A great platformer comes down to two things: the levels you move through and how good it feels to move. We scored seven of the best, all real and available in 2026. Our pick is Astro Bot, with an SR Score of 95, the standout of this console generation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (94) is the runner-up for 2D fans. For the freshest Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza is the pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Game | Best for | Platform | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astro Bot | Best 3D platformer | PS5 | 95 |
| 2 | Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Best 2D platformer | Switch | 94 |
| 3 | Donkey Kong Bananza | Destructible 3D worlds | Switch 2 | 92 |
| 4 | Super Mario Odyssey | Open-ended 3D | Switch | 95 |
| 5 | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Spectacle + gunplay | PS5 | 90 |
| 6 | Celeste | Precision platforming | Multi | 91 |
| 7 | Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Co-op platforming | Multi | 84 |
Methodology
The Platformer Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Level design (30) — the quality of the stages.
- Controls & feel (25) — how responsive movement is.
- Creativity & variety (20) — how often it surprises you.
- Value for money (15) — cost vs. content.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — critical consensus.
Level design leads, with controls close behind. Re-weight toward precision and Celeste climbs.
Astro Bot
Team Asobi’s PS5 exclusive, $59.99, a tight tour of PlayStation history with challenging-but-fair levels, superb DualSense feedback, and hundreds of secrets.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 29/30 |
| Controls & feel | 25/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 19/20 |
| Value for money | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it is on the shorter side at around 12 hours for the main path.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo’s 2D Mario, $59.99, whose Wonder Effects reinvent each level. The most inventive 2D Mario in decades and a great four-player couch game.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 29/30 |
| Controls & feel | 24/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 19/20 |
| Value for money | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it is fairly easy until the postgame special world.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo’s 3D DK platformer, $69.99, built around smashing through destructible terrain. The freshest first-party Switch 2 platformer.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 27/30 |
| Controls & feel | 23/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 19/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the destruction can muddy navigation at times.
Super Mario Odyssey
Nintendo’s open-ended 3D Mario, $59.99, with the Cappy capture mechanic and dense sandbox kingdoms. Still a benchmark for the genre.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 28/30 |
| Controls & feel | 25/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 19/20 |
| Value for money | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the sheer volume of Moons makes some feel like filler.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac’s PS5 platformer-shooter, $69.99, with dimension-hopping spectacle and inventive weapons. The best blend of platforming and combat here.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 25/30 |
| Controls & feel | 24/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: combat takes precedence over pure platforming.
Celeste
Maddy Makes Games’ precision platformer, ~$19.99, with razor-tight controls, a moving story, and brutal optional challenges.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 28/30 |
| Controls & feel | 25/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: its difficulty is steep, though generous assist options exist.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sumo Digital’s platformer, $59.99, a charming 3D outing best played in co-op with up to four players.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Level design | 24/30 |
| Controls & feel | 22/25 |
| Creativity & variety | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: it is safer and less surprising than the leaders.
How to choose
For a 3D showcase, Astro Bot on PS5 or Super Mario Odyssey on Switch. For 2D, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is unbeatable. Donkey Kong Bananza is the Switch 2 pick, Ratchet adds gunplay, Celeste is the precision-platforming masterclass, and Sackboy is the family co-op option. Re-weight toward precision and Celeste challenges; weight level design and feel, as we do, and Astro Bot takes it.
Verification
- Astro Bot — pricing and PS5 exclusivity verified on playstation.com.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder — pricing verified on nintendo.com.
- Donkey Kong Bananza — release and pricing verified on nintendo.com.
- Super Mario Odyssey — pricing verified on nintendo.com.
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart — pricing verified on playstation.com.
- Celeste — pricing verified on store.steampowered.com.
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure — pricing verified on playstation.com.
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- Best Battle Royale Games 2026: 7 Scored
- Best City Builders 2026: 7 Games Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best platformer in 2026?
- Astro Bot. It pairs tight, fair level design with excellent DualSense-driven controls and hundreds of secrets, making it the best platformer of this console generation.
- What is the best 2D platformer?
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Its Wonder Effects make it the most inventive 2D Mario in decades, and it is a perfect couch co-op pick for up to four players.
- What platform is Astro Bot on?
- Astro Bot is a PlayStation 5 exclusive, built around the DualSense controller's haptics and triggers.
- Are these good for kids?
- Yes. Astro Bot, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Donkey Kong Bananza are all family-friendly with adjustable difficulty and broad appeal.