When players think of platformers, they often think of a game that you can clear in only a few short hours. Some of the legendary favorites, including Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, and Mega Man, can be cleared in as little as 2 hours. Yet they remain some of the most noteworthy games of all time.
However, in more recent years, platformers have given players a bigger bite of challenge. These often include utilizing collectibles, replays, and other incentives to keep players invested. Check out the list below to find some of the longest platformers – both in 2D and 3D – that will give users more than a single run's worth of content.
HowLongToBeat will be used as a reference, and Completionist times will be considered.
10 Kirby: Star Allies
Initially released as one of Kirby's shortest adventures, Star Allies came out for Nintendo Switch in 2018. Following the success of director Shinya Kumazaki's previous Kirby titles, for Wii and 3DS, Star Allies featured fewer levels and easier stages throughout the game. However, the waves of free DLC kept players coming for more.
Even before the DLC, players had access to The Ultimate Choice, a renamed Arena from the past Kirby titles. Players could also try a variation time trial version allowing users to play as the Helpers to clear the game and unlock a new boss. But perhaps the single biggest addition came from the final DLC wave. Featuring Heroes in Another Dimension, this mode featured new, challenging stages and remixed boss battles. After clearing this mode, players could enter The Ultimate Choice one final time to clear all versions of these bosses.
9 Rayman Origins
Rayman's return to form released on all major consoles (Wii, PS3, and 360) in 2011. This cel-shaded work of art featured four characters and many levels to enjoy. Received well for its sheer level of polish, Rayman Origins would charm players with its four characters and unlockable skins.
Much like with Donkey Kong Country, Rayman Origins featured many collectibles. Players could do time trial runs and go after all the red gems. Doing so would prove that you've completed the game in its entirety. As wonderful as the recent Rayman games were, with any luck, fans may witness the series return someday.
8 Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
When Donkey Kong Country Returns launched for the Wii in 2010, it featured the heralded return of a beloved platforming mascot back in his element. Featuring challenging stages and tons of collectibles, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong ventured across the DK Isle to rescue their Banana Hoard. Unfortunately, the Wii version had some control issues due to being exclusive to Wiimote playstyles.
Thankfully, Nintendo released the title for 3DS a few years later. Featuring a more traditional control scheme, the title was more fun to play. In addition to the collectibles and time trial modes, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D also featured a new world exclusive to the 3DS version.
7 Rayman Legends
The sequel to Rayman Origins released in 2013 for all major consoles as well as the Nintendo Switch in 2017. This title featured even more beautiful, stunning HD artwork and more challenging stages. Like before, players could unlock more challenges and collectibles by collecting the Lums and rescuing the Teensies.
What makes Rayman Legends even longer than its prequel is that it allows users to play several worlds from Rayman Origins. These remastered stages featured reworked artwork and the same boss battles from the past. Players could also unlock remixed versions of the free-running stages at the end.
6 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Mario's last 2D platforming adventure released as a Wii U launch title in 2012. Taking cues off the previous three New Super Mario Bros. titles, the latest release was renowned for its more varied backgrounds and much more challenging difficulty level. The Wii U version even offered DLC featuring New Super Luigi U which was later packaged together as a bonus.
New Super Luigi U offered a remix twist on the stages. Featuring more challenging obstacles, the title also forced the player to move it as their time was limited. Put together, it's worth at least two playthroughs of the game making it the longest 2D Mario platformer in the series.
5 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
The latest Donkey Kong Country title originally released for Wii U before coming to Nintendo Switch. This large-scale 2D platformer brought forth a multitude of worlds featuring lengthy, challenging levels and content. New to the Switch version included Funky Mode for less experienced players.
What makes Tropical Freeze a lengthier platformer involves its use of collectibles. While players have always hoarded bonus coins or cleared bonus rooms for 101% completion, Tropical Freeze offered more avenues of challenge. Collecting K-O-N-G and jigsaw pieces brought you unlockables. Plus when someone cleared the game, they could do Time Trial and Mirror Mode runs as well. Until Nintendo chooses to develop another Donkey Kong Country title, it may be worth checking out a few similar titles.
4 Super Mario Galaxy 2
The sequel to the popular Wii classic, Super Mario Galaxy 2 debuted on Wii in 2010. Featuring all the wonderful elements of the original game, Galaxy 2 set out to be more challenging and ambitious than the original title. With up to 240 Stars to collect, the player was in no rush to collect them all.
Unlike the original Super Mario Galaxy, where players could beat the game with Mario and Luigi to collect all the Stars, Galaxy 2 awarded users with more than just a happy parade. By collecting all 240 stars, players unlocked the Grandmaster Galaxy. This final, daunting challenge featured two stages that challenge players to the limits of their platforming skill. Super Mario 3D Land, 3D World, and Super Mario Odyssey would follow suit by rewarding stages with a final, challenging stage after fulfilling various requirements.
3 Super Mario 3D World
Mario's underrated platforming adventure released for Wii U. Featuring 4-player co-op, this sequel to Super Mario 3D Land offered 8 worlds at the start. Clearing the game unlocked several more worlds that took place in space as well as a 5th unlockable character – Rosalina.
At the end of the bonus worlds, collecting all the Green Stars, Stamps, and Gold Flag Goalposts would unlock the final three worlds in the game. These challenging levels would test the player's skills at the Captain Toad level, a gauntlet stage, and the final platforming stage: Champion's Road. Despite its exclusive Wii U release, perhaps one day players will see a Nintendo Switch version.
2 Super Meat Boy
The renowned indie platformer, by Team Meat, came out in 2010. This incredibly challenging title pays homage to tons of classics including Castlevania, Street Fighter II, The Adventure of Lolo, and of course, Super Mario Bros. Once players saved Bandage Girl, they cleared the game, correct?
By clearing the time trials, players unlock the "Dark World" versions of the stages. These stages were even more difficult than their original versions. Plus users had extra stages to unlock guest characters, such as The Kid from I Wanna Be The Guy. This also included two versions of Cotton Alley, the secret final world which featured Bandage Girl as the playable character.
1 Super Mario Odyssey
Nintendo's latest 3D Mario platformer came to the Switch in 2017. Featuring an open world, Super Mario Odyssey offered tons of exploration in nearly a dozen different worlds. In this game, users were sent to collect Moons.
Even after collecting a set number of Moons to clear the story, players could still pursue more to finish their completion. Collecting 500 Moons opened up the hardest challenge stage in the game. Obtaining 999 allowed players to view secret dialogue in the ending as well.