Games Like Volgarr the Viking

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 36.4%, Retro 16.3%, Difficult 15.1%, Pixel Graphics 5.5%, 2D 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It perfectly captures the feel of 8-bit classics while introducing modern, polished controls and level design.

A hardcore, 2D action-platformer where only precision can keep you from death.

Why similar: Platformer 38.5%, Arcade 13.8%, Side Scroller 10.7%, Action 10.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: The direct sequel continues the brutal, arcade-style action and precise platforming that defined the original.

Set in a far corner of space, Valfaris is a heavy metal infused 2D action-platformer and the next game from the team behind Unity Awards finalist, Slain: Back From Hell. Brutal combat. Deadly enemies. Stunning pixel art. Savage soundtrack. Get ready to rip the galaxy a new wormhole.

Why similar: Platformer 28.9%, Difficult 17.3%, Action 11.7%, Retro 10%, Side Scroller 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: This heavy metal-infused action platformer matches the intense difficulty and visceral combat found in Volgarr.

Slain: Back from Hell. A heavy metal inspired arcade combat with puzzle elements and gore galore. Stunning visuals and true old school gameplay accompanied by the most metal soundtrack you've ever heard.

Why similar: Difficult 29.6%, Platformer 29.5%, Action 8.7%, Retro 6.4%, Pixel Graphics 6%

Why You'll Like It: A gothic, brutal action platformer that demands high skill and rewards players with satisfying, weighty combat.

Steel yourself for a relentless display of might and muscle…brawn and bravery…magic and mayhem! Inspired by heroic fantasy fiction, Tiny Barbarian DX combines engaging 2D platform action and combo-based hack-and-slash combat with retro-style pixel art and a loincloth-stirring chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Platformer 42%, Action 23.5%, Retro 16.4%, Adventure 13.5%, Pixel Graphics 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: The sword-swinging action and retro pixel art style mirror the classic barbarian adventure themes seen in Volgarr.

Super Cyborg is an old school non-stop hardcore run'n'gun action game! You are an elite battle cyborg who is sent in to investigate a series of anomalies on a mysterious island. The merciless alien known as the 'Xirxul life form' has been awakened by unwitting scientists and now: all humanity is in danger!

Why similar: Platformer 22.6%, Difficult 22.2%, Retro 19.2%, Action 11.2%, Indie 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A high-octane run-and-gun experience that captures the frantic, difficult spirit of 80s arcade shooters.

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: Platformer 24.6%, Difficult 21.8%, Retro 14.7%, Side Scroller 6.8%, Action 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a faithful recreation of classic Castlevania-style action with multiple characters and high-difficulty stages.

The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, on one last mission to uncover what started the path to perpetual ruin.

Why similar: Platformer 26.4%, Difficult 22.1%, Retro 17.2%, 2D 5.9%, Side Scroller 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game delivers a masterclass in precision action platforming with a distinct NES-era aesthetic and challenging boss encounters.

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: Difficult 33.3%, Platformer 31%, Retro 10.9%, Action 6.7%, Indie 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This fast-paced, difficult platformer is packed with secrets and retro charm that will appeal to fans of classic arcade games.

"The most rewarding game of 2013!" Influenced by retro classics Mega Man and Castlevania, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures features the AVGN and friends as they blast their way through 10 levels of fun, fast paced 2D action based on the AVGN's adventures in his online series.

Why similar: Difficult 30.2%, Platformer 30.1%, Retro 12.5%, Action 6.5%, Indie 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: Known for its punishing difficulty, this game is a love letter to the most frustrating and rewarding platformers of the past.

They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic horror.

Why similar: Difficult 37.3%, Platformer 30%, Action 6.2%, Pixel Graphics 5.3%, Side Scroller 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A high-difficulty precision platformer that emphasizes visceral combat and tight, responsive controls.

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: Platformer 32.6%, Retro 19.6%, Difficult 17.5%, 2D 6.7%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: While it evolves into a metroidvania, its core platforming and combat mechanics are deeply rooted in challenging retro design.

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: Retro 24.2%, Action 11.3%, Side Scroller 10.5%, Old School 9.3%, 2D 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A brutal retro-inspired action game that features dark fantasy themes and punishing difficulty reminiscent of classic 8-bit titles.

Abathor is a challenging 2D action platformer for solo play or up to 4 players. Embark on an epic 16-bit quest inspired by Golden Axe, Rastan, and Castlevania IV. Traverse Atlantis, battle demons, and defeat vicious bosses to save your progress! Enjoy an amazing OST from classic-era musicians!

