The 16 Best Platformers of All Time

From pixel-perfect retro cartridges to modern indie darlings, this lineup spans every era of jump-and-run brilliance. Which one reigns supreme?

1

Super Mario 64

The 1996 Nintendo 64 game that defined 3D platforming and free-roaming level design.

1000pts

2

Super Mario World

The 1990 SNES launch platformer that introduced Yoshi and expansive secret-laden worlds.

704pts

3

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sega's 1992 Genesis high-speed platformer that introduced sidekick Tails.

569pts

4

Mega Man 2

Capcom's 1988 NES action-platformer, widely seen as the series' high point.

487pts

5

Donkey Kong Country

A 1994 SNES platformer famed for its pre-rendered 3D-style visuals.

379pts

6

Ori and the Blind Forest

A 2015 atmospheric Metroidvania platformer with hand-painted visuals.

379pts

7

Cuphead

A 2017 run-and-gun platformer styled after 1930s rubber-hose cartoons.

379pts

8

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

A 1997 PlayStation game that helped define the Metroidvania genre.

379pts

9

Super Mario Odyssey

A 2017 Switch sandbox platformer centered on the hat-throwing capture mechanic.

227pts

10

Crash Bandicoot

The 1996 PlayStation mascot platformer starring the marsupial Crash.

227pts

11

Hollow Knight

A 2017 Metroidvania platformer set in a vast ruined insect kingdom.

227pts

12

Super Mario Bros. 3

Nintendo's 1988 NES platformer, routinely cited among the greatest video games ever made.

1pts

13

Rayman Legends

A 2013 hand-drawn 2D platformer praised for its inventive, musical level design.

1pts

14

Spyro the Dragon

A 1998 PlayStation 3D platformer starring a young purple dragon.

1pts

15

Super Mario Galaxy

A 2007 Wii platformer built around gravity-bending spherical planets.

1pts

16

Celeste

A 2018 precision platformer about climbing a mountain and battling self-doubt.

1pts