If it wasn’t for a certain lovely lady in a power suit, the world of action-adventure titles might not be what it is today. Heck, if it wasn’t for titles like Super Metroid, we wouldn’t even have the oh-so-popular Metroidvania genre! But suppose you’ve maxed out your Varia Suit and conquered Zebes and you’re wondering, “What now?”
Fret not, space ace, for there are dozens of planets and worlds out there in need of exploration and run-and-gun action. And they can all be found on the Nintendo Switch. If you have a very intimate relationship with Samus Aran, you should definitely check out these awesome games.
10 The Mummy Demastered
9 Sundered
Do you ever find yourself waist-deep in a Metroidvania title and find yourself saying “Gee, if this game had cosmic horrors and unholy abominations inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, it’d be absolutely perfect!” If this has ever happened to you, consider playing Sundered to satisfy your massive Metroid itch.
Pair the classic Metroidvania-styled gameplay with the rogue-like generated areas and environments, then wash them all in a gorgeous and cartoony hand-drawn art style, and you’ve got this sci-fi/horror action-platformer. For those sci-fi fans who want to tackle an alien menace on their own planet, this one is for you.
8 Dead Cells
Call it an honorable mention, call it strange and unusual, call it an excuse to include a fantasy title on our list, but we had to include the popular Dead Cells on our list of Metroid-inspired titles. If you were to take the explorative elements and immense world of Metroid and pair it with the heavy combat of Castlevania, this intriguing title would be the result of that union.
Dead Cells pulls the player into a hypnotic trance with its action, challenge, and replayability. While it might lack Metroid’s alien world, its influence and sense of exploration is a cornerstone on which this game is built.
7 Steamworld Dig Series
With two games for the price of one, we have to give a spot to the splendidly strange but fantastically fun Steamworld Dig games. Both the original and its sequel have large subterranean worlds to explore, plenty of upgrades to suit your robot character, and a charming setting and art style to keep your attention.
Though the first game is incredible and a must-play for sci-fi/steampunk fans, Steamworld Dig 2 is the diamond in the mine for this list, as it relies much more on Metroid-inspired upgrades and exploration to make it stand out.
6 Iconoclasts
Don’t let the bright colors, geometric designs, and quirky cast of characters fool you. This love-letter to the days of SNES adventuring definitely has more Super Metroid-inspired elements than you might think. With ancient machines, perplexing puzzles, and a gorgeous alien world, Iconoclast is one of the most true-to-form titles on our list.
Iconoclast could easily be a game released in the glory days of the ’90s. Its alien world is saturated in bright colors, but its story is dystopian and tremendously serious at times. This game is a surprisingly deep adventure wrapped in a simplistic design.
5 Gato Roboto
Speaking of simplistic designs, Gato Roboto takes the classic Metroid atmosphere and gameplay but adds a fine sprinkling of absolute absurdity by replacing the powerful Samus Aran with a cute cat in the mech suit. If that idea doesn’t sound too silly for you, then you might want to dive into this unusual adventure.
Cats and mech suits aside, Gato Roboto has all the trimmings and trappings of an early Metroid title, even going the extra mile by including the ability to shift the monochrome palettes to create an original Gameboy feel. It’s cute, it’s quirky, but it’s a classic in the making.
4 Gunvolt Series
Though the Gunvolt games definitely take much more from Mega Man than anything else, there’s no denying that there’s a Metroid feel to the action and gunplay. Though the worlds might not be as massive or dark as Planet Zebes, but the platforming is solid and the designs are distinct and original.
It’s an incredible sci-fi action platformer for those looking for something in the vein of classic NES and SNES titles. If you long for Samus’s blaster and want to take on Mega Man-inspired villains and robots, consider the Gunvolt games is a good place to start.
3 Cave Story+
Cave Story is an interesting entry to the Metroidvania genre, to say the least, and Cave Story+ is the updated version that is perfect for the Switch. The upgrade-based progression, NES-inspired artwork, and exciting gunplay are all callbacks to the early Metroid games, but the subterranean world, story-heavy plot, and endearing characters feel more like something out of Undertale than anything else.
It’s a strange combination of themes and choices, but it works to the game’s benefit. Despite its simple sprites and pixels, the deep world and enticing story keep the player invested, interested, and absorbed into this exciting adventure.
2 Blaster Master Zero
Though this title is essentially a modernized remake of the original Blaster Master, the game is positively dripping with Metroid’s influence and more than enough Metroidvania-styled perks to satisfy any fan of the classic series. You’ll leap across platforms, blast away monsters, and explore an alien world either on foot or behind the wheel of your souped-up tank. That’s right, a tank!
Blaster Master Zero has all the essentials for your standard Metroid game, but sprinkles in some more action and exploration elements to keep things interesting. Aside from the previously mentioned tank, you’ll enter top-down shooter sections on the hunt for maps or weapon upgrades. It’s a brilliant retro-throwback any Metroid fan could get behind.
1 Axiom Verge
We’ve talked a lot about games that are like Metroid on this list. We’ve had games with similar settings, similar designs, similar mechanics, and similar gameplay, but Axiom Verge doesn’t belong in any of those categories. Because this game doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be a Metroid title, it feels like an equal.
Samus Aran would be too much at home in the alien world of Axiom Verge. In fact, we’re wondering why she wasn’t featured as some sort of DLC. With the expansive alien planet, the dark, foreboding atmosphere, and the impressive arsenal of weapons, it’s definitely worthy of being a successor to the iconic series.
NEXT: 5 Indie Games That Exploded This Past Decade (& 5 We’re Still Waiting On Sequels For)
