Games Like Cave Story+

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.1%, Platformer 11%, Pixel Graphics 7.4%, Sci-fi 7.2%, Retro 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the classic run-and-gun Metroidvania feel with a heavy emphasis on unique weaponry and mysterious world-building.

Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.9%, Difficult 16.9%, Platformer 12.5%, Multiple Endings 6.3%, Exploration 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a masterclass in atmospheric exploration, challenging combat, and deep lore that mirrors the emotional resonance of Cave Story.

Explore an abandoned space station in this retro-themed explorative action platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.8%, Platformer 11.5%, Pixel Graphics 10.1%, Difficult 9%, Retro 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: Like Cave Story, it prioritizes exploration and secrets within a challenging, pixelated environment.

LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.6%, Difficult 19.6%, Platformer 13.8%, Exploration 6.4%, Retro 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This title provides the intense difficulty and deep, cryptic exploration that fans of Cave Story's more challenging segments will appreciate.

Join renegade mechanic Robin and uncover the secrets of a dying planet. Explore a big world filled with intricate puzzles, interesting characters and menacing bosses in a beautiful platform adventure that tells a personal story about faith, purpose and the challenge of helping people.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.2%, Platformer 12.1%, Pixel Graphics 11.8%, Story Rich 8.1%, Action 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: It combines beautiful pixel art with a surprisingly deep, character-driven story and tight action-platforming gameplay.

Travel back in time to change fate itself, in this beautifully crafted story-driven adventure, inspired by classic 90s action-platformers. Join timekeeper Lunais on her quest for revenge against the empire that killed her family, using time-bending powers to explore a vast, connected world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.5%, Platformer 14.1%, Sci-fi 9.8%, Exploration 9.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It shares a very similar aesthetic and story-rich structure, focusing on a protagonist navigating a dangerous world with time-manipulation mechanics.

Pounce inside of your cozy armored mech and set off on a dangerous trek through an alien underworld full of irritable creatures and treacherous obstacles in a valiant effort to save your stranded captain and his crashed spaceship.

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.8%, Platformer 10.1%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%, Retro 8%, Difficult 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A charming, bite-sized Metroidvania that focuses on tight shooter mechanics and exploration within a retro-inspired world.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.

Why similar: Platformer 27.1%, Retro 17.8%, Pixel Graphics 13.8%, Difficult 12.4%, 2D 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for modern games that feel like authentic, high-quality 8-bit classics with tight platforming.

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.2%, Platformer 16.2%, Retro 14.2%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%, Difficult 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the retro-inspired action-platformer feel while evolving into a sprawling, interconnected adventure.

Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight is the fourth installment in the beloved Momodora series of 2D platformers. Unleash ravaging combos against a variety of formidable monsters and deftly dodge your way through a cursed land to seek audience with the Queen and dispel the evil that threatens all life.

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.2%, Difficult 17%, Platformer 12.1%, Exploration 8%, Pixel Graphics 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It features a cute but dark aesthetic paired with precise, challenging combat and exploration.

Make your way through more than 600 rooms, and unravel the secrets of your past by finding the five elemental orbs. Cathedral features a vast world, meant for exploring!

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.1%, Difficult 10.8%, Platformer 10.2%, Retro 9.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A pure, retro-inspired Metroidvania that emphasizes exploration, challenging bosses, and a classic 8-bit aesthetic.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!

Why similar: Metroidvania 62.1%, Anime 9.6%, Platformer 9%, Action 4.7%, Difficult 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a modern, expansive take on the classic Metroidvania formula with deep RPG elements and satisfying action.

Owlboy is a story-driven platform adventure game, where you can fly and explore a brand new world in the clouds! Pick up your friends, and bring them with you as you explore the open skies, in one of the most detailed adventures of this era.

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.4%, Platformer 14.4%, Pixel Graphics 11.2%, Story Rich 8.3%, Cute 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique take on the platformer genre with a heavy emphasis on narrative and atmospheric world-building.

“Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning Action-Platformer crafted by Moon Studios.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43%, Platformer 18.4%, Difficult 12.5%, Story Rich 7.4%, Cute 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: While more focused on platforming, it matches the emotional storytelling and beautiful world design of Cave Story.

Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action. Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.6%, Difficult 18.8%, Platformer 12.2%, Anime 8.9%, Exploration 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game blends Metroidvania exploration with unique shooter mechanics and stylish, fast-paced action.

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.5%, Platformer 21.1%, Action 6.3%, 2D 5.3%, Adventure 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at combining fast-paced action-platforming with a heartfelt, story-heavy narrative.

VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?

Why similar: Difficult 21.6%, Platformer 21.3%, Pixel Graphics 16.3%, Retro 11.4%, Metroidvania 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-platformer that focuses on simple mechanics and challenging level design, much like the platforming segments of Cave Story.

You Have to Win the Game is a free exploration platformer with a retro 1980s PC aesthetic.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.2%, Platformer 12.7%, Retro 12%, Difficult 10.4%, Pixel Graphics 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A free-to-play exploration platformer that perfectly mimics the aesthetic and feel of early 80s PC games.

Castle In The Darkness is a fun and challenging shout out to the early days of video games! It's an action exploration platformer with some RPG elements, much like games from the Castlevania or Metroid series. It's super fast-paced, challenging, and full of secrets!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.2%, Difficult 16.5%, Platformer 14.1%, Retro 7.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is a difficult, action-packed platformer that feels like a direct homage to the challenging 8-bit era.

Fight your way across the celestial world of Avalice where cats are green, motorcycles drive up walls and monster girls do most of the buttkicking! Freedom Planet is a cartoony, combat-based platform adventure that pits a spunky dragonoid and her friends against an alien attack force.

Why similar: Platformer 29.3%, Retro 15.1%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Difficult 10.2%, 2D 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers fast-paced, momentum-based platforming and action with a strong focus on character-driven storytelling.

Throw on your nostalgia goggles and travel back in time with Super Win the Game, a retro-core explosion of exploration and platforming action!!

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.1%, Difficult 16.2%, Platformer 11.4%, Old School 10%, Exploration 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A love letter to retro exploration games that captures the feeling of discovery found in classic 8-bit titles.

A 2D Metroidvania-style game developed under the supervision of Ryo Mizuno, depicting the story of Deedlit and the events leading up to Record of Lodoss War: Diadem of the Covenant. Use a variety of weapons and spirit powers to unravel the mystery of the labyrinth.

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.2%, Platformer 13.7%, Anime 10.7%, Exploration 8.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a polished Metroidvania experience with fluid combat and a focus on exploration.

Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him.

Why similar: Difficult 28.1%, Platformer 23.9%, Pixel Graphics 15.8%, Retro 10.7%, Action 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game distills the shooter-platformer genre into a fast-paced, high-difficulty experience with a distinct retro style.

This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.

Why similar: Platformer 50.4%, Difficult 21.7%, Indie 10.2%, 2D 9.5%, Story Rich 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: While more puzzle-oriented, it shares the same indie spirit and deep, introspective storytelling found in Cave Story.

Xeodrifter is the story of an interstellar drifter traveling the stars on a simple mission of exploration. We join our nomad as he embarks on the investigation of a small cluster of four planets in the omega sector, after a collision with a rogue asteroid damaged his warp core.

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.2%, Platformer 11.9%, Difficult 10.8%, Retro 10%, Sci-fi 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A concise and focused Metroidvania that emphasizes shooter mechanics and exploration in a retro style.

Head back to the Mexiverse in this long-awaited sequel to the smash hit Guacamelee! Uppercut your way to victory across stunning new hand-crafted levels. Featuring a dense and colorful world, new luchador moves, sassy new bosses, twice the enemies, and 300% more chickens!

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.3%, Difficult 21%, Platformer 16.4%, Exploration 7.8%, 2D 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features excellent platforming and combat mechanics with a vibrant, story-rich world to explore.

Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer with skilled hack’n slash combat set in the nightmare world of Cvstodia. Explore, upgrade your abilities, and perform savage executions on the hordes of enemies that stand between you and your quest to break eternal damnation.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.7%, Difficult 13.9%, Pixel Graphics 11.4%, Platformer 9.1%, 2D 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: For those who enjoyed the darker, more difficult aspects of Cave Story, this game provides a challenging and lore-rich experience.

Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new experience each time you play. Journey deep underground and explore fantastic places filled with all manner of monsters, traps, and treasure.

