What term blends Metroid and Castlevania for exploration-heavy action games?

The term that blends Metroid and Castlevania for exploration-heavy action games is Metroidvania.

It is a portmanteau of the two series and describes games built around nonlinear exploration, interconnected maps, and progression through newly acquired abilities or equipment. Players often revisit earlier areas after gaining tools that open previously inaccessible routes.

Nintendo’s Metroid, especially Super Metroid, established many of the formula’s core ideas. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released in 1997, combined similar exploration with role-playing elements and helped popularize the label. The term’s exact origin is unclear: journalist Jeremy Parish helped popularize it, while former 1UP.com writer Scott Sharkey is credited with earlier use.

Not every exploration-focused action game is universally classified as a Metroidvania. Some definitions emphasize two-dimensional platforming, while others include top-down or three-dimensional games. “Zeldalike” is a separate informal label, and roguelike and Soulslike describe different design traditions.