Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Mighty No. 9 (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Mighty No. 9 on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Defy Gravity Extended, which both science fiction, relaxing and difficult.
- Mighty No. 9 is tagged Platformer, Action, Anime, Kickstarter, Side Scroller, 2.5D, Retro, Robots by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Defy Gravity Extended
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Platformer, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2016).
Defy Gravity is an action platformer that is a mix between classic platforming and gravity based puzzle solving.
Defy Gravity Extended at a glance Released 2016 Studio Paul Fisch Player sentiment 86% positive of 8,531 Price $0.55 PlatformerIndie2DDifficultCasualSci-fiGreat SoundtrackRetro
- 2
Broken Age
Why it matched: both science fiction and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Comedy, Indie and Kickstarter; released around the same time (2014).
A family friendly, hand-animated, puzzle-filled adventure game with an all-star cast, including Elijah Wood, Jack Black and Masasa Moyo. Funded by a record breaking crowdfunding campaign and designed by industry legend Tim Schafer, Broken Age is a timeless coming-of-age story.
Broken Age at a glance Released 2014 Studio Double Fine Player sentiment 84% positive of 8,219 Price $14.99 ComedyIndieKickstarterGreat SoundtrackCasual2DRetroCrowdfunded
- 3
SteamWorld Dig
Why it matched: both science fiction and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Platformer, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2013).
SteamWorld Dig is an action-adventure puzzler with strong Metroidvanian influences set in the SteamWorld Universe. You’ll need to dig deep into the earth, gather resources to upgrade your tools and abilities, take on enemies, solve challenging puzzles and uncover the secrets to save a dying town.
SteamWorld Dig at a glance Released 2013 Studio Image & Form Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 10,998 Price $9.99 PlatformerIndie2DRobotsCasualSci-fiSide ScrollerGreat Soundtrack
- 4
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 9 player tags including Platformer, Retro and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2014).
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove at a glance Released 2014 Studio Yacht Club Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 16,898 Price $39.99 PlatformerRetroGreat SoundtrackIndie2DDifficultSide ScrollerKickstarter
- 5
Cave Story
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Platformer, Indie and Great Soundtrack.
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.
Cave Story at a glance Released 2004 Studio Daisuke Amaya Player sentiment 93% positive of 8,305 Price $14.99 PlatformerIndieGreat Soundtrack2DRetroDifficultSci-fiAnime
- 6
Distant Space
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Casual and Difficult; released around the same time (2016).
Distant Space are present the arcade game of cosmic fights in arcade style of the 80's, this is a game where you can control the spaceship and forced to destroy extraterrestrials, which are moving in the certain order.
Distant Space at a glance Released 2016 Studio PixelMouse Player sentiment 82% positive of 3,458 Price $0.99 IndieCasualDifficult2DRetroSci-fi
- 7
DuckTales
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Platformer, Retro and Casual.
DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful hand-crafted reimagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time. Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan alike.
DuckTales at a glance Released 1989 Studio Capcom Player sentiment 88% positive of 7,930 Price $3.74 PlatformerRetroCasualGreat Soundtrack2DDifficultSide Scroller2.5D
- 8
Katana ZERO
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Platformer and Indie; released around the same time (2019).
Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
Katana ZERO at a glance Released 2019 Studio Askiisoft Player sentiment 98% positive of 76,036 Price $14.99 Great SoundtrackPlatformerIndie2DDifficultRetroSci-fi
- 9
Geometry Dash
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Difficult, Great Soundtrack and 2D; released around the same time (2013).
Jump and fly your way through danger in this rhythm-based action platformer!
Geometry Dash at a glance Released 2013 Studio RobTop Games Player sentiment 93% positive of 637,714 Price $4.99 DifficultGreat Soundtrack2DPlatformerIndieSide ScrollerCasual
- 10
CrossCode
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Great Soundtrack and 2D; released around the same time (2018).
A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.
CrossCode at a glance Released 2018 Studio Radical Fish Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 18,408 Price $19.99 IndieGreat Soundtrack2DRetroAnimeSci-fiDifficult
- 11
100% Orange Juice
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Anime, Indie and Casual; released around the same time (2014).
100% Orange Juice is a digital multiplayer board game populated by developer Orange Juice's all-star cast. Characters from Flying Red Barrel, QP Shooting, Suguri and Sora come together with all-new characters to duke it out... with dice.
100% Orange Juice at a glance Released 2014 Studio Orange_Juice Player sentiment 91% positive of 30,159 Price $6.99 AnimeIndieCasualGreat Soundtrack2DDifficultComedy
- 12
Turbo Pug
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Casual and 2D; released around the same time (2015).
