The 8 Best Metroidvanias on PC and Mobile (2026)
Quick answer: Hollow Knight remains the best overall metroidvania, offering a massive map and tight combat for $14.99 on PC. If you want to play on a phone, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the top mobile pick, offering a free trial with a single unlock. For the cheapest entry point, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night costs $2.99 on mobile stores.
Our picks at a glance:
- Best overall (and best value): Hollow Knight
- Best for a challenge: Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best for beginners (and the best looking): Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Best on mobile: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Best puzzle metroidvania (no combat): Animal Well
- Best combat: Nine Sols
- Best classic (and cheapest way to play the genre's blueprint): Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Best dark fantasy (soulslike flavored, on PC and phones): Blasphemous
Your Steam backlog is full, your phone has five minutes of battery to spare on lunch breaks, and you want an adventure that respects your time. Metroidvanias fit that gap well. These action games link everything into one big map rather than isolated stages. Progress relies on ability gating, meaning you spot inaccessible ledges or sealed doors early on, only to open them hours later once you discover permanent tools like double jumps or wall climbs. Backtracking is the point, turning old rooms into fresh pathways.
The format started with Metroid in 1986, hit its stride with Super Metroid in 1994, and gained role playing systems like stats and loot from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in 1997. It is not a standard platformer, because you are exploring a connected world rather than clearing levels in a row. It is also distinct from a soulslike, which defines combat friction and death penalties. Some titles merge the two ideas, but the hallmark here is how the map itself opens up through permanent exploration upgrades.
To find the games actually worth buying, we evaluated store listings and critical reception from the desk. We checked Metacritic and OpenCritic averages, filtered through hundreds of thousands of Steam user reviews, read current critic roundups, and verified mobile listings on Google Play and Apple's App Store. The picks below cover sharp modern platforming, pure puzzle solving, and authentic retro design on PC, handhelds, and mobile screens without hidden subscription traps or predatory microtransactions.
| Game | Best for | Platforms | Steam reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | Definitive modern standard | PC, Mac, Linux | 97% | $14.99 |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | High-challenge combat | PC, Mac, Linux | 89% | $19.99 |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Fluid platforming beginners | PC | 96% | $29.99 |
| Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | Premium mobile experience | PC, Mac, iOS, Android | 84% | Free trial on mobile, $29.99 on PC |
| Animal Well | Atmospheric puzzle exploration | PC | 96% | $24.99 |
| Nine Sols | Parry-focused combat | PC, Mac | 94% | $29.99 |
| Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | Historic genre blueprint | iOS, Android | n/a | $2.99 |
| Blasphemous | Grim gothic soulslike | PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | 90% | $7.99 |
1. Hollow Knight: Best overall (and best value)
- Developer: Team Cherry
- Released: 2017
- Metacritic: 87
- Steam: 97% positive (562,013 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
You navigate a vast subterranean bug kingdom called Hallownest with a simple sword slash and a pogo bounce off spikes. Progress hinges on finding charms to customize your survivability and learning boss telegraphs across sprawling caverns. It earns top billing here because GamesRadar ranked it number 1 on its 2026 genre list, backed by a 97% Overwhelmingly Positive rating across more than 562,000 Steam user reviews and an 89 OpenCritic average.
Anyone who appreciates precise movement and deep world design will find dozens of hours of exploration here, though critics note the early hours feel disorienting before you locate the map seller. Dying forces you to fight your shade to reclaim dropped currency. It is Steam Deck Verified, costs $14.99 at list price with four free content packs included, and has no official mobile release.
What works
- Includes four complete content packs
- Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating
- Flexible charm customization system
What doesn't
- Punishing runbacks and corpse retrieval
- Early navigation feels disorienting
Video review: Hollow Knight Review by IGN
2. Hollow Knight: Silksong: Best for a challenge
- Developer: Team Cherry
- Released: 2025
- Metacritic: 90
- Steam: 89% positive (423,124 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
Controlling Hornet completely changes the tempo compared to the original game. You sprint, vault ledges, throw craftable tools, and spend gathered silk to heal instantly mid-air while trading hits across hazardous ruins. It holds a 90 Metacritic score and won PC Game of the Year at the Golden Joysticks, delivering a demanding combat experience driven by modular crest loadouts that overhaul your basic attacks.
This suits action fans who conquered the original and want a steeper test, with Nintendo Life estimating 25 to 30 hours for the credits and over 50 hours for completionists. Critics note that double damage hazards and scarce currency make it far more punishing, reflected in an 89% Steam score. It costs $19.99, runs Verified on Steam Deck, and has an announced expansion called Sea of Sorrow.
