Gunstar Heroes

17 Melee games like Gunstar Heroes that you should try

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We filtered the 49 games similar to Gunstar Heroes down to the 17 that fit the “Melee” category. Sonic Forces, Metal Slug 5 and King Arthur's Gold top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Gunstar Heroes.

iRank82/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

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Co-opSolo

Year 1993Dev Treasure

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Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Gunstar Heroes is Sonic Forces — scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. Metal Slug 5 and King Arthur's Gold follow close behind.

#1Sonic Forces92 #2Metal Slug 592 #3King Arthur's Gold89 #4Sonic the Hedgehog 293 #5Sonic Mania92

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The best melee games like Gunstar Heroes

17 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Gunstar Heroes. Each one has been evaluated across 11 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

92

Sonic Forces

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeTacticalSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 59%· 8.5KIGDB57· 11OC56· 95

Year 2017Dev Sonic Team · Sega GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

92

Metal Slug 5

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-opTacticalMelee2D

IGDB50· 1

Year 2003Dev Noise Factory · SNK PlaymoreOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping setting scifi

#3King Arthur's Gold

89

King Arthur's Gold

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opTacticalMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 84%· 5.2KRAWG👍 39%· 78MC81

Year 2013Dev Transhuman DesignPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, combat tactical and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, competitive edge and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

#4Sonic the Hedgehog 2

93

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 86%· 37IGDB90· 2

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

92

Sonic Mania

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, vibe casual and visual third person, while skipping shooter

Steam Epic Xbox

#6Kirby's Dream Land 3

92

Kirby's Dream Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Year 1997Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

91

Metal Slug 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, shooter and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping combat tactical

#8New Super Mario Bros.

91

New Super Mario Bros.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

90

Move or Die

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerOfflineCo-opSoloMelee2D

Steam👍 89%· 23KIGDB80· 1

Year 2016Dev Those Awesome GuysOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, competitive edge and online features, while skipping shooter

Steam PS Nintendo

#10SpeedRunners

90

SpeedRunners

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 37KRAWG👍 76%· 525MC84OC80· 20

Year 2016Dev tinyBuildPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, sports simulation and vibe casual, while skipping shooter

#11Kirby: Squeak Squad

88

Kirby: Squeak Squad

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB65· 2

Year 2006Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

#12Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

88

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

Year 2000Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

#13Metal Slug 2

88

Metal Slug 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, first-person shooting and fantasy world, while skipping combat tactical

#14Rayman Origins

87

Rayman Origins

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

#15TowerFall Ascension

86

TowerFall Ascension

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineMultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 95%· 3.6KRAWG👍 74%· 291MC87IGDB87· 6OC84· 42

Year 2013Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, adventure storytelling and ranged combat, while skipping shooter

Complete list of melee games like Gunstar Heroes

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Gunstar Heroes, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Sonic Lost World

Sonic Lost World

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

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