Games Like Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition

Embark on an all-new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. After losing her magic, Shantae teams up with the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from a curse.

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.1%, Platformer 15.5%, Female Protagonist 14.6%, Pirates 12.4% ★, Great Soundtrack 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Widely considered the peak of the series, this entry offers the most refined metroidvania exploration and character writing.

Shantae is back in an all-new tropical adventure! In her fifth outing, the Half-Genie hero gains new Fusion Magic abilities to explore a vast sunken city, makes new Half-Genie friends, and battles the Seven Sirens in her biggest, most thrilling quest yet!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.4%, Female Protagonist 20.3%, Platformer 15.9%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%, Anime 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title continues the series' signature blend of exploration and transformation-based gameplay with modern, polished visuals.

Shantae's adventure comes full circle in this long-lost sequel!

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.7%, Pirates 24.3% ★, Female Protagonist 16%, Platformer 9.4%, Anime 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled addition that captures the classic feel of the series with clever screen-shifting mechanics.

Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.2%, Platformer 20.8%, Female Protagonist 18.1%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Anime 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic entry that established the core mechanics and charm found in the later Half-Genie Hero.

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 30.6%, Female Protagonist 22.4%, Great Soundtrack 21%, Action 5.4%, Indie 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: This fast-paced action-platformer shares the energetic spirit and colorful aesthetic of the Shantae games.

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 40.6%, Female Protagonist 18.5%, Platformer 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%, Adventure 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A story-driven action-platformer with beautiful pixel art and a strong female lead navigating a complex world.

Dodge bullets, missiles and lasers in battle as you wrap your head around that bunny girl costume! Combo away with your mighty Piko Hammer or spam various spells from afar with your fiery fairy friend. Explore and explode through Rabi-Rabi Island as you collect power-ups and uncover secrets...

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.9%, Female Protagonist 15.2%, Platformer 12.7%, Anime 8%, Side Scroller 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: Combines exploration-heavy metroidvania gameplay with bullet-hell combat and a distinct anime aesthetic.

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 26.9%, Female Protagonist 25.4%, Side Scroller 15.1%, Anime 10.4%, Adventure 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: Features high-speed, momentum-based platforming and a vibrant cast of female protagonists that fans of Shantae will appreciate.

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 51.4%, Female Protagonist 15.3%, Platformer 7.8%, Great Soundtrack 7%, Side Scroller 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, expansive metroidvania that offers the same satisfying sense of progression and ability-unlocking found in Shantae.

Boasting beautiful, hand-drawn animations and a re-orchestrated soundtrack, the cult classic returns with a unique blend of exploration, action, and adventure!

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.8%, Platformer 24.2%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Side Scroller 6.7%, Adventure 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This remake captures the whimsical, transformation-based gameplay that served as an early inspiration for the Shantae series.

A legendary series returns with a grand new adventure! Enjoy a colorful action-adventure game made alongside Ryuichi Nishizawa, creator of the original Wonder Boy in Monster World series.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.1%, Platformer 17.2%, Great Soundtrack 8%, Adventure 7.1%, Side Scroller 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A modern masterpiece of the genre that utilizes transformation mechanics to solve puzzles and traverse vibrant environments.

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 36.2%, Female Protagonist 14.4%, Platformer 14.2%, Side Scroller 8.9%, Great Soundtrack 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish metroidvania with unique time-stopping mechanics and a vibrant anime presentation.

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 39.1%, Female Protagonist 17.1%, Platformer 16%, Anime 7.6%, Adventure 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A gorgeous, anime-styled metroidvania that emphasizes fluid combat and exploration.

Enter the mechanical shape-shifting, dimension switching world of the award winning, high octane action-puzzle-platformer Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition, and blow crime away.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 32.1%, Great Soundtrack 29.3%, Platformer 22.5%, Action 7.6%, Indie 6%

Why You'll Like It: Created by the same studio as Shantae, this game offers a similar sense of humor and high-quality 2D art style.

Ink and blood stain the streets of Ramezia. Witches must burn and sins must be judged. Venture forth as Sister Semilla to burn down the pillars of heresy in Minoria, an action-platformer by Bombservice, creators of Momodora.

Why similar: Metroidvania 48%, Female Protagonist 22.1%, Anime 8.4%, Platformer 6.2%, Action 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by the creators of Momodora, this action-platformer offers a similar tight-knit combat feel with a dark yet beautiful aesthetic.

