Platformer titles have existed for nearly so long as video video games have been a factor. From the arcade, to the NES, all the way in which to the fashionable period, we have been graced by tons of, if not 1000’s of wonderful video games within the style from generation to generation.
Best Platformer From Every Console Generation
From Pitfall to Donkey Kong Bananza, these are the perfect platformers from each console era.
2025 was no completely different, because the yr noticed a really good collection of entries into the platformer household come alongside that took this long-standing style to new and thrilling heights. From retro-style side-scrollers all the way in which to Game Of The Year-nominated 3D masterpieces, we have additionally had a variety of sub-genres represented inside the platformer class which have made severe waves within the trade.
With all of that stated, and with 2025 rapidly winding down, it is time to look again on the 10 platformers that we have collectively loved probably the most over right here at DualShockers. Simply be warned that you do not have an excessive amount of time left to clear these out of your backlog earlier than the 2026 titles begin rolling in too.
Whereas every Sport of the Yr record is written personally by one author, the video games within the lists and their rating had been chosen through a vote amongst all DualShockers writers. As such, the record under displays DualShockers as a complete and never essentially the views of the author.
10
Constance
Heavy Themes Behind Stunning Artwork
Maybe a sport that flew a bit beneath the radar within the scheme of 2025 because of a late November launch date, Constance is a superb sport that extra gamers must take discover of. We gave this one a very solid 8.5 out of 10, with a number of the standout options being Constance’s fantastic fashion, heartfelt story, and fluid, difficult gameplay.
The platformer style is not at all times one which delves too deeply into emotional or highly effective themes in a story, however Constance manages to take action superbly. In reality, the sport warns gamers at the beginning that it consists of some robust subjects, akin to despair and anxiousness. As such, it may not be for everybody, however it’s sure to be vital and memorable for these which are prepared for it.
Thematically, it’s kind of harking back to one other standout platformer of the previous, Celeste, which is arguably the perfect instance on the market of a sport from a sometimes carefree style daring to take issues a bit deeper than the established order. For this, Constance deserves quite a lot of reward.
9
Windswept
Cute, Cuddly, Crushing
Initially a Kickstarter mission, Windswept promised to be an homage to titles from the SNES period, primarily video games like Yoshi’s Island, Tremendous Mario World, and Donkey Kong Nation 2. Nonetheless, the workforce additionally mentions Celeste as a giant affect right here as nicely, and it isn’t onerous to see the comparability because of Windswept’s deceptively deep stage of issue.
Windswept is cute, has a fully standout soundtrack, and provides a number of the tightest-feeling precision platforming mechanics you will discover inside the style at giant. Initially, you will not uncover the true problem that waits beneath this sport’s charming, lovable floor, however simply give it a while.
Finally, Windswept reveals its remaining kind, which is a playground for any expert-level followers of the style that are not afraid to run a bit of a stage dozens of occasions earlier than lastly determining the proper path by way of. This is not a sport for the faint of coronary heart, however these that may rise to the intense platforming skill-checks inside have loads to like with Windswept.
8
Shantae Advance: Dangerous Revolution
Actually A Blast From The Previous
The Shantae video games have been round for some time now, and whereas they’ve but to interrupt into true, real, mass-market success, those who love the collection accomplish that for good motive. Shantae’s first title got here out manner again in 2002, which is extremely related to the story of Dangerous Revolution in 2025.
You see, this yr’s Shantae title really first started manufacturing for launch on the Sport Boy Advance in 2002 as nicely, and was purported to be the second entry into the collection. Sadly, it was postponed indefinitely, with little hope over the many years since that it will ever see the sunshine of day. Different Shantae video games got here and went, so why would we ever anticipate to see this canceled GBA sport from 2002 ever come again?
Shock! Over 20 years later, Shantae Advance: Dangerous Revolution lastly launched, full with a restricted GBA cartridge as nicely. The sport is oozing with retro, nostalgic appeal whereas nonetheless feeling like an extremely sturdy platforming title in 2025 in its personal proper.
7
Sword Of The Sea
Tony Hawk For Artwork College students
With Journey heritage and former stellar Large Squid titles akin to Abzû and The Pathless already in existence, it was no shock by any means that Sword Of The Sea additionally wound up being unbelievable. What was stunning is that it additionally managed to be arguably the perfect title of anything discovered inside the sport’s household tree.
Sword Of The Sea is actually a buffet of magnificence on all fronts, from the beautiful and evocative visuals to the ten/10 soundtrack from Austin Wintory. Whereas different video games earlier than Sword Of The Sea would possibly’ve stopped right here and let the vibes of the sport carry it alongside to an finally constructive expertise, SotS took issues additional.
Out of any of those artsy, intellectual platforming experiences, Sword Of The Sea is genuinely probably the most enjoyable to truly play. Platforming motion takes place 100% on a quick and thrilling sandboard/surfboard, which controls like a dream as you zip and trick round probably the most artsy, beautiful THPS-like sport in existence. We gave this game a 10, and it deserved it.
6
Yooka-Replaylee
Ode To Pleasure
One other sport from 2025 that received a recent begin this yr, Yooka-Replayee is the model of 2017’s Yooka-Laylee that Playtonic now needs they might’ve began this Banjo-Kazooie-inspired collection off with. Even in case you really feel like Replaylee is probably eight years too late, that does not disqualify it from being a fully fantastic platformer regardless.
