What is the best game similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?

The closest game to Metroid II: Return of Samus is Ristar, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Metroid II: Return of Samus?

The three closest games to Metroid II: Return of Samus are: 1. Ristar (97/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. Gravity Circuit (97/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Duke Nukem (97/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Metroid II: Return of Samus's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 44 candidates across 6 dimensions.

Is Gravity Circuit similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?

Yes, very much so — Gravity Circuit scores 97/100 similarity to Metroid II: Return of Samus. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?

The best Platformer games similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus are Ristar, Gravity Circuit, Duke Nukem and Jazz Jackrabbit. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Metroid II: Return of Samus attributes like precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Metroid II: Return of Samus calculated?

We compare Metroid II: Return of Samus against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Metroid II: Return of Samus experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

44 Games like Metroid II: Return of Samus that you should try

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Metroid II: Return of Samus is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus in quite the same way. We compared Metroid II: Return of Samus against over 6,700 titles across 6 gameplay attributes and found 44 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Ristar, Gravity Circuit and Duke Nukem lead the list, with Ristar reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Metroid II: Return of Samus special.

iRank67/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Games like Metroid II: Return of Samus

44 similar games foundUpdated June 2026

#1Ristar

iRank100

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleePixel Art

Steam👍 100%· 11

Year 1995Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Tec ToyOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleePixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 3.5KMC89IGDB90· 1OC86· 14

Year 2023Dev Domesticated Ants · Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleePixel Art

Steam👍 88%· 137

Year 1991Dev Apogee SoftwareOn PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB87· 1

Year 1994Dev Epic Games

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, shooter and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: visual pixel

Details →

#5Mega Man X

iRank85

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev CapcomOn iOS

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, shooter and adventure storytelling.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleePost-Apocalyptic

Steam👍 90%· 5.5KIGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, post-apocalyptic world and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam

#7Pinkman

iRank98

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMeleeCasual

Steam👍 98%· 696

Year 2017Dev Viridino StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and melee combat, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB76· 2

Year 1994Dev Shiny Entertainment · Tec Toy

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Details →

#9Mega Man 8

iRank69

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB69· 2

Year 1996Dev Capcom · Ocean SoftwareOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Stands apart with visual pixel, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

#10Jetpack Joyride

iRank67

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB67· 2

Year 2011Dev Halfbrick Studios · BeatshapersOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

#11The Final Station

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleeDark

Steam👍 87%· 9.3KIGDB72· 11OC74· 62

Year 2016Dev Do My Best Games · tinyBuildOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and shooter

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#12Disney's The Jungle Book

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMelee

Steam👍 86%· 14IGDB70· 1

Year 1994Dev Eurocom Entertainment Software · Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd.On PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings melee combat, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG

#13A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda

iRank56

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleeRanged

Steam👍 69%· 911RAWG👍 26%· 42MC68

Year 2011Dev Extend StudioPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with melee combat, ranged combat and crafting mechanics, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DMeleeCozy

Steam👍 83%· 1.1KRAWG👍 62%· 33MC52IGDB60· 1

Year 2010Dev AtariPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#15Out of This World

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

Year 1991Dev Delphine Software · U.S. Gold

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and setting scifi.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Games like Metroid II: Return of Samus

Mega Man X5

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 2

Platformer · Adventure

Mega Man X2

Platformer · shooter

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Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 6

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 5

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 7

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 4

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 3

Platformer · shooter

Super Mario Run

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Land

Platformer

Jurassic Park

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man X8

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man X6

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man X3

Platformer · shooter

Flashback: The Quest for Identity

Platformer · Adventure

Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Platformer · Adventure

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

Platformer

Donkey Kong

Platformer

Hudson's Adventure Island

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's Toy Story

Platformer

Cool Spot

Platformer

Pitfall!

Platformer · Adventure

Donkey Kong Junior

Platformer

Happy Wheels

Platformer · Racing

Donkey Kong

Platformer

Yoshi's Story

Platformer · Adventure

Tiny Toon Adventures

Platformer

Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?: The closest game to Metroid II: Return of Samus is Ristar, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Metroid II: Return of Samus?: The three closest games to Metroid II: Return of Samus are: 1. Ristar (97/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. Gravity Circuit (97/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Duke Nukem (97/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Metroid II: Return of Samus's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 44 candidates across 6 dimensions.
Is Gravity Circuit similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?: Yes, very much so — Gravity Circuit scores 97/100 similarity to Metroid II: Return of Samus. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus?: The best Platformer games similar to Metroid II: Return of Samus are Ristar, Gravity Circuit, Duke Nukem and Jazz Jackrabbit. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Metroid II: Return of Samus attributes like precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Metroid II: Return of Samus calculated?: We compare Metroid II: Return of Samus against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Metroid II: Return of Samus experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.