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 42.1%, Female Protagonist 18.6%, Platformer 16.6%, Side Scroller 10.8%, Action 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A charming metroidvania featuring a female protagonist and a time-manipulation mechanic that adds depth to the platforming.

The definitive version of the smash-hit Metroidvania-style action-platformer, Guacamelee! STCE adds new levels, powers, challenges, and refinements to the sprawling, ridiculous, Mexican-inspired adventure of the original Guacamelee! Gold Edition.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64.1%, Platformer 29.6%, 2D 4.7%, Side Scroller 0.5%, Action 0.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers some of the best 2D platforming and combat flow in the genre with a colorful, lighthearted tone.

A Hat in Time is a cute-as-heck 3D platformer featuring a little girl who stitches hats for wicked powers! Freely explore giant worlds and recover Time Pieces to travel to new heights!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 25.7%, Female Protagonist 25.2%, Platformer 21.6%, Cute 12.2%, Adventure 7%

Why You'll Like It: While 3D, this game captures the same cute, adventurous spirit and platforming precision found in Shantae.

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 43.8%, Platformer 21.9%, Great Soundtrack 10.5%, Action 5.5%, Adventure 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features stunning hand-drawn art and fast-paced combat that mirrors the visual and mechanical polish of Shantae.

Lost Ruins is a 2D side-scrolling survival action game, where you play as a young girl that has awoken in a strange and foreign place without her memories. Explore a dark and dangerous world, battle hideous monsters, and topple incredible bosses.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Platformer 15.6%, Anime 11.2%, Female Protagonist 9.7%, Action 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused metroidvania with a distinct anime art style and challenging combat.

Indivisible is a hand drawn action RPG platformer from Lab Zero, creators of the critically acclaimed Skullgirls! Set in a huge fantasy world, Indivisible tells the story of Ajna, a fearless girl with a rebellious streak who sets out on a quest to save everything she knows from being destroyed.

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.4%, Female Protagonist 17.6%, Platformer 16.4%, Anime 7.3%, Action 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Combines platforming exploration with a unique party-based combat system and beautiful hand-drawn animation.

There's trouble once again in River City, and this time only the girls can save the day! Using a variety of attacks, weapons, and items, these hot-blooded heroines are ready to teach the city’s lowlifes a lesson - either solo or in 2-player co-op! It’s an old-school rumble for a new generation!

Why similar: Female Protagonist 37.5%, Great Soundtrack 22%, Anime 16.3%, Action 10%, Side Scroller 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: A beat-em-up that shares the same developer's eye for expressive character animation and vibrant anime aesthetics.

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 54.7%, Platformer 14.6%, Indie 5.6%, Adventure 5.5%, Action 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A bite-sized, charming metroidvania that focuses on tight exploration and clever combat encounters.

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27.9%, Platformer 26.4%, Female Protagonist 21.5%, Indie 6.4%, Side Scroller 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A premier precision platformer with a heartfelt story and a strong female lead that fans of Shantae's platforming will enjoy.

Go on a journey as Kaze in this 90’s classics inspired platformer. When the Crystal Islands get cursed, Kaze needs to save her friend Hogo while facing enraged living vegetables. Find the Wild Masks to unleash the powers of the legendary guardians and master land, sky and sea.

Why similar: Platformer 30.2%, Female Protagonist 29.8%, Adventure 8.7%, Indie 7.8%, Cute 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A love letter to 90s platformers that features tight controls and a vibrant, animal-themed world.

Alwa’s Legacy is a modern retro game full of dangerous dungeons, mystic items and ancient secrets. Upgrade your magic and choose your own path in this non-linear adventure game brimming with exploration.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.3%, Platformer 18.5%, Female Protagonist 17.9%, Adventure 4.2%, Cute 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A modern metroidvania that focuses on exploration and puzzle-solving with a retro-inspired aesthetic.

A colorful pixel-art metroidvania/point-and-click adventure hybrid about magic, cute witches and joys of vandalism.

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.5%, Female Protagonist 23.3%, Platformer 10.5%, Adventure 7.4%, Action 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A whimsical metroidvania that features a young protagonist and a lighthearted, magical atmosphere.

Use your newly-acquired genderbending abilities as a 'FlipWitch' to conquer evil monsters, giant bosses, and Monster Girls across the land! You'll have to use your wits in this quirky adventure to seduce everyone around you!

Why similar: Metroidvania 55.7%, Platformer 14.7%, Side Scroller 8.7%, Female Protagonist 7.4%, Great Soundtrack 4.2%

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 40.4%, Female Protagonist 17%, Platformer 15.9%, Side Scroller 10.2%, Anime 6%

Why You'll Like It: A polished action-platformer that emphasizes precise movement and challenging boss encounters.

