Top Upcoming Platformers of 2018

Note: Article was updated in August of 2018.

2018 is quickly approaching and with it will come a slew of new video game titles to look forward to playing. With that said, now’s a good time to start marking down what video games to keep an eye on when they officially launch next year. Let us lend a hand, in this list, in particular, we’re going over the top platformer video games launching in 2018.

Find More Upcoming 2018 Video Game Lists on Gameranx:

Yoshi (Untitled Game)

Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: NS
Release: 2018

There’s not much we can say at this point when it comes to the untitled Yoshi game. The series is well beloved by gamers of old and new with the character featured in a number of his own video games throughout the years.

So far, all we know is that Yoshi will be back into action in a new platforming title exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Visually, the video game looks to take some cues from the Paper Mario franchise but instead is focused on more construction-grade paper. For now, we’ll simply have to wait and see just what Nintendo has in-store.

The Last Night

Developer: Odd Tales
Publisher: Raw Fury
Platforms: PC, XBO
Release: 2018

The Last Night is an upcoming indie platform video game by developers Odd Tales. In this video game, players are taken into a futuristic world where our protagonist, Charlie, is a man who lives within a lower-class system. Most of the menial work has been taken up by robots leaving Charlie to explore the city, talk with other civilians, and of course, get into some gunfights.

Originally, the video game was featured in a game jam which the title came out on top, leading the developers to continue on with the development for a full video game title release for the Xbox One and PC platforms.

Super Meat Boy Forever

Developer: Team Meat
Publisher: Team Meat
Platforms: NS, PS4, XBO, PC, Mobo
Release: 2018

It would be hard to imagine running into a gamer who hasn’t played or at the very least, heard of Super Meat Boy. The video game was a massive success and a highly addicting and challenging platform title by indie developers Team Meat.

What was originally meant to be a mobile-only version of Super Meat Boy has gradually turned into a full-fledged sequel. Super Meat Boy Forever will once again have players going through dangerous obstacles, but this time, Meat Boy and Bandage Girl must work together.

In the narrative, Super Meat Boy Forever tells the story of Dr. Fetus who has managed to kidnap Meat Boy and Bandage Girl’s child, Nugget. While the platforming mechanics are present, there are some slight gameplay mechanic overhauls made for the upcoming sequel as well. For instance it seems that there will be a combat element added to this upcoming sequel.

Kirby Star Allies

Developers: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: NS
Release: March 16, 2018

Much like our Yoshi pick in this list, Kirby is another fan-beloved character from Nintendo who has starred in his own video game titles for a number of years now. The Nintendo Switch will soon have its own Kirby video game title in 2018 with Kirby Star Allies.

Gameplay is played as a side scrolling perspective where gamers will control the titular protagonist Kirby. Much like previous installments, players will have to jump and time out attacks when reaching new areas or gathering items. However, Kirby won’t have to do it completely on his own this time around. There is also a cooperative gameplay element where Kirby can be joined with past characters from the franchise such as Coom Gooey and marx.

Mega Man 11

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PC, NS, PS4, XBO
Release: October 2, 2018

We’re still looking at scarce information when it comes to Mega Man 11, but it looks like the long-beloved Mega Man franchise will receive a new main installment fall of 2018. There is certainly a strong following with the franchise and we know that this eleventh installment will feature 3D characters and environments.

From the announcement trailer, it looks like the same game mechanics are present that the series is known for. Players will be controlling the protagonist as he attempts to stop Dr. Wily. Players will find that the same mechanics that the Mega Man franchise is known for to be present along with some new unique abilities such as manipulating time.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: PS4, PC, NS, XBO
Release: July 10, 2018 (PC, NS, XBO), June 30, 2017 (PS4)

While already released for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch is just one of the platforms slated to receive Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy on July 10, 2018. The video game is a remastered collection of the first three titles of the Crash Bandicoot series.

Developers Vicarious Visions have fine tuned the game mechanics as players jump, run and spin attack their way through the courses. While the studio has given the game a visual overhaul, the developers have kept the same level layouts the same as the originals.