Why similar: Platformer 43.9%, Difficult 35.9%, 2D 7.8%, Indie 6.7%, Action 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the sense of discovery and high-stakes exploration that makes Cave Story's world so engaging.

Guns of Fury is a retro-inspired action platformer that combines the run & gun and Metroidvania genres. Explore a vast interconnected world, gain new abilities and weapons, battle epic bosses and stop the plans of an evil corporation before it’s too late!

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.9%, Old School 13.7%, Platformer 12.7%, Retro 10.8%, Shooter 10.7%

Run, gun and explore an open undercity in this otherworldly non-linear Metroidvania adventure about the Old Gods, strange creatures and the remnants of a lost world!

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.8%, Difficult 15.1%, Platformer 11.8%, Pixel Graphics 7.2%, Exploration 6%

Why You'll Like It: A Metroidvania that emphasizes cooperative-style mechanics and exploration in a dangerous, alien environment.

Rediscover this great Metroidvania game in a brand new version with a lot of features and improvements! Run in a vast world full of mysteries and action in this Metroidvania-style game inspired by the classics of the 16-bit era.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.4%, Platformer 17.9%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Retro 6.5%, Action 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A classic-style Metroidvania that focuses on action, platforming, and character progression in a pixelated world.

Momodora III is a classic action platform game with a variety of items and secrets. It's the third installment of the Momodora series, although playing the previous titles is not necessary to enjoy the game!

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.8%, Platformer 20.1%, Anime 12.2%, Pixel Graphics 11.5%, Cute 9.7%

Inspired by the retro glory days of 8-bit games, Rex Rocket is a traditional 2D platformer brought into the 21st century. Paying tribute to classic NES games like Mario, Mega Man, and Metroid, old-school platformer fans will find Rex Rocket a breath of fresh air.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.9%, Platformer 15.3%, Difficult 12.8%, Retro 10.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter beautiful and unsettling creatures, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.1%, Platformer 12.8%, Exploration 10.9%, Pixel Graphics 9.5%, Retro 6.3%

A huge hand-crafted world packed with 13 unique bosses, a gripping story, and tons of enemies, Spaceport Hope is the ultimate test of gaming prowess.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.8%, Platformer 18%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Anime 7.2%, Indie 6.5%

The fast paced platforming of Freedom Planet returns! Become a full-time cartoon heroine and use abilities and items suited to your play style to explore the world of Avalice and defend its animal citizens!

Why similar: Platformer 15.3%, Old School 13.8%, Difficult 11.6%, Sci-fi 10.1%, Anime 9.8%

Travel to a forgotten world and study alien creatures in this authentic retro metroidvania!

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.7%, Platformer 12.7%, Retro 10.6%, Multiple Endings 7.9%, Pixel Graphics 7.5%

Metroidvania style action/platformer with tons of abilities, enemies and exploration.

Why similar: Metroidvania 34%, Platformer 15.4%, Old School 11.3%, Sci-fi 7%, Pixel Graphics 6%

Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony is a neo-classical top-down shooter for up to 4 players, set on 17th-century British Colonial Mars. It features all the intensity, depth, and lovingly handcrafted pixels of a classic arcade shooter, with a modern twist: deeply-integrated cooperative gameplay.

Why similar: Difficult 31.2%, Retro 16.1%, Pixel Graphics 10.9%, Indie 9%, Shooter 8.6%

In this Insanely Twisted, 2-D action-adventure game, explore unique environments and battle bizarre creatures.

Why similar: Metroidvania 58.2%, Sci-fi 9.9%, Exploration 8.9%, Adventure 6.3%, Action 5.8%

Experience the rhythmic thrill of BIT.TRIP RUNNER! With its retro charm, simple controls, and award-winning visuals, this classic sets the standard for rhythm gaming. Don't miss the game that started it all in the acclaimed runner series.

Why similar: Platformer 27.9%, Difficult 20.5%, Pixel Graphics 15.7%, Retro 10.1%, 2D 9.1%

Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives.

Why similar: Platformer 41.1%, Pixel Graphics 16.1%, Exploration 15.9%, Indie 7.9%, Metroidvania 4.2%

Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.

