Metroidvania: The Genre That Keeps on Giving

Summary

In this article, we discuss the Metroidvania genre of video games, which is a 2D platformer with a large open world that players can explore at their own pace, finding new power-ups that allow them to explore more of the world. We also highlight the major new game out this week, Guacamele!, a Mexican-themed Metroidvania for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Additionally, we mention the original 8-bit Castlevania game available for the Nintendo 3DS and the upcoming release of Super Metroid for the Wii U Virtual Console.

What is Metroidvania?
Guacamele! – The New Release
Castlevania – The Original
Super Metroid – The Classic Returns
Conclusion

What is Metroidvania?

Metroidvania is a genre of video games that combines elements of the classic games Super Metroid and Castlevania Symphony of the Night. These games are 2D platformers with a large open world that players can explore at their own pace. As players progress through the game, they find new power-ups that allow them to explore more of the world. This genre of games has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many new games being released that follow this style of gameplay.

Guacamele! – The New Release

The major new video game out this week that follows the Metroidvania style of gameplay is Guacamele! This Mexican-themed game is available for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Players control a Luchador character who can punch, kick, and suplex enemies into submission. However, the game’s multiple dimension twist means that players must be on the same astral plane as their enemies before they can get them into a chokehold. Guacamele! is a love letter to classic games, and players will find sly references to them throughout the game. For $15, players can get both the PS3 and Vita versions, which can share cloud saves.

Castlevania – The Original

For those who want to play an actual Castlevania game, the original 8-bit entry in the series is available now for the Nintendo 3DS. While the first Castlevania game is not a Metroidvania, it is still a classic linear platformer game that is broken up into discrete levels. This epic battle between vampire hunter Simon Belmont and his nemesis Dracula is one of the most notoriously difficult games of the NES era. However, on the 3DS, players can save and restore their game at any point, making it easier to finally defeat Dracula.

Super Metroid – The Classic Returns

For fans of the Metroid series, Super Metroid is considered one of the best games ever made. Nintendo will release this groundbreaking Super Nintendo game for the Wii U Virtual Console on May 15th. For the first month that it’s available, it’ll be just 30 cents thanks to Nintendo’s special promotion. After that, the price will go up to $8, but it’s still a bargain. Players can play this version of Super Metroid entirely on the Wii U Gamepad screen, so they don’t have to take up the whole TV if they don’t want to.

Conclusion

The Metroidvania genre of video games has become increasingly popular in recent years, and there are many new games being released that follow this style of gameplay. Guacamele! is the major new release this week that follows this style of gameplay, and it is a love letter to classic games. For those who want to play an actual Castlevania game, the original 8-bit entry in the series is available now for the Nintendo 3DS. For fans of the Metroid series, Super Metroid is considered one of the best games ever made and will be released for the Wii U Virtual Console on May 15th.