5 Best Games From The Binding of Isaac Creator Edmund McMillen, Ranked

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Edmund McMillen, known for co-creating Super Meat Boy with Tommy Refenes, consistently delivers popular indie games with his unique artistic style. While The Binding of Isaac was long considered his biggest hit, he’s created many other excellent games spanning various genres, offering something for every player. His latest release, Mewgenics, may even surpass them all.

Here are Edmund McMillen’s five best games.

5) The Legend of Bum-bo

So, I recently checked out The Legend of Bum-bo, and it’s actually a prequel to The Binding of Isaac – that’s why everything looks so familiar. But honestly, the gameplay is totally different. If you’re used to Isaac‘s run-and-gun style, forget it! Bum-bo is more like Bejeweled. You match tiles to do everything – cast spells, attack enemies, and even protect yourself. It’s a really cool change of pace!

This game is smaller in scope than BoI, but it’s a fun addition to the main campaign. What really shines is its unique art style. While Bum-bo shares some similarities with Issac, it feels like a charming, homemade production—like a play a child might put on for their family. The deliberately cardboard-like visuals are just enough to make Bum-bo feel distinct within the Isaac world.

4) Super Meat Boy

Though Edmund McMillen had made games before, Super Meat Boy was his breakout success. This incredibly challenging platformer reminded players of classic games, offering a series of difficult levels to overcome. It quickly became popular, with both players and critics loving its almost flawless gameplay.

A particularly impressive part of the game was how fast you respawned after failing. You die a lot – often dozens or even hundreds of times per level – so a quick restart kept the pace going. Edmund McMillen, the original creator, left the development team in 2017, meaning he wasn’t involved in finishing Super Meat Boy Forever and won’t be working on the planned Super Meat Boy 3D. Despite this, the first Super Meat Boy remains a classic.

3) The End Is Nigh

With The End is Nigh, Edmund McMillen reunited with Tyler Glaiel, having previously collaborated on the 2008 game Aether. The pair worked well together again on this new title, which serves as McMillen’s follow-up to Super Meat Boy. The End is Nigh tells its story through challenging platforming gameplay spread across 600 short, focused levels.

In The End is Nigh, Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel built upon the exploration aspects of Super Meat Boy, creating a platformer that also feels like a puzzle game, packed with hidden secrets. The game includes a deeply personal narrative about McMillen’s challenges during the development of The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. He initially considered it his greatest achievement, and while he’s adjusted that opinion somewhat, The End is Nigh remains a standout platformer from its time.

2) The Binding of Isaac

Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m totally biased when it comes to The Binding of Isaac. I’ve sunk over 1,200 hours into it on Steam, so yeah, I’m a huge fan. But honestly, Isaac (especially with all the expansions) has some of the best roguelike gameplay I’ve ever played. It’s just incredibly addictive and well-designed.

There’s a ton to explore in Isaac. The game is packed with unlockable items, challenging bosses, and hidden characters. Its creators, McMillen and Himsl, drew inspiration from classic Legend of Zelda games, but made it unique by adding roguelike elements. The Wrath of the Lamb DLC and the Rebirth remake both significantly improved the experience, and with several official expansions, fan-made mods, and even a spin-off card game, it’s become a truly special game that everyone should try.

1) Mewgenics

Before its release in February 2026, the game’s creator, McMillen, declared Mewgenics his greatest work, and I’m inclined to agree. It’s only been out for about a week as I write this, so I could be getting carried away with initial excitement. However, the combination of cat breeding and strategic turn-based battles is simply brilliant.

Edmund McMillen teamed up with Tyler Glaiel again, and they’ve created something special. Mewgenics is simple to pick up, but incredibly challenging to truly master, with its many interconnected gameplay systems. The amount of content in the game is astonishing, and McMillen and Glaiel are already planning downloadable content. I can already tell I’m going to lose countless hours to this game!

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2026-02-15 22:42