The genre of platforming video games is one of the oldest in gaming history. It began with an arcade game titled Space Panic in 1980 and was soon carried over by the legendary Donkey Kong in 1981. After that, publishers like Nintendo and Sega mastered platformer games by experimenting with titles like Super Mario, Sonic, Super Castlevania, and more.
The strong foundation of the platforming genre is a big reason it still exists in 2022. Moreover, the tenacity of modern-day platformers going beyond the tropes and stereotypes previously present in said games has really popularized the genre among the players. Quite a few platforming games that have stood out over the years for shaking the norms.
10 Braid
Braid is an excellent puzzle platformer from 2009 that still stands out because of its beautiful art style and 2D visuals. The game has roughly painted aesthetics, which gives it the old children's book vibe, and its plot is also pretty much centered around recusing “an abducted princess.”
Despite the cliche, Braid breaks the norms by providing an incredible story that gets darker the further players get into it. Moreover, it hits people with a plot twist that completely changes the meaning of the entire game and its plot.
9 Inside
Inside is a 2D adventure platformer from independent Danish game developer Playdead. The game came out in 2016 and was a spiritual successor to the studio’s first game, Limbo. In this game, players control a boy running from security and trying to escape while solving environmental puzzles.
Inside’s simple and straightforward gameplay makes it an incredibly interesting platformer, as there is no backtracking, and players are always exploring new areas. Moreover, the main character can not kill the enemies and will always rely on stealth. That is until players experience Inside’s plot twist in the end.
8 Limbo
Limbo is a puzzle platformer indie title by Playdead that initially came out in 2011 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, & Windows. Since then, it has arrived on every other major platform, including Android and Nintendo Switch. The game plays from a 2D perspective and has a silhouette art style uncommon in platformers.
In Limbo, players control a little boy searching for his sibling in a dark forest. Throughout the game, players will face fearsome foes like the giant spider and interesting puzzles based around the environment.
7 Unravel
Unravel is one of the rare 2.5D games from Electronic Arts that greatly embraces the puzzle-platformer genre. It’s a 2016 title that came out on all major platforms and became an instant hit among players due to its style and gameplay. The game has since spawned a sequel with a brilliant co-op mode.
In Unravel, players control a doll-like creature made of yarn and solve environmental puzzles by unraveling the thread. It’s a brilliant gameplay mechanic that compliments the nature of the game and its nostalgia-inducing storyline.
6 Salt And Sanctuary
Salt and Sanctuary may be one of the most underrated action-oriented role-playing games from the last ten years. The title came out in 2016 on various platforms and tried to give players a Souls-like experience that isn’t common in the 2D platforming genre.
At its core, Salt and Sanctuary is a Metroidvania title where it is up to players to explore, revisit areas, and uncover various secrets hidden in the world. The game also features a beautiful world full of unique eye-popping concept work and dozens of bosses to beat.
5 Murasaki Baby
Murasaki Baby is another puzzle platformer that really evolved the platforming genre. Sadly, the game is less-known as it is one of the rare PlayStation Vita exclusives from a long time ago. The side-scroller came out in 2014 and utilized the handheld console for most of its gameplay features.
In Murasaki Baby, players have to manually hold a little baby's hand and help her clear the environmental obstacles. The game is grim, uses a brilliant hand-drawn art style, and has a creepy storyline that still stands out in 2022.
4 The Messenger
For good reasons, The Messenger has been one of the highest-rated action platformers of the last five years. This game features beautiful retro-style visuals, fast-paced gameplay, amazing boss fights, great progression, and a Metroidvania feel. The game was originally a Switch and Windows title, which later came out on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
The Messenger is a story of a ninja who is fighting against the Demon King. His goal is to deliver a scroll to the top of a mountain to help save the village from impending doom.
3 Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the most aesthetically beautiful games of the last ten years. It’s a Microsoft Studious title that first came out on Windows and Xbox in 2015 and later on Nintendo Switch in 2019. The atmospheric platformer is also one of the few games that aren’t on Sony’s consoles.
In Ori and the Blind Forest, players control Ori, a guardian spirit spawned from a spirit tree to help save the world. The game features a few RPG-like mechanics involving exploration, item collection, and Metroidvania-style backtracking.
2 Clocker
Clocker is a fairly less-known game from 2019 available on all major platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Windows, Mac, Linux, and more. It’s a puzzle platformer with elements of time manipulation and a few role-play mechanics added into the mix.
In Clocker, players witness a world stuck in a void, and the goal is to fix everything. The journey features a painful story of a young daughter and her clockmaker father, who has a time-controlling watch. The narrative, visuals, and music make this beautiful indie title a must-play.
1 Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is an action platformer game that pushes the boundaries of the platforming genre in all directions. Not only is it a great pixel graphics retro title with RPG elements, but also a brilliant boss-battle extravaganza spread across dozens of levels. In a way, this 2014 platformer is a true successor to Megaman.
In Shovel Knight, players control an armored knight who uses a shovel to do most of his dirty work. The goal is to dig, beat unique bosses, and gain their powers, all in the glorious 8-bit visuals.