Platformer games
Built on jumping, climbing and timing; the genre where movement itself is the fun.
What is the platformer genre?
In a platform game the main task is getting from one place to another. The gaps, moving platforms, traps and enemies in between turn that journey into a test of skill. The quality of the genre comes down almost entirely to one thing: How the jump feels. In a good platformer, controlling the character is enjoyable regardless of reaching the goal.
Two-dimensional platformers are the classic form of the genre and one of the favorite fields of indie developers today. Three-dimensional platformers add a sense of distance and depth that makes things harder, and in return offer much wider spaces to play in.
What defines it?
Acceleration, air control and the jump arc are the most critical settings in the genre.
Success depends on a single button pressed at the right moment.
Each level introduces a new mechanic and does not end until you have mastered it.
The penalty for dying is short; the player is back in seconds.
Landmark games
Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.
At a glance
Platformer games (32)
Made in Türkiye
The Rusted TR
Made in Türkiye
Free
Hoppino TR
Rayman Legends Retold TR
Duskfade TR
Leafborn TR
A Rat's Quest - The Way Back Home | Season 1 TR
Darwin’s Paradox TR
Hoa TR
Hoa 2 TR
Denshattack! TR
Legacy of Kain Ascendance TR
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf TR
Replaced TR
Mio: Memories in Orbit TR
The House of Hikmah TR
8
SpeedRunners TR
Made in Türkiye
Anomaly Agent
The Rogue Prince of Persia TR
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown TR
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance TR
Robert on Earth TR
Recur TR
Undertale TR
Donkey Kong Bananza TR
Latest stories on platformer games
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a platformer and a metroidvania?
Platformers usually progress level by level. A metroidvania takes place on a single interconnected map; when you gain a new ability, you return to old areas and open paths that were closed.
Why are platformers considered hard?
The margin for error is small and success depends directly on the player's timing. Modern games, however, tend to make difficulty optional with infinite lives, checkpoints and accessibility settings.