Platformers

Super Metroid is a landmark 2D action‑adventure game that blends tight platforming with atmospheric exploration on the planet Zebes. Players control bounty hunter Samus Aran as she uncovers hidden power-ups and battles alien threats in a richly detailed sci‑fi setting. The game’s non‑linear map, memorable boss encounters, and iconic soundtrack have cemented its status as a genre‑defining classic that continues to influence modern titles.

✦ Best for retro gamers craving deep, non‑linear sci‑fi platforming

Donkey Kong: King of Swing is a unique platformer where players use Donkey Kong's powerful arms to grab, swing, and climb through a series of challenging levels. The game blends classic platforming with inventive puzzle mechanics, offering a fresh take on the franchise's iconic character. Set in a whimsical fantasy world, the title challenges players to master timing and strategy across single-player and multiplayer modes, delivering both solo adventure and competitive fun.

✦ Best for platform puzzle fans

Donkey Kong returns to the jungle in this classic platformer, where players climb, swing, and solve puzzles across vibrant levels. The game blends tight controls with inventive level design, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new and longtime fans. Featuring both single‑player and multiplayer modes, DK: Jungle Climber offers cooperative challenges and competitive mini‑games that keep the fun going beyond the main campaign. Its family‑friendly rating makes it perfect for players of all ages to enjoy together.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans

Donkey Kong Country Returns brings back the beloved 2D platforming experience with vibrant worlds, tight controls, and inventive level design. Players guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong through jungle, beach, and factory stages, collecting bananas and battling quirky enemies. The game adds a cooperative mode, allowing two players to team up locally, and introduces new mechanics like rolling barrels and timed puzzles, delivering both nostalgic charm and modern twists for newcomers and veterans alike.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans

Simon Belmont returns to the cursed lands of Transylvania, seeking to lift Dracula's curse by gathering hidden sun-shaped crystals. The game blends classic platforming with RPG elements, offering a non‑linear world and a day‑night cycle that changes enemy behavior. Players explore sprawling maps, solve puzzles, and confront powerful bosses while managing health and resources, delivering a challenging retro experience that rewards perseverance and exploration.

✦ Best for retro platform fans

Castlevania: The Adventure brings the iconic vampire‑slaying action to a portable format, letting players guide Christopher Belmont through eight challenging stages. The game captures the series' gothic atmosphere with simple controls and memorable music, offering a nostalgic experience for retro gamers. Though limited by the hardware of its time, its tight level design and boss battles provide a satisfying challenge for fans of classic platformers.

✦ Best for retro castlevania fans

Kid Dracula puts you in the shoes of a pint‑sized vampire on a quest to rescue his friends and defeat the evil Count. The game blends classic side‑scrolling action with light horror elements and tongue‑in‑cheek comedy, delivering a nostalgic experience for both kids and retro fans. Originally released in 1990 for the NES, Kid Dracula has been re‑released on modern platforms, preserving its pixel art charm and catchy chiptune soundtrack. Its simple controls and short levels make it perfect for quick play sessions, while hidden secrets keep players coming back for more.

✦ Best for retro platformer fans

The Lost Vikings 2 returns the beloved trio of Erik, Baleog, and Olaf to a new adventure filled with intricate puzzles, platforming challenges, and a quirky blend of fantasy and sci‑fi settings. Players must master each Viking’s unique abilities and work together in co‑operative mode to navigate treacherous levels and uncover hidden secrets. The game builds on its predecessor’s formula with tighter level design, new mechanics like time‑based challenges, and a charming retro aesthetic that still feels fresh for modern gamers seeking a nostalgic yet engaging experience.

✦ Best for retro puzzle fans

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger returns in a vibrant sequel set across the Australian outback. Players explore diverse environments, from bustling towns to rugged bushland, using boomerangs and vehicles to overcome obstacles. The game blends platforming, racing, and adventure elements with a lighthearted story, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes for friends to enjoy together.

✦ Best for kids seeking fun platformers

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is a colorful 3D platformer where players guide the heroic marsupial through the Australian outback, battling quirky enemies and solving puzzles with his trusty boomerang. The game blends humor, vibrant environments, and collectible challenges to create a kid‑friendly adventure that still offers depth for older players. Originally released in 2002 for PlayStation 2, the title has become a nostalgic favorite thanks to its whimsical story, varied level design, and memorable characters. Its single‑player focus and lighthearted tone make it an ideal pick for family gaming sessions or a solo trip down memory lane.

✦ Best for young kids seeking fun platformers

Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure platforming game for the Nintendo Wii that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. Pulled into a dark, alternative world called Cartoon Wasteland created by Yen Sid, Mickey must wield a magical brush to paint or thin out his surroundings. Players navigate through decaying lands inspired by early Disney cartoons and theme parks, interacting with forgotten characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The choices made throughout the adventure dictate Mickey's path, altering the world around him and defining his legacy as a true hero.

✦ Best for disney fans and platformer players wanting a creative adventure.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is a cooperative action-adventure platformer that invites players to explore the rich history of Disney characters and forgotten worlds. Armed with a magical paintbrush and thinner, players can creatively shape their environment, solving puzzles and battling enemies through paint or erasure. Set in the vibrant and unstable world of Wasteland, the game features full drop-in, drop-out co-op where the second player takes control of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. With his powerful remote control and ability to fly, Oswald works alongside Mickey to navigate challenges, uncover hidden secrets, and restore harmony to the cartoon realm.

✦ Best for disney fans and co-op gamers wanting a cooperative adventure.