Near-Perfect Forgotten Metroidvanias

Thanks to the indie community that longed for a new Castlevania or Metroid game around the 2010s, the Metroidvania genre has exploded. There’s something just so satisfying about being dropped into a map and allowed to fully explore and going beyond boundaries after gaining items or powers. Some games even have cool leveling systems.

Hollow Knight will probably be the modern poster child for the genre for years to come, but not every Metroidvania rose to its level of exposure. The Mummy Demastered and Yoku’s Island Express are two examples of Metroidvanias that didn’t get their proper day in the sun. Do they hold up, and what about these other games? Let’s go through them all and discuss their merits.

Aliens: Infestation

Xenomorph Chronicles

• Developer: WayForward Technologies
• Publisher: Sega
• Released: 10/11/11
• Platform: DS

Aliens Infestation is a great Alien game on the DS that never got ported anywhere else. The game’s gimmick revolved around permadeath, as players had control of a small squad of soldiers, and if they died, that was it. However, players could also rescue others to increase their numbers or find gear to make blasting Xenomorphs easier.

Gameplay was pretty straightforward: explore a derelict ship, shoot aliens of all sizes, find upgrades, rescue others, and repeat. It was a simple game, but WayForward, the developer, made good use of the license.

Gato Roboto

Domo Arigato Mr. Gato Roboto

Gato Roboto has to be one of the most adorable Metroidvanias ever made, which starred a cat who got a robotic suit after its master got injured. This suit looked a lot like Samus Aran’s from the Metroid series, complete with a blaster to fight back equally cute enemies.

The suit was not the titular Gato’s only mode of defense, though, as players could commandeer other things like subs to go underwater. Players could also climb out of suits and vehicles to explore as a cat, so overall, cat lovers will appreciate this little gem.

Metroid: Samus Returns

A Poorly Timed Remake

Metroid: Samus Returns was released for the 3DS in 2017, which was a huge deal for several reasons. It was the first game starring Samus Aran since 2010, and the fact that it was a remake of a 1991 Game Boy game, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, was like icing on the cake.

However, the game was released months after the Switch, so not a lot of people paid attention to it, not to mention the fan game, AM2R, ate its lunch just a year prior. Bad timing aside, it is a good Metroid game with solid platforming, great shooting and upgrades, and a cool new counter mechanic.

Monster Tale

Dual Screen Perfection

• Developer: DreamRift
• Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
• Released: 3/22/11
• Platform: DS

Monster Tale was released for the DS in 2011, and since the remake hasn’t shown up yet, the DS version is it. The game didn’t make a huge splash in 20111, but it got a cult following over the years as word spread about it.

This isekai stars a young girl, Ellie, who befriends a monster. On the top screen, players could blast enemies with their magic bracelet, and on the bottom screen, the monster could be cared for, evolved, and it could help out in attacks too. It was a good combo of genres and a very simple Metroidvania for younger audiences to check out.

The Mummy Demastered

Better Than The Movie

The Mummy Demastered is a movie tie-in game, and it was a rare case where the game was rated higher than the movie it was based on, i.e., the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot. It feels like a spiritual successor to Alien Infestation, as players could control a nameless soldier exploring ruins, all while trying to take down the titular mummy.

Plus, WayForward also developed it. If players died, they would restart as a new soldier and would have to kill the previous character to get gear. The Mummy Demastered was a unique concept for a Metroidvania that was enhanced thanks to the great pixel art and solid platforming action.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Two Heroes, One Fate

Muramasa: The Demon Blade started as a Wii exclusive before getting a semi-remaster via the PS Vita port, Muramasa Rebirth. Either version is worth playing, although Muramasa Rebirth is technically better with crispier visuals, a better stock of weapons, and gorgeous artwork.

History aside, the game was divided between two campaigns, each starring a ninja who could wield various swords and fight demons across ancient Japan. Certain blades could break barriers that opened up new areas. The Metroidvania elements were light, but as an action game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade holds up, which is not surprising coming from the developer, Vanillaware.

Shantae: Risky's Revenge

I Whip My Hair Back And Forth

Shantae: Risky's Revenge is the last WayForward game worth mentioning, and the Shantae series as a whole is an original creation for them. Compared to Castlevania, Metroid, and more modern classics like Hollow Knight, Shantae games never get their proper due.

If Metroidvania fans have to play one, Shantae: Risky's Revenge would be it, which was first released on the DS in 2010, but has received MANY ports since. The game starred the titular Shantae, who could whip enemies with her hair, strike them with magic spells, and transform into animals to unlock new areas. Cute, funny, and full of fan service, don’t miss out on this gem any longer.

Timespinner

Dance, Magic Dance

Timespinner is a great example of a Metroidvania with RPG elements, as players can attack enemies and level up. Instead of weapons, players can find orbs that take on various elemental properties or forms to fight enemies, and players can swap between two in combat to create combos.

Summoning familiars is also a big part of combat, so overall, there’s a lot of customization when it comes to gear. Now is as good a time as any to check out this 2018 game since there is a sequel in the works.

Touhou Luna Nights

Room Service

Touhou Luna Nights is one of many Touhou games, which has a long history, but anyone unfamiliar with it won’t get lost in this Metroidvania entry. Players assumed the role of Sakuya, who looked like a typical French maid from an anime cafe, who has the ability to throw knives as her main attack.

While this, and her other specials, set it apart from the usual weapons and attacks of Metroidvanias, what was truly unique was that players could freeze time for several benefits. If players wanted to dodge an attack, they could freeze time, or they could use it to freeze water to cross it like a normal platform, so overall, this ability helped open up the 2D nature of the gameplay.

Yoku’s Island Express

Pinball Loving Bugs

Yoku’s Island Express is another simple and adorable Metroidvania, unlike anything else out there. The game stars a postman bug, Yoku, who has to travel around their new island to deliver mail. Attached to their person is a ball that players can push around and enter into pinball chambers around the island to get around faster.

There certainly aren’t many pinball Metroidvanias out there, but Yoku’s Island Express is more than a gimmick as it’s both a fun Metroidvania and a good pinball game thanks to well-designed levels and controls, and a great art style with chill island vibes.