The History of Metroidvania: Decade One--1980-1990

Take a chronological journey through gaming’s least linear format: the action RPG. The metroidvania genre has become a staple of video gaming, from indie experiments to blockbuster titles. But where did it start? While the name hints at a fusion of Nintendo’s Metroid and Konami’s Castlevania, the influences run much deeper. The History of Metroidvania: Decade One turns back the clock to trace the primal origins of one of the most enduring game formats, beginning before Metroid or Castlevania arrived on the scene. In exhaustively researched, elegantly illustrated prose, Jeremy Parish shows how early 1980s trends—from text adventures to coin-op dexterity tests—coalesced into a design language that would define exploration-driven action for years. This hardcover compendium, 232 pages, guides readers through the genre’s birth via early computer hits and classic consoles, culminating in a recognizable, beloved landscape for modern players.

Who might be interested in reading?

• Fans of video game history and design analysis.
• Readers who enjoy the origins of influential game genres, especially metroidvanias.
• Students, designers, or hobbyists exploring game mechanics, world design, and exploration-based gameplay.
• Pop culture enthusiasts who like deep dives into how early 80s trends shaped modern gaming.