Are you searching for a list of the best platform games to play on your PC? Back in the ’90s, there were hundreds of platformers for consoles. But there were not many platform games for PCs back then. Thankfully, the stigma has been broken, and we now have many Platform games for PC. We owe this to the indie retro games that made PC platformers popular among the games.
Platformer games have a reputation for comprising mechanical expertise with sublime timing control to get into it. Developers of these games are continuously trying to make this genre fun and easy to control. The definition of platformer games is under debate. So, we have put together this list that covers all the elements of a Platform game.
What are Platform Games?
Platform game, commonly known as ‘Platformer,’ is a video game genre in which players control a character who runs, jumps, and crawls onto different platforms, stairs, ledges, terrains, and other objects that require horizontal/ vertical scrolling. Platformer games are often considered a subgenre of action games. Auto-runner games are similar but not the same as platformer games.
Some famous examples of platformers are Donkey Kong (1981), Jump Bug (1981), Adventure Island (1986), Super Mario (1989), Popful Mail (1991), Victorian (1995), Congo Bongo (1983), Super Mario 64 (1996), etc.
Best 15 Platform Games for PC
Platformer games always put up a challenge. It was also a challenge to come up with this list. I hope you enjoy our Best 15 Platform Games list for PC.
1. LIMBO: #1 Platform Game for PC
Limbo is one of the earliest successful platform games on PC. It was developed and published by Playdead. This is one of the most amazing monochromic classic games still popular among fans. The game relies solely on your common sense and razor-sharp reflexes. If you want to taste the challenge, Limbo might be your perfect platformer.
Limbo is available on all major platforms, including Steam, PS4, Xbox, iOS, and Google Play Store. You can purchase Limbo for all your gaming devices. Limbo is also a cross-platform game, which means it will save all your progress on all your devices. You need to create an account to enjoy this feature.
2. CELESTE
Celeste is a game that is all about climbing a mountain. The game offers the best-in-class animation and controls for platform PC games. The pixelated 2D interface makes it enjoyable. IGN has described Celeste as a surprise masterpiece. In my opinion, Celeste is an essential experience you must have.
Celeste is more fun than any other PC game. The game has attractive colors, unique characters, and interactive items. There are 700+ screens and challenges in the game. The game excels in background audio too. There is a 2 hours original track featuring piano and catchy beats.
3. SONIC MANIA
The original Sonic game is one of the most iconic games to date. But this franchise has more of a love-it-or-hate-it vibe. Significantly if you didn’t grow up with the blue furball, you might not find it amusing. If you are a fan of the speedy character, then Sonic Mania is the game for you. Sonic Mania has everything from the original trilogy and puts it through a blender to mix it all up. And it resulted in perhaps the most enjoyable and best game of the whole series.
Sonic Mania is a game that fans have developed for fans of the blue hedgehog. It is the classic remix of the game and a perfect running platformer to enjoy on your PC.
4. Cuphead: Top Platform Games for PC
Cuphead is one of the most enjoyable & entertaining games on the internet. Classic Disney studio animations inspire the game’s animation and movements. This is the most entertaining game for me on this list. You can have hours of fun gameplay with Cuphead. It is a single-player game, but your friends can join the fun with the co-op mode.
Cuphead was designed to tribute the classic Disney and Warner Bros. art style. The game has different levels to conquer. Each level presents a new set of challenges before you. The bosses on each level are more complex than the previous one. If you like an excellent entertaining challenge, Cuphead is the game for you.
5. HOLLOW KNIGHT
Hollow Knight is a great Metroidvania game with platform-like gameplay. There are epic boss fights, different monsters, and challenging levels. The playable character has different abilities and special powers. The game has smooth controls and an easy-to-play interface. Hollow Knight offers exciting quests and challenges. The tasks get more challenging at every level.
If you are a fan of Metroidvania-style platformers, then Hollow Knight is a must-play for you. Overall, Hollow Knight represents an old-school mentality in terms of gameplay. Sometimes it will get frustrating to complete a level. But still, I would recommend playing Hollow Knight on your PC or game console.
6. CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY
Your lovely Bandicoot is back with more enhanced powers and abilities in Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a running platform game for PC with many animations and interactive features. It is a single-player adventure game that features Bandicoot and his friends. You can run, jump, spin, and repeat all the above while playing the game. You take on a challenge to run for your life through different obstacles. The environment also changes with each level.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a fantastic PC platformer you can enjoy on a Windows PC. The price of the game is also low. Overall, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a fantastic game to play.
7. KNYTT UNDERGROUND
Knytt Underground focuses on a female protagonist and presents some of the best action sequences. There is some gruesome and excessive violence shown in the game, and that’s why it is unsuitable for the faint of heart. However, if you want to enjoy a badass platformer game, play Knytt Underground.
