Platformer games were once the dominant genre in gaming. Due to the advancement and technology, other genres had taken over in terms of a sheer number of titles. Nevertheless, if you are Looking for some fun and fresh platform action: Read on as we hand-pick and rank our favorite PS5 platformers
1. Astro’s Playroom
Some may see Astro’s Playroom as just a tech demo, but it’s actually a solid free game for the PlayStation 5. It’s a 3D platformer that takes players on a journey through the history of PlayStation hardware, starting with the original console and ending with the PS5.
The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add to the immersive gameplay experience. The graphics are top-notch, filled with vibrant colors and detailed textures. The game also features collectibles and a soundtrack that pays homage to the history of PlayStation.
Astro’s Playroom is a fun and polished platformer that showcases the capabilities of the PS5 and is a great introduction to gaming for new players, especially kids.
2. Kaze and the Wild Masks
In Kaze and the Wild Masks” players are transported to a colorful and vibrant world where animated vegetables have taken over and their friends have been turned into crystals. The gameplay is highly reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country 2, with the main character “Kaze” controlling similarly to Dixie Kong.
Players will collect different animal masks that give them enhanced abilities, navigate water sections, and even encounter minecart levels where they put on a dragon mask and race through the level. The level design is well done and the pixel art is detailed and pleasing to the eye.
However, the game can be a bit too straightforward, with not many worlds or bosses to explore. Additionally, the rewards for 100% completing the game are not particularly substantial, with only a secret cutscene being offered as a reward. Overall, Kaze and the Wild Masks offers a challenging but forgiving experience for fans of old-school platformers and is a great addition to the nostalgia genre.
3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fantastic platformer that truly delivers on its promise of a big adventure. The game’s platforming mechanics are tight and responsive, making it an absolute joy to play.
The level design is creative and diverse, with each level providing a unique challenge and a sense of exploration. The visuals are bright and colorful, immersing players in a world that is both whimsical and charming.
The game’s story is simple, yet engaging, and it’s told through clever cutscenes that are both entertaining and humorous. The game’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, adding to the game’s overall charm and immersing players in the world. The game also features a co-op mode, making it a great game to play with friends or family.
4. Solar Ash
Solar Ash is an action-adventure game that takes players on a journey through a surreal and dreamlike world. With a striking art style and vibrant colors, the game immerses players in a mysterious world filled with fast-paced action, puzzles, and platforming elements. Players take on the role of Reyes, a young protagonist on a journey to explore the world of Solar Ash. The game received critical acclaim for its captivating atmosphere, fluid gameplay, and immersive world. The art style, music, and sound design are particularly praised for creating a unique and mesmerizing experience, making it a must-play for players looking for a fast-paced and visually stunning adventure game.
5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is the latest installment in the beloved Crash Bandicoot franchise. The game features the return of the iconic character Crash Bandicoot, who must go on a journey through time to stop the evil Dr. Neo Cortex from taking over the world.
The game features a wide range of levels that are designed to test players’ platforming skills. The game features a variety of obstacles and enemies that players must overcome in order to progress through the levels. The game also features a variety of collectibles and power-ups that players can use to help them on their journey.
One of the standout features of Crash Bandicoot 4 on the PS5 is the improved loading times. This allows players to quickly restart levels if they die or need to retry a challenge, which makes the game more accessible and less frustrating. The game also looks and plays great in 4K at 60fps, which adds to the overall immersive experience.
This game is too hard to even for casual playing and thus makes it extremely tedious if you are going to 100% the game.
6. Sonic Frontiers
Sonic Frontiers is an innovative and exciting take on the beloved Sonic franchise. The open-world islands are filled with a diverse array of Sonic elements, from classic platforming stages to fun minigames, making for a fun and engaging exploration experience. The game’s incorporation of new features such as the smart switching between 2D and 3D perspectives and the Cyber Space levels are a fantastic addition to the Sonic universe and a great way to pack even more Sonic goodness into one game. While some elements such as combat may not be as strong, overall, Sonic Frontiers is a highly enjoyable game that sets a promising foundation for the future of the franchise.
7. It Takes Two
One of the standout features of It Takes Two is its cooperative gameplay. Players must work together to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles, using their unique abilities and skills to complement each other.
This creates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, making the game a fun and enjoyable experience for both players.
The game also features a variety of mini-games and side activities, which add a level of replayability to the game. These activities range from arcade-style games to platforming challenges and are a great way to break up the main gameplay and add some variety to the experience.
Play on the PlayStation Store
8. Celeste
Celeste is a challenging platformer game that takes players on a journey to climb a mysterious mountain. With its beautiful pixel art characters and landscapes, players take control of Madeline and navigate through ruined cities, ghostly hotels, and treacherous valleys using only her jump, the ability to climb surfaces, and a multi-directional air dash.