Shantae embarks on her first full HD adventure! When a mysterious crime wave sweeps Sequin Land, it’s up to Half-Genie Hero Shantae to save the day! Use Shantae’s devastating Hair-Whip Attack to send monsters flying, or Belly Dance to transform her into more powerful forms!

Why similar: Metroidvania 30%, Female Protagonist 15.8%, Platformer 14.4%, Great Soundtrack 9.7%, Side Scroller 7.6%

Assume the role of Wyatt in this Action/Exploration Platformer as you explore the ruins of a holy city that was lost many years ago. Battle various types of demons, angels, and a new threat known only as the “Ferals”, using swordsmanship, martial arts, and sorcery.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.5%, Platformer 15.7%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%, Action 4.1%, Female Protagonist 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: An action-heavy metroidvania with multiple playable characters and deep combat systems.

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 30.2%, Platformer 21.4%, Female Protagonist 19%, Anime 7.8%, Action 5.2%

I swear it's a nice action metroidvania game.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41%, Female Protagonist 15.5%, Platformer 9.4%, Anime 8.5%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%

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 39%, Great Soundtrack 26.9%, Side Scroller 7.2%, Metroidvania 6.1%, Indie 5.8%

The ultimate version of the 3D Platformer with attitude! Join Beebz on three seperate adventures to ultimately claim the Demon Queen title! Jump, spin and punch your way across the turfs with this Expressive Platformer!

Why similar: Platformer 33%, Female Protagonist 32.9%, Anime 15.2%, Cute 9%, Adventure 8%

Tower Hunter: Erza’s Trial contains core elements of roguelite games, presented in a toon render style. The player explores a mysterious tower with Erza, vanquishes mutant monsters and defeats bosses to acquire a Hunter’s License and become the most powerful Battle Maiden.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Female Protagonist 23.2%, Anime 7.9%, Great Soundtrack 6.9%, Side Scroller 5.8%

Pixel and Libraheart team up yet again in another retro styled lewd metroidvania! Help bounty hunter Lily through a large world while fending off a hordes of enemies and hope that her inner lust doesn't get the best of her.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.3%, Female Protagonist 20.9%, Side Scroller 10.7%, Platformer 4.4%, Action 3.6%

Arcade platform game where every killed enemy can be picked up and thrown to kill more enemies!

Why similar: Platformer 27%, Female Protagonist 26.1%, Metroidvania 25.3%, Anime 7.5%, Indie 6.6%

Guide Vivian the Vagrant, through vibrant and dynamic landscapes while hacking and slashing a path from a quiet coastal village through mysterious forests, haunted castles, and wrecked battlegrounds. When the endless barrage of enemies have been vanquished, what solace will be left for our hero?

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.6%, Female Protagonist 26.5%, Side Scroller 9.7%, Anime 5.3%, Action 4.9%

A great unknown danger is approaching Roah's home planet. Follow Roah as she explores the world and encountering all of its different factions, uncovering the mystery of what is draining the planets lifeforce.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.7%, Female Protagonist 20%, Platformer 12.8%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Adventure 7.2%

Step into the shoes of Freudia Neuwahl, a cool and collected young woman on a mission to save her best friend from an Imperial witch hunt. "Rosenkreuzstilette Freudenstachel" is the sequel to "Rosenkreuzstilette", a level-based 2D side scrolling action game for PC.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 21.6%, Platformer 19.5%, Great Soundtrack 16%, Anime 10.8%, Side Scroller 10.2%

Embark on an epic action-adventure as you slash, dash, and combo your way through a vast, vibrant world. Explore and uncover hidden secrets. Customize your build to triumph in spectacular boss battles. Experience a tale of mystery, magic, and mayhem in TEVI, a bullet hell metroidvania!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.6%, Female Protagonist 16.2%, Platformer 12.3%, Anime 9.4%, Side Scroller 9%

Cally's parents have been abducted, as her arch-enemy Herbert has taken control of the Caves to perform his evil experiments. Join Cally and her friends in this action-packed run and gun platformer, conquering insane bosses, exploring to find secrets, and levelling up EVERYTHING.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 25.6%, Metroidvania 25.6%, Platformer 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%, Adventure 6%

Battle with swords and whips in this retro-style action game brought to you by game creator Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates! Play as Zangetsu, a demon slayer bearing a deep grudge, who must travel through perilous lands to defeat a powerful demon lurking in a dark castle.

