The Five Best Games Like Metroid to Play Today, Ranked

We live in a golden age of Metroidvania excess. Once a genre that only saw the occasional offering, these exploratory action games now come so frequently it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all. The sheer variety within the genre can make it tough to find the exact flavor you’re after. Maybe you don’t want so much ‘vania in that Metroidvania? To that end, we’ve put together a list of the five best games like Metroid to play today. No, Hollow Knight won’t be in here. It’s one of the best in the overall genre, but it’s quite different from Metroid in particular. Here are our picks, from the bottom to the top.

The Mummy Demastered

The Mummy Demastered might seem like an odd pick for a list about the best games like Metroid. It is, after all, based on a decidedly non-space themed movie that most people have likely forgotten. The similarity really comes down to the design of the gameplay, which feels like it’s trying to recreate the smooth flow of games like Super Metroid. It has its own quirks, of course. If you die, you’ll start again as a new soldier. If you want your old stuff back, you’ll have to hunt down and kill the zombie of your previous character. The theme itself is also rather distinctive. How many mummy-based games in this genre are there? Since it’s developed by WayForward, you can count on some sweet pixel art, too. You can find this on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

A Robot Named Fight!

As soon as you start playing A Robot Named Fight!, you’ll likely get a very familiar feeling about it all. In terms of look and feel, this game definitely has Metroid on its mind. It has one big twist up its sleeve, though. This is a roguelite take on the Metroid concept, and it works better than one would expect from such a thing. Each time you play, you’re thrown into a different procedurally-generated world. You have to search out power-ups in order to fully explore the map, and there are even secrets to uncover. Since you never know exactly which items you’ll find on a given run, you’ll need to improvise. A good challenge, and lots of fun. It’s currently available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Admittedly, this is a very loose fit for the stated criteria. SteamWorld Dig 2 is in many ways its own thing entirely, building on the small yet sturdy foundations of its predecessor to create something truly amazing. You play as Dorothy as she tries to find her missing uncle Rusty in a massive underground mine. While the loop of gathering resources to purchase upgrades isn’t something found in Metroid, the exploration is right on point. You’ll have to search thoroughly and fend off enemies as you unravel the mystery behind Rusty’s disappearance. SteamWorld Dig 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, and PC.

Environmental Station Alpha

If there’s one game on this list I feel needs more noise made about it, it’s Environmental Station Alpha. This is a great minimalistic take on the Metroid experience from the developer of Baba Is You. Take control of a robot who must explore the titular space station to find out what happened there. Abandoned and full of strange wildlife, the station holds many secrets and dangers to encounter. There’s some really solid action in this game, and it’s not surprising that it has become a favorite of speedrunners over the years. It even has a grappling hook, and no one dislikes grappling hooks. It recently got a substantial update, too. This one is only available on PC.

Axiom Verge

Axiom Verge comes closer to capturing the essence of Metroid than any other game outside of the actual Metroid series. Its strong sci-fi theme, oppressive atmosphere, and well-built feeling of mystery around every corner give off strong NES Metroid vibes in particular. Yet its main gimmick is distinctly its own, granting the game a surprising and fascinating new layer just when you think you’ve got things figured out. The game’s sequel is also very good, but it goes further off in its own direction. Axiom Verge is a must-play for Metroid fans, and is easily the best game like Metroid you can play. You can pick it up on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Let us know what your favorite Metroid-like is in the comments below!