1. With Switch, You Can Play Metroidvanias Anywhere

Thanks to the Switch’s portable capabilities, playing a Metroidvania isn’t something you have to do while sat in front of your TV.
In the past, the Castlevania series has been one of the best sources of portable Metroidvanias; from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon on Game Boy Advance, to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate on the 3DS. Unfortunately though, the series has yet to make the jump to the Nintendo Switch.

Thankfully, there are enough alternatives available to make the lack of a new Castlevania not much of a worry. The Switch offers plenty of games that promote exploration throughout an interconnected world, filled with plenty of platforming and light RPG elements, so why not give one a try if you’re after a new Metroidvania to sink your teeth into? These really are the best Metroidvanias available right now on Switch.

2. UnEpic

In UnEpic you’re transported to a strange and hostile Castle after simply going for a pee. Playing as Daniel, you find yourself inhabited by a dark spirit, and the only way he can be free of you is if you die. So, can you really trust the spirit when he tells you what lies ahead certainly isn’t a trap?

Filled with humour, UnEpic is a game that will frequently have you chuckling. It’s also packed full of quests to complete and items to acquire, constantly rewarding you for your continued exploration of the castle you’ve found yourself in.

Unfortunately, UnEpic falters a little towards the end, introducing strategy elements that just aren’t all that fun, but it’s still a great journey nonetheless. If you want a Metroidvania to play that really focuses on RPG elements, we strongly suggest you check it out.

3. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

Juan Aguacate was but a humble farmer before the despicable Carlos Calaca attacked his village, kidnapping the president’s daughter and killing Juan in the process. Presented with a powerful luchador mask in the afterlife, however, Juan returns to the land of the living to put things right.

Switching between the lands of the living and the dead plays a big role of Guacamelee!. It changes the layout of the environments, presenting unique platforming challenges, and also enables you to attack enemies skulking in each plane. The highlight of Guacamelee! is undoubtedly the combat though. It’s fast-paced and just so much fun.

One of Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition‘s best features is that it supports local co-op for up to four players. Why not get some friends around and have a laugh if you’ve got enough Switch controllers?
4. The Mummy Demastered

While 2017’s The Mummy disappointed cinema-goers, this video game spin-off developed by WayForward was a very pleasant surprise.

The Mummy Demastered is a Metroidvania with beautifully designed 16-bit visuals. In it, you take control of an unnamed Prodigium soldier, sent in to deal with the evil forces of Princess Ahmanet. And there’s a very good reason why your soldier is unnamed: it’s because they’re expendable.

Dying in The Mummy Demastered has you taking control of yet another soldier. In fact, if you go back to the place where you just died, you’ll find the reanimated corpse of your previous soldier shambling around. Kill them, and you might be able to recover some of your precious goodies.

Patched since launch to make the game a little more manageable, The Mummy Demastered is one of the best Metroidvanias of recent years. As such, it’s definitely worth picking up if you’re a Switch owner after some solid Metroidvania action.
5. Sundered: Eldritch Edition

Sundered: Eldritch Edition is a Metroidvania with Roguelike elements.

As you explore a strange world inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, you’ll encounter hordes of enemies that you’ll have to evade or overcome if you’re to continue your adventure. And if you die, you’ll respawn back at a hub, your next journey slightly different from the last due to some elements of the world being procedurally generated.

Essentially an updated version of the original game, Sundered: Eldritch Edition now also features local co-op for up to four players, as well as additional content and a wealth of other improvements. Needless to say, there’s never been a better time to play it.

For Switch owners looking for a challenging and rather dark Metroidvania experience, Sundered: Eldritch Edition really is a must-have.

6. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

While Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is technically the fourth game in WayForward’s Shantae series, you don’t need to have played any of its predecessors to enjoy its story.

Reintroducing us to Shantae’s world, the Kickstarted Half-Genie Hero treats us to the most sumptuous visuals seen in the series yet, and the gameplay is finely honed too. You’ll be doing plenty of platforming, but you’ll also be whipping enemies with your hair and dealing with formidable bosses.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero‘s Metroidvania aspects come in the form of multiple animals that you’re able to transform into. As you play through the game you’ll gradually unlock four alternative forms, such as the Monkey, which allow you to access new areas.

While you can buy the standard edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, there’s also an ultimate edition which includes all of the game’s DLC and some extras. It’s certainly worth picking up if you want the full experience.
7. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

If you’re up for a challenge, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is the game for you.

It may look like a child’s game, but Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is hard. Enemies are relentless and rather plentiful, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg; it’s the game’s puzzles that will really have you scratching your head.

As you explore a wonderfully varied world, you’ll amass a range of magic spells that will aid you on your quest. You’ll also acquire multiple forms that you can assume, such as a Lion and a Frog, allowing you to access new areas and continue your adventure. There’s plenty of equipment to discover and upgrade, too.

