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Super Mario Maker 2 (Switch)
Put in as simple a manner as possible, this is likely to be the last 2D Mario game you’ll need. It’s Super Mario Maker but with more of everything that made the original so phenomenal. Enemies, themes, game styles, gizmos, powerups, multiplayer and more; the list of additional gubbins is truly massive when you take a step back. The Story Mode has an actual story and makes Super Mario Maker 2 a worthwhile addition to your platforming library even if you're not going to bother with all that making business. There are a few small issues here and there, but they're overwhelmingly dwarfed by sheer joy and unbridled freedom. For any fan of Mario who owns a Switch – heck, for any Switch owner full stop – buying this game is an absolute necessity.
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N++ (Switch eShop)
Bags of levels and increasing difficulty will keep N++ refreshing for hours and days on end. The mechanics are simple and yet incredibly deep, which opens up a wonderful game brimming with customisation options and new modes to try out. Floaty controls sometimes hamper progress, but the deaths are always spectacular.
Katana ZERO (Switch eShop)
Katana Zero is unmistakably an action platformer that you need to add to your Switch collection at earliest opportunity. The tough, hair-raising action sequences, gripping narrative, and impeccable sense of style elevate it, cementing it as a modern classic that sets new standards for what a side scrolling action game can be. This is the kind of game that you’ll blindly play through once and soon find yourself wishing you could have that first-time experience again; there’s nothing else quite like it on the eShop and we can’t recommend it enough.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (Switch)
Donkey Kong Country fans rejoice: this is the spiritual successor you’ve been waiting for. The worst thing you could say about it is that the overworld exploration may prove to be too involved for those who are in it purely for the runny-jumpy stuff, but those who are happy to mix platforming with top-down adventuring and don’t mind adapting to the constantly changing pace will find the best of both worlds here. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a fantastic sophomore effort that pays tribute to Rare's past and establishes Playtonic as one of the UK's most exciting studios.
Wunderling (Switch eShop)
By removing the basic ability to turn direction whilst walking, Wunderling proves itself to be an incredibly addictive and fresh-feeling platformer that boasts excellent level design, brilliant writing, and adorable visuals. Its impressive accessibility means that almost anyone can pick it up, but it simultaneously remains challenging enough to keep you engaged for hours.
Levelhead (Switch eShop)
Levelhead will live or die on the commitment of its community, but even without the creation aspect it would still be an enjoyable platformer. Smart design in every department - challenge, creation and curation - means that Levelhead is a surefire winner, and we hope it catches on. After all, there's more to the 'maker' genre than just Super Mario.
The Eternal Castle [Remastered] (Switch eShop)
The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] is a neo-retro masterpiece. Even if you play the game from start to finish just once in a single sitting and never come back to it, this minimalist post-apocalyptic epic will stay with you for years to come. Obviously, if you're not a fan of classic 'cinematic' platformers like Another World and Flashback and their prioritising of look-and-feel over control responsiveness, then you may want to approach with caution. If you're looking for the next true evolution of that genre, though, look no further. They just don’t make them like this any more… and we found ourselves wondering 'why not?'.
Spinch (Switch eShop)
Bright, technicolour visuals, punishing difficulty, excellent level design and tight controls are all hallmarks of this deliciously enjoyable sugar rush. Spinch is a short but sweet experience and one that certainly proves itself to be worthy of both your time and money. Although regrettably marred by some performance issues, Spinch is an otherwise wonderful platformer that we’d highly recommend to anybody who just can’t get enough of the genre.
Evergate (Switch eShop)
Evergate is a wonderfully designed puzzle/platformer that starts off strong and goes from strength to strength over the course of its campaign. Every new world you encounter here adds a new twist to proceedings, gradually becoming more complex as it layers mechanics on top of one each other, enabling you to experiment and come up with your own unique ways to bound across its intricate levels. Speed-running here, for us, feels like it was tacked on for no real reason but, besides this one little misstep, this really is an essential purchase for puzzle/platforming fans and a standout example of its genre on Switch.
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Comments 128
I love some of these, and others I wish I had, but mostly I agree with it
Pretty much agree with everything except for New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe being on the list since it's pales in comparison to the other games like Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, Celeste, and Sonic Mania.
I must love 2D platformers more than I realized, I own and have beaten 8 of the 10 listed on Switch!
This list is an insult. Both super mario bros and super mario bros 3 are on the switch, but not on this list? OMG.
