Guacamelee!

Guacamelee! is a colorful metroidvania inspired by Mexican folk culture and lucha libre wrestling, brought to Wii U by Canadian studio DrinkBox Studios shortly after its success on other platforms. The player takes on the role of farmer Juan, who, after dying, obtains a legendary mask and becomes a luchador able to travel between the world of the living and the world of the dead in order to rescue the village mayor's kidnapped daughter from the evil General Calaca, who is preparing to merge both worlds and rule over them.

The game combines exploration of an interconnected map in the spirit of classic metroidvanias with a combat system directly referencing beat 'em up games and wrestling matches — Juan gradually gains new moves and abilities that serve both in combat and for advanced movement through the environment, such as a double jump, wall-breaking, or pulling enemies toward him. Switching between the world of the living and the dead changes not only the environment's appearance but also which platforms and enemies are even visible, becoming a key element in many puzzles as well as boss fights against enemies who themselves jump between worlds. The game also supports local two-player co-op, letting players progress through the world together.

The art style draws on Mexican folklore, ofrendas, and the Day of the Dead, with vivid colors and stylized characters reminiscent of woodcarvings, while the music blends traditional mariachi motifs with electronic elements and builds dynamically during battles. On Wii U, the game ran smoothly and used the GamePad for quick access to the map and an overview of still-inaccessible areas. Contemporary reviews were very favorable, praising the humor, the fluid movement system, and the polished combat, and the game ranks among the best-rated indie metroidvanias of its generation. Even today, Guacamelee! is considered one of the best-playing games of the genre and a pleasant surprise among Wii U eShop titles, still worth discovering even for those who otherwise skip classic metroidvanias.

Why play: With its fluid movement system, humor, and art style drawing on Mexican folklore and the Day of the Dead, it ranks among the best-rated indie metroidvanias of its generation and is a pleasant surprise among Wii U eShop titles.