10 Highly Anticipated Metroidvania Games to Watch in Late 2026 and Beyond

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Here is our curated selection of the most promising Metroidvania games scheduled for release from the second half of 2026 and beyond.

The Most Anticipated Metroidvania Games Launching in Late 2026

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

A Brand-New Entry in the Legendary Franchise. The franchise that helped coin the term “Metroidvania”—Castlevania—is finally returning with a brand-new title.

The game is set in 1499 Paris, a city suddenly overrun by a rampant onslaught of monstrous beasts. Players will step into the boots of Rose, the daughter of the legendary hero Trevor Belmont, as she takes on a diverse horde of monsters.

Inheriting her father’s legendary whip-wielding talents to conquer both combat and exploration, Rose can seal defeated bosses into Tarot cards, allowing her to summon and unleash their unique abilities as special skills known as “Arcana.”

The title is being developed by the studio behind the critically acclaimed Dead Cells—which famously featured its own Castlevania crossover content—guaranteeing that players can expect not only deep exploration but also top-tier, exhilarating action.

Silver Pines

Relying Solely on Your Wits and Resources. The game follows Red Walker, a private investigator searching for a missing musician. Your investigation leads you into the eerie, shadow-drenched town of Silver Pines.

While exploration is the core, this title offers a rare twist on the genre: it’s a full-fledged survival horror Metroidvania. Players must search for clues and key items, solve intricate puzzles, and find ways to unlock doors and pathways to navigate the labyrinthine town.

Along the way, you must also confront terrifying, non-human entities lurking in the dark.

By combining the thrill of puzzle-solving with the high-stakes tension of inventory management, this title delivers a uniquely gripping and spine-chilling Metroidvania experience.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement

Gothic England Awaits: Sparking New Skills in Battle. 

Bloodstained is the hit series birthed by Koji “IGA” Igarashi, the legendary mind behind the Castlevania franchise. This latest installment serves as both a sequel to the first game and a prequel that explores the dark, early origins of the Bloodstained universe.

Set in a haunting 16th-century England terrorized by a demon lord, the story follows an unlikely duo: Leonard, a young fighter from the Church’s Black Wolves clan, and Alexander, a knight of the Kingdom’s White Stags.

Players will command both heroes through a brand-new “Buddy System”—allowing you to seamlessly control one character while the other provides automatic battle assistance. Another major highlight is the “Epiphany Combat System,” where characters can spontaneously discover and master powerful new moves mid-battle.

Of course, the franchise’s signature thrill of exploration is stronger than ever. Featuring Bloodstained’s largest map to date, this sprawling gothic world will completely sweep you away as you uncover its dark secrets.

Well Dweller

Setting the Sights on the Queen’s Crown. 

Glimmer is a tiny, fragile bird who looks far from a seasoned warrior—but beneath that small frame lies unmatched bravery. To save their family, Glimmer embarks on a dangerous quest to overthrow a terrifying Queen whom no one dares to oppose.

Glimmer’s primary weapon is a humble matchstick. This tiny flame does more than just strike down enemies; it serves as a versatile tool for exploration, acting as makeshift scaffolding to reach high places. Players can also customize skills with various gear to tailor the combat to their preferred playstyle.

The game’s charm lies in its eerie, fairy-tale world, populated by a quirky cast of NPCs who live in constant fear of the Queen but are ready to become your friends.

Developed by the brilliant mind behind Islets and Crypt Custodian, this highly anticipated title promises a delightful journey filled with fluid, light-footed action and adorable hand-drawn visuals that will make exploring every corner a joy.

Mariachi Legends

Journeying Through a World of Spicy Cuisine and the Restless Dead. Immerse yourself in a vibrant, color-soaked Metroidvania heavily inspired by Mexican culture and folklore.

You play as Pablo, a private detective who accepts a high-stakes contract to track down and retrieve a specific man. The twist? His employer is Death. Armed with the power bestowed upon him by Death, Pablo can transform into “La Sombra,” wielding deadly supernatural abilities to investigate a string of serial murders plaguing the town. Together, you will navigate a shifting world that alters based on the day-night cycle and the phases of the full moon.

