The greatest platformers with switches: Leap for my love
Without these iconic jumping games, a Nintendo system wouldn't be the same. When Mario first came to the arcades to save Pauline from Donkey Kong, he was even known by the name Jumpman. Platformers have therefore always seemed at home on Nintendo systems, and as time goes on, the Nintendo Switch has accumulated an amazing collection of top-notch games.
In addition to housing Mario and his friends, the Switch also features a number of platforming icons that were previously exclusive to other systems. If you're interested in experiencing the genre's history, it also has some of the best classics from the SNES and NES, and some up-and-coming indies are currently advancing the genre more than any major publisher!
Thus, if you relish gathering money, leaping upon adversaries, exploring diverse realms, and occasionally obtaining a power-up, you will really like perusing our compilation of the finest Switch platformers available. Gather a group of pals, challenge yourself, and prepare to do a great deal of really accurate leaping.
Our list of the top Switch platformers is provided here:
Shovel Knight
The little platformer with superpowers! Shovel Knight revived vintage pixelated platforming with a boom after an incredible Kickstarter campaign, and as a result of that success, the game has been ported to every console known to man.
As promised in the Kickstarter campaign, developer Yacht Club Games has been busy adding numerous more missions to it over time, each of which provided a considerable number of hours of amazing vintage fun. Shovel Knight has amazing graphics, wonderful soundtrack, and flawless controls in every mode. Everyone should have this enormous assortment of flawless platforming in their library.
Celeste
Platformers often don't need you to think; all they want is for you to gather 100 bananas in order to complete the level. Celeste, however, is rather distinct. You take on the role of Madeline, a young woman who has set herself the goal of ascending Mount Celeste, but she has to overcome some formidable mental and physical challenges in order to accomplish her goal.
With its exquisite allegory of mental well-being encased in some of the most demanding but fulfilling gameplay, Celeste garnered acclaim from critics right away after its debut. Playing it only for the beautiful soundtrack by Lena Raine is also worthwhile!
Deep Power Plus
In two terms, I would sum up Sonic Manic Plus as sheer bliss. Thanks to modder Christian Whitehead and the rest of the development team, this remix and reimagining of the series takes everything fans know and love from the Mega Drive classics and injects it with a metric tonne of adrenaline.
It was a risky decision to ask the fans behind many fan games and hacks to make a real Sonic game, but it paid off handsomely since every frame is brimming with love for the eager blue hedgehog. Amazing controls, amazing levels, and an absolutely amazing music. If only all of Sonic's games were as fantastic.
Cuphead
Cuphead, which was formerly believed to be an Xbox exclusive, arrived on Switch a few years ago, and it seems to have found its forever home. A devoted tribute to the vintage Disney and Fleischer Studios cartoons, this hand-animated platformer literally pops off the screen with its amazingly vibrant stages and opponent designs.
The characters Cuphead and Mugman have been made with great care, and while the game is a bit challenging, it is nonetheless platforming bliss. Even though Cuphead seems like a kid's game, its bosses are tough and need a lot of expertise to defeat. If you have the patience, however, you should certainly check out Cuphead and its exquisite, carefully animated graphic style.
The Legend of Rayman
It's unfortunate that Rayman hasn't been active for a long time since his most recent adventure—aside from the Rabbids—was by far his greatest. With four player multiplayer support, Rayman Legends is a joyful platformer that seems to have been just as much fun to make as it is to play. It seems like Rayman glides around levels because of the floating smoothness of his controls, something other games seldom achieve. And once you've gotten the feel of this movement, it's a fun to go through each level. Rayman Legends is a great choice for a new family favourite because of its amazing features that can be unlocked and its intelligent level design.
It's About Time: Crash Bandicoot 4
It was time to bring back Crash Bandicoot in a big way after the amazing reimaginings of his early exploits in the N-Sane Trilogy. It's About Time continues where the originals left off while adding some fantastic new concepts and a contemporary aesthetic.
Funnily enough, the game revolves on time as Crash and friends go back in time to stop the wicked Dr. Neo Cortex's newest schemes. A game made for speedrunners to replay, it has all the difficulty of the originals with a few contemporary conveniences. If you enjoyed the first entries, this new one has all the fun and difficulty in a completely updated format.
A Hat For When
A Hat In Time is one of the rare films that really manages to capture the enchantment of a certain period, even if it's difficult to do so. Developed as an homage to classic 3D platformers such as Super Mario 64, Croc, Banjo Kazooie, and others, this outstanding independent title has some incredible concepts and is a true joy to play.
In order to obtain collectibles and finish your goals, you must use your magical hats and skills to explore various expansive levels as Hat Kid without a time constraint. Rarely does a game manage to achieve the same level of enchantment as the titles that before it, but Gears For Breakfast, the developer, masterfully achieved their desired gameplay and visual styles.
Tropical Freeze in Donkey Kong Country
When you think about platformers, Mario comes to mind, am I correct? You would be losing out, however. Developer Retro Studios released a Donkey Kong game that is even better than the SNES classics after the triumphant Wii relaunch of the Donkey Kong Country series. With a gratifying weight and amazing sensation of momentum, Donkey Kong and buddies control some of the greatest 2D platforming ever made in Tropical Freeze.
Every level and opponent has an incredible degree of detail, and David Wise came back to provide a fantastic music to go along with the chaos caused by the monkeys. This is the greatest version of one of the greatest platforming games ever created, complete with choices for multiplayer, customisation for the young monkeys in your life, and the addition of Funky Mode if you're having trouble with certain obstacles. Completely necessary.
Super Mario Maker 2Millions many Mario levels would suffice when just one isn't enough? Super Mario Maker 2, which follows the great success of the WiiU original, offers some stylish new elements to level construction on the Switch. The fantastic Super Mario 3D world and its recognisable Catsuit are among the other themes. More possibilities are made possible by the addition of a controlled NES Link with enhanced capabilities and new UI tweaks tailored for the Switch. You get a lot of Mario for your money, and Nintendo has even contributed certain levels to the game.
Super Mario Odyssey
Okay, so Mario had to be included someplace, didn't we? In contrast to Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Odyssey is a larger open-world adventure, making it the most recent in the moustachioed plumber's escapades. Mario has access to a vast array of moves and endless platforming opportunities thanks to his newfound companion Cappy, who allows him to own and control almost every adversary in the game.
Odyssey also has a stunning appearance, which is the result of clever design decisions and Nintendo's creators making the most of the Switch's capabilities. There are amazing mysteries to unearth, costumes to acquire, and some really tough platforming tasks to conquer in each unique planet. Regardless of age, Super Mario Odyssey is the greatest Mario game ever, and every Switch owner should have it.
That concludes our list of the top Switch platformers; we hope these amazing journeys will have you hopping for delight. If you want to work up a sweat, Switch users should also check out our guide to thebest Switch sports games.