The Quest for the Big Key

Developer / Publisher: hOSHI

Jan 30, 2018

Visual

pixel
side scroll

Structure

exploration
interconnected map
item gated
non linear

Combat

no combat

Themes

fantasy

Sub-Genre

Metroidvania Lite
Zelda-like

Summary

The Quest for the BIG KEY is highly inspired by NES classics that you will no doubt recognize. It focuses more on the exploring part. It comes completely without Enemies and Battles. So if you like finding secret passages and collecting items that allow you to progress in different parts of the map, ...

Last updated August 17, 2026

Where to play

- Windows
- Steam

Resources

Links

IGDB

Happy Souls

Developer / Publisher: Galactic Geckon

2024

77%

Mostly Positive

52 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- side scroll
- Zelda-like
Lost Call

Developer / Publisher: Skurry

2026

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- top down
Garuya and the Kaleidoscope of Syzygy

Developer / Publisher: Mechanical Hands

Q4 2026

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- Metroidvania Lite
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Has Overworld
- leveling
- RPG
- top down
Virulence

Developer / Publisher: Kamal Patel

To be announced

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- top down
Limos' Lair

Developer / Publisher: Oleg Fedotov

2023

91%

Positive

11 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- ability gated
- top down
Hazelnut Bastille

Developer / Publisher: Aloft Studio

Coming soon

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- fantasy
- Metroidvania Lite
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- Has Overworld
- action
- puzzle heavy
- RPG
- top down
- Semi-Linear
Horn of Balance

Developer / Publisher: Martijn den Hollander

Q1 2027

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Demo Available
- boss gated
- puzzle heavy
- top down
Pine Hearts

Developer: Hyper Luminal Games

Publisher: Little Nook

2024

97%

Very Positive

118 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- no combat
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- accessibility
- relaxed
- puzzle heavy
- top down
- Semi-Linear
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Developer: Pocket Trap

Publisher: PM Studios

2025

98%

Overwhelmingly Positive

2,100 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- boss gated
- action
- equipment
- top down
- Semi-Linear
Tool Land

Developer / Publisher: bjsjsk

Coming soon

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- side scroll
- no combat
- Metroidvania Lite
- Differences
- Demo Available
- utility gated
- hand drawn
- puzzle heavy
Nine Lives Ninja: Explore!

Developer / Publisher: JX Games

2024

93%

Positive

27 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- Metroidvania Lite
- Differences
- action
- cat
Wandersky

Developer / Publisher: Tiny Potion Tree

2027

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- non linear
- fantasy
- Metroidvania Lite
- Zelda-like
- Differences
- Has Hub
- open world
- companion combat
- equipment
- puzzle heavy
- top down

The Quest for the Big Key

Summary

Where to play

Resources

Other games to love