The platforming genre is incredibly important to the video game industry. After all, the originalSuper Mario Bros.on the NES was a platformer, and it in turn inspired countless copycats and established one of the industry’s most popular and recognizable franchises in the process. The platformer genre enjoyed a boost in the 90s with the introduction of the 3D platformer, and while recent years haven’t been quite as kind, 2021 has been a banner year for platformers.
2021 was the year of the platformer. A number of high-quality platforming games released in 2021, including some games that stand out as the highest-rated video game releases of the entire year. There was everything from side-scrolling retro throwbacks to imaginative 3D platformers for fans of the genre to check out, with enough great new releases to keep fans satisfied and then some.
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Here are the 10 best platformers of 2021, listed in alphabetical order.
Cyber Shadow
While more recentNinja Gaidengames have more in common withDevil May Crythan old-school platformers, the original series offered 2D side-scrolling platforming action that was rather innovative at the time of their release. It doesn’t look like classic-styleNinja Gaidengames are coming anytime soon, so indie developer Mechnical Head Studios and publisher Yacht Club Games teamed up to release a new game to fill the void.
Cyber Shadowclearly takes its cues from the NES-eraNinja Gaidengames, but offers a modern take on the series with conveniences that make it far more accessible while still offering a stiff challenge. Fans of classicNinja Gaidengames and retro platformers in general should certainly give it a look, as its one of the finest examples of the genre to release all year.
It Takes Two
Josef Fares' Hazelight Studios focuses on making unique games that can only be played cooperatively with two people. Hazelight’sA Way Outhad its fans, though was a little rough around the edges. The studio’s sophomore effort,It Takes Two, meanwhile, is a co-op gaming masterpiece, putting players in the role of divorcing parents Cody and May, who find themselves trapped in the bodies of their daughter’s homemade dolls.
It Takes Twois a brilliant 3D platformerthat is constantly throwing new concepts at the players. Before a gameplay mechanic can get too stale,It Takes Twowhisks players away to a new level with completely original ideas. Cody and May often have different abilities and tasks to complete, soIt Takes Twogives players a compelling reason to go back through the entire thing and experience it all through the eyes of both characters.
2021 didn’t give players many options when it came to co-op platformers, but it did give fans what is quite possibly the best co-op platformer made to date withIt Takes Two.
Kaze and the Wild Masks
Whereas the previously mentionedCyber Shadowwas inspired by 8-bit platformers likeNinja Gaiden,Kaze and the Wild Masksis more like the 16-bit platformers that dominated the genre in the 1990s. In the game, players take on the role of Kaze, completing classic-style platforming levels and gathering the titular Wild Masks to gain new animal-based abilities.Kaze and the Wild Masksearned widespread positive reviews and is generally considered a successful throwback to classic platformers, so it’s another game that retro gaming enthusiasts will want to try as soon as possible.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spiritshas been turning heads since its reveal trailer showed off a game with near-Pixar level graphics, and luckily, the game isn’t just a pretty face; it’s actually fun to play as well.Kena: Bridge of Spiritsis similar to the PlayStation 2-era platformers where platforming may not necessarily by the main focus, but it’s still an integral part of the game’s DNA. The main goal inKenais to collect adorablegoo-like creatures called The Rotwho in turn give Kena new abilities that she can then use to better-tackle the game’s challenges. From fighting tough-as-nails bosses to completing tricky platforming sections, Kena has to use every tool at her disposal to get through the game world and help lead the restless spirits she encounters to the afterlife.
Little Nightmares 2
The originalLittle Nightmaresgame developed a dedicated fanbase, and so hype was relatively high for the followup,Little Nightmares 2.Little Nightmares 2retains the creepy atmosphere and creature designs of the original game, but is more polished, fleshed out, and entertaining. This time around, players are put in the shoes of anew character named Mono, who has to figure out puzzles and complete a variety of platforming challenges to avoid being killed by any number of grotesque beings that he encounters in the game.
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Psychonauts 2
The originalPsychonautsgame released in 2005 to rave reviews but middling sales, throwing the franchise’s future into immediate jeopardy and leaving fans on a cliffhanger. Years later Double Fine resolved that cliffhanger with a VR spin-off game, but it wouldn’t provide fans with a proper sequel until 2021 when the long-anticipatedPsychonauts 2finally released. One of the year’s highest-rated video game releases in general,Psychonauts 2is a triumphant return for the franchise, bringing Raz and the gang to the modern era with gorgeous graphics, tight platforming gameplay, and an engrossing story.
Psychonauts 2once again sees Raz jumping into the minds of various characters, all of which have their own uniquely themed levels to conquer full of collectibles to find and objectives to complete. But instead of generic platformer levels like a fire level, a forest level, a water level, etc., thelevels inPsychonauts 2are themed after mental health issues, like the gambling addiction level that takes the form of a casino.
Psychonauts 2is a must-play regardless if one’s a fan of the platforming genre or not, and hopefully fans don’t have to wait nearly as long for a followup.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac’sRatchet & Clankseries has consistently put out high quality games since it debuted on the PlayStation 2, and it’s still going strong on the PS5. One of the few true PS5 exclusive games currently available,Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis a gorgeous 3D platformerthat introduces endearing new characters, innovative new weapons, and makes fantastic use of the PS5 DualSense controller. It’s the best PS5 exclusive platformer on the market and one of the better games to come out in all of 2021.
Solar Ash
The developers ofHyper Light Drifteroffer something a little different withSolar Ash, which tradesHyper Light Drifter’s 16-bit aesthetic for something more in line with a 3D platformer.Solar Ashsets players loose in distinct hub areas, giving them the tools necessary to complete various platforming challenges and giving them the freedom to experiment and figure out the best way to do so.Solar Ashis short but sweet, and fans of the genre won’t regret checking it out.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D Worldtechnically released years ago for the Wii U, but the Switch version offers enough new content that it’s definitely worth consideration as one of the best platformers of 2021. It brings the critically-acclaimed Wii U game to the Nintendo Switch with small but important gameplay improvements, like increasing character speed, that make it an overall superior game to the original version that released nearly a decade ago.
The real draw of the package, though, is theaddition of theBowser’s Furycontent.Bowser’s Furyis a completely different beast thanSuper Mario 3D World, setting Mario loose in an open world environment that almost feels like theSuper Mariotake onBreath of the Wild-style gameplay.Bowser’s Furyis like taking a peek at what the future of theSuper Mariofranchise will likely entail, and it would be incredible to see an entire main seriesSuper Mariogame released in theBowser’s Furystyle.
BetweenBowser’s Furyand the coreSuper Mario 3D Worldgame, online co-op now included,Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furygives platforming fans serious bang for their buck. The package is absolutely stuffed with content and will keep fans busy while they wait for news on Mario’s next big gaming adventure.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
The height ofSuper Monkey Ball’s popularity came with the original console games, and nowSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Maniagives fans the chance to relive those titles on modern consoles.Super Monkey Ball: Banana Maniacombines levels fromSuper Monkey BallandSuper Monkey Ball 2with improved graphics, brand new game modes, and a number of guest characters as well. It’s the best way to play theclassicSuper Monkey Ballgamesin the modern age and is a great return to form for the series.
