Games Like Super Win the Game

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.7%, Precision Platformer 11%, Platformer 10.5%, Difficult 8.9%, Retro 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by the same creator, this game shares the exact same retro aesthetic and challenging exploration-based platforming.

Delve into the depths of a mechanical world in this cute, adventure-exploration game. Explore and fight in a land full of corrupt robots and machinery. All while seeking answers to the mysteries around you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.2%, Side Scroller 13.4%, Nonlinear 12.5%, Open World 10.8%, Platformer 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the retro-core exploration and charming pixel-art style found in the seed game.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.6%, Platformer 11.4%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%, Difficult 9%, Retro 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, challenging metroidvania that prioritizes exploration and secrets within a minimalist pixel-art world.

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 48.7%, Difficult 16.4%, Platformer 13.6%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%, Retro 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, difficult platformer that leans heavily into the nostalgic, retro-core design philosophy.

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 56.8%, Platformer 10.8%, Pixel Graphics 7.1%, Retro 4.8%, Side Scroller 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: This title excels at providing a vast, non-linear world filled with secrets and classic metroidvania progression.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.7%, Platformer 18.7%, Pixel Graphics 7.3%, Difficult 6.5%, Retro 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: Widely considered the gold standard for retro-inspired metroidvanias, it features the same blend of platforming and exploration.

Uphold your pact with the Titan of Death, Epimetheus! Fight, climb and solve your way through a twisted tower as three unique adventurers, on a mission to save their village from impending doom!

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.1%, 1980s 13.1%, Platformer 9.5%, Old School 8.8%, Exploration 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers an authentic 8-bit experience with deep, interconnected world design that feels like a lost classic.

A handcrafted open-world platformer set in a world built by Mushrooms! Explore different locations filled with secrets, acquire new abilities and use those abilities to reach new places!

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.9%, Precision Platformer 17.4%, Side Scroller 10.9%, Platformer 8.6%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on precision platforming mechanics within a large, interconnected world that rewards exploration.

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 48.7%, Platformer 13.1%, Pixel Graphics 9%, Side Scroller 8.5%, Retro 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Designed specifically to feel like a lost NES title, it features tight platforming and puzzle-heavy exploration.

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 40.1%, Platformer 14.8%, Retro 10.3%, Difficult 8.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant hybrid that starts as a linear platformer and evolves into a sprawling metroidvania with excellent movement.

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 47.2%, Difficult 18.6%, Platformer 12.6%, Exploration 6.4%, Retro 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: A notoriously challenging exploration game that rewards players who enjoy deep, non-linear puzzle solving and platforming.

Infernax is the adventures of a great knight who returns to his homeland only to find it plagued with unholy magic. Uncover the mysteries of the curse and face the consequences of your actions.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41%, Side Scroller 16.4%, Retro 8.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, Old School 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the brutal, retro-core action and exploration style reminiscent of classic titles like Zelda II.

Return to the Golden Age of arcades with a hardcore action platformer that pulls no punches! Possesses all the hallmarks of true classics like Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts (SNES), Rastan Saga (Arcade), Castlevania (NES) and more with precise controls, high challenge, and meticulous design.

Why similar: Difficult 30.2%, Platformer 23%, Retro 9.3%, Side Scroller 8.9%, Old School 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a hardcore, unforgiving retro platforming experience that demands precision and mastery of mechanics.

The old gods have forgotten this land. No one could save our people when darkness started spreading and collecting human souls for its army. Odallus is a classic exploration/action game, inspired by Ghosts’n Goblins, Demon’s Crest and Castlevania.

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.6%, Platformer 11.8%, Retro 10.9%, Pixel Graphics 9.3%, Side Scroller 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: An authentic 8-bit action-platformer that emphasizes exploration and challenging combat in a dark fantasy setting.

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 46%, Platformer 9.7%, Side Scroller 9.1%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%, Retro 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A short, punchy metroidvania that uses a limited color palette to evoke a strong sense of retro nostalgia.

Love pixels? Fond of platformers? Is there a special place in your heart for the 8-bit and 16-bit era? Want to have fun? Yes!? Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Mutant Mudds Deluxe is a “12-bit” action platformer full of pixels and platforming fun!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 34.9%, Platformer 15.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.1%, Side Scroller 9.8%, Retro 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-platformer that uses a unique depth-switching mechanic to create a retro-inspired challenge.

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 26%, Side Scroller 13.4%, Retro 13.4%, Pixel Graphics 13%, Difficult 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive modern take on classic 8-bit platforming, offering tight controls and a nostalgic, polished experience.

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 36.9%, Side Scroller 21.1%, Platformer 11.5%, Exploration 8.2%, Pixel Graphics 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania that blends a strong retro aesthetic with modern quality-of-life improvements and exploration.

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 27.4%, Side Scroller 16.4%, Platformer 12%, Difficult 11.9%, Retro 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: Delivers a classic, high-quality Castlevania-style experience with multiple paths and retro-inspired difficulty.

