The following titles appear as featured works in the metroidvania evolution timeline charted in Metroidvania: The First Decade. That is not to say these games all embody the essence of metroidvania—far from it! Nor is it in any way intended to be comprehensive or definitive. Rather, they contribute to or otherwise represent some important facet of the genre’s growth, be it the introduction of design elements or (as with Super Mario Bros. 3) representing a sea change in the industry that impeded its evolution.
Zork I: The Great Underground Empire
Adventure
Mystery House
Venture
Donkey Kong
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
Pitfall!
Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken
Pitfall II: Lost Caverns
H.E.R.O.
The Tower of Druaga
Jet Set Willy
Montezuma’s Revenge
Below the Root
Impossible Mission
Dragon Slayer
Knight Lore
Hydlide
Dragon Buster
Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II
The Legend of Zelda
Dragon Quest
Metroid
Mugen Senshi Valis
Vampire Killer
Deadly Towers
Romancia
Sorcerian
Milon’s Secret Castle
Wing of Madoola
Relics
Zelda II
Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure
The Goonies II
Rygar
Knightmare II: Maze of Galious
Golvellius
Black Tiger
Zillion
Maniac Mansion
Ys I: The Vanished Omen
Metal Gear
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Legacy of the Wizard
Shadowgate
The Dragon Slayer Series
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
The Magic of Scheherazade
Faxanadu
Super Hydlide
Rambo
The Guardian Legend
Guardic
The Battle of Olympus
Portable Pipeline
Exile
Blaster Master
The Adventures of Captain Comic
Bionic Commando
Times of Lore
XZR: Exile
Super Mario Bros. 3
Clash at Demonhead
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
River City Ransom
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Willow
The Sword of Hope
Strider
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap
Neutopia
A Boy and His Blob
Crystalis
Super Mario World
Gargoyle’s Quest
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
The Secret of Monkey Island