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Who doesn’t love a good platformer? If you’re looking for a memorable adventure — creative, challenging, instantly replayable, and just plain damn fun to play — then you’re in the right place.
The platforming genre made gaming what it is today. It gave us icons like Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, and chances are you’ll see platforming aspects in all other game genres: just think — if the original Donkey Kong didn’t introduce the jumping mechanic, games today would be very different.
Today’s platformers are as exciting as ever — so put your skills to the test in these 10 modern platformers that you should play right now!
Sonic Mania Plus (2018)
Consoles: [Switch, PS4, XB1, PC, Android, iOS]
Whether you’re a Sonic fanatic from the Mega Drive days or a series newcomer, you’ll get a kick from joining Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles’ adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik and the Hard-Boiled Heavies in Sonic Mania Plus.
Bringing one of the biggest icons of gaming back to its momentum-based roots, Mania lets you roll around at the speed of sound using Sonic’s Drop Dash ability through creatively remixed versions of classic Sonic zones and brilliant brand-new ones like Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon.
While speeding through zones is great fun, its endless replayability comes from how much there is to explore, much like the classic Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and in similar fashion, you can find ring portals to new Special Stages — 3D races to collect Chaos Emeralds with Sega Saturn-inspired visuals.
Truly made by fans for fans, this loving tribute to the Blue Blur was crafted by Sonic fan game developer Christian Whitehead. Mania includes fresh, original ideas to advance the definitive classic Sonic experience, yet is chock-full of references to Sonic’s legacy, and the Plus expansion includes Encore Mode and two deep cut characters, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel.
Super Mario Bros Wonder (2023)
Consoles: [Switch]
Succeeding the New Super Mario Bros series comes this refreshingly creative take on 2D Mario — the colourful Flower Kingdom has a variety of creatively designed levels, puzzles, and challenges that’ll put your skills to the test.
Up to four players, local or online, can go on this adventure as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, or for breezier time, Nabbit or Yoshi (who don’t use power ups but are pretty much invincible). Plus, the game’s Badge System allows players customise their abilities (e.g., Grappling Vine, Dolphin Kick), or keep extra power-ups to help them overcome obstacles in many different ways!
The brand-new power ups (Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower, and Drill Mushroom) are welcome additions, but the prize-plant in this garden of fun is the Wonder Flower. This triggers a Wonder Effect, changing the world around you in the weirdest way possible — from singing Piranha Plants to floating through space, you never know what you’ll find next!
Overall, 2D Mario is at its best since Super Mario World, so if you’re looking for a wonderful (pun intended) adventure for the family, then jump right into the Flower Kingdom!
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (2017)
Consoles: [3DS, Wii U, PC, Mac, PS3, PS4, Vita, XB1, Switch]
From Yacht Club Games comes a refreshingly original 2D Platformer inspired by classic NES games like Castlevania, Megaman, and even DuckTales. You’ll feel nostalgic with its 8-Bit visuals and excellent chiptune soundtrack by Jake Kaufman.
Your quest in this super-challenging platformer is to defeat the evil Enchantress and the “Order of No Quarter”. Each uniquely designed level has a tough-but-fair gameplay loop of travelling through challenging obstacles, using your shovel to dig, attack, and bounce, collecting tons of gems and eventually fighting bosses.
Shovel Knight is already full of challenges to beat and upgrades to use. But that’s not all! The Treasure Trove version unlocks all three DLC campaigns, featuring Plague Knight, Spectre Knight, and King Knight, each distinct and fresh in its gameplay and features. One more thing — you and a buddy can team up in the story or battle each other in the Shovel Knight Showdown mode!
A modern twist on classic games of the 8-Bit era, Shovel Knight really has it all!
Celeste (2018)
Consoles: [PC, Mac, Switch, XB1, PS4, Stadia]
From Maddy Makes Games, the indie team behind Towerfall, Celeste is truly as special as it is ambitious.
Celeste tells a grounded yet inspiring story about Madeline, a young woman struggling with anxiety, who aspires to face her fears by climbing up Celeste, the titular mountain. The story’s nuanced themes really get you invested in its cute characters, and you want to see Madeline’s journey through to the end. It’s all made even better by its beautiful pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack, which feel therapeutic.
Celeste’s simple gameplay, including climbing and dashing abilities, builds around its tight controls and expertly designed levels with tons of creative ideas. Plus, there’s lots of reasons to replay, including the brutal B-Side and C-Side levels, and many collectables to grab — do you like strawberries? How about ones with wings? Well, how many can you collect before completing the story?
Anyone can get into Celeste, regardless of its subject matter. Pick this game up for an atmospheric, intense challenge, and no matter what, keep on climbing the mysterious mountain!
Rayman Legends (2013)
Consoles: [Wii U, PS4, XB1, PS3, XB360, PC, Switch]
Join Rayman, Globox, and the gang in this beautiful, expressively animated adventure — an amazing evolution to the already excellent Rayman Origins.
Either single or up to 4 players can run, jump, fly, and fight together through amazingly designed levels, collecting Lums, saving Teensies, defeating giant bosses, and running from hordes of enemies. Plus, an extra player can control Murphy by tickling enemies and moving obstacles to get their friends through these ordeals. The game’s aesthetically imaginative worlds combined with its satisfying gameplay loop create a dream-like experience anyone can enjoy.
