23 Best Metroidvania Games on Nintendo Switch

1:33 Cave Story+ 2:11 Gato Roboto 2:58 Shantae: Half-Genie Hero 3:40 Shantae And The Seven Sirens 4:03 SteamWorld Dig 2 4:43 The Messenger 5:19 Ori And The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition 6:00 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps 6:40 Yoku's Island Express 7:12 Blaster Master Zero 7:52 Alwa's Legacy 8:18 Timespinner 8:42 Hollow Knight 9:24 La-mulana 2 9:58 Guacamelee! 2 10:29 Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom 11:07 Blasphemous 11:46 Dead Cells 12:17 Iconoclasts 12:46 The Mummy Demastered 13:25 Owlboy 13:50 Carrion 14:28 Minoria 14:52 Axiom Verge

[@asadavis9532]

Hero shit

[@narf1070]

Thank you sir, I JUST came back to add some of these to my wishlist.

[@KirPinkFury]

Thanks.

[@Deckers6420]

please sticky

[@supadrew932]

Thanks

[@eamk887]

Ori and the Will of the Wisps was my first ever Metroidvania, and I instantly fell in love with the genre. Thanks for making this video!

[@epicwolves125]

You should play the first game too! It’s got bad combat tho

[@eamk887]

@@epicwolves125 Yeah, I started the first one right after finishing the second. I thought it was pretty great, but not as good as Will of the Wisps.

[@Evenmoresteven]

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is great. If you liked that, try Hollow Knight. There are so many things that the devs used for Ori that came directly from Hollow Knight.

[@gdawgs101]

@@Evenmoresteven If I've played neither of them which one should I start with?

[@zer0legend109]

Welcome to the family This list is great and all but it has some niche picks (as someone who has played a ton of metroidvanias those niche picks are actually the ones I'm looking for) but u can play whatever u like in the genre. hollow knight is where I would recommend any newcomer to start with if u haven't played it yet, it's one of the longest metroidvanias if not the longest, so u can indulge urself into the vast world it offers and it will tighten ur love for the genre.

[@broganryan-byrne679]

Hollow Knight is king, a game everyone needs to experience. The soundtrack is some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

[@Arnold_Schwarzenegger9059]

I'm gonna buy it. Hopefully you're right

[@BenSKG]

... fingers crossed for silksong soon!

[@AintItJay187]

I just started it back up last night. I didnt go to bed until about 3.

[@DrMadMJ]

Hollow Knight is really awesome! The only game, that comes close imo, is Salt and Sanctuary

[@Droogie128]

I prefer Ori, but they're both masterpieces

[@k1rbyguy]

If you've played a lot of 2D Metroid, then you'll probably love Axiom Verge. My favorite thing about the game is that it'll do that thing where you can't go a certain direction because you can't crawl through a small space, and you think to yourself, "Oh, I need the morph ball equivalent," but the game never gives you a morph ball. Most of the times when you know how Samus would get through an obstacle, Axiom Verge subverts your expectations and gives you a completely different power to do the job. It seems intentionally designed to surprise Super Metroid fans, and I love it.

[@nicklovett]

For a moment I thought he was going to call Cuphead a Metroidvania.

[@Tgc_Dave]

I was already furiously typing a comment 🤣

[@nicklovett]

@@Tgc_Dave same 😂 that’s why I made this comment instead.

[@Hesketh32]

I ran to the comment section as soon as I saw it lol

[@alurimel]

I WISH

[@zer0legend109]

Well he called dead cells a metroidvania, it's not even surprising for me anymore, I find it in many metroidvania lists and they argue that it has metroidvania elements while forgetting to put other great pure metroidvanias and not just with elements

[@LuisGustavoSodre13]

"I always get lost but I love it"

[@Terranigma23]

Exactly, that's why I love metroidvania game lol.

[@winds1of1fury1]

Fun fact: Milton Guasti, the creator of AM2R, which was a fan-made remake of Metroid 2 that was infamously shut down by Nintendo, was picked up by Moon Studios (Ori developer) to work as a level designer for Will of the Wisps.

