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- Best overall: Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch)
- Best budget: Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
- Best premium: Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game)
- Best for 3D adventure: Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game)
- Nine Sols is the stronger pick for precise 2D parry combat and a demanding metroidvania adventure.
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is the story-first 3D choice for fans of acrobatic exploration and time-based puzzles.
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a polished alternative for players who want 2D exploration and fast combat.
- Check platform, edition, and storefront compatibility before choosing a Black Friday 2026 game.
Nine Sols vs Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is a choice between two very different kinds of adventure. Red Candle Games’ Nine Sols is a 2D action-platformer built around precise parries, exploration, and demanding boss fights. Ubisoft’s remake takes the Prince into a 3D action-adventure built around acrobatics, puzzles, and a time-manipulating story.
I researched and compared game descriptions, platform information, reviews, and owner feedback to make this Black Friday 2026 guide useful whether you want one of those two games or a close alternative. Here's the bottom line: choose Nine Sols for a tougher, skill-focused combat loop; choose The Sands of Time Remake for cinematic 3D adventure. The picks below cover several platforms and play styles, with no need to buy into the wrong genre.
How We Picked
- Compared each game’s core combat, exploration, and presentation to show meaningful differences rather than just listing similar titles.
- Prioritized action-adventure games with a clear fit for Nine Sols or Prince of Persia fans.
- Reviewed listed platforms and player counts, while leaving storefront and edition details for buyers to verify.
- Included a range of challenge levels, from demanding parry combat to more accessible exploration.
- Selected games with distinctive strengths and clearly stated trade-offs.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Perspective | Players | Core focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch) | Parry combat | 2D | 1 | Boss fights and exploration |
| Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game) | Story-led 3D adventure | 3D third-person | 1 | Acrobatics and time-based puzzles |
| Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5) | Fast 2D exploration | 2D side-scrolling | 1 | Platforming and ability progression |
| Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch) | Atmospheric metroidvania | 2D | 1 | Exploration and enemy-pattern combat |
| Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch) | Repeatable action runs | 2D | 1 | Run-based combat |
| The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5) | Dark fantasy action | 2D | 1 | Deliberate combat and exploration |
| Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch) | Sci-fi platforming | 2D side-scrolling | 1 | Exploration and tense encounters |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch)
The Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch) is the best pick for players who want demanding 2D parry combat and exploration. The Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch)'s 2D action-platforming puts timing and enemy-reading at the center of every fight.
Best for: Parry-focused combat and a challenging metroidvania
- Perspective
- 2D
- Players
- 1
- Genre
- Action-platformer
- Satisfying parry-centered combat
- Distinctive tao-punk world and art direction
- Exploration rewards careful attention
- Boss fights demand patience and sharp timing
Is Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Red Candle Games Nine Sols (Nintendo Switch) is worth considering if you want a challenging single-player adventure with 2D exploration and parry-driven fights. Choose another game if you prefer 3D platforming or a more relaxed combat pace.
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#2
Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game)
The Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game) is the best pick for story-focused players who want 3D acrobatics and time-based puzzles. The Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game)'s single-player adventure centers on traversal, combat, and narrative.
Best for: Cinematic 3D adventure and acrobatic puzzles
- Perspective
- 3D third-person
- Players
- 1
- Core focus
- Acrobatics and time-based puzzles
- A clear contrast to Nine Sols’ 2D combat
- Classic Prince of Persia fantasy and traversal
- Story-led single-player structure
- Edition and platform availability require storefront confirmation
Is Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Digital Game) is a good fit for players seeking a story-led 3D adventure with acrobatic movement and time-based puzzles. Confirm the version and platform on the storefront before choosing an edition.
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#3
Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5)
The Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5) is the best alternative for players who want 2D exploration with fluid action. The Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5)'s 2D side-scrolling design blends platforming, combat, and ability-based progression.
Best for: Fast 2D action with exploration
- Perspective
- 2D side-scrolling
- Players
- 1
- Genre
- Action-platformer
- Responsive-feeling movement and combat design
- Exploration built around unlocking abilities
- A strong middle ground between the two headline games
- The 2D format is not a match for players set on 3D adventure
Is Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5) is worth considering for players who want a 2D action-adventure with exploration, platforming, and combat. The Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PlayStation 5) offers a closer format match to Nine Sols than the 3D Sands of Time Remake.
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#4
Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
The Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch) is the best pick for players who want a vast 2D world and challenging combat. The Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)'s 2D metroidvania structure rewards careful exploration and learning enemy patterns.
