Hollow Knight and blasphemous are a couple of great metroidvanias and also a pretty good challenge.

Been just thinking about one of my favorite SNES era games – Illusion of Gaia. If you’re doing emulation, highly recommend. I’m in the process of picking up a SNES and functioning cart to play it myself for the first time in a decade.

Axiom Verge 1 is a great metroidvania. I also tried 2, but it didn’t click with me at all. Cave Story is great as well. Dead Cells, but that’s more of a rogue lite game. Binding of Isaac is also one of my favorites, but it’s a top down rogue like.

Terraria. It has RPG elements and is simply fantastic. Often available at a discount on Steam which I only recommend due to the extensive content available via the Workshop.

Hollow Knight

/edit: SteamWorld Dig 1 & 2 are also very good metroidvanias.

First game has been mentioned already, but I wanna make sure it’s clear how singular the game is.

Blasphemous. In case you didn’t check it out: You should. It got multiple major updates (new areas, bosses etc.) that were completely free and sometimes you can grab it on sale for as low as 6€. It even has NG+ only content for replayability that’s actually worth it (trust me, it really is). The movement in this game is beautifully smooth and the pixel art is consistent. More importantly the combat is actually excellent unlike many other metroidvanias (as well as souls-likes) that unfortunately fail here imho. The platforming is unique, but relatively easy to learn (but you need to try), although the game has specific areas where it becomes more or less important. Blasphemous 2 also exists, however I haven’t played it yet. It isn’t as hard as Dark Souls titles or so, but it’s a souls-like that won’t go easy on you at some points. OST by Carlos Viola is also nice for people who like themselves some flamenco style.

If jRPGs count: Chained Echoes. I will never shut up about this game, since it has gotten a lot of attention, however not NEARLY enough… no one seems to really care about it anymore, but it’s one of the best games I have ever played and I feel sad how it has been overshadowed by games with better marketing/higher budgets that weren’t comparable in terms of gameplay or charme at all! It has everything: Awesome gameplay with many QoL features to adapt to the game or adapt the game to you, cute and profound character designs/artwork, a storyline and an AWESOME OST! Honestly, the music is beautiful in this game… the game has been made by one guy only, however you won’t notice that (except with occasional silly bugs). The music has been made by someone else though (Eddie Marianukroh) and with the help of some awesome musicians (like Gregory Orosz aka. Gamer of the Winds). I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try!

Have you played Dead Cells? It’s a great metroidvania

Sundered is a cool 2D metroidvania / action rogue lite blend.
Absolutely gorgeous artstyle, unique concept…

Loop Hero is another rogue lite, that has a bit more of a management feel to it. The hero traverses the loop (the level) automatically - you just get to change their equipment and the environment. It’s a cool balancing act between making a tough level with synergetic enemy types/tiles and making sure your hero survives.

Hollow Knight - if you like metroidvanias you probably know that one. It’s incredibly popular! amazing game.

Dead Cells - same basically :) 50% off on steam right now!

Edit: Seems like you’re looking for retro/emulation stuff mostly? I might be misunderstanding your comments.
These recommendation all have Switch and PC versions. No clue how well they would run on yuzu

Maybe a dumb suggestion, but since you mentioned older systems, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a PS1 classic that helped create the Metroidvania genre. There’s also Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which is a spiritual successor by one the key developers behind SOTN. Dead Cells and Hollow Knight are solid games that have been recommended already, but if you find yourself enjoying the rogue-lite elements of those you might enjoy Cult of the Lamb. Admittedly it’s top down 2.5d, but it’s a nice blend of rogue lite and town management as your tasked with building up a cult and turning it into a thriving community in between fighting your way through dungeons.

Not a Metroidvania game but I had fun playing ASTLIBRA Revision last year.

Bahamut Lagoon is a cool JRPG for the SNES that sadly never was released for the west. You can get your hands on the ROM and some fan translation though. I’ve played it many years ago, so my memory’s a bit iffy, but I do remember having a good time.

Front Mission is another good JRPG entry from the 90’s. I loved the SNES version, but apparently the DS version boasts extra features and content, making it the superior choice.

Ghost 1.0 It’s an indie game much in the style of older games, and it’s made with love

If you want an indie game dev suggestion, Ojosama makes a tonne of great games on Itch.

https://ojosama.itch.io/

Obligatory short list of great old school RPGs:

Fallout 1 & 2

Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2

Icewind Dale

Planescape Torment

(I think Neverwinter Nights belongs on the list as well, but I can’t attest to it as I’ve never played it.)

You can pick up most of them from GOG.COM for cheap.

There should be enough to keep you occupied for a while.

Hyper light drifter