Best Metroidvania Games in 2025

The Metroidvania genre — named after Metroid and Castlevania — is thriving in 2025. These games combine exploration, backtracking, and ability-gated progression into some of the most satisfying gaming experiences ever. Here are the best.

1. Hollow Knight (PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox)

The gold standard of modern Metroidvanias. Hollow Knight offers 40+ hours of hand-drawn exploration, challenging bosses, and an atmosphere that draws you in completely. Available on Steam, Nintendo eShop, and Amazon.

2. Metroid Dread (Switch)

Nintendo proved 2D Metroid still has it. Dread's EMMI encounters add survival horror tension to the classic formula, and the movement feels incredible.

3. Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox, PC, Switch)

Moon Studios created a visual masterpiece. The platforming is silky smooth, the combat is surprisingly deep, and the story will make you cry. Find it on Xbox Store and Steam.

4. Blasphemous 2 (PC, Switch, PS5)

Dark, gothic, and gorgeous. Blasphemous 2 improves on the original with better combat, more weapon variety, and stunning pixel art.

5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1, PS4, Mobile)

The game that defined the genre. Alucard's exploration of Dracula's castle is still perfect 28 years later. The inverted castle reveal remains gaming's best plot twist.

Honorable Mentions

- **Dead Cells** — Roguelike meets Metroidvania - **Axiom Verge** — Retro-style sci-fi exploration - **Guacamelee!** — Luchador platforming brilliance - **Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night** — Iga's spiritual Castlevania successor - **Rain World** — Brutal survival Metroidvania