Celeste is an utter masterpiece, quite possibly the greatest platformer I've ever played. Incredible and innovative level design, beautifully creative art direction, and an immensely emotional storyline. It's the perfect blend of gameplay and story. If this list were ranked I would definitely place it at number 1.
Excellent list...it’s missing The Messenger though.
Should've waited until June so you could replace NSMBUD with Mario Maker 2.
Generic I'm angry because half of the games on the list are Wii U ports comment
@Marios-love-child I think you're joking right? 2 are exclusively Wii U ports.
Removed - trolling/baiting
where is Shantae Half-Genie Hero?
Who the hell clocks Shovel Knight in 15 hours?? The whole Treasure Trove took me longer and more deaths than I'd like to admit. Still one of my all time top 5, though.
2019 and there are still so many 2D Platformers on modern hardware and some are even $60.
@Crono1973 yeah. And Shovel Knight is so good I am gonna buy it again with the physical release.
@imgrowinglegs I was thinking the same but I think NL class it as a Metroidvania (which it is in parts) despite a good chunk of the game being a straight up traditional platformer.
For me, the best 2 games on this list are Inside and Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. I couldn't choose between them as they're both so different.
It's good to see DKTF even make the list this time. It unbelievably never made NL's 'Best Switch platformers' list a while back.
I know I'm gonna get hate for this, but I haven't played Celeste because I couldn't get past the graphics. I've heard it's amazing and I'm no graphics whore by any means, but Celeste's art direction just does not jive with me. It looks like an Atari game. Any thoughts on this?
@invictus4000 The graphical style definitely grows on you as you play. It's not as basic looking as it first seems, there's some really cool effects and set pieces.
There is a little gem called Whip! Whip! I think everyone should download
@invictus4000 yes it looks like an Atari 2600 game
There’s not that many 3D games on the switch.
@brunojenso For some people, two are just enough. I think he was just making fun of those people though.
@iLikeUrAttitude I think you are over rating sonic mania... Celeste and dk are much higher quality though
I normally hate it when people try and boast online about how they found a hard game really easy or whatever, but I'm surprised that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is labelled as "brutally tough". The same thing was said in NL's review of it. I really did not think this was a particularly hard game when I played it on Wii U. I'd say it has a pretty normal/well-balanced difficulty. If you want to say "tough" then OK, but "brutally tough" is a bit of an exaggeration that makes it sound like it's Dark Souls or something. I hope it doesn't put anyone off from buying it. If you're on the fence; it's a great game and is not "brutally tough".
Also, if Mega Man 11 is here, then I think Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack should be (ie. if they're counted as platformers rather than shooters). I'd definately put it ahead of VVVVVV.
@brunojenso
Yes I was joking. For the record I have no issue whatsoever with Wii U ports, as @Quarth said it was just a light hearted poke of fun at those who get all butt hurt over any form of port
https://youtu.be/q6s7AFw7R_g
@imgrowinglegs Yep, also the free Pirate Panic DLC should be out in a few months! woot.
@Haywired The last 3 areas were hard as balls, though I was playing co-op which made it harder lol.
I was also put away by Celeste's graphics at first. But after hearing so many good things about it, i got it in the last PSN sale and had a lot of fun with it. Gameplay and level design are killer. The story is sweet, soundtrack is amazing. The game is very fun!
Why no Shantae and Super Meat Boy though?
Platformers are awesome! I love Sonic Mania Plus, & Mega Man 11. I have DKC:TF digitally on WU, I had NSMB+SLU physically, & I didn't know VVVVVV was on the e-Shop. Oh, wait, you can't find anything on the e-Shop, because it's crowded with junk! Eventually gonna check out Celeste, and Shovel Knight.
VVVVVV is fun
I had great time with Kirby's Adventure on the NES Online service. Also feel like SMB 2 is underrated, definitely on my list of best platformers you can play on Switch.
What are best 3D platformer games then, Odyssey and Yooka-Laylee are there even more 3D platformers?
@Haywired Tropical Freeze is brutally tough if going for full completion (200%), but I agree... Just a regular playthrough isn't anything crazy.
I feel like N++ really deserves to be on this list. The physics of that game feel so good. The amount of content is beyond overwhelming.
On a side note, I can't believe 1001 Spikes is still not on Switch. That's my favorite 2D platformer ever, and it was just about the first Switch game ever announced back before the system launched. I love it so much.
