Top Metroidvania Gems on Xbox Game Pass in 2026: A Gamer's Deep Dive

Hey gamers! As we roll into 2026, I'm still absolutely hooked on Metroidvanias. This genre, with its interconnected maps, deep progression systems, and those unforgettable boss battles, has been pumping out bangers for over a decade now. It's a formula that just works, birthing everything from hidden indie gems to modern masterpieces. Each game offers a unique adventure while sticking to that addictive core loop. So, as a proud Xbox Game Pass subscriber, I figured it's time to shout out the absolute best Metroidvanias you can dive into right now on the service. Think of this list as your treasure map to dozens of hours of exploration, combat, and pure gaming bliss. Let's dig in!

12. ReCore: Between Metroid and Mega Man

As a die-hard Mega Man fan since I was a kid, hearing that Keiji Inafune was behind ReCore had me hyped beyond belief. It's like finding out your favorite chef opened a new restaurant—you just have to try it. The game mashes up Metroid's exploration with Mega Man's core-shooting action in a vibrant, alien world.

The Good & The Bad:

• 👍 Fascinating Fusion: It takes classic Japanese gameplay and drops it into a rich universe with characters that actually grow on you.

• 👎 Rough Edges: I won't sugarcoat it—the loading times back at launch were a patience test, and the story wraps up just as you're getting invested, like a movie cutting off before the third act.

My Take: While it didn't blow my mind as I'd hoped, dismissing ReCore is a crime. Its 15-hour campaign was a solid, entertaining ride. It's the gaming equivalent of a B-movie sci-fi flick: flawed, but packed with heart and cool ideas you won't find anywhere else. If you're on Game Pass, it's a no-brainer to experience this unique hybrid.

11. The Last Case of Benedict Fox - Definitive Edition: Twisted Creativity

This game is an odd duck, and I mean that in the best way. The Last Case of Benedict Fox is less about tight combat and more about soaking in its wonderfully weird, Lovecraftian world. Exploring the psyche and memories of the deceased? Sign me up!

What Makes It Special:

• 🖤 Atmospheric Mastery: The art and sound design create a haunting, detective-noir vibe that's thicker than London fog.

• 🧩 Puzzle-Focused: The real star here is the environmental and thematic puzzle-solving. It's like being a paranormal investigator sifting through a surreal, psychic crime scene.

Personal Note: I'll be real—the combat felt clunky at first, like trying to fence with a pool noodle. I dropped it twice. But on my third attempt, I leaned into the vibes and story, and it clicked. It's a slow burn, but the payoff in its narrative and world-building is immense.

10. Journey to the Savage Planet: Fun In Its Purest Form

In a sea of games that take themselves way too seriously, Journey to the Savage Planet is a sparkling, neon-colored cocktail of joy. It's a first-person Metroidvania-lite that's all about curiosity and laughing at the absurd alien wildlife.

Why It's a Breath of Fresh Air:

• 😄 Humor & Heart: The corporate satire and goofy creature designs are consistently hilarious. It doesn't just want you to explore; it wants you to have a dumb grin on your face the whole time.

• 🔍 Exploration-Driven: The combat is simple, but who cares? The joy comes from scanning bizarre flora and fauna, finding hidden caves, and just seeing what weird thing is over the next hill. It's gaming as a cheerful, scientific playground.

Co-op? I actually preferred going solo. It let me soak in the jokes and discoveries at my own pace, like wandering through an interactive comedy special.

9. Monster Sanctuary: Charming and Profound

Think "Pokémon meets Metroidvania," and you're halfway there. Monster Sanctuary is a deep, tactical monster-tamer that also gives you a huge, interconnected world to explore with your crew. It's a genius mash-up.

The Brilliant Blend:

• ⚔️ Team-Based Combat: Battles are a strategic 3v3 affair. Building synergistic teams is as deep and satisfying as solving a complex puzzle box.

• 🗺️ Metroidvania Progression: Your monsters' abilities are your keys. Need to fly over a gap? Time to hatch and raise the right creature. It makes exploration and team-building one and the same.

Heads Up: It's got a steep learning curve and can get grindy. But if you stick with it, you'll lose dozens of hours without even noticing. It's the kind of game that turns you into a wiki-diving expert, proud of your perfectly crafted monster squad.

8. SteamWorld Dig 2: Back to the Underworld

This sequel took the fantastic digging core of the original and polished it to a brilliant shine. More tools, more secrets, more world. It's a masterclass in expanding a great idea.

Sequel Strengths:

• ⛏️ Refined Gameplay: The moment-to-moment loop of digging, finding loot, upgrading, and diving deeper is incredibly addictive. It's like the gaming version of the "just one more turn" civ effect.

• ✨ More of Everything: Bigger map, more character, more reasons to keep tunneling. It's a supremely confident and complete package.

