Platformer games have always been a go-to genre for gamers who love a mix of skill, challenge, and adventure. Whether you’re swinging through fiery depths, jumping across moving platforms, or fighting off waves of enemies, there's no shortage of exciting experiences to dive into on Steam. So, here’s a look at some of the most popular and exciting platformers that stand out for their creativity, gameplay mechanics, and stunning worlds.

12 Chained together

Can you escape Hell?

In Chained Together, your bonds with friends are tested like never before. Set in the fiery depths of hell, this co-op platformer has you and up to four players literally chained together as you work to escape. You and your friends will have to work together and use your chains to traverse the environment: swinging, stretching, and wrapping around platforms as you use them to climb, swing, and solve puzzles.

Released in 2024, Chained Together quickly became a hit, especially on streaming platforms, as teams of players raced to escape the fiery pits of hell. The game thrives on its chaotic, fast-paced action, where any misstep can lead to hilarious (and often friendship-ending) falls back to the bottom. Whether you're swinging across a deadly chasm or trying to land that perfect coordinated jump, Chained Together will keep you on your toes. With its innovative mechanics and a growing community of players, this is a must-try for anyone seeking a challenging and often hilarious co-op experience.

11 Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Crash is back in HD

The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brings the classic PlayStation mascot back in all his glory, with a shiny new HD makeover that enhances every spin, jump, and death-defying leap. Remastering the original Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped, this collection captures the charm and tough-but-fair platforming that made the series a fan favorite. The revamped visuals are more than just eye candy; improved enemy design and smarter level layouts make navigating through its vibrant worlds more satisfying than ever, without losing the punishing difficulty that defined the original trilogy.

Vicarious Visions has done a great job of updating these games without altering their core gameplay. The signature challenge of memorizing tricky jumps, dodging enemies, and collecting Wumpa Fruit still feels as rewarding as it did back in the 90s. The added time trials and ability to play as Coco offer fresh experiences for even veteran players, while the nostalgic soundtrack will have you humming for days. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or playing them for the first time, the N. Sane Trilogy delivers a nostalgia-packed platforming experience that’s still as challenging and rewarding as ever.

10 Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Three great platformers in one

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern graphics, bringing the beloved dragon back to life with vibrant new visuals and much smoother controls. Rebuilt from the ground up by Toys For Bob, this collection revisits Spyro’s first three adventures: Spyro the Dragon, Ripto's Rage!, and Year of the Dragon, with updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements. While the core platforming remains as charming and challenging as ever. The enhanced visuals breathe new life into Spyro’s world.

The game's visuals have never looked better, whether you're soaring through the skies or charging through fiery landscapes. Spyro’s core moves like leaping, gliding, and charging feel just as satisfying as they did on the PlayStation, but with smoother animations and much more intuitive controls. For players new to Spyro, the puzzles and collectibles will provide hours of fun.

9 Rayman Legends

A fun platformer with even better couch co-op

Rayman Legends is the kind of platformer that takes everything you love about the genre and cranks it up a notch. It builds on the gameplay formula established in Rayman Origins, but with even more flair, creativity, and variety. Each level introduces fresh ideas, from stealth sections to musical stages where every jump and punch is synchronized to the beat. The game’s art style is stunning, with each stage offering new and vibrant scenes.

Whether you're sneaking past deadly traps, battling hilarious yet challenging bosses, or exploring hidden secrets, the game never lets you settle into a rut. Its charm is contagious, with fluid animation, quirky characters, and a lively soundtrack. The local co-op is a blast, though chaos can sometimes arise when multiple players jump around simultaneously. While the game doesn’t have online multiplayer, its offline co-op is perfect for couch gaming with friends or family. Overall, Rayman Legends is a platformer that feels timeless.

8 Super Meat Boy

A tough platformer with a bloody aesthetic

If you're into platformer games and really want to test your skills, Super Meat Boy is probably one of the most difficult games on this list. Created by Team Meat, this game throws you into a brutal world of meat grinders and saw blades, where the only way forward is through death and lots of it. With just two basic moves, jump and grab, you'll guide Meat Boy through devious obstacles and traps on a mission to save his beloved girlfriend, Bandage Girl. Every death feels painful, but the quick restarts keep you coming back for more.

And it's not just about the challenge; the game's retro style, hilarious cutscenes, and catchy soundtrack make it a pure joy to play. Plus, hidden warp zones and unlockable characters, like Alien Hominid, add even more to discover throughout the levels. It's tough, it's frustrating, but it's undeniably rewarding. Whether you're playing solo or passing the controller with friends, Super Meat Boy keeps you engaged with its addictive gameplay and dark humor. If you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out on one of the best indie platformers ever.