What works
- Fast, acrobatic platforming moveset
- Modular crest loadout variety
- Excellent Steam Deck performance
What doesn't
- Much harder than the first game
- No official mobile port available
Video review: Hollow Knight: Silksong Review by GameSpot
3. Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Best for beginners (and the best looking)
- Developer: Moon Studios
- Released: 2020
- Metacritic: 88
- Steam: 96% positive (146,339 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Playable
Sprinting through ancient forests means stringing air dashes, grapples, and projectile deflections into continuous acrobatic motion without touching the floor. Combat relies on equippable spirit shards and distinct weapon abilities alongside massive cinematic chase sequences. It holds a 96% Steam rating and an OpenCritic top critic average of 90, with GamesRadar praising it as one of the best feeling 2D games created.
This is the friendliest entry point for newcomers, thanks to selectable difficulty settings, an easy mode, and frequent checkpoints that remove the sting of death. While it launched with visual bugs that patches addressed, it runs at a Playable status on Steam Deck. It lists at $29.99 on PC, remains exclusive to computers and consoles, and skips phones entirely.
What works
- Incredibly smooth acrobatic movement
- Welcoming selectable difficulty modes
- Spectacular set-piece escape sequences
What doesn't
- Higher list price at $29.99
- Only marked Playable on Steam Deck
Video review: Ori and the Will of the Wisps - Review by Skill Up by Skill Up
4. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: Best on mobile
- Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
- Released: 2024
- Metacritic: 85
- Steam: 84% positive (7,146 reviews)
- App Store: 4.8/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
Controlling Sargon involves weaving dual blade combos, air juggles, and time bending teleportation across ancient Mount Qaf. The standout design feature is the Memory Shard system, which lets you pin screenshots directly to the map grid so you never forget why a ledge was blocked. It holds an 87 OpenCritic average and earned the Innovation in Accessibility trophy at The Game Awards 2024.
Mobile players get an uncut port from Ubisoft Da Nang that Androidayuda estimates at 18 hours or more. The phone release features optional touch parry assists, customizable buttons, and full Bluetooth controller support with zero ads. On PC it lists at $29.99 and is Steam Deck Verified. On iOS and Android, it provides a free trial with a single one-time unlock for the full game.
What works
- Genius screenshot map pinning system
- Full uncut offline mobile port
- Free trial before buying
What doesn't
- Convoluted background storyline
- Tough boss fights on touchscreens
Video review: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review by IGN
5. Animal Well: Best puzzle metroidvania (no combat)
- Developer: Billy Basso
- Released: 2024
- Metacritic: 90
- Steam: 96% positive (24,623 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
You wander an eerie subterranean labyrinth as a small blob without a sword, gun, or punch button. Overcoming obstacles requires experimenting with everyday items like a yo-yo, bubble wand, slinky, and frisbee, using them to trip switches and climb chasms. It carries a 90 Metacritic score and a 96% Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating, winning praise for turning ability gating into an exercise in puzzle solving.
Players who love quiet atmosphere and mental deduction will appreciate its dense, layered design, though anyone demanding boss duels should look elsewhere. The package takes up under 40 MB of storage, runs Verified on Steam Deck, and lists on PC for $24.99. Solving its late post-game riddles usually requires community notes, and there is no mobile or Mac version on Steam.
What works
- Pure puzzle discovery with zero combat
- Incredibly tiny download footprint
- Steam Deck Verified rating
What doesn't
- Later secrets require online help
- No Mac or mobile versions
Video review: Animal Well Review by IGN
6. Nine Sols: Best combat
- Developer: Red Candle Games
- Released: 2024
- Metacritic: 84
- Steam: 94% positive (45,699 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
Moment to moment action centers on razor sharp sword deflections pulled straight from the Sekiro playbook. Parrying enemy strikes charges up your internal Qi, which you discharge by dashing into opponents to attach paper talismans that explode. It holds a 94% Very Positive Steam rating and an 86 OpenCritic average, pairing responsive martial arts mechanics with a distinctive hand drawn sci-fi Taoist aesthetic.
Hardcore action fans will love mastering the parry windows, with Lords of Gaming noting around 30 hours for a full playthrough. The final boss poses an intense skill check, though a built-in Story Mode lets you adjust incoming and outgoing damage sliders if you get stuck. It sells for $29.99, runs Verified on Steam Deck, and is not available on mobile devices.
What works
- Deep rhythm-based parry combat
- Flexible damage sliders via Story Mode
- Distinctive Taopunk visual style
What doesn't
- Late bosses present harsh difficulty walls
- Frequent long dialogue interruptions
Video review: Nine Sols Nintendo Switch Review! by SwitchUp
7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: Best classic (and cheapest way to play the genre's blueprint)
- Developer: Konami
- Released: 1997
- App Store: 3.9/5
Exploring Dracula's castle means slicing through monsters, leveling up Alucard, equipping looted armor, and finding relic upgrades that open new wings. It established the role playing side of the genre formula back in 1997, featuring the famous inverted castle that doubles the map. The 1997 original holds a 93 on Metacritic, and Pocket Tactics scored the mobile port 9/10 for delivering an authentic classic.
