Metroidvania Games Were The Original Open-World Games
Metroid and Castlevania, the two franchises credited with pioneering the “metroidvania” genre, are turning 40 years old this fall. GameSpot’s Metroidvania Week feature examines the enduring impact and legacy of these two series, positioning them as the original open-world games that laid the groundwork for modern gaming.
The article explores how metroidvania games provided escapism and world-immersion long before contemporary open-world titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and recent Legend of Zelda games became mainstream phenomena. These classic franchises created interconnected, explorable worlds that challenged players to discover new abilities and unlock previously inaccessible areas, a core mechanic that defined the genre for decades.
Today’s open-world games often rely on map icons and dense content to create player engagement, but metroidvania games achieved immersion through deliberate world design and nonlinear exploration. The article reflects on how both Metroid and Castlevania established design principles that fundamentally shaped how developers approach world-building and player agency in games.
As these two iconic series celebrate four decades of gaming history, the feature examines their influence on the broader gaming industry and the metroidvania genre’s continued relevance and appeal to modern audiences.