Best PlayStation 5 Platformer Masterpieces

While Nintendo is famous for its platformer games, Sony has built a strong reputation with other exclusive franchises like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, and LittleBigPlanet. The PlayStation 5 doesn’t have a huge number of standout games, but there are still several worth mentioning.

Whether you enjoy classic platformers like Astro Bot or more creative ones like It Takes Two, the PS5 has something for every fan of the genre. Hopefully, we’ll see even more platforming games from various developers before this console generation ends. We might even get a few new releases this year, but let’s dive right in and explore some great options!

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Astro Bot

Super Mecha Galaxy

Astro Bot is the kind of game people wish they could instantly forget so they could play it again for the first time. It’s a remarkably creative platformer with fun abilities, well-designed levels, challenging bosses, great music, and controls that feel fantastic.

The game features fun abilities like turning into a bouncy ball to roll through lava, becoming a sponge to put out fires, or floating through the sky as a balloon. What really makes it special, though, is the nostalgia – it’s packed with appearances from beloved characters, both from famous franchises like Resident Evil and more niche titles like Mister Mosquito.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Two Universes Are Better Than One

As a huge fan, I can tell you that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is perfect if you love a fast-paced, action-packed platformer. You’ve got your standard weapons like pistols and shotguns, but it really shines with the crazy, unique guns – I’m talking weapons that can literally turn enemies into pixels! It’s a blast.

As a long-time fan, I have to say the best part of this new Ratchet & Clank game is definitely the multiverse stuff! Seeing Ratchet team up with Kit and Clank become Rivet’s sidekick – especially since Rivet and Kit are awesome female versions of Ratchet and Clank from different realities – is just brilliant. Beyond that, the levels are fantastic, I love upgrading the weapons, and the game is hilarious. Seriously, if you’re new to the series, this is the perfect place to start!

Rogue Legacy 2

A Family Business

Rogue Legacy 2 is a visually stunning 2D roguelike game. While it focuses on exciting combat, it also features well-designed platforming and plenty of helpful power-ups, such as an air dash, to aid players on their adventure.

While exploring the ever-changing dungeons, players will frequently need to carefully navigate treacherous platforms and traps. Overcoming these obstacles feels just as satisfying as combat. Rogue Legacy 2 is definitely a challenging game, but its progression system makes it very accessible for newcomers to the genre, and it’s easy to pick up and play.

Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance

Ninjas Kick Back

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance successfully revives the Shinobi series with a surprisingly intense and stylish approach. Like its predecessors, it features beautifully hand-drawn graphics and smooth, fluid animations for all the action – running, jumping, and fighting.

This 2D game boasts excellent combat and platforming, offering a challenging but satisfying experience, though it can be quite demanding. The quick, ninja-focused gameplay will likely have players striving for speed and style, wanting to look good even when playing solo.

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown

Following Ghosts

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a fresh start for the series, introducing a new protagonist named Sargon. It’s a Metroidvania-style game with fast-paced combat and excellent platforming, and players gain abilities that let them manipulate time.

The most engaging puzzles in the game have players make a clone of themselves to work with ghostly echoes of a character named Sargon. As a 2D Metroidvania, the game is cleverly designed, featuring a helpful map that guides players to important areas. Plus, the boss battles are incredibly impressive!

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Kept You Waiting, Huh?

The title Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a clever play on words. It’s been over ten years since a brand new Crash Bandicoot game was released, and the game itself features time travel – a concept from the third game. Like previous installments, Crash Bandicoot 4 is a platformer where you progress through levels, but it introduces fresh ideas to keep the gameplay from feeling repetitive.

The game boasts fantastic level design, taking you from pirate ships and ancient ruins to futuristic cities. Crash Bandicoot has never controlled so well! Plus, you’re not limited to just Crash – you can play as other characters, unlock costumes, and discover hidden levels, offering tons of extra content.

Stray

Kitty, Come Home

Okay, so I just finished playing Stray on my PS5, and wow. It’s seriously one of the cutest, but also saddest, platformers I’ve ever played. The game starts with you as this little ginger cat who gets lost from his friends, and suddenly he’s in this really depressing city full of robots. It’s a tough start, but totally worth it!

The group quickly builds a robot companion to assist them in finding their family, and their journey is filled with challenging obstacles and puzzles. While the game’s movement and jumping aren’t groundbreaking, Stray‘s immersive world makes for a captivating, though brief, experience.

It Takes Two

A New Treat Every Minute

While It Takes Two includes platforming elements, it’s really a unique mix of different gameplay ideas. This game is designed for two players and tells the story of a husband and wife who are magically turned into dolls. They must work together to break the spell and also address issues in their relationship.

Though the game deals with some serious themes, players quickly get lost in the fun of its imaginative challenges – riding ants, grinding on rails, swinging through trees, and even controlling turrets. It Takes Two is a truly memorable experience, especially when played with a friend, family member, or loved one, thanks to its constant stream of unexpected gameplay moments.

Braid, Anniversary Edition

Time Strangers

Braid, Anniversary Edition is an updated version of the popular 2008 indie game that first gained recognition on the Xbox 360. Even though it’s over a decade old, Braid still feels innovative thanks to its unique gameplay – you can actually reverse time! Players explore gorgeous, hand-painted worlds and use time manipulation to overcome challenges, solve puzzles, and bypass obstacles.

While the story seems straightforward – saving a princess – Braid, Anniversary Edition stands out from other 2D platformers because of its unique approach, which is why it became a beloved classic in the indie game scene.

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2026-03-27 10:35