I am a longtime fanatic of the Metroid series personally. I've played each Metroid game except for 2 of them (Metroid II, and Federation Force)
When I first got a Gameboy Advance, Metroid Zero Mission was the first game I got with it. As a result it has helped heavily shaped my interest in the alien worlds you explore in underground caverns, along with the Permanent Upgrade system throughout the game.
A few other Metroidvania games I also enjoy include Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, Bloodstained, and Aquaria. A huge part of it is atmopshere and each of these games in addition to the Metroid series itself nail having a somber atmosphere.
I do want to play Symphony of the Night eventually. I plan to get the Mobile version after I knock out more of my current backlog of games.