Best for: Atmospheric exploration and tough fights
- Perspective
- 2D
- Players
- 1
- Genre
- Metroidvania
- Large, interconnected world
- Memorable hand-drawn presentation
- Combat rewards practice and observation
- Navigation and difficulty can feel demanding
Is Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Team Cherry Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch) is a strong choice for players who enjoy 2D exploration, atmospheric environments, and challenging combat. The game rewards curiosity and persistence, so players looking for a short, guided story should consider a more linear adventure.
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#5
Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch)
The Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch) is the best pick for players who want quick, repeatable 2D combat. The Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch)'s action-platforming pairs run-based progression with a Castlevania-themed expansion.
Best for: Fast combat and replayable runs
- Perspective
- 2D
- Players
- 1
- Edition
- Base game with Return to Castlevania content
- Snappy combat built for repeated runs
- A broad mix of weapons and play styles
- Castlevania content adds themed environments and gear
- Run-based structure is less story-led than Prince of Persia
Is Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Motion Twin Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (Nintendo Switch) suits players who value fast fights, varied equipment, and repeatable runs. The edition includes the named Castlevania content, but its run-based progression differs from a continuous, story-first adventure.
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#6
The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5)
The The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5) is the best pick for players who want a dark, challenging 2D action-platformer. The The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5)'s 2D exploration and combat deliver a heavier, more deliberate alternative to Nine Sols.
Best for: Dark fantasy and deliberate 2D combat
- Perspective
- 2D
- Players
- 1
- Genre
- Action-platformer
- Distinctive dark-fantasy world
- Combat and exploration suit methodical players
- A substantial single-player adventure
- Visual themes and difficulty are not for every player
Is The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5) is a worthwhile option for players who enjoy challenging 2D combat, dark fantasy, and exploration. The The Game Kitchen Blasphemous 2 (PlayStation 5)'s deliberate action and striking imagery set a different mood from Nine Sols’ science-fiction-inspired world.
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#7
Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch)
The Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch) is the best pick for players who want polished 2D exploration and tense sci-fi action. The Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch)'s side-scrolling design combines ability-based progression with a focused single-player campaign.
Best for: Sci-fi exploration and tense platforming
- Perspective
- 2D side-scrolling
- Players
- 1
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Clear exploration and ability progression
- Strong movement and platforming
- Tense sci-fi atmosphere
- Some encounters emphasize evasion over parry combat
Is Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch) is a good fit for players who want a focused 2D sci-fi adventure with exploration and tense encounters. Choose Nine Sols instead if parry-centered combat and boss fights are your main priority.
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Is Nine Sols better than Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake?
Nine Sols is the better fit for players who want 2D precision combat, while Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is the better fit for story-led 3D exploration. The games share action-adventure DNA, but their movement, combat, and presentation are different.
Nine Sols puts parries, enemy timing, and demanding boss encounters front and center. Exploration ties those fights together in a stylized world with a science-fiction edge. The Sands of Time Remake is built around acrobatic movement, environmental puzzles, and a time-manipulating adventure in a 3D space.
Pick Nine Sols if mastering combat is the draw. Pick The Sands of Time Remake if you want a cinematic journey with platforming and puzzles. Worth it for most players depends on which structure sounds fun: skill-heavy 2D action or story-first 3D adventure.
Which game is better for fans of challenging combat?
Nine Sols is the stronger choice for players who enjoy learning attack patterns and improving their timing. Its parry-focused 2D combat gives each encounter a clear skill test, and its boss fights are a major part of the experience.
Hollow Knight and Blasphemous 2 also suit players who want demanding 2D action, though each brings a different tone and combat rhythm. Dead Cells is the pick for quick runs and varied equipment instead of a single continuous journey. Every game here is single-player, so the challenge is personal rather than competitive.
Players who prefer movement puzzles and a steady story focus should look at The Sands of Time Remake. The Lost Crown offers a useful middle ground: 2D exploration and action with the Prince of Persia identity, but a structure closer to a metroidvania.
Which Prince of Persia game should I choose?
Choose Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake for a 3D, story-first adventure, or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for 2D side-scrolling exploration and action. The best match depends on whether you want cinematic traversal or a map to explore and reopen as your abilities grow.
The Sands of Time Remake centers on acrobatics, puzzles, and its time-based premise. The Lost Crown shifts the series into a more combat-forward 2D format. Both are single-player experiences, but the difference in perspective changes how exploration and movement feel.
