18 Best Upcoming Platformers of 2023

Platformers are some of the most beloved video games of all time, starting with one game we must have all played at one point or another – Mario Bros for the NES. Platformers like most genres have evolved over time. From puzzle platformers to exploration platformers, action platformers and Metroidvanias. There really is something for everyone and unlike most 3D games one doesn’t need to spend hours getting into it. These games are easy to hop into.

#18 Risk of Rain Returns

Platform: PC Switch
Release Date: November 08, 2023

Steam | Nintendo

What’s more sci-fi than being on a spaceship that is damaged and has to take refuge on a planet full of monsters and now has to survive what’s down there? That’s what we thought.

Risk of Rain Returns is the remaster of the classic title that aims to give players more than they could’ve ever wanted! For example, there are over a dozen survivors to pick from to take on the planet’s creatures. Each of these survivors has skills and weapons that are different from one another, so choose the one you think you can use the best!

Then, head to the planet and loot it to get even stronger!

#17 Have a Nice Death

Platform: PC Switch
Release Date: March 22, 2023

Steam | Nintendo

Who’s up for another roguelike game with a unique setting and protagonist? In Have A Nice Death, you’ll play as Death. You know, the Grim Reaper? Bound to the realm known as Death Inc., you’re trying to maintain a nice work environment so you can do your job and then go take your vacation.

The problem? Your employees aren’t playing along. They’re ruining everything, and now you must go teach them why you don’t screw with Death.

You’ll battle through each department of Death Inc., and the better you do, the more abilities and items you’ll unlock. Can you bring your workplace back into control?

#16 Pizza Tower

Platform: PC
Release Date: January 26, 2023

Steam

As gaming has shown throughout the years, there are various types of platformers that gamers like to try out. One of them is the fast-paced platformer that is more about blitzing enemies and weaving through levels with ease. If you’re a fan of that, then you’ll want to try Pizza Tower.

The game puts you as an Italian restaurant owner who basically loses his mind when a tower of pizza threatens to bring said restaurant to its needs.

So how do you get rid of such a tower? By literally bringing it down. You’ll race through the levels and deliver powerful blows to enemies to show this place who the real boss is.

#15 Humanity

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Release Date: May 16, 2023

Steam | Playstation

Have you ever thought being a dog leading humanity to its salvation would be fun? If so, you have some very unique thoughts. But that also means you’ll get a kick out of the platforming game called Humanity.

The irony here is that you’re not controlling humanity in the game. You’re instead controlling a dog that is trying to lead them through tough puzzles and platforming levels to get them to where they need to be.

You might think leading people around would be easy, but you’d be wrong. You must be careful where you lead them, or else bad things will happen.

#14 Hi-Fi Rush

Platform: PC XSX|S
Release Date: January 25, 2023

Steam | Xbox

Does a game get any more sci-fi than a kid having his heart fused with a music player and it now being the source of his combat style? If it isn’t, we need to seriously rewrite the rulebook.

Anyway, in Hi-Fi Rush, you’ll be thrown into a dystopian future where corporations are more than willing to toss out people they screwed up, including you. But you’re not alone in your fight to take them down. Find unique allies and use their abilities alongside your own to climb the “corporate ladder” and get the payback you deserve!

Plus, with the unique combat system, you’ll have a blast fighting foes.

#13 Afterimage

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5 Switch
Release: April 25, 2023

In Afterimage, you’ll play a being who sees the world for the first time and must protect it while learning about it. First, you’ll go through detailed areas and learn about those around you. Then you’ll fight the corrupted to keep the world safe!

The more areas you go to, the more you’ll see, experience, and fight. The title even boasts that every area has unique gameplay mechanics for you to learn and master. That includes wielding various weapons to make a fighting style that suits you!

What truths will you uncover on your journey? Who will you fight along the way? Jump in and find out!

#12 Planet of Lana

Platform: PC Xbox One XSX|S
Release: May 23, 2023

The fear of every world that has life is to go from a place of peace to one of chaos. On Planet of Lana, you’ll witness what happens when such disharmony occurs.

You’ll be in a world where things used to be balanced, but now a faceless enemy has come to turn things upside down. You’ll work through the various areas of the world and solve puzzles to bring balance back to the planet. You’ll meet unique characters who help and guide you along the way.

So take your first step into this world, and see what it has to offer you.

#11 Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S Switch
Release Date: August 18, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

Parkour in video games has been slowly developed into something that is now a key part of many titles. After all, if you can gracefully bound through an area versus just walking or running to a new location, why wouldn’t you do that?

In the case of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, parkour is what will help you get through a vibrant city so you can get to areas that you must graffiti so you can claim the turf as your own.

Alongside your “partners in crime,” you’ll fight off other groups until you are the true kings of the city! Oh, and did we mention that you’ll lose your head and have it replaced with a robot one? Because you do.

#10 Convergence: A League of Legends Story

Developer: Double Stallion Games
Publisher: Riot Games
Release date: May 23, 2023
Platform: PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S Switch

League of Legends remains one of the most popular video games around. But over time, Riot Games have tried to expand its universe through various means. You all know about the Netflix adaptation of their stories, but they’ve also been making spinoff games focused on their champions.

One of them is Convergence: A League of Legends Story. In the game, you’ll play Ekko, one of the fan-favorite characters of the original game. They have created a device that lets them manipulate time! So as you go through this action platformer, you’ll be able to reverse your mistakes so you can keep going in the world!

