Best Platformer Games: From Precision 2D to Creative 3D
The best platformer games, from precision 2D masterworks to creative 3D adventures, retro throwbacks, and the indie gems that keep the genre alive.
Platformers are the genre that invented video games. Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Sonic, the entire medium grew from jumping across pixels. The genre has evolved into subgenres: precision platformers, metroidvania, 3D platformers, puzzle platformers, momentum-based platformers. Every subgenre has its own best-of list.
Here's what's actually worth your time across the entire platformer spectrum.
What are the best Mario platformer games?
The best Mario platformers span 2D and 3D. Super Mario Odyssey leads 3D with its capture mechanics, Super Mario Bros. Wonder revitalizes 2D Mario with inventive level design, and the Galaxy games remain all-time greats. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door adds RPG depth to the classic formula.
Super Mario Odyssey is the 3D platforming masterpiece of the last decade. Capture mechanics add creative depth to classic Mario movement.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the 2D Mario revival. Inventive level design, gorgeous visual style.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 remain peak 3D platformers. Available on Switch via Super Mario 3D All-Stars (limited release) or emulation.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury combines classic 2D level structure with 3D movement.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the Mario RPG with platforming elements. Beloved classic.
What are the best 3D platformer games?
The best modern 3D platformers include Psychonauts 2, A Hat in Time, and Pseudoregalia. These indie and AA titles carry forward the spirit of N64-era collect-a-thons with fresh ideas, from mind-bending level themes to PS1-style exploration, proving the genre is thriving well beyond Nintendo.
Psychonauts 2 is Double Fine's return to the mind-bending platformer series. One of the best 3D platformers of the decade.
A Hat in Time is charming indie 3D platformer with Banjo-Kazooie energy.
Pseudoregalia is 3D platformer with Zelda-adjacent exploration. PS1-style aesthetic.
Super Kiwi 64 is retro-style 3D platformer from the same developer.
Lunistice is another indie 3D platformer throwback.
What are the best precision 2D platformers?
The best precision 2D platformers are Celeste, Super Meat Boy, and N++. Celeste sets the gold standard with tight controls and an emotional story. The Ori games blend precision with metroidvania exploration, while The End is Nigh delivers brutal, collectible-driven challenge from the creator of Super Meat Boy.
Celeste is the gold standard. Precision platforming with one of gaming's best emotional stories. The games like Celeste post has more.
Super Meat Boy is brutal precision platforming classic.
N++ is the minimalist precision master class. Thousands of levels.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps blends precision with metroidvania and emotion. Stunning.
Ori and the Blind Forest is the prequel. Equally beautiful.
The End is Nigh is from Edmund McMillen (Super Meat Boy/Binding of Isaac). Brutal platforming with collectibles.
What are the best metroidvania platformers?
The best metroidvania platformers are Hollow Knight, Metroid Dread, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Hollow Knight is the modern peak of the subgenre, Metroid Dread revived 2D Metroid after 19 years, and The Messenger blends retro action with metroidvania structure in surprising ways.
Hollow Knight is the modern metroidvania peak. The games like Hollow Knight post has more.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long-awaited sequel. The games like Silksong post has more.
Metroid Dread is the first new 2D Metroid in 19 years. Excellent.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night remains the metroidvania that defined the subgenre.
The Messenger blends retro platforming with metroidvania in surprising ways.
What are the best indie 2D platformer games?
The best indie 2D platformers include Dead Cells, Katana ZERO, Cuphead, and Shovel Knight. These games blend platforming with roguelike, action, and run-and-gun mechanics. Cuphead stands out for its hand-drawn visuals, while Dead Cells merges metroidvania structure with roguelike progression into something special.
Hades is roguelike action-platformer. Not pure platformer but shares the movement focus.
Katana ZERO is stylish action platformer with parry-and-kill gameplay.
Dead Cells is metroidvania roguelike. The games like Dead Cells post has more.
Cuphead is hand-drawn run-and-gun boss rush. Visually unmatched.
Shovel Knight is retro-inspired action platformer with massive expansion content.
What are the best momentum-based platformers?
The best momentum-based platformers are Sonic Mania, Neon White, and Exo One. Sonic Mania perfects classic 2D Sonic, Neon White combines first-person movement with card mechanics for speedrun-focused gameplay, and Celeste 64 offers a free 3D spin-off of the precision classic.
Sonic Mania is the best modern Sonic game. Classic 2D Sonic perfection.
Sonic Frontiers is Sonic's open-world experiment. Divisive but genuinely enjoyable.
Neon White is first-person movement platformer with card-based mechanics. Incredible.
Exo One is physics-based momentum game. Dreamlike and short.
Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain is the free 3D Celeste spin-off.
What are the best puzzle platformer games?
The best puzzle platformers are Braid, INSIDE, LIMBO, Fez, and The Swapper. Braid defined the modern puzzle platformer with time-manipulation mechanics. INSIDE and LIMBO deliver atmospheric, horror-tinged experiences from Playdead, while Fez hides deep secrets behind its perspective-shifting gameplay.
Braid invented the modern puzzle platformer. Still brilliant.
The Witness isn't strictly a platformer but combines puzzle with exploration.
INSIDE is atmospheric puzzle platformer with horror elements. The games like Inside post has more.
LIMBO is INSIDE's predecessor. Still excellent. The games like Limbo post has more.
The Swapper is clone-based puzzle platformer. Gorgeous and thoughtful.
Fez is 3D-perspective 2D puzzle platformer with deep secrets.
What are the best co-op platformer games?
The best co-op platformers are It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Cuphead, and A Way Out. It Takes Two is the standout, constantly reinventing its mechanics across every level. All three Hazelight titles are designed exclusively for two-player co-op, and Cuphead's local co-op adds a whole new layer of chaos.
It Takes Two is the two-player co-op masterpiece. Constantly inventive.
A Way Out is the prior Hazelight two-player game.
Cuphead supports two-player local co-op. Mentioned twice because co-op Cuphead is special.
Split Fiction is Hazelight's newest co-op adventure.
What are the best new platformer games?
The best recent platformer releases include Pizza Tower, Animal Well, Pepper Grinder, and Ultros. Pizza Tower channels early Wario Land energy with manic pacing, Animal Well rewards deep engagement as a metroidvania-puzzle hybrid, and Pepper Grinder introduces unique drill-based movement mechanics.
Pizza Tower is manic 2D platformer inspired by early Wario Land games. Absolute joy.
Animal Well is metroidvania-puzzle hybrid that rewards deep engagement. The games like Animal Well post has more.
Pepper Grinder is drill-based platformer. Unique movement.
Ultros is psychedelic metroidvania with heavy narrative focus.
What we make at Choost
Choost Games does not make platformers, focusing instead on top-down bullet heaven games like Granny's Rampage. The studio covers platformers extensively though, with dedicated recommendation posts for metroidvanias, Hollow Knight alternatives, and Celeste-style precision platformers.
We don't make platformers, precision movement systems require specific expertise. Granny's Rampage is top-down bullet heaven, completely different movement design. But we love platformers for their commitment to movement-as-identity. For more genre-specific content, the best metroidvania games, games like Hollow Knight, and games like Celeste posts have more.
What is the best platformer in each subgenre?
The best platformer in each subgenre comes down to a few standout picks. Super Mario Odyssey or Psychonauts 2 lead 3D, Celeste dominates 2D precision, Hollow Knight owns metroidvania, Neon White rules momentum games, and It Takes Two is the undisputed co-op king.
| Subgenre | Best Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 3D platformer | Super Mario Odyssey or Psychonauts 2 |
| 2D precision | Celeste |
| Metroidvania | Hollow Knight |
| Momentum/movement | Neon White |
| Puzzle platformer | Braid or The Witness |
| Co-op | It Takes Two |
| Indie gem | Pizza Tower or Animal Well |
Platformers are gaming's most universal genre. Every gamer has a favorite platformer from their childhood. The modern scene has everything from precision 2D to creative 3D, puzzle to momentum, co-op to metroidvania. Pick your entry point based on the movement fantasy you want and commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best platformer game of all time?
It depends on the subgenre. For 3D platformers, Super Mario Odyssey and Psychonauts 2 lead the pack. For 2D precision, Celeste is the gold standard. Hollow Knight is the modern metroidvania peak, Neon White dominates momentum-based platformers, and It Takes Two is the best co-op platformer.
What are the best 3D platformer games on PC?
The best 3D platformers on PC include Psychonauts 2, A Hat in Time, Pseudoregalia, Super Kiwi 64, and Lunistice. These indie and AA titles bring fresh ideas to the N64-era collect-a-thon formula, all available on Steam.
What are the best games like Celeste?
If you love Celeste's precision platforming, try Super Meat Boy, N++, The End is Nigh, and both Ori games (Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps). The Ori titles blend precision with metroidvania exploration, while Super Meat Boy and N++ focus on pure tight-controls challenge.
What are the best co-op platformers to play with a friend?
The best co-op platformers are It Takes Two, Split Fiction, A Way Out, and Cuphead. It Takes Two constantly reinvents its mechanics and won Game of the Year. All three Hazelight games (It Takes Two, A Way Out, Split Fiction) are built exclusively for two-player co-op.
