Action-Platform

Action-Platform Japanese Role-Playing Games
ConsoleNameReleaseDeveloperLucca's Notes
PS4Actraiser Renaissance (DL only)2021Quintet/Square EnixSee Switch
Xbox OneBloodstained: Ritual of the Night2019ArtPlayIga doing what Iga does (arguably) best: Metroidvanias; it's not Castlevania, but it's about as close as you'll get these days
SwitchBloodstained: Ritual of the Night2019ArtPlaySee XBO
PS4Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night2019ArtPlaySee XBO
GBACastlevania: Aria of Sorrow2003KCETMetroidvania with the addition of collecting enemy souls to augment abilities
Wii UCastlevania: Aria of Sorrow (VC)2014KCETSee GBA
GBACastlevania: Circle of the Moon2001KCEKMetroidvania with a dual card system to customize abilities
DSCastlevania: Dawn of Sorrow2005KonamiMetroidvania direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow with a more anime design aesthetic, requires the stylus to draw symbols
Xbox OneCastlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only)2019KonamiSee PS3
PS3Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only)2011KonamiMassive crossover metroidvania with local multiplayer and character growth based on equipment
Xbox 360Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only)2010KonamiLarge-scale Metroidvania crossover with an emphasis on online co-op, stats based on gear and skill grinding
GBACastlevania: Harmony of Dissonance2002KCETMetroidvania with room decorating and traveling between dimensions to progress
DSCastlevania: Order of Ecclesia2008KonamiLast of the DS Metroidvanias, featuring a glyph combination system to customize movement and combat abilities
DSCastlevania: Portrait of Ruin2006KonamiMetroidvania with highly varied level design and two switchable playable protagonists - CHARLOTTEJONATHANCHARLOTTE
PSXCastlevania: Symphony of the Night1997KonamiTHE Metroidvania
Xbox 360Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (DL only)2007KonamiMostly the same as the PSX version, but removes FMV cutscenes
PS3Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSone Classics)2007KonamiSee PSX
PSPCastlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles2007KonamiContains a remade version of Rondo of Blood and an unlockable version of Symphony of the Night with dialogue translation closer to the original Japanese
VitaCastlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (DL only)2012KonamiSee PSP
Xbox OneCastlevania Advance Collection (DL only)2021KonamiSee XS
PS4Castlevania Advance Collection (DL only)2021KonamiSee XS
Xbox SeriesCastlevania Advance Collection (DL only)2021KonamiContains Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dracula X all with modern QoL features
SwitchCastlevania Advance Collection (DL only)2021KonamiSee XS
NESCastlevania II: Simon's Quest1988KonamiSurprise! Contains a day/night system and XP/leveling
Wii UCastlevania II: Simon's Quest (VC)2014KonamiSee NES
3DSCastlevania II: Simon's Quest (VC)2014KonamiSee NES
PS4Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood (DL only)2018KonamiAn upscaled version of The Dracula X Chronicles, including all improvements present
3DSCave Story (DL only)2012Studio Pixel/NicalisSee DS
DSCave Story (DSiWare)2010Studio Pixel/NicalisA platforming-heavy metroidvania created by a one-man development team; taking damage loses XP for weapons
3DSCave Story 3D2011Studio Pixel/NicalisRenders the original game with 3D graphics, throws in crossover content/references, adds a dynamic camera and additional level
JP FCCosmo Police Galivan1988Nihon BussanPlatformer ARPG - Metroidvania before metroidvanias were a thing
SNESDemon's Crest1994CapcomA sequel to Gargoyle's Quest, with mild RPG elements (similar abilty progression), but with equippable crests to change abilities and reach otherwise inaccessible areas
Xbox SeriesDemoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only)2022AKI/EastasiasoftA metroidvania that wears its mature themes on its sleeves (to an occasionally lewd degree)
TurboGrafx-16Dragon's Curse1990Westone Bit Entertainment(AKA Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap) See SMS, but fratures a save system rather than passwords
PS2Dual Hearts2002Matrix SoftwarePlatforming-heavy ARPG - XP goes towards weapons instead of stats
SwitchEiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only)2022Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtariSee PS5
Xbox SeriesEiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only)2022Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtariSee PS5
PS5Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only)2022Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtariA side story side-scrolling Metroidvania-lite with additional town-upgrading elements and fun characters
Xbox OneEiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only)2022Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtariSee PS5
PS4Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only)2022Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtariSee PS5
Xbox OneEnder Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only)2021Live Wire/AdglobeSee Switch
PS4Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only)2021Live Wire/AdglobeSee Switch
SwitchEnder Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only)2021Live Wire/AdglobeA heavily atmospheric Metroidvania utilizing spirits to aid in attack and traversal
Xbox SeriesEnder Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only)2021Live Wire/AdglobeSee Switch
NESFaxanadu1989Hudson SoftPlays more like a standard Castlevania
GB+GBCGargoyle's Quest1990CapcomA Ghosts 'n Goblins gaiden, featuring random battles and ability progression via story progression
