Where would the action or horror genre be without the gothic masterpiece that is the Castlevania series? How many of us have gotten lost amongst castle spires, gargoyles, and legions of classic monsters behind every corridor? Ne﷽edless to say, the series has something of a reputation.
While you could always buy the remastered collection and relive the game's glory days, the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Nintendo Switch is home to dozens of games worthy to fill the void left behind by the Belmont clan. Though we might not have enough crosses or whips, we've collected ten games on the console fans of Castlevania should play if they've got to get their fix.
10 🍒 The Messenger 🔥
Upon first glance, this game will definitely seem more like a tribute to the original Ninja Gaiden than a Castlevania title. Though it's true that ninjas are the central theme of this retro-styled platformer, the combat, monsters, and explorative platforming definitely feel more like a trek through a later Castlevania game.
As the titular Messenger, players take up the mask and mantle of a ninja warrior as they embark on a time-traveling Metroidvania adventure. With enough enemies, powerups, and engaging platforming to seriously test your ninja skills, The Messenger is one game fans of NES🅘 and SNES platformers should certainly play.
9 🌄 Shovel Knight 🥀
Though this enchanting NES-inspired indie darling takes more from games like and Ducktales, Its graveyard and castle levels feel like something ripped straight from one of the earlier Castlevania games. After all, how can you not run through Lich Knight's graveyard and not think of Castlevania III?
Shovel Knight captures multiple tropes of the fantasy genre and lovingly gives them an 8-bit coat of paint, but it's the iﷺnvigorating platforming and comedic writing that gives the game its chops. Simply put, the game is inspired, polished, sharp, and as crisp and controlled as a platformer can 𒉰be.
8 Sundered
Though this game takes a bit from the Metroid series as well, there's one huge element thrown into consideration that similar titles simply lack. Lovecraft-inspired cosmic horrors. Where Castlevania pulled from Bram Stoker's Dracula, Sundered takes heavy inspiration from Call of Cthulhu, and we're more than a little bit impressed.
Though you might be going up against legions of tendriled atrocities and abominations that populate ginormous labyrinthian environments, the hand-drawn animated art-style is absolutely to die for. Who would have thought Lovecraftian horrors could be so colorful, right? If you're looking for a little sinister sci-fi thrown in with your monster-mashing platformer, have a look at Sundered.
7 Mummy: Demastered 𒆙
When the term Metroidvania is thrown around, these games tend to be more on the Metroid side of things. With various weapons and powerups needed to progress and more labyrinthian levels than Planet Zebes. The Mummy:Demastered, however, is on🍌e of the more balanced and better-represented members of the genre.
Though the game has its guns, weapons, and upgrades like Super Metroid, the dark, horror-inspired environments, undead monsters, and screen-consuming boss fights are purely and belovedly Castlevania. Who would have thought t🌳his freakish flop of a Mummy movie woul💃d make such a wonderful game? Maybe the Universal Monsters need a new medium.
6 Timesp🔥inner
Often imitated but never duplicated, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is perhaps the most beloved game in the entire series. But few games have ever lived up to the standard set by Alucard way back in the days of the original Playstation. Though the bar was set pretty high, we'd be lying if we said Timespinner didn't at least have a brush or two with it.
The sprites might look like something more at home with Mega Man X or even Chrono Trigger, but the immense castle setting, gothic atmosphere, and familiar monster-inspired enemies scream Castlevania. Pair that with a fine sprinkling of action-RPG elements, and you've got yourself a Symphony of the Night substitute.
5 🅺 Rogue Le🅰gacy
One of the best rogue-like games on the market, Rogue Legacy owes a great deal to the Castlevania series for a number of different influences and elements present in this surprisiꩵngly deep adventure. Though the art style is definitely more cartoony and fun, the castle made up of multiple worlds is definitely something Count Dracula would kill to have.
With each run of this rogue-like, you have the choice of different characters with unique classics and 🧸perks which can totally enhance or inhibit your game. Once deep inside the formidable fortress, it might as well be a best-of castle levels from the familiar franchise.
4 ♏ Blasphemous
Hey, gamers! Are you tired of messing with zombies, werewolves, and vampires? If you've ever wondered what Castlevania would be like if it lost the classic and somewhat stereotypical monsters and exchanged them for horrifying nightmare-fuel creatures that would give Stephen King a serious case of the shivers, you should play Blasphemous.
Blasphemous is a Metroidvania title with a heavier focus on its horror elements than arcade action and platforming. The visuals are insanely horrific and the combat is bloody and visceral. This definitely feels more like a Dark Souls game than Castlevania, but the traditional platformer influences can definitel꧒y be felt.
3 🏅 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Designed by one of the co-creators of the original Castlevania series, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was meant to be the spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night. Though a few newer elements were introduꦯced and some classic ones were twe꧟aked, we can certainly say that it passes the bar with flying colors.
Though there is a definite lack of vampires and a certain whip-wielding monster hunter, the gothic atmosphere and legions of unholy monsters bring back fond memories of exploring Dracula's castle in Symphony of the Night. The Switch port premiered with a few glitches, but for those wanting a pure Castlevania expe🅰rience, this is a great choice, along with our next entry.
2 Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon ꦦ
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is to Castlevania III as Ritual of the Night is to Symphony of the Night. To say that the third entry in the Castlevania franchise is 🍰a heavy inspiration for this game is the understatement of the decade. There are times during playing this game w🌟here we wondered why Konami hadn't filed plagiarism charges.
The 8-bit-inspired graphics, the crisp platforming, and gothic horror visuals, there's no questioning this game's obvious nods to the original series. To put it bluntly, if you played and enjoyed any of the early Castlevania titles, you ꧃💦will absolutely adore this incredible game.
1 Hollow Kn𝓰ight
There are many titles on the Switch and our list that bear the title of Metroidvania, but the ghoulish delight that is Hollow Knight. Though the world of Hollownest does have a gigantic Super Metroid inspired map and upgrade system, few Metroidvania titles feel as close to Castlevania as this title does.
The world is dark, dreary, andꦓ full of monsters, and the foreboding atmosphere and haunting visuals hang heavily over the game like the fog over castle . Your sword feels as comfortable as a Belmont's chain whip. Descend into the underground in search of victory, and get lost in this must-play title.