If Nine Sols is your reference point, The Lost Crown is closer in format. If classic 3D platforming and a guided story are the appeal, The Sands of Time Remake is the more direct match. Check the exact platform edition before buying.
Are these games good Black Friday 2026 picks?
Yes, these games make strong Black Friday 2026 shortlist picks when their genre, platform, and edition match what you want to play. A game’s fit matters more than choosing the title with the biggest name or the broadest appeal.
Compare the storefront listing with your console or PC before checkout. Confirm whether the listing is a digital or physical edition, whether the named expansion is included, and whether the product is playable on your device. Keep an eye on storage requirements and any account or region restrictions shown by the seller.
For a direct Nine Sols alternative, start with The Lost Crown or Hollow Knight. For 3D adventure, compare the remake with other story-led games. Black Friday is a useful time to revisit your wish list and select a game you will actually finish.
What is the best alternative to Nine Sols?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the closest pick here for players who want 2D action and exploration, while Hollow Knight is the strongest choice for a vast interconnected world. Neither is a direct copy of Nine Sols; each emphasizes a different part of the action-platformer formula.
Choose The Lost Crown for fluid movement, combat, and ability-based exploration. Choose Hollow Knight for atmosphere, discovery, and fights that reward learning enemy behavior. Blasphemous 2 adds dark fantasy and deliberate combat, while Dead Cells focuses on repeatable runs rather than a single continuous campaign.
Players who mainly want parries and demanding boss fights should stay with Nine Sols. Players who want a new setting or a different progression style have several strong options without leaving 2D action behind.
Buying Guide
Choose the perspective first
Start by deciding between 2D and 3D. Nine Sols, The Lost Crown, Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, Blasphemous 2, and Metroid Dread use 2D presentation. The Sands of Time Remake is the 3D adventure pick. Perspective changes how traversal, combat, and exploration feel.
Match the combat to your patience
Parry-centered combat and demanding boss fights point to Nine Sols. Hollow Knight and Blasphemous 2 suit players who enjoy learning patterns. Dead Cells favors quick, repeatable runs. Look to Prince of Persia for a stronger focus on acrobatics, puzzles, and narrative.
Check the platform and edition
Confirm the game works on your console or PC before checkout. Check the exact edition name, included expansions, and whether the listing is physical or digital. The Sands of Time Remake listing especially needs a careful platform check because product editions and storefront details matter.
Pick the right kind of exploration
Metroidvania games reward backtracking and opening new routes, while more linear adventures guide players through a clearer sequence. Nine Sols, The Lost Crown, and Hollow Knight suit map-driven exploration. A story-first Prince of Persia experience suits players who prefer a directed journey.
Build a Black Friday shortlist
Save two or three games that match your preferred perspective, challenge level, and platform. Compare the current listing details on the retailer and console storefront, and choose the edition that fits your setup. A focused shortlist makes it easier to avoid an impulse pick.
FAQ
Nine Sols vs Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake: which should I buy?
Buy Nine Sols if you want 2D parry combat, exploration, and demanding boss fights. Choose Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake if 3D acrobatics, environmental puzzles, and a story-led adventure sound better. The two games offer distinct formats and play styles.
Is Nine Sols a metroidvania?
Yes. Red Candle Games Nine Sols combines 2D action-platforming with exploration and progression through a connected world. The game’s parry-focused combat and challenging encounters set it apart from more relaxed exploration games, so expect timing and enemy-reading to matter.
Is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake a 2D or 3D game?
Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is a 3D third-person action-adventure, unlike Nine Sols’ 2D perspective. Its identity centers on acrobatics, puzzles, and a story-led journey. Check the storefront for the exact platform and edition before buying.
What is the best game like Nine Sols?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a strong alternative for 2D action and exploration. Hollow Knight suits players who want a larger atmospheric world, while Blasphemous 2 offers dark fantasy and deliberate combat. Choose based on setting, challenge, and preferred progression.
Is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown similar to Nine Sols?
Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Red Candle Games Nine Sols are both 2D action adventures with exploration. Nine Sols emphasizes parry-centered combat, while The Lost Crown brings its own Prince of Persia movement and ability progression. The games share a format, not an identical feel.
Which game is best for a casual player?
The best fit depends on what makes a game comfortable for you. Players who prefer a directed story and 3D traversal should consider Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Players who want 2D exploration should compare the difficulty and progression style of The Lost Crown and Metroid Dread.