10 Best Metroidvania Games in 2026: Sales, Reviews, and Rankings

AI Summary

• Hollow Knight has sold over 15 million units, making it the best-selling metroidvania of all time
• Hollow Knight: Silksong sold 4.2 million copies, proving the genre’s commercial viability
• The metroidvania market is projected to grow from $1.2 billion to $4.2 billion by 2033
• Metroid Dread sold over 3 million units, bringing AAA production to the genre
• Top metroidvania games range from $14.99 to $59.99, with most offering 20-40 hours of gameplay

Hollow Knight sold 15 million copies. That number changed how the industry views metroidvania games. What was once a niche genre now generates billions in revenue. This guide ranks the 10 best metroidvania games in 2026 based on sales, reviews, and what makes each one worth playing.

Rank	Game	Sales	Price	Platform
1	Hollow Knight	15M+	$14.99	Multi
2	Hollow Knight: Silksong	4.2M+	$14.99	Multi
3	Metroid Dread	3M+	$59.99	Switch
4	Dead Cells	10M+	$24.99	Multi
5	Ori and the Will of the Wisps	5M+	$29.99	Multi
6	Blasphemous 2	N/A	$24.99	Multi
7	Axiom Verge 2	N/A	$19.99	Multi
8	Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown	N/A	$49.99	Multi
9	Animal Well	N/A	$24.99	Multi
10	Metroid Prime 4: Beyond	Pre-orders high	$59.99	Switch

Sources: Wikipedia: Roguelike | Steam: Roguelike Category | IGN: Best Roguelikes | Metacritic: Slay the Spire 2

1. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight has sold over 15 million units across all platforms. This indie metroidvania set the standard for the genre. The hand-drawn art and atmospheric world design are unmatched.

You explore Hallownest, a vast underground kingdom. The combat is tight and rewarding. Boss fights require pattern recognition and patience. The lore unfolds through exploration and item descriptions.

Downsides: The difficulty can be frustrating for casual players. Some areas are confusing to navigate without a guide. The game does not explain its mechanics well.

2. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong sold 4.2 million copies after years of anticipation. You play as Hornet, exploring a new kingdom above Hallownest. The movement system is faster and more fluid than the original.

The new kingdom, Pharloom, is larger and more varied. Enemies have more complex attack patterns. The silk abilities add vertical gameplay options.

Downsides: The difficulty is even higher than the original. Some players feel the map is too large. The story is less emotionally impactful than Hollow Knight.

3. Metroid Dread

Metroid Dread sold over 3 million units on Nintendo Switch. This AAA metroidvania brought the franchise back after 19 years. The EMMI sections create intense chase sequences.

The controls are the tightest in the series. Samus moves faster and more fluidly than ever. The counter system adds risk-reward to combat.

Downsides: The $59.99 price is high for a 10-12 hour game. The EMMI sections can feel unfair. The story is predictable for long-time fans.

4. Dead Cells

Dead Cells has sold over 10 million copies. This roguelite metroidvania combines procedural generation with tight action combat. Each run feels different because of the randomized weapons and skills.

The combat is fast and responsive. Weapons have distinct feels and combo potential. The unlock system gives you permanent progress between runs.

Downsides: The roguelite structure means you lose progress on death. Some weapons are clearly better than others. The difficulty spike in later biomes is steep.

5. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps has sold over 5 million units. This sequel improves on the original in every way. The art direction and animation are best in class.

The movement system is fluid and expressive. Combat options are more varied than the first game. The emotional story will make you cry.

Downsides: The game is relatively short at 10-12 hours. Some platforming sections are frustrating. The boss fights are not as challenging as other metroidvanias.

6. Blasphemous 2

Blasphemous 2 builds on the original’s dark religious themes. The pixel art is gorgeous and disturbing. The combat is weighty and deliberate.

The world design encourages exploration and backtracking. New abilities open up previously inaccessible areas. The lore is deep and unsettling.

Downsides: The difficulty is punishing. The religious imagery may be off-putting for some players. The map can be confusing without guidance.

7. Axiom Verge 2

Axiom Verge 2 is a love letter to classic Metroid. The retro art style captures the feel of 16-bit games. The exploration is open-ended and rewarding.

You play as two characters with different abilities. The hacking mechanic adds puzzle-solving depth. The soundtrack is excellent.

Downsides: The combat is less refined than other metroidvanias. The story is confusing for newcomers. The visual style may feel dated to some players.

8. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown brought AAA polish to the metroidvania genre. The time manipulation mechanics create unique puzzle-solving opportunities. The combat is fast and flashy.

The level design is excellent, with interconnected areas that reward exploration. The accessibility options make the genre more approachable. The Persian mythology setting is refreshing.

Downsides: The $49.99 price is high for the genre. The story is generic. Some abilities feel underutilized.

9. Animal Well

Animal Well is a puzzle-focused metroidvania that rewards curiosity. The pixel art creates an eerie atmosphere. The game hides secrets within secrets.

You solve puzzles using bubbles, frisbees, and other tools. The non-linear progression lets you tackle areas in any order. The community is still discovering new secrets.

Downsides: The game is cryptic and may require a guide. The combat is minimal. The art style is intentionally obscure.

10. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the most anticipated metroidvania of 2026. Pre-orders exceeded 59,000 units last month. The game brings the Prime series to modern hardware.

The first-person exploration returns with updated controls. The world design promises to be the largest in the series. The graphics are a major step up from previous entries.

Downsides: The game is not yet released, so quality is unproven. The $59.99 price is premium. Nintendo’s online features may limit multiplayer options.

How to Choose the Right Metroidvania

Start with Hollow Knight if you are new to the genre. It costs $14.99 and offers 40+ hours of content. The community is large and helpful.

If you want AAA production values, try Metroid Dread or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. These games have higher budgets and more polish. They are also more accessible for casual players.

For puzzle lovers, Animal Well is the best choice. It focuses on exploration and discovery over combat. The game rewards curiosity and experimentation.

Limitations

This ranking focuses on games available in 2026. Sales figures are estimates based on public data. Some games may have higher player counts on consoles than Steam. Prices may vary by region and sales events.

You might also like: best roguelikes in 2026, how to mod games, best Steam games under $10

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the best metroidvania for beginners

Hollow Knight is the best metroidvania for beginners despite its difficulty. The game teaches you through exploration rather than tutorials. The community provides guides and tips. At $14.99, it offers incredible value for the content provided.

Q2: How long does it take to beat a metroidvania

Most metroidvanias take 10-40 hours to beat. Hollow Knight takes 25-40 hours for a first playthrough. Metroid Dread is shorter at 10-12 hours. Completionist runs can take 60+ hours for larger games.

Q3: Are metroidvanias the same as roguelikes

No. Metroidvanias focus on exploration and ability-gated progression. Roguelikes focus on procedural generation and permadeath. Some games like Dead Cells combine both genres. The core gameplay loops are fundamentally different.

Q4: What metroidvania has the best combat

Dead Cells has the best combat among metroidvanias. The weapons feel responsive and have distinct combo potential. Hollow Knight’s combat is also excellent with its nail arts and spells. Metroid Dread’s counter system adds strategic depth.

Q5: Is Hollow Knight worth playing in 2026

Yes. Hollow Knight remains one of the best metroidvanias ever made. The hand-drawn art has not aged. The gameplay is still tight and rewarding. At $14.99, it is one of the best values in gaming.