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. 1
   Super Mario 64

   The 1996 Nintendo 64 game that defined 3D platforming and free-roaming level design.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Super Mario World

   The 1990 SNES launch platformer that introduced Yoshi and expansive secret-laden worlds.
   704pts
3. 3
   Sonic the Hedgehog 2

   Sega's 1992 Genesis high-speed platformer that introduced sidekick Tails.
   569pts
4. 4
   Mega Man 2

   Capcom's 1988 NES action-platformer, widely seen as the series' high point.
   487pts
5. 5
   Donkey Kong Country

   A 1994 SNES platformer famed for its pre-rendered 3D-style visuals.
   379pts
6. 6
   Ori and the Blind Forest

   A 2015 atmospheric Metroidvania platformer with hand-painted visuals.
   379pts
7. 7
   Cuphead

   A 2017 run-and-gun platformer styled after 1930s rubber-hose cartoons.
   379pts
8. 8
   Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

   A 1997 PlayStation game that helped define the Metroidvania genre.
   379pts
9. 9
   Super Mario Odyssey

   A 2017 Switch sandbox platformer centered on the hat-throwing capture mechanic.
   227pts
10. 10
    Crash Bandicoot

    The 1996 PlayStation mascot platformer starring the marsupial Crash.
    227pts
11. 11
    Hollow Knight

    A 2017 Metroidvania platformer set in a vast ruined insect kingdom.
    227pts
12. 12
    Super Mario Bros. 3

    Nintendo's 1988 NES platformer, routinely cited among the greatest video games ever made.
    1pts
13. 13
    Rayman Legends

    A 2013 hand-drawn 2D platformer praised for its inventive, musical level design.
    1pts
14. 14
    Spyro the Dragon

    A 1998 PlayStation 3D platformer starring a young purple dragon.
    1pts
15. 15
    Super Mario Galaxy

    A 2007 Wii platformer built around gravity-bending spherical planets.
    1pts
16. 16
    Celeste

    A 2018 precision platformer about climbing a mountain and battling self-doubt.
    1pts