8 of the Best Platformer Games in History

Although the platformer game genre has declined in mainstream significance, there’s no doubting that platforming romps are the historical foundation of the gaming industry. Super Mario Bros was, after all, the salvation for the gaming industry during the 1980s. There have been many great 2D and 3D platforming games throughout the history of video gaming. Their joyful appeal has always been jumping between many platforms with perfect movement. These are some of the best platformer games ever.

Rayman Legends

Rayman is one of the most popular platformer game series alternatives to Mario. For many players, Legends is the biggest highlight of the Rayman series. Rayman Legends is a masterpiece of 2D platforming with its creative level design, stunning 2D artwork, fluid gameplay, and terrific content value with more than 100 levels. Players also love Rayman Legends because of its iconic musical levels with jumps and slides synced to match the rhythm. With a Metascore of 93, Rayman Legends is one of the most highly rated platformers in history.

Rayman Legends was originally a Wii U game. However, you can also play Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition on the Switch. The Switch version of the game includes an enhanced Kung Fu mini-game with a solo and tournament mode.

Super Mario Galaxy

In 2007, Nintendo released Super Mario Galaxy, which was a groundbreaking 3D platformer that kind of reinvented gravity. This was the game that propelled Mario into outer space, with spherical planetoids replacing flat levels. Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best platformer games in history because of its core gravity-defying mechanics that allowed for some of the most unique level designs. Added to that were its orchestral soundtrack, one of the best in gaming history, atmospheric storytelling, and polished gameplay.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy 2 was a masterful sequel that perfected the gravity-based platforming mechanics of the original SMG title. This was a genuine enhancement on the original, with Mario’s Yoshi’s sidekick adding a new layer of verticality and speed to the gameplay. SMG 2 frequently throws up new power-ups and mechanics that keep the game fresh and exciting. This game still stands out today with its beautifully bright and vibrant visuals and fantastic orchestral soundtrack.

Nintendo added even more sparkle to SMG 2 with the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 launch for the Switch consoles last year. The remastered Super Mario Galaxy 2 supports 4K resolution and also incorporates enhanced textures and updated lighting. Super Mario Galaxy 2 also includes a new, separate story mode and assist mode.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot, Sony’s answer to Mario, has become a platforming game sensation since its 2024 launch. This flagship 3D platformer for the PlayStation 5 takes a leaf out of the Mario Galaxy book with its creative and varied intergalactic levels. It features precise and joyful gameplay comparable to the best Mario games. Astro Bot also perfectly showcases the PlayStation 5’s DualSense technology, which enables players to feel unique sensations with haptic feedback. The stunning visual quality of Astro Bot on the PlayStation 5 is also something to behold, and it’s certainly among the most graphically impressive platformer games in history.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is another of the most cherished games in Nintendo’s flagship platformer series. This Mario game is all about the joy of playground exploration with its large, open-ended worlds. The defining gameplay mechanic of Mario Odyssey is the Cappy hat that enables players to possess enemies, which breaks the traditional movement rules. That innovative gameplay mechanic, combined with the varied and unique worlds in this game, made Odyssey a real gem of a 3D platformer.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze raised the bar for 2D platformers on the Nintendo Wii with its meticulously crafted, themed level design and refined movement mechanics. This is one of the best platformer games ever because of its dynamic stages that crumble or transform, stunning visuals and art style, unique boss battles, and top-tier soundtrack. It’s a beautifully challenging game with a fair, rhythmic design. The Funky Mode in the Switch version of Tropical Freeze also makes the game a bit more accessible for players who prefer an easier ride.

Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania is the best instalment of Sega’s flagship platform series for many Sonic fanatics. This game perfectly captured the nostalgic 16-bit gameplay that made Sonic great, with 2D pixel art elevated to modern standards for more visual flair. The brilliant, fast-paced level design of Sonic Mania, with its remixed nostalgic zones, has delighted Sonic fans the world over. Players have also loved this game because of its diverse character abilities, additional gameplay mechanics, terrific soundtrack, and high replay value.

Those seven best platformer games in history show why the enduring appeal of running and jumping through platform-filled levels never wanes. Sure, shooter, action-adventure, and RPG might be bigger genres these days, but the platform games above are very hard to beat when it comes to pure gaming fun. Nothing beats the thrill of a perfectly timed jump or frame-perfect landing in a top-notch platformer.