Metroid: Samus Returns Alternatives 2026 - Top Competitors Ranked

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Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroidvania Sci Fi Video Game Retro Japan Action Adventure

Metroid: Samus Returns is a 2017 action-adventure game for Nintendo 3DS based on the 1991 Metroid II: Return of Samus. The game tasks players with controlling bounty hunter Samus Aran as she eliminates Metroids on the planet SR388, incorporating updated controls and new mechanics like a melee counte...

8.4 Great

apps Top Metroid: Samus Returns Alternatives

The top alternative to Metroid: Samus Returns in 2026 is Super Metroid with a score of 9.7/10, followed by Metroid: Zero Mission (9.1) and Metroid Fusion (8.9).

Super Metroid

Super Metroid is a 1994 action-adventure game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It features bounty hunter Sam...

Sci Fi Video Game Exploration Japan

9.7 Brilliant

Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid: Zero Mission is a 2004 Game Boy Advance game that reimagines the classic 1986 Metroid. It offers players a fait...

Nintendo Sci Fi Video Game Exploration

9.1 Excellent

Metroid Fusion

Metroid Fusion is a 2002 action-adventure game for the Game Boy Advance featuring bounty hunter Samus Aran. She investig...

Sci Fi Video Game Japan Roguelike

8.9 Great

Wario Land 3

Wario Land 3 is a 2D action platformer developed for the Game Boy Color. The game places players as Wario, tasked with f...

Video Game Retro Japan Action Platformer

8.5 Great

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin was released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. It introduced cooperative multiplayer gameplay t...

RPG Video Game Retro Japan

8.4 Great

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is a 2001 action RPG designed for the Game Boy Advance. It’s notable as an early metroid...

Handheld Video Game Classic Exploration

8.2 Great

The Swapper

The Swapper is a puzzle-platform game set on an abandoned research station. Players control a scavenger who utilizes a d...

Sci Fi Video Game First Person Puzzle

8.2 Great

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game set five years after *Revenge of the Sith*. Cal Kestis, a forme...

Sci Fi Space Opera Video Game Third Person

8.1 Great

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror is a 2004 Game Boy Advance platform game created by HAL Laboratory, Flagship, and Dimps. The...

Video Game Multiplayer Family Friendly Retro

8.1 Great

Metroid

Metroid is a 1986 action-adventure game centered on Samus Aran’s mission to recover stolen Metroid organisms on the plan...

Sci Fi Iconic Video Game Exploration

7.8 Good

Owlboy

Owlboy is a critically acclaimed metroidvania video game notable for its beautiful pixel art and atmospheric storytellin...

Video Game Pixel Art Retro Action Platformer

7.7 Good

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is an action role-playing game for the Game Boy Advance released in 2002. The game fo...

Adventure Video Game Action RPG Retro

7.7 Good

Mega Man ZX Advent

Mega Man ZX Advent is a 2007 action-platform game following Mega Man ZX. Developed by Inti Creates and published by Capc...

RPG Tactical Sci Fi Video Game

7.6 Good

Metroid II: Return of Samus

Metroid II: Return of Samus is a seminal action-adventure game released for the Game Boy in 1991. Players control Samus...

Video Game Exploration Pixel Art Retro

7.2 Good

QuackShot

QuackShot is a 1991 platform game for the Sega Genesis featuring Donald Duck and his nephews. Players control Donald as...

Adventure Video Game Retro Japan

7.2 Good

Tails Adventure

Tails Adventure is a 1995 metroidvania for Game Gear starring Miles “Tails” Prower. It offers a non-linear adventure acr...

Adventure Video Game Retro Japan

7.1 Good

The Battle of Olympus

The Battle of Olympus is an action role-playing game developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Initially released...

Nintendo Action Video Game Retro

7.0 Good

Rygar

Rygar is a 1986 arcade platform game where players control a Legendary Warrior tasked with confronting the dominator Lig...

Sci Fi Video Game Arcade Retro

6.4 Fair

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is a metroidvania video game drawing on characters from classic Castlevania 2D titles. R...

Video Game Multiplayer Japan Dark Fantasy

6.4 Fair

Vampire Killer

Vampire Killer is a 1986 platform game created by Konami for the MSX2 system. Developed concurrently with the original C...

Action Video Game Retro Japan

6.1 Fair

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative	Score	vs Metroid: Samus...	Action
Super Metroid Metroidvania Sci Fi Video Game Exploration	9.7 Brilliant	+1.3	Compare
Metroid: Zero Mission Metroidvania Nintendo Sci Fi Video Game	9.1 Excellent	+0.7	Compare
Metroid Fusion Metroidvania Sci Fi Video Game Japan	8.9 Great	+0.5	Compare
Wario Land 3 Metroidvania Video Game Retro Japan	8.5 Great	+0.1	Compare
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Metroidvania RPG Video Game Retro	8.4 Great	Same	Compare
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Metroidvania Handheld Video Game Classic	8.2 Great	-0.2	Compare
The Swapper Metroidvania Sci Fi Video Game First Person	8.2 Great	-0.2	Compare
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Metroidvania Sci Fi Space Opera Video Game	8.1 Great	-0.3	Compare
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Metroidvania Video Game Multiplayer Family Friendly	8.1 Great	-0.3	Compare
Metroid Metroidvania Sci Fi Iconic Video Game	7.8 Good	-0.6	Compare

See all Metroidvania ranked by score

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns?

The top alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns in 2026 include Super Metroid, Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid Fusion, Wario Land 3, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.

How does Metroid: Samus Returns compare to its competitors?

Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. Metroid: Samus Returns scores 8.4/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.

Is Metroid: Samus Returns worth it in 2026?

Metroid: Samus Returns scores 8.4/10 on Lunoo, making it a highly-rated option in the Metroidvania category. However, alternatives like Super Metroid may better suit specific needs.

What is the best free alternative to Metroid: Samus Returns?

Several alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.

Why should I switch from Metroid: Samus Returns?

Common reasons users look for Metroid: Samus Returns alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.

How many alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns are there?

Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns in the Metroidvania category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.

Which Metroid: Samus Returns alternative has the highest rating?

Super Metroid currently holds the highest rating among Metroid: Samus Returns alternatives with a score of 9.7/10.

Can I use Super Metroid instead of Metroid: Samus Returns?

Super Metroid is one of the top-rated alternatives to Metroid: Samus Returns. While they serve similar purposes in the Metroidvania space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.

What is the cheapest alternative to Metroid: Samus Returns?

Pricing varies among Metroid: Samus Returns alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the Metroidvania category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.

How are Metroid: Samus Returns alternatives ranked on Lunoo?

Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.

Metroid: Samus Returns vs Super Metroid: which is better?

Metroid: Samus Returns scores 8.4/10 while Super Metroid scores 9.7/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

Metroid: Samus Returns vs Metroid: Zero Mission: which is better?

Metroid: Samus Returns scores 8.4/10 while Metroid: Zero Mission scores 9.1/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

Metroid: Samus Returns vs Metroid Fusion: which is better?

Metroid: Samus Returns scores 8.4/10 while Metroid Fusion scores 8.9/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

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