The Best Platformers On Nintendo Switch

Key Takeaways

• Platformers are alive and well on the Nintendo Switch, offering a wide range of options for all skill levels and ages, with both Nintendo and indie-developed games available.
• Alto’s Odyssey, Kirby Star Allies, and Mega Man 11 are standout platformer games on the Nintendo Switch, offering emotional depth, fun co-op gameplay, and nostalgic gameplay with a modern twist.
• The Switch boasts unique platformers like OlliOlli World and Snake Pass, providing satisfying gameplay experiences with customization options and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Platformers and Nintendo go hand in hand. They practically changed the game with Super Mario all those years ago and they’re still going strong with remasters and reimaginings of old classics on the Nintendo Switch, as well as giving a bigger platform to some pretty great indie games and stuff from smaller teams.

If you’re looking for a platform game on the Nintendo Switch, you’re not going to have to go too far as there’s a tonne of them to choose from. It’s a lot to sift through if you’re just looking for something quick to burn through or that next big challenge to lose some hours on. To help make your choice of what to play a little easier, here are some of the best platformer games on the Nintendo Switch.

Updated December 2, 2024 By Matthew Mckeown: Games where you’re hopping from one rickety platform to the next is something that’s almost hard-baked into Nintendo these days, after all that’s how they got started. But now there’s a lot of other smaller devs and teams putting their own spin on a classic genre, and then porting it over onto the Switch.

There’s a ton to choose from these days, with a few putting a genuinely new and fresh spin on a genre that’s pretty old by this point. Sadly not all of them are worth your time, but if you want to grab something fun for your handheld then here’s an updated look at the best platformers on Nintendo Switch.

Spyro Reignited

Everyone’s Favorite Purple Boy Is Back!

Spyro’s back and he’s better than ever. After a long hiatus it looks like everyone’s favorite purple dragon has re-emerged thanks to Toys For Bob and Iron Galaxy Studios. But it’s not a new game, but a reinventing of the original classics that brought him close to all our hearts.

Spro Reignited takes the original Spyro, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon and parcels them in a new next-gen skin. All your favorite characters and worlds are back and looking new and improved, plus there’s been some tweaking of old areas that caused issues. Whether you’re an old fan or a new one looking to see what all the fuss is about, it’s highly recommended that you pick up Spyro Reignited as a platformer for your Nintendo Switch. You won’t regret it.

Planet Of Lana

Perfectly Picturesque Puzzle Platformer

Stuck on a colorful and picturesque world full of dark and dangerous machines, Planet of Lana from Wishfully throws you in the deep end with its adventure. You play as a young girl with a loyal pet with the goal of crossing this world and finding others like you.

But it’s not easy going as there’s plenty of puzzles and platforms, deadly creatures, roaming robots and worse waiting out in those rolling hills and twisting treetops. Absolutely gorgeous in its art style and approach to exploration, Planet of Lana is more than your usual platformer. If you like something that looks a bit ghibli-esque then check out Planet of Lana..

Trinity Fusion

Mayhem and Machines In A Maddening Multiverse

A mix of Mega Man and Castlevania in a slick and hyper advanced Cyberpunk setting, Trinity Fusion from Angry Mob Games may look like another side-scrolling platformer, but it’s got some fun tricks up its sleeves. For starters, whilst you can just bash, slash, shoot and slide your way to victory in this multi-verse hopping action adventure, you’ll be missing out on some fun mechanics if you do.

For example, there’s unlockable upgrades that will change the way each character plays as there’s three versions of yourself that you can hop between to progress. One version of you uses gadgets, the other a sword and grapple, whilst another is based purely on firearms. So it’s up to you to bounce between what fits a particular mold at that point. It’s an intense mix that keeps you on your toes at all times.

Neva

Taking The Dog On The Worlds Longest Walk

If you like games that are easy on the platforming but big on the pretty art style then we recommend checking out Neva from Nomada Studio. Absolutely gorgeous in its display, Neva follows Alba, a young woman on a journey through a decaying world.

Bound to a strange and curious wolf cub that now follows her everywhere, Alba and her new friend must learn to work together, support each other and make it out alive. As the relationship between the two grows their trials only get tougher. It’s an emotional rollercoaster from the start with a genuinely great approach to design that will tug on your heart strings more than a few times to great effect. If you like getting lost in an adventure then we highly recommend Neva.

Alto’s Odyssey

An Emotional Exploration Of Grief

A pixel-perfect platformer that’s one emotional gut punch after another, Alto’s Odyssey from Sparrowsoft is simple, yet eversweet. After his beloved rabbit dies, Alto, suffering from the grief of it, sets off into the wilds for one last journey with his fuzzy friend.

What follows is a journey through the various stages of grief portrayed as colorful landscapes and strange landscapes. It’s simple on the surface, but it carries a lot of emotional weight, especially for pet owners. For those looking for something that tugs at your heartstrings, pick up Alto’s Odyssey.