The amount of content in this game is indisputable — whether it’s revisiting levels from Origins, setting high scores in super-tough daily challenges, or running and jumping to the music in rhythm-based levels, Legends has it all! Are you the competitive type? If so, you can challenge your friends to a game of Kung Foot, where teams must smash a football into the goal with all their might.
Ultimately, Rayman Legends is an unforgettable platformer and a must-have for fans of the limbless wonder.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
Consoles: [Switch]
Let’s-a-Go! Join Mario and his new friend Cappy in his latest collectathon adventure around the world to save Princess Peach from Bowser yet again.
An evolution of the gameplay from Mario 64 and Sunshine, Odyssey is the best Mario has controlled in 3D by far. However, Mario’s capture mechanic is the most innovative feature — making solid use of the Switch’s Joycon motion controls, Mario can throw his hat to possess many objects and enemies with the help of Cappy to help him collect Power Moons. You can smash things up as a T-Rex, shoot up blocks as a tank, or just control a Goomba!
The game’s beautiful world comprises imaginative, expansive open kingdoms, from the nature- themed Steam Gardens to the New York-inspired Metro Kingdom. There’s lots of souvenirs and Power Moons to collect throughout and tons of platforming challenges to beat, filling your adventure with joy from beginning to end!
Odyssey is a phenomenal experience — if you love Mario, then “Jump Up, Super Star”, because this globe-trotting adventure is an instant classic!
A Hat in Time (2017)
Consoles: [PC, Mac, PS4, XB1, Switch]
Heavily inspired by 3D collectathon games like Super Mario Sunshine and Banjo-Kazooie, this “cute-as-heck 3D platformer” from Gears for Breakfast is bound to put a smile on your face. Play as the space-travelling Hat Kid as she explores a colourful planet full of zany characters, searching for her scattered ship-powering “Time Pieces”.
The controls — climbing walls and swinging with a grappling hook — make traversal super- satisfying. Hat Kid’s top hat already gives her good fashion sense, but A Hat in Time has the unique mechanic of making hats with super-rare yarn, giving her special abilities (e.g., the witch hat lets her throw explosive potions) which become more powerful and customisable thanks to the many badges you collect across the world!
The game’s expansive open levels, from bright and colourful to dark and eerie, are all so creatively designed — what other platformer has a whole Movie Studio world, where you can solve a murder mystery on a train and take a bunch of penguins on a parade through the city? So put on your best hat and pick up this epic adventure of time and space!
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)
Consoles: [Wii U, Switch]
Retro Studios gave us a refreshing take on the iconic ape’s 2D roots with Donkey Kong Country Returns, but the sequel, Tropical Freeze, proves they’ve nailed the formula!
Join the DK Crew in this highly engaging yet challenging adventure to take back their home island from its invaders, the “Snowmads”. All seven worlds feature gorgeous, creative level designs in a variety of aesthetics — beaches, jungles, glaciers, even silhouettes — and mechanics that really test your platforming skills.
Tropical Freeze’s simple gameplay has all the elements that made the original formula so great, while also including new features making it better than ever! Slow down your fall with Diddy’s jetpack, gain extra height with Dixie’s helicopter hair, and bounce off spikes with Cranky’s cane — use these skills to their fullest potential if you want to get through the toughest levels.
The Switch version also has the easier “New Funky Mode”, letting you play as Funky Kong, so if you’re a newcomer looking for a more comfortable ride, then give this version a spin.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022)
Consoles: [Switch]
It took the hungry pink puffball a while, but Kirby finally has his first fully 3D adventure on the Switch, and he absolutely nailed it!
Kirby’s core gameplay is translated spectacularly into 3D. On Kirby’s adventure through the titular forgotten land, the “New World”, you’ll come across creatively designed areas including a nature-infested city and a beautiful theme park. During your adventure, you can rescue kidnapped Waddle Dees to unlock boss levels and upgrade your village with more stuff to do!
There’s also brand-new creative mechanics — Kirby still gains copy abilities after swallowing enemies, and new ones like cannon-blasting Ranger Kirby are fun to use, but now, all copy abilities can be upgraded with “Blueprints” and “Rare Stones” (the latter found in Treasure Road challenges) to pack even more of a punch! The best new mechanic is Mouthful Mode, which lets Kirby control bigger objects like cars or vending machines after swallowing them.
Whether it’s going fishing, collecting figurines, or surviving the arena, Forgotten Land has something new for everyone. If you’re looking for a brand-new take on Kirby, then get a taste of this gourmet adventure!
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (2021)
Consoles: [Switch]
Super Mario 3D World is back and better than ever, and this time, it’s two games in one!
Up to four players can travel through 3D World’s creatively designed levels in the magical Sprixie Kingdom, all containing unique mechanics and super-fun power-ups. Climb walls as Cat Mario and multiply yourself with the Double Cherry to beat well-designed platforming challenges that reward you with Green Stars. Plus, the Switch version supports online multiplayer!
The biggest addition is the short-but-sweet Bowser’s Fury. Here, Mario and Bowser Jr. need to save Bowser, now a colossal monster possessed by black sludge! The design of the beach-like world of Lake Lapcat is comparatively more open-ended to the 3D World’s levels, and there you can ride Plessie through the waves, collect tons of Cat Shines, and survive “Fury Bowser’s” rampage before taking him on in an epic Kaiju-style boss fight.
There’s hours of fun here, so if you want a modern twist on classic Mario, you’ll love this enhanced Switch port of one of the plumber’s greatest adventures.