The game may be old, but it is well-thought-out and possesses all the features of a great indie platformer. We can date the Knytt series back to the Flash game era. At that time, they were free to play games. But today, with the development of technology, Knytt Underground offers more than its predecessors. The game is worth every cent. The game is simple. There is no complex level, only the adventure and joy of playing.
8. AXIOM VERGE
Axiom Verge is one of the best 2D platformer games that a single indie developer created. It is an excellent example of a platform game inspired by the Metroidvania genre. Axiom Verge is appealing to both platform gamers and retro game lovers.
A failed scientist dies in an accident, only to be awakened in an alien world. Is he in a dream, afterlife, or virtual dream? The fundamentals of reality have been twisted. What to do in the world of mysterious Axiom Verge. You can enjoy Axiom Verge on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, Wii U, PS4, and Steam.
9. SHOVEL KNIGHT: TREASURE TROVE
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a game designed and developed by the devs to look, feel, and play like an 8-bit game. But the game is made with modern-day technology. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is not a single game. Instead, it is a collection of 5 Shovel Knight games under a single title. It includes Plague of Shadows, King of Cards, and Spector or Torment. It allows you to fight all the original bosses in a single game.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a fun and exciting indie platformer game. You can enjoy this game on your PC. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a single-player game, but you can play it on a split-screen PVP.
10. BRAID
Even though Braid is an old Platform Game for PC from 2009, many gamers still consider it one of the best indie platform games ever. In this game, you start your journey from a house and explore the world’s wonders. This single-player action platformer is drawn in a painterly style. You can dive into the flow of time and change it according to your will.
Braid is rated highly on Steam and holds the top among all the platform games. Enjoy this single-player game on your PC, Mac, and Linux devices. The price of the game is also reasonable for your wallet. Witness the retro 2D platformer with Braid.
11. VVVVVVV
I cannot say enough about VVVVVV. If you want to enjoy a platform game with the most outstanding soundtrack, try VVVVVV. This 2010 retro precision platformer has the most adorable character. VVVVVVV is a highly rated and well-received game on Steam. This is Terry Cavanagh’s masterpiece of a game to date. If you are interested in playing a challenging platformer, you will be doing yourself a disservice if you do not play VVVVVV.
VVVVVV has an elegant, minimalist-level design with challenging gameplay. The game features over half an hour of chiptune background score composed by Magnus Pålsson. You also get a special game mode, including no death and time trials. Overall, VVVVVV is a fun and exciting retro single-player game.
12. ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS
Ori and the Will of the Wisps tell us a story of a bit of Sprite named Ori, who is no stranger to peril. On a fateful night, the owlet Ku is in harm’s way. It will take more than willpower and bravery to regain a divided family.
This platform game for PC is the most anticipated sequel of the game Ori and the Blind Forest. The game is a combination of staggering beauty and atmospheric wonders. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a perfect action-platform game for walks of every stage of life. You can submerge in the straightforward world of Ori and the Will of the Wisps and spend hours of enjoyable gameplay.
13. A HAT IN TIME
We bring A hat in time to this list for all those 3D platform games. Fans of PC platformers have always been mesmerized by the simplicity and gameplay of A Hat in Time. It is a cartoonish 3D platform game with a female protagonist. The animation and graphics of A Hat in Time are worth mentioning. They are not the best, but they fit perfectly with the surroundings.
A Hat in Time is a single-player game, but you can enjoy the game on a split-screen with your friends. It is an ongoing game series with five titles available on Steam. It is a fantastic game with hours of pure joy.
14. CAVE STORY+
Cave Story+ is a modern-day 2D platform game for kids. It is a fantastic PC platformer with lots of animation and cool features. The game allows you to choose the difficulty levels as per your choice. Cave Story+ is all about jumping, crawling on different levels. You have to reach your goal by avoiding dangers and traps on your way.
Cave Story+ gives you the feel of a classic 8-bit platform game. They may copy the styles from old gameplay; the game is not to be underestimated. The controls and movement of the characters are smooth and easy to maneuver. Cave Story+ can be played on PC, Mac, and Linux. You can also get the game for your consoles.
15. N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
N++ is a fast-paced, modern-day platform game for PC. The 2D art style and smooth controls made their way onto our best PC platformer games list. N++ is available in both single and local multiplayer modes. The game is rated overwhelmingly positive by the Steam community.
N++ is a ‘WASD’ game where you control the character with the keyboard. You have to maneuver through different obstacles and reach the next level. The game runs at high speed. So, you have to be aware of your surroundings in the game. Indeed an enjoyable game indeed.
Final Thoughts
Platform games are a part of video game history. They have been around since the old days. These games are challenging and fun at the same time. We tried to incorporate all the best PC platform Games into this list. You can also share your suggestions with us. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
