10 Most Desired Metroidvania Remasters of 2026

Though I do not at all times love remasters, some video games really profit from being dropped at the fashionable period in all their retro glory. High quality of life tweaks, HD graphics, and even new options all make a traditional recreation even higher, particularly within the case of Metroidvanias.

One nice instance was how Metroid II: Return of Samus was totally overhauled in the most effective of how in Metroid: Samus Returns, making it a much more approachable journey. So now that we’re in a brand-new 12 months, we got here up with a listing of another worthy Metroidvanias that would profit from the identical overhaul.

Although all the identical style, there are some actually eclectic indie adventures, one film turned Metroidvania, a time-traveling quest, and a few traditional examples of the style that might nonetheless resonate on this trendy period. So be a part of us for this record of Metroidvania Remasters we would like to see within the new 12 months!

10

Aquaria

Massive Little Mermaid Vitality

Usually talking, most Metroidvanias happen on strong floor. Because the style makes use of lots of leaping, it simply is smart. That’s a part of what helped an underwater journey referred to as Aquaria to face out from the pack.

Not solely was Aquaria fairly fairly when it got here out, nevertheless it had you swim round and use the facility of track for a wide range of functions, together with transformation. Actually, the one draw back to the sport was that there wasn’t so much to do when you beat the primary story.

So, bringing Aquaria to PC and trendy consoles with a slight facelift and a few new content material thrown in simply is smart. As a result of who does not need to play a Metroidvania model of The Little Mermaid?

9

Outbuddies DX

Lovecraftian Nightmare

I initially performed Outbuddies DX at PAX West, the place I used to be completely satisfied to get a primary style of the journey. I used to be drawn in by the pixelated artwork fashion, rife with horror and dread. It additionally most likely did not harm that it was printed by a proficient staff named Headup.

Although many loved the Metroidvania journey, it obtained a combined response from followers. Although they beloved the vibe, the sport’s platforming was typically irritating, and the map was onerous to parse at a look.

But when they only mounted these two comparatively small points, this journey of a misplaced adventurer tethered to a robotic buddy can be unimaginable. If nothing else, I might like to see extra profitable indie Metroidvania adventures.

8

Metroid Fusion

Trying For that Dread Makeover

Maybe as a result of it led to Metroid Dread a few years later, I actually crave a remaster of Metroid Fusion. In spite of everything, this was one of many first entries within the sequence to have a real narrative expertise.

Although I totally get pleasure from Metroid Fusion in its unique kind, I am unable to assist however assume it might be even higher if it seemed extra like Metroid Fusion. Shiny graphics to raised carry the stress and drama of the sport to a complete new stage.

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They would not even essentially want so as to add something new to the sport, although I would not lament in the event that they did. In spite of everything, there is no Metroid recreation on the market that I would not need to spend extra time enjoying.

7

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse

Everyone Dance!

As a wholehearted fanboy of the Shantae series, however particularly Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, I’ve been dreaming of a remaster of the journey for fairly a while. However it makes much more sense in 2026, since WayForward already has a brand new Shantae journey within the works.

There’s actually not a lot they’d even have to do to alter the sport. I’d simply love for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse to be as visually beautiful as Shantae and the Seven Sirens. Heck, throw in a few of these attractive animated cutscenes for good measure.

Actually, I’d love a remaster of this explicit recreation as a result of I really feel not each fan of the style has had an opportunity to attempt it. And I actually assume it is a recreation that followers of the style and sequence owe it to themselves to play.

6

The Mummy Demastered

WayForward within the Pyramids

Though I used to be a fan of the Mummy sequence (extra the unique films than the remake), I by no means may have guessed how a lot I might get pleasure from The Mummy Demastered. It was a terrific showcase of how effectively WayForward could make a Metroidvania, even on a smaller scale.

