Exidy
Arcade
Designer: Michael Cooper-Hart (uncertain)

ROOTS: Metroidvania games are one part platformer, one part action-RPG. So while Venture may not have the run-and-jump mechanics we associate with the genre, its formative role in the evolution of action-RPGs absolutely gives it a place on this list—it’s a true classic.

Venture

1981 | Zelda’s crib notes