JP SFCHoly Umbrella: Dondera no Mubou!!1995Earthly SoftMore of a sidescrolling platformer, but does have some stat increases via items, very cheeky tone
NESLegacy of the Wizard1989FalcomAn early example of a metroidvania with a family element; different family members have different exploration skills
PS5Lost Epic (DL only)2023Team Earthwars/oneoreightSee Switch
PS4Lost Epic (DL only)2023Team Earthwars/oneoreightSee Switch
SwitchLost Epic (DL only)2023Team Earthwars/oneoreightAn unusually brightly-colored Metroidvania with skill tree progression tied to exploration ability, also features fishing and farming
JP Mega DriveMonster World IV1994WestoneA far different protagonist from the rest of the series and toned-down RPG elements (purchasing equipment is still possible), but enhanced platforming
Xbox 360Monster World IV (DL only)2012WestoneSee JP Mega Drive, but officially in English
PS3Monster World IV (DL only)2012WestoneSee JP Mega Drive, but officially in English
JP DSOre ga Omae o Mamoru2009Vingt-et-un Systems/Idea FactoryA Metroidvania made to entice women to play, but quite difficult in practice; no XP to speak of but stats can be increased through equipment and story events
PS4Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-2021Team LadybugSee PS5
SwitchRecord of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-2022Team LadybugSee PS5
Xbox SeriesRecord of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only)2021Team LadybugSee PS5
Xbox OneRecord of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only)2021Team LadybugSee PS5
PS5Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only)2021Team LadybugA Metroidvania on the shorter side with shallower systems, but nonetheless satisfying elemental attacks
NESRygar1987TecmoDifficult Metroid-like sidescrolling ARPG with lots of enemy killing via yo-yo-like shield and experience to gain
GBAShaman King: Master of Spirits2004KCEJMetroidvania based on the anime
GBAShaman King: Master of Spirits II2005KCEJAnother Metroidvania based on the anime but with more attacks and abilities
WiiSonic and the Black Knight2009Sonic TeamSonic meets King Arthur this time, with even worse controls and a looser form of experience in the form of followers, which raise your knight rank which lets you access more skills
WiiSonic and the Secret Rings2007Sonic TeamSonic meets Arabian Nights with results of dubious quality, but experience to be gained and applied to skills based on stage performance
Xbox SeriesSonic Frontiers2022Sonic TeamSee PS5
PS5Sonic Frontiers2022Sonic TeamMore of an open-world platformer (a first for the series), but the hedgehog does have various stats to increase
Xbox OneSonic Frontiers2022Sonic TeamSee PS5
SwitchSonic Frontiers2022Sonic TeamSee PS5
PS4Sonic Frontiers2022Sonic TeamSee PS5
PS2Sonic Unleashed2008Sonic Team/DimpsSee Wii
PS3Sonic Unleashed2008Sonic TeamSee 360
Xbox 360Sonic Unleashed2008Sonic TeamFeaturing XP for both the hedgehog and werehog, a hub world that can be explored, and more/different levels than the PS2/Wii versions
WiiSonic Unleashed2008Sonic Team/DimpsHope you like werehogs! More night levels than 360/PS3, a non-explorable hub world by comparison, and only the werehog can be leveled
WiiSuper Paper Mario2007Intelligent SystemsMultiple playable characters and the ability to switch between 2D/3D for platforming; the last decent Paper Mario game, according to many
Turbografx-CDThe Dynastic Hero (TurboDuo)1994Westone/Hudson SoftMostly the same as Wonder Boy in Monster World, but with differing sprites, town names, enemy names, music, and an opening movie
SwitchTomomi (DL only)2022NUL2 StudioA solo-developed Metroidvania that leans into humor
PS4Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World2021ArtdinkSee Switch
SwitchWonder Boy: Asha in Monster World2021ArtdinkA remake of Monster World IV with added game modes and character voices
SwitchWonder Boy: Monster Land (DL only)2019Westone Bit Entertainment/Sega(AKA Wonder Boy in Monster Land) See SMS, but with challenge modes and QoL features
PS4Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection2023Westone Bit Entertainment/SegaContains versions of 6 Wonder Boy titles (including in Monster Land, in Monster World, The Dragon's Trap (SMS), and Monster World IV)
SwitchWonder Boy Anniversary Collection2023Westone Bit Entertainment/SegaSee PS4
PS4Wonder Boy Collection2022Bliss Brain/Westone Bit EntertainmentContains versions of 4 Wonder Boy titles (including in Monster Land, in Monster World, and Monster World IV)
SwitchWonder Boy Collection2022Bliss Brain/Westone Bit EntertainmentSee PS4
Master SystemWonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap1989Westone Bit EntertainmentA nonlinear game where transforming into different monster forms (and buying better statted equipment) is key to progression
Master SystemWonder Boy in Monster Land1988Westone Bit Entertainment/SegaA side-scrolling ARPG where score serves as XP of sorts and there is purchasable equipment to increase stats
PS3Wonder Boy in Monster Land (DL only)2012Westone Bit EntertainmentSee 360
Xbox 360Wonder Boy in Monster Land (DL only)2012Westone Bit EntertainmentAn emulation of the arcade version
GenesisWonder Boy in Monster World1992Westone Bit EntertainmentNo forms to change into, but gives you a familiar and the ability to actually learn spells along with multiple towns to visit, the core gameplay remains the same
SNESXardion1992JorudanA mech-based action-platformer with each robot having its own set of XP to gain and exploration elements, made by members of Gainax among other big names