Super Chariot (Switch)

Super Chariot is a fitting metaphor for life – you can journey alone and endure all hardships as you struggle to make your way to the end, or you can share the burden with another person and help each other reach new heights along the way. Brilliantly designed and beautifully crafted, it's not hard for us to recommend you embark on this co-op journey. May the King rest peacefully, for his chariot is made of sturdy stuff indeed.

Out of Line (Switch eShop)

Out of Line is a relatively recent arrival on Switch and perhaps a title that doesn't hit all of its marks. That said it's a visual stunner, and over its relatively short playtime it makes clever use of the spear mechanic, in which you use the tool / weapon in varied ways to make progress.

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Human: Fall Flat (Switch eShop)

Human: Fall Flat recognises a simple truth: people falling down is hilarious, and when they're seemingly impervious to damage, that's just an added guilt-free bonus. Playing as a wobbly, awkward avatar takes a lot of getting used to, and perhaps you never really get used to it at all, but the game leaves each level wide open to a variety of solutions to suit your own personal style. Tackling the five-to-six-hour-long adventure solo isn't as fun as getting a second player to join in, even if the game's performance takes a hit. We reckon that you and some fellow humans might really fall for this little puzzle platformer. Over and over and over again.

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Unbound: Worlds Apart (Switch eShop)

With its unique use of portals, Unbound: Worlds Apart is a great platform title that throws extra exploration into the mix. Visually beautiful, it's not just about hopping about the screen through portals, but you also earn new abilities and there are clever impacts on the world as you move between worlds.

ibb & obb (Switch eShop)

Playing Ibb & Obb on your own is an absolute no-go; it just won't work. But get together with a friend – preferably via local play – and you'll have an absolute blast with this game. Some of the puzzles can be excruciatingly challenging at first, but it's immensely satisfying when you finally figure out how to beat it together. Maybe a good option for a Holiday season or a chilled out evening.

Shift Quantum (Switch eShop)

Shift Quantum is an impressive experience among the various dual colour/polarity themed games available on the Switch. Often crossing the line between art and entertainment, it is impossible not to be impressed by how it interactively tells you a dystopian story using nothing more than its minimalist aesthetics. While we are still not sure we found happiness at the end of our journey, we were certainly blissfully making our journey there.

Levelhead (Switch eShop)

Levelhead perhaps lives or dies on the commitment of its community, but even without the creation aspect it's still an enjoyable platformer. Smart design in every department - challenge, creation and curation - means that Levelhead is a surefire winner, and we hope it finds an audience, especially with user-created levels pushing our problem solving as well as our reflexes.

Semblance (Switch eShop)

Semblance offers an intriguingly fresh take on the age-old 2D platformer. Its story may be all visual and very much open to interpretation, but what it lacks in narrative density it more than makes up for with a generous helping of levels to explore where the platforming itself is a vital part of the puzzle to be solved.

Toodee and Topdee (Switch eShop)

Toodee and Topdee is fantastically imaginative puzzle game with exceptional variety wrung out of its core conceit. It struggles most when it asks for dynamic execution of puzzle solutions, but even then it’s pretty decent. This side-on / top-down puzzler is one that other games should look up to.

Pode (Switch eShop)

With its subtle, relaxing and appropriate musical score, gloriously soft visuals and a simple yet emotional story, Pode succeeds in offering a generous and humble cooperative experience, with around 8-10 hours of content that will shine brightly and keep you and your playing buddy engaged.

Planet of Lana (Switch eShop)

Planet of Lana intelligently combines elements of classic cinematic platformers to make something distinctive and characterful. For a tight five hours or so, it keeps up the pace, with very few taxing puzzles or tricky action segments to slow progress. Leaning into easier gameplay in favour of visual and auditory spectacle, it looks the part and runs consistently well. It’s a treat for the long-suffering cinematic platforming fan – perhaps even destined to join that short list of classics.

Braid: Anniversary Edition (Switch eShop)

Braid remains a landmark equally for indie game development and puzzle platformers. The time control mechanics are mind-bendingly satisfying to play with and the puzzles are wickedly inventive. This Anniversary Edition is an exquisite expression of the original concept, with everything spruced up to perfection. And, even on top of that, it includes interactive creators’ commentary that sets a high watermark for in-game analysis and represents a new key text for anyone interested in how games are made. In short: this package is an all-timer.

Some excellent puzzle platforming picks there, we're sure you agree, and there are plenty to choose from. Feel free to discuss your favourites below.

This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.

Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!

If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games To Play In 2023 should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.