Action-Adventure Games Collection
Blending combat with exploration, action-adventure games combine real-time action with puzzle-solving and story progression. This hybrid genre flourished across consoles from 8-bit to 3D eras.
Key Milestones
- NES Classics: The Legend of Zelda (1986), Metroid (1986)- 16-bit Evolution: Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES), Beyond Oasis (Genesis)
- 3D Revolution: Ocarina of Time (N64), Tomb Raider (PlayStation)
- Handheld Pioneers: Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC), Metroid Fusion (GBA)
Defining Traits
- Item-based progression: Tools unlock new areas (Goonies II on NES)- Non-linear exploration: Open worlds with secrets (NeoGeoPocket's Faselei!)
- Character growth: Upgrades like Alundra's sword skills (PS1)
Why It Endures
From Wonder Boy in Monster World's platforming to Soul Blazer's town-building combat, the genre merges reflexes with cerebral challenges.🎮All Action-Adventure Retro Games
1986
Action-AdventureThe groundbreaking action-adventure that defined open-world gaming. As Link, explore Hyrule freely to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon, collecting items and uncovering secrets.
1987
Action-AdventureThe second installment in the Castlevania series introduces RPG elements to the franchise. Players control Simon Belmont as he searches for Dracula's body parts to break a curse in this nonlinear adventure with a day-night cycle.
1992
Action-AdventureA unique action-adventure game based on the manga about a boy with a third eye. Features puzzle-solving and special psychic abilities to defeat enemies.
1986
Action-AdventureBased on the 1985 adventure film, The Goonies is an action-adventure game where players control Mikey navigating through caves, solving puzzles, and rescuing friends from the Fratelli crime family. Features platforming, item collection, and hidden passages.
1988
Action-Adventure8 Eyes is an action-adventure game developed by Thinking Rabbit and published by Taxan for the NES. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, players control Orin the Falconer and his trained falcon Cutrus through eight castles to collect magical jewels. The game combines platforming, exploration, and strategic falcon control mechanics.
1986
Action-AdventureKid Icarus is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES. Players control Pit, a young angel who must rescue the goddess Palutena from the underworld ruler Medusa. The game combines platforming with RPG elements and features vertical scrolling levels.
1986
Action-AdventureRygar is an action-adventure arcade game developed and published by Tecmo in 1986. Players control the warrior Rygar who wields a unique weapon called the 'Diskarmor' to battle through mythical lands and defeat the evil Ligar.
1989
Action-AdventureWillow is an arcade action-adventure game based on the 1988 fantasy film. Players control Willow Ufgood as he battles enemies, solves puzzles, and progresses through various environments to rescue the infant Elora Danan from the evil Queen Bavmorda.
2002
Action-AdventureA GBA port of the SNES classic A Link to the Past bundled with the original Four Swords multiplayer adventure. This version includes new features like a color-coded item menu and voice samples for Link.
2004
Action-AdventureThe final original Zelda title for GBA introduces the magical Minish Cap, allowing Link to shrink to microscopic size. Developed by Capcom's Flagship team, it features kinstone fusion mechanics and vibrant cartoon-style visuals.
2002
Action-AdventureThe fourth main Metroid game introduces Samus' organic Fusion Suit after a parasite infection, featuring a more narrative-driven structure with mission briefings and AI guidance. Directed by Yoshio Sakamoto, it pioneered the 'guided adventure' subgenre while retaining series' exploration roots.
2004
Action-AdventureA complete remake of the original 1986 Metroid, rebuilt with Fusion's engine to include modern controls, expanded story sequences, and a new post-game chapter revealing Samus' Zero Suit origins. Serves as the canonical starting point of the Metroid timeline.
2001
Action-AdventureThe first Castlevania on GBA introduces the Dual Set-Up System (DSS) with 100+ card combinations for customizing attacks. Features non-linear exploration in Dracula's castle with protagonist Nathan Graves, a vampire hunter trained by the Belmont clan.
2002
Action-AdventureThe second GBA Castlevania stars Juste Belmont, grandson of Simon Belmont, featuring a dual-castle mechanic with parallel worlds. Introduces spell combinations and faster-paced combat while refining the DSS system from Circle of the Moon.
2003
Action-AdventureSet in 2035, this GBA masterpiece introduces Soma Cruz - a reincarnation of Dracula with the power to absorb enemy souls. Features the revolutionary Tactical Soul system with 112 collectible abilities that transform gameplay.
2005
Action-AdventureThis compilation includes two acclaimed Game Boy Advance titles: 'Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance' and 'Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'. Experience both gothic adventures in one cartridge with enhanced connectivity features.
2004
Action-AdventureA groundbreaking Metroidvania-style Kirby adventure featuring nonlinear exploration and 4-player cooperative gameplay via link cable. Kirby must navigate a mirror-shattered world to defeat Dark Meta Knight.
2005
Action-AdventureBased on the comic book reboot, this GBA adaptation combines side-scrolling action with comic-style visuals. Play as both Spider-Man and Venom across 30 missions, featuring an original story that expands the Ultimate universe.