Little Nightmares

Developer: Tarsier Studios
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
Release: May 18, 2018 (NS)

During Nintendo’s March 2018 Nintendo Direct videos, it was unveiled that Little Nightmares would find its way on to the Nintendo Switch. Originally the game launched on current generation platforms last year, 2017.

Little Nightmares follows a little girl name Six who must solve a number of puzzles and stealthily maneuver around the platform levels from hungry large humans who wish to devour her. The game is often described as creepy, but since its release, Little Nightmares has received positive reviews from both fans and critics alike.

Iconoclasts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unl4udZ5VJE

Developer: Konjak
Publisher: Bifrost Entertainment
Platforms: PS4, PSV, PC, NS
Release: January 23, 2018, August 2, 2018 (NS)

Iconoclasts is an action platformer that puts players into the shoes of Robin, a young mechanic that is self-taught in a world controlled by religious government. Within this world, there is a unique substance, Ivory, which is used to power machines, but only government assigned mechanics are authorized to handle it. Despite the law, Robin uses her skills to help those in need until she is found out by the government who sends out agents to kill her.

Escaping with her life, Robin discovers the real reason as to why the unique substance is so sacred to those in charge and causes her to start a revolt against the government. Gameplay is mixed with puzzle solving and combat featuring a wide range of tools and objects to discover that will help Robin reach new areas.

Celeste

Developer: Matt Makes Games
Publisher: Matt Makes Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, NS, XBO
Release: January 25, 2018

What originally started out as a prototype from Game Jam, Celeste later released under indie development team Matt Makes Games. The video game follows a young girl named Madeline who is attempting to climb a giant mountain known as Celeste Mountain. This is no ordinary mountain as urban legends claim that those who manage to climb up the mountain and reach the top will find all of their inner turmoil put to rest.

This is a fast-paced platformer where Madeline can not only jump and climb up the mountain but also perform mid-air dash movements that will shoot her across the area. Of course, the levels themselves are loaded with other mechanics to help the player reach new heights such as springs to fling players upwards though you’ll still need to be careful to avoid any threats such as deadly spikes. Additionally, much like every platformer released the game offers collectibles to gather as an extra challenge.

Owlboy

Developer: D-Pad Studio
Publisher: D-Pad Studio
PC, PS4, XBO, NS
Release: February 13, 2018 (NS), April 10, 2018 (PS4, XBO)

After development started in 2007, Owlboy wouldn’t see its release until years later in 2016. The video game is a platform-adventure where players take control of an owl-like boy named Otus who must deal with a group of pirates that have started an attack against his village.

This is an action-platform title where players can battle against enemies with ranged weapons while the game also forces players to solve a variety of puzzles in order to progress. Luckily Otus isn’t completely alone in his fight to save the village as players will be able to call on the help of allies, each of which will have their own unique weapons and abilities.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, NS
Release: May 4, 2018

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was originally a title that was available for the Nintendo Wii U though after the console received its short lifespan cycle, Nintendo opted to release the game once again for the Nintendo Switch.

Being the fifth main installment to the Donkey Kong County series, players who enjoyed the past installments will find many of the same elements and mechanics are present. As a result, if you enjoy platform titles, solving puzzles and collecting a plethora of items along the way then Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is an easy recommendation.

If you haven’t played the Nintendo Wii U release then the story involves Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong having to save their island from invaders that have turned the island into a frozen fortress. Nintendo also included a new character known as Funky Kong that comes with extra hearts along with his own unique ability that will make gameplay a bit easier to go through if you’re not looking for a challenge.

Runner3

Developer: Choice Provisions
Publisher: Choice Provisions
Platforms: NS
Release: May 22, 2018

Runner3 is a rhythm platform video game which is also attached to the Bit.Trip series. Within the game, players will take the role of Commander Video as gamers fly through pathways, jumping, sliding or kicking obstacles that will come their way. If you enjoyed the previous Runner titles within the series then you can expect the same overall gameplay mechanics intact.

The release will also include a few new mechanics as well such as riding vehicles or adding the use of a double jump. If you’re looking for a more difficult gameplay experience, developers have included Retro Challenges giving players harder but smaller levels to go through just as they did with the previous installment, Runner2.