Combat is fast and fluid, allowing you to slice and shoot your way through foes using guns, whips, and ancient magic. Beyond the fighting, players can gather fresh ingredients to cook traditional dishes, which serve to both complete quests and permanently upgrade Pablo’s stats.

Wrapped in breathtakingly beautiful and meticulously detailed pixel art, this title is a feast for both the eyes and the senses.

Monomoon

Unlocking Secrets: Solving Mysteries by Moonlight. 

While many Metroidvanias test your reflexes and combat skills, this unique title tests your intellect. Stripping away tutorials and explicit hints, the game challenges you to manipulate moonlight and embrace trial-and-error to forge your path through an open world.

If you are clever enough, you could potentially reach the ending in just a few hours due to its concise, bite-sized scale. However, a wealth of hidden secrets lies beneath the surface, meaning uncovering absolutely everything will take considerable time and dedication. It is a highly anticipated title, especially for puzzle enthusiasts.

While the gameplay styles are entirely different, this evocative world is crafted by the talented studio behind the acclaimed roguelike action game Spiritfall.

Aeterna Lucis

After the King of Darkness Comes the Queen of Light. This highly anticipated title serves as the direct sequel to Aeterna Noctis, the Metroidvania acclaimed for its relentless, high-stakes platforming action.

This time, the spotlight shifts from the previous protagonist, the King of Darkness, to his cosmic counterpart: the Queen of Light. Picking up after the events of the first game, the story follows the Queen as she braves uncharted lands, armed with a brand-new arsenal of weapons and abilities.

The franchise’s signature charm lies in its lightning-fast combat and tight aerial maneuvers, and players can once again expect plenty of heart-pounding moments that will truly test their reflexes and precision.

With heavily refined and polished gameplay mechanics, this sequel is perfectly crafted to offer a fresh, exhilarating experience for both returning veterans and newcomers stepping into the universe for the first time.

Nocturnal 2

Wielding the Flame to Pierce the Dark. 

This title serves as the sequel to Nocturnal, the acclaimed Metroidvania where players must kindle fires to navigate a world consumed by an oppressive shroud of darkness.

This installment boasts a significantly expanded map, offering a grander scale of exploration. The franchise’s signature mechanic returns in full force: you must constantly light your surroundings to unveil the path forward, delivering the raw thrill of charting the unknown step by step.

Harnessing elemental skills that blend swordplay with raw fire, you will fight your way through foes to uncover why the Persian-inspired city of Ytash has fallen into shadow, pushing deeper into the metropolis to lift its ancient curse.

With exploration that defies simple sight, this shadow-drenched Metroidvania will completely absorb players who love the tension of navigating the dark.

Light of Atlantis

Conquering the Sunken Empire: Solving the Mysteries of Atlantis. In this unique Metroidvania, you play as a disembodied soul striving to uncover the ancient secrets of a long-lost underwater civilization.

Though you lack a physical form, you possess the ability to inhabit various robots left behind in the ruins. By possessing these machines and utilizing their unique functions, you will navigate and decipher the remains of Atlantis. Featuring multiple possessable automatons, the game challenges you to combine their distinct abilities with environmental gimmicks to forge your path forward, making this a true test of intellect rather than raw reflexes.

Water plays a pivotal role in your journey. You will need to manipulate water levels—raising and lowering them—while shifting between robots to take advantage of how their specific traits change when submerged.

If you love cerebral gameplay that stretches your problem-solving skills, this is a title you won’t want to miss.

Zozo and the Lost Dream

A Boy’s Wildest Imagination, Brought to Life. The game follows Zozo, an imaginative 13-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a legendary hero. With the help of his eccentric professor friend, Zozo manages to enter a world forged entirely from his own dreams—only to find himself hopelessly trapped inside.

To escape this whimsical realm, players must master dynamic platforming action, utilizing tools like a grappling hook to navigate the terrain. Oh, and your primary weapon? A trusty pillow.

The game is packed with absurd humor and a delightfully pop-aesthetic world overflowing with a young boy’s grandest fantasies—featuring everything from giant mechs and majestic dragons to mountains of candy.

Offering a cozy yet engaging experience, this is the perfect cozy, casual Metroidvania for players looking for a lighthearted adventure.