ori and the Blind Forest. Technically, I played the Definitive Edition, but either way, the core experience was outstanding. It's sort of like a Studio Ghibli-styled adventure where you are trying to save the Forest of Nibel.

You play Ori, a guardian spirit raised by a kind creature named Naru. When your adoptive parent dies, Ori has to go into the world and find a way to help stop the forest from withering and perishing. The only thing guiding you on your quest is an orb creature named Sein, who tells you to find and restore the elements.

I haven't played any other Metroidvanias as emotional as Ori and the Blind Forest, which felt revolutionary. But it's not all vibes, the gameplay is a ton of fun as well, as are the gorgeous visuals and music. Even though it came out more than a decade ago, this adventure is just as entertaining, if not more, than when it first released.

7 Blasphemous

Cooking With the Game Kitchen

Even though I was captivated by the moody visual style of Blasphemous early on, it was a long time before I mustered the courage to try the game. Mostly because I'm not a huge fan of Soulslikes. Thankfully, my leap of faith was rewarded, and I found Blasphemous an incredible Metroidvania that balanced the level of challenge surprisingly well.

Cvstodia is a horrifying world where religion has transformed the populace into horrifying monsters. You play the Penitent One, tasked with annihilating the nightmares wrought by the advent of The Miracle. He does so with his sword and dark magic, and you'll earn Fervor with physical attacks on foes. It will also benefit you tremendously to learn the timing on parrying attacks.

Put simply, Blasphemous is not an easy game, but it's one I relished experiencing. And apparently it was popular, since a few years later we got a sequel. Either way, the original adventure is one well worth trying. Just be ready to put in the work to get the best ending.

6 SteamWorld Dig 2

Digging Into Second Gear

After the first SteamWorld Dig game, I wasn't sure what fresh ground there was to break in a sequel. And then I actually played SteamWorld Dig 2, and found it built upon everything the first game did, but bigger and bolder. Which is exactly what a sequel should accomplish, but few manage it.

Rusty has gone missing, so Dorothy is on the hunt to save the stalwart robot. While there's a bit of a Roguelike flair to both games, this sequel felt much more like a pure Metroidvania, with powerful new abilities and crazy boss battles. You'll be unlocking and building all sorts of upgrades as you go, as well as unraveling the surprisingly dark story.

Not only does SteamWorld Dig 2 still hold up, with candy coated visuals and memorable Western music, but it also did a marvelous job of setting the groundwork for the space bound follow-up, SteamWorld Heist. If you haven't already checked out the expansive series, it's only gotten better with each entry.

5 Axiom Verge

Ghost in the Machine

You know what I miss? When the Vita wasn't just a dead handheld with zero support. I played a lot of great games on mine, but one of my absolute favorites was a Metroidvania named Axiom Verge. It's mysterious, eerie and full of secrets, and it encourages you to break the game in order to get further. Which isn't usually something I do in the genre, but it was refreshing here.

You play Trace, who awakens in an alien world after a devastating incident. You eventually find guidance from a giant mechanical head named Elsenova, who explains the stakes. Put simply, Trace will need to be more than just human in order to find his way back to reality.

One of the ways you instantly know that Axiom Verge has aged like a fine wine is how many systems it's been ported to. And while I'd normally say the sequel shows how great the game is, I found the original adventure far surpassed the fun and replayability of its half-baked follow-up.

4 Hollow Knight

Bugs For Everyone

In real life, I hate bugs. I find them disgusting, and swarms of them fill me with dread. Yet when it comes to video games, I really enjoy bugs and insects. It's a weird duality that I can't explain. But that's my long way of explaining that I love Hollow Knight, creepy crawlies and all.

Not only did I back Hollow Knight, but I was very happy to finally play it on my Switch. And it was worth the wait, despite my initial frustration with how it handled the map. This is an incredible Metroidvania with a distinctive art style, and brutally challenging platforming and combat.

Even years later, Hollow Knight is just as entrancing. And if you just got the bad ending, you'll want to buckle down and see the real one, as well as check out the even more challenging DLC content.

3 Demon's Crest

Firebrand's Elegy

Back in the day, Capcom was the publisher for me. As far as I was concerned, they could do no wrong in the SNES era. But despite that, there's one game in their library that most people have never played. It's called Demon's Crest, and it's the last entry in the Gargoyle's Crest trilogy. It's also the best of those games, and a truly memorable Metroidvania.

You play Firebrand, dashed to defeat by the deviousness of Phalanx. Instead of giving up, your rage fuels your quest through a world of demons and monsters. As you explore, you'll find various Crests, which not only empower Firebrand, but also give him new ways to traverse the game. So even though not everyone considers it a Metroidvania, it absolutely is.

Demon's Crest features some really fierce battles and even various endings, which was rare for the SNES. The only reason it's not ranked higher on this list is that the game's balance is a bit rough at points, and the lack of modern features like mini maps make it more challenging. But even with those minor issues, the game's atmosphere and amazing music are reasons I keep returning to this demonic Metroidvania.

2 Super Metroid

One Woman Army

I'm pretty sure that the first example of the Metroidvania genre I ever played was Super Metroid. And yes, it's a classic for a reason. Even though it never got anything like an HD remake that graced games like Samus Returns, it really doesn't need it. Because this isn't just a great Metroidvania, but it's one of the best games ever.

The sense of mystery and dread which permeates Super Metroid is just the tip of the iceberg. The combat is fluid and intuitive, and even though the game doesn't explain anything directly, you'll figure it out. Which is often the hallmark of an amazing adventure. It also introduced me to some villains I rather enjoy, like Ridley.

Honestly, if you haven't already played Super Metroid, you should do so immediately. It holds up well years later, and in some ways it might be better than ever. But even that wasn't enough to stop the game that took the gold.

1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Alucard Ascendent

Even though I still adore Super Metroid, the Metroidvania that made me a diehard fan of the genre was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Not only that, but it encouraged me to do a deep dive into the earlier games of the series, which led to much screaming and controller mashing, but in a fun way.

Put simply, Symphony of the Night made the Castlevania series for me. And while the various sequels have differed in terms of overall greatness, they all provided hours upon hours of fun. As for the game that started it all, it's still stunning. The gorgeous art design combined with the absolute banger of a soundtrack make this my most replayed Metroidvania ever.

While it's true this isn't the most challenging game on this list, especially on subsequent playthroughs, it's still a nearly perfect Metroidvania that I love. It's also a reason I keep my PSP charged up, so I can play it as part of the Dracula X Chronicles. If you somehow haven't gone on an adventure with Alucard already, I would strongly recommend you do so. It blows away most modern Metroidvanias to this day.