You’d kind of expect the Nintendo Switch to be home to some wonderful platformers really, wouldn’t you?
As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating the treacherous terrains of pixelated platforms, I must say that the Switch has truly outdone itself when it comes to delivering top-notch platforming experiences. From the nostalgic charm of Yooka-Laylee, reminiscent of my childhood days with Banjo-Kazooie, to the devilishly challenging Cuphead that’s still giving me nightmares, each game offers a unique blend of adventure, challenge, and fun.
Nintendo has been instrumental in shaping and establishing the platformer genre. Games like the original Donkey Kong and the 3D marvels featuring Mario on the Nintendo Switch are among the finest platform games that the gaming world has seen.
This list certainly doesn’t fall short – except if your preferred choice isn’t included. Regrettably, we couldn’t include a few timeless favorites due to the intense competition.
We aimed for more than just high-quality; we wanted to accurately reflect the rich variety that characterizes the current Switch platformer scene. This genre is incredibly diverse, not only in terms of visual dimensions like 2D and 3D, but also in gameplay styles, art, and storytelling.
Among this collection, you’ll find a variety of games such as roguelikes, Metroidvania-style, shooter games, role-playing games, and many other genres to cater to various tastes. In essence, there’s something here for every gamer.
1 Super Mario Odyssey
Many people might argue that Super Mario Odyssey is the finest 3D platformer on the Nintendo Switch yet. This game is overflowing with awe-inspiring elements, containing more innovative ideas and diverse detours within a vast level than most games accomplish throughout their entirety. Super Mario Odyssey maintains the same level of design diversity as its predecessors. Each world presents a unique experience that’s brimming with intriguing discoveries. And even though it was an early release for the Switch, it remains visually stunning.
As a gamer, diving into Super Mario Odyssey, I’ve discovered an array of exclusive features that breathe fresh life into classic Mario gameplay. Here’s a heads-up on some strategies to swiftly grasp new moves and elevate your mastery. Plus, it’s twice the fun when you team up with a buddy! One of you can control Mario while the other handles Cappy. For in-depth insights, check out our comprehensive Super Mario Odyssey review for more details.
Download Super Mario Odyssey ($59.99)
2 Celeste
A remarkable 2D platformer game named Celeste seamlessly combines intricate acrobatic challenges in compact, engaging segments with an engrossing narrative. This contemporary masterpiece stands out due to its captivating pixel art and catchy music, making it a title you’ll likely want to revisit multiple times simply to savor the experience once more.
In Celeste, death is a frequent occurrence. It shares similarities with games like Super Meat Boy and The End Is Nigh, but the mechanics aren’t as intense. However, every leap and dash requires precise execution, making it incredibly satisfying when you execute them flawlessly. If you’re a fan of challenging games, Celeste is an excellent choice, and we have some helpful tips to make your gaming experience even better!
3 Hollow Knight
Among the exceptional Metroidvania games available on Switch, Hollow Knight stands out as a true masterpiece. With its captivating bug-themed environment, robust melee combat, and expansive world to delve into, Team Cherry has truly mastered the genre upon their debut. However, be warned that Hollow Knight is not your typical platform game on Switch; it’s one of the most challenging titles you can play, offering a formidable experience for gamers.
The art design in this game is simply breathtaking, with countless awe-inspiring locations and exhilarating events scattered across the map. Once you grasp the quick and action-packed gameplay, each battle will become an enjoyable experience. Since Hollow Knight can be quite tough, we’ve compiled a list of helpful strategies to familiarize yourself with the game and its enemies.
Download Hollow Knight ($15.00)
4 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
A nearly forgotten Wii U gem finds new life on Switch, boasting an exceptional 2.5D platformer experience. This game showcases superior level design and Donkey Kong’s signature dynamic movement. The game offers a two-player co-op mode, enabling you to share the excitement with your friend. For those seeking a more laid-back adventure, there’s a funky mode to unwind in.
If you’re seeking a tougher gaming experience, we suggest beginning in the original game mode. This way, you can take control of Donkey Kong and join forces with multiple characters to conquer frosty adversaries. For additional details, our Donkey Kong Country review provides all the information that didn’t fit here.
Download Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze ($59.99)
5 Dead Cells
Upon my demise in this captivating game, I must embark on a fresh journey from scratch. The secret to a triumphant campaign lies in discovering a weapon that harmonizes flawlessly with my gaming approach and enhancing it to its maximum potential. What makes this adventure truly extraordinary is the diverse array of weapons reminiscent of iconic titles like Hotline Miami, Terraria, and numerous others. To ensure you select the ideal weapon for your style, we’ve thoughtfully compiled a Dead Cells tier list, so you never feel alone in your quest for victory.
