The best Metroidvania games to start with are Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hollow Knight if you want a deep, challenging world, Metroid Dread if you play on Switch, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps if you want something gorgeous and more forgiving. Fans of classic Castlevania should go straight to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.
A Metroidvania is a side-scrolling action game set in one large, connected map. You find new abilities, like a double jump or a dash, and use them to reach areas that were blocked before. The name comes from the two series that defined the style: Metroid and Castlevania. Below are eight picks for different tastes and platforms.
How we chose these Metroidvania games
We looked at four things: how well the map rewards exploration, how good the movement and combat feel, how easy it is to get the game on current platforms, and how friendly it is to newcomers. Platforms listed below come from each game's official store pages, checked in October 2026.
The best Metroidvania games to play
1. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Team Cherry's sequel arrived on September 4, 2025, on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles. You play as Hornet, who is faster and more acrobatic than the original knight, in a new kingdom full of quests and tough bosses. It is the best modern example of the genre, but expect a real challenge. The Steam page lists it for Windows, Mac and Linux too.
2. Hollow Knight
The 2017 original is still one of the most loved games in the genre, with a huge, mysterious underground kingdom and precise combat. It is cheaper than the sequel and available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch, which makes it the natural first step before Silksong.
3. Metroid Dread
Nintendo and MercurySteam's 2021 entry is the most polished modern Metroid. It is fast, sharp and full of tense chase sections with the E.M.M.I. robots. It is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so it is the top pick if that is your main console.
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Moon Studios' 2020 sequel is famous for its art, music and smooth platforming. Combat is lighter than in Hollow Knight, which makes it a great entry point. It is available on PC, Xbox and Switch.
5. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Made by ArtPlay and led by Koji Igarashi, the producer behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, this 2019 game is the closest thing to a classic "Igavania": a gothic castle, RPG stats, loot and hundreds of items to collect. It is on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch.
6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Ubisoft Montpellier's 2024 game mixes fluid, combo-heavy combat with smart time-based puzzles and a big interconnected citadel. It also has helpful accessibility and guidance options, which makes it a great choice for players new to the genre.
7. Dead Cells
Motion Twin's hit is a "roguevania": runs reset when you die, but you keep unlocking new weapons and paths. Its Return to Castlevania DLC adds Richter, Alucard and Dracula's castle. The same studios co-developed Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, which says a lot about their pedigree.
8. Castlevania classics and Belmont's Curse
For the roots of the genre, the Castlevania Advance Collection includes Aria of Sorrow, and the Castlevania Dominus Collection brings the three Nintendo DS games together. The newest entry, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, launches on October 15, 2026; see our coverage of its reviews, release time and price.
Which Metroidvania should you play first?
New to the genre: Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Want a big challenge: Hollow Knight, then Silksong. Castlevania fan: Bloodstained, then the Castlevania collections. Short sessions: Dead Cells, since each run is self-contained. Switch owners: Metroid Dread first.
Common mistakes new players make
Do not ignore the map. Most of these games reward you for marking locked doors and odd walls, since you will come back with new abilities. Do not grind against a boss you cannot beat; exploring elsewhere often unlocks an upgrade that makes the fight easier. Finally, do not rush to 100% completion on your first run if it stops being fun.
FAQ
What does Metroidvania mean?
It describes games with one connected world where new abilities open new paths, named after Metroid and Castlevania.
What is the easiest Metroidvania for beginners?
Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown are the most approachable picks on this list. Hollow Knight and Silksong are the hardest.
Is Hollow Knight: Silksong worth it if I never played Hollow Knight?
Yes. The story stands on its own, but the original is a cheaper way to see if you enjoy the style first. For more ideas, see our list of the best co-op games to play with friends.