Unravel Two

Developer: Coldwood Interactive
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: June 9, 2018

Unravel Two came as a surprise video game release during Electronic Arts 2018 E3 press conference. It was during the conference that the game was shown off and revealed to be not only a single player video game experience but also a title that features a multiplayer local co-op option as well.

Within the game, players will still take control of yarn creatures that must make their way across a series of difficult levels. With a limited amount of yarn attached to their bodies restricting their movement, the levels require a bit of puzzle solving in order to progress.

One of the biggest surprises that came out of the E3 press conference reveal was that Unravel Two would be released later that evening. As such you can pick up a copy today for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC platforms.

Inside

Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Platforms: XBO, PC, PS4, NS, iOS
Release: June 28, 2018 (NS)

Developed by Playdead, Inside will put players within the role of a young boy who is forced to go through a harsh and dangerous dystopia. Much of the same gameplay mechanics are brought over to Inside from their previous video game release, Limbo. With that said, gamers can also expect a dark and gloomy artistic view with a ton of trial-and-error puzzle solving.

This is a platformer that doesn’t offer really a combat system. Instead, developers crafted a game where the goal is to simply maneuver through the difficult hostile levels and solve puzzles. This is a title that also launched a few years ago in 2016 which means most of you have already played or heard about this game but the title has finally made its way onto the Nintendo Switch platform this year.

Limbo

Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Platforms: X360, PS3, PC, XBO, PS4, PSV, NS, iOS, Android
Release: June 28, 2018

Limbo actually predates Inside from development studio, Playdead. The game has the same overall gameplay mechanics and tone where players are dropped into a dark hostile world as a young child.

Just as we made mention in our previous installment, Limbo will have players going through the levels solving puzzles while avoiding deadly creatures and obstacles. There will be a ton of trial and error as you go through the game and again, much like Inside, Limbo has been available on a wide range of platforms. Nintendo Switch owners are just now getting the classic indie title this year.

Sonic Mania Plus

Developer: PagodaWest Games, Headcannon
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: XBO, PS4, PC, NS
Release: July 2018

Sonic the Hedgehog is a staple video game character. Decades have passed and to this day, there are still new Sonic games being pumped out. While some of the more recent releases haven’t fetched the same fame and glory for Sega as the initial launches, there is one title that really became a mega-hit.

Sonic Mania is a side-scrolling platformer that fans of the original Sonic the Hedgehog titles are enjoying today. This particular Sonic title returns to the original gameplay and visual art styles. However, gamers can expect new boss fights, expanded levels along with other new elements added in for the franchise.

With the Plus edition finally out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms, gamers are also introduced to new content and modes. For instance, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel are two new game characters which have been added into the game. Gamers will even find that the Competition Mode has expanded support for up to four players.

Guacamelee! 2

Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Publisher: Drinbox Studios
Platforms: PC, PS4
Release: August 21, 2018

Fans who enjoyed the first Guacamelee video game can enjoy the upcoming sequel this year. The game will still retain the same mechanics from the first title so players can expect an action-packed and wacky gameplay experience. This is a game with Metroidvania-style elements so in order to progress players will have to find various items and equipment.

Guacamelee 2 will also see the return of luchador Juan Aguacate as he leaves retirement in order to take care of a new threat that can potentially destroy the Mexiverse. The game will feature four-player cooperative gameplay along with a new upgrade system. Known as Trainers, players will have to complete challenges set up by the Trainers in order to develop and upgrade their set of skills.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Developer: Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: PS4, XBO
Release: September 21, 2018

Spyro is back! Well, he never really went away to begin with but fans of the old school original Spyro titles can revisit the popular platformer once again. Unsurprisingly we are seeing the HD remaster after the success of Crash Bandicoot N. sane Trilogy where we got the free three Crash Bandicoot titles revamped for the latest generation platforms.

Activision is bringing back yet another fan favorite IP in the same regard. Players will get the first three Spyro titles in full HD glory thanks to Spyro Reignited Trilogy. You’ll find that while the visuals of the three Spyro games have been greatly overhauled, the map level layouts appear to be kept completely original.

Unfortunately, this collection actually only contains the first Spyro game on the disc. Players who wish to go through the two other installments will have to download the copies online free of charge. This is a big letdown for gamers who may be limited with internet access or potentially those who planned on purchasing a copy second hand.