Kirby Star Allies

Fighting With Friends

Yes we know it’s a double dip on Kirby games, but this one is worth it. A four-player co-op game that creates all sorts of carnage, Kirby Star Allies is a must-play for fans of the little pink blob. Essentially a classic Kirby game but with four players at once, Star Allies is a riotous laugh a minute and great for nights in with friends.

The Dark Hearts have ruined Dream Land and it’s up to you and the Kirby Crew to send them packing and fix the realm through Kirby spreading his love on everyone. Create unique attack combinations and use unique Friend Powers to form up and smash through obstacles. Chaotic, cute and charming, Kirby Star Allies is a classic Nintendo hit.

Mega Man 11

Old Droid, New Paint

You can never go wrong with a Mega Man game. Despite a few hits and misses over the years, Mega Man eleven took what made the classics work and gave it a little bit of 3D paint. What we got was the nostalgic feelings of the old games in a nice new shiny wrapper with super tight combat.

There’s a few new twists thrown in to keep things fresh, plus the fidelity on all the bots is absolutely gorgeous. To the point it’s common to get killed just because you got distracted by some nice art design. The gear swapping is back and good as ever, plus with some extra difficulty modes thrown in for the masochists, you’ve got no good reason to not pick it up.

OlliOlli World

Heaven Is A High-Speed Half-Pipe

The world is your skatepark and in the reality of OlliOlli World from Roll7 there are plenty of spots to pop a kickflip for style, or tail grind to victory. All at high speed and without the worry of falling off the board and smashing all your teeth in.

Journey through Radlandia on your board, but don’t forget to rack up points through tricks and well timed grinds through a stylish and colorful land filled with half-pipes aplenty. There’s Skate Gods to meet and multiple paths to take as you zip around on your board. It’s a great game for skaters and non-skaters alike and generally just a great and satisfying way to kill time

There’s a lot of customisation options available for your skater and you’re encouraged to get weird with it.

Snake Pass

Slithering Satisfyingly To Success

An adorable physics platformer from Sumo Digital with big Rare team energy, the team behind Sackboy: A Big Adventure and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Snake Pass is all about exploring as a big stripey snake. The tranquility of Haven Tor has been disturbed and it’s up to the snake to save the day.

What follows is a strange yet unique challenge of noodling your snake around objects to cross gaps, pull levers and perform other physic based activities. There’s 15 levels to explore at your own pace and it can be oddly satisfying to just mess around with the snakes’ physical interactions on ingame objects. If you’re looking for a low stakes platformer that’s suitable for all ages, grab Snake Pass.

Little Kitty, Big City

Purrfect Pet Cat Simulator

A big city can be pretty terrifying when you’re a little cat lost in the wilds, but in Double Dagger Studios hidden gem it’s a much more light hearted and cutesy affair. You play as a little cat that’s lost and has to find their way back home.

Make friends with other strays, customize your kitty with adorable hats and outfits and generally act like a cat whilst wandering around taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling cityscape. With plenty of opportunities to be a chaotic ball of fur, it’s easy to get lost for hours on your grand adventure. If you enjoyed Stray but wanted something less grimm, then pick up this little Kitty.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble

Cult Classic Arcade Mayhem

AiAi and his friends have returned to our screens once again. The classic Sega game that let us run around at high speed as Chimps in Gacha Balls is back and better than ever. This time around you and up to 16 others can join together to tackle all sorts of multiplayer modes.

Work together in four player co-op, or bring in a massive group for competitive mayhem. Or, if you want something with an interesting hook, there’s a story based Adventure Mode to sink your time into. With a massive roster of characters and over 300 customization items for your chimp, there’s a lot to unlock and mess around with in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Old Jungle Japes In A Modern Skin

DK and Diddy have also made a comeback with the return of an absolutely brilliant classic Nintendo game. For many, Donkey Kong Country was their first experience with the big gorilla and now you can return to those familiar zones with their catchy soundtracks once again.

The Tiki Tak Tribe have taken the Banana horde this time around and it’s up to the daring duo to reclaim their Potassium horde across 80 levels and nine distinct worlds. Play the story solo or bring in a friend for co-op jungle japes as you swing, soar, ride and swim your way to victory with these two icons of gaming.

Animal Well

A Great Gooey Puzzle Platformer

A sprawling labyrinthe awaits in Animal Well from Billy Basso. After hatching from your strange flower, you’re just a little blob in a big wide world, so you better get exploring. There’s secrets to unravel as you venture further in, upgrades to collect and a dense, puzzle-filled map to fill out.

The world is open from the start, so you can explore any zone in at your leisure. Plus, there’s unique items to collect in each area that will help you survive and give you a unique gimmick to enjoy for a bit in a new playground. According to the developers there’s enough hidden puzzles and secrets to keep you hunting for years to come. So if you like a cozy platformer then grab Animal Well.

