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2010s platformers that still hold up

Jumping, which is far harder to get right than it looks

105 games · page 1 of 3

Hollow Knight 2017 Why it still holds upExploring is still the draw: you map the world, beat bosses to gain abilities and use them to reach places that were closed.
Super Mario Odyssey 2017 Why it still holds upToday it works because you choose what to do toward the moon count, and capturing drives much of the level design.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 2010 Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing the rules, playing with gravity and shifting between 2D and 3D, still give each stage something new today.
Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 Why it still holds upOri moves nimbly, and the story is told through play rather than long cutscenes, so it is still a pleasure to control today.
Inside 2016 Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it still plays well: they are natural obstacles that make sense in the context of the game, and the wordless boy is expressive enough to carry it.
Shovel Knight 2014 Why it still holds upEasy to learn platforming with modern ideas of risk and reward, on an 8 bit look, is still why it is worth playing today.
Cuphead 2017 Why it still holds upBoss fights built on learning patterns, in that style, are still the reason to play it today.
Super Mario 3D World 2013 Why it still holds upShort, varied levels with a steady difficulty ramp, and characters whose abilities matter, still make it worth playing today.
Mark of the Ninja 2012 Why it still holds upWith every sound and sight line shown, stealth is still a matter of planning today.
Spelunky 2012 Why it still holds upSince every run generates new layouts, success depends on learning the game's rules rather than memorizing a route, and that still asks for attention today.
Super Meat Boy 2010 Why it still holds upVery short levels, unlimited attempts and a near instant restart make every failed try cost seconds, and the replay turns repetition into part of the fun today.
Child of Light 2014 Why it still holds upA firefly that slows enemies and heals allies, and a surprise strike for whoever reaches an enemy's back first, still give every battle a small tactical choice.
A Hat in Time 2017 Why it still holds upLevels without a timer, and hats that each add a new move, still let you explore each stage at your own pace today.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 2010 Why it still holds upAfter eight lives are lost in one level, a Super Guide lets a computer controlled Super Kong complete it, so a hard level can still be finished.
Gunpoint 2013 Why it still holds upA cross section that shows every guard and circuit lets you plan a route before moving, and that planning still pays off.
LittleBigPlanet 2 2011 Why it still holds upA game that hands you the tools to make games still puts a maker behind every level today.
Limbo 2010 Why it still holds upEven now, hazards that show themselves only by killing you turn each death into a lesson about the next attempt.
N++ 2015 Why it still holds upWith every jump shaped by speed and slope, each level is still a small physics problem today.
Fez 2012 Why it still holds upEvery room is still a puzzle about perspective, with a view you can turn to realign the world.
Metroid: Samus Returns 2017 Why it still holds upCounters to time and hidden paths to uncover still make exploring the planet a matter of watching closely today.
The End Is Nigh 2017 Why it still holds upWith each screen a small, separate problem, it still suits playing in short bursts today.
Super Mario 3D Land 2011 Why it still holds upEach stage still has a clear path with room to wander, in levels that run in a line while Mario moves in three dimensions.
Kirby: Planet Robobot 2016 Why it still holds upA mech suit that copies enemies' abilities still gives every stage a second way to play.
Super Mario Maker 2 2019 Why it still holds upEach session still differs, because you can build in five visual styles and try courses by other players.
Super Mario Maker 2015 Why it still holds upBuilding a course and having to beat it yourself still defines it today.
Tearaway 2013 Why it still holds upA world made of paper that reacts to your fingers and camera still makes you part of it.
Antichamber 2013 Why it still holds upA space that breaks your expectations of space still sends you back to look again.
Rayman Legends 2013 Why it still holds upWorlds in any order, with friends beside you, still make it easy to share today.

Tight jumps repeated until perfect, large maps learned room by room, runs that change every time and whole worlds in three dimensions share this page. In most of them, moving is the pleasure before anything else.

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