Pixel-art darlings, moody puzzle-platformers and punishing precision climbers from tiny studios that changed the genre. Cult obsessions sit beside crossover hits, so where do you stand?
1CelesteA 2018 precision platformer about climbing a mountain while confronting anxiety.
2Hollow KnightA 2017 hand-drawn Metroidvania exploring the bug kingdom of Hallownest.
3Shovel KnightA 2014 retro 8-bit action platformer starring a shovel-wielding knight.
4Ori and the Blind ForestA 2015 painterly Metroidvania platformer about a spirit guardian.
5Super Meat BoyA 2010 brutally difficult platformer starring a boy made of meat.
6CupheadA 2017 run-and-gun platformer with 1930s rubber-hose animation and boss fights.
7LimboA 2010 monochrome puzzle platformer about a boy searching for his sister.
8InsideA 2016 dystopian puzzle platformer from the creators of Limbo.
9BraidA 2008 puzzle platformer built around time manipulation.
10FezA 2012 puzzle platformer where a 2D hero discovers a third dimension.
11SpelunkyA 2008 procedurally generated roguelike platformer about cave exploration.
12Ori and the Will of the WispsA 2020 sequel expanding the Ori platforming and combat with emotional storytelling.
13GrisA 2018 serene watercolor platformer about navigating grief.
14The MessengerA 2018 ninja platformer that shifts from 8-bit to 16-bit with a time-travel twist.
15Guacamelee!A 2013 luchador Metroidvania platformer steeped in Mexican folklore.
16A Hat in TimeA 2017 3D collectathon platformer inspired by Nintendo 64 classics.
