Metroid: Samus Returns

43 Games like Metroid: Samus Returns that you should try

Games like Metroid: Samus Returns · Find similar →

More about this game →

Metroid: Samus Returns is hard to replace: few games combine adventure storytelling, setting scifi and single-player focus in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 7 gameplay attributes and found 43 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid Dread and Iconoclasts lead the list, with Metroid: Zero Mission reaching a 96/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Metroid: Samus Returns special.

iRank85/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Tags

Solo

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development

Stores

Quick answer

The closest game to Metroid: Samus Returns is Metroid: Zero Mission — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. Metroid Dread and Iconoclasts follow close behind.

#1Metroid: Zero Mission96 #2Metroid Dread97 #3Iconoclasts97 #4SteamWorld Dig 296 #5Gato Roboto97

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

Games like Metroid: Samus Returns

43 similar games found

#1Metroid: Zero Mission

96

iRank95

Metroid: Zero Mission

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DOpen World

IGDB95· 2

Year 2004Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: shooter, open world exploration and loot and gear systems

#2Metroid Dread

97

iRank86

Metroid Dread

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DHardcore

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with shooter, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus

97

iRank85

Iconoclasts

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57

Year 2018Dev Joakim Sandberg · Bifrost EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel

#4SteamWorld Dig 2

96

iRank90

SteamWorld Dig 2

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

Steam👍 95%· 8.9KRAWG👍 86%· 433MC88IGDB89· 11OC88· 84

Year 2017Dev Image & FormPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and melee combat

97

iRank85

Gato Roboto

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

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 melee combat

Steam GOG Nintendo

93

iRank99

Berry

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DMeleeCozy

Steam👍 99%· 145

Year 2021Dev Leuns · DegicaPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Web

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping setting scifi

97

iRank82

Teslagrad

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

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

#8Shadow Complex

96

iRank85

Shadow Complex

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DTactical

IGDB85· 4

Year 2009Dev ChAIR Entertainment Group · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, shooter and combat tactical

#9Metroid Fusion

96

iRank85

Metroid Fusion

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

IGDB85· 2

Year 2002Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, melee combat and loot and gear systems

97

iRank81

Gateways

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 250MC72IGDB70· 1

Year 2012Dev Smudged Cat GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design

93

iRank96

qomp

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DMeleeHardcore

Steam👍 96%· 531

Year 2021Dev Stuffed Wombat · AtariPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping setting scifi

95

iRank87

Axiom Verge

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

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, melee combat and setting cyberpunk

Steam Epic Xbox

#13Rogue Legacy 2

94

iRank90

Rogue Legacy 2

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DMeleeHardcore

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 setting scifi

Steam Epic Xbox

97

iRank76

Waking Mars

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DMelee

Steam👍 89%· 1.2KRAWG👍 55%· 66MC79

Year 2012Dev Tiger Style · Tiger Style GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, strong narrative focus and melee combat

94

iRank90

SHEEPO

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DMeleeCasual

Steam👍 97%· 578OC75· 13

Year 2020Dev Kyle Thompson · TBAPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, cozy, relaxing feel and strong narrative focus, while skipping setting scifi

Games like Metroid: Samus Returns

SteamWorld Dig

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

Carrion

Carrion

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Fall

The Fall

Adventure · Metroidvania

Owlboy

Owlboy

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Swapper

The Swapper

Adventure · Metroidvania

Reventure

Reventure

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Messenger

The Messenger

Adventure · Metroidvania

A Castle Full of Cats

A Castle Full of Cats

Adventure · Metroidvania

Little Kitty, Big City

Little Kitty, Big City

Adventure · Metroidvania

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Adventure · Metroidvania

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Metroid: Samus Returns?: The closest game to Metroid: Samus Returns is Metroid: Zero Mission, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Metroid: Samus Returns?: The three closest games to Metroid: Samus Returns are: 1. Metroid: Zero Mission (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Metroid Dread (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Iconoclasts (97/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Metroid: Samus Returns's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 43 candidates across 7 dimensions.
Is Metroid Dread similar to Metroid: Samus Returns?: Yes, very much so — Metroid Dread scores 97/100 similarity to Metroid: Samus Returns. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Metroid: Samus Returns?: The best Adventure games similar to Metroid: Samus Returns are Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid Dread, Iconoclasts and SteamWorld Dig 2. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Metroid: Samus Returns attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.
How is similarity to Metroid: Samus Returns calculated?: We compare Metroid: Samus Returns against every game in our catalog using 7 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: Samus Returns experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.