It's time to unleash your inner pug! Turbo Pug is a casual runner with difficult, random, procedurally generated levels. Enjoy random weather and try to avoid getting zapped by lightning. Unlock new costumes for your pug and new characters to play as. Please try not to squish your pug!
Turbo Pug at a glance Released 2015 Studio Space Cat Studios Player sentiment 90% positive of 3,362 Price $1.99 IndieCasual2DDifficultSide ScrollerPlatformerGreat Soundtrack
- 13
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Sci-fi.
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
SpaceChem at a glance Released 2011 Studio Zachtronics Player sentiment 92% positive of 5,085 Price $9.99 DifficultIndieSci-fiGreat Soundtrack2DCasual
- 14
Sanctum
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Sci-fi and Casual.
You think Tower Defense games are all about building? You thought wrong. Sanctum is not your average Tower Defense title. When the havoc starts, you get to join the fray! As one of the world’s first First Person Shooter - Tower Defense games, Sanctum has taken the best of both worlds to deliver an epic, one-of-a-kind experience.
Sanctum at a glance Released 2011 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 89% positive of 3,359 Price $1.99 IndieSci-fiCasualGreat SoundtrackFuturisticDifficult
- 15
Beat Saber
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2018).
Slash the beats, get moving, and experience the world's most popular VR rhythm game!* Duck, dodge, and flow through 300+ handcrafted songs from artists like Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, and Metallica. Play solo, compete online, or pass the headset at your next party. Jump in with 60+ songs included!
Beat Saber at a glance Released 2018 Studio Beat Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 76,245 Price $19.99 DifficultIndieGreat SoundtrackFuturisticCasual
- 16
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Anime, Side Scroller and 2.5D; released around the same time (2019).
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night at a glance Released 2019 Studio ArtPlay Player sentiment 93% positive of 41,617 Price $39.99 AnimeSide Scroller2.5DPlatformerGreat Soundtrack2DDifficultIndie
- 17
VVVVVV
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, Indie and Great Soundtrack.
VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?
VVVVVV at a glance Released 2010 Studio Terry Cavanagh Player sentiment 96% positive of 10,540 Price $4.99 PlatformerIndieGreat SoundtrackDifficultRetro2DSci-fi
- 18
Braid
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, Indie and 2D.
This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.
Braid at a glance Released 2008 Studio Jonathan Blow Player sentiment 93% positive of 9,957 Price $14.99 PlatformerIndie2DGreat SoundtrackDifficultCasualSide Scroller
- 19
Muv-Luv
Why it matched: both science fiction and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Anime, Sci-fi and Comedy.
One of the most highly-acclaimed visual novel series arrives on Steam, newly revamped and officially in English! An interdimensional love story that takes high school romance on a roller-coaster ride through the depths of despair, culminating in a sci-fi grand finale of epic proportions.
Muv-Luv at a glance Released 2003 Studio âge Player sentiment 93% positive of 2,078 Price $11.99 AnimeSci-fiComedyCasualKickstarterCrowdfundedGreat Soundtrack
- 20
Flashback
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, Retro and Sci-fi.
FLASHBACK™, the hit action-adventure game with over 2.2 million units sold, is back!
Flashback at a glance Released 1992 Studio Delphine Software International Player sentiment 78% positive of 603 Price $9.99 PlatformerRetroSci-fi2DFuturisticSide ScrollerDifficult
- 21
Baba Is You
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Difficult and 2D; released around the same time (2019).
Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!
Baba Is You at a glance Released 2019 Studio Hempuli Oy Player sentiment 98% positive of 24,536 Price $14.99 IndieDifficult2DGreat SoundtrackCasualRetro
- 22
Papers, Please
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Retro and 2D; released around the same time (2013).
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please at a glance Released 2013 Studio Lucas Pope Player sentiment 97% positive of 80,337 Price $9.99 IndieRetro2DGreat SoundtrackCasualDifficult
- 23
A Dance of Fire and Ice
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2019).
A Dance of Fire and Ice is a strict rhythm game. Keep your focus as you guide two orbiting planets along a winding path without breaking their perfect equilibrium.
A Dance of Fire and Ice at a glance Released 2019 Studio 7th Beat Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 83,377 Price $4.79 DifficultIndie2DCasualGreat SoundtrackAnime
- 24
Muse Dash
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Anime, Casual and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2019).
Paradise of parkour & rhythm game ★★★ — Muse Dash!!
Muse Dash at a glance Released 2019 Studio peropero Player sentiment 91% positive of 122,129 Price $2.99 AnimeCasualGreat Soundtrack2DIndieDifficult
Common questions
What game is most like Mighty No. 9?
Defy Gravity Extended, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction, relaxing and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Mighty No. 9" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Mighty No. 9. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.