If you call yourself a “platforming expert,” then you’ll want to pay attention to these new games in 2024, as they’ll test your skills a bunch.
Update: We will continue to update this list periodically throughout the year, so you will likely see some games removed or added. These games are not ranked in any particular order, as the focus here is to showcase titles we are excited to see hit the marketplace.
#11 Mario vs Donkey Kong
Platform: Switch
Release Date: February 16, 2024
When you’re playing a Mario title, you know there must be some platforming somewhere, and Mario vs Donkey Kong on the Nintendo Switch will be no different!
The game indeed has numerous puzzle elements for you to solve, but as you advance through the various worlds, you’ll need to bound through the multiple parts of the stage to get to the Mini-Marios that were stolen! Or, you might need to jump around so you can throw objects at Donkey Kong! Either way, you’ll be jumping around.
Nintendo added several new features to the game, so be sure to check them all out as you’re jumping about!
#10 Portal: Revolution
Platform: PC
Release Date: January 6, 2024
Steam
Are you looking for a truly challenging and mind-bending puzzle platformer to enjoy? Possibly one that was made by fans with tender loving care instead of a company that “doesn’t make games anymore?” Well, you’re in luck! We present to you Portal Revolution.
This fan-made game, using the official community engine from the series’ second entry, brings together everything you would expect from a new entry but has fun by making original puzzles, areas, and a new story to dive into.
What challenges await? You’ll have to play to find out! So what are you waiting for? Don’t you want to see what these fans did in this world?
#9 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S Switch PS4 Xbox One
Release Date: January 18, 2024
Epic | PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo
Platforming games are eternal for a simple reason: they work. You can do all sorts of things with them while also maintaining the “core concepts” that made them so great in the early days of gaming. With The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, you’re going to get the feeling that Ubisoft wanted to go back to its roots and highlight the fun of jumping around from spot to spot while fighting enemies on the fly.
That’s what you’ll do with Sargon as you attempt to platform your way through a cursed world to save the prince who was kidnapped. You’ll wield time powers and special abilities to help you get through each area, so stay sharp and don’t miss a jump!
#8 Earthblade
If you were a fan of the pixel platformer Celeste, you’ll want to check out Earthblade, as this was made by the creators of that all-time classic. The game puts you as a mysterious child who has returned to the planet Earth after a long period. The problem is that the planet isn’t as it was, and she must travel the land to figure out what happened to it.
That won’t be easy, as the world is now full of dangers, and not everyone she meets will be friendly. You’ll have to platform around and fight off those who wish to harm you. But if you make it through, you might just learn the truth.
#7 The Pedestrian
Note: Nintendo Switch 2024 Release
There are many ways that platformers can be done, including using various things to make the adventure more of a puzzle than anything else. The Pedestrian is one such game. You’re one of the “pedestrian figures” on a sign, and you have to get yourself over to another sign while using signs to get to the sign!
Did that make sense?
Be careful with how you place the signs so you can open up the pathways you need to reach your goal. Things will get very topsy-turvy, so get created to reach the end of the line! Think you can handle that?
#6 Grime
Note: Nintendo Switch 2024 Release
When it comes to Grime, which will arrive on Nintendo Switch in 2024, you’ll be platforming your way through a world that is constantly trying to kill you. The good news is that you’ll be able to kill the world back and get stronger with each kill you make.
In this case, the world you live in literally squeezes you to life. As such, you’ll be almost formless. Your power comes in your ability to change with each enemy you slay. Take their power for your own, and create a warrior that fits your playstyle. Can you withstand what this world throws at you?
#5 The Spirit of the Samurai
The land of Japan is one that is rich in story and history, and that means there are various games to play within it by basing them off of it. Such is the tale of The Spirit of the Samurai. In the game, you’ll play as one of three characters who are trying to fend off an Oni from destroying a village.
To do so, you’ll use legendary powers and skills and use three different playstyles depending on who you are to overcome the odds. Will you be able to honor the code of Bushido and save the day?
#4 Crowsworn
Metroidvania is easily one of the best examples of the platformer genre being taken to new heights and expanding upon the gameplay that can be found within.
In Crowsworn, you’ll head to the land of Fearanndal. While this place was once a haven, it’s now become a cursed place where horrible nightmarish creatures roam free, and you are one of the only ones who can take them out and free this place of its curse.
Travel around the kingdom and defeat monsters to learn new skills and unlock your true power. The deeper you go, the more you’ll learn of what really happened to this place.
#3 Contra: Operation Galuga
Contra: Operation Galuga is a remaking/reimagining of the games from the 80s that helped define multiple genres. In it, the Red Falcon group has taken over the nation of Galuga, and it’s up to you to stop their plans for domination with as much weaponry as you can hold!
Eight intense levels await you, and you’ll need to jump, shoot, dodge, and survive whatever the end throws at you. With so many options for weapons, you’ll have no problem wiping out enemies, so get to it!
#2 Penny’s Big Breakaway
Alright, how about we go into a more traditional platforming adventure? Does that sound fun? Penny’s Big Breakaway is the old-school callback many of you have likely been waiting for. In the game, Penny dreams of being a star and has a chance to impress a king to get her dreams on their way!
But, as you would expect, things don’t go exactly to plan. So, now, she must use a very odd yo-yo to work her way through the kingdom, clear her name, and showcase her skills! If you’re a fan of 3D platformers of old, you’re going to want to try this game out.
#1 The Plucky Squire
Let it not be said that platformers can’t innovate on their own formula every once in a while. The Plucky Squire takes place within a storybook. Specifically, one of the classic heroes and villains. The twist is that the villain realizes he’s IN a storybook and isn’t too happy about it! So he kicks the characters out of the book, and now they have to navigate the 2D and 3D worlds to save the story and the day!
So, yeah, that happened.
A very unique adventure awaits you in both the storybook world and the real world. So hop in and see where it leads you!