[@tehpunisher4568]

Ohhhh so they picked him up... incredible!! I remember hearing he got picked up by some good studio didn't realize it was them

[@ericc.petrie7572]

I’m a little surprised non of the three Bloodstained games were mentioned. They’re literally Castlevania games with a different name.

[@I-Am-Error]

Well given that the Curse of the Moon games are amazing, they aren't Metroidvainia and with Ritual of the Night not being the best Switch port I can understand. Great games though

[@jimobrien84]

@@I-Am-Error ritual of the night was patched to the point that it runs great. It’s better than about 20 of the games on this list

[@loic7867]

Right? And he put shantae instead??? like wtf???

[@loic7867]

@@I-Am-Error Well they are more metroidvania than shantae at least

[@thejamesthird]

You've followed me from the NVC forums lol

[@San72390]

Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Hollow Knight are can't miss games for the Switch. So damn good!

[@kdkseven]

The Switch needs a Castlevania GBA Trilogy Collection *and* a Castlevania DS Trilogy Collection! And i wouldn't complain about a Metroid 2D Collection with Super Metroid, Fusion and Zero Mission either.

[@hectoremilio1]

I agree

[@tacho200]

where can i sign?

[@l.n.3372]

Agree 100% I'd also buy Rondo of Blood + Symphony of the Night combo pack as well.

[@kdkseven]

@@l.n.3372 Rondo is the only reason i'm holding on to my PS4 haha.

[@l.n.3372]

@@kdkseven Wise haha. But I've never owned any Xbox or PS. Hence I really need SotN available on Switch plz and thx

[@carlossolorzano8530]

Hollow Knight is hands down my favorite game on Switch, I've played like 30+ different games including a lot of AAA titles but the charm and beauty Hollow Knight has is so special to me!!

[@Evenmoresteven]

@@the-weirdist dude, why are you trashing everyone’s Hollow Knight posts. Do you really not have anything better to do?

[@xa5785]

@@the-weirdist ok loser

[@cloudy772]

I’ve probably played like 100 games by this point but hollow knight is still my favorite!

[@FingolfinEladar]

@@the-weirdist GIT GUD!

[@tyzilla358]

Hollow Knight is the new king on the throne......it is the new standard. To refer to it as a metroidvania is disrespectful in my opinion......

[@EC_ATV_Outdoors]

Why can't we just have Metroid or Castlevania on the switch already 🙄

[@DoORDieLP]

Castlevania is on Switch

[@EC_ATV_Outdoors]

@@DoORDieLP I'm talking new ones. There is no excuse for the switch being this old and no Metroid. Yeah they had to start over, but where is a prime HD, or a Metroid remake like 2 got on the 3ds, which was right when the switch released. Nothing.

[@AllieRX]

You're never gonna see another new Castlevania again as long as Konami is still Pachinkonami. Just play the Bloodstained series. There's still hope for Metroid though. We got Samus Returns in 2017 and Metroid Prime 4 is in development.

[@trenken]

Bloodstained

[@l.n.3372]

@@EC_ATV_Outdoors They definitely should have made Samus Returns a dual port. They did for Fire Emblem Warriors where it debut on New 3DS and the Switch simultaneously. Not sure why they didn't take the same chance on a Switch port of Samus Returns too.

[@NintenDopeman]

Almost perfect list. I would switch Half-Genie Hero out for Pirate's Curse. It's less linear and the soundtrack is a BANGER.

[@phipy1823]

both soundtracks are great but i still would switch them just because Pirate's curse is a more different experience than Seven Sirens - still love all 3 though

[@loic7867]

I don't even consider the Shantae series as metroidvania. Even worst is to put Cuphead in this list... Like Cuphead???? How is it even close to be a metroidvania???

[@adamgardner9374]

Loïc Sprutta he didn't put Cuphead on the list, pay more attention next time. The only reason he mentioned Cuphead is because, like Ori, it's a Microsoft-published game that was supposed to be an XBox exclusive but which eventually came to the Switch anyway.

[@vitaspieler469]

Pirate's Curse is far and away the best Shantae game.