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is likely to make you turn the air blue at times, but you’ll always keep going back for more. There’s just something about it that’s utterly charming. Check it out if you’re a Switch gamer with a lot of patience.
8. Hollow Knight

Presenting you with a vast world and little direction, Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania for you to truly get lost in.

There’s little in the way of story; Hollow Knight is more about atmosphere than narrative. Like Dark Souls or Bloodborne, you’ll encounter few friendly characters on your adventure, but it just makes those meetings more meaningful. Enemies, however, are plentiful.

Initially, Hollow Knight‘s combat may seem rather basic. As you collect Charms and equip them in your limited selection of available slots, however, you’ll discover a great deal of depth. Before you know it, you’ll be customising your equipped Charms frequently to more effectively deal with pesky bosses and arduous enemies.

If you like your Metroidvania experiences to hold your hand a little, you might lose interest in Hollow Knight after a while. If you like being given the freedom to explore, however, you’ll be absolutely enthralled by it.
9. Yoku’s Island Express

Yoku’s Island Express is part pinball, part platformer, and yet all Metroidvania.

Cast as a tiny dung beetle unsurprisingly named Yoku, Yoku’s Island Express has you delivering mail all across Mokumana Island. And of course, it’s not all plain sailing.

With no combat to speak of, the challenge in Yoku’s Island Express comes in the form of its pinball elements. Yoku is attached to a ball much bigger than himself, you see, and making use of flippers and suchlike is the quickest way to get around.

As you make your way through the adventure you’ll acquire new items and skills that allow you to access new areas and make your job a little easier. Every second spent with Yoku’s Island Express is an absolute delight though. It just seeps happiness and fun from every pore. Find the game on the Switch’s eStore if you want to experience the joy that it brings.
10. Salt and Sanctuary

Often described as a 2D Dark Souls, Salt and Sanctuary is a challenging Metroidvania that’s also particularly gloomy.

Finding yourself washed up in a strange location after your ship is wrecked, Salt and Sanctuary requires you to venture into the unknown. You’ll probably want to do so tentatively, though, as you never know lurks around the corner.

Like the Dark Souls series, Salt and Sanctuary‘s bosses are challenging and often epic in scale. Also, if you die, you drop any Salt you’re carrying, a commodity which can be used to level yourself up at Sanctuaries spread across the game’s world.

It can be a little vague at times, and its hostility might put off some players, but if you can stomach it, Salt and Sanctuary is one of the best Metroidvanias available on Switch.

11. Steamworld Dig 2

Unsurprisingly, Steamworld Dig 2 requires you to do a lot of digging. It’s all worth the effort though.

On a quest to find your friend Rusty who’s gone missing, as Dorthy you’ll have to create your own path through unexplored mines. How far you can get on any given journey, however, will be limited by your current abilities.

Collecting valuable items to sell back in town plays a large role in Steamworld Dig 2. As you amass a wealth of riches, you’ll be able to buy new equipment which will allow to dig further, and also make you much more of a sturdier adversary to the enemies you encounter. It’s not all digging and fighting though, as there are puzzles to solve, too. And also plenty of platforming challenges that will truly test your skills.

While the original Steamworld Dig is available on Switch, Steamworld Dig 2 is bigger and better in almost every way. You don’t need to have played the first game to enjoy it, either. So, what are you waiting for? Add Steamworld Dig 2 to your Switch library as soon as you can if you really love Metroidvanias.
12. Axiom Verge

Developed by just one man, Tom Happ, Axiom Verge is one hell of a game.

Taking cues from Metroid itself, this sprawling 2D shooter certainly wears its influences on its sleeve, but it has enough of its own unique features and quirks to make it stand out as a classic in its own right.

Putting you in control of a character called Trace, Axiom Verge tasks you with finding out how exactly you ended up in an alien world. Though your priorities will change as you play.

Its controls are crisp and responsive, making it a pleasure to play, and there are a wealth of weapons for you to acquire and upgrade. Axiom Verge is one of those games that you can lost in for hours, investigating areas you haven’t searched before and trying to find secrets.

Axiom Verge‘s bosses are no doubt the stars of the show though, each being epic in scale and enjoyably challenging. Honestly, Axiom Verge is so good that once you’ve completed it you’ll want to jump right back in on a harder difficulty or in speedrun mode.
13. Guacamelee! 2

You’ve probably already seen Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition on this list, and now here’s its sequel.

Guacamelee! 2 is very much like its predecessor, only better in every way. It looks nicer, plays better, and is a hell of a lot funnier, too. And the original Guacamelee! was a funny game…

Four player co-op makes a return, allowing you to play Guacamelee! 2 with friends for the most riotous Metroidvania experience you can have. Although it’s still an absolute blast when played alone.

Honestly, Guacamelee! 2 might just be the funniest, most enjoyable Metroidvania game available right now. Get it added to your Switch library, pronto!