#9 9 Years of Shadows

Developer: Halberd Studios
Publisher: Halberd Studios
Release date: March 27, 2023
Platform: PC Switch

The land used to be full of color and life, but that was nine years ago. Then, on a fateful night that everyone recalls, ancient magic darkened the land and drained its color that it had. As a result, the people suffered in the gray, and hope was lost.

Many tried to fix things, but all fell as they went to Talos Castle. One woman named Europa hopes to change that, however. She’ll delve into the castle to seek out the one who bathed the world in darkness and bring back the joy and hope of the people.

She won’t be alone. The magical bear Apino will help her and has many abilities to aid her on her quest.

#8 The Last Faith

Developer: Kumi Souls Games
Publisher: PlayStack
Release date: November 15, 2023
Platform: PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S Switch

If you’re a fan of sprawling worlds and merciless combat, then give The Last Faith a try. The game focuses on Eric, a man who doesn’t know his past. But he knows that his mind and body are falling apart.

The only way to restore himself is to travel the world and defeat the gods and monsters of ancient pantheons. The game prides itself on its combat and how unforgiving it can be. So you’ll need to wield as many weapons as possible to take them down.

Will you be able to survive the trials to come? Or will you fade away before you can restore yourself?

#7 Bramble the Mountain King

• Publisher: Merge Games
• Developer: Dimfrost Studio
• Platform: PS5 XSX|S PC
• Release Date: April 27, 2023

It’s time to head to a land where the Nordic beasts of legend are the greatest threats you can face. You play Ollie, a young boy whose sister has been kidnapped.

To find her, you must travel to the dark areas of the world, ones that are filled with terrifying creatures, and do what you can to save her.

You won’t have to rely solely on your skills, though. Instead, you’ll have the Spark of Courage, an item that is blessed with the ability to grant you what you need to fight the threats that lie ahead.

Will you be able to find your sister? Or will you go down a dark path that’ll doom Ollie too?

#6 Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: HAL Laboratory
• Platform: Switch
• Release Date: February 24, 2023

Kirby has had a lot of successful games on the Nintendo Switch, and the Big N continued that trend with Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe!

In the game, you’ll help Magolor across Dream Land as they try to find the pieces of his ship! But you won’t have to travel alone if you don’t want to. Bandana Dee, King Dedede, and Meta Knight can be at your beck and call via co-op or in multiplayer action!

There are also some new abilities for the pink puffball via the Mecha Copy ability!

#5 SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Developer: Purple Lamp Studios
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Released: January 24, 2023

Are you ready for one of the most grand SpongeBob games ever? If so, then prepare yourself for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake! In this title, you’ll find out that SpongeBob and Patrick have gotten themselves some wish-making tears from a mermaid, just roll with it, and then get to travel to the wish worlds that they have made!

A classic platforming adventure awaits you, as you’ll don special costumes and then go throughout each world to see what you can do in them. With a variety of callbacks to the series, including 101 tracks from the show, you’ll have plenty to connect with.

#4 Gunbrella

• Developer: doinksoft
• Publisher: Devolver Digital
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
• Release: September 13, 2023

There’s a lengthy history of umbrellas being used as guns, going back as far as 1823. However, its somehow always lacked that certain “badass, big man” appeal of running around with a big gun. Until now… Gunbrella is a run-and-gun style platformer with great tight platforming. It makes use of an umbrella in a multitude of ways, both as a weapon and as a unique tool to help you masterfully navigate your environment. Gunbrella has a striking pixel art style and quick, fluid gameplay that looks fun and engaging. The soundtrack is lilting and evocative fitting the overall aesthetic well. Whatsmore is that Gunbrellas seems like it’ll even have roleplay elements allowing players to make meaningful decisions and feel the impacts of those choices as they progress.

#3 Cosmic: A Journey Among Shadows

• Developer: King’s Pleasure
• Publisher: King’s Pleasure
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
• Release: 2023 Q2

A reckless wish and a magic star will see you dart across dimensions through space and time in Cosmic: A Journey Among Shadows. As Cosmic: a small wild creature who dislikes his shadow, you’ll be cast into a sinister world where you’ll have to find a balance between the light and dark and blaze a trail across a vast array of secret-filled mysterious environments. Come to grips with your conundrum, then, demolish your foes or zip past them in a lightning-fast display of agility. Cosmic promises unique mechanics with smooth gameplay and an enticing storyline. This will all be brought seamlessly together by a team of industry professionals responsible for games like Cyberpunk and Serial Cleaner. Bright neon colors and unique visuals make for what looks to be an alluring and unique approach to the platformer. Sincerely, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one.

#2 Disney Illusion Island

• Publisher: Disney Interactive
• Developer: Dlala Studios
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Released: July 28, 2023

Are you ready for an adventure with some classic friends? Disney Illusion Island is a game that is based on the recent Mickey shorts, and will have you going on a 4-person co-op adventure with Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Mickey to save an island from disappearing!

The platforming will be both fun and familiar as you’ll have to work together and get through all sorts of obstacles in order to get some magical books and save everything!

So grab a few friends and have a blast with some old ones as you go through an adventure full of charm, whimsy, great voice acting and more!

#1 Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Platform: Switch
Release Date: October 20, 2023

Nintendo

Mario games are known for their platforming, regardless of whether it’s 2D or 3D. But in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, you’re going to be dealing with many different styles of platforming should a certain flower come into play.

In the new kingdom, you’re in, there’s a thing called the “Wonder Flower.” It can completely change and warp the level you’re on to make it something unrecognizable. You could float in space, you could be on the run from a horde of creatures, or you could be in a chase to get a Wonder Seed. Anything is possible!

So, in conclusion, this won’t be your standard platforming title.

Disclaimer: This article was updated on 11/1/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.