Bounce and stomp through an enormous interconnected world, doing some intense acrobatics and getting huge combos! A superfast precision platformer that mixes up a Metroidvania world with classic Arcade mechanics.

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.5%, Precision Platformer 26.9%, Platformer 10.5%, Pixel Graphics 5%, Colorful 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, precision-heavy platformer that rewards players for maintaining momentum through complex levels.

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 44.7%, Platformer 15%, Difficult 13.1%, Retro 8%, Pixel Graphics 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-core platformer with a sci-fi theme that captures the difficulty and charm of early 90s action games.

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 40.9%, Side Scroller 13.7%, Platformer 13.6%, Exploration 5.6%, Action 5%

Why You'll Like It: A modern love letter to classic platforming adventures with vibrant visuals and clever transformation-based exploration.

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 49.1%, Platformer 11.9%, Pixel Graphics 11.2%, Side Scroller 9.2%, Action 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features beautiful pixel art and a focus on platforming and exploration within a narrative-driven world.

Robot wants stuff! Go get it for him in this compilation of the metroidvania Robot Wants series, including an all-new Robot adventure!

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.9%, Side Scroller 13.3%, Difficult 10.2%, Platformer 8.7%, Old School 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A collection of exploration-based platformers that focus on incremental upgrades and uncovering secrets.

Challenging retro pixel graphics action-platformer. Become a legendary rogue Janosik and explore the big mountain castle level full of secrets. Available for FREE!

Why similar: Metroidvania 27%, Precision Platformer 14.5%, 1980s 11.7%, Platformer 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A casual, retro-style platformer that offers a straightforward and enjoyable experience reminiscent of classic 2D games.

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 50.1%, Platformer 19.9%, Side Scroller 8.3%, Pixel Graphics 7.4%, 2D 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: Offers classic platforming action with a focus on exploration and unlocking new abilities to traverse the world.

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 33.2%, Side Scroller 18.3%, Difficult 16.4%, Platformer 10.4%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Features incredibly tight controls and a unique time-manipulation mechanic within a classic metroidvania structure.

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 32.7%, Retro 13.2%, Pixel Graphics 12%, Difficult 11.7%, Side Scroller 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: A high-speed, retro-inspired platformer that emphasizes momentum and fluid movement through diverse stages.

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 31.1%, Side Scroller 17.6%, Difficult 14.1%, Platformer 9.7%, Exploration 7%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric and challenging metroidvania that balances tight combat with exploration in a dark, pixelated world.

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 44.7%, Platformer 11%, Nonlinear 9.8%, Exploration 9.7%, Old School 7.2%

Explore, solve puzzles, and fight your way through over 100 screens and return your pumpkin pals!

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.4%, Nonlinear 19.4%, Open World 10.1%, 1980s 10.1%, Platformer 8.9%

Master Key is a top-down adventure game with a strong focus on item-based exploration and secrets. Embark on a journey to discover what that key could be used for and meet colorful characters!

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.7%, Nonlinear 12.6%, 1980s 11%, Open World 10.3%, Retro 7%

The legendary Knytt series continues with Nifflas’ latest creation; Knytt Underground. In this Knytteration; humans have long since abandoned the planet after practically destroying it in a war, five hundred years ago.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 40%, Metroidvania 29.9%, Platformer 15.6%, Exploration 9.4%, Adventure 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on minimalist, exploration-heavy platforming that emphasizes atmosphere and discovery over combat.

Hop into a Game Boy inspired metroidvania adventure! Explore a huge and open dungeon and find ability upgrades to help you in your quest! Can you survive the tiny dangerous dungeons and find the presumably huge treasure?

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.8%, Side Scroller 14.7%, Platformer 12.1%, Retro 7.8%, Old School 7.4%

Join Pixel as he quests through gaming history, teleporting across the most iconic video game systems of generations past. He’ll have to jump, dodge and play smart if he wants to survive all the traps, puzzles and enemies waiting to take him down at every turn.

Why similar: Platformer 40.1%, Retro 23.7%, Pixel Graphics 19.2%, 2D 10.2%, Adventure 5.5%

Critically-acclaimed action-RPG that takes the template laid down by classics like Wonder Boy, nails the 16-Bit aesthetics for nostalgia fans, but updates the mechanics to feel fresh and modern. Explore a beautiful open world and plunder dungeons, caves and forests to help take down epic bosses!

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.9%, Platformer 11.5%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, Adventure 8.1%, Retro 7.8%

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 35.6%, Nonlinear 22.6%, Platformer 9.3%, Exploration 8.2%, Retro 7%

A nostalgic metroidvania from the good old days back in 19XX. Take on the role of Sean, a young boy who ventures into the fictional city of Arostia to repay his father's debt. Rescue your 3 friends from imprisonment, defeat strong enemies, all while getting your debt paid in time!

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.5%, 1980s 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 9.6%, Exploration 8.8%, Platformer 7%

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 40.8%, Platformer 13%, Exploration 9.1%, Retro 7.8%, Pixel Graphics 7.8%

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 53.1%, Difficult 10.1%, Platformer 10%, Retro 7.2%, Pixel Graphics 6.4%

Explore branching levels, fight quirky bosses, and save the day in this retro platformer inspired by the classics!

