10 Best Platformers on PS Plus

Platformers aren’t nearly as popular as they once were, which is a shame as you have to look so much harder to find the good ones.

That said, some masterpieces on PS Plus will put your precision jumping skills to the ultimate test. Here are our picks for the best the genre has to offer that you can play with your PlayStation subscription.

10 Rayman Legends

A Forgotten Ubisoft Franchise

The original Rayman is a brutal but brilliant 2D platformer on the PlayStation. The series switched to 3D before finally coming full circle with Rayman Origins, and Legends.

Rayman Legends is a gorgeous 2D platformer with tight controls, beautiful backgrounds, and an unforgettable soundtrack. All of Rayman’s iconic abilities, like punching and helicopter hair, triumphantly return, and the difficulty curve is flawless.

The star of the show in Rayman Legends is the music stages, where you rely on musical cues to conquer dramatic setpieces. This is a “must-play” for fans of 2D platformers, although you’ll wonder why a sequel doesn’t exist by the end.

9 Mega Man 11

No Introduction Needed

The 2D Mega Man games are platforming royalty, and 11 proves the genre has some tricks up its sleeve.

If you’re new to the series, you play as Mega Man and can tackle stages in any order. When you beat a boss, you earn one of their abilities, and it’s an addictive gameplay loop as you’re always getting stronger.

You’ll need that strength, as Mega Man 11 has a healthy dollop of old-school difficulty. The closing stages are borderline unfair, but beating a Mega Man game is an accolade any gamer can be proud of.

If you enjoy Mega Man 11, there are several collections of older titles in the PS Plus Classics library to put your skills to the test.

8 Dead Cells

A Roguelite Masterpiece

Dead Cells is an exceptional 2D Roguelite with some of the most responsive and satisfying movement you can experience in the genre.

While Dead Cell‘s gameplay is that of an accomplished platformer, the Roguelite mechanics add a ton of replayability. You’re meant to die in Dead Cells, but you get stronger and unlock more weapons each time you do.

Another feature of the Roguelite genre is levels are procedurally generated, so no two runs are the same. Dead Cells boasts a mix of several genres but describes itself as an “Action-Platformer,” which is a perfect representation of what’s on offer.

7 Ghostrunner

A Badass Simulator

We’re jumping into the 3rd dimension for Ghostrunner, which is arguably the most stylish game on this list. Ghostrunner offers a futuristic playground, complete with swords, wall-running, and double jumping.

The Cyberpunk aesthetic is a perfect fit, and it’s hard not to appreciate the thumpy soundtrack while you’re zipping around like a boss, cutting enemies into ribbons.

Ghostrunner is a challenging 3D platformer, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you master the spicy movement tech.

6 Trials Fusion

Trading Legs For Wheels

Trials Fusion may seem like an odd inclusion, but hear me out. The Trials games are known for tricky physics-based jumps and puzzles. The physics engine is so advanced you can pop wheelies and even bounce on one wheel with enough practice.

If you enjoy precision platforming, a few games on the market will test those skills, like Trials Fusion. The title also has nigh infinite replayability thanks to Track Central, a library of custom stages.

Fusion has a slick and immaculate futuristic aesthetic, and it quickly throws obstacles at the player, which will take hours of practice to conquer.

5 Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

Welcome To Hallownest

Hollow Knight is a beautiful, somber title full of exploration, intrigue, and tight platforming. The game is a 2D Metroidvania, meaning there’s a huge map to explore, and you can access new areas as you earn more abilities.

The environments in Hollow Knight are incredible, as are the boss battles, which feel more like dramatic setpieces.

Your platforming skills will be tested, but you’ll also need your thinking cap on to get the most out of Hollow Knight. This is a game that doesn’t hold your hand, nor does it care if you get hopelessly lost.

If you can overcome that obstacle, you can join the army of fans eagerly awaiting the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong.

4 Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

Two Underrated Classics

The Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series includes remasters of both original Klonoa games.

Klonoa is an odd cat-rabbit thing, complete with a Pac-Man hat. He looks goofy, but he’s the protagonist in a pair of epic fantasy platformers that will take you everywhere, from dank caves to kingdoms in the stars.

You can use Klonoa‘s Wind Bullet to grab enemies and throw them or as a platform to double jump. The Klonoa games are mechanically simple, but the vibrant visuals and grand boss battles mean there’s never a dull moment.

The Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is one of the easier entries on this list, making it perfect for newcomers.

3 Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

An Iconic Playstation Platformer

The Ratchet and Clank series has gone from strength to strength since its inception on the PlayStation 2. Rift Apart continues this legacy with a stunning 3D world and charismatic cast.

There are jump-puzzles galore, but the best part of Ratchet and Clank has always been the weapons. There’s an incredible arsenal of creative guns, from launchers that spawn black holes to the “Pixelizer HD” that reduces enemies into a pixellated mess.

Rift Apart is charming and accessible, and the series looks better than ever on modern hardware.

2 Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty

A Unique Blend Of Puzzler And Platformer

Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty is a bold remaster of the original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee on the PlayStation. You play as Abe, and as he’s not the best fighter, your running and platforming skills will be tested.

Most things in Oddworld want to kill or eat Abe and his friends, and you need quick reflexes to stay off the menu. As Abe can’t fight, there’s a generous helping of puzzle-solving and riddles to sink your teeth into.

Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty has it all, and you’ll likely enjoy Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus once you’re done.

1 Celeste

One For The History Books

What Platformer list would be complete without Celeste? It’s one of the most beloved games in the genre, boasting stunning visuals, an impactful story, and a masterclass in level design.

Celeste also has some of the best feeling controls you can experience in a 2D platformer. Everything is wonderfully responsive, and you’re well-equipped for the jumping puzzles in your way.

Celeste has it all, and the mechanics are so good it’s no surprise that the game has a thriving speedrunning circuit.