[@ericksuarez4232]

old gg play The Seven Sirens and you’ll see the connection

[@jbeannn27]

Ender Lillies is my fav Metroidvania game. The gameplay is badass yet beautiful. And the story is super dark. Absolutely love the game

[@samuelchallis3420]

*sees Hollow Knight halfway through the video: WHAT THE F-?! Oh wait it’s not a ranking list

[@bobbydazzler329]

Hollow Knight and Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom are my favorite

[@WaterMusic34]

Same here

[@TipTut]

The Mummy: Demastered has no right being as good as it is.

[@HighFiveGhost50]

Mindseize is a lot like The Mummy, but a bit better.

[@dreddbolt]

I've beaten Axiom Verge and I'm pretty much standing right outside the final boss room for Alwa's Awakening. I highly recommend both.

[@benhmedia]

Always makes me happy to see Cave Story getting some love. I feel like it’s been forgotten in recent years.

[@NintendoMusicChannel]

thats some brian david gilbert energy right there list starts at 1:30 btw

[@nintendolife]

I can die happy now

[@Ronald_Ruck]

I can also recommend A Robot Named Fight. It has a cool rougelike mechanic, great retro visuals and a good soundtrack. A playthrough does not take that long but that was also the reason I could not put it down just to get better and faster. It was a dollar on sale and I liked it so much that I donated some more money to the person who made it.

[@MigueUgartechea]

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the best game I've played this year. Depending on how Age of Calamity turns out, Ori will easily be GotY for me

[@fan.of.nintendo]

What are your thoughts today?

[@MigueUgartechea]

@@fan.of.nintendo I loved Age of Calamity, but I might still prefer Ori

[@davidcastanheira4361]

@@MigueUgartechea play hades

[@DanielMazahreh]

Age of Calamity is certainly not Game of the Year quality material. If I had to choose between the two, Ori.

[@yourfun5526]

I'm in love with the game, it's beautiful and worth it.

[@fullriver1234]

Dandara is a super underrated metroidvania. Shame it wasn’t on this list

[@michaeledes1111]

Ugh it drives me nuts that Dead Cells and Blasphemous get so much love when Salt & Sanctuary is the TRUE 2D Soulsborne heir. Not that they are bad, but S&S is just as good as any souls game IMO. I have the physical copy and it's just amazing. And it definitely counts as a Metroidvania.

[@Gh0zt421]

Soon, all five Shantae games will be available on Switch ! What a treat !

[@AidanRatnage]

The Messenger is on my top 5 games of all time, highly recommend, quite cheap too!

[@ShaneStoneOfficial]

When Metroid Dread and SilkSong come out... My life will be complete

[@r_apt_ure]

I love Metroidvanias and have every one of these. Seen you mentioned Minoria but missed Momodora, also another cat Metroidvania I think goes under the radar is Hunters Legacy. Great video.

[@animefan22able]

I don’t see anyone talk about Rabi Ribi. It’s a fantastic metroidvania with a bullet hell twist.

[@jaxxh6529]

I just sed that vigil: the longest night, 3000th duel, rabi-ribi

[@bramvalkenburg5655]

I know this are the games on the switch but I am playing those games on the PC but who cares right? Ori and the blind forest is wonderful as is Hollow Knight. I am 4 hours into hollow knight and done with Ori (22 hours in) and the experience is great, both of them! Ori is quite emotional as well.

[@johanandersson8646]

Kunai, Wuppo, Forma 8, Out buddies, Ghost 1.0 and Shinsekai deserves to be on this list

[@highway2998]

Good list, but I also gotta recommend Ender Lillies, it’s phenomenal combat and beautiful music are alone enough to make me love it.

[@Animaniafreak]

Excellent list! Thank you, adding them to my list to play. The ones I've completed and therefore can vouch for: Hollow Knight, Ori series, SteamWorld Dig series, Blasphemous, Dead Cells, Axiom Verge.

[@greenheart5334]

Try Cathedral if you are veteran. Great but pain in the ass game.

[@r_apt_ure]

I have all these games and every one is a good to great Metroidvania. Hunters Legacy is a good one as well as Momodora.

[@galenburnett9791]

You’re super entertaining Zion. So glad you’re part of the NL team!

