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on 11 Nov 2026

Niches / Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics

Niche

Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics

Games tagged both Metroidvania and Pixel Graphics: 112 indie paid launches, 17 of them earned $100k+ in their first year.

How to read this page

  • A hit is an estimated $100k+ first year. Revenue is estimated from Steam reviews, so read figures as "about". Earnings are sales on Steam after discounts and regional prices, before Steam's 30% cut, refunds and sales tax. About 58% of it reaches the developer.
  • Price moves the odds more than genre does, so the page opens on one price band. The keys in section 2 switch it.
  • From 26,758 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 2 Nov 2026. How it is measured.

Showing Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair is about level with Metroidvania and beats Pixel Graphics; priced $10 to $20 it beats both its tags.

1Scoreboard: the pair against each of its tags

The pair's chance of a $100k+ first year beside each of its two tags, ranked like a high-score table, with typical earnings and the launches behind every figure.

ScoreboardDoes this pair beat its genres?$10 to $20

Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics beats both its tags: 35.5 in 100 of its launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 28.0 in 100 for Metroidvania and 24.2 in 100 for Pixel Graphics.

That is about 1.7 times the 20.5 in 100 expected for any launch at this price.

2NDRunner-up
Tag oneMetroidvania
28.0in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds28.0 in 100
Typical earnings$31,599
Launches125 / 35 hits
Pair leads by7.5 in 100
1STWinner
This pairMetroidvania + Pixel Graphics
35.5in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds35.5 in 100
$1k+100 in 100
$10k+84 in 100
Launches31 / 11 hits
Expected20.5 in 100
3RDThird
Tag twomood tagPixel Graphics
24.2in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds24.2 in 100
Typical earnings$15,625
Launches495 / 120 hits
Pair leads by11.2 in 100
All indie launches $10 to $20: 20.5 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $11,233, from 4,337 launches.each block is 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $20Pixel Graphics is a mood tag: GMD never ranks it alone, but every game carrying it is counted.

2Overlap: where the two tags meet

Each circle is one tag, sized by its launches, and the gold overlap is exactly this pair. Click a part to read it. Price changes the odds more than genre does (under $5: 0.4 in 100 launches earned $100k+; $20 to $40: 44.2 in 100), so read it within a price band.

Price bandswitches the whole page
All prices112 in pairUnder $538 in pair$5 to $1037 in pair$10 to $2031 in pair$20 to $406: too few
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 31 games tagged both Metroidvania and Pixel Graphics priced $10 to $20. 35.5 in 100 of them earned $100k+, against 25.5 in 100 for Metroidvania-only games and 23.5 in 100 for Pixel Graphics-only games, so games with both tags did better than games with either tag alone.

Both: 31 games priced $10 to $20; 35.5 in 100 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 100 in 100 · $10k+ 84 in 100 · $100k+ 35 in 100.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 31 launches. The outer parts are each tag's launches minus the pair's, so their chance is exact; their typical earnings are not computed yet.

3Comparables

Who leads this pair and each of its tags. Free until launch: one click opens the card. The full comparables list (nearest hits by tag pair, price and launch year) is not computed yet, and the card says so.

Comparables

Leaders

Top earner, share of the moneyFree until launch

ANIMAL WELLleads this pair47.9%
PairANIMAL WELL47.9%
MetroidvaniaHollow Knight: Silksong72.7%
Pixel GraphicsDELTARUNE22.7%
CheckOne game over half?no
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkAudience split. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: moves the answer. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: holds.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics

What this card holds

  • Leaders. The top earner in this pair and in each of its two tags, with its share of the money.
  • One-hit check. Whether a single game holds over half of the pair's money.
  • Nearest hits. Similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year: not computed yet.

How the list will be picked

Same tag pairdata ready
Same price banddata ready
Launched within a year of each otherplanned
Earned $100k+planned
The list itselfnot computed yet

Free until launch: one click opens the card.

The leaders, in words

  • ANIMAL WELL earned 47.9% of the estimated first-year money of the 112 Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics launches.
  • Metroidvania is led by Hollow Knight: Silksong, with 72.7% of its money.
  • Pixel Graphics is led by DELTARUNE, with 22.7% of its money.
  • No game holds over half of this pair's money, so the pair is not a one-hit market.

Nearest hits (similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year): not computed yet.

Filters do not apply here yet. Leaders and shares are for all prices and the Standard view; per price band and per lens they are not computed yet.

4Lens check: does the answer hold?

The same figures with three kinds of games set aside: games mostly reviewed in Chinese, the single biggest earner, and everything older than 18 months.

Does the answer hold?

All prices

Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout and Last 18 months.

Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view109 of 112 launchesWithout the breakout111 of 112 launchesLast 18 months41 of 112 launches
Launches counted11217 hits10915 hits11116 hits415 hits
Earned $100k+15.2 in 10013.8 in 10014.4 in 10012.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$4,271top tenth $307,442+$3,753$3,753under 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base-9.3%1.4 fewer in 100-5.0%0.8 fewer in 100-19.7%3.0 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base-12.1%$518 less-12.1%$518 lessunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Metroidvania and Pixel Graphics, 12 to 36 months old: 112 launches.

Launches counted
11217 hits
Earned $100k+
15.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$4,271top tenth $307,442+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewMoves the answer

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 3 of 112 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
10915 hits
Earned $100k+
13.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,753
Chance against standard
-9.3%1.4 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-12.1%$518 less
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, ANIMAL WELL (47.9% of the money): 111 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
11116 hits
Earned $100k+
14.4 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,753
Chance against standard
-5.0%0.8 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-12.1%$518 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 41 of 112.

Launches counted
415 hits
Earned $100k+
12.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-19.7%3.0 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Metroidvania and Pixel Graphics, 12 to 36 months old: 112 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 3 of 112 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, ANIMAL WELL (47.9% of the money): 111 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 41 of 112.

Metroidvania is one-hit market +1: one game earned over half the money, and 1 more lens too. It holds in Last 18 months.

Metroidvania through every lens, all prices
MetroidvaniaBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view364 of 376 launchesWithout the breakout375 of 376 launchesLast 18 months114 of 376 launches
Launches counted37658 hits36454 hits37557 hits11413 hits
Earned $100k+15.4 in 10014.8 in 10015.2 in 10011.4 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$3,085top tenth $217,878+$3,120$3,052$3,120
Chance against standardthe base-3.8%0.6 fewer in 100-1.5%0.2 fewer in 100-26.1%4.0 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base+1.1%$35 more-1.1%$33 less+1.1%$35 more
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerMoves the answerHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 376 launches.

Launches counted
37658 hits
Earned $100k+
15.4 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,085top tenth $217,878+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewMoves the answer

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 12 of 376 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
36454 hits
Earned $100k+
14.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,120
Chance against standard
-3.8%0.6 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+1.1%$35 more
Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (72.7% of the money): 375 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
37557 hits
Earned $100k+
15.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,052
Chance against standard
-1.5%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-1.1%$33 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 114 of 376.

Launches counted
11413 hits
Earned $100k+
11.4 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,120
Chance against standard
-26.1%4.0 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+1.1%$35 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 376 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 12 of 376 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (72.7% of the money): 375 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 114 of 376.

Pixel Graphics is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout and Last 18 months.

Pixel Graphics through every lens, all prices
Pixel GraphicsBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view3,562 of 3,756 launchesWithout the breakout3,755 of 3,756 launchesLast 18 months1,106 of 3,756 launches
Launches counted3,756211 hits3,562193 hits3,755210 hits1,10669 hits
Earned $100k+5.6 in 1001 in 185.4 in 1001 in 185.6 in 1001 in 186.2 in 1001 in 16
Typical first-year earnings$460top tenth $32,384+$478$460$399
Chance against standardthe base-3.5%0.2 fewer in 100-0.4%no change+11.1%0.6 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+3.9%$18 more0.0%no change-13.3%$61 less
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Pixel Graphics, 12 to 36 months old: 3,756 launches.

Launches counted
3,756211 hits
Earned $100k+
5.6 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$460top tenth $32,384+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewMoves the answer

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 194 of 3,756 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
3,562193 hits
Earned $100k+
5.4 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$478
Chance against standard
-3.5%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+3.9%$18 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, DELTARUNE (22.7% of the money): 3,755 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
3,755210 hits
Earned $100k+
5.6 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$460
Chance against standard
-0.4%no change
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,106 of 3,756.

Launches counted
1,10669 hits
Earned $100k+
6.2 in 1001 in 16
Typical first-year earnings
$399
Chance against standard
+11.1%0.6 more in 100
Typical against standard
-13.3%$61 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Pixel Graphics, 12 to 36 months old: 3,756 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 194 of 3,756 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, DELTARUNE (22.7% of the money): 3,755 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,106 of 3,756.

A lens moves the chance only when it differs from standard by more than a random cut of the same size would, with 5+ hits on both sides; typical earnings are compared from 100 launches, within 25%. Without the breakout moves the answer when one game earned over half the money. Lens figures by price band are not computed yet, so this table is for all prices.

5Premium early list

Alerts when Metroidvania + Pixel Graphics moves, comparables the day they land, and every lens for every pair and price. Free until launch.

Free until launch

Keep gold access after launch: alerts, comparables, every lens.

Releases

Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.