Why similar: Platformer 26.5%, Difficult 25.3%, Retro 12.2%, Side Scroller 6.4%, Action 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: An arcade-style action platformer that emphasizes retro visuals and challenging, fast-paced gameplay.

Cast of the Seven Godsends harks back to the days when classic 2D, run ’n gun, action-shooter games ruled the arcades. Four levels of difficulty, six worlds to conquer, twelve mid and end-of-level bosses, seven god-like armour sets, five basic weapons and thirty-five magic combat spells!

Why similar: Platformer 30.3%, Retro 28.1%, Action 19.7%, Indie 11.3%, Adventure 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic arcade-style action platformer that focuses on challenging combat and retro-inspired boss fights.

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

Why similar: Platformer 36.2%, Retro 21.2%, Action 18.3%, Indie 11.5%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A classic action platformer that feels like a lost gem from the 8-bit era, focusing on tight controls and enemy patterns.

Jump into this challenging retro platformer! Play as Thor, use his mighty hammer and unique items to explore the Northern Realms. Beware of mythical creatures blocking your path to become a god!

Why similar: Vikings 35.5% ★, Platformer 18.8%, Retro 10.5%, Old School 9.2%, Side Scroller 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: It combines precision platforming with a Viking theme and challenging boss fights that require careful timing.

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: Platformer 33.1%, Retro 26.5%, Action 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 8%, Indie 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-heavy action platformer that captures the atmosphere and challenge of 8-bit adventure games.

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

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-focused retro platformer that stays true to the authentic 8-bit style and difficulty curve.

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: Difficult 33.5%, Platformer 23.7%, Pixel Graphics 9%, 2D 7.6%, Action 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more atmospheric, its punishing combat and platforming challenges will resonate with fans of difficult retro games.

Cybarian The Time Travelling Warrior is a classically inspired arcade action game, with a mixture of modern and retro gaming tropes.

Why similar: Difficult 22.4%, Platformer 21.4%, Retro 12.9%, Arcade 7.1%, Action 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced action platformer that leans into the retro arcade vibe with simple, yet demanding combat mechanics.

RITE is a high-speed, precision platformer where you must conquer a series of challenging trials, a rite of passage for every Nim.

Why similar: Platformer 29.7%, Difficult 26.8%, Retro 7.3%, Action 7.2%, Old School 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A high-speed precision platformer that demands absolute mastery of controls to overcome its difficult stages.

Battle Princess Madelyn is a game that follows the journey of a young knight in training, Madelyn, and her ghostly pet dog, Fritzy. Join them as they set out on a journey to save her kingdom and her family from the clutches of an evil wizard!

Why similar: Platformer 26.4%, Difficult 23.6%, Retro 14.2%, Action 10.4%, Indie 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a retro-inspired action platforming experience with a classic arcade feel and challenging level design.

Jet Gunner is a 2D platform action indie game that's full of Nestalgia. Full of action, gunfights, bosses and explosions so if you're into the whole 8-Bit vibe you should love this. From the sound, to the graphics to the flicker, this should pay tribute to those classic hard as nails, run 'n' gun games.

Why similar: Platformer 37.1%, Action 21.1%, Retro 17.4%, Indie 7.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A classic run-and-gun platformer that focuses on pixelated aesthetics and challenging, enemy-dense levels.

Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a tough as nails game that puts a gravity-defying weapon in your hands. One button lets you fly, the other blasts obstacles out of the way. With a cast of crazed characters, challenging gameplay, and a pulsing musical score, it delivers twitchy platforming goodness.

Why similar: Difficult 32.9%, Platformer 27.6%, Action 16.8%, Indie 11.8%, Pixel Graphics 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, high-difficulty action platformer that strips away complexity to focus on pure, challenging movement.

Never Give Up is a hardcore platformer determined to turn you into bloody chunks. Run, jump, and slide your way through ever-changing levels that get harder each time you succeed. You’ll need to try, die, and try again if you want to conquer the game without pressing the Give Up button.

Why similar: Difficult 35%, Platformer 32.4%, Action 7.4%, Indie 6.8%, Side Scroller 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: An extremely difficult precision platformer that rewards persistence and quick reflexes in the face of constant failure.