The Catch: As fantastic as it is, it lacks the raw, surprise impact of the first game. It's like hearing a perfect cover of your favorite song—it's technically excellent, but the original still holds a special, chaotic magic. Still, an absolute must-play.

7. Ori and the Blind Forest: An Emotional Journey

This game is a piece of interactive art. Ori and the Blind Forest will punch you in the feels within the first 10 minutes and then carry you on a platforming journey of stunning beauty. The art and music are a siren's call you can't ignore.

The Emotional Core:

• 🎨 Visual Symphony: Every frame is a painting. The way light filters through forests and water reflects the world is breathtaking. It's a game you play with your heart as much as your hands.

• 🏃‍♂️ Fluid Movement: Once Ori gets going, the platforming flows like water. The Bash ability alone is one of the most satisfying movement mechanics ever coded.

My Honest Take: The combat is basic and some escape sequences spiked my blood pressure more than any Souls boss. But those moments of frustration fade against the backdrop of its overwhelming beauty and heart. It's an experience that sticks with you.

6. SteamWorld Dig: Digging as a Lifestyle

Where the sequel polished, the original invented. This game took the simple act of digging and built an entire compelling gameplay loop around it. It's a masterpiece of elegant, addictive design.

Why The Original Still Rules:

• 💡 Pure Concept: The core loop is perfect. Dig down, find resources, avoid cave-ins, upgrade your gear, dig deeper. It's a risk/reward rhythm as natural as breathing.

• 🤖 Stronger Identity: It feels scrappier, more focused on its core mechanical joy than on being a "big" Metroidvania. Its personality is undeniable.

Controversial Opinion: I will always, always recommend starting here over the sequel. Dig 2 is objectively more refined, but the first game's raw, focused charm is like the perfect, greasy burger you compare all others to. It's essential.

5. Spiritfarer: Reinterpreting Death

Calling Spiritfarer a Metroidvania might raise eyebrows—it's primarily a management sim about ferrying souls to the afterlife. But its DNA is pure Metroidvania, and it's one of the most unique, touching games you'll ever play.

The Genre Blend:

• 🚢 Exploration & Backtracking: Your boat is your hub, and you unlock new abilities (like double jump or zip-line) that let you reach new areas on previously visited islands. The progression structure is classic MV.

• 💔 A Cozy Tearjerker: This game will make you care deeply about its characters and then, gently, let them go. It's a game about grief that feels like a warm hug. In a genre known for tension and combat, that's revolutionary.

My Experience: I went in skeptical. I left a weepy, emotionally fulfilled mess. It proves that the "ability-gated exploration" framework can support any tone, even one this profoundly gentle and kind.

4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Defying Destiny

This isn't just a sequel; it's a monumental leap forward. Will of the Wisps took the beautiful foundation of Blind Forest and built a majestic cathedral on top of it. It fixes nearly every gripe and adds layers of depth.

The Leap Forward:

• ⚔️ Meaningful Combat: Gone is the basic spirit flame. Now you have a full suite of weapons and skills, making combat dynamic and fun.

• 🗺️ Better World Design: The world is more open, more rewarding to explore, and packed with meaningful side quests and secrets. It feels truly alive.

• 🎵 Even Better Music & Story: I didn't think it was possible, but the soundtrack and narrative reach even greater emotional heights.

Verdict: This is the pinnacle of the "beautiful, emotional platformer" subgenre. It's a flawless execution of a vision, a game that plays as wonderfully as it looks and sounds. A modern classic, full stop.

3. Nine Sols: A Divine Work

Nine Sols is a revelation. It combines the precision parry combat of a top-tier action game with the exploration of a Metroidvania and the lore depth of a Soulslike, all wrapped in a breathtaking hand-drawn, Taopunk aesthetic. It's a game that gets better with every hour you play.

Why It's a Masterpiece:

• 🗡️ Combat Perfection: The parry-based system is crispy, responsive, and deeply rewarding. Defeating a boss after learning its patterns feels like conducting a deadly, beautiful orchestra.

• 🧭 World & Progression: The world is a labyrinthine marvel. New abilities constantly recontextualize old areas, and the lore, inspired by Chinese mythology, is fascinating to uncover.

• 👑 Boss Design: The bosses are spectacles—challenging, multi-phase battles that test everything you've learned. Beating them is a genuine triumph.

A Note on Difficulty: It's hard. You will get lost. You will die. A lot. But the design is so intelligent and fair that every failure feels like your own, and every victory is earned. It's one of the few games I've ever 100% completed, and that trophy sits proudly on my digital shelf.

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Final Thoughts for 2026:

The beauty of Xbox Game Pass is having this incredible library of Metroidvania greatness at your fingertips. From the cozy tears of Spiritfarer to the demanding precision of Nine Sols, there's a world for every type of explorer here. This genre is like a well-crafted pocket watch: intricate, interconnected, and immensely satisfying to see in motion. So fire up that subscription, pick a world, and get lost. You won't regret it. Happy exploring, gamers! 🎮✨