Sure, Yooka-Replaylee reuses the identical ranges from the OG title, however they’re fully overhauled and reworked in each attainable regard, now bursting with tons of extra (and improved) content material, manner higher efficiency/visuals, and the fun-factor merely dialed as much as 11.
Pound for pound, there’s not a greater true collect-a-thon sport on the market, a minimum of since Banjo-Kazooie itself graced our N64’s again in 1998. Followers of retro 3D platformers will certainly love every little thing that Yooka-Replaylee managed to perform the second time round.
5
Bionic Bay
Processing Precision
Maybe probably the most criminally beneath the radar sport of 2025, Bionic Bay is one other platformer that managed to score a 10/10 from DualShockers this yr. The Sport Awards had a reasonably crowded record of “Finest Indie Sport” nominees, however think about Bionic Bay one of the biggest snubs.
This sport would possibly appear like Limbo at a look, but it surely’s really a sci-fi puzzle-platformer described as “rage bait” by the game’s creator himself, however that is provided that your precision platforming chops aren’t as much as snuff. For these craving a little bit of an additional problem inside the style, there are few video games higher than Bionic Bay.
By the tip, it feels most much like side-scrolling Portal, as a collection of teleportation, time/house shifting powers flip Bionic Bay right into a wickedly sensible, rewarding platforming expertise. Options really feel earned and such as you got here up with your personal, distinctive manner of progressing, which is an unmatched feeling in video video games. Oh, and the beautiful paintings you will see all through is hand-drawn pixel-work, maybe the perfect to ever exist.
4
Shinobi: Artwork Of Vengeance
Hanging, Is not It?
Talking of completely beautiful visible types, Shinobi: Artwork Of Vengeance sports activities a reasonably notably breathtaking, hand-draw-style of animation. The result’s a sport that has a case to be made for “Finest Wanting Platformer Of 2025” itself.
Set the paintings apart, nevertheless, and Artwork Of Vengeance nonetheless has a ton of extra positives going for it as nicely. In reality, the sport is so genuinely good that it additionally managed to realize a nomination at The Sport Awards for Finest Motion Sport of 2025, alongside different heavy hitters from the yr like Hades 2, Doom: The Darkish Ages, and Battlefield 6.
Certain, that is extra of an action-heavy platformer than some others on this record, but it surely nonetheless completely deserves a seat on the desk. Shinobi: Artwork Of Vengeance finally ends up being a high-octane, high-flying action-platforming expertise that fairly simply may’ve been the perfect instance of this sub-genre in many alternative years.
3
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The Yr Of The Ninja
The Ninja Gaiden collection had a second in 2025. From the remaster of Ninja Gaiden II Black in January to Ninja Gaiden 4 in October, followers of Ryu had loads to like this calendar yr. Smack-dab in the course of every little thing was the fantastic Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound.
Gamers have their opinions on which of the Ninja Gaiden video games was really the perfect in 2025, however there is no denying that Ragebound ought to be the consultant so far as conventional platforming is worried. That is one other instance on our record the place a heavy dose of motion will probably be required from challengers as nicely, so get able to battle.
Ragebound has tons of of enemies to chop down, thrilling boss fights, and intense chase sections, all whereas requiring your platforming abilities keep sharp as ever from starting to finish if you would like to come back out of this one alive.
2
Donkey Kong Bananza
Pauline’s Odyssey
Tremendous Mario Odyssey was already just about an ideal platformer, so it is completely, categorically nutty that the identical workforce additionally managed to create Donkey Kong Bananza in 2025 and by some means outdo themselves. Folks actually aren’t kidding once they argue Odyssey as the perfect Mario sport of all time. And if many gamers now declare Bananza as being even higher than Odyssey, then you may make sure that this sport actually is one thing particular.
DK and Pauline’s journey to smash every little thing in sight all through the period of Bananza is just pure, unadulterated, online game bliss. Of any sport that was launched this yr, be it a platformer or one thing else completely, Donkey Kong Bananza is probably the most hanging reminder that on the finish of the day, video video games are purported to be enjoyable.
Bananza is a sport that is not possible to not smile as you play, and whereas it is finally as much as you whether or not or not the workforce was really in a position to surpass Tremendous Mario Odyssey on the finish of the day, it does not matter. This sport is just a pleasure, and 2025 is a brighter yr due to it.
1
Hole Knight: Silksong
Hype Delivered
With so a few years of hype and rising anticipation for Hole Knight: Silksong, it is one of the exceptional feats of gaming in 2025 that Hornet’s sport delivered on completely every little thing that followers of the collection needed. Silksong is gorgeously designed, optimized to the pixel, and can grind your soul into the mud in case you do not take it severely.
The platforming is a brutal, expert-level set of challenges filled with exact down-slash pogos, platforms suffering from enemies in all the proper (or flawed) locations, and loads of high-difficulty bosses that will not go down in case you bobble your motion controls for even a second. Of any sport with platforming DNA in 2025, it is extremely seemingly that Silksong is the precise most demanding.
And but, all of that mixed is why we adore it, together with tens of millions of different players worldwide. Certain, Clair Obscur swept the precise Sport Awards, however Hole Knight: Silksong was top-of-the-line, most deserving GotY nominees in latest reminiscence, and earned the proper to be topped the perfect platformer of 2025 right here at DualShockers as nicely.
10 Retro Platformers That Still Hold Up In 2025
They might be previous, however these retro platformers are nonetheless spry.
