10 Most Desired Metroidvania Remasters of 2026

Though I do not all the time love remasters, some video games really profit from being dropped at the fashionable period in all their retro glory. High quality of life tweaks, HD graphics, and even new options all make a traditional recreation even higher, particularly within the case of Metroidvanias.

One nice instance was how Metroid II: Return of Samus was completely overhauled in the perfect of the way in Metroid: Samus Returns, making it a much more approachable journey. So now that we’re in a brand-new 12 months, we got here up with an inventory of another worthy Metroidvanias that might profit from the identical overhaul.

Although all the identical style, there are some actually eclectic indie adventures, one film turned Metroidvania, a time-traveling quest, and a few traditional examples of the style that will nonetheless resonate on this trendy period. So be part of us for this checklist of Metroidvania Remasters we would like to see within the new 12 months!

10

Aquaria

Huge Little Mermaid Power

Typically talking, most Metroidvanias happen on stable floor. For the reason that style makes use of loads of leaping, it simply is sensible. That’s a part of what helped an underwater journey referred to as Aquaria to face out from the pack.

Not solely was Aquaria fairly fairly when it got here out, nevertheless it had you swim round and use the facility of track for quite a lot of functions, together with transformation. Actually, the one draw back to the sport was that there wasn’t lots to do when you beat the principle story.

So, bringing Aquaria to PC and trendy consoles with a slight facelift and a few new content material thrown in simply is sensible. As a result of who does not wish to play a Metroidvania model of The Little Mermaid?

9

Outbuddies DX

Lovecraftian Nightmare

I initially performed Outbuddies DX at PAX West, the place I used to be completely satisfied to get a primary style of the journey. I used to be drawn in by the pixelated artwork type, rife with horror and dread. It additionally most likely did not harm that it was revealed by a gifted group named Headup.

Although many loved the Metroidvania journey, it acquired a combined response from followers. Although they liked the vibe, the sport’s platforming was typically irritating, and the map was laborious to parse at a look.

But when they simply fastened these two comparatively small points, this journey of a misplaced adventurer tethered to a robotic buddy could be unbelievable. If nothing else, I would like to see extra profitable indie Metroidvania adventures.

8

Metroid Fusion

Wanting For that Dread Makeover

Maybe as a result of it led to Metroid Dread a few years later, I actually crave a remaster of Metroid Fusion. In any case, this was one of many first entries within the sequence to have a real narrative expertise.

Although I completely take pleasure in Metroid Fusion in its unique kind, I am unable to assist however suppose it would be even higher if it appeared extra like Metroid Fusion. Shiny graphics to higher carry the stress and drama of the sport to an entire new degree.

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They would not even essentially want so as to add something new to the sport, although I would not lament in the event that they did. In any case, there isn’t any Metroid recreation on the market that I would not wish to spend extra time taking part in.

7

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse

All people Dance!

As a wholehearted fanboy of the Shantae series, however particularly Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, I’ve been dreaming of a remaster of the journey for fairly a while. Nevertheless it makes much more sense in 2026, since WayForward already has a brand new Shantae journey within the works.

There’s actually not a lot they’d even have to do to vary the sport. I might simply love for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse to be as visually gorgeous as Shantae and the Seven Sirens. Heck, throw in a few of these beautiful animated cutscenes for good measure.

Actually, I might love a remaster of this specific recreation as a result of I really feel not each fan of the style has had an opportunity to strive it. And I actually suppose it is a recreation that followers of the style and sequence owe it to themselves to play.

6

The Mummy Demastered

WayForward within the Pyramids

Though I used to be a fan of the Mummy sequence (extra the unique motion pictures than the remake), I by no means might have guessed how a lot I would take pleasure in The Mummy Demastered. It was an awesome showcase of how effectively WayForward could make a Metroidvania, even on a smaller scale.

The Mummy Demastered not solely does justice to the film it is primarily based on, nevertheless it showcases an incredible 16-bit type that is oozing with particulars and elegance. Although a linear expertise, there’s greater than sufficient to maintain you busy as you journey by tombs and caverns.

What I really feel a remaster might carry to the desk could be one thing like a pair extra bonus areas to discover, and possibly an optimized runtime on Change 2. Aside from that, it is a very memorable historical Egyptian Metroidvania.

5

Timespinner

Flip Again the Clock

I used to be really one of many of us who helped again Timespinner. Whereas I used to be pleased with the ultimate outcome from Lunar Ray Video games and Chucklefish, I would be mendacity if I stated I do not suppose they may enhance the time-traveling journey.

In some ways, Timespinner performs a bit like if Chrono Trigger have been a Metroidvania, combined with a visible type positively impressed by some classics of the style. It is fairly and options a number of completely different endings to unlock as you leap by time.

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All I actually need from a remaster could be an overhauled HUD and maybe one thing that makes it a bit simpler to know the way you are progressing in satisfying the various facet quests within the recreation. And if the solo developer had the time, possibly simply glossier HD graphics to make this engaging recreation even prettier.

4

Chasm

Dive into Journey

I have been a fan of Bit Child since I demoed Chasm at PAX West what looks like a lifetime in the past. And whereas I’ve loved the sport since then, and crushed it a couple of occasions, I do suppose that it may benefit from a remaster.

I simply need a little bit extra from the sport, particularly one thing that gives a extra satisfying ending to the journey. And whereas it is enjoyable to play total, and has gotten some latest updates, I believe a remaster might additionally assist stability the sport’s development and fight considerably.

If nothing else, I really feel Chasm is among the few noteworthy rogue-like examples of the style. And I actually would really like it to be the absolute best model.

3

Monster Story

Creature Comforts

Not like lots of the video games on this checklist, I really feel most individuals studying have most likely by no means performed Monster Story. It solely received launched on the DS, in spite of everything. Worse, it was really presupposed to get a remaster a couple of years again, however that appeared to fizzle out earlier than something occurred.

Whereas Monster Story was made to work with a second display, I do really feel {that a} remaster might alleviate the necessity for that function. If that’s the case, we would be left with a stable, cute, and enjoyable Metroidvania that options some nice monster-raising parts.

Throw in some further options like facet quests and possibly some bonus areas, and it might be a extremely nice trendy remaster.

2

Castlevania: Symphony of the Evening

Play that Gothic Music

Whereas it is true that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night impressed a era of Metroidvanias, I might like to see that recreation get a contemporary remaster. And never simply in order that I might play it on my Change 2, although that is positively a part of my reasoning.

Although the music in Symphony of the Night and even the fight maintain up splendidly, I do really feel it might use an HD facelift. Nothing loopy like 3D fashions you’d see in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, just a few actually shiny visible overhauls to higher mesh the journey with the tone.

Not solely is that this an unbelievable recreation, nevertheless it performs effectively even in moveable kind, as proven in The Dracula X Chronicles. So why not double down and make it some of the beloved adventures on trendy consoles?

1

Demon’s Crest

Firebrand’s Legacy

I used to be struggling for some time over whether or not to provide the gold to Castlevania: Symphony of the Evening or Demon’s Crest. I finally settled on the latter for the easy purpose that, whereas Symphony received a couple of model, Demon’s Crest has solely ever been obtainable as an SNES recreation or emulation.

Demon’s Crest nonetheless holds up when it comes to the way it performs and sounds, with some really extraordinary music. Nevertheless it might use HD graphics and a simplified magic system that is simpler to know. Additionally, I might love a real mini map to assist with subsequent exploration of ranges for hidden goodies.

That is a kind of video games that I liked as a toddler and an grownup, and I would love an excuse to play it once more. This is hoping at some point Capcom decides to free Firebrand from the SNES period.

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