7 Shovel Knight

Grab your shovel and dig in

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is an indie game that is a must-play for any platformer fan, blending the nostalgia of classic 8-bit games with modern sensibilities. Its retro aesthetic is a love letter to the golden age of gaming, with a slick, modern visual style and a killer soundtrack that takes you right back to the NES era. The base game, Shovel of Hope, is packed with tight platforming, clever level design, and a surprisingly rich story for such a pixelated title. But the real gems are the expansions.

Specter of Torment, in particular, introduces a completely new playstyle and narrative, adding layers of depth to the experience. You control Specter Knight, whose wall-running and scythe-grinding abilities make for some seriously fun platforming challenges. Each expansion feels like a brand-new game, with unique levels and fresh mechanics that keep the experience exciting. Whether you're tackling tough bosses or just enjoying the beautifully crafted levels, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a modern indie classic that proves retro gaming can still stand the test of time.

6 Split Fiction

A genre-bending masterpiece

Split Fiction is a thrilling co-op platformer that pushes the boundaries of genre mixing. Following the success of It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios delivered another gem, combining non-stop action with a rich, evolving storyline. Players take on the roles of Zoe and Mio, two authors whose minds are hijacked by a shady tech company. The game regularly shifts between fantasy and sci-fi worlds, with each level offering fresh environments and challenges that keep things exciting and new. Zoe’s fantasy realms are full of epic boss battles and magical beasts, while Mio’s sci-fi segments feature gravity-defying parkour and futuristic puzzles.

Every level brings something new, from flying cars in neon cities to heart-pounding escapes from collapsing space stations, whether it’s solving puzzles, executing perfect timing during platforming sequences, or working together to take down colossal bosses. With its constantly evolving gameplay and a finale that leaves a lasting impact, Split Fiction is a true couch co-op experience that checks all the boxes.

5 Ori and the will of the wisps

A beautiful world with a darker story

If you’re a fan of emotional storytelling and gorgeous level design, then Ori and the Will of the Wisps needs to be on your wishlist. As the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, it expands on the original game with an even more breathtaking world, filled with stunning visuals and an unforgettable soundtrack. With tons of new abilities to unlock and areas to explore, you'll naturally be taking on even tougher boss battles. The fluidity of Ori's actions is a joy to experience. From triple jumps to wall-climbing, navigating around the ever-changing environments will keep you on your toes at all times.

The game also introduces new side quests, a central hub village, and a bestiary of creatures to interact with. The real highlight, though, is the story. It's packed with heartbreaking moments, not just of good versus evil, but of personal tragedy and redemption. Whether you're fighting your way through snow-capped peaks or swimming through water-filled caves, Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivers an unforgettable journey with emotional weight that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

4 Celeste

An emotional journey

Celeste isn’t just a platformer; it's an emotional journey that every gamer should play at least once. On the surface, it’s an extremely tough platformer, packed with creative levels that demand a high level of precision. The controls are deceptively simple, from wall-jumping to dashing midair, but the gameplay has incredible depth. As you climb Celeste Mountain as Madeline, you’ll face deadly spikes, moving platforms, and winds that push you around. But what makes Celeste so special is how it combines these challenges with its deeply moving story.

Madeline’s journey mirrors her battle with anxiety and self-doubt, adding emotional weight to the narrative that most platformers don’t even attempt. The game never forces its narrative on you, but instead, subtly blends emotional beats into its gameplay. Whether you’re a completionist hunting for strawberries or someone just hoping to experience the stunning music and atmosphere, Celeste has you covered. If you’re looking for a tough challenge or a heartwarming story, Celeste nails both, making it one of the most unique platformers on Steam.

3 Cuphead

A gorgeous 1930s-inspired art style with a Souls-like difficulty

If you're looking for a platformer to test your skills and patience, Cuphead is the game for you. From its gorgeous 1930s-inspired art style to its Souls-like difficulty, this game doesn’t mess around. Players take control of Cuphead (or Mugman in co-op) as they battle a series of wild bosses in a run-and-gun, side-scrolling adventure. Each encounter feels like a chaotic, high-stakes battle as you dodge, shoot, and parry your way to victory.

Straight out of a classic cartoon, the hand-drawn visuals are matched by a catchy jazz soundtrack that sets the tone throughout the game. But don’t be fooled by its charming looks; this game is punishing. There are no checkpoints, no health regeneration, and every boss is designed to challenge your reflexes and mastery of the game's mechanics. Cuphead offers a rewarding experience for those who want a challenge and aren’t afraid of losing… a lot.