The Metroidvania genre comes from unusual beginnings, merging the core conceits established in the original Metroid and Castlevania games in 1986. Since then, the genre has grown and evolved, becoming something of a juggernaut today — especially in the indie scene.
18 Best Metroidvania Games Ever Made, Ranked
This list breaks down the best Metroidvania games around, exploring the genre's origins and the titles that celebrate exploration and discovery.