Topic: Metroidvanias that aren't CV or Metroid

[X]

Has anybody played The Guardian Legend or Faxanadu on the NES

Played 'em both and loved 'em. Guardian Legend took some time to get through due to those doors with the riddles that you had to figure out. I didn't do too bad with them though. Faxanadu I also found quite entertaining to play and it's one of those early NES games that have that classic vibe to them.

[Abnormal Freak]

Wonderboy/Monsterworld series

I've played The Dynastic Hero and that's a whole lotta fun. I oughta return to it soon and finish that beast.

Does The Subspace Emissary in Super Smash Bros. Brawl count as this kind of game? :p

[Maedhros]

Shadow Complex for XBLA.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Faxanadu and Battle of Olympus are good candidates, as well as the sidescrolling parts of Zelda II, probably.

[Flame]

The problem with ZX, is that unlike Metroidvanias, it's map actually has a theoretical 3rd dimension. EG-  there are doors in the background that you can also go into. not just on the left and right sides.

[Aridale]

Has anybody played The Guardian Legend or Faxanadu on the NES, or the Wonderboy/Monsterworld series on Master System and Genesis?  I did some internet searching for Metroidvanias and people on other forums have mentioned them.

All of the above. And all are really good. Monsterworld 3 is prolly the best outta those but it was never released here. Its alot like that Monster Tale game on DS. Guardian Legend is one of the best overlooked games on NES. Its a shooter and an adventure game and both are good lol. Faxanadu is just crazy. Its got some outlandish ideas even for then but its good. Hard but good. Its always reminded me of Kid Icarus

[Pemburu Vampir]

Shantae. A game inspired by CV2 and Zelda II.

[Svart]

i finally purchased aquaria and i can say that as a metroid fan, the game its awesome as an indie title.

it really manages to get the "metroid" vibe while being completly original  story, art and gameplay.

plus.. the ost really helps it.

Aquaria Soundtrack 08 Big Boss (2007, Bit Blot)

Aquaria OST - Technique (The Cave)

[Abnormal Freak]

The problem with ZX, is that unlike Metroidvanias, it's map actually has a theoretical 3rd dimension. EG-  there are doors in the background that you can also go into. not just on the left and right sides.

The doors would work with Metroidvania maps, though. Just have like a letter or number linking a door to another section on the map. Subspace Emissary kinda did something like that, except they used lines drawn between the two doors. Actually, that would make finding out where a door leads much easier. Argh, I wish ZX had a good map. ;p A Subspace Emissary style map would be prime.

[Inccubus]

I would argue Mega Man X Command Mission, but despite having large maps, they arent really interconnected, and not THAT maze like. But I guess it still counts a bit.

I'd argue against it since MMXCM is an RPG.

[shelverton.]

Adventure Island 4 (NES)
Ufouria (NES)
Blaster Master (NES)

Those are more or less Metroidvanias with backtracking and interconnected world.

Also, there're two games on the GBA called Shaman King. I think there are even more games in Japan, but the two I've played were similar to the GBA Castlevania games. I even think they're running on the same engine as Aria of Sorrow. However, while the games are similar to Castlevania, I couldn't get into either of them. The levels are connected via an overworld map, Ecclesia style, though not quite. Exploration is VERY annoying and at times downright confusing. It's hard to keep track of where you've been and where you haven't. These games should've had the classic Metroidvania map system, and skipped the overworld map altogether, IMO.

EDIT: Maybe old NES Rygar would count too?

[Aridale]

yeah rygar def counts! Its another one of those overlooked NES classics. Amazing soundtrack too

[Flame]

I'd argue against it since MMXCM is an RPG.

Fair enough.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

No one's mentioned Cave Story?

Cave Story Trailer
Original Cave Story (PC, WiiWare, DSiWare)


Cave Story 3D Trailer for the Nintendo 3DS
Cave Story 3D for 3DS

[X]

Adventure Island 4 (NES)

Speaking of this^^ I should also throw in Super Adventure island 2 for the SNES. All the stages are interconnected, though not at first.