Best Platformer Games for Every Type of Player

26 April 2026

So… you think you’re ready to dive into the world of platformer games, huh? Whether you’re a pixel-perfect jumper, a story-driven couch potato, or someone who just wants to smash buttons and hope for the best—platformers have a little something for everyone. And when I say everyone, I mean every flavor of gamer out there. Yes, even that one friend who still hasn’t beaten the first level of Super Mario Bros. (We see you, Kyle.)

Ready to find your new favorite time-sink, rage-inducing passion project, or casual lunchtime escape? Well butter my joystick and call me Mario, let’s dive in!

? What Makes a Platformer, a Platformer?

Let’s get one thing straight before we jump headfirst into this pixelated pool. Platformer games are essentially about navigating a character through a series of platforms (duh), avoiding obstacles, collecting goodies, and usually saving some poor soul from evil forces—because apparently, game worlds never learned the art of conflict resolution.

You’ll jump. You’ll run. You’ll die (a lot). And you’ll love every second of it.

? For the Nostalgic Purist: “Super Mario Odyssey”

Ah yes, the king of platforming in all his mustached glory. Nintendo decided that 2D wasn’t ambitious enough, so they had Mario throwing his hat around, possessing enemies like some sort of Italian ghostbuster, and leaping around beautifully crafted open worlds.

Why it rocks:

- It’s Mario but with, like, ten times the freedom.
- You collect Power Moons (because Stars were just too mainstream).
- Controls as smooth as butter on a summer sidewalk.

Best for: Gamers who desperately want to relive the ‘90s but with 2020s polish.

? For the Explorer at Heart: “Hollow Knight”

You like your platformers dark, mysterious, and soul-crushingly difficult? Say no more! Hollow Knight is like if Tim Burton designed a bug-infested Metroidvania—yeah, it’s as oddly brilliant as it sounds.

What makes it a must-play:

- Huge interconnected world to explore (and get lost in).
- Gorgeous hand-drawn art that makes death a little less painful.
- Combat that’s as precise as a Swiss watch.

Best for: Players who want to feel lost, vulnerable, and slightly emotionally damaged... in a good way.

? For the Artsy-Fartsy Type: “Ori and the Will of the Wisps”

You say you’re not crying—it’s just allergies? Sure, buddy. "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" punches you right in the feels with its hauntingly beautiful visuals and soundtrack that could bring a grown man to tears during a boss fight.

What makes it special:

- Emotional storytelling that slaps.
- Insanely fluid movement and controls.
- Level design that’s nothing short of a masterpiece.

Best for: The "I play games for the story" crew who still want a challenge.

? For the Masochist (You Know Who You Are): “Celeste”

You say “trial and error,” I say “controller-breaking frustration.” Celeste is a love letter to those of us who enjoy suffering. But hey, it’s beautiful suffering. And oddly empowering. And the soundtrack might just become your new favorite Spotify playlist.

Why it’s perfect (and painful):

- You'll die 10,000 times and still say “just one more try.”
- A touching story about mental health and self-acceptance.
- Absolute masterclass in tight, responsive controls.

Best for: People who think “Dark Souls but 2D AND about mental health” sounds like a good time.

? For the Indie-Lover Who Hates the Mainstream: “A Hat in Time”

You like your platformers quirky, cute, and completely bonkers? Welcome to “A Hat in Time,” where a little girl with a big hat travels through time and space to collect hourglasses. Yes, it’s as weird (and wonderful) as it sounds.

Why it deserves your attention:

- Brimming with personality and wacky humor.
- Creative level design that’s all over the place—in a good way.
- A fabulous alternative to Mario for the hipster crowd.

Best for: Indie gamers who like their platformers with a side of sass.

? For the Fantasy Fanatic: “Rayman Legends”

Rayman might not have limbs, but he sure knows how to throw a punch—and do it in style. “Rayman Legends” is basically what happens when a Saturday morning cartoon goes full beast mode.

What makes it legendary:

- Stunning, painterly visuals.
- Levels that sync perfectly with the music (yes, really).
- Co-op gameplay that’s an absolute blast (and a test of friendship).

Best for: Fantasy lovers who want a break from dragons and dungeons.

