Best Platformer Ps5 Games in 2026

You find yourself mid-air, gliding through vibrant landscapes as Sky, or perhaps performing a bizarre maneuver by tossing your own head across a level as Rottytops. This Ultimate Edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero turns a fantastic platformer into a massive playground of variety. Beyond the core belly-dancing mechanics, the DLC expansions push the boundaries of the original experience. You can dive into the Pirate Queen’s quest to master gear-based abilities with Risky Boots, or switch up your tactical approach using the Costume Mode to transform into Ninja or Beach Shantae. It is a dense, content-heavy package that ensures you aren't just playing as one character, but experiencing the entire world through multiple perspectives and playstyles.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure delivers pure, chaotic joy through its brilliantly unpredictable multiplayer platforming. This isn't just a simple trip down memory lane. It is a complete 3D evolution that feels both fresh and wonderfully familiar. You will find yourself navigating hand-crafted lands using a diverse move-set and game-changing gadgets that make every level feel distinct. Whether you are tackling side-splitting challenges in local party play or diving into online adventures, the controls remain deeply immersive and expressive. The world is stuffed, stitched, and zipped with enough startling surprises and fierce enemies to keep you constantly on your toes. It is a high-energy experience that captures the whimsical spirit of the franchise while pushing the boundaries of modern platforming.

Retro enthusiasts craving a high-fidelity trip down memory lane absolutely need Alex Kidd In Miracle World Dx on their PlayStation 5. This isn't just a lazy port. It is a comprehensive expansion that respects the 8-bit roots while breathing fresh life into the gameplay. I was particularly impressed by how the new levels deepen the original lore without feeling disconnected from the source material. You can toggle into retro mode for that authentic vintage aesthetic, or dive into the boss rush mode to master those iconic rock-paper-scissors battles. With improved combat mechanics and a soundtrack that blends remastered classics with reimagined tracks, it feels like a definitive version of a legend. It manages to be both a nostalgic keepsake and a modern, playable upgrade.

Most 3D platformers demand pixel-perfect reflexes, but Mission Vileaf prioritizes pure, whimsical charm. This adventure tasks you with saving the forest by navigating five distinct worlds to collect ingredients for a vital antidote. What makes the experience stand out is the Smurfizer, a multifunctional tool that serves as both a healing device for corrupted plants and a key to unlocking new areas. You aren't stuck with a single protagonist either. The game lets you swap between a unique roster including Smurfette, Hefty, Brainy, and Chef. Whether you are a seasoned platforming veteran or a complete beginner, the easy-to-pick-up gameplay ensures that the journey feels rewarding rather than punishing.

You find yourself sitting on the couch, thumb hovering over the controller, ready to bridge the gap between 1980s pixel art and modern high-definition clarity. Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX is a masterclass in how to honor a legacy while making it feel fresh for a modern console. The standout feature is the ability to toggle between classic 8-bit visuals and full HD graphics mid-level, providing a seamless trip through gaming history. Merge Games has tightened the controls to ensure movement feels fluid, and the revamped boss fight mechanics offer a much more intuitive combat experience than the original. Between the remastered soundtrack and the physical extras like the manual and keyring, this release feels like a true collector's celebration of a legend reborn.

Immersive virtual reality enthusiasts demand this specific bundle because it provides an immediate, high-quality entry point into a fully realized digital world. Instead of just playing a game, you are stepping directly into the action through the PlayStation VR headset and camera setup. Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a revelation for platforming fans, offering a 360-degree playground that feels entirely unique to the VR medium. Complementing that energy is Moss, a beautifully crafted action-adventure that lets you guide a tiny mouse named Quill through stunning, expansive environments. This collection isn't just a hardware purchase. It is a curated gateway to two of the most distinct storytelling experiences available on the platform, making it an essential starter kit for anyone serious about VR gaming.

You might wonder if a game centered around wobbly, physics-based characters is actually worth your time, but Human Fall Flat proves that chaos is incredibly addictive. This Anniversary Edition is a massive collection that includes all 14 levels released to date, featuring dreamscapes like the eerie, magnet-filled Dark level and the industrial Steam environment. While the puzzles start simple, they evolve into complex challenges that reward genuine experimentation. The real magic happens in the eight-player online multiplayer, where trying to coordinate a simple task often turns into hilarious mayhem. Between the deep character customization—letting you dress as anything from a ninja to an astronaut—and the sheer replayability of the physics engine, this is a standout title for anyone looking to laugh with friends.

