Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures similar games & best alternatives

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures

PC (Microsoft Windows), Wii U, Nintendo 3DS • 2013

Should you play it?

"The most rewarding game of 2013!" Influenced by retro classics Mega Man and Castlevania, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures features the AVGN and friends as they blast their way through 10 levels of fun, fast paced 2D action based on the AVGN's adventures in his online series.

What works
  • Faithful homage to avgn and retro games
  • Challenging but fair gameplay
  • Excellent retro soundtrack
  • Tight and responsive controls
  • Humorous and abundant references
Things to keep in mind
  • Very high difficulty may frustrate some players
  • Short game length
  • Some cheap instant death traps
  • Limited story depth
  • Keyboard controls less optimal than controller

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Rex Rocket

  • Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation

  • Terrian Saga: KR-17

  • Rain World

  • Touhou Kanjuden ~ Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom.

  • Gunman Clive

  • Ben and Ed

  • Jet Gunner

  • The spy who shot me™

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Jet Gunner

  • The spy who shot me™

  • Cosmodread

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Electronic Super Joy

  • Autonomy

    Blazing Chrome

  • Escapism

    Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Expression, Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players can choose levels in any order initially, select different characters with unique playstyles, and use various weapons and tactics, indicating high player control and freedom."

    Capsule for Blazing Chrome Blazing Chrome

    "Players can choose levels in any order and select different characters with unique abilities, allowing freedom in gameplay approach."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game is highly challenging, requiring skill, precision, and mastery to overcome difficult platforming obstacles and bosses."

    Capsule for Electronic Super Joy Electronic Super Joy

    "The game is intentionally very challenging, requiring skill, precision, and mastery of difficult platforming and boss patterns."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and overcoming challenges rather than competing against others."

    Capsule for Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic

    "Focus is on personal challenge and overcoming difficult levels rather than competing against others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players tend to keep retrying despite frustration, showing habitual engagement and desire to complete the game."

    Capsule for Make Good Choices Make Good Choices

    "Despite frustration and difficulty, players are motivated to keep retrying and progressing, often playing long sessions."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Gameplay is single-player focused with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Skin Deep Skin Deep

    "Gameplay is single-player focused with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can unlock different characters and weapons with unique abilities, allowing some customization of playstyle."

    Capsule for Bleed 2 Bleed 2

    "Players can unlock and use different characters with unique abilities, adding some variation and experimentation."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and self-focused."

    Capsule for Haydee Haydee

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and self-focused."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a nostalgic escape into a retro, humorous, and bizarre world distinct from real life."

    Capsule for Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio

    "The game offers a nostalgic and humorous escape into a retro gaming world, distracting from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of fandom and personal interest, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 One Piece Pirate Warriors 3

    "Players engage voluntarily out of fandom and personal interest, not obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different approaches, character abilities, and tactics to overcome difficult levels, encouraging experimentation within constraints."

    Capsule for A Night In Berlin A Night In Berlin

    "Players try different characters and strategies to overcome difficult challenges, encouraging experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "There are secrets, hidden lore, and menu exploration that reward curiosity beyond the main levels."

    Capsule for SUPERHOT SUPERHOT

    "There are hidden characters and secrets to discover, motivating curiosity and exploration within levels."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players select characters but no significant avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for Tiny Brains Tiny Brains

    "Limited customization; players select from preset characters and levels with no avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Game features humorous fictional scenarios and exaggerated characters, blending retro and modern elements."

    Capsule for Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry

    "The game features exaggerated, humorous, and fictional scenarios inspired by AVGN episodes and retro games."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "The experience is solitary with minimal social interaction or community involvement during gameplay."

    Capsule for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

    "The experience is primarily solitary with minimal social interaction or community involvement in gameplay."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills and improve through repeated attempts and learning level patterns."

    Capsule for Dungeon Escape Dungeon Escape

    "Players develop skills and learn level patterns through repeated attempts to overcome high difficulty."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "The game promotes sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Visage Visage

    "The game promotes sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires continuous attention and focus due to precision platforming and high difficulty."

    Capsule for Egging On Egging On

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to high difficulty and precision platforming."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing within the game."

    Capsule for Assault Spy Assault Spy

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing within the game."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; gameplay is individual and self-directed."

    Capsule for Surgeon Simulator Surgeon Simulator

    "No leadership or group management elements; gameplay is individual and self-directed."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players unlock new abilities and progress through levels, gaining new powers and skills."

    Capsule for Bionic Bay Bionic Bay

    "Players unlock new characters and power-ups, and progress through levels, gaining new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -4

    "Game induces frustration and tension due to high difficulty and frequent deaths."

    Capsule for Bloody Trapland Bloody Trapland

    "The game induces frustration and tension due to its high difficulty and frequent deaths."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable retro visuals and music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

    "Enjoyable retro graphics and music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or competitive status is not a core motivator."

    Capsule for Tower Dominion Tower Dominion

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or competition is not a core motivator."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is minimal but present, mainly serving as a humorous backdrop with references to AVGN lore."

    Capsule for Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation

    "Simple narrative with humorous references to AVGN episodes, providing context and immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Players must learn patterns, plan attacks, and manage resources strategically."

    Capsule for Rabbit Hole Rabbit Hole

    "Players must plan and memorize patterns, timing, and tactics to overcome challenging obstacles and bosses."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Game provides suspense and tension through challenging platforming and risk of instant death."

    Capsule for Uncraft World Uncraft World

    "The game creates suspense and excitement through risk of instant death and difficult platforming."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players perceive good value in terms of playtime, humor, and nostalgia, especially on sale."

    Capsule for Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Dry Twice Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Dry Twice

    "Players perceive good value in the challenging gameplay, humor, and nostalgic references for the price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Gameplay involves destruction, smashing enemies, and chaotic combat elements."

    Capsule for ANTONBLAST ANTONBLAST

    "Gameplay involves combat and destruction of enemies consistent with platformer genre."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must avoid instant death traps and manage health carefully to survive and progress."

    Capsule for Rex Rocket Rex Rocket

    "Players must avoid instant death traps and manage limited health and lives to survive levels."

Last update: 01/06/2026