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: Platformer 29.6%, Retro 17.4%, Indie 14%, Action 13.1%, Adventure 12.6%

Why You'll Like It: A non-linear action platformer that blends classic 16-bit aesthetics with modern, challenging gameplay mechanics.

Challenging 2D platformer with simple graphics and a great chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Difficult 27.7%, Platformer 20.9%, Retro 12.8%, Old School 8.7%, Action 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging precision platformer that captures the essence of classic retro difficulty in a compact, focused package.

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 48%, Retro 24.5%, Indie 8.2%, 2D 7.2%, Pixel Graphics 7%

Why You'll Like It: A nostalgic journey that explores various retro platforming styles, each with its own unique challenges and aesthetic.

ORCS is an action/platformer 2D old school inspirated by classic like Castlevania and Ghosts 'n Goblins.

Why similar: Platformer 37.5%, Difficult 15.4%, Action 11.5%, Indie 9.1%, Pixel Graphics 7.1%

Play Abathor Atlantis Landing and relive the glory of arcades in this action platformer for up to 4 players.

Why similar: Difficult 26.3%, Platformer 23.9%, Retro 11.9%, Arcade 6.9%, Side Scroller 6.8%

Volchaos is an ultra-challenging old school platformer.

Why similar: Platformer 32.5%, Retro 17.4%, Difficult 12.8%, Action 8.8%, Side Scroller 8.7%

Dynamic, hardcore and explosive action on the passage with a bunch of weapons, enemies and bosses.

Why similar: Platformer 22.9%, Difficult 20.6%, Action 12.2%, Retro 11.1%, Indie 7.9%

For those of you who cannot live without old-style hardcore platformer challenges, Yury brings the ultimate spikes-lava-monsters experience.

Why similar: Difficult 31.5%, Platformer 26.4%, Retro 11%, Indie 9.9%, Action 8.5%

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 25.5%, Platformer 23.1%, Action 11.6%, Retro 9.9%, Indie 8.5%

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: Platformer 22.6%, Difficult 15.1%, Action 13%, Retro 11.8%, Indie 8.5%

A brand-new side-scrolling entry to the NINJA GAIDEN series from the team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure.

Why similar: Platformer 25.5%, Difficult 25.2%, Retro 12.8%, Side Scroller 7.5%, Action 6.6%

Beholgar is a classically styled metroidvania action adventure. Explore caverns, ancient woods, and deadly castles; battle creatures and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom.

Why similar: Platformer 37.8%, Arcade 13.5%, Action 11.1%, Side Scroller 10.8%, 2D 6.7%

A platform shooter that brings 90's gaming smashing into your face! Blast and insta-melee your way through hordes of alien soldiers, robots, bosses and loads more. Fight on foot, in a fighter or in a bomber. Take on bosses and ensure that the alien menace won't threaten Earth ever again!

Why similar: Difficult 32.9%, Platformer 18.7%, Old School 11.5%, Retro 11.3%, Action 6.5%

"SUPER DISTRO" is a hard-as-nails 2D platformer in the style of retro games such as Megaman, Super Mario Bros 2: The Lost Levels and other such rage-inducing classics. Taking "Difficult gameplay" to a whole new level - SUPER DISTRO is not for the faint-of-heart. The weak need not apply.

Why similar: Platformer 37.4%, Difficult 26.9%, Indie 14.8%, Action 10.3%, Adventure 6.3%

Super Helmets on Fire DX is a crazy side scrolling action platformer game, with lots of nods to old school games, mixed with hardcore runner gameplay and a pinch of RPG lite elements.

Why similar: Difficult 36%, Platformer 30.6%, Action 9.8%, Retro 8.3%, Indie 6.7%

NightmareZ is a side-scrolling platform action game with multiple enemies, lots of fancy features and retro visuals. This is a retro styled platform and action game which will immerse you in a unique world full of good and evil demons.

Why similar: Platformer 28.2%, Difficult 22.4%, Retro 14.5%, Action 14.2%, Indie 9.4%

Wings of Vi is a challenging 2D platformer in which the player controls the angel Vi, tasked with defeating the Demon Lord Jeh’oul after he is freed from captivity. While inspired by masochistic retro platformers, Wings of Vi aims to cut out arbitrary difficulty in favor of skill based gameplay.