I think this is pretty pointless
Mega Man 11 is so damn good.
@Haywired I found tropical freeze harder than dark souls. I was going for 100% though
@jobvd You have to have Switch Online to play them, though.
Anyway, I would LOVE to play Celeste one of these days! I wanna try out Monster Boy, as well. Out of all the games being shown, Sonic Mania is my favorite, but NSMBU and Mega Man 11 are solid games too. DKC:TF is fantastic, as well.
@invictus4000 I'm not going to disagree with you because I thought the same thing, it just looks like the same old platformer and same graphics as any other indie game. So I didn't pick it up at all but it became free with Gold and I was totally wrong about the gameplay, it's very unique and original.
The graphics aren't amazing yeah, but when you are playing the game, you can't think about the graphics at all because you are just focused on trying to advance so it no longer bothers me at all.
NintendoLife, where is Super Mario Bros. 2 on this list?
I need to try Gris and VVVVVV. I loved Sonic Mania, still mad that my local Gamestop only had ONE COPY of the Collectors Edition for preorder (and of course it was gone instantly before I could preorder it!).
@rdrunner1178
VVVVVV is a excelent plataformer. If you like plataformers, you need try Cave Story+ and KeroBlaster too. Another that can be interesting is Blaster master Zero, which mix diferent gameplay types.
Thanks for the info. I do have Blaster Master and enjoyed it.
It's really sad to see that even in the 2D platformers genre Switch lacks so much. If we don't count ports which are available for years on another consoles, there's not so much to list. But everything will change in June when Super Mario Maker 2 will out.
Will add GRIS to my wishlist, forgot about that one because some reviews were not as positive.
Need to start hard mode on Tropical Freeze, that's where the "brutally difficult" must come from.
@retro_player_22 @DragotheKomodo I am glad to see the Shantae love! That series is great! Tight platforming with great humor. Half Genie seemed a little shorter than Pirate's Curse, but still very much worth the price and the time spent.
@invictus4000 I understand, there are some games that have graphics that I don't like and I simply will not play them. That said, Celeste is a masterpiece of platforming and I have played many platformers. Add to that a very good story, and it is in my top three platformers of all time.
Great list however I wouldn’t call GRIS a masterpiece. Too much time was just spent holding down left or right on the d-pad. Was good but forgettable imo.
@dugan but Half-Genie Hero is so beautiful! + has the transformations
@Marios-love-child @Quarth Thought so. I hope I didn't sound like I was on the attack either.
I'm also pro ports. I'm actually hoping they port literally every single good game from Wii U. Why wouldn't people want that? I still have my Wii U but it's just such a fussy system to set-up and I don't have room for it set-up full time. I swear if they give us SM3DW, Pikmin 3, Metroid Trilogy and a Galaxy collection my Wii U is retired.
LOVE/kuso I think warrant mentioning, too.
Between Wii U and 3DS I have 40% of this list. Missed Rayman.
On Switch I added sonic mania and double dipped fo shovel knight.
Didn’t know VVVVVV added multiplayer, that’s cool.
My favorite on this list is DK Tropical Freeze. I like NSMBUDX too (seriously that name though) but I can't wait for Mario Maker 2. That will jump straight to the top, no doubt.
I'm normally not one to comment and say there's an issue with a list, but where the hell is the messenger?!?! My man @Liam_Doolan would back me up this!
@zool ever heard of the second best seller game on switch? Lool
I saw people here reminding that the messenger should be on the list therefore I am Happy
This list would've been good if it hadn't included Sonic and Mega Man.
@DragotheKomodo Yes, which goes back to Risky's Revenge, another great one in the series! I do love Half Genie, i just wish it was longer so I could play more of it.
GameSpot's review of Tropical Freeze on the Wii U. Thoughts? 😏
https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-review/1900-6415667/
Weirdly enough, check out this page that shows the the game appearing on both Wii U and NS but it only links you to the latter's updated version where it's now worth a nine. Ha! Jokers!
https://www.gamespot.com/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze/
@imgrowinglegs the messenger shantae and so many others! Geez now that I think about it throw in dead cells, super meat boy and monster boy
The Gunvolt games are also really solid.
No Trine on the list? I haven’t played it on Switch, but I liked it a lot on steam.
Hollow Knight?