Why similar: Nonlinear 21.4%, Side Scroller 19.6%, Difficult 11.3%, Platformer 10%, Exploration 8.1%

Evolve through the history of video games in this fun-filled blast from the past.

Why similar: Platformer 43.2%, Pixel Graphics 21.1%, Action 18.6%, Adventure 17.1%

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

Why similar: Platformer 31.6%, Retro 21.4%, Pixel Graphics 19.1%, Action 18.8%, 2D 9.1%

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 37.2%, Side Scroller 14.4%, Platformer 13.3%, Old School 11.1%, Retro 8.8%

Super Jagua is a classic 2D retro-style single-player platformer inspired by the greatest platformers of the 80s. Run, jump, swim, discover lots of secrets, fight brutal bosses and more in this classic NES inspired adventure.

Why similar: Casual 38.7%, Action 32.5%, Adventure 28.8%

Huge classic platformer with several power-ups and 8-12 hours of main story & 300+ hidden locations just begging for exploration · 56 big Levels · 5 huge worlds

Why similar: Platformer 37.2%, Pixel Graphics 12.3%, Retro 11.2%, Casual 7.2%, Difficult 7.1%

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 37.1%, Difficult 13.2%, Side Scroller 10.2%, Platformer 9.9%, Pixel Graphics 6%

Super Catboy is an action-packed platformer created in a high-bit pixel art style, combining the best elements of the golden 16-bit platformer era of the 90s with some ‘pawsome’ new mechanics! And let’s not forget; there’s plenty of CAT CONTENT!

Why similar: Side Scroller 27.5%, Platformer 16.6%, Old School 14.5%, Pixel Graphics 13.5%, Retro 11.4%

Hats up and whips out; the wilderness' mysteries await! Explore lush biomes, use your trusty whip to extract wild flowers' mystic powers, and collect rare gems in this dynamic precision-platformer. Unearth archaeological marvels and become a legend!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 30.1%, Difficult 18.9%, Platformer 12.7%, Side Scroller 12%, Exploration 8.4%

Super Cable Boy is a retro inspired platformer, where you are playing a living handheld gaming system with a power cord. Collect game cartridges to become more powerful and take on your quest to defeat "the Glitch", an entity that 1▧01☠01௹1‱☣∰0␢⌀▧ ..

Why similar: Precision Platformer 44.3%, Platformer 18.8%, Retro 11.9%, Pixel Graphics 10.1%, Colorful 4.9%

Help Puzzled Cat use jetpacks, portals, bombs, gum, and more to conquer treacherous platforming stages. Play your own way using save states to explore a world full of challenges and secrets - but can you find the way through? Travel through time and space and reach enlightenment.

Why similar: Difficult 27.2%, Side Scroller 22%, Platformer 16.7%, 2D 8.5%, Colorful 7.9%

Super Blasting Boy is a logical platform platformer made in the best traditions of retro games of the late 80's and 90's.

Why similar: Difficult 19.4%, Side Scroller 19.3%, Platformer 15.7%, Action 9.3%, Adventure 8.2%

Super Mustache is a vintage styled platformer, filled to the brim with 8 bit pixel art juice! Join Captain Super Mustache in a journey to save the planet Uranus. If you enjoyed classic platformer games from the golden era of video games, then you’re going to love this.

Why similar: Platformer 46.9%, Pixel Graphics 14.7%, Casual 13.6%, Action 12.5%, Adventure 12.3%

Guide Timmy the treasure hunter through dangerous dungeons in search of the legendary treasure!

Why similar: Platformer 19.1%, Side Scroller 16%, Pixel Graphics 11.5%, Retro 9.7%, Action 9.6%

Ghoulboy is a retro-inspired action platformer. Explore a magical realm of dungeons, towns, treasures and devious monsters.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.4%, Side Scroller 15.5%, Precision Platformer 12.4%, Platformer 11.8%, Retro 7.4%

Explore a kingdom overrun by evil magic as you fight foes with your own magical bow in this retro inspired action-adventure platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.1%, Platformer 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, Retro 7.7%, Open World 6.8%

2D platform game focused on intense combat against enemies and exploration of secret areas in dark dungeons full of dangers.

Why similar: Side Scroller 23%, Difficult 18.4%, Platformer 15.3%, Retro 9.8%, Exploration 8.9%

A robot, a poncho and a journey of discovery! Make your way through this wonderful world of pixelated parallax platforming to solve the ultimate puzzle: who is Poncho?

Why similar: Platformer 18.3%, Side Scroller 15.9%, Difficult 10.8%, Retro 10.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%

A throwback to the golden age of white-gloved 16-bit video-game mascots, Spectacular Sparky is an action-packed platformer with wacky characters, explosive weapons and boss battles to treasure!

Why similar: Side Scroller 29.3%, Platformer 17.6%, Old School 16.3%, Retro 11.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.2%