[@aynsliee95]

The Messanger, both Ori games, Hollow Knight have all become a favourite 😍

[@carterjamba3273]

Of this list, I’d like to draw more attention to Axiom Verge and the Messenger. They are both stellar games for different reasons.

[@gabrielazurda4086]

The first Guacamelee (now coined as Super Turbo Championship Edition) is also on Switch and trully worth it.

[@CitrusArchitect]

Dude Steamworld Dig 2 is fan FREAKIN tastic. It's the only indie games I've played all the way through 3X.

[@Tonythomas8410]

One game I thoroughly enjoyed buying that is metroidvania with some rogue like elements is Chasm, pretty damn smooth title

[@krisnyc9134]

Every 2D Sprite work is "some of the best we've ever seen"

[@loic7867]

I'm realy surprised no one is talking about Axiom Verge in the comments yet so many are saying there is no Metroid experience on the switch... Axiom Verge is there and it's VERY GOOD, my personal favorite of all time, and there is a sequel coming out too! Also this game goes deep... like DEEP, relay realy deep

[@KT1459]

I'm not kidding, yesterday I was just searching for a video EXACTLY like this. Thanks man!

[@TrevorFlorence]

Zion. I want to teach you to tie your tie :)

[@alexvaillant4701]

@@the-weirdist haha funney, why don’t you go in front of the camera?

[@naydra199]

@@alexvaillant4701 cuz he’s a fool

[@cloudy772]

I can’t believe you didn’t say Dandara!! In my opinion this is one of the best metroidvanias out there (especially after the recent free DLC)

[@loic7867]

Yes, and yet he put cuphead which is absolutely not a metroidvania at all.

[@cloudy772]

@@loic7867 He didn’t put cuphead lol but he did put dead cells which is only a metroidvania for like 5% of the game

[@AlphaLoaf]

Thanks for this, Zion! I recently got Ori and The Blind Forest as I’m trying out new genres, and I’m in love with it. I’ll definitely get Will of the Wisps afterwards, and might get Hollow Knight later too.

[@MigueUgartechea]

Those 3 games are masterpieces of this genre alongside Super Metroid obviously. You will not be disappointed

[@AlphaLoaf]

@@MigueUgartechea i would love to play pme of the classics (as well as Castlevania) but the Switch is the only Nintendo console I own and afaik it’s unavailable there. Would definitely check it out if it gets released for the Swich tho!

[@gdawgs101]

@@AlphaLoaf Metroid 1 and Super Metroid are both available on the switch if you have a Nintendo online subscription

[@dylanware2193]

Enjoy your time. The Ori games are truly amazing. Honestly some of my favorite of all time.

[@AlphaLoaf]

@@gdawgs101 wait what?! I have a subscription and i might have missed it. Thanks for the info! I really thought it isn’t available or that I have to buy a 3DS (?) or something

[@dugtrioramen]

Waiting for silksong to topple the entire list

[@FingolfinEladar]

I'd like to suggest also Shantae Risky's Revenge (old but recently come out on Switch) and Shantae and the pirate's curse, especially the latter. I suggest also to play Wonder Boy 3: dragon's trap, the remake of the original dragon's trap. And I remind you that there is a couple of the original Metroid available of the Online and that Wonder Boy in Monster World is one of the games contained in Sega Mega Drive classics. For what concerns the list of the video, the only one I played but I could not get into is La-Mulana (but the first one): too articially difficult! I have played Hollow Knight, so I don't consider myself a complete noob in the genre, but in La-Mulana the bosses attack you without doing any move, it is impossible to predict the attack! In fact I can't beat the boss battle in which you are on the cart and the monster is running behind you, because it accelerates without any possible forewarning! I can't attack it without being attacked in turn (and it hurts). I don't know, too frustrating.

[@lokeys-jacewhitemusic1479]

I like the new format lol I wanna see more videos like this one.

[@lucaslease4571]

Outstanding video! Many of these games are on my list of all-time favorites. Great job!

[@disneyvillainsfan1666]

I can't wait for Metroid Prime 4 to finally be available.

[@epicwolves125]

Stay waiting

[@kdkseven]

@@the-weirdist you're in a very small minority.

[@kdkseven]

@@epicwolves125 nah, it's coming. My guess is next year. First half of 2022 at the latest.