I love Mario U, Mega Man 11, Donkey Kong TF and Sonic Mania Plus so much. They're some of my favorite games. Kirby Star Allies also rocks.
@Balta666 are you referring to the 2d Mario Odyssey game. Or as some like to call it 2.5 game?
@zool MUAHAHA that is the most absurd thing I ever read in here. I bet those people say the galaxy are the only true 3d mario when I would say that those are the 2.5 ones
@Balta666 Switch is not a 3d console and cannot display 3d games, only the 3ds can do that. Mario Odyssey creates a flat 3d look on a 2d screen. If it was 3d it would have 3d in the he title.
Mario 3d World on the 3ds is 3d.
@zool palmface! I give up because you're just trolling now
Amazon in the UK have a BIGTHANKS promotional code active today only. Under the price of quite a few Switch games (and other items) there's a little Promotional Message badge "Save £5.00 on orders £25.00 or more".
@Balta666 look it up on google. How do you play 3d games on a 2d console, you can't.
Obviously you are new gaming.
@zool ok I will try to explain this like it was to a five year child. You are confusing 3d visuals with 3d movement. A 2d platformer you walk on a fix grid that moves left to right while in 3d you can move in all directions. 2.5d on the other hand is the same as 2d but there are graphic effects that simulate depth perspective (to be fair 3ds is more to 2.5 than anything else as does not does real 3d anyway)
You are quite patronising as well as wrong. What ever you watch in 2d Is 2d, some games may create the illusion of 3d but that's all it is an illusion. Call it 2.5d if you like.
The 3ds and movies where you wear 3d glasses create a depth of field and you see 'true' 3d.
True 3d on screen. The only way to get real life 3d is to look around.
Using words like troll and patronising does not make you right.
Mario Odyssey is no different from Super Mario 64 in its use of creating depth, but Mario 64 is not and has never been referred to as 3d.
Sonic Mania and DKC:TF are mandatory for any platformer fan.
@jobvd They’re in the NES Online app, so I don’t think they technically count as Switch platformers.
@zool you're wrong. Thanks.
I'm not wrong, go ask your teacher.
@dugan i just replay the different stories
p.s. screw the tower climb in the friends & costumes modes
Donkey Kong 10
Mario U 9
Rayman 8
Hollow Knight 10+
Cuphead comming!
There are lots of wonderful games left out. Awesome list none the less.
So many great games. Hopefully developers will never abandon one of the purest of gaming genres, the 2D platformer. May we never go back to those dark times when developers acted like 2D was dead (the N64/PS1 era).
For me i really love Owlboy and the Messenger but there are sooooooo many platformers
@invictus4000 The graphics are super pixely, but they are smooth and well animated with a bouncy feeling. Looks better when playing than in screenshots. There's also a lot a graphical variety between different levels. I'd prefer "normal" graphics too, but it's not something that should hold to back from playing this.
Gunman Clive Collection (1&2). Awesome games. Must play.
Happy to see Celeste and VVVVVV on the list!
@sketchturner N++ should be in the discussion of best platformers every time. Absolutely fantastic game.
NSMBU DX is fine and all but I would prefer a brand new 2D Mario. I love those even more than the 3D ones.
And no, Super Mario Maker 2 doesn't count. That's a construction game, not a true 2D Mario.
Added N++ (overdue), plus Wunderling and Levelhead
This is a great list, although Katana Zero is an action game. The platforming isn't the main focus of the gameplay - killing enemies is.
Sonic Mania and New Super Mario Bros. are fantastic! I am a sucker for these game studios putting a modern twist on these older franchises. Really wish that the Switch Genesis' pack included the & Knuckles options for the games, but I shall prevail with ye olde cartridge for that option until a Sega Ages release.
Added The Eternal Castle [Remastered]
And Spinch and Evergate.
No Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom?
EXCUSE ME BUT WHAT THE HECK!?
EDIT: Saw that it was on the metroidvania list. Carry on!
Great list! Playing Kaze now and loving it! But Celeste is still one of the greatest video games I’ve ever played. It’s just phenomenal!
Much love for Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. One of the best games I’ve ever played.
DKC Tropical Freeze is the best one by a landslide, 10/ 10. Hollow Knight is the 2nd best, 9/ 10.
Celeste, on the other hand, is just an overly frustrating, simplistic and ugly game. I have no idea why it's so popular. I would rate Celeste 3/ 10.