6 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
3D Super Mario World for Nintendo Switch offers a smooth, relaxing platformer gameplay in three dimensions. The package includes Bowser’s Fury, a challenging and unique adventure that immerses you in an expansive yet compact open world, where you face off against a colossal Bowser. Each game shines distinctly. For enhanced enjoyment, engage in cooperative play with your buddy. Additionally, Snapshot Mode allows you to capture stunning images.
With Mario by your side, you’ll encounter a host of cherished figures hailing from the Mario realm, including Luigi, Toad, and more. Each character you can control boasts special skills that you’ll need to employ to surmount challenges and gather Green Stars.
Download Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury ($59.99)
7 Steamworld Dig 2
Similar to the initial installment, Steamworld Dig 2 is an outstanding vertical Metroidvania game where you delve deep into the earth and rocks in search of a vanished civilization. The steampunk style of Image & Form continues to impress. You’ll encounter formidable foes and enhance your tools for increased strength. An exciting world filled with adventures awaits you!
Beyond this, Steamworld Dig 2 boasts an eye-catching and vibrant art design, with each stage offering a distinct and visually dissimilar look. As you progress through the game, mastering resource management, maintaining your health, and appropriately utilizing your lantern will become essential.
Download Steamworld Dig 2 ($19.99)
8 Sonic Mania
After several hasty 3D journeys, Sonic reverts to his swift 2D adventures in Sonic Mania. This transformation might just produce the best Sonic platformer yet. If you’re interested in our review on Sonic Mania, do check it out!
In Sonic Mania, the levels are vast and notably flexible, allowing multiple completion paths. Each stage has various approaches to finish, some unique to specific characters. This makes the gaming experience for each of the three heroes feel like a distinct journey. Undeniably, one of the game’s most thrilling aspects is the multiplayer competition mode, where you can challenge other players.
9 Inside
This game, a spiritual follow-up to Limbo, delves deeper into its hauntingly captivating universe and offers challenging platform-puzzle mechanics. It’s visually stunning, odd, and somewhat unsettling. It provides a fantastic mental workout, and you’ll encounter various puzzles with varying degrees of complexity. This game stands out distinctively among others in the list, so if you’re seeking something fresh, Inside is an excellent choice!
In this game, I found myself captivated by the hauntingly beautiful art style that matched the enigmatic ambiance, leaving me always guessing what would come next. While the gameplay was engaging and challenging, some of the puzzles were a bit tricky to solve, so don’t be fooled into thinking it will be a breeze. Lastly, here is my take on Inside.
10 Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
This game offers a delightful revamp of the traditional adventure platformer genre, featuring stunning hand-drawn visuals and an impressive orchestral soundtrack. Although it’s a port with virtual controls that aren’t fully optimized, the core gameplay is simply fantastic. The game, Wonder Boy, comes with three levels of difficulty, making it ideal for both casual players seeking relaxation and hardcore gamers searching for a challenge.
In your journey ahead, you’ll encounter numerous locations brimming with perilous monsters, including dragons. You’ll meet a variety of characters along the way, such as Lion-Man, Lizard-Man, and Hawk-Man, who can aid you in uncovering secrets by utilizing their unique skills. If there’s any lingering uncertainty about whether this game suits your taste, delve deeper into our Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap review for a comprehensive understanding.
Download Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap ($19.99)
11 Limbo
A monochromatic vortex, inhabited by a seemingly indifferent boy, serves as the backdrop in this captivating game, Limbo. The game’s title alone hints at its primary theme: perseverance is key to surmounting challenges. Repeatedly failing to leap over hurdles or evade the relentless pursuit of a looming menace results in grim outcomes, reflecting the game’s meticulously crafted physics. In unfortunate instances when your character accidentally impales himself on a spike, the graphic depiction lingers vividly in memory. Despite repeated failures and the need to confront familiar obstacles and adversaries numerous times before progressing, you will be compelled to persevere. This could be compared to life, as one might ponder.
You might think that black and white aren’t enough to tell a story, especially since there is no real dialogue. Of course, you’re wrong, and this puzzle platformer will teach you that you don’t need flashy animations and effects to create a masterpiece, all it takes is a bit of creativity.
12 Ori and the Blind Forest
As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must confess that one game that consistently competes with Hollow Knight for the crown of “best enchantingly beautiful Metroidvania title” is Ori and the Blind Forest. This captivating 2.5D adventure immerses you in a lush, verdant world, brimming with charm and allure.
