Penarium similar games & best alternatives

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Penarium

PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One • 2015

Should you play it?

Penarium is a frantic 2D arena arcade game where you take on the role of Willy, trapped in a sinister circus show. Run, jump and avoid an array of killer death-traps while being cheered on by a sadistic crowd that’s out for blood.

What works

  • Challenging and skill-based gameplay
  • Tight and responsive controls
  • Addictive arcade and multiplayer modes
  • Charming pixel art and soundtrack
  • Short but satisfying campaign

Things to keep in mind

  • Short campaign length
  • Repetitive music
  • Lack of online multiplayer
  • Some frustrating difficulty spikes
  • Limited content variety

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action!

  • Bleed

  • Contra Anniversary Collection

  • Abduction Bit

  • METAL SLUG 2

  • Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender

Less social

Games that feels like Penarium but with less teamwork and cooperation

  • Volgarr the Viking

  • Wings of Vi

  • Momodora III

  • Angvik

  • 10 Second Ninja X

  • Terrian Saga: KR-17

More exploratory

Games that feels like Penarium but with more exploration of areas and secrets

  • Windswept

  • Tiny Barbarian DX

  • The Disney Afternoon Collection

  • Little Triangle

  • Ms. Splosion Man

  • Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • 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 to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Penarium: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Fellowship, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Creativity, Exploration.

Last update: 04/08/2026