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.8%, Platformer 17.5%, Female Protagonist 12%, Great Soundtrack 9.7%, Side Scroller 8.5%

In a bizarre universe where the oppressed are on the brink of oblivion, Dandara has awoken to reshape the world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.5%, Platformer 15.3%, Female Protagonist 13.9%, Indie 7.8%, Action 7.6%

Become more than human and save mankind from total annihilation! From legendary developer Game Freak comes an action adventure like no other - manipulate the world around you and smash the evil Ajeet to smithereens!

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.3%, Female Protagonist 23%, Platformer 22%, Anime 10.8%, Adventure 7.5%

"Haydee" is a hardcore old-style metroidvania mixed with modern-day third person shooter and platformer mechanics. As well as a sexy character.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 50.9%, Metroidvania 25.4%, Platformer 13.8%, Action 3.6%, Indie 3%

Switch up the fun with four games in one! As cybernetic peacekeeper Officer Patricia Wagon, you'll use your platforming skills, puzzle-solving abilities, and level-altering Siren Helmet to catch criminals, extinguish infernos, and smash enemies. Four-player co-op and versus modes included!

Why similar: Female Protagonist 37.9%, Great Soundtrack 28%, Action 16.8%, Indie 13.3%, 2D 4.1%

This game is a Metroidvania game with intense battle. Explore the world and collection power-ups with your cute cat girl! When magic curse suddenly occurred in a small town and all the residents grew cat ears, the real cat girl Nyaruru started her way to uncover the truth...

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.3%, Female Protagonist 16.3%, Platformer 14.5%, Anime 9.5%, Cute 4.8%

ICEY is a 2D side-scrolling action game and a META game in disguise. As you follow the narrator's omnipresent voice, you will see through ICEY's eyes and learn the truth about her world. The narrator will constantly urge you in one direction, but you must ask, "Why? Why am I following his directions?“ Obey? Rebel?

Why similar: Female Protagonist 29%, Metroidvania 13.1%, Side Scroller 12%, Anime 11.1%, Action 8.8%

Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.8%, Platformer 22.6%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Indie 4.4%, Adventure 3.8%

Use your magic staff and progress through a large interconnected world where you'll solve puzzles, fight enemies and defeat bosses in order to help free the land of Alwa. Explore and uncover the secrets by using your platforming skills in this challenging and charming 8-bit adventure game.

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.3%, Platformer 16.3%, Female Protagonist 13%, Great Soundtrack 5.9%, Adventure 5.6%

A succubus issues threats against humanity once every 100 years. While men die and young women disappear one by one, a succubus hunter visits a cursed city under the moonlight. Let's rescue abducted girls and defeat the succubus!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.3%, Female Protagonist 18.4%, Platformer 17.5%, Side Scroller 9.6%, Anime 4.4%

Take control of Piko, our hammer wielding heroine, as you bash things up with a big hammer in this cute Anime-styled 2D metroidvania-inspired adventure! Uncover mysteries! Beat the bad guys who do naughty things! Explore the Piko Piko world with her floof fox friend!

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.3%, Platformer 17.9%, Female Protagonist 17.9%, Anime 7.3%, Cute 4.4%

Eroico is a colorful, lighthearted platformer with monster-girls and sexual content. Journey across the land, battling and escaping the grasp of monster-girl foes in your quest to defeat the demon lord!

Why similar: Platformer 47.5%, Anime 17.7%, Action 8.8%, 2D 8.5%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%

The next installment in the high-speed 2D action Gunvolt series is finally here with Azure Striker Gunvolt 3. Balancing both an involving story and satisfying gameplay, Gunvolt 3 is the most extravagant entry in the series yet!

Why similar: Platformer 31.4%, Female Protagonist 16.7%, Side Scroller 14.4%, Anime 12.4%, Action 11.7%

Mighty No. 9 is a 2D Side-scrolling Action game that takes the best elements from 8 and 16-bit classics that you know and love and transforms them with modern tech, fresh mechanics, and fan input into something fresh and amazing!

Why similar: Platformer 44.9%, Side Scroller 19.7%, Anime 17.1%, Action 10.8%, Great Soundtrack 3.7%

SteamWorld Dig is back! Dig deep, gain riches and unearth the terrors of the underworld in this platform mining adventure influenced by classic Metroidvania style games.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.6%, Platformer 17.9%, Female Protagonist 11.7%, Adventure 6.6%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%