[@kdkseven]

Metroid Prime Trilogy to get us revved up, then Metroid Prime 4! It's been my most anticipated game for *years* .

[@tarrker]

The only thing fresh or new about the Metroidvania genre is it actually having a name that everyone recognizes. Incidentally, if you love the genre and want something old and vastly over looked, check out a game called Guardian Legend for the original NES. You're not likely to find it outside of PC emulation but, the game is pure gold.

[@scuppo]

I might actually get a switch OLED just to play the new Metroid

[@AngelIsThis]

A sleeper that wasn’t on the list was ‘3000th Duel’ a real diamond in the rough, it’s on sale for $8 right now and it’s awesome, go grab it!

[@randerins]

I feel so fucking lucky for owning a Switch Lite while I wait for a PS5 to be available

[@happyspaceinvader508]

I don’t think I’ve ever added so many games to the shop wish list in one sitting!

[@andrewuk2781]

Yoku's Island Express is a phenomenal game!

[@blackjacksetzer7748]

2:50 had to give a like just for that

[@surestrange]

Hollow Knight, the Ori games, Salt and Sanctuary, Blaphemous, Bloodstained, and Death’s Gambit Afterlife are my favorites. All really good. Metroid Dread too I forgot to mention

[@nmasjr]

Another one I liked a lot is Super Mombo Quest, had a lot of fun playing it!

[@baddragonite]

I'd also Suggest the Mega man Zero/ZX collection.

[@patricioart4301]

I definitely recommend Dandara. Awesome movement to master and a great metroidvania overall. It goes on sale every so often.

[@epicwolves125]

I just 100% Ori and the Will of the Wisps on Xbox game pass, it’s the best indie game ever

[@gdawgs101]

@@the-weirdist Must be hard being a fat, ugly troll with a weird beard

[@Terranigma23]

Hollow Knight, Ori 1&2, Iconoclasts, Cave Story, Monster Boy Cursed Kingdom, Guacamelee 1&2. 😁

[@FingolfinEladar]

Hollow Knight and Ori are masterpieces of the genre, but Monster Boy was an amazing surprise! Secrets everywhere, very intriguing enigmas, how it links with the Wonder Boy saga: wonderful! I also really like Guacamelee art style, and I can't wait to play Iconoclasts when it will be its turn in my list!

[@JayEm1325]

Have to mention Salt and Sanctuary too, that game is fantastic

[@robballer]

Hollow Knight and The Messenger hands down best of the best!!

[@brentendo2422]

Another good one is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Which is made by Iga, one of the pioneers of metroidvania.

[@nickalleye]

Great game, but Switch port sucks :(

[@torrb420]

Play ot on other hardware. While a phenomenal game, its hot garbage on the switch.

[@l.n.3372]

Switch port isn't bad guys. Play on Steam if you prefer for sure. But the port isn't bad anymore.

[@cyberfennek]

Castlevania circle of the moon on Switch in full screen and i am happy :)

[@justinianthenocturne]

Timespinner was AWESOME, from start to finish, and then through again!!! Also Iconoclasts! Both are two of my favorites on switch!!!

[@beaujarvis9510]

I just ordered a switch and I am really interested in the Ori series. As a new gamer to the switch, should I get the blind forest, or will of the wisps? Or one before the other? Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.

[@s.tnguyen4468]

You really don't need to play blind forest before will of the wisps but I highly recommend you playing it in order! They're both amazing games worth every penny 👍

[@l.n.3372]

I'd recommend playing them in order tbh. Ori 1 is also a masterpiece so no reason to skip it before playing the sequel.

[@pellaeon1877]

Awesome list, thanks Zion!

[@conorl1894]

The lack of Bloodstained on this list kills its credibility straight away. One of the best games ever made

[@michaelb4419]

This was a great video and a great list. Can we have a Metroidvania with Zion as the main character?

[@miud2201]

i literally don’t know what metrivebia is but it sounds cool so

[@karlovuk]

While a fantastic game, Dead Cells is in no way metroidvania. There is no backtracking and next to no progress keeping. Every restart is with 1-1-1 stats.