The Mummy Demastered not solely does justice to the film it is based mostly on, nevertheless it showcases a tremendous 16-bit fashion that is oozing with particulars and magnificence. Although a linear expertise, there’s greater than sufficient to maintain you busy as you journey by tombs and caverns.

What I really feel a remaster may carry to the desk can be one thing like a pair extra bonus areas to discover, and possibly an optimized runtime on Change 2. Aside from that, it is a very memorable historic Egyptian Metroidvania.

5

Timespinner

Flip Again the Clock

I used to be really one of many of us who helped again Timespinner. Whereas I used to be pleased with the ultimate outcome from Lunar Ray Video games and Chucklefish, I might be mendacity if I mentioned I do not assume they may enhance the time-traveling journey.

In some ways, Timespinner performs a bit like if Chrono Set off had been a Metroidvania, combined with a visible fashion positively impressed by some classics of the style. It is fairly and options a number of completely different endings to unlock as you bounce by time.

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All I actually need from a remaster can be an overhauled HUD and maybe one thing that makes it a bit simpler to understand how you are progressing in satisfying the various aspect quests within the recreation. And if the solo developer had the time, possibly simply glossier HD graphics to make this engaging recreation even prettier.

4

Chasm

Dive into Journey

I have been a fan of Bit Child since I demoed Chasm at PAX West what looks like a lifetime in the past. And whereas I’ve loved the sport since then, and crushed it a couple of instances, I do assume that it may benefit from a remaster.

I simply need a little bit extra from the sport, particularly one thing that gives a extra satisfying ending to the journey. And whereas it is enjoyable to play total, and has gotten some latest updates, I feel a remaster may additionally assist stability the sport’s development and fight considerably.

If nothing else, I really feel Chasm is likely one of the few noteworthy rogue-like examples of the style. And I actually would really like it to be the very best model.

3

Monster Story

Creature Comforts

In contrast to lots of the video games on this record, I really feel most individuals studying have most likely by no means performed Monster Story. It solely bought launched on the DS, in any case. Worse, it was really alleged to get a remaster a couple of years again, however that appeared to fizzle out earlier than something occurred.

Whereas Monster Story was made to work with a second display screen, I do really feel {that a} remaster may alleviate the necessity for that function. In that case, we would be left with a strong, cute, and enjoyable Metroidvania that options some nice monster-raising components.

Throw in some extra options like aspect quests and possibly some bonus areas, and it may very well be a extremely nice trendy remaster.

2

Castlevania: Symphony of the Evening

Play that Gothic Music

Whereas it is true that Castlevania: Symphony of the Evening impressed a technology of Metroidvanias, I’d like to see that recreation get a contemporary remaster. And never simply in order that I may play it on my Change 2, although that is positively a part of my reasoning.

Although the music in Symphony of the Night and even the fight maintain up splendidly, I do really feel it may use an HD facelift. Nothing loopy like 3D fashions you’d see in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Evening, just a few actually shiny visible overhauls to raised mesh the journey with the tone.

Not solely is that this an unimaginable recreation, nevertheless it performs effectively even in moveable kind, as proven in The Dracula X Chronicles. So why not double down and make it one of the beloved adventures on trendy consoles?

1

Demon’s Crest

Firebrand’s Legacy

I used to be struggling for some time over whether or not to present the gold to Castlevania: Symphony of the Evening or Demon’s Crest. I in the end settled on the latter for the straightforward motive that, whereas Symphony bought multiple model, Demon’s Crest has solely ever been obtainable as an SNES recreation or emulation.

Demon’s Crest nonetheless holds up by way of the way it performs and sounds, with some really extraordinary music. However it may use HD graphics and a simplified magic system that is simpler to grasp. Additionally, I’d love a real mini map to assist with subsequent exploration of ranges for hidden goodies.

That is a kind of video games that I beloved as a baby and an grownup, and I might love an excuse to play it once more. This is hoping sooner or later Capcom decides to free Firebrand from the SNES period.

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