The twin pillars that buttress my love of the Metroidvania genre are Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Both of those games introduced me to the genre, and as a result, I go out of my way every year to discover and play as many games as possible. And wouldn’t you know it, 2026 is an exceptional year for the genre!
Just for clarity, there are already some great Metroidvanias that have been released this year, but this list is about games that are still slated to come out in 2026. To be extra scrupulous, we’re only including games that have either publicly listed a release year or a more exact window. So if anything is listed as “coming soon” or the like, we didn’t include it, no matter how amazing it might be.
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With that in mind, there are plenty of amazing games still arriving later this yea. And they’ve all been arranged based on my relative level of excitement, since we don’t have other metrics to work with. So get comfortable as we do a deep dive into the world of Metroidvanias!
14 Aeterna Lucis
From Darkness to Light
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Platform |
PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Aeternum Game Studios S.L. |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
As much as I love the genre, I don’t resonate with every single example of it. Namely, I picked up Aeterna Noctis after it came to Switch and quickly got tired of it. Nevertheless, the same team is working on a sequel in Aeterna Lucis, and despite some apprehensions, I honestly hope it’s great.
This sequel promises fast-paced combat, a huge interconnected map, and a deep story; all things that make a Metroidvania better when implemented properly. It’s focused on the Queen of Light fighting against Supreme God Chaos, which sounds like a harrowing test of anyone’s mettle.
Aeterna Lucis also promises a new assortment of abilities to differentiate itself from the first game, as well as gorgeous art design. Fingers crossed that the monarch of the light provides a more compelling adventure that I can recommend to everyone.
13 Trizna
Fallen But Not Buried
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Platform |
PC |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Leniv & Bezdaren |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
Trizna is an interesting take on the Metroidvania genre. Not only is it full of Slavic folklore, but it’s the tale of a fallen knight brought back by the eldritch power of a witch. Your job is to decide if he’ll remain a puppet or find a way to pursue his own goals.
An integral component of the game is the ability to jump from the physical world into something called the Shadow Realm. And while just typing that instantly makes me think about Yu-Gi-Oh!, it’s nevertheless an interesting concept. Once in that realm, you can find ways to overcome otherwise impossible tasks.
Trizna also promises brutal combat that demands precision in parrying and countering foes, as well as exploiting weaknesses. Combined with a modular equipment system, this could be quite a stunning example of the genre later this year.
12 OTHERSIDE: Untamed Words
Sword & Brush
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Platform |
PC |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
OthersideCraft |
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Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
I’m always a sucker for a hand-drawn art style, no matter what the game genre. But OTHERSIDE: Untamed Words mixes beautiful art with a pretty novel concept — using not just a sword, but a brush in combat. Throw in a feline hero, and the game officially has my attention.
OTHERSIDE: Untamed Words has you exploring the Beast Kingdom, which has fallen into disaster. You’ll peel back the layers of the tragedy that occurred, and make choices that help or harm various clans.
As for the brushwork, apparently it’s used for powerful skills, and the game also features something called Runewords to make your own unique play style. That brings to mind games like Okami, but even then, I’m not sure what to expect. Here’s hoping it’s something incredible and memorable.
11 Maseylia: Echoes of the Past
Three-Dimensional Exploration
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Platform |
PC, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Sol Brothers |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
Q2 2026 |
Generally, I don’t love 3D platforming. I just feel it’s rougher and less precise than 2D in many cases. But when 3D games are done well, they can be a joy. And Maseylia: Echoes of the Past marries the genre with 3D, non-linear exploration and a unique sci-fi setting.
The game features a surreal visual style and freedom to explore and fight the way you want. New powers will fundamentally change how you get around, and include a grapple, dash, and more.
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The only part that’s hard to visualize is how the combat in Maseylia: Echoes of the Past will translate. But we won’t have too long to wait to discover what buried secrets lie in this mysterious world.
10 Aggelos 2
Yin and Yang
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Platform |
PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
PQube, PixelHeart |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
One theme I’m a sucker for is duality. And in Aggelos 2, we get to play an angel who can embrace his dark side as a winged devil. Better yet, switching between the two is integral to success in the game, offering new platforming and combat options for each.
