Are these the best metroidvanias on iOS and Android?
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Everyone loves a good metroidvania - a genre named after the two games that gave birth to it: Metroid and Castlevania.
Games under this banner usually involve a lot of exploring, with new paths opening up as you learn new abilities, find new gadgets, or unlock new items.
Modern day examples include Batman: Arkham Asylum, Darksiders, and Guacamelee! - three critically acclaimed titles that have brought the genre kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
There are a fair few on mobile as well and more than a few of them pay homage to the greats that have been before. Here's our list of the top metroidvanias on iOS and Android.
SwordigoBy Touch Foo - get it on the App Store and Google Play
The Legend of Zelda fans among you will particularly like Swordigo - it does a mighty fine impersonation of Nintendo's classic.
You play as a swordsman who knows how to wield a spell or two and must save the kingdom from some evil corrupting force. Learning spells is the way forward - literally - as each spell opens up a new path or two.
It's a little dated but a solid example of the genre on mobile.
Goblin SwordBy Eleftherios Christodoulatos - get it on the App Store
Fans of the original Metroid and Castlevania games will no doubt have already downloaded and played Goblin Sword to death - particularly if they like a bit of light fantasy with their pixelated action.
With over 64 levels and an expansion, a ton of different costumes and weapons to equip, and your own home to decorate, you could say that Goblin Sword is the most content-heavy metroidvania on this list.
KeroBlasterBy Studio Pixel - get it on the App Store
KeroBlaster is from an even older school - and by that I mean it's appealingly retro. The pixelated visuals are basic but reminiscent of the games from your childhood.
But you won't find any retro frustrations here - the touchscreen controls are solid and the gameplay balanced enough to provide difficulty while not putting you in any danger of throwing your phone.
It's also by the developer of the acclaimed Cave Story, the excellent PC metroidvania. Perhaps we should have lead with that...
Traps n' GemstonesBy Donut Games - get it on the App Store and Google Play
Like Indiana Jones? Well you'll love Traps n' Gemstones - it's basically a simulator right down to the hat and whip.
It also wouldn't be on this list if it wasn't an excellent metroidvania.
You start the game with an empty inventory and slowly fill it with useful items and weapons that open up new paths as you go about your quest.
Shantae: Risky's RevengeBy WayForward Technologies - get it on the App Store
Shantae is a half-genie who can perform remarkable actions like whipping monsters with her hair, belly dancing to transform into other forms, and using magic.
The visual style is a cross between hand-drawn animated Disney films and retro pixelated games - so it's bound to feel like a blast from the past one way or the other.
There's quite a variety of environments to explore like deserts, forests, haunted wastes, and labyrinths, and a decent sense of humour driving the plot forward.
VVVVVVBy Terry Cavanagh - get it on the App Store and Google Play
VVVVVV harkens back to the days when games were actually challenging.
Well, they may never have been this hard, but those who remember the Commodore 64 fondly will find that the visuals and chiptune music are very reminiscent of the platform.
Though it labels itself as a platformer, VVVVVV doesn't actually contain any jumping. Instead, you have to manipulate gravity to navigate the treacherously-placed platforms - which are usually surrounded by dangerous spikes and enemies.
If the words challenge, retro, and metroidvania fill you with glee, VVVVVV is the one for you.
Robot Wants KittyBy Raptisoft - get it on the App Store
A poor robot is feeling lonely. He wants the company of a kitten, and it's up to you to help him find one.
You'll need to help him navigate platforms, upgrade his abilities, and, eventually, collect the cute kitty.
The visual style is reminiscent of the League of Evil platform series mixed with a Cartoon Network TV show - it's all incredibly endearing. Who doesn't like kittens?
Robot Wants Kitty keeps things nice and simple so it's a perfect entry point into the genre for those curious.
Tiny Dangerous DungeonsBy Jussi Simpanen - get it on the App Store and Google Play
Tiny Dangerous Dungeons is a retro 2D platformer inspired by the Game Boy - right down to the monochrome visuals.
You play as Timmy, a treasure hunter who's exploring a sizeable dungeon for loot. Along the way you'll find power-ups and unlock new skills which will allow you access to previously inaccessible areas.
It's a former browser game that was enhanced for mobile and there's a full-colour sequel inbound this year called Dangerous Dungeons. Inspired by the Game Boy Color, perhaps?
Waking MarsBy Tiger Style - get it on the App Store and Google Play
Waking Mars is the closest to Metroid you'll get on iOS and Android.
When life is discovered on Mars, you're sent to make first contact but, following a cave-in, find yourself trapped in the bowels of the planet and must nurture the alien ecosystem in order to survive.
There are loads of alien lifeforms that you have to interact with and you'll need to learn their diet, habits, and vulnerabilities to cultivate their growth.
This opens up new pathways for you to explore in order to escape.
Nubs' AdventureBy Maximilian Csuk - get it on the App Store and Google Play
The Reds have only gone and destroyed poor Nubs' house and it's up to you to help him rebuild it by solving puzzles and collecting diamonds scattered around the world.
Nubs also enlists the help of his friends Ally the wisp and Brute the worm, both of whom can be controlled.
You'll also get the chance to beat up those evil Reds and get revenge as you explore all four different regions of this interconnected world.
Rex Rocket: MobileBy Castle Pixel - get it on the App Store
Rex Rocket: Mobile has a lot going for it. The awesome pixel art graphics and catchy chiptune soundtrack are as pleasingly retro as the references stuffed into the amusing dialogue.
You're on on a transport mission when your spaceship goes suddenly rogue and releases its dangerous cargo of bio-engineered monsters throughout the ship.
You have to fight off to take back control using power-ups stashed around the ship.
Munch TimeBy Gamistry - get it on the App Store and Google Play
Let's finish off with a left-field choice. Munch is a chameleon who's on a quest to find some lunch and uses his tongue to swing around and reach new places.
These places will largely be flowers and you'll need to change colour to match the flowers if you want to land on them.
Munch can't change colour by himself though, he'll need to eat a fly that matches the colour of the flower first.
Each flower reacts differently when Munch lands on it, and you'll need to use the unique reaction of each flower to solve puzzles.
