10 Most Desired Metroidvania Remasters of 2026

Even though I don't always love remasters, some games truly benefit from being brought to the modern era in all their retro glory. Quality of life tweaks, HD graphics, and even new features all make a classic game even better, especially in the case of Metroidvanias.

One great example was how Metroid II: Return of Samus was utterly overhauled in the best of ways in Metroid: Samus Returns, making it a far more approachable adventure. So now that we're in a brand-new year, we came up with a list of some other worthy Metroidvanias that could benefit from the same overhaul.

Though all the same genre, there are some really eclectic indie adventures, one movie turned Metroidvania, a time-traveling quest, and a couple of classic examples of the genre that would still resonate in this modern era. So join us for this list of Metroidvania Remasters we'd love to see in the new year!

10 Aquaria

Big Little Mermaid Energy

Generally speaking, most Metroidvanias take place on solid ground. Since the genre utilizes a lot of jumping, it just makes sense. That is part of what helped an underwater adventure called Aquaria to stand out from the pack.

Not only was Aquaria quite pretty when it came out, but it had you swim around and use the power of song for a variety of purposes, including transformation. Really, the only downside to the game was that there wasn't a lot to do once you beat the main story.

So, bringing Aquaria to PC and modern consoles with a slight facelift and some new content thrown in just makes sense. Because who doesn't want to play a Metroidvania version of The Little Mermaid?

9 Outbuddies DX

Lovecraftian Nightmare

I originally played Outbuddies DX at PAX West, where I was happy to get a first taste of the adventure. I was drawn in by the pixelated art style, rife with horror and dread. It also probably didn't hurt that it was published by a talented team named Headup.

Though many enjoyed the Metroidvania adventure, it received a mixed reaction from fans. Though they loved the vibe, the game's platforming was sometimes frustrating, and the map was hard to parse at a glance.

But if they just fixed those two relatively small issues, this adventure of a lost adventurer tethered to a robotic buddy would be incredible. If nothing else, I'd love to see more successful indie Metroidvania adventures.

8 Metroid Fusion

Looking For that Dread Makeover

Perhaps because it led to Metroid Dread many years later, I really crave a remaster of Metroid Fusion. After all, this was one of the first entries in the series to have a true narrative experience.

Though I thoroughly enjoy Metroid Fusion in its original form, I can't help but think it'd be even better if it looked more like Metroid Fusion. Glossy graphics to better bring the tension and drama of the game to a whole new level.

They wouldn't even necessarily need to add anything new to the game, though I wouldn't lament if they did. After all, there's no Metroid game out there that I wouldn't want to spend more time playing.

7 Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Everybody Dance!

As a wholehearted fanboy of the Shantae series, but especially Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, I have been dreaming of a remaster of the adventure for quite some time. But it makes even more sense in 2026, since WayForward already has a new Shantae adventure in the works.

There's really not much they would even need to do to change the game. I would just love for Shantae and the Pirate's Curse to be as visually stunning as Shantae and the Seven Sirens. Heck, throw in some of those gorgeous animated cutscenes for good measure.

Really, I would love a remaster of this particular game because I feel not every fan of the genre has had a chance to try it. And I really think this is a game that fans of the genre and series owe it to themselves to play.

6 The Mummy Demastered

WayForward in the Pyramids

Even though I was a fan of the Mummy series (more the original movies than the remake), I never could have guessed how much I'd enjoy The Mummy Demastered. It was a great showcase of how well WayForward can make a Metroidvania, even on a smaller scale.

The Mummy Demastered not only does justice to the movie it's based on, but it showcases an amazing 16-bit style that's oozing with details and style. Though a linear experience, there's more than enough to keep you busy as you adventure through tombs and caverns.

What I feel a remaster could bring to the table would be something like a couple more bonus areas to explore, and maybe an optimized runtime on Switch 2. Other than that, this is a very memorable ancient Egyptian Metroidvania.

5 Timespinner

Turn Back the Clock

I was actually one of the folks who helped back Timespinner. While I was happy with the final result from Lunar Ray Games and Chucklefish, I'd be lying if I said I don't think they could improve the time-traveling adventure.

In many ways, Timespinner plays a bit like if Chrono Trigger were a Metroidvania, mixed with a visual style definitely inspired by some classics of the genre. It's pretty and features several different endings to unlock as you jump through time.

All I really want from a remaster would be an overhauled HUD and perhaps something that makes it a bit easier to know how you're progressing in satisfying the many side quests in the game. And if the solo developer had the time, maybe just glossier HD graphics to make this attractive game even prettier.

4 Chasm

Dive into Adventure

I've been a fan of Bit Kid since I demoed Chasm at PAX West what feels like a lifetime ago. And while I've enjoyed the game since then, and beaten it a few times, I do think that it could benefit from a remaster.

I just want a little more from the game, especially something that provides a more satisfying ending to the adventure. And while it's fun to play overall, and has gotten some recent updates, I think a remaster could also help balance the game's progression and combat somewhat.

If nothing else, I feel Chasm is one of the few noteworthy rogue-like examples of the genre. And I really would like it to be the best possible version.

3 Monster Tale

Creature Comforts

Unlike many of the games on this list, I feel most people reading have probably never played Monster Tale. It only got released on the DS, after all. Worse, it was actually supposed to get a remaster a few years back, but that seemed to fizzle out before anything happened.

While Monster Tale was made to work with a second screen, I do feel that a remaster could alleviate the need for that feature. If so, we'd be left with a solid, cute, and fun Metroidvania that features some great monster-raising elements.

Throw in some additional features like side quests and maybe some bonus areas, and it could be a really great modern remaster.

2 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Play that Gothic Music

While it's true that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night inspired a generation of Metroidvanias, I would love to see that game get a modern remaster. And not just so that I could play it on my Switch 2, though that's definitely part of my reasoning.

Though the music in Symphony of the Night and even the combat hold up wonderfully, I do feel it could use an HD facelift. Nothing crazy like 3D models you'd see in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, just some really glossy visual overhauls to better mesh the adventure with the tone.

Not only is this an incredible game, but it plays well even in portable form, as shown in The Dracula X Chronicles. So why not double down and make it one of the most beloved adventures on modern consoles?

1 Demon's Crest

Firebrand's Legacy

I was struggling for a while over whether to give the gold to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or Demon's Crest. I ultimately settled on the latter for the simple reason that, whereas Symphony got more than one version, Demon's Crest has only ever been available as an SNES game or emulation.

Demon's Crest still holds up in terms of how it plays and sounds, with some truly extraordinary music. But it could use HD graphics and a simplified magic system that's easier to understand. Also, I would love a true mini map to help with subsequent exploration of levels for hidden goodies.

This is one of those games that I loved as a child and an adult, and I'd love an excuse to play it all over again. Here's hoping one day Capcom decides to free Firebrand from the SNES era.