Retro enthusiasts wanting gaming history on a budget get the best deal around, since Konami sells the mobile edition for $2.99 on iOS and Android with no ads. Pocket Tactics found the default touch controls awkward for special moves, so pairing a Bluetooth gamepad is wise. There is no official PC release on Steam, but the mobile download includes new room restart options.
What works
- Unbeatable $2.99 mobile price point
- Classic genre-defining RPG systems
- No advertisements or microtransactions
What doesn't
- Touch controls cannot be moved
- No official release on Steam
Video review: Castlevania: Requiem Review - Noisy Pixel by Noisy Pixel
8. Blasphemous: Best dark fantasy (soulslike flavored, on PC and phones)
- Developer: The Game Kitchen
- Released: 2019
- Metacritic: 77
- Steam: 90% positive (67,362 reviews)
- App Store: 4.4/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
You hack through religious monstrosities in Cvstodia using a single blade, relying on parries, slide dodges, and bile flasks to survive. Progress requires traversing grotesque ruins, discovering relics, and cleansing your guilt after dying. It sits at a 90% Very Positive rating across more than 67,000 Steam reviews, winning over players with its brutal combat and dark fantasy pixel art based on Spanish religious tradition.
Fans of challenging action who want grim gothic atmosphere will find a compelling world here, though platforming over instant-kill spike pits can test your patience. The PC edition costs $24.99 and is Steam Deck Verified. On iOS and Android, developer The Game Kitchen sells the full game for $7.99 with all three DLC expansions included, no microtransactions, and native gamepad support.
What works
- Striking gothic pixel art aesthetic
- Mobile release includes all DLC
- Complete premium game without ads
What doesn't
- Instant-death spikes feel punishing
- Single weapon limits combat variety
Video review: Blasphemous Review by IGN
The gear we'd play these on
Precise platforming and parry timing always feel sharper with physical sticks and tactile buttons. A solid snap-on mobile controller, a reliable wireless gamepad for PC, or a dedicated handheld device will noticeably improve your control during tough boss encounters. Our full breakdown is in the best handheld gaming PCs and mobile controllers of 2026.
Backbone One (2nd Gen, USB-C)
A light, pocketable cradle that turns your iPhone or Android phone into an instant handheld console. $79.99 at Best Buy.
Xbox Wireless Controller
The universal standard wireless gamepad for cloud streaming and mobile gaming on any screen. $64.99 at Amazon.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
An affordable entry point into portable PC gaming that plays your Windows and Game Pass libraries. $679.99 at Best Buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a metroidvania game?
A metroidvania is an action-adventure game, usually a 2D side-scroller, set in one large interconnected map where progress is gated by permanent abilities you find along the way. New abilities let you return to earlier areas and open paths that were blocked before. The name combines Metroid and Castlevania, the two series that established the formula.
Why is it called metroidvania?
The word blends Nintendo's Metroid with Konami's Castlevania, specifically Super Metroid (1994) and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997), which share the same explore, upgrade and backtrack structure. Wikipedia credits games journalist Scott Sharkey with coining it and Jeremy Parish with popularizing it. Symphony of the Night's Koji Igarashi did not invent the term but has said he is grateful for it.
What was the first metroidvania?
Metroid (1986) is generally treated as the first, since it required players to retrace their steps with permanent power-ups. Super Metroid (1994) refined the map and world design, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997) added RPG leveling and gear, which is the combination most modern games in the genre follow.
Is Hollow Knight a metroidvania or a soulslike?
It is a metroidvania first: one hand-drawn interconnected map, ability-gated areas and heavy backtracking. It borrows soulslike rules on top of that, such as benches that work like bonfires and a Shade that holds your currency where you died. Soulslike describes combat and death rules, while metroidvania describes how the world is structured, so a game can be both.
Are there good metroidvanias on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a free download with the full game unlocked by a single in-app purchase, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is an official $2.99 Konami port, and Blasphemous is a $7.99 premium port with all DLC included. All three list game controller support on their store pages, and none of them has ads. Hollow Knight, Silksong, Ori, Animal Well and Nine Sols are not on phones.
The bottom line
For the most complete package on PC or Steam Deck, Hollow Knight remains the clear standard with unmatched world design at an affordable price. If you want a zero-combat journey driven by curious gadgets, Animal Well delivers an inventive puzzle-box labyrinth. When you need a quality console title to play on a mobile commute, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown gives you fluid movement and fair try-before-you-buy pricing.
Scores, prices, and review counts were checked on September 20, 2026 and will drift. Store links go straight to the official listing.
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