This title stands out as the most adorable on the roster, boasting a stunningly beautiful world and characters that will leave a lasting impression. However, it’s important to note that the gameplay is quite demanding. You’ll encounter tough bosses and navigate through intricate locations filled with traps and challenges. Enhance your character and discover new skills to fully appreciate the diverse and engaging gameplay.
Download Ori and the Blind Forest ($19.99)
13 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe doesn’t have the progressive feel of Super Mario Odyssey or even Bowser’s Fury, but this 2.5D adventure is an absolute hoot – especially in multiplayer. The main advantages of an NSMB are new playable characters together with the well-known old ones. You will meet Peachette, Luigi, Bowser, and many other incredible characters. On top of that, there are various fantastic game modes, such as coin battle, boost rush, and challenges.
Download New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe ($59.99)
14 Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
In a daring departure from its initial 3D format, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair adopts a 2.5D style reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country and Super Metroid, resulting in an exceptionally enjoyable experience. You’ll be tasked with finishing numerous challenging stages, solving intricate puzzles, and amassing various items throughout your journey.
The gameplay is quite simple – you’ll be rolling, running, and jumping to tackle puzzles and finish stages. Once you’ve conquered all the accessible levels, there’s an additional feature called “Alternate Level States” that provides fresh landscapes and essentially offers more content for your continued entertainment.
Download Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair ($29.99)
15 Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
This collection truly lives up to its name: it’s a rich mine of classic platformer games from yesteryears, seamlessly incorporating the originals with their expansive add-ons. It offers one of the most complete 2D gaming packages for Nintendo Switch. Not only can you enjoy all these games together with a friend in the cooperative mode, but one standout feature is its epic music that harmoniously enhances the gameplay’s dynamics.
If you’re looking to hone your abilities, Shovel Knight offers a challenging mode featuring over 50 intricate levels. Additionally, its pixel art design adds an nostalgic charm reminiscent of yesteryears. Furthermore, you can embark on New Game+ for an opportunity to uncover the hidden mysteries within this captivating world.
Download Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove ($39.99)
16 It Takes Two
If you’re seeking a cooperative platformer for sharing with your loved ones, It Takes Two stands out as an engaging, emotionally resonant game brimming with puzzles, exploration, and intrigue. In this adventure, you and another player will step into the roles of characters transformed into dolls, embroiled in a conflict due to their relationship’s decline. Together, you must traverse this eccentric and absurd world, collaborating to conquer challenges! It’s an entertaining game that demands teamwork, providing a shared goal for both players.
17 Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
It’s quite unusual to see the iconic PlayStation character Crash Bandicoot so prominently displayed on a Nintendo Switch. However, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy seamlessly adapts, offering three engaging portions of uncomplicated 3D platforming fun. The game boasts thrilling gameplay, vibrant visuals, endearing characters, and outstanding music.
Reminiscing the golden era of gaming, it’s simply exhilarating to dive back into those timeless adventures, now rejuvenated with contemporary visuals! This fresh take on Crash Bandicoot brings back all the nostalgia with its level designs spot-on, mirroring our cherished memories. The game is brimming with intricate puzzles and cleverly concealed secrets, making every playthrough feel like a brand new experience.
Download Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy ($39.99)
18 Kirby and the Forgotten Land
In the 3D realm now, your long-time pal Kirby awaits an adventure from sun-kissed beaches to frigid wastelands. You’ll devour foes and objects alike, burrow underground, conquer platform puzzles, and traverse this world teeming with mysteries side by side in co-op mode. There’s a wealth of captivating items to gather, which you can then utilize to embellish Kirby’s abode!
To put it simply, I find Kirby’s design aesthetically charming and its battle mechanics engaging with plenty of intriguing elements. It offers two game difficulties – for those seeking a tougher challenge, they’ll appreciate the complexity it brings, while for me (or anyone looking to unwind), there’s an easier mode that lets you casually explore this vibrant universe without much stress.
Download Kirby and the Forgotten Land ($59.99)
19 Fe
As a gamer, I’d describe FE as an extraordinary 3D platformer with a unique artistic flair, a compelling narrative, and a sense of exploration that sets it apart. This game tells a breathtaking story without uttering a single word, instead inviting you to delve into the mysteries of a haunting Nordic forest. It bears similarities to Limbo and Ori in its silent narrative style and artistic aesthetic, with the twist being that FE is a 3D adventure rather than a side-scroller.
