Cuphead stands out with its 1930s-inspired cartoon art and challenging platforming mechanics. You play as Cuphead (and his brother Mugman, if in co-op), battling through boss fights and stages that demand precision, timing, and skill. Colorful animations and a jazzy soundtrack add a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. For similar experiences, consider Hollow Knight, with its precise platforming in a beautifully hand-drawn, mysterious world. Dungeon Munchies offers unique humor with side-scrolling combat, while Metal Slug delivers classic arcade action with intense shooting sequences and co-op play. These games and more are ranked below.
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Hollow Knight is a 2D metroidvania. It focuses on close combat and exploration. Players enter the insect kingdom of Hallownest. They travel through its districts. Players meet friendly inhabitants and fight hostile ones. Players uncover the kingdom's history. Players improve combat and movement by fighting bosses and accessing hidden areas.
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Metal Slug is a 1996 run-and-gun arcade game. Nazca Corporation developed it. SNK released it for the Neo Geo MVS. This is the first Metal Slug game. Set in 2028, players control Peregrine Falcon Strike Force soldiers Marco Rossi and Tarma Roving. They fight the Rebel Army. Donald Morden leads the Rebel Army. Players overthrow his coup d'état to stop a New World Order.
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Dungeon Munchies is an action RPG, adventure, indie, and anime game. Majaja developed it. Chorus Worldwide published it. Players hunt monsters to cook and eat them. Players also find a way out of a huge underground complex. The game released on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in 2022.
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Iron Meat is a run-and-gun shooter. It features many mechanics taken from arcade and console classics.
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Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection brings back the legendary platforming series. Arthur, the knight, returns heroically. The game features the tricky platforming and challenging gameplay the series is known for. This entry honors Ghosts 'n Goblins and Ghouls 'n Ghosts. It mixes the franchise’s action platforming with storybook graphics and tough new obstacles.
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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a gothic horror action side-scrolling RPG. It is set in 19th century England. A paranormal force summoned a demon-infested castle. This reveals crystal shards with huge magical power. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that hardens her body. Miriam must fight through the castle and defeat the summoner, Gebel, to save humanity and herself. Collect, craft, and unlock many weapons, gear, and loot to beat the countless minions and hell bosses.
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The artwork uses hand-drawn style only.
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Tribal Hunter is an action platformer with size-changing mechanics. Players must be quick and nimble or large and in-charge. As a village guardian, you change your body shape. You can grow huge and devour enemies. Using this 'growth' as energy lets you fire projectiles at foes.
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GalaxyTrail made and published Freedom Planet 2, an Action, Adventure, Indie, Sci-fi, Platform video game. Players control a cartoon heroine, exploring Avalice and fighting deadly machines to defend the animal citizens. Released in 2022 for PC, this retro game echoes the 90s. It offers fast-paced, wacky fun, bringing nostalgia and new levels.
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Rogue Legacy 2 is a genealogical rogue-lite. It features rogue-like elements like randomized runs and changing characters, but adds persistent upgrades and dead heirs. Your legacy defines you. Spend your parents’ inheritance and build the family manor, giving your children a fighting advantage. Each child has unique traits and abilities; your daughter might be a Ranger or vegan. Each run feels new.
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Dodge bullets, missiles, and lasers while wearing that bunny girl costume! Combo with your Piko Hammer or use spells from afar with your fiery fairy friend. Explore and explode across Rabi-Rabi Island, collecting power-ups and uncovering secrets.
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Jump, shoot, and slash through 30XX, the roguelike action platformer you play with a friend. Explore lush, changing worlds mixing precise platforming and intense combat. Destroy fearsome Guardians. Master unique Powers. Rediscover the thousand years we lost.
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Lost Castle is a cute, hard action RPG with roguelike dungeons and randomized levels. It features many hand-drawn, humorous characters and environments mixing retro action with modern twists. Castle Harwood once governed a happy land with wise nobles. Calamity struck, and wicked magics corrupted the castle. Demons claimed the place, and their dark army blocked the empire.
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The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him in an endless fight against The Miracle. Dive into a new world filled with mysteries and secrets. Tear through monstrous foes blocking your quest to end the cycle for good.
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Touhou Luna Night is a 2D search action (Metroidvania) video game. Team Ladybug made this new project after developing many action games.
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Use your hell gun to blast the Pimp Legion. Conquer stages, grab riches, and find your wife. Gain new powerful skills and weapons while performing badass moves in this comedic hell world. Face tough enemies, crush them, and rescue abducted demon babes using immense hell power.
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Lost Words is a 2D narrative adventure game. Players move words to solve puzzles. Rhianna Pratchett wrote the story, linking the narrative to gameplay by having the player run on and interact with words to solve puzzles.
Also ranks #33 on Best New Xbox Games 2021
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