Best beginner-friendly platformer

Platformers have been around for a very long time in the gaming world, and over the years the genre has evolved in dozens of new directions, bringing in new themes, mechanics, and settings that gamers have never seen before. As old as the space is, there are always newcomers looking to try, and die-hard fans are always quick to recommend what they think are the best starting points.

Many of these games fall into one of the few categories that make them more accessible to less hardcore gamers, but the common thread is the lack of barriers to entry. It doesn't matter if the players are running over saw traps or bouncing through the clouds; The mechanics and gameplay are all incredibly easy to understand, allowing anyone to jump in for the first time and have a really good time.

Celeste

Simple yet effective

Details:

• Tight platformer with a minimalist aesthetic

• Emotional story behind the game

Celeste stands as one of the most refined 2D platformers of its generation, built around precision movement and carefully designed challenges that will test new players without pushing them too far outside their comfort zone. Each level introduces new mechanics that expand the traversal options, from air dashes to environmental interactions, and this structure encourages players to improve through repetition, ensuring that failure feels like part of the learning process rather than a setback.

There are also so many checkpoints and assistance features that make the more difficult sections feel more manageable, meaning that even when things get tough, players can always keep moving forward. Beyond its mechanics, the game's story is equally engrossing, explores mental health and anxiety in a deeply emotional way that keeps players invested in more than just the gameplay, and when you look at it all together, it's pretty hard to find another platformer with as much refinement as Celeste.

Super Mario Odyssey

Next iteration of the king

Details:

• Open level design

• So much freedom in movement

Super Mario Odyssey takes the franchise in a whole new direction, presenting players with vast sandbox-style kingdoms that replace linear levels, allowing them to explore and approach objectives from multiple angles. Mario's movement tools are expanded through the capture mechanic, allowing him to take control of enemies and objects, each with unique abilities that open the doors to some pretty crazy tricks.

Because of how natural the progression is, players will always feel like their discoveries are earned rather than given, and even when the game presents new ideas outright, they're never too drastic. It's accessible, colorful, and above all, pure fun, and the perfect starting point for gamers looking to experience the new era of 3D platforming.

Ori and the Blind Forest

Atmosphere at its best

Details:

• Satisfying movement that develops throughout the game

• Heavy emphasis on environmental stories

Ori and the Blind Forest combines precise platforming with a strong sense of atmosphere, creating a memorable and cohesive experience unlike any other in the genre. Movement starts out simple but expands into a fluid system that allows players to connect jumps and dashes as they slide effortlessly across the beautiful yet strange world around them.

The level design leans towards this fluidity, guiding players through interconnected areas filled with dangers and secrets that only become available once players have unlocked a new skill. From a mechanical standpoint, it's a great example of how to do platforming right, and from a visual perspective, it's a stunning piece of art that will have players in awe from start to finish.

Spade Knight

Classic design made modern

Details:

• Retro-inspired mechanics with modern polish

• Clear, readable level designs

Spade Knight capturing the essence of classic platformers while refining their design for modern audiences. The mechanics are simple but versatile, built around the timing of both jumps and attacks, and the levels are structured in a way to teach players through the game, gradually introducing new challenges that slowly increase in difficulty over time.

There are enemies and objects to avoid, but their placements are carefully balanced, ensuring that each section feels fair while demanding enough attention to keep players glued to the screen. And despite having a more retro aesthetic, the game looks incredibly crisp, stripping away any clutter or complexity to ensure that what the player sees is what they get.

Rayman Legends

A Titan of the gaming world

Details:

• Fast-paced levels built around rhythm

• Co-op increases accessibility

Rayman Legends delivers a high-energy platforming experience defined by speed and movement. Many of the levels are designed to maintain a constant pace, encouraging players to move quickly through the stage, and even when obstacles arise, the tight controls allow them to quickly jump out of the way before moving on to the next obstacle.

The inclusion of co-op play makes it especially welcoming to new players, allowing multiple people to progress together, minus any competition over who is top dog. This shared experience makes the small victories monumental and means players of all stripes can come together to enjoy the ride without ever being left behind.

A hat in time

Returning to a simpler era

Details:

• Inspired by classic 3D platformers

• Focus on exploring and collecting

A hat in time revisits the structure of classic 3D platformers, emphasizing exploration and collector-driven progression within an all-new universe. Each world offers different themes and mechanics, allowing players to experiment with movement to reveal hidden paths and find new ways to navigate the more dangerous areas.

Some challenges require a bit more mechanical input, but they're rarely too punishing, meaning players can progress, even if it means failing a few more times. This balance of exploration and accessibility makes it a strong entry point for those unfamiliar with the genre, as well as those looking for something a little different.

Limbo

Creepy and weird in all the best ways

Details:

• Minimal visual style

• Puzzle platform built around environmental interactions

Limbo is a creepy puzzle-platformer that swaps the genre's vibrant aesthetic for a monochromatic palette complemented by an equally chilling world. With no dialogue or real exposition, players find themselves moving through a bleak world full of death and decay, solving simple puzzles and jumping between gaps to avoid a sticky ending below.

As they dig deeper, more locations and bits of the environment are revealed, giving players a better understanding of their place in the world while still keeping things ambiguous and open to interpretation. Now, nearly two decades later, the game remains one of the best in the genre, and an ideal place to kickstart a new platforming addiction.

Super meat boy

The ultimate test of skill

Details:

• Simple but cleverly designed levels

• Fast resumes encourage constant retries

Super meat boy is a platform game with all the dials turned up to eleven. Right from the start, the game shows its true colors, being a challenging yet deeply rewarding platformer with a comedic story and style that will test players of all stripes, but also give newcomers an opportunity to dive into the depths.

Early levels will have some spikes and saws to avoid, but as things progress the jumps become more complex and the windows shrink, turning a few deaths into dozens in a matter of minutes. Despite the ever-increasing challenge, it's a great game for new players to pick up, because no matter how many times they fail, they can immediately try again, with no crashes or awkward restarts in the way.