Oddworld Soulstorm redefines the platforming genre by blending classic action with a deep, player-driven RPG lite system. Instead of just jumping between platforms, you are dropped into massive 2.9D environments that feel truly epic in scale. The game’s standout 'quarma' system is a game-changer, providing real-time feedback that ensures your moral choices actually shift the game's outcome. You can lean into a scavenger's lifestyle, looting trash cans and pickpocketing enemies to fuel a crafting system that provides much-needed agency. Whether you choose to lead an aggressive uprising or a more passive resistance, your strength grows alongside the followers you save. It is a dark, twisted, and deeply rewarding experience that offers a solid 15-hour journey for newcomers and endless depth for perfectionists.

The lenticular outer sleeve of the Motherlobe Edition immediately catches the eye, offering a shifting, tactile depth that sets this physical release apart from standard game cases. This iam8bit special edition brings Raz’s psychic journey to life through a unique perspective, filtering a surreal and often dark landscape through the empathetic, naive lens of a ten-year-old dreamer. While fans waited fifteen years for this sequel, the story picks up just days after the original, thrusting Raz into an internship under Hollis Forsythe. You aren't just playing a game. You are collecting a treasure trove of physical media, including reversible covers, six two-sided art cards, and die-cut stickers. It is a dream package for collectors who want to dive into the wacky characters and sinister mental worlds of the Psychonauts universe.

Kaze and the Wild Masks delivers a masterclass in 90s-style platforming nostalgia through its stunning pixel art. You step into the shoes of Kaze, embarking on a mission across the Crystal Islands to rescue your friend Hogo from a spreading curse. What really makes this experience pop is the mask mechanic, allowing you to swap between the powers of a tiger, eagle, lizard, and shark to navigate tricky environments. With over 30 main levels and a massive collection of 50 bonus levels, there is a surprising amount of depth here for a retro-inspired title. It feels like a high-quality love letter to the classics, offering tight controls and beautiful frame-by-frame animation that keeps the adventure feeling fresh despite its vintage aesthetic.

Afterimage offers a level of atmospheric depth that most metroidvanias sacrifice for simplicity. Instead of following a predictable path, you are dropped into the sprawling, interconnected ruins of Engardin, where every corner holds a secret or a new NPC to interact with. The combat feels incredibly substantial because you aren't just fighting generic mobs. You are facing over 170 enemy varieties and 30 punishing bosses. I found the RPG mechanics particularly rewarding, as the ability to mix and match over 200 pieces of equipment across six different weapon classes allows for truly unique character builds. Because your choices as Renee dictate the world's ultimate fate through multiple endings, the experience feels personal rather than just a series of combat encounters.

Most action games treat the environment as a static backdrop, but Recompile turns the entire digital landscape into a programmable weapon. This Limited Edition release for the PS5 offers a deep dive into the ruins of the Mainframe, where you aren't just fighting enemies but actively rewriting the rules of the world. The systemic design is the real star here. You can exploit logic gate circuitry to hijack forcefields, elevators, and even the enemy spawning systems themselves. Between the high-stakes combat and the philosophical questions regarding machine sentience, the experience feels incredibly layered. Plus, the inclusion of a Steelbook makes this a standout physical collector's item for anyone interested in exploring a world where nothing is hardcoded and every choice leads to a different ending.

You find yourself crouched behind a rusted metal crate, deciding whether to pickpocket a passing guard or craft a makeshift tool from the scraps you just scavenged from a nearby trash can. Oddworld: Soulstorm transforms the classic platforming formula into something far more cerebral by injecting RPG-lite elements that reward your specific playstyle. Whether you prefer an aggressive combat approach or a passive, stealthy crawl, the game responds to your choices through the unique Quarma system, which tracks your actions in real time to shape the narrative outcome. The scavenger's economy keeps you constantly engaged, forcing you to loot lockers and sifting through debris to find the resources necessary to survive a dark, twisted world that balances grim irony with a very distinct sense of humor.