Let’s Stop Saying “Metroidvania”

The original Metroid and Castlevania both turn 40 years old this fall. As the two series most responsible for creating the “metroidvania,” we’re taking this occasion to take a comprehensive view of the popular genre. This is Metroidvania Week. When we talk about something, we should talk about it in ways people can understand. You have to be deep in the "gamer" weeds to have any idea what "Metroidvania" means, though. You have to be familiar with not one but two different decades-old game ser...