I was wondering if they would add Sonic Superstars and I guess they did. I need to play that game when it's on sale. And of course Mario Wonder was no question.
This is a good list, I've played all but 5 games and loved all but one of the ones I played. Although if you tried to order some of these from best to worst, all the comments would be pure rage. 😝
I assume you're not including NSO games on this list? DKC2 is still the greatest 2d platformer of all time in my humble opinion.
Nothing beats Hollow Knight, both as a platformer and a metroidvania. Btw, if you like retro 2d platformers, be sure to give Juiced! a try, it's a hidden gem.
Ori deserves to be on this list.
Lots of good stuff, Switch has been my go-to system for most 2D games (platformers or otherwise). I'd say my five favorites in this genre are Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Sonic Mania, DKC Tropical Freeze, Mega Man 11 and Sonic Superstars (played on Xbox Series X, not Switch, though).
And Super Hiking League DX
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is still my favourite. Great gameplay, great music and atmosphere.
@OldManHermit
DKC2 is such an amazing game, my favorite platformer by far
@OorWullie yeah Tropical Freeze deserves more recognition. Now I got quite disappointed by the childish difficulty of Mario Wonder and realised how amazing TF is. Wonder pales in comparison.
@Kienda I believe both Ori games are in the
best Metroidvanias list
@OldManHermit If the Online Service is included here, there are gonna be some huge changes in this list for sure!!!!!
For me, Horace takes the cake, its simply sublime
I need to get back into Impossible Lair. I have never been into DKC, and IL is basically that, but what I have played I have enjoyed more than say Tropical Freeze.
Among the best platformers of the Switch whose absence is shocking on this list, there is "The End is Nigh", an Edmund McMillen's game (even better than Super Meat Boy in my opinion, though that game is also one the best plateformer games that should be present on this list).
My favorite genre of them all. I got many platformers on Switch, but my most beloved ones are Super Mario Odyssey and Celeste, by far. Silver medal goes to Super Mario 3D World and bronze goes to Rayman Legends. Kirby and the Forgotten Land comes fourth.
This list is missing Gravity Circuit
Why no freedom planet?
Quite surprised to not see Freedom Planet 1 ? However I agree that the sequel is much better and not available on the Switch so far.
@PikaPhantom never heard of it.
@LikelySatan
You just did hear of it.
How about:
"89" on MetaCritic
Rated "Overwhelmingly Positive" by over 1,000 users on Steam, the highest possible rating.
I figured ‘Wonder’ would be #1. While I assume it is quite good (my copy is still sealed), would also say that being the newest of the list has much to do with.
Please add love/kuso to this list.
One of my favourite genres. Though I know there has been a lot of dross over the decades in this type of game there has been also been a lot of brillance. We see a lot of this on the Switch. Wonder, Tropical Freeze lead the pack here. But Celeste, Sonic Mania Plus and Rayman Legends are superb as well. I think I own all but 5 on this list and have had a satisfying time gaming.
@MontyCircus it was a joke. I've gone back and forth w op on how amazing GC is for a minute. Why would that be the tone you struck with your response, anyway? Seems like a garbage attitude.
@LikelySatan
I didn't see any other messages from you on this page so I assumed you were saying to a stranger: "I have never heard of this game before therefore I dismiss your contribution".
Sarcasm on the Internet often does not translate.
@MontyCircus it really doesn't matter if I was being sarcastic or not. Still garbage trash response. Buuuuut I don't actually care. We like Gravity Circuit, GC is dope. Have a good day!!!
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is way too expensive. It should be at 20€ by now!
For the price that costs that game, you can easily get Rayman Legends, Yooka Laylee 2 and Celeste, which are all almost as amazing as DK.
@Cia You must not have gotten very far in Celeste if you think... well, any of those things about it. Except overly frustrating, that's understandable.
I'll have to play a lot more of SMBW before I can decide if it's better than DKCTF, but it's going to be an uphill battle tbh. That game is a legend.
@Rudolf
Absolutely sir! Absolutely!
And also whaaaat? Does that mean there is no The End is Nigh in this list? To be clear it is better than Super Meat Boy and it should definitely be included.
EDIT : I just read the entirety of your comment and apparently Super Meat Boy is not here either. Hum guys maybe there is something that should be done there.
Some good choices, some I've played. Where is Gunvolt and the Messenger?
Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair is top tier. I’m really hoping they make a sequel to that rather than another 3D game
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