Why similar: Difficult 44.5%, Platformer 31.7%, Action 4.9%, 2D 4.7%, Indie 3.5%

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: Platformer 31.6%, Difficult 24.5%, Retro 14.5%, Action 10.4%, Indie 6.1%

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

Why similar: Platformer 31.1%, Difficult 23.4%, Retro 19.9%, Indie 4.7%, 2D 4.5%

A game that puts together Rastan's action with adventure elements inspired by Faxanadu. An old school tribute for every lover of 8-bit classics!

Why similar: Platformer 36.4%, Arcade 14.5%, Action 11.5%, Side Scroller 11.4%, Adventure 7.4%

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: Difficult 41.7%, Platformer 31.7%, Retro 7%, Indie 4.5%, Adventure 3.9%

Death's Gambit: Afterlife is a challenging 2D action platformer with deep RPG elements. As an agent of Death bound to his service, unravel the mystery of Siradon and discover the true price of immortality.

Why similar: Difficult 30%, Platformer 24.5%, Action 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, 2D 8.1%

Stray Savior is a 2D action platformer packed full of lethal traps, precise jumps, and powerful bosses. Venture through the dystopian world with weapons and skills, to prove yourself and forge your own path.

Why similar: Platformer 34.2%, Difficult 15.7%, Side Scroller 10.1%, Action 9.9%, 2D 6.3%

Take control of Specter Knight, servant to the Enchantress, in a quest to recruit a cadre of knights and create the Order of No Quarter. Experience perfect platforming, world-class visuals, impeccable stage design, incredible music, and even meet a friend or two in Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment!

Why similar: Platformer 38.9%, Action 16.5%, Indie 11.3%, Adventure 9.6%, Retro 9.1%

The classic returns to punish the bold. A re-imagined retro platformer of precision, peril, and persistence — featuring all 30 levels from Dark Castle and Beyond Dark Castle plus 50 brand-new punishing rooms, rebuilt for modern systems.

Why similar: Platformer 43.7%, Action 16.7%, Retro 13.4%, 2D 6.2%, Indie 6%

Rush to Adventure is a retro fantasy speedrunning adventure. Inspired by classic NES titles like Zelda, Mario and Castlevania. You awaken on the shore of a cursed island. Your only way off the island is to fight the monsters and lift the curse.

Why similar: Difficult 24.3%, Platformer 20.7%, Retro 13.1%, Action 12.8%, Indie 9%

Swords & Bones inherits the spirit of the great 16-bit classics from the 80s and 90s, enriching the game experience with modern mechanics! Undead hordes and demons await you in this epic adventure!

Why similar: Platformer 27.3%, Retro 17.2%, Action 16.4%, Adventure 10%, Arcade 8.9%

Mr. Bree+ is a hardcore sidescrolling adventure platformer, enriched with great visual and musical aspects. It's about 60 levels of pure challenge, revealing along the progress, the dark past events which tells the story of our hero, a householding family pig, Mr. Bree.

Why similar: Platformer 61.5%, Action 15%, Indie 13.7%, Adventure 9.8%

Sir Lovelot is on a quest to find the love of his life. Join him in this wacky tight platformer, where impressing cheeky damsels is harder than a heart of stone!

Why similar: Difficult 32.4%, Platformer 25.8%, Retro 12.9%, Old School 4.9%, 2D 4.8%

Be a ninja and go on an action platforming adventure to save the world. Climb walls, slice up bad guys, master tricky platforming sequences and face ruthless bosses.

Why similar: Difficult 30.3%, Platformer 23%, Retro 9.4%, Side Scroller 8.6%, Arcade 8%

Electronic Super Joy is a brutally hard platformer set in a world of pulse-pounding electronic music. Run, jump, smash & fly your way through 45+ weird & different levels, with low-gravity, world rotation, giant monsters & swarming missiles.

Why similar: Platformer 41.5%, Difficult 36.6%, Indie 5.6%, Action 4%, Retro 3.3%

Dispersio is a retro-style action platformer. As you progress through the game, you will have to use and combine special abilities, such as dashing, wall-jumping and more. There's even a hard mode for hardcore players.

Why similar: Difficult 42.2%, Platformer 31.2%, Indie 11.7%, Adventure 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 4.7%

An absurd retro-platformer that tests your patience.

Why similar: Difficult 31%, Platformer 24.2%, Side Scroller 6.8%, Action 6.6%, Retro 6.1%

An adventure game with focus on acrobatics and discovering secrets. Classic platformer gameplay in the spirit of the 8-bit era games.

Why similar: Platformer 32.4%, Retro 23.8%, Arcade 9.9%, Action 8.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%