[@LiatKolink]

I am ready to be disappointed to not see Dust: An Elysian Tail or Guacamelee in this list. So Guacamelee was listed. I'm half pleased.

[@kameronjohnson8687]

Yeah pretty sad dust didn't make it, the game is great, I'm going for a 100% run at some point as I've never actually when for fully completing it

[@cloudy772]

I can’t believe he didn’t mention Dandara

[@kameronjohnson8687]

@@cloudy772 i unsubed to NL, them not mentioning great titles and with a lot of their reviews only showing very early gameplay, its screams content farm

[@gdawgs101]

@@kameronjohnson8687 You unsubbed because they didn't mention a game you like? Lmao what are you 12?

[@kameronjohnson8687]

@@gdawgs101 really "lmao", language like that makes YOU sound like you're 12, go the hell to bed kid

[@boomboxmartian]

Dead Cells is absolutely amazing. Just trying it now for the first time and im hooked. Has me looking for more titles like it.

[@SynthatronPrime]

Great job. You showcased some awesome games!

[@James-gj8rn]

I love the Ori games

[@spunkyfidget70]

This video has shown me that I play a lot of Metroidvanias

[@mrt.7146]

Playing Will of the Wisps - should be impossible but is even better than The Blind Forest .... masterpieces indeed!

[@Heartless-Sage]

What no Salt and Sanctuary? For shame.

[@nintendokings]

Wonder Boy the Dragon’s Trap is one of my favourites

[@lancejohnson3278]

Could probably just be a "Top 10" with some honorable mentions, some of these are a bit out there, but good exposure for all the games regardless

[@SierenH]

I want to play both ori games and Shantae games. Also yokus island Express. That looks cute. And momter boy and dead cells

[@luisdireito]

What about Trine? Trine 2 and especially Trine 4 are superb metroidvania games, not to mention they're visually stunning.

[@Bedjita87]

I love Metroidvanias, Hollow knight, Hades. Shud i get the Ori game's ?. Alsow Is it worth picking up Bloodstaind: Ritual of The Night on the Switch ?

[@elfsong713]

I love Steamworld Dig 2, Ori, and Monster Boy and dang they need to make a Monster Girl next!

[@griffonsarcade]

it's silly calling the switch port of Cave Story a must-have when it sells for absurd collector prices

[@symphony86]

Thanks man.. ive been playing only rpg games all this time im getting tired of it.. been wondering why games no longer fun.. with busy schedule i can only play like 1 hour everyday it took forever to finish i start losing interest to finish anything.. then i pick up hollow knight and oh my god.. its awesome.. this is the kind of game i played back when i was a child.. and it fit perfectly to my daily schedule.. cant wait to try some other suggestions here

[@Spoogitywoogums]

I love Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, Axiom Verge and Ori. But there's one game I hope makes it to switch and it's Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight. I saw Minoria on this list and was instantly reminded of it

[@johanandersson8646]

It's on Switch. Atleast in europe.

[@johanandersson8646]

Same developer so no wonder U got reminded

[@Spoogitywoogums]

@@johanandersson8646 ahhh neato! Honestly didn't know but shoulda guessed from the art style

[@glitchy3428]

I remember playing Cave Story on the Wii, it was a demo on the store and it was fun

[@Nintendoguy-vn6tg]

I am playing f.i.s.t right now a GameStop employee talked me into getting it and I must admit it's good 😊

[@marcinrogalski5847]

What do you think about Tamashii? I'm curious about that.

[@ScrappySlowbro]

Why is Rain World not on this list, the game is amazing and is my favorite metriodvania and game ever

[@rahnyc4]

crazy i got all these games between Switch and PC.

[@cabeto876]

Bloodstained 1 and 2, Cyber Shadow, Shovel Knight

[@mikaelasllc7473]

i know this is late but HE LOOKS really ATTRACTIVE WITH GLASSES ON

[@nickgonzales4674]

I'm shocked Mindseize isn't here. I'm about half way through the game(I think) and its fantastic. Hidden gem in my book.

[@FoxySpartan117]

Hello past. I'd like to say a very happy Metroid Dread.

[@clayhamilton3551]

0:53 you played through a smash match just to get that clip didn't you?