Bō: Path Of The Teal Lotus

A Hand Drawn Art Style That Never Gets Old

Dive headfirst into absolutely gorgeous artistic representations of Asian culture in Bō: Path Of The Teal Lotus from Squid Shock Studios. Here you play as Bō, a Fox Spirit whos came down from the heavens to fulfill their part in an ancient prophecy.

What follows is a beautifully hand drawn adventure through a fast and flowing map full of all sorts of just absolutely jaw dropping scenes featuring Japanese folklore. Platforming is tight, fluid and the movement skills you unlock really help it all gel together to create an unforgettable experience. With a moving soundtrack, some great characters and an art style that smaller teams should be taking notes from, Bō: Path Of The Teal Lotus is one of those very rare must-play games.

Antonblast

Pizza Tower’s Successor

Coming in hot with big Pizza Tower and Wario Land energy, Antonblast from Summit Sphere is another twitchy extremely fast-paced platformer that will test your reactions to the limit. Play as either the titular Anton or his equally anarchic co-worker Annie as they try to steal their souls back from Satan himself.

Incredibly chaotic worlds, massive screen-filling boss fights, and high-octane platforming sections await as you smash, blast and rush your way across the screen. Demolishing everything and everyone in your path with explosive smacks from your huge hammers. If you’re looking for something that’s simple and just a bunch of fun, then check out Antonblast

Any parrying and timing skills picked up in Pizza Tower will fit right in here as it’s essentially the same kind of game.

Undercat

A Dog Lovers Nightmare

An adorable platformer that has you play as a cute canine out exploring the world, in Undercat it seems the cats have risen up and taken over. It’s a feline society that’s not fine for canines as all dogs have been exiled, so it’s up to you to put things right.

The world is your oyster and it’s all open from the start, so you can muster your rebellion and finish story beats in any way you like. Whether that’s sneaking in through the bushes or stomping some kitty skulls whilst shaking them down for their shiny coins, it’s all down to you. Foster your rebellion, overthrow the felines, and return those dogs to their homes with Undercat.

Undercat can be finished solo or with a friend if you fancy bringing someone in for couch-based or online co-op chaos.

Climb Bros

Chaotic Cooperative Climbing

A simple yet slick arcade game that will test your climbing and platforming abilities, Climb Bros asks for just one thing other than climbing, to be creative. You could scale a rock face or building as normal, or you could earn some style points by swinging with your grapple across large grapes or mastering a particularly nasty section with a one-handed grab. The choice is yours, just make it look cool.

Points are awarded for how fast and effective your climbs can be and the vertical heights you’ll be hitting are absolutely enormous in scale. The environments you’ll be clambering over are all nice and varied, plus if you fancy some company or competition on your climb you can bring in some friends as multiplayer is a very enjoyable option in Climb Bros.

Whilst the grapple can be your best friend for risky jumps or big swings, it can get caught up on objects as it has physics. So pay attention to where your rope line is dangling at all times.

Schim

Subtly Slipping Through Shadows

A relaxing indie game from two developers that feels like playing ‘The Floor Is Lava’, Schim has a simple premise, only use the shadows. Your little blob character is a soul that was detached from their Human and you need to get back before it’s too late, but it’s harder than it sounds.

You can only cross in the shadows of objects as you go across town, but often you’ll have to figure out how to create more shade to make it safer to cross those brightly lit city streets. There’s a cute story wrapped up in each level in a very serene and abstract gameworld that will tug on your heartstrings and keep you going right until you hit those end credits. Simple yet surprisingly in-depth when it wants to be, Schim is a highly recommended platformer that’s doing something different and managing it very well.

Observe your surroundings as you’re zipping around as speed isn’t always the right tool to use when shadow hopping.

Rocket Knight Adventures: Resparked

An Old Friend In A New New Skin

A return to form for a cult classic in a brand new HD wrapper, Rocket Knight Adventures: Resparked brings back not one, not two, but three Rocket Knight games in a shiny new modern coat. From the original game to the two Sparkster spin-offs, Resparked is highly recommended for collectors or fans of this classic series.

Take down those pesky pigs and rid the land of their robot army once and for all as you go back and enjoy three classic and still highly enjoyable tales from this brilliant series that got a lot of love back in the day. It’s an exciting revival of a great character and highly recommended for old fans and newcomers alike looking for a great platformer.

Outside of normal gameplay, Resparked also features a Museum Mode as well as a Boss Rush and Music Player.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Smoking, Sick, Stylish Character Action

A stylish platformer from a cult-classic franchise that’s been given a reimagining, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown was a surprise hit that comes highly recommended. Time and space are once again yours to manipulate as you take up the mantle of the famous Persian Prince.

Wield an assortment of fantastical time powers to string together health bar melting combos on a variety of iconic mythological creatures. Plus, customize your playstyle with items and outfits from vendors as you unearth the mystery at the heart of the game. With plenty of massive boss fights to enjoy as you explore the Persian landmarked world, Lost Crown has a lot to offer.

There’s a free demo of Prince of Persia available if you’re still unsure.