Why similar: Difficult 27.5%, Metroidvania 19.5%, Pixel Graphics 18.2%, Exploration 7.9%, Adventure 6%

In this pixel-perfect homage to the classic action platformers, you play as Sydney Hunter - an explorer who gets trapped inside a Mayan pyramid while he's out exploring!

Why similar: Metroidvania 15.6%, Platformer 11.8%, Old School 9.6%, Retro 9.1%, Difficult 8.6%

The Pinnacle of Mutant Blasting Action Is Here! — Blaster Master Zero 3's hybrid of sidescrolling and top-down action is back for its 3rd chapter, and more intense than ever before!

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.3%, Anime 9.5%, Retro 9.3%, Old School 9.3%, Platformer 8.8%

Traverse a mythic little realm, use a sword to do battle & evoke sworcery to solve mystical musical mysteries.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 35.9%, Adventure 21.7%, Indie 13.4%, Story Rich 6.3%, Retro 6.1%

A short 2D pixel-style metroidvania where you explore, fight bosses, aquire items and abilities and find secrets. Inspired by games such as You Have to Win the Game and VVVVVV.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.7%, Platformer 12.1%, Retro 11.6%, Exploration 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 8%

Metroidvania game with 2.5D graphics, single and multiplayer modes and classic game mechanics for the delight of platform and adventure games lovers as well as for you who didn't live the 80's; this is an opportunity for you to taste that classic feeling with the graphics and sound quality of today.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.6%, Difficult 12.9%, Platformer 12%, Retro 9.9%, Multiplayer 8%

A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 21.1%, Difficult 14.7%, Sci-fi 10.9%, Retro 10.6%, Anime 10.4%

A collection of 9 award winning indie games from the creator of "Binding of isaac" and "Super Meat Boy"!

Why similar: Platformer 43.2%, Indie 22.5%, Adventure 15.4%, 2D 12.6%, Singleplayer 6.3%

Mutant scum never learn! Blaster Master Zero makes its Steam debut! Blaster Master Zero is a 8-bit style top-down & sideview 2D action-adventure game that hearkens back to the golden age of the NES. The game features new gameplay elements such as improved gameplay, and a more robust scenario.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.3%, Platformer 14.6%, Retro 13.7%, Pixel Graphics 10.6%, Action 9%

In this original and adult psychological survival horror, the masked protagonist must escape from a city ravaged by disease, by any means necessary.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 33.4%, Adventure 14.9%, Retro 13.8%, Indie 12.8%, 2D 11.2%

You play an explorer stranded on a dangerous alien planet. Low on fuel, your only hope for escape is to find the planet’s core in this incredibly clever action-puzzle-platformer.

Why similar: Platformer 23.5%, Metroidvania 12.2%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Retro 10.7%, Sci-fi 8.6%

Nominated as a IGF Seamus McNally Finalist, NightSky is an ambient action-puzzle game that offers a gameplay experience unlike any other—cerebral challenges fill uniquely designed picturesque worlds. The player must maneuver a sphere by using realistic physics to advance; each of these worlds is broken into different areas.

Why similar: Platformer 70.6%, Indie 18.2%, 2D 8%, Singleplayer 3.2%

A 8-bit retro action platformer that goes beyond just pixels and chiptunes

Why similar: Platformer 27.1%, Retro 23.3%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Action 15.7%, Indie 9.8%

"This is some of the most fun I've had with a game so far this year, and it will go down as one of the best side-scrolling shooters of all time." - 9/10, Destructoid

Why similar: Platformer 29.9%, Shooter 14.7%, Action 12.5%, Sci-fi 12%, Difficult 11.5%

Rebel Transmute is a challenging 2D action-platformer epic with heart! Explore the twisting caverns of an alien planet, augment your play-style to fit your strengths, battle deadly bosses, and uncover a dark truth as Moon Mikono searches for her long lost mother.

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.8%, Difficult 15.2%, Sci-fi 10.4%, Retro 9%, Platformer 8.9%

Embark on a heartfelt Mushroomvania adventure through a vast and dense interconnected world! It's like a mix of retro and modern classics!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.7%, Platformer 12.6%, Old School 10.6%, Exploration 10.2%, Adventure 6.5%

Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.5%, Exploration 12.4%, Shooter 10.8%, Cute 9.6%, Retro 8.7%