Whatoplay presents 25 of the best PC 2D Platformers of all time. All arranged by
playscores. To check out our full list, visit our page on all the best PC platformer games.
25. Lair Of The Clockwork God Join Ben and Dan as they go on
a time-bending adventure to stop the whole universe from falling apart. Switch between
these characters and solve a multitude of puzzles that range from impressive to downright hilarious.
It combines point-and-click gameplay into its fast-paced platforming. A playscore of 8.79.
24. Fez
Fez’s fourth-wall-breaking gameplay sets it apart from all the titles here.
While it acts as a 2D game, the gameplay gimmick of shifting perspectives to different dimensions
transforms its world into a trippy adventure. A playscore of 8.80.
23. LIMBO PlayDead’s award-winning title
is a hallmark of the genre. The monochromatic journey of this young boy has etched itself among
gaming’s best moments. The puzzles and platforming may show their age today, but during its time,
its ingenious level designs brought something new to the genre. A playscore of 8.80.
22. Creaks Amanita Design’s
latest project after the success of Machinarium and Samorost is another surreal puzzle experience
powered by their fantastic hand-crafted art style. Explore this odd dimension riddled with
mysteries and teeming with anthropomorphic birds. It receives a playscore of 8.81.
21. Yoku’s Island Express A breath of fresh air compared to
most on this list. Yoku’s unique spin to the 2D platformer genre gives it a new direction
to experiment on. The pinball mechanics may be weird at first, but navigating around its
tricky levels is impossible without mastering trajectories. It has a playscore of 8.82.
20. Super Meat Boy
The king of all platformers takes over our 20th spot. 11 years ago,
Edmund McMillen’s bizarre and challenging 2D title was hailed as one of the best platformers of all
time. The levels are designed to piss players off, and that’s always been the game’s charm.
Anyone who ragequits can’t fathom the greatness that is Super Meat Boy. A playscore of 8.83.
19. Broforce If Super Meat Boy is the king of all platformers,
Broforce’s testosterone-fueled action makes it the chaddest title of the genre. Play with a bro and
go on a retro-packed adventure that is reminiscent of the days of 80s action films. Explode red
barrels, shoot guns and go on a barrage of bullets. It receives a playscore of 8.87.
18. The Swapper This science-fiction platformer
is all about being at two or three places at once. The Swapper’s ‘cloning’ mechanic can let
players navigate and solve its ingenious puzzles by duplicating their character.
Its clay-like art style has an atmosphere worthy of its awards. A playscore of 8.90.
17. HUNTDOWN Remember the game Contra? Well, Coffee Stain’s
arcade-y action-platformer is a time machine that takes players back to the good ol’ days of
coin-operated gaming. HUNTDOWN’s futuristic world with rich 80s aesthetics is impressive. Its wide
variety of action-packed moments is best played with a friend via co-op. A playscore of 8.90.
16. TowerFall Ascension From the publisher behind Celeste,
Towerfall Ascension is a fun 2D platformer that encourages co-op with friends and family. It’s
archery-based combat makes room for some hilarious and oftentimes intense battles with other players.
A story mode is also available for anyone looking for fresh narratives,
but where the game truly shines is in its multiplayer mayhem. A playscore of 8.92.
15. SteamWorld Dig 2 Image & Form’s Metroidvania adventure
is a fantastic sequel, offering a serving of burrowing bonanza. Just like the first game,
players dig their way through numerous obstacles and levels. Use a variety of gear to unlock
secrets and take on the game’s bigger challenges. As a lone SteamBot with a knack for adventure,
‘uncover’ what lies beneath in this mysterious and quiet little town. A playscore of 8.94.
14. BattleBlock Theater
A comedy platformer from In The Behemoth. BattleBlock Theater’s charm is in its co-op
adventure. Sure, a solo experience is enjoyable too, but taking in all the hilarity of its story
might be better when playing with a partner. Save Hatty Hattington and watch out for the
production roadblocks and the theater's feline inhabitants. A playscore of 8.95.
13. Rayman Legends
Ubisoft’s sublime platformer is a worthy entry to this list.