Aggelos 2 also embraces duality with parallel realms to explore, something I’m very familiar with thanks to games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, as well as other entries.
Throw in 13 brutal bosses, orbs to customize your experience, and gorgeous retro graphics, and I’m quite eager to play this Metroidvania. Here’s hoping it plays like a dream and offers nightmarish challenges to surmount.
9 Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell
The Clumsiest Angel
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Platform |
PC |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
MadMoa |
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Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
Q3 2026 |
While clearly angels and demons aren’t unique to the Metroidvania genre, Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell adds a heaping helping of goofy comedy to the mix. It’s about a not-so-intelligent angel that finds his way to Hell and has to fight through several angelic and demonic areas.
The one clear part of the game is that it promises to reward creativity and flexibility in combat, which sounds good. It’s also inspired by other greats like Hollow Knight. But as for what else it promises, other than a unique visual style, is still unclear.
That said, none of that means that Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell won’t be amazing. Just that the developers haven’t done a lot to showcase what’s special about it. Fingers crossed that changes before the game’s release later this year.
8 Alruna: End of History
Elemental Apocalypse
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Platform |
PC |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Burning Planet Digital |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania, Puzzle |
|
Release Date |
June 4, 2026 |
While admittedly I missed out on the first game in the series, I’m still pretty hyped for Alruna: End of History. It’s a Metroidvania set in an apocalyptic world where you play a Dryad. I can only imagine how hard it would be to survive as a plant elemental in a world that’s falling apart, but that’s the theme of the game.
Besides a twisted sense of humor, Alruna: End of History also features clever puzzles, elemental forms you can switch between, and big, bad bosses. And most unexpectedly, the game also promises a steamy romance, which is definitely rare for the genre.
7 Mira and the Legend of the Djinns
Make a Wish
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Platform |
PC, Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Assemble Entertainment |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
Normally, when I think of genies, I think of magical lamps and powerful wishes. In Mira and the Legend of the Djinns, they’re telling a more culturally faithful tale. It’s the story of Yuba, who is exploring ancient ruins and discovers a Djinn named Mira. She’s lost her memories and forms a powerful bond with the young boy to discover what’s transpired.
As for how this game plays, it promises multiple weapons you can swap between on the fly, as well as powerful Primal Elements — Solar, Celestial, Infernal, and Lunar. Which means you can mix and match in fluid fashion, which sounds great.
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Throw in tools that can be used both to explore and to aid in combat, and Mira and the Legend of the Djinns promises to be a very compelling Metroidvania adventure.
6 Rune Fencer Illyia
Twin Travails
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Platform |
PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Nootbox Games, Outersloth |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
2026 |
I feel like Rune Fencer Illyia is a game I’ve been waiting forever to play. Maybe it got delayed because of console releases, maybe not. All I know is that this Metroidvania speaks to me, and I’m eager to finally play it in 2026.
It’s the tale of separated twin sisters. While you’ll fight with a conjured blade, the main mechanic is stealing Runes from foes to create your own powerful, Runic Magic, which sounds fascinating. You’ll also use Sigils to gain amazing powers, such as breathing underwater or even stopping time.
Throw in food crafting with various benefits, puzzles, a rich story, and massive boss battles, and Rune Fencer Illyia is one retro-styled Metroidvania with great flair.
5 Mariachi Legends
A Deal with Death
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Platform |
PC, Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Halberd Studios |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
Q4 2026 |
As someone who backed the first game by Halberd Studios, 9 Years of Shadows, I’m very eager to check out Mariachi Legends. While their first adventure had amazing style, it was a bit stale in the combat department. But Mariachi Legends looks to improve on that with brutal, fast-paced combat that features violent finishers.
What’s most unique about the game is that you play as a detective who has made a literal deal with Death, who transforms you into La Sombra. This means you’ll also solve mysteries when you aren’t ripping foes apart with a variety of different weapons. It’s a celebration of Mexican culture that’s dark, vibrant, and edgy.
I really hope that Mariachi Legends manages to improve on every area that 9 Years of Shadows fell short. If so, it will be an unforgettable Metroidvania with amazing art, music, and gameplay.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