The game offers many challenges, such as moving platforms and timed jumps, that will test players’ skills. The game also has many secrets, hidden chambers, and collectibles that add depth to the gameplay. The game also has a strong message of kindness and acceptance that is evoked through its storytelling and art design.
9. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a platformer game that combines traditional 2D platforming with 3D overworld exploration. The game features a dynamic 2.5D art style and is built on the Unity engine.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a 2D platformer game developed by Playtonic Games it is a sequel to Yooka-Laylee. Yooka-Laylee is a 3D platformer game also developed by Playtonic Games. The Impossible Lair features a focus on a single, challenging level, while Yooka-Laylee has a larger, more open-world exploration aspect.
Both games feature the characters Yooka and Laylee and have similar gameplay mechanics such as collecting collectibles and solving puzzles, but the Impossible Lair has a more linear progression and a greater emphasis on platforming challenges.
Both games are well received by critics, who praised their tight controls, challenging gameplay, and inventive level design. The Impossible Lair is also praised for its difficulty and sense of accomplishment. The game’s art style and visuals are also praised for their charm and creativity.
10. Light Nightmares II
Little Nightmares II is a haunting and atmospheric puzzle-platformer that takes players on a journey through a twisted and disturbing world. The game follows a young boy named Mono, who is on a mission to save a mysterious girl named Six from the clutches of a sinister force known as the Transmission.
The gameplay in Little Nightmares 2 is a perfect blend of stealth and puzzle-solving. Players will need to navigate through a series of dark and gloomy environments, avoiding deadly traps and enemies along the way. The game’s controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to navigate Mono through the various obstacles he encounters.
11. Guacamelee! 2
Guacamelee! 2 is a 2D platformer game that continues the story of the first game, with players once again taking on the role of luchador Juan Aguacate as he tries to save the Mexiverse from an evil force. The game features a colorful and visually striking art style, with hand-drawn characters and environments that are both whimsical and detailed.
The gameplay in Guacamelee 2 is smooth and responsive, with tight controls that make it easy to navigate through the various platforming challenges. Players will be able to use a variety of moves and abilities, such as the ability to switch between the living and dead worlds, to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The game also features a co-op mode, allowing players to team up with a friend to tackle the challenges together.
12. Unbound: Worlds Apart
Unbound: Worlds Apart is a unique blend of platformer and Metroidvania, with a heavy emphasis on challenging puzzle-solving. The game’s mechanics revolve around the use of portals, which players can create to manipulate the environment and solve puzzles. The game is challenging but also forgiving, with generous checkpointing throughout.
The art style is visually stunning, with each NPC having a unique look. The puzzles in the game are clever and constantly change, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. The unique portal mechanics add a new dimension to puzzle games and make Unbound: Worlds Apart stand out in the genre. Overall, it’s a fantastic game that is both challenging and visually pleasing, with clever puzzles that keep you engaged throughout the game.
13. A Hat in Time
A Hat in Time is a 3D platformer that takes inspiration from classic collect-a-thon games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. Players control a young girl, Hat Kid, who must collect pieces of “Time Pieces” to power her spaceship and return home. Along the way, she’ll explore a variety of whimsical environments, each with its own set of challenges and obstacles to overcome.
The game’s controls are tight and responsive, making it a pleasure to move and jump through the levels. The art style is colorful and charming, with a wide variety of enemies and NPCs to interact with. The collectibles are well-hidden and often require some clever thinking to uncover.
14. Marsupalimi Hoobadventure
Marsupilami Hoobadventure is a charming and colorful 2D platformer that is reminiscent of the Donkey Kong Country games. Although it may be a short game, it still manages to deliver an enjoyable platforming experience suitable for all ages, with its soothing and beautiful soundtrack.
Collecting all the feathers scattered throughout the main stages is an additional challenge and will require some exploration. For those looking for a greater challenge, there is a time trial mode that tests your skills.
The game offers a ‘Casual’ difficulty option which allows for a more relaxed experience, and the option to turn off damage from enemies. The game also recently added a free expansion pack, which includes dinosaur-themed levels with their own set of obstacles and hazards. Completing these levels will unlock a harder variation of the stages.
15. Cyber Shadow
Cyber Shadow is a thrilling and visually stunning platformer. It may seem challenging at first, but as you progress and unlock new abilities, the game becomes increasingly fast-paced and exciting. The pixel art and sprites are beautifully designed, creating a cool and atmospheric world of ninjas, robots, and futuristic cities.
The only downside is that the game currently lacks an NG+ mode, which would have been great for those who want to replay the game with their newly acquired abilities and try to beat their own records. If an NG+ or Time Attack mode were added, it would make the game even more enjoyable for speedrunners and completionists alike.