Lead the gang in a picturesque adventure filled with psychedelic wonder. Jam to its feisty beats
and take a ride through the most trippy Rayman Legends experience ever. A playscore of 8.95.
12. GRIS Devolver Digital’s
somber tale about a girl dealing with grief is made poetic by its impressive art direction.
GRIS’ dynamic colors give meaning to each of its emotional levels. The puzzles aren’t too
difficult, and the game encourages players to keep moving forward. A playscore of 8.98.
11. Katana ZERO
A fast-paced 2D platformer set in a sprawling cyberpunk society. Play as a drug-crazed,
katana-wielding protagonist and face off against hordes of capitalist scum. Its slick action-packed
with a great soundtrack is made better by its rewind mechanic. Observe enemy patterns before
slicing and dicing their insides in a satisfying bloodbath. A playscore of 8.99.
10. Spelunky 2 If we’re talking about platformers
here, Derek Yu’s passion project was among the first to embrace the concept of the roguelike.
Just like the original, Spelunky 2 is a brutal and unforgiving 2D platformer with every run
feeling unique. Despite its challenging difficulty, the game builds upon the first
game’s success by improving its randomized torture chambers. Spelunky receives a playscore of 8.99.
9. INSIDE LIMBO’s success pushed PlayDead to
innovate their platforming repertoire. INSIDE was a huge step up from their first title and it is a
rollercoaster of emotions for everyone. The game’s dystopian setting builds enough immersion to lure
us into its bleak world. It’s best experienced blind and it receives a playscore of 9.01.
8. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Yacht Club Games’ award-winning 2D platformer is
a familiar yet fresh take on the genre. Treasure Trove is the definitive edition of the Shovel
Knight experience. The little knight and his shovel isn’t the only story worth playing here.
Enjoy all DLCs with its new characters and varied platforming gameplay. A playscore of 9.03.
7. Cuphead The bizarre yet colorful
2D run-and-gun platformer from Studio MDHR is a celebration of the golden age of 1930s cartoons.
Free Cuphead and Mugman from the chains of the Devil by fulfilling contracts.
Brave through its challenging boss rush and grab a friend in co-op. A playscore of 9.04 .
6. Mark Of The Ninja Become one with the
shadows in this 2012 stealth platformer from Klei Entertainment. Traverse through
its oriental fortresses and avoid tricky traps and oblivious guards.
It’s a game that encourages players to live by the ninja code. A playscore of 9.05.
5. Hollow Knight Team Cherry’s beloved Metroidvania
has charmed us with its adorable artstyle and punishing combat. Lead this lowly warrior with
his little nail in the bug-infested Hallownest and uncover the truth behind the game’s lore. Meet
fascinating characters along the way and face off against its menacing selection
of boss fights. Give us Silksong please! Hollow Knight receives a playscore of 9.07.
4. Gunpoint Similar to Mark Of The Ninja,
this embraces stealth in an urban jungle littered with corruption and villainy. Players assume the
role of a spy, using a variety of high-tech toys to silently fulfill his objectives. It’s one shot,
one kill, so the difficulty can be challenging for new players. A playscore of 9.10.
3. Dead Cells Motion Twins’ critically
acclaimed platformer-slash-roguelike has dominated the charts since it came out.
It’s heavily praised for its free-flowing combat and the endless cycle of life and death.
Players will have to mix and match various abilities and weapons at
their disposal to make it to the end of their journey. A playscore of 9.15.
2. Ori And The Will Of The Wisps The sequel to the award-winning
game from Moon Studios. Ori is once again taken into a new adventure in search of a new purpose.
Navigate around its gorgeous land with the use of Ori’s new and familiar abilities.
It’s an emotional journey. Though not as hard-hitting as the first game,
it makes up for it with its solid platforming gameplay. A playscore of 9.20.
1. Celeste Taking the highest point of our
list is none other than this multi-award-winning masterpiece from Matt Makes Games. Celeste’s
responsive controls and brain-teasing platforming challenges is enough to lure players into
Madeline’s journey of self-discovery. Packed with only dash, jump, and climb abilities, there’s a
lot of gameplay variety that keeps the ascent from becoming boring. It receives a playscore of 9.21.