?‍? For the Daredevils: “Cuphead”

Wanna feel what it’s like to play a 1930s cartoon on acid? No? Well, too bad—because "Cuphead" is here to slap your hubris straight into the “You Died” screen. This game is ruthless, gorgeous, and full of charm.

What makes it iconic:

- Art style is literally a moving work of art.
- Boss fights that make you rethink your life choices.
- Bullet-hell platforming that separates the rookies from the legends.

Best for: Gamers with fast reflexes and an even faster sense of humor.

? For the Puzzle-Obsessed: “Fez”

If you get turned on by Rubik’s cubes and obscure riddles, “Fez” is your pixelated playground. You literally rotate the world around you to solve platforming puzzles. Warning: brain may explode from awesome.

Why it’s a mind-bender:

- 3D perspective shifts in a 2D world (whoa, Inception).
- Minimal combat—because thinking is your weapon.
- A chill, ambient soundtrack to vibe out while you scratch your head.

Best for: Puzzle lovers and late-night thinkers.

? For the Sci-Fi Buff: “Dead Cells”

Platforming + Roguelike + Sci-Fi horror + a splash of sarcastic humor = Dead Cells. Think Castlevania had a love child with Doom, and they raised it on hot sauce. You’re welcome.

Why it slaps:

- Fast-paced combat that’s smoother than jazz.
- Procedurally generated levels so it’s never the same twice.
- Brutal difficulty that punishes and rewards in equal measure.

Best for: Gamers who want to suffer, in space, and enjoy it.

? For the Casual Gamer: “Kirby and the Forgotten Land”

Kirby: the cutest marshmallow of destruction. This pink puffball has a way of being charming, easygoing, and secretly overpowered. “Forgotten Land” takes the traditional side-scrolling formula and throws it into semi-open-world heaven.

Why it’s adorable and awesome:

- Easy enough for a toddler, fun enough for adults.
- Swallow enemies and get wild, sometimes hilarious, powers.
- Great for pick-up-and-play sessions.

Best for: Casual players, kids… or anyone who wants to unwind after rage-quitting “Celeste.”

? For the Monkey Business Aficionados: “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze”

Bananas? Check. Ridiculous difficulty spikes? Check. Funky Kong in a surfboard shop? Double check. Tropical Freeze is one of the most polished 2D platformers around, and it doesn’t care if you think you’re good—because you’re not. (Yet.)

Why it’s a jungle jam:

- Gorgeous environments that’ll make you wish you lived in a volcano.
- Platforming that tests your focus and timing.
- Killer soundtrack that includes jazz, tribal beats, and more.

Best for: Platforming veterans and banana enthusiasts.

?‍♂️ For the Retro-Obsessed: “Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove”

Put on your nostalgia goggles, folks. “Shovel Knight” is an 8-bit love letter to the glory days of NES platformers, but with enough modern sensibility to not make you rage-hurl your controller into the sun.

Why it digs deep (pun fully intended):

- Tight platforming, combat, and upgrades.
- Surprisingly deep storylines across all the campaigns.
- A literal SHOVEL is your weapon. What’s not to love?

Best for: Old-school gamers who still remember blowing into cartridges.

? The Wild Card: “LittleBigPlanet 3”

You want creativity? How about a game where you make the levels? “LittleBigPlanet 3” is basically the arts-and-crafts version of platforming. Want a level that’s just SpongeBob running from a T-Rex in space? Done.

Why it’s unique:

- Endless community-created levels.
- Adorable Sackboy and friends.
- Physics-driven platforming that’s less about skill, more about fun.

Best for: Creative types who want to play and design.

Final Thoughts: The Platform Is Yours

Whether you’re an emotional wreck just trying to climb a mountain (hi, Celeste players), or a chaos-loving cup with a grudge (what’s up, Cuphead fans), there’s a platformer out there for you.

Platforming games are the Swiss Army knife of gaming genres. They can be artsy. They can be nostalgic. They can be brutal. They can be as chill as a Sunday afternoon or as intense as trying to explain NFTs to your grandma.

So next time you’re staring at your game library pretending you have “nothing to play,” remember—there’s a platformer out there that’ll change your life… or at least ruin your evening in the best way possible.