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.
The Mario family
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.
The 3D platformer renaissance
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.
The precision 2D platformers
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.
The metroidvania platformers
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.
The indie 2D platformer gems
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.
The momentum-based platformers
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.
The puzzle platformers
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.
The co-op platformers
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.
The recent notable releases
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
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.
The short answer
For 3D platformer peak: Super Mario Odyssey or Psychonauts 2.
For 2D precision: Celeste.
For metroidvania: Hollow Knight.
For momentum/movement: Neon White.
For puzzle platformer: Braid or The Witness.
For co-op: It Takes Two.
For 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.