Top 50 Best Platformer Games of All Time

Updated: 01 Jul 2020 12:12 pm
Best Platformers, Best Platformer games
The Fundamentals of Platforming
Socialies's picture BY: Matthew Persson


Platformers have long been a staple of video game history, and continue to pave the way towards the future. Independent developers have taken notice of the demand for classic platformers and have acted accordingly. With the near limitless options for platformers, let’s take a moment to reflect on 50 that have left an indelible mark on the industry.

Title Release Platform Steam Review Metacritic User Score Review Trailer
1001 Spikes 2014 PC, Xbox, WiiU, PS4 9/10 6.6 Review Trailer
20XX 2016 PC, PS4, Switch 8/10 7.1 Review Trailer
Axiom Verge 2015 Switch, PS4, PC 9/10 8.4 Review Trailer
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2014 PC, Switch, 3DS 9/10 8.1 Review Trailer
Braid 2008 PC, PS3, Xbox, Android 9/10 7.8 Review Trailer
Castlevania Annivarsary Collection 2019 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 7.9 Review Trailer
Cavestory 2004 Switch, PC, 3DS, Wii,  10/10 7.9 Review Trailer
Celeste 2018 Switch, PC 10/10 8.4 Review Trailer
Contra Anniversary Collection 2019 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 6.9 Review Trailer
Cuphead 2017 PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox 10/10 8.2 Review Trailer
Dandara 2018 PC, Switch, PS4 9/10 7.4 Review Trailer
Dead Cells 2017 PC, Switch, Xbox, IOS,  10/10 7.9 Review Trailer
Donkey Kong Country Returns 2010 Wii, WiiU, 3DS N/A 8.6 Review Trailer
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze 2014 Switch, WiiU N/A 8.7 Review Trailer
Environmental Station Alpha 2015 PC 9/10 8.3 Review Trailer
Fez 2012 PC, PS4, PSs, IOS, Xbox 9/10 6.4 Review Trailer
Gris  2018 PC, Switch, PS4 10/10 N/A Review Trailer
Guacamelee 2  2018 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 8 Review Trailer
Hollow Knight  2017 PC, Switch, Xbox, PS4,  10/10 8.8 Review Trailer
Iconoclasts 2018 Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 8.1 Review Trailer
Katana Zero  2018 PC, Switch, PS4 10/10 8.9 Review Trailer
King's Bird 2018 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 6.1 Review Trailer
Kirby Planet Robobot 2016 3DS N/A 8.5 Review Trailer
Kirby Star Allies 2018 Switch N/A 7.5 Review Trailer

Kunai 

 2020 Switch, PC 7/10 7.6 Review Trailer

Megaman Legacy Collection 

 2015 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 8.5 Review Trailer

Megaman X Legacy Collection 

 2018 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 6/10 8/1 Review Trailer

Megaman Zero/ZX Legacy Collection 

 2020 Switch, PC 7/10 8.5 Review Trailer

Mirror's Edge 

 2008 PC, PS3, Xbox 9/10 8 Review Trailer
N++ 2015 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 10/10 N/A Review Trailer
New Super Mario Bros Wii 2009 Wii, WiiU N/A 8.3 Review Trailer
Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 PC, Switch, Xbox, PS4 10/10 8.7 Review Trailer
Psychonauts 2005 PC, PS2, Xbox 10/10 8.8 Review Trailer
Rayman Legends 2013 PC, Switch, Xbox, PS4,WiiU 9/10 8.4 Review Trailer
Rogue Legacy 2013 PC, Switch, PS3, PS4 9/10 7.7 Review Trailer

Scourgebringer 

 2020 PC 9/10 N/A Review Trailer

Shantae Half Genie Hero 

 2016 PC, Switch, PS4 9/10 7/7 Review Trailer

Shovel Knight 

 2014 PC, Switch, WiiU, PS4, Xbox 10/10 7.7 Review Trailer

Sonic Generations

 2011 PC, Xbox, PS4, 3DS 9/10 8.5 Review Trailer

Sonic Mania 

 2017 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 9/10 8.5 Review Trailer

Spelunky

 2013 PC, PS4, PS3 9/10 7.3 Review Trailer

Super Mario 3D Land 

 2011 3DS N/A 8.5 Review Trailer

Super Mario 3D World 

 2013 WiiU N/A 8.9 Review Trailer

Super Mario Galaxy 

 2007 Wii N/A 9 Review Trailer

Super Mario Odyssey

 2017 Switch N/A 8.9 Review Trailer

Super Meat Boy 

 2010 PC, Switch, PS4, WiiU 9/10 8.2 Review Trailer

The Messenger 

 2018 PC, Switch 10/10 8.3 Review Trailer

The Pedestrian 

 2020 PC 10/10 8.5 Review Trailer

Yooka Laylee 

 2017 PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox 7/10 7.4 Review Trailer

Yoshi's Wooly World 

 2015 WiiU N/A N.A Review Trailer

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Matthew Persson
Aspiring Doctor of Words
Gamer Since: 1999
Favorite Genre: RPG
Currently Playing: One Step From Eden
Top 3 Favorite Games:, ,


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Described as Celeste with a swordA pivotal piece of indie gaming historyA tablet is the unusual protagonistTakes a deep dive into Brazilian cultureIt's not enough to simply finish a level. You must do so with style A slick platformer where you overcome mental adversity as much as physical obstacles Seamlessly transition from 8 to 16 bitDust off the series with the recently released legacy collectionFeatures cinematic gameplay and an engaging storyExplore a desolate yet beautiful world

Scourgebringer

Described as Celeste with a sword

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