If you took a liking to any of the two options, you might appreciate the straightforward nature of Fe, especially if you prefer unwinding during your gaming experiences, as it is specifically designed with that intention in mind.
20 Toki
The most captivating simian alternative to Donkey Kong is none other than Toki! Unlike many others, Toki wasn’t always the monkey we know him as today. He lived a peaceful life with Miho, his cherished companion, until a wicked demon and sorcerer kidnapped her and transformed him into a monkey in retaliation. Despite his new physical appearance, Toki can now scale walls, leap through the air, and he’s determined to rescue Miho from these nefarious characters.
In this 2D world filled with challenges, Toki engages his adversaries by firing at them, leaping onto their heads, and devising other creative methods to progress. He navigates Aztec-inspired villages and dense jungles, swimming across water to dodge and battle fish and turtles. Additionally, numerous bosses will attempt to thwart him. This platformer was developed during the peak of arcade popularity, making it more difficult than most games in its category.
21 Yooka-Laylee
Prepare for thrilling journeys through a captivating universe reminiscent of Rare’s timeless Banjo-Kazooie games from the N64 era, as Yooka-Laylee was crafted by many of its original creators. This vibrant and lively 3D platformer invites you to embark on a series of engaging collect-a-thons!
One way to rephrase that could be: “One fun feature of Yooka-Laylee is the unique skills your characters possess, which you’ll need to use wisely to conquer a variety of intricate puzzles. Your goal is straightforward: solve these puzzles to collect the coveted golden treasures, and then use them to open up numerous new realms and heaps of additional content. Each realm presents a host of unique trials, amusing adversaries, engaging trivia games, and much more.
Download Yooka-Laylee ($39.99)
22 The Messenger
The video game “The Messenger” is influenced by classic action platformers such as Ninja Gaiden, offering a ‘cloudstepping’ mechanic that results in thrilling aerial skirmishes reminiscent of ballet. Throughout the game, you will encounter numerous adversaries, upgrade your character, and engage in agile ninja gameplay with an array of acrobatics. Hidden levels filled with intrigue are scattered throughout the game for observant players to discover.
The game boasts a variety of distinct stages, each one offering a fresh experience compared to the last. You’ll navigate through lush jungles, snowy landscapes, skies, oceans, and numerous other captivating environments. Along the way, you’ll encounter unique bosses and villains who possess intriguing abilities and stylish designs. The visual style of this game is top-notch, and the music complements it perfectly.
Download The Messenger ($19.99)
23 Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
The premium iteration of an outstanding platformer game from this era, Rayman offers captivating cartoon-style graphics and exhilarating gameplay. The gameplay is easy to grasp yet hard to put down. You can play it with up to 4 friends in co-op mode. Over a hundred fascinating levels are ready for exploration.
Spoilers follow*. The primary characters stumbled upon a vibrant tent filled with artworks, but instead of anticipating it, they were mysteriously pulled inside. Now, their mission is to journey through various worlds in order to solve the enigmas surrounding these paintings. For those eager to learn more, we’ve compiled a review for Rayman Legends, offering our unique insights on this captivating title.
Download Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition ($39.99)
24 Shinsekai: Into the Depths
In Shinsekai: Into the Depths, while it might not be the most finely tuned Metroidvania game available for Switch, it excels in creating an atmosphere of exploration and solitude that is second to none. Its unique underwater setting also offers intriguing platforming challenges. As you delve into this underwater world, always stay vigilant and keep a close eye on your oxygen levels!
In Shinsekai, the art is breathtakingly magnificent, and the underwater scenery is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Yet, this world hides perils at every turn, teeming with diverse monsters that pose significant threats. To navigate through these dangers, you’ll be equipped with an assortment of weapons, but remember to use them thoughtfully.
Download Shinsekai: Into the Depths ($19.99)
25 Cuphead
If you’re searching for a tough-as-nails platformer steeped in history, give Cuphead a try – it offers a serious challenge! Drawn from old-school gaming, it combines Disney-inspired animation to create a demanding universe filled with peculiar characters and stages to conquer. Despite my own struggles mastering parrying and battling many of the bosses, you can team up with a buddy to tackle levels, vanquishing strange adversaries that seem somewhat familiar, all while dodging their attacks! If you can’t get enough of Cuphead’s charm, there’s also a Netflix series showcasing its main characters.
This game features an expansion pack titled “The Final Tasty Chapter.” We highly recommend purchasing it if you enjoy the base game. Give it a try and judge for yourself. However, be warned, it’s among the most challenging platform games available on Nintendo Switch!
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2024-11-22 18:20