Platformers

Disney Universe lets players team up to explore beloved Disney locations, from the jungles of Tarzan to the futuristic streets of Tron. With a blend of platforming, combat, and humor, it offers a family‑friendly experience that captures the magic of Disney movies. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, allowing friends to join forces in a variety of missions and mini‑games. Its colorful visuals and lighthearted tone make it an ideal choice for kids and Disney fans looking for a lively adventure across multiple platforms.

Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee follows the humble factory worker Abe as he discovers the sinister plans of the ruthless Glukkons and sets out to free his captured fellow Mudokons. The game blends classic side‑scroll platforming with inventive puzzle‑solving and stealth mechanics, all wrapped in a darkly comedic sci‑fi world. Originally released in 1997, the title has become a cult classic thanks to its memorable characters, unique Quake ability, and richly detailed 2D environments. Players navigate treacherous factory floors, avoid detection, and use Abe's chanting powers to possess enemies and solve intricate challenges.

✦ Best for fans of classic platform‑puzzle games craving quirky stealth challenges

Skylanders: Giants is the 2012 direct sequel to Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, blending physical toy collectibles with video game action. Players place real-world action figures onto the Portal of Power to bring them to life in the fantasy adventure. Featuring brand new characters known as Giants who are twice the physical size of regular Skylanders, the game introduces expanded gameplay mechanics, puzzles, and enemies. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, it continues the beloved action RPG and hack-and-slash franchise experience.

✦ Best for families and toy-collecting gamers wanting fun cooperative local multiplayer.

Ape Escape 4 returns to the PlayStation 3 with a fresh storyline that sends players across different eras to capture mischievous monkeys. The game blends classic platforming with new mechanics, offering both nostalgic charm and modern polish. Developed by SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, the title delivers a single‑player experience packed with puzzles, collectibles, and inventive gadget use, all set within vibrant, era‑specific worlds.

✦ Best for ps3 platforming fans

Sonic Generations celebrates the legacy of the iconic blue hedgehog by blending classic 2D levels with sleek 3D reimaginations. Players can switch between the retro Sonic and modern Sonic to experience familiar routes with fresh twists. The game offers fast‑paced platforming across multiple worlds, each packed with hidden secrets, speed boosts, and vibrant visuals. Designed for solo play, it delivers a family‑friendly challenge that honors the series' history while introducing new gameplay mechanics.

✦ Best for fans craving nostalgic sonic platforming with modern twists

Spyro: Season of Ice is the first game in the series not developed by Insomniac Games and the first to appear on the Game Boy Advance. Featuring an isometric overhead perspective, the game retains Spyro's classic abilities like flame breath and gliding while introducing Mode 7 technology for its 3D-style flying bonus levels. Following the defeat of the Sorceress, an evil Rhynoc wizard named Grendor turns the fairies of the Dragon Realms into ice blocks to cure his headaches. Players control Spyro with the assistance of Hunter and Sparx to rescue the trapped fairies across diverse environments and thwart Grendor's plot.

✦ Best for fans of retro platformers wanting classic spyro action on gba.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels revisits the original 1985 platforming formula, adding new world designs, higher difficulty, and fresh power‑up placements. Originally released only in Japan, it later reached worldwide audiences via virtual console services, preserving its retro charm while testing even veteran players. The game retains the iconic side‑scrolling action, precise controls, and memorable music, while introducing new obstacles like poison mushrooms and more complex enemy patterns. Its timeless gameplay makes it a perfect showcase of early platform design for both nostalgic fans and new players seeking a true retro challenge.

✦ Best for retro platformer fans craving authentic 8‑bit challenge

Super Meat Boy is a tight, precision‑based platformer that throws you into frantic runs as the eponymous meat cube, racing to rescue his girlfriend Bandage Girl. Each level is a short, deadly gauntlet filled with spikes, moving blocks, and hidden shortcuts that demand perfect timing and reflexes. The game’s pixel‑art style and dark humor are complemented by a high‑energy soundtrack, while its simple controls make it easy to pick up yet nearly impossible to master, offering endless replay value for both casual and hardcore players.

✦ Best for hardcore platformer fans craving precision and leaderboards

Crash Bandicoot: Warped takes the beloved marsupial on a whirlwind journey across prehistoric jungles, medieval castles, and futuristic cities. With vibrant graphics and tight controls, the game delivers a nostalgic yet fresh platforming experience for both new and veteran players. The title expands on its predecessors with new power-ups, time-travel mechanics, and a host of challenging boss encounters, making each level feel distinct and rewarding. Its single-player focus ensures an immersive solo adventure that remains a classic in the genre.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans

Donkey Kong Country 3 follows Dixie Kong and her friends as they journey through the mysterious Krazy Kremland, battling enemies and collecting Kremkoins across diverse environments. The game builds on the series' signature platforming with vibrant pixel art and a memorable soundtrack. The title introduces new animal buddies, cooperative play, and hidden bonus levels, offering both nostalgic appeal and fresh challenges for modern players.

✦ Best for hardcore retro platform fans craving challenging co‑op adventures

Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy brings together two iconic video game heroes as Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot team up to thwart the evil alliance of Ripto and Dr. Cortex. Developed by Vicarious Visions, this handheld title blends traditional side-scrolling platforming with a wide variety of quirky mini-challenges across familiar and unfamiliar realms. Players will experience diverse gameplay mechanics that go beyond standard platforming, including vertical shooters, tank driving, rapid-button-tapping challenges, and Breakout-style combat. With support for link cable multiplayer, the game offers cooperative and competitive minigame action for fans of both legendary franchises.

✦ Best for fans wanting a handheld crossover adventure featuring spyro and crash.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 delivers vibrant 2D platform action with a humorous twist, letting players dash, jump, and blast through colorful worlds as the heroic rabbit Jazz. The game mixes single‑player campaigns with split‑screen multiplayer and co‑op modes, offering endless replayability for both solo and group play. Originally released in 1998 for PC and Mac, the title remains a beloved retro experience, featuring a robust level editor, diverse power‑ups, and a memorable soundtrack that captures the era’s arcade spirit.

✦ Best for retro platform shooter fans craving split-screen co-op and level editing