AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 88%· 3.7KIGDB78· 2OC74· 38
Year 2014Dev Over The MoonOn PS4 · Linux · PC
13 Games like Headlander on Nintendo Switch that you should try
Games like Headlander · Find similar →
More about this game →Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.
We filtered the 43 games similar to Headlander down to the 13 that fit the “Nintendo Switch” category. The Fall, Metroid Dread and Teslagrad top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Headlander.
iRank84/ 100
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Within the “Nintendo Switch” category, the closest game to Headlander is The Fall — scoring 86/100 on our similarity scale. Metroid Dread and Teslagrad follow close behind.
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The best games like Headlander on Nintendo Switch
13 similar games foundUpdated May 2026
Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Headlander. Each one has been evaluated across 9 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.
83
iRank86
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloSci-FiExploration2DHardcore
IGDB84· 11OC87· 153
Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 84%· 2.5KIGDB79· 6OC79· 45
Year 2013Dev Rain Games · CIRCLE EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux
✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 94%· 5.1KIGDB76· 5OC75· 47
Year 2019Dev doinksoft · Devolver DigitalOn PC · Xbox · Switch
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping shooter
Released 3 years after Headlander.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals58
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57
Year 2018Dev Joakim Sandberg · Bifrost EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 90%· 6.5KIGDB84· 15OC85· 90
Year 2015Dev Thomas Happ GamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus, setting cyberpunk and visual pixel, while skipping shooter
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Setting71Visuals62
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB75· 9OC76· 118
Year 2020Dev Phobia Game Studio · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · Android
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with horror tension, puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter
Released 4 years after Headlander.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Setting66Visuals51
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D
Steam👍 94%· 11KIGDB81· 8OC82· 45
Year 2013Dev Image & FormOn PS4 · Linux · PC
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore
Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71
Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, roguelike runs and punishing difficulty, while skipping shooter
Released 6 years after Headlander.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeExploration2DNarrative
Steam👍 89%· 407KIGDB90· 4OC91· 121
Year 2025Dev Team CherryOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus and fantasy world, while skipping shooter
Where it drifts furthest from Headlander: setting.
Released 9 years after Headlander.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting0
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeExploration2DCozy
Steam👍 90%· 2.4KIGDB81· 16OC81· 71
Year 2016Dev WayForward · XSEED GamesOn PS4 · PC · PS5
✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, setting anime and fantasy world, while skipping shooter
Where it drifts furthest from Headlander: setting.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting0
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeExploration2DCozy
Steam👍 85%· 2.6KIGDB82· 13OC79· 82
Year 2017Dev Lizardcube · DotEmuOn PS4 · Linux · Android
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, punishing difficulty and fantasy world, while skipping shooter
Where it drifts furthest from Headlander: setting.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting0
AdventureMetroidvania
SoloMeleeExploration2DNarrative
Steam👍 94%· 60KIGDB88· 14OC90· 97
Year 2015Dev Moon Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox · Switch
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter
Where it drifts furthest from Headlander: setting.
Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Progression56Setting0